This year in Uman: Hasids don 'veils' en route to Rabbi Nachman's tomb

these guys are a cult why is the tax payer financing this ridiculous situation

I think it is fair to the Haredim to point out that their community has lived in Israel for centuries prior to Zionism and prior to the birth of Israel. Many do not agree with the formation of Israel and Zionism as a country but their were here as a community first and they have stayed and why not? As for the veil; this type of veiling is not new in the region and has been used, as you will see in many artists paintings over the past hundreds of years by Middle Easterners while travelling to keep them comfortable, calm and relaxed and cool. So I would prefer to think that somehow these pilgrims are just going back to some of the "old regional habits." which I am all for, whether they originate with Hebrews or Arabs. If it works impliment it.

Look to whom these some scrupulous ones put to shame and scorn. They have their own "objects of scorn".

Split, If you know how many closet Brazlavers there are who hold down regular jobs, and, aren't even entirely Halachically Observant, you would stop spewing your hateful drivel in this talkback. If you cared to look around you, and noticed the men with the large white kipot with "Na Na Nachman" on the streets, even in Tel Aviv, you might understand the significance of this pilgrimage. It ain't Elton John at Park HaYarkon. It's something far more spiritual and deeper than you can ever imagine. Trouble is that you are so immersed in the media that you will accept any lies that the noosepapers hang out to lynch anybody who dares to express a Jewish thought in the public domain.

On the grounds that it is begdei isha, clothing of a woman since it is an object of clothing that is worn by Muslim women and therfore it is forbidden by Jewish law. Since you cannot see their beards and Muslim women, by a ruling from Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in referring to women in the army, are permitted to wear trousers rather than short skirts, these hasidim might be taken, god forbid, as women and therfore the veils have got to go on the women since the rabbis find it a disgrace that their are non-Jewish women who observe a higher degree of modesty thatn the daughters of Israel.

But when you insult your dress keep it to Jews do not start insulting Christian and Muslim dress. We do not attack your religion or your mode of dress.

Folk Judaism certainly does have siants, tzaddikim, whose merits(sechuiot) can accrue and be of benefit for living Jews. This is one case. David's tomb is another, and the cave of Eliyahu Hanavi on Mt. Carmel and Rachel's Tomb and the Machpelah. We don't use the term "saint", no, but Tzaddik.

there's no much wrong with your post was doesn't know what to address first these people are the ones making themselves look like something out of a bad sci-fi story. the photos only depict them as they look; it's up to YOU to find that "derogatory." And speaking of derogatory, isn't the only reason they're blinding themselves like this is because people like me and my culture are offensive to them? why on earth should i respect that? And how are the photos bullying? And how does the photo influence reality more than any other photo-journalism?

They themselves put such photos on the leaflets they distributed. So nu...

you shouldn't be so critical. You are more tolerant of other groups than you own- stop rebelling like a spoiled ignorant child and learn to tolerate (or if really mature, accept) the differences in your nation. Until then you hide behind your ugly mask of self-hating bigotry. this story is more of a purim shpiel- of the hundreds of Jews I know who travel to Uman for spiritual purposes, I doubt that 98% would ever put on these blinders, they can rely on their own control of vision and focus. Haaretz is out of sync with the holidays. shana tova!

i'm not jewish! not just jews are named josh, you know. so now instead of being a "self-hating jew" i'm just a plain old "anti-semite." lol

In Israel, you have the right to be weird. Compare that to most of Israel's neighbors, who behead or hang non-conformists.

Yes, it is true, but that only means that he will be compensated even more by god! the more you're blind, hopeless, irrational and weird, the more god apparently loves that!

At least these guys are doing it to themselves.

self-imposed medievalism is better than imposing it on others (though surely they'd like to)

Think about it: segregated buses, women who are considered as bellies for babies and nothing else, women who have to work hard or even beg to feed the family because some Haredim men won't work... very close to what you see in many Muslim countries.

what they eat, spend, waste (time) and indulge. they reel against any of their tribesmen who display control over physical and spiritual excesses. while there have been always few members who rebel, today, under the false banner of 'democracy', some descendents of our great people have descended into a low moral state. Lucky they live in Israel and at least know the aleph-bet vs. those outside the country. Good news- more people are returning to the fold and slowly ascending to the levels worthy of being considered 'chosen' to accept the Torah and mitzvot as their life's purpose. Seeing how Haaretz is now doing a fashion column on Jewish garb, perhaps this scarf will be worn by some real self-hating Jews who will not even want to be seen walking among their own brethren- this is what shows up in at least biased words if not in the latest fashion trends.

The way women are treated in the Haredim community is no better than the way they are treated in Muslim countries. Haredim even practice polygamy! You see these poor Haredi women begging the husbands who have abandoned them to grant them divorce. The women often have to wait for years, while the haredim men are FREE TO TAKE A SECOND WIFE! Yes, this is happening in Israel in 2010.

and in fact on face book there's a group called "If you don't want to watch a nursing mother cover your head with a blanket" and lo! that is exactly what these religious Jews have done. They are to be commended for their behaviours!

at least haredim cannot murder their daughters/sisters for "honor'

you are right elisabeth!

There's so much "Jewishness" in Islam, including the Sharia, that would blow your mind if you look closely. The main reason is the Jews and Muslim have live with each other for centuries, until the Zionists came and messed up the whole enchilada.

the sect of Haredim they are. Anti-Zionist Haredim do not look at symbols of the Zionist state of Israel, even fireworks on "Independence Day." My assumption would be women dressed immodestly, televisions, screens in general, newspapers they disagree with, etc.

If they are anti-zionist, shouldn't they live elsewhere?

thank you chris!

There is a difference between what is called Zionism and good ol Zionism. Generally when people say Zionism it means believing in creating and sustaining the Modern definition of a Jewish state. But there is also the traditional Zionism, which is G-d gave this land to the Jews to live in. It doesn't matter as much who is running the government, only ones presence in the land. So as you can see, there are those who don't support the modern zionism, yet need to live here. When one says Anti-Zionist, they are refueing to people who believe it is special and right to live here, but that if Jews control it it should be culturally Jewish.

An opthamologist will dilate your pupils in order to get inside the eye and see what is going on. a Few hasids who travel to Uman for very spiritual times, may attempt to cover their eyes & prevent any disruptive sights from entering their eyes and mind, hampering their soul trip. If they know their strengths and weaknesses, these human blinders or maybe a dark pair of sunglasses might make the trip more successful. Most Jews who read the preliminary prayers before Yom Kipur can certainly understand the need to prepare one's mind and body for the 24hour period they are entering. Even going into the mikvah prior to Shabbas and holidays is part of their immersion process and weekly/season travels. this is indeed what the untaught Jews of the secularly brainwashed israel look for when they go to India and other remote places to find out who they are. Many return home with a nice photo album and some wild stories but no spiritual bullseye......until they stumble upon a Amnon Yitschak, a chabad friend, or just a life stirring moment like the birth of a child and they realize that their quest is right inside of them waiting to be nurtured and grown. As a haredi, I feel sorry for the veiled Jew who has to go that far, but on the other hand, if he needs that much 'help' to land in the right atmosphere and destination, why not. At least he will sleep better on the plane, than me with my ElAl eye shades.

you would know the answer to this...First they are mostly born here, MOST haredim do not leave the country they are born in because it is against God. Second Israeli Arabs are mostly not Zionist either, should they leave as well? DO Americans who do not buy into American nationalism have to leave America? This is a horrible slippery slope, where does it stand and end? WHy do you have to be a nationalist to live in the country you are born in. Nationalism is a disgrace against God to Haredim so you want to force these people to not observe their religion? Good luck, I would not want to live in your country.

Particularly about youngsters - and not only secular youngsters - looking for themselves in India and the Andes because they can't figure it out thanks to the sparse, constricted diet at home in Israel.

The LAND of Israel is venerated by all Orthodox "sects" of Judaism. The yearning to return to the Land (i.e., in Messianic times) is an oft-repeated, fundamental aspect of the daily prayers, even in the Grace After Meals. Rabbinic opinion ranges from a standpoint that one is OBLIGATED to live in the Land of Israel, to it being a very good, though not absolutely necessary, thing. Regardless of the details, the fundamental point of the Land being absolutely central to Judaism and Jewish existence is firmly enshrined in the credo adhered to by Orthodox Jews of all stripes. What is MORE controversial, and far less universally accepted, is the idea of a Jewish state (particularly a secular Jewish state, as exists now) set up on the Land prior to the Messianic period. Many Orthodox Jews see the advent of the modern state of Israel as the "birthpangs of the Messiah", but most others, including the vast majority of Hasidim, are either ambivalent towards the idea of a pre-Messiah Jewish state, or, more commonly, fiercely opposed to it on religious grounds. Thus, they LIVE in the land because they believe that doing so fulfills a lofty ideal in Judaism, but they do not necessarily support the existence of the State.

Your answer is so well thought out and insightful. I think it's one of the best posts i've read here with regard to religious issues. Thanks for your input!