Thursday, November 24, 2011

Questioning the Black Hat Movement

Today Israel is divided.  There are those who sport a black hat and black trousers and a black coat with a white shirt predominately full time without any other form of expression.
Is this really good?
I realize that these ultra chassic communities do inherently stay together and of course that must be positive. 
But render yourself a commoner yid like myself.
What do you see when you look at the groups of chassidic jews who wear and dress in such a fashion?
You do not dress that way. I do not even yet own a black suit.  I am not entirely of the same nation, am I?
But I am Israel!  I am Jewish!
I can not just get in a car and feel like I am in the right place when I join a place where there are only those who follow this avenue of dress.  I am quite sure that I will not be making a change to assimylate in this order of our nations Jewish people.  I must remark that this truly sets us apart as now we are essentially more than one single people.
I am not going to outrightly call this heresy and I am not going to call it impurity or poor or foolish in any sort of way.
But I will say that it is perhaps selfish.
It is selfish because you now are the ones that the world identifies as Jewish and of course, you are the ones who are right on the "true path" of judaism.
Does this suggest that a person like myself who dresses in a different manner is not exactly on the right pathway?
I must say that of all the persons who dress this way that I have met, I have always been fond that they are usually very congenial.  None seemed to be speculating on my clothing or my attire in their faces as I approach or spoke with any of them.
But I will say that I knew in my mind that I was not in the same uniform as the rest.
This is common day America and Common day Israel today.
We need to come together and be a part of a true Klal Yisrael.
Jew needs to be able to approach Jew.
Torah scholars need to be able to shine their light upon those who are less endowed with life.

Could it be that we are really off the derech?  Did Hashem want for two separate bodies of Israelis or Jews to live in this world?
Is Torah self limiting?
Or perhaps am I correct to suggest that a one way way of dress is in effect, selfish?

I am sorry, but I will have to hold my position.
G-d is One.  Klal Yisrael should indeed be one as well.
Just a thought.

My suggestion:  Wearing only black hats and black suits and pants subtracts from the Oneness of Hashem.

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