Category Archives: Original Articles

Haredi Authorities Permit Themselves

While Haredi authorities recognize this, they cannot permit themselves not to wage an all-out war against mobilization. Candidates for conscription are intimidated and condemned, while those who do sign up are cursed and excommunicated. Written By Prof. Gideon Aran In … Continue reading

 
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Haredi Body Culture Has a Rich Repertoire Of Indirect

As in other puritanical cultures, Haredi body culture has a rich repertoire of indirect and suggestive expressions for talking about intimate issues or areas, which can nonetheless be interpreted as sharp and serious. Written By Gideon Aran Some expressions for … Continue reading

 
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One-On-One Meetings With Authoritative Experts

Explicit guidance and methodical policing form a part of sermons, morality lessons, lectures by yeshiva heads and “supervisors”, as well in one-on-one meetings with authoritative experts on matters of the body. Written By Prof. Gideon Aran Usually they are turned … Continue reading

 
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Gideon Aran: Role Of Socializing Agents

All the adults in his environment are placed against him in the role of socializing agents, including his older brothers (even though the age gap may be small), neighbors, fellow worshippers in the synagogue, and even passersby from the community. … Continue reading

 
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Prof. Gideon Aran: The sensual dimensions of Haredi life

A literary autobiography recently published by a former yeshiva student offers a fascinating testimony to the Haredi bodily regime. With credible and precise realism, it describes the daily (and nightly) routine in the life of a fourteen year old boy during … Continue reading

 
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Professor Gideon Aran: Euphemism and Silence

A society in crisis tends to deal with control over the body and is occupied with ensuring its intactness, and also shows increased interest in its reproduction. In the Haredi era the subject of producing or replicating the proper Jew … Continue reading

 
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Gideon Aran: The prohibition on masturbation

The prohibition on masturbation is accompanied by a combination of draconian deterrent and preventative measures.  Written By Prof. Gideon Aran Throughout the day boys at kindergarten are berated should their hand accidentally touch that shameful area, and before going to sleep … Continue reading

 
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Prof. Gideon Aran: The priestly protect the boundaries of the body

The priestly tendency to protect the boundaries of the body against the danger of impurity characterized the children of Israel on the rivers of Babylon, the period of the return to Zion as told in the Torah, and their diasporic … Continue reading

 
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Gideon Aran: Impurity and Danger

The reality of modern secularity, with its abundance of temptations, is seen as a threat to the continued existence of the Haredi world. Even though the Haredim invest much effort in raising walls so as to isolate them, in Israel … Continue reading

 
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Gideon Aran: The Foot – Indicator of Religiosity

Among the Israeli Orthodox, the extent to which the foot is covered up is an indicator of religiosity. For instance, similarly to other Israelis, the modern orthodox often wear sandals during hot summer days. Written By Gideon Aran In yeshiva … Continue reading

 
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