Levi Schwartz

Why Do Charedim Avoid Secular Education in Chadarim and Yeshivos?

To understand the Charedi approach to secular education, one must first understand the Charedi worldview: Torah is not just our religion—it is our reality, our wisdom, our national mission, and our eternal heritage.

From Garage to Madison Avenue: The Lakewood Shirt Story That Stunned London Executives

In 2022, two high-powered London executives from Charles Tyrwhitt made a special trip to Lakewood, NJ, puzzled by one statistic they couldn’t ignore: nearly 20% of their U.S. shirt sales—about 100,000 shirts a year—were coming from a single “store” in this small town.

What is the Charedi View on Materialism, Ambition, and Financial Success?

In a world that chases after wealth, fame, and luxury, the Charedi Torah worldview stands apart. It does not reject financial success—but it evaluates it through a different lens: Does this bring a person closer to Hashem or further away?

Are Charedim Anti-Zionists?

Charedim are opposed to the ideology of Zionism as a replacement for Torah—but no, Charedim are not anti-Jew, anti-Israel, or seeking harm to Zionists in any way. This distinction is critical: we reject the ism, not the people.

HaGaon Rav Dov Landau: “Only Torah Learning Saves Us—Zionism Has Brought Spiritual and Physical Disasters”

In a sweeping, no-holds-barred conversation filled with daas Torah, Maran HaGaon Rav Dov Landau, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka and one of the generation’s foremost leaders, laid out his clear Torah perspective on some of the most pressing issues facing Klal Yisrael today.

What Is the Charedi View on Voting in Israeli Elections?

At first glance, it may seem contradictory: the Charedi community often voices strong opposition to the ideology behind the secular State, yet it turns out to vote in high numbers. Why? The answer lies in the distinction between participating in a system and endorsing it.

If Learning Torah Is Their Service, How Can Charedim Go on Bein Hazmanim?

At the heart of this question lies a beautiful misunderstanding. People see yeshiva students traveling during bein hazmanim, and they ask: “If Torah is your ‘army,’ how can you take a break?” But the premise itself needs reframing.

Overnight Raids Target Bnei Torah in Unprecedented Arrest Operations

At 1:45 a.m., a yeshiva bochur was taken from his home and transferred directly to a military prison. Less than two hours later, at 3:43 a.m., police attempted to arrest another bochur at his residence.

Is living under a secular Jewish government better or worse than being under a non-Jewish one?

On the surface, it may seem obvious: Of course it’s better to live under Jewish rule than under a foreign one. After all, aren’t Jews our brothers? Wouldn’t a Jewish government understand our customs, speak our language, and allow us to live more freely as Torah Jews?

How do Charedim Uplift Israeli Society Through Gemachim?

The word “Gemach” is short for “Gemilus Chasadim”, the Torah mitzvah of performing acts of kindness. A Gemach is not a charity. It is a community-run free-loan or free-lend fund—created, managed, and sustained by ordinary individuals for the sole purpose of helping others.

How do Charedim Uplift Israeli Society Through Chessed and Nonprofit Work?

One of the least understood—and most overlooked—contributions of the Charedi world to Israeli society is its vast network of nonprofit organizations built around chessed, emergency aid, health, welfare, and communal support.

Million-Man March in the Works as IDF Holds Talks With Charedi Leaders

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, preparations are quietly underway for what could become a historic “million-man march” to the homes of Gedolei Yisrael in response to the recent wave of arrests targeting bnei yeshiva.

Do Charedim Contribute to Israeli Society in Other Ways Besides Paying Taxes?

The Charedi community is one of the most giving, active, and self-sustaining populations in Israel. While public conversation often reduces “contribution” to army service or income tax, the reality is far richer.

What Is the Charedi View on How Taxes Are Spent by the State?

Charedim feel that not only are taxes collected from them unfairly, but they are often used to support values and systems directly opposed to the Torah. This creates both spiritual and ethical concerns that cannot be ignored.

Do Charedim Pay Taxes?

Charedim, like all Israeli citizens, pay multiple forms of taxes throughout their lives. These include indirect taxes, as well as direct taxes for those who work—of whom there are tens of thousands, especially among Charedi women and an increasing number of men.

How Would Opening the Workforce Earlier Economically Benefit Both Charedim and the State?

Let’s be clear: when thousands of capable, intelligent, motivated Jews are legally barred from working until age 26, both their communities and the country lose out on years of productivity, growth, and opportunity.

Why Don’t Charedim Participate Equally in the Workforce?

At first glance, critics claim that Charedim are choosing not to participate in the workforce, But such claims ignore one of the most crucial realities behind the numbers: In Israel, the State itself prevents many Charedim from entering the workforce before the age of 26.

What’s the Charedi view on Torah and Mathematics

In the realm of truth, numbers seem untouchable. Precise. Objective. Yet from the Charedi Torah worldview, we know there is something even deeper than logic — and that is Torah. Math is powerful. But it is a tool. Torah is the root.

What’s the Charedi view on Torah and Science?

In the Charedi worldview, science is not dismissed — but neither is it worshiped. Torah is not seen as “ancient knowledge,” but as the source of knowledge itself. It is the blueprint of creation — the spiritual DNA of the universe. When science and Torah align, it brings us wonder and joy.

What does it mean that Everything & Everyone is in the Torah?

The Chazon Ish zt”l once said: “The Torah is not a commentary on the world. The world is a commentary on the Torah.” If so, then it follows that every person, every event, and every invention is in the Torah. But not always on the surface. The secrets are there for those who truly delve.

Stories of Supporters: The Blessings of Those Who Uphold Torah

Throughout Jewish history, those who support Torah have merited extraordinary blessings. The pasuk says, Etz Chaim Hi l’machazikim bah—“It is a Tree of Life to those who grasp it” (Mishlei 3:18). Chazal understand this to mean not only those who learn Torah—but those who support it!

What Is the Torah View on Supporting Those Learning Torah?

From the earliest pesukim of the Torah to the words of our Rishonim and Acharonim, the message is clear: those who enable Torah learning share in its reward.

Who Benefits More: The Charedim from the State, or the State from the Charedim?

This is a question often asked — sometimes in sincerity, sometimes with accusation. Critics of the Charedi community point to government subsidies, tax breaks, kollelim stipends, and social benefits and ask: *"Who is supporting whom?"

What About the Benefits from the State of Israel?

Some might ask: If Charedim receive so much from the government, why is there so much opposition to it? Shouldn’t they be grateful? Let’s explore this question in depth, not with defensiveness, but with clarity and honesty.

What Are the Practical Challenges of Full-Time Torah Learning, and How Do Families Manage?

The world sees a young kollel couple and wonders: How do they do it? Rent is high, groceries are expensive, tuition is crushing. And yet thousands of families across the globe dedicate their lives to full-time Torah learning with radiant joy!

How Does Torah Learning Protect Klal Yisrael?

The idea that Torah protects Klal Yisrael is not poetic license. It is one of the deepest truths embedded throughout our entire Torah—from pesukim in Tanach, to sugyos in Shas, to the writings of the Rishonim and Acharonim, and echoed passionately by every gadol in recent history.

How Is Torah Learning Seen as Benefiting Every Jew—Even Those Far from Observance?

In the worldview of Chazal, Torah learning is not a private act. It doesn’t just benefit the one who learns—it uplifts, protects, and draws blessing to the entire Klal Yisrael, even those who may not yet live according to Torah.

What Is the Charedi View of October 7th?

On Shemini Atzeres, 22 Tishrei 5784—October 7, 2023—the Jewish people awoke to a tragedy that shook the world. In the early morning, Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel, breaching the Gaza border and carrying out one of the most barbaric attacks in modern Jewish history.

What is the Charedi View on Yom HaZikaron?

The Charedi community mourns every Jewish soul lost in war or terror, regardless of the uniform they wore or the path they walked in life. While Charedim may not always express that grief through state-instituted rituals, the pain is real — and the love for every Jew runs deep.

What Is the Charedi View on Yom HaShoah?

For many Israelis—especially in the secular world—it is the central day of remembering the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis, often accompanied by themes of Jewish strength, defiance, and national pride.