Edah HaChareidis facts for kids
The Charedi Council of Jerusalem (also known as haEdah haCharedit) is a large Jewish organization in Jerusalem. It includes thousands of families. This group is led by its own rabbinical court, which is a special court of rabbis. The Council helps its members with many things. These include making sure food follows Jewish dietary laws, providing ritual baths, and setting up an area for Sabbath rules. They also offer help with welfare services.
The Council started in 1921. It was founded by religious Ashkenazi Jews in Jerusalem. These people did not want to be part of the new Zionist groups. They believed that a Jewish state should only be created by God, not by people.
Because of their strong beliefs against Zionism, the Council does not take any money from the Israeli government. They also do not vote in elections. They get money from other anti-Zionist Jews around the world and from their own activities. Members of the Council often protest against things they see as wrong. This includes things like breaking Sabbath rules, performing autopsies, or digging up old human remains. They are known for living simply and following religious rules very strictly. The Council also supports a similar group for Sephardi Haredi Jews.
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History of the Council
The Edah HaChareidis was started by Rabbi Yosef Chaim Zonnenfeld and Rabbi Yitzchok Yerucham Diskin in 1921. This was before the Chief Rabbinate was set up by the Zionist movement under British rule. Rabbi Sonnenfeld became the first head of their rabbinical court, a job he held until 1932. During his time, the Ottoman Empire lost control of the Land of Israel. The British then took over the region after World War I.
The Edah HaChareidis was, and still is, strongly against Zionism. They did not agree with the new Chief Rabbinate created by the British and the Zionists. After Rabbi Sonnenfeld, other important rabbis led the Council. These included Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky, Rabbi Zelig Reuven Bengis, and Grand Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum of Satmar. Rabbi Teitelbaum later moved to the United States but stayed as the head of the Council. His nephew, Grand Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, later became President.
In 1945, the Edah separated from another group called Agudat Yisrael.
Why They Are Anti-Zionist
The Edah HaChareidis has strong beliefs against Zionism. Their ideas come from a book called Vayoel Moshe. This book was written by their former leader, Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum. This book guides them on all matters related to the modern State of Israel. For example, the Council does not allow its members to vote in elections for the Knesset (Israel's parliament). They also do not accept any money from the Israeli government. This includes money for schools or unemployment benefits. They also do not accept Israeli citizenship through the Law of Return. They see the Israeli government as going against their religious beliefs.
The official "Chief Rabbinate" in Israel does recognize marriages and divorces performed by the Edah's rabbinical court. This agreement goes back to British rule. However, people who convert to Judaism through the Edah's court are not recognized by the state. This means they cannot get citizenship under the Law of Return.
In 2002, the rabbis of the Edah wrote an introduction to Vayoel Moshe. They said that learning about Zionism would help people understand "all troubles and horrors of our time." They believed it would stop people from following "the Zionist heresy."
In 2006, during a campaign against Haredi Jews voting in Israeli elections, the Edah said that Zionists had played a role in the Holocaust.
In 2008, an article in the Edah's newspaper, HaEdah, strongly criticized the first Hasidic police officer. They said he should be removed from the Haredi community. They said he was an "embarrassment" to them. They wrote: "We will continue our continuous war... against them and against everything you represent." This shows their strong opposition to working with the Israeli government.
Influence of the Council
Followers of the Edah HaChareidis mainly live in certain areas of Jerusalem. These areas include Har Nof, Sanhedria, and Mea Shearim. They also live in Beit Shemesh. The Edah HaChareidis includes several different Jewish groups. Some of these are Satmar, Dushinsky, Toldos Aharon, and Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok. It also includes parts of Neturei Karta and some Breslover Hasidim.
The Edah HaChareidis publishes a weekly magazine called HaEdah. It is written in Hebrew. This magazine shares the Council's views on different topics. It also has articles about Jewish thought, the weekly Torah portion, and stories about past leaders.
In 2009, after protests by Haredi Jews in Jerusalem, Israel's President Shimon Peres called the Edah a "radical minority."
Kosher Food Supervision
The Edah HaChareidis is well-known for its very high standards in supervising kosher food. Many people consider it one of the strictest kosher certifications in Israel. It is often simply called the hechsher of the "Badatz." This name comes from Beis Din Tzedek, which means "Court of Righteous Law." Products approved by the Edah have the Edah's special logo on them.
Rabbinical Court Leaders
The rabbinical court of the Edah is led by two main rabbis. One is called the "Gaavad" (Chief Rabbi). The other is called the "Raavad" (Head of Rabbinical Court). The "Raavad" is usually next in line to become the "Gaavad" when the current one leaves or passes away.
Here are some of the important rabbis who have led the court:
Chief Rabbis
- 1919–1932: Rabbi Yosef Chaim Zonnenfeld
- 1932–1948: Grand Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky
- 1947–1953: Rabbi Zelig Reuven Bengis
- 1953–1979: Grand Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum of Satmar
- 1979–1989: Rabbi Yitzchok Yaakov Weiss
- 1989–1996: Rabbi Moshe Aryeh Freund
- 1996–2002: Grand Rabbi Yisroel Moshe Dushinsky
- 2002–2022: Rabbi Yitzchok Tuvia Weiss
- 2023–Present: Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch
Presidents
- 1953–1979: Grand Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum of Satmar
- 1979–2006: Grand Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum of Satmar
- 2006–2021: Rabbi Meshulam Dovid Soloveitchik
Current Members
- Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, Head of Rabbinical Court
- Rabbi Yehoshua Rosenberger
- Rabbi Avrohom Yitzchok Ulman
- Rabbi Yaakov Mendel Yuravitch
- Rabbi Yehuda Bloi
Affiliated Rabbis
- Rabbi Moshe Sacks
- Rabbi Yaakov Meir Shechter
See also
In Spanish: Edah Haredit para niños
