Page 30 - bon-dia-aruba-20200428

a30 feature
Tuesday 28 april 2020
Jewish history explains why some ultra-Orthodox communities

defy coronavirus restrictions

Joyce Dalsheim University – some Israeli Haredim dis-
of North Carolina – Char- trust the government and
lotte its functionaries.
Eds: This story was supplied In fact, Haredi Jews, who
by The Conversation for AP make up about 10% of Is-
customers. The Associated rael's population, are foun-
Press does not guarantee dationally opposed to Zion-
the content. ism, the political ideology
Joyce Dalsheim, University of Jewish nationalism that
of North Carolina – Char- led to the establishment of
lotte Israel in 1948.
(THE CONVERSATION) Most While Haredi Jews believe
prominent rabbis around that God promised the
the world support govern- land of Israel to the Jewish
ment health regulations in- people, they are also cer-
tended to curb the spread tain that promise cannot
of coronavirus, even if it be fulfilled by human inter-
means closing places of vention in God's work, such
study and worship. But as the establishment of a
some observant Jewish nation state.
communities in the United They have previously
States and Israel were slow Israeli soldiers wear protective face masks amid concerns over the country's coronavirus outbreak clashed with the Israeli gov-
to adopt social distancing. as they put on Tefillin, cubic black leather boxes with leather straps that Orthodox Jewish men ernment and law enforce-
The leader of a strictly ob- wear on their head and their arm, to prepare for morning prayer, on the eve of Memorial Day in ment over compulsory mili-
servant Jewish community Kiryat Shaul Military Cemetery in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, April 27, 2020. tary service and other poli-
in New York instructed his Associated Press. cies.
followers to continue col- tions are generally limited police were sent into Me'a brought back memories Suspicion of police
lective study and prayer in strictly observant Jewish She'arim, a Haredi neigh- of her childhood years of So when armed men in uni-
well into March, though communities. borhood in Jerusalem, to confinement hiding from form entered their neigh-
COVID-19 had already Maintaining their close- end public gatherings, the Nazis. One New Or- borhoods to close down
killed thousands in the ness to God by distancing close synagogues and leans resident found that synagogues and yeshivas,
state. themselves from the secu- shutter schools. the "flood" of coronavirus members of the Haredi
In Israel, residents of one lar world prevented many They were met with curses, deaths recalled Hurricane community drew on their
observant Jewish neigh- Haredim from seeing news slurs and thrown stones. Katrina. collective memories of sol-
borhood reacted with defi- reports of the virus spread- Some Haredim even called Duration as personal mem- diers and police wreaking
ance – even violence – to ing worldwide in February the Israeli police "Nazis." ory is central to an individu- havoc and destruction on
the country's strict social and March. Collective memory al's sense of self, but it arises Jewish communities in Tsar-
distancing regulations. Some Haredi leaders main- While such responses might in collective memories, too. ist Russia and later in West-
Outsiders are often out- tained that gathering to seem extreme to outsid- Collective memory, in- ern Europe. Rather than
raged when religious com- pray and study remained ers, they become clearer cluding the stories we all feeling protected by the
munities defy government paramount. Studying the when considering Jewish tell ourselves and our chil- state, they were fearful and
regulations meant to pro- Hebrew scriptures, or Torah, history and the memories dren about our past, gives suspicious.
tect the general public. But is a commandment and provoked by police inter- meaning and purpose to Suspicion of the police is
the situation in strictly obser- a duty in Judaism. Haredi vention. our collective selves. These common in other commu-
vant Jewish communities men generally gather to Anthropological research stories recount struggles nities historically mistreated
is more complicated than pray three times daily. Stu- demonstrates that people and triumphs and help de- by law enforcement. The
simply flouting the rules. dents at yeshivas, or Jewish give meaning to their ex- fine our moral community. collective memories of
As an anthropologist who seminaries, may spend 18 periences in different ways. Duration interacts with col- both black Americans and
studies religion, politics, hours a day studying to- Our perception, imagina- lective memory, and is key the Roma of Europe, for
identity and conflict in Israel gether. tion and actions are deep- to the formation of group example, associate police
and Palestine, my research More than a way of life, ly embedded in the whole identity. with violence and danger.
helps explain why some reli- prayer and study are the of our experiences. The History of persecution When facing a crisis like the
gious groups might disobey means for protecting life past – whether individually The historical persecution coronavirus, many people
public health guidelines. itself. According to Jewish experienced or collectively of Jews around the world rely primarily on science,
Who are Haredi Jews? sages, "One who engages nourished by the commu- is central to both secular technology and govern-
Ultra-Orthodox, orHaredi in Torah study also protects nity – gives meaning to the and strictly observant Jews. ments for protection. And
Jewish communities, are the entire world." Indeed, present. However, how that mem- the Haredim do not reject
a diverse population, with "without Torah the world Henri Bergson, a French ory works in contemporary science or medicine.
varying spiritual and cultur- falls." philosopher, used the term circumstances is not pre- But for them, living the To-
al practices. But they all fol- The importance of engag- "duration" to explain how determined. My research rah life through daily study
low Halacha, loosely trans- ing with the Torah explains the past shifts to present demonstrates that different and prayer is the primary
lated as Jewish law. why one prominent rabbi in itself in ways that appeal aspects of the past inform means by which all human
As such, many do not Israel insisted even in March to current experiences in collective meaning and life is maintained and pre-
share the same information that "canceling Torah study different ways for different actions differently. served. When the political
sources that others take for is more dangerous than the people. Unlike most Israelis – who order interferes with their
granted. In accordance coronavirus." For some, hospital tents see Jewish history as a jus- work, the consequences
with the rulings of their Ultimately, the Israeli gov- erected in public places tification for the state of could be more disastrous
rabbis, internet access, ernment intervened to evoke World War I. A Holo- Israel and understand the than a pandemic. It could
television broadcasts and enforce its coronavirus re- caust survivor recently told Israeli army and police as mean the end of Jewish life,
certain cellphone func- strictions. On March 22, me the stay-at-home order existing to protect them if not of humanity itself.q