What Is the Charedi View on Extremism?
Torah Truth Without Fanaticism
The image of Charedim is often confused in the media—blurring the lines between mainstream Torah Jews and small, vocal fringe groups. Some see protestors burning flags and believe they represent the whole. Others hear aggressive slogans shouted in the streets and assume it’s normative.
Let’s be clear: Mainstream Charedi Judaism does not condone extremism. We follow the path of the Torah, which demands strong convictions—but also self-control, kindness, and dignity. It is possible to be uncompromising in Torah while being completely opposed to violence, chaos, or shameful behavior.
1. The Torah Path: “דרכיה דרכי נעם” — The Way of Pleasantness
"דְּרָכֶיהָ דַּרְכֵי נֹעַם וְכָל נְתִיבוֹתֶיהָ שָׁלוֹם"
“Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.”
— Mishlei 3:17¹
This pasuk is not poetic—it is halachah. The Rambam rules that a talmid chacham must be **“modest, humble, speak gently with people, and act with love and peace.”**²
Torah does not permit lashon hara, insults, or verbal abuse—even against those who disagree. When protestors vandalize property or scream “Nazi” at a police officer, they are not upholding Torah—they are desecrating it.
2. Rav Shach zt”l: Chillul Hashem Is Worse Than Being Silent
Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l, leader of the yeshiva world, spoke strongly against fanaticism:
“When Torah Jews behave in ways that cause disgust or hatred, even if they are fighting against a real danger, the damage is enormous. We must weigh our actions—will it bring Jews closer to Torah, or push them away?”³
He explained that sometimes silence is holier than protest, if the protest will create a Chillul Hashem.
3. Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman zt”l: The Loudest Are Often the Furthest
Rav Aharon Leib once said about extremists:
“Just because someone dresses in black and white does not make him a ben Torah. A true ben Torah behaves with humility, patience, and self-restraint. Anyone who screams in the street or mocks others is not representing Torah.”⁴
He warned that those who use Torah to justify anger or chaos are often masking personal issues—not fighting for Hashem’s honor.
4. Rebbe Shlomo Halberstam zt”l (Bobov): Kiddush Hashem Must Guide Everything
The Bobover Rebbe once told his chassidim after a heated public incident:
“Better to lose the argument than to lose the image of Torah. Every Jew is watching us. Every child is learning from us. If we behave with peace and sincerity, even our enemies will be silenced.”⁵
5. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l: Love Must Be Our Weapon
Rav Moshe wrote in Igros Moshe:
“There is no mitzvah to hate people who are distant from Torah. The opposite—we are obligated to draw them close with love and kindness.”⁶
He was adamant that even those with ideological differences must be treated with basic human dignity.
6. So Who Are These Extremists?
There are small groups, such as Neturei Karta or the more aggressive factions of Eida Chareidis, who reject the entire concept of the State of Israel—sometimes using hostile or offensive means. They do not represent the Charedi public.
The vast majority of Charedim may have serious ideological disagreements with the Zionist vision—but we do not express this through violence, disrespect, or disgrace.
7. Rav Yitzchak Hutner zt”l: Extremism Comes From Insecurity
In a letter, Rav Hutner wrote:
“Real Torah strength does not need to shout. It does not need to prove itself through anger. Extremism is often a substitute for depth.”⁷
He taught that the true Torah path is confident, calm, and wise—never reactionary.
8. Charedim Are Not Pacifists—But We Are Measured
Of course, there are times when protest is halachically required. When Shabbos is being publicly violated or when kedushas Yisrael is under attack, silence is not always an option.
But even protest must be done with the guidance of Gedolei Yisrael, not by individuals acting on their own emotion. And it must be done in a way that reflects Torah values—not against them.
Conclusion: A Strong Heart with a Gentle Hand
Charedim believe deeply in Torah truth. We are willing to be mocked, misrepresented, and even hated for standing with Hashem. But that does not give anyone permission to act like a thug or a bully in the name of Torah.
True yiras Shamayim is seen in how a person treats others—with restraint, with love, with dignity.
“עבדו את ה' ביראה וגילו ברעדה”
“Serve Hashem with awe—and rejoice with trembling.”
— Tehillim 2:11⁸
Sources and Footnotes
- Mishlei 3:17
- Rambam, Hilchos Deos 5:13
- Rav Shach, Michtavim U’Maamarim, Vol. 3, p. 112
- Rav Shteinman, Alei Shur, Vol. 2, p. 334
- Bobover Rebbe, Divrei Shalom, recorded 1995
- Igros Moshe, Yoreh Deah 4:36
- Rav Yitzchak Hutner, Igros u’Kesavim, Letter 105
- Tehillim 2:11