Haredi lawmaker: Men need not work - wives and state allowances can pay the bills

I am ashamed of the attitudes of these out of touch, unholy men posing as spiritual Jews; they are single-handedly destroying the reputation of our people. If you want to accept U.S. dollars for our Nation than we should all be willing to work twice as hard to be worthy of our status as Jews. Judaism is not a privilege, it is a responsibility. This is the crux of Torah, yet it seems that many of the ultra-religious merely want to mitzvah themselves. It shames me that they even consider this acceptable Jewish behavior- my rabbi taught me far better than this...

- not an emasculated person with no education, self-esteem or self-reliance. I couldn't believe Judaism mandates the emasculation of men, especially since the Torah and Talmud and our whole heritage is filled with men, including scholarly men, who took pride in working and providing for their families. Per the standard ketuba that a man has to provide for his family!!!

I agree. Haredi men need not work. However, that is based on one condition. They all move to Saudi Arabia IMMEDIATELY.

It is absurd that working Israeli families have two to three children because that is all that they can afford, whilst those who choose not to work have 3 times as many children - not because they can afford them but becuase the rest of us pay for them. ITs time to cut child allowances to the first three children - this would have the wlecome advantage of substantially eliminating poverty caused by large families in the long-term and help our children as child allowances could be increased.

Well, their motto is "Ha- avodah he chaieinu, aval lo beshvil leinu". Where do they think the monies are coming from! Let these parasites work and earn their living like many others do, and not live from handouts. Funny that they do recognize the state for the handouts, but do not recognize the state politically. WHAT A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES!!!!

I am certain that the reported could have found any number of comments by Rabbi Litzman with a postive side to them. Why does one sense that you are anxious to create animosity against the Hareidi parties. Rabbi Litzman himself is a hard worker. Thus he is setting an example of a hareidi many who chooses to work.

That any woman would choose to be ultra orthodox shows the strength of brainwashing in that community. Not only must she bear numerous children, she must raise them and the money to feed them. Thank G-d I'm not orthodox!

what a brilliant idea from state of israel, a man with such iideas is israel''s law msker. shlom israel, viva laziness.

Men should work. It will be a balanced life if both work.

I was under the impression that Israel is a beacon of light in the ME: I hope that this person is not a true representative of the Israeli society. It's time to stop bowing to religious dictate. Welfare and social benefits should NEVER be granted to full able bodies, no matter how m6ch they claim to pray on a daily basis. Shame!

It's the punishment from Gan Eden. He can misinterpret it all h wants, using quotes from famous rabbi's if there are any - but the message of that parsha is pretty clear.

Surely a religious man believes in treating your neighbour as yourself so it is logical that Litzman would be happy to let Israel rely solely on its women to provide for all its economic needs plus whoever wants to fill its begging bowl. In what condition Israel be then? Extinct! The economy would be on its knees - or worse - and there would be no money to meet its security needs. The man admits he did not study core subjects and is clearly financially illiterate. I see an obvious connection.

What was I was reading the other day? It said: בְּזֵעַת אַפֶּיךָ, תֹּאכַל לֶחֶם, By the sweat of your (masculine singular) brow, shall you eat bread... and isn't there something vague about a man's obligation to work and support his family in the marriage contract (Ketuba) that only he signs his commitment to ('cos he de man) ? Or perhaps the State of Israel signs marriage contracts for the men (on our behalf) in some ultra-orthodox camps? How "reform" can Judaism get with these outlandish views - call 'em what you like but Jewish they ain't!

I'm speechless.

Husbands don't need to work, so why are more than 30% of haredi children below the poverty level? Why is it that American haredim DO work, and manage to study, only Israeli haredim are too good to work?

Please Please in upcoming elections, make sure to vote for bigger parties, so that there will not be any need to create joint parties government and we can deal with this haredi issie once and for all.

I am a "chareidi" (with chassidis levush) and I work and learn, as tens of thousands of chareidim do. As health minister, Litzman should be given the finest health treatments for his neurological problems. The entire Torah is filled with the requirement that a man is required to work to support his family. Litzman, when was the last time you read a Kesuba, which expressly states that the husband must support his wife? See Rambam, Hilchos Talmud Torah (3:10-11) and Kesef MIshna You have perverted the teachings of the Torah, in a mass forum. You have made our Am Segula into a nation of hold out your palm beggars. Should the streets of Yerushalayim, and particularly the Kosel, look like we are a nation of beggars? See Rashi-Devarim 2:7. Litzman, you simply are not grounded. No family can live on the govt programs and a wife's salary--you must add the parents who either paid for the apartment (thereby going into debt themselves) or who are contributing towards day to day living. And your probable reliance on the Torah sages would be a lie . They would not agree with your private version of the Torah. See Berachos 8a. And if you claim that the reasoning of the Torah must change to accomodate today's reality, then not only are you not "chareidi", you are not even orthodox, but, rather conservative or reform. And, if the families that you are talking about need the gov't programs to exist, then why in the majority of the yeshivos in which the husbands learn, based upon the govt programs, vehemently against the entire concept of a government--"medina"? Litzman, your hashkafa is contradicted by the Torah, has led to a beggar nation status, a chilul Hashem and a generation who live in a state of daily hypocrisy--which then leaks into their personal lack of candor and honesty. But the good news is--many "charedim" have seen through the money grab and poverty that you and your ilk have tried to make normal Chareidi" living for years.

I can understand that someone must watch over the many children of anaverage haredi household. But why should'nt the mother do that while the father works for a living? (Probably because most haredi women are much more intelligent and practical than most haredi men.)

The man is obviously ignorant of what the Torah says - Genesis 3:17 בראשית 3:17

from the tax payers.ENOUGH!

He's earned the recognition.