Haredim Step Up War Against "Taliban" Women

After years of trying to ignore the issue, Eidah Charedit haredi leaders are now trying to stop haredi women from participating in the hyper-modest burka cult. The "Taliban" women wear veils and sack-like clothing. According to some of their husbands, many of these women refuse to have sex with their husbands (except in very special cases) and won't let them see their own daughters. And they also force their children into marriage at an early age against their will.

Burka cult mother and daughter walking in Jerusalem

Haredim step up war on 'Taliban women'
Extreme Eda Haredit faction decides to denounce women wearing cloaks after learning they refuse to send their children to school, put their families in danger for modesty reasons
Kobi Nahshoni • Ynet   

After years of intentional disregard, the past few weeks have seen a change in the ultra-Orthodox community's treatment of "Taliban women" – haredi women wearing cloaks for modesty reasons.

The extreme Eda Haredit faction in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood has launched a war on the "veiled women", as they are referred to on the haredi street, and is surprisingly slamming a radical-religious phenomenon from a more moderate position.

Until recently, the haredi society found no interest in launching a battle, but recent evidence on the actions of the "Taliban women" ignited a war. The Eda Haredit rabbis realized that those women had blown the modesty issue out of proportions.

According to some of the testimonies, the women refuse to have sex with their husbands (except in very special cases), won't let them see their own daughters and force their children into marriage at an early age against their will.

The haredim claim that the "Taliban women" have turned into a dangerous, anarchistic sect, which damages families in the name of religion.

A special meeting of the Badatz – the Eda Haredit's supreme religious-spiritual authority – concluded with a proclamation titled, "Holy call for the sanctity of Israel's homes." The rabbis warned Jewish women to stay away from the customs and ways of the "Taliban women", who "are doomed".

The proclamation led to a series of acts of protest against the extreme women, and even against rabbis suspected of collaborating with them.

Demonstrations attended by dozens and sometimes hundreds of people were held in Mea Shearim, with the protestors including relatives of the "Taliban women" who oppose their ways.
 
Modesty above all

The "veiled women" phenomenon began developing in recent years mainly in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh. It involves dozens of women – either ultra-Orthodox affiliated with the Eda Haredit faction or former seculars.
 
These women have radicalized an old custom, which was accepted by parts of the haredi society for decades, to wrap the neck and chest with a thick scarf. Instead, they have chosen to dress in black and cover their faces completely, viewing Muslim women's modesty rules as a role model.

Over the years, the phenomenon began spreading, and the "sect" now has some unofficial leaders influencing their friends not to obey rabbis' instructions.

Some of the group members are imposing the strict dress code on their minor daughters as well, and are refusing to send their children to educational institutes whose staff does not follow their ways. They believe they are sacrificing themselves and their dignity for the Jewish people's redemption, and are therefore willing to absorb every insult directed at them.
 
The final straw in the haredi battle against the "veiled women" was the revelation of two troubling testimonies about their society. In the first incident, one of the women gave birth at home rather than in a hospital for "modesty reasons". She wouldn't change her mind even when the baby's life was in danger following complications during the delivery.

Eventually, a paramedic called in to attend to the newborn rushed the baby to a hospital against her will – and the hospital got the welfare services and rabbis involved.

In another incident, two of the group leaders decided to pair their children – a 16-year-old boy and 23-year-old girl – without informing the couple or their fathers. The women held the wedding ceremony against the minor groom's will, and as a result he asked to divorce his wife shortly afterwards.

When the wife refused to accept a divorce, the husband decided to marry another young woman in an act of bigamy which is illegal and considered controversial by the Halacha.

Protests in Mea Shearim

One of the figures involved in the affair is Rabbi Aharon Rompler, who has been accused on the haredi street of providing spiritual support to the extreme women.

Rompler has been required several times to declare that he opposes the phenomenon, so as not to give the public a reason to suspect that the Badatz was referring to him in its condemnation of "anyone who had a part in this" – but failed to do so, even after incriminating evidence was exposed about his relations with some of the women.

The rabbi's associates explained that he would not deny that the rabbis' proclamation referred to him, as there is no such implication, and if he would do so people would say he was guilty.

According to the associates, the fact that his wife and daughters do not cover their bodies with cloaks proves that he is not affiliated or identifies with the "Taliban sect".

The explanations did not satisfy the struggle's activists, who staged a protest outside his home and house of study. According to report, Rompler has even received death threats.

In the meantime the issue continues to engage haredi media, which are reporting of every development and every statement made by a rabbi on the matter. The big question remains: Will it end with an all-out war or modestly?

Comments

[Garnel Ironheart]

So first the Eidah created this environment with their "frummer than thou" chumrah of the week Judaism. Now they're trying to stop it?
These women are mentally ill. This isn't about piety. This isn't about connection to God. This is mental illness, pure and simple. Perhaps it's OCD run amok but even by Chareidi standards there should be no tolerating this.

[perhaps this is the problem]

Its telling that this was part of the complaint: "the women refuse to have sex with their husbands." husbands complained (rightfully so, mind you halacha mandates that this is inappropriate) and the Eida stepped in.

[Waiting4Moshiach]

Nebech, in Monsey is a woman who when she is home wears these heavy clothes all year round including summer. All black and all wool. I heard she does not bathe because she says it is immodest for her to see herself in a bathtub. This woman smells so bad that the bachurim at the yeshiva nearby cannot concentrate on their studies when the windows are open. So what does this teach us? If it prevents a Youngerman from learning then it is not of Torah and should be opposed.

[jancsipista.]

of course theese woman are just rebelling against their husbands they see how the husbands behave and they try to outdoo them in their insanity, its the logical outcome of a sick sect mentality no wonder all theese hassidim are trying to outdoo one another in their insane behaviour

[tsivie]

Some time ago I came across a book by a Catholic psychologist about treating people (Jewish as well as Catholic) with compulsively observant religious practices. In trying to find that title (unsuccessful), I came across this interesting site about OCD and religions:

http://www.geonius.com/ocd/religion.html

An individual who is hyper-observant and stands out as within his family or community may well find psychological treatment. But a whole community of such persons, who are resistant to therapy to boot ~ well, then what?

Back to the extreme haredi, no sex is an end result of the men's oppressive and misogynistic religiosity. Irony, karma, logic ~ or all three!

[Barry]

These women suffer from a mental illness not dissimilar from anorexia. This illness is brought about by preoccupation with tznius in the same way that anorexia is caused with a preoccupation with little weight

You do not treat anorexic girls by screaming abuse or threatening them. It does not work.
Neither will it work with women and girls suffering from Tnius mania.

[online writer jobs]

having privilege to be attached in this kind of blog will give me understanding to some issues and concern in my community.

[Jeff]

When the wife refused to accept a divorce, the husband decided to marry another young woman in an act of bigamy which is illegal and considered controversial by the Halacha.

That can't be correct. Even though he's over thirteen, if he was coerced, it can't be halakhically binding, even by their standards.

[AztecQueen2000]

How does someone sign a kesubah against his will?

[p]

Maybe these women put on a sack not for tznius reasons. Maybe they are such "mieskeits" that they cover themselves up out of embarrassment.

[ah-pee-chorus]

Maybe they are such "mieskeits" that they cover themselves up out of embarrassment.

Posted by: p

so youre suggesting that tznius regulation is a response to 'meeuskite'? what does that say about the entire charedi world?

[The F-Stops Here]

If this were in NY or LA it'd all be a mirage; a publicity stunt. But since J'Town seems to attract all manner of nutcases, I suppose we have to believe it's fo'real.

[Guest]

Q: The Gerrorists don't have sex with their wives unless they get permission from their Rabbis. Why won't the Eidah Rabbis condemn them.

A: Because then the Gerrorists will kill the Eidah Rabbis. Never start up with a Gerrorist.

[p]

so youre suggesting that tznius regulation is a response to 'meeuskite'? what does that say about the entire charedi world?

Posted by: ah-pee-chorus | November 29, 2011 at 12:21 PM

This says nothing about the whole charedi world, just the ugly ones.

Listen, haredim and Arabs that sit at home and push out a dozen or so kids takes it toll.

[ah-pee-chorus]

this is like telling women they must weigh no more than 75 pounds since that will make them happy and healthy and then calling them crazy anorexics when they decide that if dropping down to 75 pounds is good, then getting down to 73 is even better.

[Proton Soup]

this is what happens when men fail. women take the reins.

[Guest]

The Muslim takes the OCD the other direction. He's willing to kill himself and countless other infidels to get 72 virgins (and I guess UNLIMITED sex).

If we tell the Muslims that the 72 virgins will be the smelly veiled women from Meah Shearim, maybe they'll rethink their drive to have sex with them.

Unless their OCD is so strong that there is no reasoning with them.

[Gefilte Fish]

I can't help but think that the real reason the rabbis are against what these women do is because they didn't think of this first.

[seymour]

The Eda Haredit rabbis realized that those women had blown the modesty issue out of proportions.

that is the main the issue "the woman" not the act itself. If they would have come up with it all would be fine and dandy.

it bugs them that a lesser being came up with a churmhra

[Litvish]

it bugs them that a lesser being came up with a churmhra

Posted by: seymour
====
Yes.

What a delicious situation.

The rabbonim are getting a taste of their own insanity taken to its illogical extreme.

May there be many, many more like this in the haredi world.

Let them out chumra each other until they are all admitted to the looney bin.

I wonder what the next chumra du jour will be ?

Gouge out your eyes so you can't see any evil?

Be bodek chumatz throughout pesakh to make sure you really got it all?

Refuse to eat fruit or veggies ever since some of it might have been produced in EY during shmita?

Cut off your pee pee thing so you won't be tempted to wank off?

Have your own super ultra-haredi rebbe who doesn't hold by anyone except the greatest kanoi in the world? ( My rebbe is more chumra than yours!!!)

Isn't the service of hashem delightful?

[Bas Melech]

Where are these husbands getting it?
Is there a rise in STDs? Is that the real concern of the rabbis?
Are these taliban women really lesbians?

[nj princess]

Gouge out your eyes so you can't see any evil?
by Litvish

Before that there will be "must wear dark sunglasses at all times except in the home, in shul, in the beis medrash and possibly while driving at night" only when that has become the standard will the possible eye- gouging thing become a reality. Of course, like the burka cult that considers muslim womens' modesty ideal these men will not want to be outdone and will consider the eye gouging of the muslim men who've been to Mecca and gouged their eyes the ideal. It all comes full circle.

[JPACNYC.BLOGSPOT.COM]

These women are not all frum from birth. Many are Baalei tsuvah,returnees to Torah. They should have a right to dress modest without harrassment. The problem really is that some of their husbands are not really frum inside. They just dress in the Chassidic culture but their heads are full of secular junk. The proof of the pudding is that usually a normal chassidic or chareidi man marrys his own background. When a regular frum from birth, Chareidi individual marrys a baalas tsuvah,its a red flag. It means he is really on the fringes of his community and because of his bad reputation is forced to marry someone from outside his crowd. Now these women who are sincere about their religion find themselves stuck with a husband who looks religious but inside he is rotten. DONT BLAME THE WOMEN.They are refined individuals and very sincere.

[Proton Soup]

wow, JPAC is saying something that isn't insane

[Litvish]

Posted by: Proton Soup
===
Yeah, his meds have just been increased.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

Can I wear this as well? - I am butt ugly, and need an excuse to hide myself in public.

Seriously though, this will be the only way we will soon be able to walk around without being followed by face recognition software linked to cameras everywhere.

Of course, if you do nothing wrong, you have nothing to hide. (But if they change the rules on you, you may find yourself in big doodoo).

[Adam Neira]

Ridiculous attire. People can basically wear what they want within reason, but there is something about the human face that allows trust building. It is also unfair for people to be able to see you and you can't see them. Like on TV when secret service agents wearing mirrored sunglasses talk to some shmuck in the street.

[Jeff]

wow, JPAC is saying something that isn't insane

Yeah, his meds have just been increased.

You don't think this is insane?

DONT BLAME THE WOMEN.They are refined individuals and very sincere.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

Insane is defined by the society you live in.

[Proton Soup]

You don't think this is insane?

DONT BLAME THE WOMEN.They are refined individuals and very sincere.

Posted by: Jeff | November 30, 2011 at 06:25 AM

reading all of what he wrote, not one sentence, i think it fits. thing is, with a male-dominated society like this, women have few options, so you have to view their actions through that lens. suppose you've got a woman who notices that her husband is maybe getting just a little too affectionate with one of his children. what can you do? you can make her less appealing, and you can limit interaction. which is exactly what you're seeing. what else are they supposed to do? they are forbidden to go to the secular authorities, and from what i've learned it's doubtful there's a haredi shelter for abused women and children.

there's also another thing, and that is the high birth rates coupled with an expectation to do the breadwinning. they can't do it all. especially with 8 kids and a prolapsed uterus. so you've got to wonder whether there is some backlash to having their bodies turned into baby factories and destroying themselves mentally and physically.

[Yechiel]

Aron Hersh Rumpler used to be a Monsey resident. The man was always flyin' high... Everything makes perfect sense.

[Jeff]

Proton Soup, that almost certainly isn't what's going on there. There's an insane rebbetzen in Beit Shemesh who started this cult a few years ago, and apparently, it's spread. They aren't doing this because they're being abused (although I suppose it's possible it gives them a sense of power).

This is more along the lines of being repulsed by their own bodies. I'd wager it's in the same family as bulimia and anorexia.

[Gefilte Fish]

I think it's a "frummer than thou" issue.

These women truly believe that they have the power to bring about moshiach, if only they dress MORE tsniusdik than the next one. Thus, we get to the "ein l'davar sof" (there is no end to the matter); i.e., more tsnius begets even more tsnius begets yet more tsnius.

[Jeff]

I think it's a "frummer than thou" issue.

Yes, that too.