“Any decision made in this matter was done after rabbis of 23 yeshivas met to discuss the matter, including gedolei hador [top haredi rabbinic leaders] and profound Torah scholars,” a source in Ohr Baruch reportedly said, adding that no student was expelled for having a drivers license. Instead, he asserted, they were expelled for violating Ohr Baruch’s regulations.
Haredi Yeshiva Illegally Fines, Expels Students Who Have A Drivers License
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
A haredi yeshiva in Jerusalem has decided to fine or expel students who have drivers licenses, Yeshiva World reported based on a report in the Hebrew language haredi news website Kikar HaShabbat.
Yeshivas Ohr Baruch says it is following the precedent set by former supreme non-hasidic Ashkenazi haredi Rabbinic leader Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach (d. 2001), who used to expel yeshiva students found to have a drivers license.
But Ohr Baruch won’t expel such students, at least at first. Instead, students found to have a drivers license will be fined NIS 5,000 ($1,300) to as much as NIS 10,000 ($2,600). Students who do not pay the fines will be expelled – something that could negatively impact their marriage prospects.
Eight Ohr Baruch students were found to have drivers licenses. Two paid their fines. Five refused to pay and were expelled. The eighth student had extenuating circumstances that require having a valid drivers license and was reportedly allowed to keep it and remain in yeshiva.
“Any decision made in this matter was done after rabbis of 23 yeshivas met to discuss the matter, including gedolei hador [top haredi rabbinic leaders] and profound Torah scholars,” a source in Ohr Baruch reportedly said, adding that no student was expelled for having a drivers license. Instead, he asserted, they were expelled for violating Ohr Baruch’s regulations.
A legal expert consulted by Kikar HaShabbat said the yeshiva has no legal right or basis to expel or fine students for having a drivers license.
Even so, the students who were expelled will have a blemish attached to them, and even though their expulsions are likely illegal under Israeli law, the students will still carry that blemish in the haredi community and it will negatively impact their marriage prospects.