Q&A: Your Past Belonging to the Haredi Community
Your Past Belonging to the Haredi Community
Question
I read things you write about the Haredi public.
I just can’t understand: if you understood all this, why did you remain in that community until such a late age?
Answer
First of all, it takes time to process things and formulate a general position. That doesn’t happen immediately. Especially since I had to become convinced that their approach is not required by Jewish law and the Torah, and therefore there is no justification for rejecting morality because of it. For that, one has to advance in analytical study and in Jewish law. And finally, I was never fully identified with it, but I thought the advantages (keeping the children on the right path and fear of Heaven) outweighed the disadvantages. In the end I came to the conclusion that the advantages do not really exist, and certainly do not outweigh the disadvantages.
Discussion on Answer
1. Absolutely. Ask them themselves and they’ll tell you that everything is Jewish law.
2. I was definitely mistaken. I tried to correct it afterward.
Interesting, 1. In order to understand that the Haredi approach is not required by Jewish law, do you need deep analytical study?!
Isn’t it much simpler, at least just like in many other things where the Haredim violate Jewish law?
2. At least regarding your children, were you mistaken?