Yahadut HaTorah HaMeuhedet facts for kids

Yahadut HaTorah HaMeuhedet, which means United Torah Judaism in Hebrew, is often called UTJ for short. It is a political party in Israel.

This party has a conservative way of thinking. Its members are mainly Ashkenazic people who follow Haredi Judaism, also known as Ultra-Orthodox Judaism.

What is United Torah Judaism?

United Torah Judaism (UTJ) is a political group in Israel. It represents the interests of many Haredi Jewish people. Haredi Judaism is a branch of Orthodox Judaism. It focuses on following Jewish law and traditions very strictly.

What Does Conservative Mean?

When a party is called "conservative," it usually means they want to keep traditional values. They often prefer to make changes slowly, if at all. For UTJ, this means they want to make sure that the laws in Israel follow Jewish law and traditions.

Two Groups, One Party

UTJ is not just one party; it is an alliance of two main groups. These groups decided to work together to have a stronger voice in the Israeli government. The two groups are:

• Agudat Yisrael: This means Union of Israel. Its members mostly follow the Hasidism movement. Hasidism is a branch of Judaism that began in Eastern Europe. It emphasizes spirituality and joy.
• Degel HaTorah: This means Banner of the Torah. Its members belong to the Misnagdim movement. Misnagdim are also a branch of Judaism. They focus more on traditional Jewish learning and less on the mystical aspects of Hasidism.

Who Leads United Torah Judaism?

The party has two main political leaders. They represent the two groups that make up UTJ.

• Ya'akov Litzman is a leader from the Agudat Yisrael side.
• Moshe Gafni is a leader from the Degel HaTorah side.

These leaders work together to guide the party.

When Was UTJ Formed?

United Torah Judaism was founded in 1992. This was when the two separate parties, Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah, decided to join forces. By working together, they could gain more power in the Israeli parliament.

UTJ in the Israeli Government

Israel's parliament is called the Knesset. It is where laws are made for the country. In the 23rd Knesset, UTJ had 7 seats. This means they had 7 members who were elected to represent them.

Having seats in the Knesset allows UTJ to influence laws. They work to make sure that the government considers the needs and beliefs of the Haredi community. UTJ has also been part of the Fifth Netanyahu Government. This means they were part of the group of parties that formed the government at that time.