Pushing the envelope

In an article in Ha'aretz (Religious MKs blast court decision not to fund meals in Haredi schools - which can be found at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/635319.html), there are some rather surprising assertions. Apparently, Deputy Social Welfare Minister Avraham Ravits believes that the decision to not fund meals in Hareidi schools was motivated by racism. To quote: "Today I was proven wrong, The court again proved itself to be the conduit of racism in the state of Israel... and then they're surprised that the Haredi community has no faith in the system of law?"

One would really like to know what race the right honourable Avraham Ravits thinks is involved. Is some non-Jewish ethnic group in charge of the Israeli High Court? Are Hareidim a different race? Are Apikorsim (as no doubt Avrumel thinks of secular yidden) not of the same stock as Hareidim?

Or should we jump to a logical conclusion, namely that ultra-orthodoxy leads to such a level of inbreeding that within mere generations one can speak of ethnic differentiation?
Why is every attempt at evenhanded non-sectarianism greeted with screams of discrimination and outrage from the ultra religious?

And why must the ultra orthodox, who normally shun any and all contact with heathens who are not exactly like them, so enthusiastically jump to take advantage of EVERY POSSIBLE HANDOUT they can claim?
If they do not wish to be part of the fabric of society, it would be more suitable for them to reject handouts - insulation has to work in both directions.


Dayan Michael Cheshin said parents who decide not to accept free national schooling services and opt for private education "have no right to ask the state to fund their children's school fees."
Implied herein is that it's a one-way street and a package deal; the state provides a service, the Hareidi schools choose not to accept that service.

Part of the deal, one would think, is that if you don't adhere to the standards which have been set, and oversight by society, you relinquish much of your claim to the common soup pot.

But shame may not be a Hareidi concept. After all, it's not a mitzvah.


A system of law, however, IS a mitzvah. Having faith in it is not the point; sorry that y'all thought it was. You are supposed to interact with it, and be part of the system (and the Rambam clarifies much on this issue, you might want to look him up).