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?
The answer, when seen through the lens of authentic Torah hashkafah, is both heartfelt and nuanced. The Charedi world does not judge Jews based on superficial labels. We judge actions according to Torah, and we love every Jew with the knowledge that he or she carries within a holy neshama, a Divine soul that is chelek Eloka mima’al—a spark of Hashem Himself.
1. A Jew Is Always a Jew
The Gemara says:
"אפילו חטא – ישראל הוא."
“Even if he has sinned, he is still a Jew.” (1)
This eternal truth is embedded into Charedi thought. The kedusha of a Jewish soul is not dependent on behavior. A Jew who keeps Shabbos and a Jew who has never lit Shabbos candles share the same essence. They are our brothers. They are family.
The Chazon Ish zt”l famously warned not to treat non-observant Jews as rebels but rather as tinokos shenishbu—children who were raised without knowledge of Torah and mitzvos. In such cases, their actions are not judged the same way by Shamayim (2).
2. Good Deeds Are Recognized — But Torah Is the Standard
Of course, raising a family, working honestly, and treating others with respect are beautiful. They reflect a person's innate goodness, the Divine image inside. Charedim admire such traits and certainly value the quiet acts of kindness and dignity that so many secular Jews display.
But there is a deeper reality: the Torah is the standard for what Hashem defines as “good.”
As the Pasuk says:
"לא מחשבותיכם מחשבותי"
“My thoughts are not your thoughts.” (3)
What society defines as “morality” often shifts. But Torah morality is eternal. So while a Charedi may respect the intentions of someone who tries to live ethically, we recognize that without Torah, the person is missing the true compass of life.
Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l taught that even the highest ethical behavior, if disconnected from Hashem and mitzvos, lacks eternal value:
“A goy can be moral, and a Jew without Torah can be moral. But without connection to Hashem, it is a morality of the moment, not one that repairs the world or brings one closer to Olam Haba.” (4)
3. Pain Over What’s Missing
This is perhaps the most sensitive point. When a Charedi Jew sees a secular Jew working so hard, doing good things, being generous, raising a family, but without the light of Torah—it hurts.
Not out of arrogance. Out of love.
Just as a father would feel heartbreak if his child was doing everything but refusing to come home, the Torah Jew feels that pain deeply. How much more beautiful, how much more powerful, how much more eternal would those same good deeds be if they were rooted in the will of the Creator?
It is written:
"דרכיה דרכי נועם וכל נתיבותיה שלום"
“Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” (5)
This is the Torah. When one raises children according to Torah, even ordinary life becomes a Divine mission.
4. The Charedi World Reaches Out With Ahavah
The Charedi world has countless kiruv organizations and individuals who spend their lives reaching out with warmth and sincerity to our secular brothers and sisters. Not because we look down on them—chas v’shalom—but because we believe every Jew deserves to taste the sweetness of Torah.
Whether it’s a Bochur from Aish HaTorah lovingly learning Aleph-Beis with a secular teen, or a Chassidic woman welcoming a secular guest into her home for Shabbos—this is what the Charedi world looks like up close.
The words of the Rambam remain true:
"כל ישראל – יש להם חלק לעולם הבא"
“All of Israel has a portion in the World to Come.” (6)
But the Rambam also says:
“One’s portion can be lost, if one lives in ways that cut him off from Torah.” (7)
So, we reach out—not to criticize—but to reconnect.
5. A Story of Tears
A Charedi Rav once shared that after giving a shiur, a secular man came up and said:
“Rabbi, I don’t keep Shabbos, I eat treif, but I love being Jewish. I give tzedakah, I teach my kids to love Israel, and I try to be a good person. Isn’t that enough?”
The Rav, with tears in his eyes, replied:
“My brother, you are precious. But imagine if I said to you, ‘I love my wife, but I never call her, never see her, and never do what she asks.’ Would that be love?”
“You already have a Jewish neshama,” he continued. “Imagine what your life would be if it were connected to its Source.”
The man stood quietly, then hugged the Rav. A year later, he was learning once a week and lighting Shabbos candles with his wife.
Conclusion: Infinite Worth, Eternal Hope
The Charedi world sees every secular Jew as part of our people, our soul, our destiny. We admire the good they do, we recognize their sincerity—but we also ache for what is missing.
We do not believe Torah is “a nice addition.” We believe Torah is life itself.
"כִּי הֵם חַיֵּינוּ וְאֹרֶךְ יָמֵינוּ"
“For they [the words of Torah] are our life and the length of our days.” (8)
So we say with love and truth: Come home. Your mitzvos are waiting. Your soul is waiting. And your people are waiting too.
Sources
- Gemara Sanhedrin 44a — "אף על פי שחטא, ישראל הוא"
- Chazon Ish, Yoreh Deah 2:28 — Treating secular Jews as tinok shenishba
- Yeshayahu 55:8 — "לא מחשבותיכם מחשבותי"
- Rav Aharon Kotler, Mishnas Rav Aharon, Maamarim on Emunah and Chinuch
- Mishlei 3:17 — "דרכיה דרכי נועם וכל נתיבותיה שלום"
- Rambam, Hilchos Teshuvah 3:1 — "כל ישראל יש להם חלק לעולם הבא"
- Ibid. — Conditions under which a person forfeits his portion
- Davening, from Maariv (also see Devarim 30:20)