Q&A: When the Haredim Become the Majority
When the Haredim Become the Majority
Question
A. Suppose I think the reform is more justified than the current situation. In your opinion, is it legitimate to oppose it because I’m worried about what will happen here when the Haredim become the majority, and I need a court that will be on my side?
B. Why do you think the Religious Zionist community supports the reform so enthusiastically? Aren’t they worried about what’s going to happen here as the Haredim become a larger part of the population? After all, the Haredim don’t care at all about democracy and liberty or any liberal rights. They don’t recognize concepts like clean hands in public conduct, and the court is the only thing that can somehow restrain them. Without it, there’s going to be a catastrophe here. (I’m Haredi, and you’re the person closest to Religious Zionist that I can ask this question.)
Answer
A. In principle, no. The veil of ignorance is the basic premise for a discussion like this; otherwise it has no point at all. Fight directly over what you want to fight about, instead of arranging the legal framework so that it will advance that.
B. My problem is not the fear of Haredim but the very support for the reform in its extreme formulations. As I said above, your specific future concerns are not supposed to play in this arena.