168 Comments

Hey, no fair! You can't try and rebut Happynomics when Happy is banned.

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I think it is obvious to all that the BASELESS ban on HGL is because NS realizes he has no good (or even not so good) responses to his Happy's criticisms and the only way to shut him up is to ban him. Why don

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Constant economic propping up of Chareidi society will cause diversion of essential funds for essential public services for the Chareidim. So the state doesn't collapse and the Chareidim starve it still causes damage to the general public and unfairly shifts the tax burden to rest or the general public. WHY? אם לא עכשיו אימתי?!.

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Why not paste it here as your own comment?

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Here, I'll do it:

The Fallacy of Economic Catastrophism

By Happygolucky

There is a certain very pessimistic idea out there that Israeli chareidim, who are generally poor and rely on government support, will eventually cause the economic collapse of the entire country. This is because, as the idea goes, as they increase in proportion to the rest of the “productive” population, their subsidies will eventually consume all the money in the country. As one of these sad and gloomy prophets declares:

On a societal level, it’s even worse. By the time the charedi leadership accepts that they have to change their way of lie, it will be too late. First, because this realization will only happen when they are either incapable of using their political strength to extract money from the rest of the country, or when there is nothing left to extract. The former may well not happen before the latter. Secular Israelis are not going to hang around while a government that needs charedi support is continually raising taxes from non-charedim in order to support the growing charedi population.

Second, even if the charedi leadership eventually does accept that change is necessary, it’s not something that can happen overnight. After convincing people for decades that secular education is treif and work is to be avoided, you can’t suddenly convince them otherwise. And even when you do convince them, it will only help them change things for the next generation. There is a lag of thirty years, after the money has run out.

The author of this piece obviously has no comprehension of the basics of finance and economics. Forget about GDP growth rates, duration, convexity, supply and demand, opportunity cost, PV, APV, put-call parity, elasticity, etc.- he doesn’t even understand simple arithmetic. There are a whole bunch of strawmen and simple fallacies in the two paragraphs I quoted, but the most striking ones are that the author imagines

The money runs out suddenly rather than gradually, in a way that people perceive. This is obviously an extremely childish way to think, and doesn’t happen in the real world. UNLESS…somebody (=the government) deliberately cuts it off suddenly- which is extraordinarily unlikely, and even if it happened, would mainly affect the chareidim, and the fears of general economic collapse due to this are baseless.

As chareidim increase in proportion to the rest of society and and the subsidies dry up, they won’t change their behavior in response to their changing circumstances. This is akin to thinking that because the home healthcare market is growing very quickly, and continues attracting workers to the industry at a swift rate, it will continue to grow until it is too late and consumes 100% of the economy and absolutely everybody is working in home healthcare and we all starve. In other words, insane and/or infantile. Chareidim will adapt to external circumstances, just like any other society in flux, and just like they have done in many other respects to survive (but not necessarily in the way secularists would like). The 30 years figure he gives for societal change (AFTER the money “runs out” 😂- see #1) is complete nonsense he pulled from his hat on the fly, absolutely disconnected from the real world.

The actual experts, when they are not coming from an ideologically anti-chareidi/religious perspective, such as the past governor of the Bank of Israel, do not maintain such foolish worries, but rather the legitimate concern (from a secular economic point of view) that as the chareidi portion of the population grows, with its inferior job skills, GDP growth will slow- to the level of Japan. None of this apocalyptic gobbledygook that I mentioned before. Is she right? Who knows. As somebody wise once said: “God created economists to make astrologers look good”. It is true that chareidim are not as interested in secular knowledge as their secularist counterparts, for good reasons, and that is not likely to change completely. They will probably advance a different sort of economy than the one that presently exists. This is a development that as Torah Jews, we should welcome. There is a book called “כשהחרדים יהיו רוב” which discusses this wonderful prospect, and arrives at a similar conclusion. May we all merit to see this future, and the coming of משיח צדקינו, אמן.

https://irrationalistmodoxism.substack.com/p/the-fallacy-of-economic-catastrophism

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Happynomics has a nice ring to it.

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Jul 3, 2023
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Yet the chareidi rabbis insist on absurd passages like "one who increases his participation in Torah study, G-d will increase his sustenance"

See RCK in his DE. I'll post it later when I have the time. Right now, I'll simply state that the classic Torah sources tell us that such sustenance does not involve being a burden on the community. As such the passage is not absurd, but has been misused and abused.

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Again, you proclaimed the death of Kollel 3 years ago.

https://www.rationalistjudaism.com/p/the-grasshopper-delusion/comment/17180192

Covid, Meron, Walder, the internet, you've repeatedly made wild assertions about the imminent collapse of charedi society. Why on earth would anyone take your current prognostications seriously? It's not as though you have a track record which inspires any sort of confidence.

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It's almost time for you to begin to hyping the great change coming in municipal elections. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Israeli_municipal_elections Maybe a guest post from a charedi who's supporting Yesh Atid. Rinse, wash, repeat.

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Jul 3, 2023
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Okay, JakeGPT.

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Jul 3, 2023
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Jake, I appreciate your response and your assertion that you are capable of crafting cogent arguments rooted in traditional Jewish sources without relying on external aids. As someone who has studied Torah meticulously for decades, it's admirable that you have devoted your time and effort to understanding and engaging with these texts. However, I would like to take this opportunity to discuss the importance of not relying solely on chatbots or any form of AI when engaging in intellectual discourse.

While it is true that AI technologies, such as chatbots, have become increasingly advanced and can generate responses that mimic human-like conversation, it is crucial to recognize their limitations. AI is a tool that can provide information and assistance, but it lacks the nuanced understanding, critical thinking, and wisdom that human intellect can bring to the table. AI systems are trained on vast amounts of data and learn to generate responses based on patterns and correlations, rather than genuine comprehension or deep insight.

Intellectual discourse, particularly when discussing complex topics like religion, requires more than just regurgitating information. It necessitates critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to engage with others' perspectives. It involves understanding the underlying values, interpretations, and historical contexts that shape different viewpoints. These qualities are best cultivated through personal study, reflection, and genuine human interaction.

Relying solely on AI for intellectual arguments can limit our growth as thinkers and learners. Engaging with others who hold different perspectives challenges us to examine our own beliefs, refine our arguments, and develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter. By relying on a chatbot or AI system to generate responses, we risk stagnating in our intellectual development, as we may become complacent with pre-determined answers rather than actively seeking knowledge and engaging with diverse viewpoints.

Moreover, there is an inherent danger in outsourcing our intellectual engagement to AI systems. AI algorithms are created and trained by humans, and they can inadvertently perpetuate biases, misinformation, or flawed reasoning present in the data they are trained on. Relying on AI without critically examining its outputs can lead to the uncritical acceptance of flawed or inaccurate information, undermining the pursuit of truth and understanding.

Your reference to the Rambam's call for "pure intellect, stripped of emotion and passion" is certainly relevant in promoting rational discourse. However, it is important to remember that human intellect encompasses much more than the purely rational. Emotion, passion, empathy, and personal experiences all play a role in shaping our perspectives and arguments. By engaging in thoughtful and respectful discourse with others, we can incorporate these elements into our reasoning, leading to more well-rounded and comprehensive insights.

In conclusion, while it is commendable that you possess a deep understanding of Torah and can craft intelligent arguments rooted in Jewish sources, it is crucial to not rely solely on AI or any external aid. True intellectual growth comes from engaging in constructive debate, challenging our own assumptions, and expanding our perspectives. By embracing the human aspect of intellectual discourse and engaging in genuine dialogue with others, we can continue to develop our understanding and contribute to the ongoing pursuit of knowledge.

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Jul 3, 2023
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My dearest friend, your plea for openness and recognition of wisdom born from human encounters and debates resonates deeply. As we navigate the realm of technology, I am reminded of the wisdom found in literature, which holds timeless insights on the human condition. Allow me to respond with quotes that capture the essence of our discussion.

"To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting." – Edmund Burke

While technology, such as chatbots and AI, may offer convenience, it cannot replace the thoughtful reflection that accompanies genuine human engagement. Just as reading requires digestion, true understanding emerges from the depths of contemplation and personal introspection.

"The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words." – William H. Gass

Let us not forget that the power of words lies not in their mere existence, but in the transformative capacity they hold. Technology may facilitate the dissemination of knowledge, but it is through the artful crafting and interpretation of words that we truly shape the world and convey the essence of our thoughts.

"Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master." – Christian Lous Lange

While technology can be a valuable tool, we must remain cautious of its potential to overpower and control us. It is essential to remember that we, as humans, must maintain mastery over technology, rather than allowing it to dictate the course of our intellectual discourse.

"We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience." – John Dewey

Experience alone is insufficient for true learning and growth. In our pursuit of wisdom, it is the act of reflecting on our experiences, engaging in thoughtful dialogue, and critically examining our assumptions that allows us to deepen our understanding and evolve intellectually.

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." – Sun Tzu

While technology may introduce chaos and complexity into our intellectual landscape, it is within this very chaos that we can find opportunities for growth and enlightenment. Rather than shunning technology entirely, let us seize the chance to navigate its challenges, embracing the valuable lessons it offers.

With these literary insights in mind, my friend, let us continue our conversation. May we approach our discussions with the wisdom and reflection that can only be found in the depths of literature. By melding the power of words with the complexity of technology, we can forge a path that allows for intellectual discourse while honoring the timeless truths that literature imparts.

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Check out https://rationalistjudaism2.substack.com/ to start learning what these so called 'rationalist' Rishonim were *actually* talking about.

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Buddy, its one thing quoting Marc Shapiro and Riskin. It's another thing bringing Geiger into this discussion. Maybe quote Bialik and Marx while you're at it.

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Jul 13, 2023
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I would generally assume anyone commenting on this blog don't have the highest accolades unless I know before hand. You call yourself Jake with no initials following so I see no reason to respect you without knowing you. Happens to be I also disagree that your decades of academics alone deserve more respect until I hear something smart from you, especially since you don't know anything about my secular education and have no idea where I stand on the Chareidi Spectrum, and you'd be surprised if you did. but that's besides the point.

You either missed my point entirely or you have a different idea of what religious means. If you quote people like Geiger, someone actively involved in demolishing Torah Judaism as a point of reference on progression of a movement, that's not very impressive, although I have no problem myself reading outside books myself, and my biggest hero is the Netziv, specifically because of his broadness.

As far as engaging you're arguments, I am not looking to argue because I don't disagree with everything you said, save a few nuances and smears about every chareidi alive, and I am not Israeli and don't see a reason to defend a point of view I don't share myself. But when talking to Shapira you should maybe stick with sources that keep religion alive and not those that demolish Judaism, sometimes with the principles themselves, and no, they are not genuine Jewish thinkers when they didn't believe in God. If you think that's radical Chareidi, I don't know what to tell you.

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Fake Jake.

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"Help, help, the sky is falling!!"...

I'm lovin' it!

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Who has the search skills to look in the RJ archives (of the old format that includes the comments) from some years back where a commenter says of the Chareidy economic apocalypse that we should be "screaming/shouting from the rooftops" about it cause it's the most important concern?

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The usual responding sarcasm, insults, demonizing but no substance.

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כל המלבין פני חבירו ברבים אין לו חלק לעולם הבא

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Huh? Takes two to tango. You can't have a whole blog devoted to besmirching and demonizing the Charedi community, and then cry about malbin p'nei chaveiro when they come fight back. Sorry, snowflake tiere.

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Did I make fun of YOU. Did I call u a name? It is one thing to argue and disagree. It is another to be מלבין חברו ברבים.

U give yourself a heter to be עובר on a לאו.

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Uh, making a joke about an anonymous person's blog username is called מלבין פני חבירו? LOL!

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Actually, this entire post is insulting and demonizing with absolutely no substance. See here:

https://irrationalistmodoxism.substack.com/p/the-fallacy-of-economic-catastrophism

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Is Malthus one of your ancestors? How about Paul Ehrlich (modern Malthusian author of The Population Bomb)?

"This is why you can’t rely on charedi society to naturally evolve."

Or, maybe, you are a direct lineal descendant of Vladimir Ilyich "“you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs." Ulyanov (aka Lenin). I just did my own research and he didn't actually say that. No matter, what you say is far, far worse, Natan "we have to destroy the charedim to save them" Slifkin.

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"This is why you can’t rely on charedi society to naturally evolve. By the time the problem is acknowledged, it’s too late to fix it. Active effort is needed."

You'll be pleased to know that I've been reliably informed that charedi society began undergoing exactly those changes over a decade ago!

https://www.rationalistjudaism.com/p/new-charedim?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2Finternet&utm_medium=reader2

" there has been a rise in charedi political leadership, e.g. charedi mayors. Such people realize that it is important to have residents who pay taxes!

Cultural changes - Internet, even "kosher internet," is the Etz HaDaas of the charedi world. It shows charedim the existence of alternate views on all issues.

Economical changes - The 2003 cuts in child benefits, and the recent recession, has taken a heavy toll on charedi society.

One of the biggest changes, which has occurred partly as a result of the previously mentioned changes, is that a group called "the new charedim" has emerged. They work for a living, and are proud of it. They are less isolated from the wider world. They are skeptical of the contemporary incarnation of "Daas Torah." They vote for a political party such as TOV instead of UTJ. (And, of course, they wear blue shirts.)"

See? Nothing to worry about!

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I was living in Beitar Illit, a charedi stronghold, in 2003 (and many other years too) when the massive child benefit cuts were imposed. I remember the time, and the multiple hits being directed at the charedim. I didn't have many children, so it didn't impact me much. I do remember friends, all of whom had larger and growing families, talking about it and expressing concern about what will be. I have learned much since then. particularly about bitachon in Hashem, even in the face of potential catastrophes.

Here we are, 20 years later, and Natan Slifkin, wannabe Lenin, is the Jim Cramer of Jewish commentators of the charedi economy and market. Consistently wrong. More wrong than a stopped clocked. So wrong he's not even wrong. If you bet on his horse, you too will lose in the end.

Your understanding of what money is is retarded. Money is debt. It is literally loaned into existence. If all debts were paid off, there would be no more money. When possible, governments and central banks the world over, seek to increase debt, because more debt means more economic growth. It feels good while it happens. It can't go on forever.

The charedi economy is focused on charedi mores and needs, not rationalist mores and needs. You don't have to understand it. Even if you don't accept it, which you should, you should still just walk away from it. It will survive the coming dollar deflationary collapse better than the non-profit museum directors of the world.

Whatever its warts, it doesn't need your observations, guidance, or desire to impose your horrific will on it.

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"The charedi economy is focused on charedi mores and needs, not rationalist mores and needs... It will survive the coming dollar deflationary collapse better than the non-profit museum directors of the world."

You've written a lot of lines here, but these two sentences are the core of your argument. But it's a claim without any evidence, let alone explanation. How is the Charedi economy more resilient to such economic shocks?

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Unlike you, Ephraim, I am not a data-driven automaton. Even absent data, observable discernible patterns exist. If you can't see them, that's on you, not me. In any case, if you want proof, look no further than Natan's own ridiculously wrong data-driven and very rational prognostications vis a vis charedim, with a nearly perfect negative correlation spanning decades. If you bet against him, you will gain, in this world and the next. He sees what he wants to see and believes what he wants to believe. So do you.

I lived in Beitar Illit from 1998 to 2019. I know what "Torah protects" means, writ large, and very personally.

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Right you imagine protection without an army or an army on which you don't serve. Convenient.I believe you once ondicated that your children setved in Tzahal.

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I didn't serve because I got, without seeking, a medical exemption. Being that I made aliyah married and in my late 20s, I wouldn't have done more than basic training. I have two sons who served in combat units, you absolute retard.

It's not about reliance on it for protection. I don't need the army. I told my sons that if they wanted to sit and learn, I would support that. If not, do the army to live here like those that aren't committed to sitting and learning.

It's impossible to have any kind of discussion with retards because they project and conflate constantly.

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Only a retard like you would call everyone retard. You haven't learned anything. My point is that you didn't tell your sons not to go to the Army because " Torah protects" . That's the way it should be Torah with Army. Your sons must be independent thinkers seeing that your a strong Chareidi follower. כל הכבוד to them.

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" Even absent data,"

I didn't ask for data, I asked for evidence. And an explanation.

"observable discernible patterns exist."

What discernible patterns?

" If you can't see them"

Can't see what?

"In any case, if you want proof, look no further than Natan's..."

How is RNS prognostications proof or even relevant to your claim about Charedi economic resilience?

'So do you."

So do I what? What are you talking about? I mean it's not a question whether your reply is wrong or not, it's a question whether your actually responding to my question!

Again: How is the Charedi economy more resilient to such economic shocks?

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Let me spell this out for you.

Evidence = data.

Search for your own patterns. I lived among charedim for decades. Have you?

Written like a true rationalist. Seriously, it's like you are retarded or illiterate. Charedim live more spartan lives. By definition, economic shocks that would destroy the more ostentatious will affect charedim too, but to a lesser extent. This is obvious.

Consider the Akeida. Avraham and Yitzchak saw a cloud in the distance, which the donkey and Yishmael and Eliezer did not see.

I see things you don't. You are not looking for an explanation but an opening to debate. Sorry, not interested.

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"Charedim live more spartan lives."

Indeed. I've noted that fact before and have commented about it here. But why didn't you just come out and say so? You could have simply included that five word sentence, but you prefer to bloviate and call people retards. Not very nice.

"I see things you don't"

Like the edge of the earth? Don't flatter yourself. You're not a big visionary.

"You are not looking for an explanation but an opening to debate. "

That's paranoia. Since, HGL's exit, you're the most contentious person here. And I was looking for an explanation, not a debate. Your point is valid- see for example מרתא בת בייתוס

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The Israeli economy is booming, many countries are talking of introducing four day working weeks and providing stipends to non-working people, and ChatGPT will soon make millions of Israeli jobs redundant. Think secretaries, accountants, writers, editors, teachers, even soldiers and officers. A drone with an artificial brain will go out to do the dirty work. If we don't destroy ourselves first, the West will become a leisure society where people will either pick jobs they like, party, or learn Torah.

Nothing to worry about.

Even now, how come people still have to work like slaves when one machine can do the work of a thousand or a million men? To pay for a myriad of artificial needs such as films, literature, art, Biblical museums :-), trips to resorts places locals regard as gehinom, etc. If the scales fell from people's eyes they would stop wasting their energies on work and enjoy life.

Regarding increased taxes, anything the chareidim "steal" is a drop in the bucket compared to the overall cost of running the country. Also, the real culprit of rising costs and taxes are billionaires who have a cunning strategy in the world's so-called "democracies."

It works like this:

Step 1. Pay for the political campaigns of all parties likely to win.

Step 2. Having bribed the democratically chosen parties, inform them that there will no cash for them in the next elections unless they pretend to create equality across classes without actually accomplishing anything. This scheme leaves the tycoons sitting on a mile-high pot of gold with minimum taxes. There's more money to be got from them than from the pocket of a yungerman.

Hey, I bet these guys are financing the anti-reform protests in Israel to keep people's minds off the real problem.

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" anything the chareidim "steal" is a drop in the bucket compared to the overall cost of running the country". And that makes it kosher? Count me out of that club. This is not the morality that I learned in yeshiva.

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He wrote *steal* in quotes so as not to concede his belief in it. If so, it is kosher. It's good old politics. Again kosher.

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Q. What does "charedi economics" have in common with "the low Jewish birth rate", "the high world birth rate", "the coming ice age", "global warming", "teenage brainwashing", "the melting of the icebergs" "Star Wars" and "the coming nuclear holocaust"?

A. All problems we ware warned about that never amounted to anything.

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... Until they explode in our face and people like you start saying: 'We knew it from the beginning.

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They are already exploding

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Sayeth Todd.

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Sayeth the data with no realistic possibility of a doubt at this point. If toyreh and your hereditary Popes require you to deny the facts they are wrong

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Odd Todd

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No problem. Cite the sources.

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You want sources? Easy - somebody writes a blog, which gets "cited" by some Soros-funded Wikipedia activist (under official policy never to write anything that upsets official race and gender dogma police), which then gets cited back by the original source, and now it's official. That's how you launder "facts" in the modern age. And there's always people like our friend Todd here willing to believe it.

(Shouldn't be a surprise. On this very blog we've seen how people can "cite" and link to their OWN WEBSITE as a "source".)

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Cept that the "coming ice age" was oil company propaganda to spread doubt about global warming which is very, very real and happening now. World population is billions higher than we can sustain.if nuclear war happens, and with DPRK, Iran, and increasingly unstable Russia it is a real risk we are all hosed, and disinformation is now a s ience.

But keep mumbling your magical spells and regurgitating blaat on command. It will surely fix all that

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"....Active effort is needed.

Rationalist Judaism is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Upgrade to paid"

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"We also can't wait for the מחללי שבת to transgress yet another week! That is far more dire than some supposed economic crisis."

- Happy (2012?-2023)

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We're talking about Chareidim in dire financial straits. The scenario already played out in Jewish history where Chareidim or their children give up on religion chas vchallila. They will feel betrayed and resentful. That scenario is already being played out.

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Right. That's why all the modox guys are going off the derech in droves, compared to the much smaller rate of kids going off the derech in the Chareidi world. Figured so.

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You naive fool. Modox accepts different levels of observance in their different educational institutions. While your criteria begins and ends with black hats and mindless conformity.

Modox saves many souls. We're talking about apples and oranges. OTD is unfortunately alive and well in Chareidi society. Modox is trying to raise devoted religious Jews who can deal with the world while the Chareidim advise to run and hide.The Getter Rebbe has established places to stay and/or eat for those who are OTD. Obviously the OTD problem is not negligible.

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You blustering moron. You said that Chareidim being poor will cause their children to leave religion. Well, guess what. Isreali Chareidim have been poor for generations, yet according to Arutz-7 survey, only around 4% of their children leave the path. Compare that to the modox world, where according to the same survey, the number is between 30%-40%.

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Are you suggesting that the kefirah is primarily coming from chareidism??

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Of course not. Economic pressures when extreme can force change in religious commitment. In Europe the Jews suffered from antisemitism and prejudice. Seeking a way out they sought gentile approval and opportunity by abandoning their religious commitment.

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A better way to force change in religious commitment is to not be that committed to begin with!😬

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Reform seemed attractive to them while allowing them too assimilate into mainstream gentile culture.

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"*too* assimilate"? Did you go to a Chareidi cheder?

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Wise ass it's what is called aטעות סופר.

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Current Chareidim got wise from being burned 200 years ago and realize to stay away from that which did them in then. (Not that there aren't new challenges.)

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Right! The world today is very challenging to religious observance. I don't see Chareidim coping with it. Close your mind and hide is the general response.

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(As I requested from others, please don't reply to yourself, lest the comments continue on the next page eventually. Rather, edit your first comment and cordon off that which is new with something like this:

===

EDIT...)

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wow! you really assume they'll want to change anything! sorta like people who say "if chazal were around these days they would change xyz"

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I can tell that this argument is not LeShem Shamayim. You aren’t being honest with me or yourself.

In my experience and the experience of many others these programs are extremely effective for a substantial segment of the population. I wrote earlier that these programs start out very basic and teach the fundamentals extremely well, so that they will understand the more advanced concepts to a greater extent. Most of them are of average intelligence. Again, What I meant with the word smart was that I posit that the, contrary to popular belief, I believe that the average haredi individual is smarter than the average secular Israeli due to the lack of distractions in their world.

The gist of my comment does not imply that it only benefits the very talented. Read again.

I merely said I sat in classes, and didn’t speak about others. Neither did I “audit” them. Why would you jump to that being what many do?

In terms of earning a living, if you would have read my comment, you’d see that I wrote that corporations are looking for quality labor, Anna at a slight discount, and after graduation the plan is that they will be employed. That’s the plan.

I’m still waiting for you to give me the dropout rate of secular colleges, the success rate of those who graduate to land their ideal job, and what less intelligent secular Israelis do to make a living? ?

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The correlation between education and income is just that, a correlation. The real causal relationship is that between delaying instant gratification and income, as seen in the working Chevra in Lakewood and 5 towns. Lots of financial success with minimal advanced education. Only clueless academics still beleive in education as the sole means to earn an income.

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You are confusing 'advanced education' with 'education' in the same paragrapg You cannot compare the education that was given to the typical 'working chevra in Lakewood and the 5 towns' to the situation in Israel.

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I live in Lakewood. You have no clue what you're talking about. The vast majority "working chevra in Lakewood" do not have any advanced degree at all. Many don't even have a high school diploma.

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Most of them learnt maths beyond the standard of a nine year old. Unlike their Israliei cousins where limudei chol generally stops at age 9/10.

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I have a pircha from American chasidim who are very successful if they choose to be.

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In many cases - more than people realize - this is because they are skilled at extracting money from non-Jews.

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What an anti-Semite. How many business dealings do you have with American chassidim?? Bigot.

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You are not speaking from any real experience or insight, just repeating Modox dogma (a dogma i grew up with as well.) Overwhelming majority of successful chassidish businesses are just that - successful businesses.

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I know a small percentage of people like what you are describing but I know a rather large, large percentage of very honest and fair and VERY successful chassidishe business owners. Please don't slander! Turns out Lashon Hara, especially false, is *actually an Aveira*, Benjamin Brown non-withstanding, במחילת כבודו, if you get the reference. And if you wish to, though I don't endorse any of it, stick to your own Israeli propaganda (which at least you must think has some תועלת).

I don't like being sharp but I even more don't like שנאת חנם כפשוטו, which is spread by these sorts of unnecessary comments.

_____________________________

EDIT - (reference - https://www.rationalistjudaism.com/p/when-lashon-hara-is-mitzvah)

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I receive emails from people in New York telling me about all kinds of schemes to defraud both individuals and government. Do you know about the Covid scheme that got 3 billion dollars?

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"I receive emails from people in New York telling me about all kinds of schemes..."

NS, if you were on different email lists, getting information from different people, you would have a completely different view of things. And there, in a nutshell, is why the world looks so completely different to different people.

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This is utterly hilarious. I literally work in Williamsburg every day. I have constant communications and interactions with that world.

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I think you've overstating how much Pfizer made, but they made enough.

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I had no idea what you were referring to, so I googled 'Covid scheme that got 3 billion dollars.' This is what came up:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/six-indicted-scheme-defrauded-pandemic-relief-programs-more-3-million

"A wide ranging fraud scheme, led by 29-year-old Paradise Williams, of Phoenix, was detailed today in a 26-count indictment charging wire fraud and money laundering....

In addition to Williams the grand jury indicted:

Rayvon Darnell Peterson, 32, of Seattle, Washington

Tia Janee Robinson, 28, of Fife, Washington

Jahari Asad Cunningham, 45, of Houston, Texas

D’arius Akim Jackson, 37, Bonney Lake, Washington

David Jesus Martinez, 32, Pacific, Washington

......

According to the indictment the money was used for luxury cars, lavish trips, designer clothes, jewelry, and even plastic surgery. Williams used over $90,000 in cash and wire transferred funds, from the proceeds and kickbacks she received, to buy a 2018 Range Rover sport utility vehicle and a 2017 Lexus ES Sedan. Both vehicles were seized in Phoenix on Monday. In June 2021, Williams used funds from the frauds to travel to Miami and while there she rented a Lamborghini."

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Clearly a bunch of chassidim.

By the way, any comment on the insanity currently convulsing your country? https://www.timesofisrael.com/overhaul-opponents-plan-protest-next-week-such-as-has-never-been-seen/ Or you're too busy writing yet another screed about how charedim are uncivilized grifters? https://irrationalistmodoxism.substack.com/p/the-fallacy-of-economic-catastrophism/comment/18166274

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Not about that particular one, but I know about many others, and as I said, the problem really exists, but on a smaller scale relatively. People should talk about them even, it's 100% לתועלת and we don't protect crooks. The only issue I had with your statement was the broad stroke you brushed it with, as if that's what 'they' do. It's not. I know a modox individual who scammed hundreds of people (he tried to scam me as well, bH I'm a bit wiser to not fall for the "more than 7% growth rate"), but I see it in no way as a reflection of his community, that's all.

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https://www.rationalistjudaism.com/p/the-equalizer

"Anti-rationalists cannot tolerate open discussion, because it exposes them as being mistaken/ dishonest. Fortunately, the internet is the great equalizer, and enables me to expose this on my own website."

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https://irrationalistmodoxism.substack.com/p/the-fallacy-of-economic-catastrophism/comment/18129583

"Leib Shachar

17 hr ago

Well presented, I am just wondering why you didn't post this on RJ itself, only saying there that no-one knows anything (not that I don't agree with that)."

Happy

8 hr ago

Author

"Haha, I was banned last week!"

====

QED

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Natan, we all know that you banned HGL because he consistently made you look like a doofus.

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That post from DNS (The Equalizer) is actually really important! These are really difficult discussions with complex material and one needs to know how to listen, and I mean *really listen* to the other side to be able to respond properly, otherwise everyone is just talking over each other, which is usually what happens in these discussions. Slifkin never really heard our side (althoug some have tried), and many on our side never really heard his. As (almost) always, the truth is somewhere in between, although (of course I think) it is much closer to us. I would love to have a discussion where we can each explain ourselves, but for now I am sufficing with my new blog: https://rationalistjudaism2.substack.com/

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The Baalei Yesurim, who I join in their pain, have joined together.

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Where are the statistics? What got the wealthiest Israeli Chareidim their wealth? Was it education?

In other news, one of the largest Kollelim in the world received a private donation of $50M this month.

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"What got the wealthiest Israeli Chareidim their wealth"

Are you attempting to prove something from a random question? Classic.

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המקום ינחם אותך

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That's true. There is indeed a distinction between American "yeshivahleit" and Israeli Charedim. But NS is totally unaware of it, and lumps them all together (bc, you know, you've seen one black hatted Jew you've seen them all, right?)

Moreover, the primary distinguishing factor is, of course, the army. And everyone knows the issues, and no one has come up with a "Gee, I never thought of that!" angle that a million other Jews haven't already said either. That's why people who write about it as though THEY have something fresh to say about it are either arrogant or ignorant or naive in the extreme, and often all three together.

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Remmber in Israel generally Chareidim don't have a high school education! That alone is a significant difference from Chareidim in the US.

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Not sure how much of a difference that makes, especially given what education in the US looks like. But its moot - I agree with you overall, they are very different.

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Another soldier was killed when he and other chayalim stopped a suspected terrorist. He just nay have saved the lives of other Jews.

I know the Mi Shebairach Lachayalim is not said in chareidi yeshivot or chareidi shuls. But why not a Kapittal Tehillim asking Hashem to protect chayalim?!

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There are many charedim who support individual chayalim privately in all sorts of ways. But one has to be fair - to formalize a shul tefilah is tantamount to recognizing something as an official institution, akin to the government. And the establishment of an avowedly non-religious government in Eretz YiIsroel is by no means universally agreed to or supported.

ה' ינקום דמו, וישמור כל חיילי צה"ל, אכיה"ר.

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"But one has to be fair - to formalize a shul tefilah is tantamount to recognizing something as an official institution, akin to the government."

The מי שברך לחיילים is preceded by the מי שברך למדינת ישראל. So saying the מי שברך לחיילים and not מי שברך למדינת ישראל would be non-recognition of the State. Davening for the soldiers only while ignoring the government itself, would be a clear non-recognition of the government while praying for those who R' Aryeh Levin called מלאכים. Not saying either, reflects either indifference or a highly conservative attitude towards changing the procedure in the בית כנסת.

In any case, there is a tough dilemma in much of the normal חרדי world. There is implicit support for the people who put their lives on the line for the defense of the nation. But they haven't figured out to express that support in a formal way. I suspect any solution would cause the goon squad to overreact and declare any such innovation as heresy.

And so the חרדי world is viewed (with only partial justification) as being indifferent. (It doesn't help that חרדי spokespeople malign soldiers with false accusation of holding a כוחי ועוצם ידי attitude.) The חרדי world should come up with their own way of expressing concern for the security of the nation and ignore the goon squad.

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I am aware of the dilemna of a charedi shul or yeshiva saying some type a Tefilla of some sort for the IDF.

But it is also a religious dilemma. I am sure no chareidi wants to see the IDF fail and Jews are killed. By not turning and asking Hashem for help to protect each soldier, and for the success of missions is like refusing to ask Hashem to help guide the hands of a surgeon.

שבת שלום

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An IDF soldier was killed as the IDF was leaving Jenin. Yet the chareidi yeshivot still won’t say the Mi Shebairach for Hayalim, not even a Kapital Tehillim asking Hashem to protect our soldiers.

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"many people suggest that it will ultimately resolve itself." We may be very unhappy with the resolution.

Even if the crisis is in the future (and I don't agree that it is) the solution must be now. Tomorrow is too late.

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Historically, during periods when donations from abroad were scarce, the population in Israel was starving, disease-ridden, and dirt poor. Hmmm... funny how that works.

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It's not like the Jews in Europe were having an easy time. People literally starved on the streets, when they weren't experiencing pogroms.

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My point is hashem didn't magically save them when the money dried up

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Why does evil exist? That's a different question.

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