I love chareidim. I love their simple way of life and modest living. I love the large families they have, their uncompromising dedication to Torah, and the respect they show their elders. I love the people they admire, the music they listen to, and the fact that most of them have never heard of Netflix, ESPN, or the Knicks. I love their chesed, their simple vacations, and their non-extravagant weddings.
Yes, this large sector of the Israeli population has its share of problems (Who doesn’t?), but percentage-wise, their divorce rate is much lower, they have far fewer teens going off the derech than the Religious Zionist community, and the overwhelming majority of them stay in Israel and do not seek their future elsewhere.
I admire the large number of adult men who sit and learn Torah all day and who are not interested in the business world. I try hard to learn two hours a day, but thousands of chareidi men my age are doing five times that – and I respect them tremendously! I wish I had that patience and dedication – but I do not.
My only disagreement with the chareidi world is with their stance on Medinat Yisrael – the modern State of Israel. They virtually ignore the greatest gift Hashem has given the Jewish Nation in the last 2,000 years. It’s not just about serving in the IDF; it’s about everything the State stands for. They won’t burn the Israeli flag, but they won’t wave one either. They do not sit shiv’ah on Yom HaAtzmaut, but they won’t say Hallel either. They simply pay no attention at all to anything Israel does, as if they are still living in some Polish shtetl. Finally – and most importantly – they firmly believe in the “us vs. them” way of living. “Leave us alone,” they say. “We have our communities, our institutions, and our schools. We are not interested in your army, your courts, and your modern society.”
There is, however, one major flaw with this argument. While the chareidim are not interested in the giving side of the nation, they are extremely interested in the receiving side. They support their large families from the monthly payments given to them by Bituach Leumi (Israel’s national insurance). They vote in Knesset elections so that their Knesset representatives can fight for their share of the pie. They push for housing benefits, child-care assistance, medical/dental freebies, and monthly stipends to kollel students. They are first in line to make sure their neighborhoods are protected, new schools are built, and their elderly are cared for – all from government funds.
Dearest chareidim, let me say this as clearly and as directly as I can. I love you guys, I really do – and I listed the reasons above – but you are not being fair. You cannot turn Israel into a Jewish Santa Claus who gives presents without asking for anything in return. If you want the fruit, you have to help us plant the trees. We love your Torah learning and your sincere dedication; but contrary to the way you feel, Bnei Brak, Kiryat Sefer, and Beitar Illit are not Slabodka, Pinsk, or Volozhin. You are living and growing with us in Medinat Yisrael; and while we admire and respect your way of life, we need you to join with us in building, growing, and yes! – defending the Eretz Yisrael of 2026.
I have always said that in an argument, you need to focus on the things you agree on, as opposed to just the things you disagree on. If that is your starting point, the road to a peaceful solution is usually quite simple. The same is true with the big chareidi debate today in Israel. Ninety percent of United Hatzalah first responders are chareidim. Amazing organizations such as Yad Sarah, Ezer Mizion, ZAKA, and the various bikur cholim services are virtually all staffed and run by chareidim. The tireless and great Rabbi Grossman and, of course, the life-saving Rav Firer – plus dozens of others – are chareidim who will answer the phone 24/7 to help every Jew in need. I am not exaggerating when I say that the chareidi population has tremendous potential to contribute enormously to the State of Israel – if we can work out this one difference of opinion. The chareidim have to recognize that it needs to be a “give and take” relationship, while the non-chareidim have to acknowledge their importance and value to today’s Israel, which we love so much.
I am convinced that with this mindset, we can find common ground and come together as one. And when that happens, no Jewish enemy will ever be able to stand against us.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Shmuel Sackett is a 100% product of Queens. He was born in Middle Village and moved to KGH shortly before his bar-mitzvah. He graduated from YCQ (1975) and YHSQ (1979). He was Havurat Yisrael’s first Youth Director (4 years) and started the first 2 NCSY chapters in Queens. Shmuel made aliyah in 1990 and co-founded Manhigut Yehudit, together with Moshe Feiglin. His website is www.JewishIsrael.org Sackett is married with 6 children and 4 grandchildren. He lives in Herziliya Pituach.
