Haredi leaders, this is your chance

Tuesday’s High Court ruling returned the Tal Law to the center stage of politics. Our natural response would be to say that the High Court’s ruling on the law’s unconstitutionality, together with the anticipated public pressure, comprise a significant threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition. On the contrary, I believe that the public debate over the Tal Law is of great interest to the haredi [ultra-Orthodox] community as well as its spiritual and political leadership.

What does the broader public actually know about the haredi sector? Almost nothing really. Most people regard them as extortionists who do not serve in the army, do not study core academic subjects and have even managed to tweak affordable housing laws to their advantage. But in actuality, the haredi public has undergone a tremendous revolution: There is widespread pursuit of higher education, and not just for the teaching professions; more men are entering the workforce, even in mixed environments; Nahal Haredi [an IDF combat unit for ultra-Orthodox soldiers] has grown stronger, along with other programs for combining military service and study; there is increased teaching of core curriculum subjects; and we have not even mentioned the amazing work being done through social and charitable organizations (including the battle against traffic accidents) to the benefit society at large.

Why is there such a gap between reality and perception? Rabbi Moses Schreiber, better known as the Chatam Sofer, was a 19th-century activist against the Jewish Reform Movement in Europe. He coined the phrase “Chadash asur min haTorah” ( the new is forbidden by the Torah) as a slogan heralding opposition to any philosophical, social or practical reform of traditional Orthodox practice. This phrase is lodged in the DNA of many haredim, who oppose any expression of progress and adhere faithfully to the good old ways.

Now is the time for ultra-Orthodox politicians, including Interior Minister Eli Yishai, Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman, MK Moshe Gafni, Housing and Construction Minister Ariel Atias and even former minister Aryeh Deri to launch a public discussion in haredi society about sharing the burden.

The cooperation of haredi leadership, and even an initiative on its part, would lead to a broader discussion on the Tal Law. That might require great effort from the haredi public, but it would once and for all lift the pall of anti-Haredi sentiment from Israeli society. Such a conversation is especially necessary these days as some people pledge to introduce public transportation on Shabbat, even when they know it is not viable, while others seek to revive the anti-haredi war that had been consigned to the trash bin of history.

To all the leaders of the haredi sector: This is your chance. Don’t miss the boat.

Roey Lachmanovitz is the former speaker of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party.