Why were we dragged? Why were we dragged?
The hottest item at the beginning of this school year was not related to Gaza, nor to the Gaza Strip, nor even to the Syrian border. Only the all-too-familiar phrase: "Haredim - Beit Shemesh" quickly grabbed the headlines.
And what's on the agenda this time? Not the sycophants attacking the soldiers of Beit Shemesh, nor the veiled Taliban women. Who is? The classic Haredim have once again managed to publicly humiliate themselves, enter a school, be thrown out into the street, be dragged to court, and win for now... and all this in less than a week since the start of the school year, which leads to the obvious question:
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Why were we excluded?
I wonder how we missed it again. There is no doubt that we are right, even in Sodom we would have received the "entire" building long ago, every resident of the area sees how part of the building has been deserted for several years, abandoned in plain sight, and with all this at the moment of truth, we were unable to explain ourselves, and as always we are in a position of reacting to the attack, and again all that remains is to ask:
Why were we dragged?
You and I, it turns out, are watching the video that Attorney Kedar presented to the court (published yesterday here on Haredi10) and I am seething with rage. Not at the harassing city residents, not at the media, not at the school administration, not at the Ministry of Education and its head, Minister Piron, who want to deprive us so that we learn what they want - they have an agenda, a clear strategy, how to lead us by force so that we will bend and listen to them - and we will shout:
Why were we excluded?
I do revolt against us, as a public, I revolt against the Haredi city council members who were elected by us to represent us, against the mayor who is supposed to be responsible and in control of the situation, but they are detached, confident in themselves, it will be okay! And when an attack occurs, the public's emissaries emerge from the bunkers to react instead of leading! To defend themselves instead of attacking! It would be better if they would lash out at the media, blaming the entire world, including of course the "great righteous ones" Lapid, Bennett, Piron and perhaps Netanyahu as well, and I ask:
Why were we dragged?
I will cite one relevant example that illustrates the rule: Why didn't anyone think to film the school video, not now in the midst of the scuffle, but in the previous school year before the other side tried to obscure evidence, or at least bring forward the start of the school year? Why didn't they consult with professionals in the political, media, and legal fields before the chaos broke out?
They consulted, and yet they failed? Maybe they are not professional? And why do we need an ultra-Orthodox spokesperson? When we are facing the general public, we need a spokesperson, so maybe it is worth hiring a professional spokesperson with successful experience in the media.
General? Don't we know where we live?
Why were we excluded?
We, the residents of Beit Shemesh, experienced two of the most difficult election campaigns that ultra-Orthodox Judaism in the country has ever known, elections that we will not forget so quickly, but all of this, it turns out, was not enough for us as a public, did not convince the public representatives, did not explain to the mayor, who has become one of the most vilified people in the country, that it was time to change our approach, prepare, lead, attack, instead of coming like thieves in the night, eating the stinking fish and being expelled from the city.
Why were we dragged?
Two and a half years ago - before the election campaign even began - the writer of the lines presented two leading public representatives in Beit Shemesh with city tracts full of harsh incitement against the Haredi public in general and the mayor in particular, and warned them: If you don't act today, it will take revenge on you tomorrow in the elections, out of detachment, excessive self-confidence, and even arrogance. Both of them responded in the same style: We're taking the elections at a walk! The howls in the courtroom were heard by everyone shortly afterwards:
Why were we excluded?
Learn from the Rebbe's answer
Maybe it's time to take the initiative, prepare properly professionally, arrive legally prepared, and go on the offensive. Here's a model of a success story that might teach us something.
In the month of Tishrei 5772, an interview that author Dr. Gershon Kunzler conducted with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, may God be pleased with him, was published in a booklet published by the "OU" organization - the Organization of Orthodox Rabbis in the United States - in the month of Shevat 5771, just days after he assumed leadership of the Chabad Hasidim.
At that time, the situation of Judaism in the United States was dire, close to despair. Most women, some from ultra-Orthodox families, went about without a headscarf. The conservative movement was gaining momentum, and the author came to ask a question of despair that was on the minds of many good people in the United States: What will be the end? Is there a future?
And this is how the Lubavitcher Rebbe answers him:
Go on the attack...
A complete change in thinking and strategy is needed: This spiritual mission requires a complete change in all tactics. Unfortunately, religious, Orthodox Judaism has until now focused on a strategy of defense. It has always been concerned that positions and fortifications will be lost. To fulfill our duty at this critical hour - we must take the initiative and go on the offensive, for a "war of momentum.".
