The Sceptic Blog

1.  Watching YouTube clips of so-called chareidim lining up in the last few weeks and days to bellow bestially at young girls going to and from school – in protest at their holy neighbourhood (which the school isn’t in) being sullied by the immodesty of short socks for five-year olds, has made me ask myself two questions and form an early pre-Rosh Hashanah resolution.

2.  Question No. 1: How can these people seriously think that behaving like this is consistent with adherence to anything worth calling a religion?

3.  Question No.2: If these men are meant to be chasidim, where are their Rebbeim, why don’t they know what their followers are up to, and if they do know it why don’t they or can’t they stop it?

4.  New Year’s Resolution: Bli neder, I do not intend to give a single penny to any individual or organisation who asks for charity unless and until they sign the following declaration with which I will present them: “I unequivocally condem the behaviour of those so-called chareidim who bellow bestially at the schoolgirls of Orot, Beit Shemesh on their way to and from school; I acknowledge that this behaviour demonstrates apalling moral delinquency and utter spiritual bankruptcy; and I encourage this declaration, with my signature, to be brought to the attention of those gedolei Torah who are meant to be the leaders of these disgusting animals.”  Those seeking a donation will have to sign the declaration and append their names, addresses and sectarian affiliation.