“Now, let me ask you: Who deserves acceptance to the ‘top’ seminary?”
I’d like to respond to M.K.’s letter in last week’s Inbox questioning the point of critiques of demonstrations such as the one offered in Yonoson Rosenblum’s column. I believe that meaningful criticism of life in Israel requires living here and experiencing its daily realities firsthand. Those who reside abroad may not fully appreciate the complexities and tensions that shape Israeli society. In that regard, commentators such as Yonoson Rosenblum, who live here and engage daily with the public mood, are often better positioned to reflect the pulse of the country than those observing from afar.
Many of us who live here have personally experienced the frustration and helplessness of being stranded for hours due to demonstrations that obstruct roads and disrupt ordinary life. While grievances may exist, do they justify infringing on others’ basic right to travel freely and conduct their lives without undeserving and undue interference?
You describe the chareidi community as angry, demonized, and slandered. I struggle with the notion that anger can serve as a license for disruptive or harmful behavior. Our mesorah consistently discourages anger as an appropriate response. Foundational Torah sources — including the Rambam, Rabbeinu Yonah, Mesillas Yesharim, and Chovos Halevavos — emphasize self-control, derech eretz, and personal refinement rather than public hostility.
When bnei Torah conduct themselves with dignity, refinement, and respect, they are admired across the spectrum of Israeli society. Conversely, behavior that includes taunting police or soldiers, obstructing civilians, or engaging in inflammatory rhetoric inevitably creates a chillul Hashem that damages and undermine the very values we seek to uphold.
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