It is difficult to say this, but in ultra-Orthodox society many prefer the health price over the social and spiritual price • Politics has caused them to lose faith and come to terms with the plague • Opinion
Young people go to Bnei Brak last month
Photography:
Coco
The fact that Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky was infected in Corona greatly worried the ultra-Orthodox public for a few hours, but it did not create a shock.
There was not a single ultra-Orthodox house in Israel that did not hear with concern about the infection of "R. Chaim", as it is known in the ultra-Orthodox world.
Women dedicated the reading of Psalms to his well-being, and in the synagogues there was a special blessing "He who blessed the sick" for his healing.
And the ultra-Orthodox world breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday night and yesterday as reports of his health continued to be optimistic.
Anyone who expected that the fact that Rabbi Haim was infected with the corona would shake the ultra-Orthodox public, instill in him fear and terror from the corona plague and make him even more adhere to the guidelines - is wrong.
The attitude of the ultra-Orthodox public towards Corona is very similar to the attitude of the general public, with the addition of great difficulty in maintaining the guidelines.
It is difficult to say that the ultra-Orthodox public is indifferent to Corona, but it is more difficult to say that it is frightened of it, and there are several reasons for this.
It's hard to write, but it's the truth: the fact that there are no masses of deaths and patients in a difficult situation in the ultra-Orthodox community dulls the fear of the virus.
The spiritual price that the corona imposes on the ultra-Orthodox public, such as young men who are not in yeshivot and falling out of the way and families falling apart, is more difficult.
On top of that, politics killed the fear.
In the first closure, the ultra-Orthodox made a supreme effort and strictly adhered to the guidelines, and this is not a simple effort.
This is a public that lives in small and crowded houses, with a large number of children in the house for whole days without a TV, computer or smartphone, canceling family joys and more.
Today, any ultra-Orthodox person who is asked for non-compliance with the guidelines will immediately dismiss the claim "And the demonstrations in Balfour is okay ?!"
And "If they can demonstrate we can pray."
When the demonstrations were over - the dam was breached.
The ultra-Orthodox public has lost faith and feels persecuted.
He sees that pictures of Tishim open the new editions, as opposed to a slight reprimand for holding weddings in Shefar'am.
Dramatic entrances to unruly synagogues in front of live broadcasts and applause for demonstrations.
The fact that the closure was postponed from the Israeli August to the religious holidays also caused a loss of confidence in those who are navigating the crisis.
In fact, the fact that Rabbi Kanievsky, despite being in a risk group, is in good shape may even dull the fear of danger.
However, the great danger is still ahead of us - Simchat Torah.
The boys who were closed in the yeshivot will go out to their homes, the short minyanim of the adults will become long minyanim with second laps and prayers and tastings of food together in kiddushim.
Even if all this is done outside the synagogues, it will be difficult to maintain the guidelines and complete distance.
