Education, Society & the Economy

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.

What’s the Charedi View on Full-Time Torah Learning vs. Working?

In the Charedi world, full-time Torah learning is not simply a “life choice.” It is the highest form of avodas Hashem, the beating heart of the Jewish People, and the foundation upon which all of Klal Yisrael rests.

What is the Charedi view on entrepreneurship?

In the Charedi world, the highest calling is unquestionably Torah learning. That doesn’t mean that earning a living through creative, independent, and honest means is seen as anything less than noble.

Why don’t Charedim place a high value on academic degrees or higher education?

In the Charedi world, education is not merely a tool for making a living. It is the process by which a Jew refines himself, connects to Hashem, and lives a life of meaning and truth. And there is no higher, deeper, or more meaningful education than Torah learning.

Why are most Charedim willing to receive financial support from the government of Israel if they oppose the state ideologically?

Let us begin with the simple truth: The State of Israel benefits far more from the Charedi world than the Charedi world benefits from the State.

What is Tikkun Olam?

Tikkun Olam literally means "repairing the world"—a phrase that sounds universally beautiful. But what does it actually mean in Torah?

What Is Maayan HaChinuch HaTorani and Why Was It Created?

Maayan HaChinuch HaTorani is a Charedi Sephardic school network in Eretz Yisrael, founded in 1984 by Maran Chacham Ovadia Yosef zt”l.

What Is Chinuch Atzmai and Why Was It Created?

Chinuch Atzmai (literally, “Independent Education”) is the name of the Charedi school system in Israel, established in 1953 to provide Torah-true education outside of the State-controlled educational framework.

Does the State of Israel Try to Force Secular Education in Charedi Schools?

The answer is unequivocally yes. Over the past two decades, the Israeli government—often through the Ministry of Education and the Supreme Court—has repeatedly attempted to regulate, monitor, and mandate secular studies in Charedi schools.

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?

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.

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.

Do Charedim See Working as a Religious Value?

To understand the Charedi view, we must distinguish between working as a necessity and working as an ideal.