Summer, the Corona virus, and the charming sites in our country are leading us - even if we don't want to admit a not very sympathetic statistic to the following fact:
There are two types of Haredim in Israel: Haredim-Haredim, and Haredim who know how to deal with challenging situations.
Where are the geographical differences between these two types of Haredim expressed?
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At every site, park, nature reserve, beach, wildlife area, forest or hiking trails. Not to mention marine and terrestrial attractions.
These sites are a great test tool that differentiates between the ultra-Orthodox and those who are dealing with challenging situations. Why? Because these places are not sterile from an Orthodox perspective, and 'ultra-Orthodox' cannot be found there, even if it is difficult to admit it.
Last week, I visited several streams in the north of the country with some of my friends. It was lovely, and walking in the water was refreshing. But besides us, quite a few young men and women who are not supposed to be seen by the Haredi of Kiryat Sefer also walked in the middle of the stream. We walked, despite this, bravely, knowing that 'this is how it is.' The stream does not belong to us, and anyone who wishes is allowed to enjoy it.
Didn't we know about this in advance? Couldn't we have assumed that the stream was not rented that day to the Hasidic community of Viznitz? The answer is no.
Every visit to nature reserves, beaches [often secluded], and beautiful trails includes 'problematic' sights from a modesty perspective, and everyone is aware of this. It is impossible to walk in the Kibbutzim stream, for example, rent a kayak in Jordan, or vacation on a 'deserted family beach' without encountering young women who are not properly covered from a halachic perspective.
This is simply impossible, and it's time to say so.
'An 'ultra-Orthodox' person will never agree to be exposed to these sights that appear on almost every corner, sometimes accompanied by a guitar and a mournful singer.
So what does it say about us, the 'regular' Haredim, that we cut corners? That we don't care? That we might even be looking for it? The answer is no.
My friends, at least, are truly God-fearing people, and from my many years of acquaintance with them, I can attest that they are far from that. None of them showed even the slightest interest in the "unkosher" sights that passed before us in the masses.
But, and it must be said, these sights have appeared and these performances will not stop this summer either. The many yeshiva students who will wash the beaches and nature trails in the coming months, or even just go out to 'have a barbecue on the Sea of Galilee' on a deserted beach, understand that there is truly no empty piece of land in little Israel, and they will encounter quite a few performances that are formally forbidden to them.
So what is the alternative, you ask? Sit at home? Go out to the attractions offered by the Modi'in Illit municipality in the park established by the mayor and swim in Matityahu's pool? Accept the assumption that all natural areas are closed to the Haredi, and enjoy the segregated activities of the Beitar Illit municipality?
I don't know, but the various natural sites that are washed by Haredi masses teach me that Harediism is not dichotomous. It moves along a very long continuum of conservatism and the ability to will or contain the world outside the everyday Haredi street.
