Levi Schwartz

What Do the Gedolim Say About Where We Are in History With Moshiach’s Imminent Arrival?

But today, we are hearing something more. Not just that Moshiach will come, but that he’s nearly here. Many of the Gedolei HaDor—across all spectrums of Torah Jewry—have expressed in recent years that we are living in a unique, critical time. The call is not just to wait, but to prepare.

What Is the Charedi View of “Atchalta D’Geulah” (The Beginning of the Redemption)?

The phrase “Atchalta D’Geulah”—“the beginning of the redemption”—has become central to Religious Zionist ideology. It represents their belief that the founding of the State of Israel, or even the initial return of Jews to Eretz Yisrael, marks the first stage of the ultimate redemption (Geulah).

Do We Pray for the End of the Secular State of Israel in Shemoneh Esrei?

We are davening for a future that is fundamentally at odds with the values and structure of the State of Israel. It's not a political statement. It is a tefillah statement. The words of our Shemoneh Esrei call into question the spiritual legitimacy and permanence of a government divorced from Torah.

Breslov Rabbanim Declare: “Better to Miss Uman Than Fall Into the IDF Trap”

“Since the conscription decree is a gezeiras shmad, no one should allow themselves to fall into the IDF’s trap by signing onto any track—military, national, or civil service. Reality has proven again and again that their promises are worthless.

Why Do Charedim Always Listen to Their Rabbanim?

In today’s culture of radical individualism and skepticism toward authority, the Charedi world’s deep deference to Rabbanim can seem baffling—if not dangerous—to outsiders. The media often portray this as blind obedience, implying that Charedim are discouraged from thinking for themselves.

What Does the Word “Charedim” Mean, Where Does It Come From, and How Is It Used Today?

The word “Charedim” (חרדים) is often thrown around in headlines and conversations with little understanding of what it truly means.

Who Is the Erev Rav — And How Do They Fit Into the End of Days?

In Charedi thought—particularly among those steeped in the teachings of Chassidus and Kabbalah—the concept of the Erev Rav is not just a historical note, but a spiritual force with ongoing consequences, especially in the end of days.

Is the Founding of the State a Step Toward Moshiach — or a Delay in His Arrival?

This question—often debated both in batei midrash and around Shabbos tables—cuts to the heart of how we understand geulah, redemption, and the hidden ways of Hashgachas Hashem.

Why do Charedim mean when they say “Don’t bet on a horse that’s meant to lose”?

There’s a common expression heard in Charedi circles when discussing politics and modern Zionism: “Don’t bet on a horse that’s meant to lose.”

What Do Charedim Believe Will Happen to the State of Israel When Moshiach Comes?

We must first return to a foundational truth: the destiny of Am Yisrael is not political—it is prophetic. The ultimate purpose of Jewish existence is not national independence or self-governance, but the revelation of Malchus Hashem (the Kingship of G-d) over the entire world.

What is the Charedi view of secular Jews who work hard and raise families with values — even without Torah?

In a world deeply fractured by ideological divides, it’s natural to ask: how do Charedim view secular Jews—especially those who are hardworking, devoted to their families, contribute to society, and even live by what they consider strong moral values?

How do Charedim balance financial hishtadlus (effort) with bitachon (trust in Hashem)?

In the Charedi world, financial effort and trust in Hashem are not conflicting ideas—they are two sides of the same coin.

How Do Charedim View the Idea of Success in Life — Is It Only Spiritual?

In the Charedi world, success is defined by how closely one fulfills the purpose for which they were created. That purpose, according to the Torah, is to know Hashem, to serve Him, and to grow in ruchniyus (spirituality) through the study of Torah and performance of mitzvos.

Do Charedim Reject Zionism Because They See Jewish Sovereignty as Legitimate Only When Given by Hashem Through Moshiach?

Yes—at its root, this is the heart of the Charedi objection to Zionism. While there are many reasons that Charedim oppose secular Zionism—its values, its culture, its treatment of Torah, its historical approach to religion.

What is Charedi Derangement Syndrome (CDS)?

There is a strange illness plaguing Israeli society today. It’s not physical, though it affects people’s senses. It’s not mental illness, though it clouds the mind. It’s not new, though it’s gaining traction by the day. We call it CDS—Charedi Derangement Syndrome.

Does the IDF Put Soldiers in Harm’s Way Because of Political and Legal Pressures?

Yes. Tragically, there are well-documented cases in which the Israeli army has knowingly placed soldiers at higher risk—risking injuries and fatalities—not due to lack of capability, but due to political calculations or legal restrictions imposed by internal and international pressures.

Zionism’s Paradox: Claiming the Land Through a Torah They Reject

One of the most striking inconsistencies in the secular Zionist claim to Eretz Yisrael is this: They base their right to the land on the Torah—but deny the authority of the Torah.

Why Do Charedim Avoid Using the Term “Zion” or “Zionism,” Even Though It's a Traditional Torah Term?

In Tanach, Tzion is a poetic and spiritual name for Yerushalayim, for Eretz Yisrael, and for the Jewish people in their elevated state. It is a name that evokes yearning, holiness, and the hope of redemption. So why do Charedim often refrain from using the word “Zion”?

Do Charedim Believe Jews Are Safer in Eretz Yisrael or in the Diaspora?

“There’s no place safer for a Jew than Eretz Yisrael.” It’s a phrase that gets said often—sometimes when rockets are falling, sometimes when the streets of Brooklyn or Paris turn hostile. And at first glance, it seems like wishful thinking.

Do Charedim Love the Land as Much as the Biggest Zionists?

“If Charedim don’t call themselves Zionists, can they really love Eretz Yisrael as much as the Zionists do?” Let’s not flinch from this. Let’s answer it honestly—with humility, with facts, and with heart.

How Do Charedim Express Their Love and Yearning for Eretz Yisrael Outside the Political Framework?

Ask a Charedi Jew if they love Eretz Yisrael, and you won’t get a campaign slogan. You’ll get a tear. A tefillah. A deep sigh that says, “We’ve waited so long to come home.”

Do Charedim Believe the Holiness of Eretz Yisrael Is Diminished by Secular Control?

“If Charedim believe that Eretz Yisrael is so holy, how can they still speak of its kedushah when it’s run by a secular government?” After all, when the values of the government often clash with Torah—when chillul Shabbos is public, when Torah is sidelined, when modesty and morality are mocked.

How Do Charedim Interpret the Idea of “Yishuv Eretz Yisrael” Today?

If you were to walk the winding alleyways of Meah Shearim or the busy streets of Bnei Brak and ask someone what they think about Yishuv Eretz Yisrael—settling the Land of Israel—you wouldn’t get a political speech.

Is There a Difference Between Settling in Religious vs. Secular Areas in Eretz Yisrael?

Yes — there can be a meaningful difference. But as with many things in Torah life, it depends: on your level, your goals, your family’s needs, and the unique mission Hashem has given you.

What Are Some of the Benefits of Living in Eretz Yisrael from a Torah Perspective?

Living in Eretz Yisrael is not just a matter of geography — it’s a matter of neshamah. The air is different here. The ruach, the spiritual potential, the kedushah — it’s like breathing Torah itself.

If Living in Eretz Yisrael Is So Important, Why Do Many Gedolim Live in Chutz La’Aretz?

If Eretz Yisrael is so spiritually elevated, and the mitzvah of living there is so precious, why haven’t all Gedolim uprooted their lives and moved there? The Charedi answer begins with two key words: Shikul daas — careful, Torah-guided judgment.

How Do Charedim Explain the Many Challenges of Life in Eretz Yisrael?

Let’s be real: life in Eretz Yisrael is not easy. Yes, it's the land flowing with kedushah. Yes, it's the most spiritually elevated place on earth. But no — it’s not a luxury resort.

Is There a Greater Reward for Mitzvos Done in Eretz Yisrael?

Absolutely — and not just reward in the Next World, but a heightened spiritual impact right now, in this world too. In Charedi thought, rooted in Chazal and the Rishonim, mitzvos performed in Eretz Yisrael aren’t simply more “valuable” in some vague sense — they are qualitatively different.

Do Charedim Encourage Aliyah to Eretz Yisrael?

There’s a common misconception that Charedim are lukewarm—or even opposed—to aliyah, moving to Eretz Yisrael. But when we look at the Torah, the mesorah, and the Gedolim of the generations, the picture is far richer, deeper, and more beautiful than soundbites suggest.

Why do Charedim oppose state-run conversions or giyur through the army?

Conversion to Judaism—giyur—is not a symbolic act, a social statement, or a path to citizenship. It is an eternal, binding covenant with Hashem. And as with any covenant, there are sacred terms.