10 Laudable Characteristics

Since this is "Be Nice To The Charedim Week" [see previous post] I would like to list 10 positive aspects of Charedi society. I am talking about the majority and all those students of Halacha know - אזלינן בתר רוב we follow the majority. Obviously there are exceptions to every rule.

1] They don't have internet in their homes. This is another way of saying that they don't have pornography in their homes.

:-)

2] They place a heavy emphasis on Torah study at all ages. Talmud Torah is indeed kineged koolam.

3] They put on a hat and jacket before davening following the gemara [shabbos 10] and shulchan aruch [see the little letter there] that one should dress nicely for the King.

4] They have separate seating at their simchas. The gemara and shulchan aruch [even haezer 21 - based on the CHUMASH] forbid a male from enjoying the beauty of a female. If a male can keep that law at a mixed wedding then he is one step below a malach. Most of us aren't.

5] They do loads of chessed and give tzedaka well beyond their means.

6] They follow and cling to great tzadikim following the gemara that says that to cling to a tzaddik brings one to G-d Himself. WOW!

7] They have lots of babies. To quote an outspoken anti-charedi Rabbi in Israel: "The best sherut leumi [national service] is to have babies." I LOVE babies. So does G-d. See Genesis:-).

8] They make aliyah in large numbers. Really. If you don't believe me go to Har Nof and try to find someone who speaks an Israeli hebrew.

9] They daven with a minyan. Any neighborhood with a large Charedi population is filled with minyanim.

10] Every summer they fill up large halls with thousands and thousands of women who leave their homes, comfort and sweet children in order to listen to someone tell them not to speak lashon hara. They come out not for entertainment, not for physical pleasure - but just to become better people. I find that inspiring.

מי כעמך ישראל!!