Eyes on Hasidic groups after fines
A Hasidic council is asking community members to obey public health rules, but as I understand it, there are different groups with different rabbis, not unified under a single authority.
Note that Quebec’s rule of 10 people allows for a minyan, but no more. I wonder how deliberate that was.
Police have stepped up patrols in Outremont and the Plateau after a number of incidents, presumably focusing on the Mile End side of that borough if it’s mostly a question of watching for Hasidic gatherings. Someone at the SPVM has to have a calendar of Jewish holy days on their laptop now. Purim is going to be a challenge but it’s still a month away.
Ephraim 15:18 on 2021-01-24 Permalink
Belz, Satmar, Vizhnitz and Bobov are the main groups in Montreal, I think. Satmar is the sect discussed in the book Unorthodox and are very anti-Israel. Bobov, if I remember correctly are sort of apolitical and rely on the knowledge of the Rebbe and less on miracles, and they are allowed to go into professions if they please. I’m really not sure of all of this… since they are cults/sects they don’t let that many people in to study them in depth.
Anyone know if we have Litvish groups in Montreal? (Litvish are ultra-orthodox groups who are not members of the Hasidic dynasty from the Baal Shemtov.)
Kate 16:13 on 2021-01-24 Permalink
Ephraim, which ones wear those 18th-century white half-hose?
Chris 18:29 on 2021-01-24 Permalink
Not Montreal specific, but there have been some interesting documentaries/movies lately with a peek into these cults, ex: “Unorthodox” and “One of Us”.
Ephraim 20:52 on 2021-01-24 Permalink
Kate – Do they wear white or black on the sabbath? White or black on holy days? Are their pants long or tucked in? Belz is generally white socks but black on the sabbath.
It’s all confusing to me. My particular take on it, if you see them with an anti-Israel sign… Satmar.
See http://www.fancymag.com/hasidic.html for some comments on their dress.
Kate 10:59 on 2021-01-25 Permalink
Ephraim, I don’t remember when I noticed them, I just recall seeing men in absolutely 18th‑century garb around St‑Viateur at various times. The trousers end just below the knee, and the lower leg is in thick white hose, not in a pant leg.
Chris 00:54 on 2021-01-26 Permalink
Ephraim, interesting link, thanks for sharing. There’s several interesting examples of man-made rule changing in there:
“At one time it was acceptable for the Satmar teens and women to wear a lighter nylon, but the Rebbe thought it was too provocative. He prescribed stricter guidelines and heavier seamed stockings have been worn since.”
and
“long skirts became popular in secular culture and the Rebbe prescribed that the length of skirts for his followers had to be shorter.”
So changing the rules is possible. 🙂
You may also find this interesting, survey data about those who have gone OTD: http://nishmaresearch.com/assets/pdf/Report_Survey_of_Those_Who_Left_Orthodoxy_Nishma_Research_June_2016.pdf