Why Don’t Charedi Rabbanim Come Out Publicly Against Extremists?
The Torah Already Spoke—We Don’t Need a Press Conference
Every so often, when a fringe individual dressed in black and white acts outrageously—whether screaming at women, burning a flag, or vandalizing property—the cry arises: “Where are the Charedi Rabbanim? Why aren’t they condemning this publicly?”
Let’s be honest. The demand itself reveals a deep misunderstanding—both of how Torah leadership works, and how the Charedi world functions. Let's explain.
1. The Torah Already Condemned It
If someone throws stones, insults a fellow Jew, or desecrates Hashem’s name in public, do we really need a press release to know it’s wrong?
"דרכיה דרכי נעם וכל נתיבותיה שלום" “Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.” — Mishlei 3:17¹
The Torah clearly and eternally condemns behavior that is violent, cruel, or ugly. Our Rabbanim teach Torah. Torah already answered.
We don’t expect the Chief Rabbis of Religious Zionism to issue a new condemnation every time a radical “hilltop youth” gets arrested. Nor do we ask secular leaders to apologize for every scandal caused by someone in a suit and tie.
So why the double standard?
2. Gedolei Yisrael Do Speak—But Not Like the Media Demands
The real question is: Are Rabbanim responsible to address everything in the language of social media and press interviews?
The answer is no. Charedi Rabbanim lead through sichos, letters, halachic rulings, and private guidance. Not Twitter. Not viral clips.
Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman zt”l once said:
“We are not responsible to scream. We are responsible to teach truth. Whoever wants to hear—will hear.”
And when necessary, they do speak clearly.
Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l condemned fanaticism more than once, warning that:
“When Torah Jews behave in ways that cause revulsion, they create a terrible Chillul Hashem. No matter what they claim to be protesting.”
3. We Are Not Responsible for People Who Violate Torah
Charedim are often judged by appearances. If someone wears a black hat and does something extreme, people assume he’s “one of us.”
But the truth is: just because someone looks Charedi doesn’t mean they follow Daas Torah.
There are fringe groups—like Neturei Karta or various radicals in Meah Shearim—that openly reject the authority of Gedolei Torah. They are not part of the Charedi public.
Should our Rabbanim now hold a press conference every time someone who doesn’t listen to them does something wrong?
Of course not.
4. The Demand Itself Is Media Manipulation
When a secular Jew does something immoral, no one expects the entire secular community to condemn him. When a soldier makes a tragic mistake, no one expects the entire army command to issue a national apology.
But when one extreme individual in a black hat behaves foolishly, some demand the Charedi world grovel.
Why?
Because the goal is not justice—it’s narrative control. The media wants to paint the Charedi world as backward and fanatical. If we don’t “condemn,” they say we support it.
It’s a false dichotomy. And we won’t play that game.
5. Gedolim Avoid Headlines for a Reason
In the Torah world, silence is often strength.
“יש זמן לשתוק ויש זמן לדבר.” “There is a time to be silent, and a time to speak.” — Koheles 3:7²
Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l was once asked why he didn’t speak out against someone who distorted his words. He replied:
“Let Heaven respond. I’m busy with Torah.”
This isn’t apathy—it’s a deep understanding of what fights are worth engaging in. Charedim believe that most public “condemnations” don’t heal—they inflame. They don’t clarify—they create more noise.
6. Do You Really Think a Headline Will Change a Fanatic?
Let’s be practical. If a person is radical enough to scream at a police officer, burn garbage bins, or shame other Jews, do we really believe that a public letter from a Gadol will stop him?
He wasn’t listening before—and he won’t listen after.
Extremists don’t follow Gedolim. That’s part of what makes them extremists.
7. What Do We Actually Do About Extremism?
The Charedi world has its own internal methods of addressing radicalism. Rabbanim give direct guidance to their communities. Yeshivos and chassidus make clear what’s acceptable and what is not. Families and educators teach derech eretz, patience, and responsibility.
The problem is not that our Rabbanim are silent—it’s that the world isn’t listening to what they’re actually saying.
8. We Focus on Building, Not Reacting
While the world argues on TV panels, we teach Torah, help families, build schools, and raise generations of ovdei Hashem.
Our silence is not weakness—it’s confidence. We don’t need the approval of the Times or Twitter to know what’s right. We have Torah. We have a mesorah.
And we are continuing that chain with pride.
Sources and Footnotes
- Mishlei 3:17
- Koheles 3:7
- Rav Shach, Michtavim U'Maamarim, Vol. 3, p. 112
- Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman, Aleinu L’shabeiach, Shemos
- Rav Chaim Kanievsky, personal interview accounts, 2018