- Joined
- Feb 15, 2022
The Hasidic Community
Hasidism is a Jewish religious movement started in the 1700's in modern-day Ukraine by Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov which emphasized personal piety, prayer, and serving God joyfully. While it began as a somewhat anti-establishment, even revolutionary movement, within a a few decades Hasidism became the most conservative, reactionary group within the Jewish world, opposing any sort of modernism and accommodation with the changing outside world.
Satmar
Founded by the stridently anti-Zionist Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum, Satmar is the largest Hasidic group in the United States. From the beginning, they've been involved in controversy and feuds with other groups, even those firmly within the Haredi community. Conveniently, Teitelbaum put aside his fierce opposition to any sort of cooperation with Zionists when it came to saving his own skin from the Nazis, leaving his flock in Hungary behind to die while he escaped to Switzerland on the Kastner train. He eventually arrived in the United States, reestablishing his community in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, and going on to found the Satmar enclave of Kiryas Joel in New York in 1974. He died without children, and was succeeded by his nephew, Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum. When the latter died in 2006, an extremely bitter feud broke out within the group, with two of his sons both claiming the title of Satmar Rebbe.Rabbi Aharon Teitelbaum / Aroin / Pope Aaron / Chief Rabbi of Palm Tree / Mahar"a
As the oldest son, Aaron was the natural candidate to succeed his father, and was appointed as the rabbi of Kiryas Joel in anticipation of this. However, Aaron has a very controlling and abrasive personality, and a group of hasidim began gathering around his younger brother, Zalman, who at the time was de facto in charge of the original Williamsburg community.
Rabbi Zalman Leib Teitelbaum / Zali / Mahrza"l
Zali is apparently very personable, but that hasn't stopped him from fighting with Aroin at every opportunity. Whatever Aroin does, Zali will do the opposite. Their followers constantly engage in autistic slapfighting over who had more hasidim at their seventeenth grandson's wedding or whatever.
Aroinis and Zalis fighting:
Yoel Friedman / KJ Mafia / kjmafia.com
Resident Kiryas Joel schizocow. I don't know exactly what his origin story is, but he and his brother are a fixture at MAGA events on the East Coast.
Breslov
Until post-1994 Chabad, Breslov was unique in being the only Hassidic group without a living Rebbe. They follow the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, a controversial figure who suffered from depression and (like the Lubavitcher rebbe) may have believed that he was the Messiah. He died aged 38 of tuberculosis, and was buried per his request in the city of Uman, Ukraine. He promised that if anyone prayed his grave for the holiday of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), he would "pull him out of hell by his sidelocks". Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the once tiny annual pilgrimage to Uman has grown to a flood of tens of thousands of Jews, mostly from Israel, who also enjoy the local prostitutes and drug scenes.Na Nachs
These are the people who go around Israel in rave vans. Funny and annoying in equal measure. They leave graffiti everywhere.Rabbi Eliezer Berland / Shuvu Banim
Miracle worker/cult leader/sex pest who led Israeli law enforcement on a wild goose chase across three continents before finally being extradited to Israel from South Africa in 2016. His followers are notorious for attempting to sneak into Joseph's tomb in Nablus, which inevitably results in the Palestinian Authority police having to rescue them from angry local lynch mobs.
Belz
Third largest hasidic group in Israel. Pretty normal, as things go. Their rebbe has a reputation for independent-mindedness and has been willing to take steps such as official guidelines to prevent sex abuse and established and organization to help Belzer youth who left religion.Ger
Ger is the largest hasidic group in Israel and is infamous for its extremely corrupt political machine and cult-like nature. Despite being only a small portion of the total hasidic population in Israel, they maintain (at least until recently) an iron grip on the Agudat Yisrael political party, which along with the non-hasidic Degel Hatorah makes up UTJ, the national Ashkenazi Hareidi party. Traditionally, a Gerrer representative has taken the number one spot on UTJ's election list. Their previous one, health minister Yaakov Litzman, was forced to resign as part of a plea deal for arranging for a psychiatrist to rule that former Melbourne school principal Malka Leifer was unfit to stand trial for abusing three of her students, who were attempting to have her extradited to Australia. (Leifer had been shipped off to Australia in the first place because she had been abusing her students in a Gerrer school in Israel. There's a pattern starting to form here, but we'll get to that later.) Currently, Ger is headed by:Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter / Kim Jong Alter / Ger Yirmiyahu / Ger Nadlan
The "takanos" are Ger's infamous system of rules for total control over the lives of Hasidim, especially in sexual matters. These are unparalleled in the Hareidi community and are a major factor in the epidemic of sex abuse within Ger. Although the takanos were first instituted by the current rebbe's uncle, Rabbi Yisrael Alter (the fifth rebbe of Ger, known as the Beis Yisrael), they've become even more extreme under his leadership. The rebbe's oldest son was removed from his position as a Rosh Yeshiva after he was found to have been molesting his students, but still holds a prominent position in the group and as of yet has faced no legal consequences.
List of some of the takanos:
1. It is forbidden for two bochurim to sit on a bed ("tzvei in bed").
2. Two bochurim are not allowed to be alone in a room ("tzvei in tzimmer").
3. It is forbidden to touch another bochur ("fremde fleish).
4. One must not change a suit at once, but take off half, put on half of the other suit, and only then take off the other half.
5. It is forbidden to sleep in pajamas. Sleep only with a white shirt, wool tzitzis, and long underwear that is to be changed under the blanket.
6. It is forbidden to shower at home, only in the mikvah.
7. It is forbidden to be awake after 10:00.
8. It is forbidden to sleep in the bed at noon, only a "jim" (nap) in a beis medrash/shtiebel.
9. Pray with a hat.
10. Eat with a hat.
11. Say grace with a tissue under the kippa.
12. Do not talk to aunts.
13. Bochurim don't go to weddings.
14. Brothers are not allowed in the mitzva tanz.
15. Bochurim are not allowed to be at the chuppah.
16. Do not say "bride".
17. It is forbidden to go to the mikvah every day.
18. Bochurim don't sing Eishes Chayil.
19. Bochurim don't wear a samet hat.
20. Do not wear deodorant and cologne.
21. It is forbidden to shower with soap on weekdays, only on Friday afternoons.
22. It is forbidden to sleep on Shabbat afternoon at home.
23. Only wear plastic glasses frames.
24. It is allowed to shower only with Hawaiian shampoo.
25. Wear sidelocks down in Jerusalem, and in the rest of the country wear them under the kippah (take them down in preparation for travel).
26. Do not comb your hair.
27. It is forbidden to look in the mirror. One one who looks in the mirror is called "idenea" ("woman" in plain language).
28. It is forbidden to enter the kitchen in the dining room.
29. It is forbidden to have a walkman/music player.
30. Do not go to the mikvah after the morning prayer.
31. Stand for the entire prayer.
32. It is forbidden to carry bochurim on the shoulders.
33. It is forbidden to sit in prayer, even during Tachanun.
34. It is forbidden to say "woman" [אישה], "girl" [בחורה] and "girl" [ילדה].
35. Don't sing "strange tunes".
36. It is forbidden to say "my mother", "my sister", "my aunt".
37. It is forbidden to say "bathroom" or "urinal", only "beis-kiss" or "meikhen" or "Asher Yatzar".
38. Must be tested on 125 pages of Gemara every year.
39. Study halacha every day for an hour.
40. Write a kvittel to the Rebbe Shlit"a only in the presence of the Mashgiach (who asks the same question every year: do you ask the Rebbe for birthday gifts?).
41. Place your watch in your pocket. Do not wear a wristwatch.
42. On a weekday, only a lace gartel is allowed.
43. White shirt - with buttons on the right and not the left.
44. Plain white shirt only. A shirt with a pattern is not allowed.
45. It is forbidden to read a newspaper (the neighbors of all yeshivas know this regulation).
46. On a weekday suit - only 3 buttons. And on Shabbos, 6 and another 2 on the back.
47. And on Shabbat it is permissible to wear a gartel rolled up with 12 threads.
48. They don't ask about who got engaged to whom the bridegroom will be (and it's a shame they don't ask who the bride is).
49. One does not say that a daughter was born to so-and-so, but makes Kiddush.
50. One must go through Geziiginen ("Farewell to the Rebbe"). Otherwise, no one takes the risk of riding the same bus with you.
51. Do not cut the sideburns, and if it is really long, then burn a little at the end of the sideburns so that they do not show that they were cut.
52. It is forbidden to get a haircut number one or two with a haircut machine only 0.0 baldness.
53. You don't walk with Gretel in the street, only in a yeshiva to separate foreign thoughts.
54. Walking with your head down in the street for fear of forbidden sights.
55. It is forbidden to ride bicycles.
56. Even a kosher cell phone is prohibited.
57. It is forbidden to speak without a suit, only "no or".
58. It is forbidden to go without the vision beard.
59. Sleep time 10.00.
60. To study art for an hour (5 hours) at Shobvim.
61. Wash your feet before 10.00.
62. Say three capital Psalms that Beit Yisrael corrected every morning.
63. Every day we say Psalms in the Psalms we received from Rebbe Shalita at a Bar Mitzvah.
64. It is forbidden to talk in bed only "Ahhhh".
65. It is forbidden to go to the house of a married brother, only to the house of a married sister.
67. You don't go to a sister's office.
68. You don't go to a brother's seven blessings.
69. With seven blessings we leave before the blessings.
70. It is forbidden to go to the seven blessings that the in-law's side does.
71. Rule for advanced students: Do not say the word copper.
72. They don't say get engaged, just "we will be a groom".
73. One only goes to a sister's engagement party, but not to a brother's party.
74. It is forbidden to walk with shoes with laces only with Hassidish Shaikh without laces.
75. No smoking.
76. It is forbidden to talk to the guard while sitting.
77. The cook is called Kalafta.
78. The one who arranges the Oizen Zaken too nicely (the pants inside the socks) is called a Gupitzer.
79. They don't sing "the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride" but again "the voice of sasson and the voice of joy".
80. Guys don't wear vests.
81. Do not speak par-tajs (early in the morning).
82. It is forbidden to sit on a bed that is not yours ("Yaenam's bet").
83. It is forbidden to go to the sea.
84. It is forbidden to go to the hotel.
85. It is forbidden to choose to be in Shalom Zakor ("a chor a zakor").
86. It is forbidden to wear underwear only with long pants.
87. A groom between the betrothal and the wedding is in pargeshen (forgets that he is betrothed).
88. They don't say to urinate, only to urinate.
89. We don't go to Rabi's quarter.
90. You don't go into the dining room without a hat.
91. He who speaks profanity is yelled at.
92. It is forbidden to chatter during a break on Shabbos.
93. We don't talk at Shashudes (third meal).
94. It is forbidden to eat chocolate during the break on Shabbos morning.
95. It is forbidden to eat papitas (black and white seeds)
96. Do not put your hand in your pants pocket lest...
97. It is forbidden to sit three at the table.
98. It is forbidden to make a crooked streak in the hair at the back.
99. It is forbidden to just walk around the street.
100. At bara (sheeding meal) you don't eat with a fork on a private plate, only on a central plate.
101. It is forbidden to say that the rebbe is sleeping ("der rebbe schlaft nisht" - the rebbe does not sleep).
102. When saying a blessing without a hat, place your hand on the kippa.
103. Sweater - only with buttons. Don't wear a sweater without buttons, or with a zipper.
104. When praying on Shabbat, we wear a kaftan. It is forbidden to pray with a floral shalafarak.
2. Two bochurim are not allowed to be alone in a room ("tzvei in tzimmer").
3. It is forbidden to touch another bochur ("fremde fleish).
4. One must not change a suit at once, but take off half, put on half of the other suit, and only then take off the other half.
5. It is forbidden to sleep in pajamas. Sleep only with a white shirt, wool tzitzis, and long underwear that is to be changed under the blanket.
6. It is forbidden to shower at home, only in the mikvah.
7. It is forbidden to be awake after 10:00.
8. It is forbidden to sleep in the bed at noon, only a "jim" (nap) in a beis medrash/shtiebel.
9. Pray with a hat.
10. Eat with a hat.
11. Say grace with a tissue under the kippa.
12. Do not talk to aunts.
13. Bochurim don't go to weddings.
14. Brothers are not allowed in the mitzva tanz.
15. Bochurim are not allowed to be at the chuppah.
16. Do not say "bride".
17. It is forbidden to go to the mikvah every day.
18. Bochurim don't sing Eishes Chayil.
19. Bochurim don't wear a samet hat.
20. Do not wear deodorant and cologne.
21. It is forbidden to shower with soap on weekdays, only on Friday afternoons.
22. It is forbidden to sleep on Shabbat afternoon at home.
23. Only wear plastic glasses frames.
24. It is allowed to shower only with Hawaiian shampoo.
25. Wear sidelocks down in Jerusalem, and in the rest of the country wear them under the kippah (take them down in preparation for travel).
26. Do not comb your hair.
27. It is forbidden to look in the mirror. One one who looks in the mirror is called "idenea" ("woman" in plain language).
28. It is forbidden to enter the kitchen in the dining room.
29. It is forbidden to have a walkman/music player.
30. Do not go to the mikvah after the morning prayer.
31. Stand for the entire prayer.
32. It is forbidden to carry bochurim on the shoulders.
33. It is forbidden to sit in prayer, even during Tachanun.
34. It is forbidden to say "woman" [אישה], "girl" [בחורה] and "girl" [ילדה].
35. Don't sing "strange tunes".
36. It is forbidden to say "my mother", "my sister", "my aunt".
37. It is forbidden to say "bathroom" or "urinal", only "beis-kiss" or "meikhen" or "Asher Yatzar".
38. Must be tested on 125 pages of Gemara every year.
39. Study halacha every day for an hour.
40. Write a kvittel to the Rebbe Shlit"a only in the presence of the Mashgiach (who asks the same question every year: do you ask the Rebbe for birthday gifts?).
41. Place your watch in your pocket. Do not wear a wristwatch.
42. On a weekday, only a lace gartel is allowed.
43. White shirt - with buttons on the right and not the left.
44. Plain white shirt only. A shirt with a pattern is not allowed.
45. It is forbidden to read a newspaper (the neighbors of all yeshivas know this regulation).
46. On a weekday suit - only 3 buttons. And on Shabbos, 6 and another 2 on the back.
47. And on Shabbat it is permissible to wear a gartel rolled up with 12 threads.
48. They don't ask about who got engaged to whom the bridegroom will be (and it's a shame they don't ask who the bride is).
49. One does not say that a daughter was born to so-and-so, but makes Kiddush.
50. One must go through Geziiginen ("Farewell to the Rebbe"). Otherwise, no one takes the risk of riding the same bus with you.
51. Do not cut the sideburns, and if it is really long, then burn a little at the end of the sideburns so that they do not show that they were cut.
52. It is forbidden to get a haircut number one or two with a haircut machine only 0.0 baldness.
53. You don't walk with Gretel in the street, only in a yeshiva to separate foreign thoughts.
54. Walking with your head down in the street for fear of forbidden sights.
55. It is forbidden to ride bicycles.
56. Even a kosher cell phone is prohibited.
57. It is forbidden to speak without a suit, only "no or".
58. It is forbidden to go without the vision beard.
59. Sleep time 10.00.
60. To study art for an hour (5 hours) at Shobvim.
61. Wash your feet before 10.00.
62. Say three capital Psalms that Beit Yisrael corrected every morning.
63. Every day we say Psalms in the Psalms we received from Rebbe Shalita at a Bar Mitzvah.
64. It is forbidden to talk in bed only "Ahhhh".
65. It is forbidden to go to the house of a married brother, only to the house of a married sister.
67. You don't go to a sister's office.
68. You don't go to a brother's seven blessings.
69. With seven blessings we leave before the blessings.
70. It is forbidden to go to the seven blessings that the in-law's side does.
71. Rule for advanced students: Do not say the word copper.
72. They don't say get engaged, just "we will be a groom".
73. One only goes to a sister's engagement party, but not to a brother's party.
74. It is forbidden to walk with shoes with laces only with Hassidish Shaikh without laces.
75. No smoking.
76. It is forbidden to talk to the guard while sitting.
77. The cook is called Kalafta.
78. The one who arranges the Oizen Zaken too nicely (the pants inside the socks) is called a Gupitzer.
79. They don't sing "the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride" but again "the voice of sasson and the voice of joy".
80. Guys don't wear vests.
81. Do not speak par-tajs (early in the morning).
82. It is forbidden to sit on a bed that is not yours ("Yaenam's bet").
83. It is forbidden to go to the sea.
84. It is forbidden to go to the hotel.
85. It is forbidden to choose to be in Shalom Zakor ("a chor a zakor").
86. It is forbidden to wear underwear only with long pants.
87. A groom between the betrothal and the wedding is in pargeshen (forgets that he is betrothed).
88. They don't say to urinate, only to urinate.
89. We don't go to Rabi's quarter.
90. You don't go into the dining room without a hat.
91. He who speaks profanity is yelled at.
92. It is forbidden to chatter during a break on Shabbos.
93. We don't talk at Shashudes (third meal).
94. It is forbidden to eat chocolate during the break on Shabbos morning.
95. It is forbidden to eat papitas (black and white seeds)
96. Do not put your hand in your pants pocket lest...
97. It is forbidden to sit three at the table.
98. It is forbidden to make a crooked streak in the hair at the back.
99. It is forbidden to just walk around the street.
100. At bara (sheeding meal) you don't eat with a fork on a private plate, only on a central plate.
101. It is forbidden to say that the rebbe is sleeping ("der rebbe schlaft nisht" - the rebbe does not sleep).
102. When saying a blessing without a hat, place your hand on the kippa.
103. Sweater - only with buttons. Don't wear a sweater without buttons, or with a zipper.
104. When praying on Shabbat, we wear a kaftan. It is forbidden to pray with a floral shalafarak.
1. You must not go to eat in a restaurant.
2. No classes outside the seminar.
3. It is forbidden to look men in the eye.
4. Minimize talking with nephews over the age of 13.
5. Do not talk to brothers-in-law.
6. Do not sing near brothers.
7. No contact with father/grandfather.
8. No cell phone.
9. It is forbidden to associate with girls outside Hassidism, not even other Hassidisms.
10. No lycra shirt.
11. Mid-length skirt only (length up to the middle between the knee and the ankle).
12. No makeup is allowed in the seminar, until you get engaged, or right before.
13. No mascara or any eye makeup.
14. It is forbidden to volunteer in charitable organizations that are not charitable.
15. No man is allowed to pass anything from hand to hand. The permit is special if it is a large object and there is no possibility to put it down (and thus the endearing situation of a girl bending down at the feet of a man to place a bill on the floor is created).
16. Move to the edge of the sidewalk when a man passes.
17. It is forbidden for a girl in a seminar to touch a cell phone, even kosher. If they have to, they let the little sister hold the cell phone and call for them.
18. Hide the body. All teenage girls bend over, to hide their breasts, and those who don't understand on their own that this is required - receive the guidance.
19. Do not sit next to a taxi driver.
20. It is forbidden to stay at friends' weddings after 11:00.
21. [missing]
22. It is forbidden to listen to the radio, not even ultra-orthodox stations.
23. It is forbidden to say hello to brothers-in-law.
24. It is mandatory to take care to pronounce the words of the prayer in the exact Hasidic pronunciation (and if you make a mistake in even one point, the whole prayer is not equal because it does not add to the privilege of ancestors).
25. Girls are not allowed to go to the beach alone.
26. It is forbidden to meet the groom.
27. It is forbidden to talk about him with girlfriends.
29. It is forbidden to go without a robe in the sea.
30. In the camp, it is forbidden to wear a bathing suit in the pool, only clothes. 3 pieces and tights.
31. It is forbidden to listen to modern Hasidic songs.
32. Lipa Shmeltzer - Excommunicated.
33. When you go to Bismidrash on Shabbat, you have to leave after 'Ketar'.
34. It is forbidden to walk through the street where the men's exit is located, and not during the hours when the men are walking.
35. It is forbidden to answer Amen aloud in prayer.
36. It is forbidden to stand for Kaddish, because the noise of the chairs will disturb the men.
37. When you talk to men, look down and keep your distance. If there is a piece of furniture in the room - let it separate you. The provision applies to all men including family members.
38. When the manager enters the seminar, they all stand up or rush to the side.
39. It is forbidden to say 'you' to a foreign man. If you talk to a doctor or manager or someone you have to talk to, say 'you'. In the family it is allowed to say 'you' only to father, grandfather or brothers. The rest (including brothers-in-law) - 'you'.
40. Shirts are not allowed outside.
41. A side bag is not allowed, and certainly not a diagonal bag. Just a bag with a handle to hold in the hand.
42. Chewing gum is not allowed on the street.
43. Once a month we pray together in the hall, and the girls and the headmistress take turns 'chanting', to accustom the girls to the correct Hasidic pronunciation.
44. They skip over Rashi in 'problematic' verses in the Vikra, and say "this is a grammatical explanation that can be skipped".
45. You don't sing on the bus on a trip.
46. It is forbidden to watch non-Orthodox films.
47. Do not write 12th of Adar, but 12th of Adar.
48. When traveling on the bus you have to get on at the front and pay, then get off and get on at the back so as not to pass between the men at the front of the bus.
49. Playing the guitar is 'less appropriate' for a Hasidic girl.
50. The hair must be collected. By no means scattered. Scattered hair longer than the ears is not allowed (= gathering into a rat tail).
51. It is forbidden to walk in a group of more than 4 girls together in the street.
52. No white or bright skirts.
53. It is forbidden to walk on Jaffa Street.
54. Don't say pregnancy, say 'condition'.
55. No dangling earrings.
56. A bracelet with pendants is prohibited.
57. God forbid I mention a shopping mall.
58. When meeting the guy, it is forbidden to serve drinks, because it may bring the hearts together.
59. It is forbidden to sit on a step or on a tree trunk.
60. It is forbidden to sit next to each other.
61. It is not appropriate to sit cross-legged.
62. Do not sit cross-legged.
63. Do not sleep with friends.
64. Don't hug a girlfriend for a long time.
65. It is forbidden to be left alone with children over the age of 9.
66. It is forbidden to ride a donkey or a horse.
67. It is forbidden to travel by bicycle.
68. It is forbidden to go to sites that are open on Shabbat (so every year on a trip we go to the same place).
69. Eyebrows must not be trimmed.
70. It is better to use a deodorant without a smell, Dove or Speed Stick.
71. Do not wear perfume.
72. Do not dye eyelashes.
73. Do not go to secular events.
74. We don't talk about menstruation.
75. They don't say RL bra, they say 'top item'.
76. One should avoid saying the word crazy.
77. It is forbidden to say period, they say 'special days'.
78. It is forbidden to wear brands. If you buy a brand, you have to take off its label (even if the label is sewn externally and as part of the design).
79. It is obligatory to say 3 chapters of the Psalms, and to learn the laws of guarding the tongue.
80. No tampons before the wedding. Just bandages.
82. The one who closes the first button, immediately wins the sons of scholars until the end of generations.
83. No shoes with a heel more than 5 cm.
84. Shirts with half sleeves over another shirt are not allowed.
85. When studying for exams, no more than 4 girls are allowed together.
86. Two girls alone in a room are not allowed in the camp.
87. As above, it is forbidden to lock the room.
88. On the Friday before there is a Shabbat station in the seminary, one should hide all the holy books in the closet lest they see a girl's name.
89. It is forbidden to make friends nice on the back. Not even with a pencil.
90. It is forbidden to dance Hora with too much enthusiasm.
91. Before the station they cover all the pictures in the corridors, which had girls or a boy with girls.
92. There is no hair removal, except in times of need.
93. Dances, limited in the movements allowed to be performed, and an older teacher will supervise the creative process and rehearsals.
94. It is forbidden to run in the street.
95. It is forbidden to refer to brothers-in-law by name when talking about them, but only "husband of".
96. Sports shoes are not allowed.
97. No front zipper.
98. Floor skirts are not allowed.
99. No platform.
100. No hoodie or vest with a hat.
101. Anything with inscriptions is prohibited, for example a shirt with an inscription, or even pajamas.
102. It is forbidden to curl the hair, or clips.
103. Kissing or hugging from father is prohibited, and care is also taken to minimize contact at all.
104. A daughter who was engaged to a non-Gorai guy is also forbidden to meet with him.
105. A skirt with pockets on the back, or a protruding zipper or in a different color is prohibited.
106. You don't walk down the street with your father or brother.
107. For a third meal in the organization it is allowed to bring only olives, pickles, hummus, tahini, corn, and dry challah.
108. In the organization, it is forbidden to sing loudly lest they be heard in the street.
109. It is forbidden to talk to the girls from the American seminary, because they are spoiled.
110. It is forbidden to walk with a bag or a skirt or an accessory made of khaki fabric, because it belongs to soldiers.
111. It is forbidden to go out on the street with wet hair.
112. It is forbidden to arrange the hair with a gel that has a wet appearance (the rule also applies to owners of afro hair).
113. In Bnei Brak: You must not go through Rabbi Yossi St., because that is where the Yeshiva is located.
114. Registration to a gym (also ultra-Orthodox) requires a special permit.
115. It is forbidden to go to Hasidic musical performances, even if the performance is separate. If the family goes - you have to stay at home.
116. It is forbidden to show friends photos of the bridegroom.
117. It is forbidden to register in a library other than the seminary library.
118. It is forbidden to connect with girls who are not from the class, especially not from another class.
119. It is forbidden to wear a shoe or sandal that is open in the front and shows the toes.
120. It is forbidden to fly abroad without management permission, even if it is a brother or sister's wedding.
121. Do not say thank you to the driver, security guard or service provider.
122. Curly hair must be collected, even if it is really short.
123. It is forbidden to wear a sweater made of Potter fabric.
124. It is forbidden to wear bright socks of a "natural" color, and if they have become lighter in the wash, new ones must be purchased.
125. Girls are not allowed to wear socks before a seminar.
126. It is forbidden to run in the street.
127. It is forbidden to eat in the street.
128. It is forbidden to go for a walk on Saturday night, and if you have to go out avoid passing through the main streets.
129. It is forbidden to wear black socks.
130. It is forbidden to wear a half-boot.
131. In Bnei Brak: it is forbidden to wear boots unless it rains half an hour before leaving for the seminar.
132. Brands of stationery may not be brought to the seminar.
133. It is forbidden to wear cotton socks of any kind.
134. Brides are not allowed to talk about the guidance.
135. Married girls move to a special class for married women, to avoid unnecessary conversations between married and single women.
136. New from last year: it is forbidden to give a kiss on the cheek between girls, not even to a bride who got engaged.
137. It is forbidden to talk with female friends about menstruation, etc.
138. It is forbidden to wear or hold accessories made of denim fabric or fabrics reminiscent of the color or texture (including wallet and pencil case).
139. After going to the pool, one does not take off the wet swimsuit, but puts on the clothes over the wet clothes, and rushes home.
140. After a lecture one does not applaud, but only stands as a sign of respect.
141. It is forbidden to whistle.
142. During the camp or social programs it is forbidden in any way to shout "Awww" or whistle, or encourage in any way except singing and clapping.
143. It is forbidden to wear maxi dresses to events. Not even for a sister's wedding.
144. It is appropriate not to arrange eyebrows.
145. It is forbidden to babysit / volunteer when there is a man at home.
146. It is forbidden to buy anything in Copics, and the seminary girls are not allowed to enter Copics.
147. It is forbidden to address the teacher in the second person but only in the third person. "Can the teacher check please..."
148. It is forbidden to leave the seminar during the break to buy food.
149. It is forbidden to say "racial" (in Bnei Brak they turned it into "gizeyginen").
150. It is forbidden to enter the body shop.
151. It is mandatory to wear a tank top under the outfit shirt even on very hot days.
152. It is forbidden to wear a smooth bra but only with a seam.
153. It is forbidden to look at siblings of girlfriends over the age of 9.
154. You must not wear a shirt with 'flashlights' because it emphasizes the shape of the body. Not even one with 'flashlights' only at the back.
155. It is forbidden to offer a drink to a laborer who arrives home. You can just put a bottle and a glass in the room and leave.
156. One should hide with the help of women of the synagogue when men pass by.
157. When you get into a taxi, you should immediately say coldly, "Turn off the radio", and you should not say "Can you turn off the radio, please?"
158. If you see the groom in the street you should run away.
159. It is forbidden to exercise with only pants, you must exercise with a skirt over the exercise pants.
160. It is forbidden to hold independent class meetings.
161. It is forbidden to read non-Orthodox books.
162. It is forbidden to read most of the books published by Feldheim.
163. A backpack is only allowed on trips, and only on both shoulders. Do not wear only on one shoulder.
164. Those who are careful not to sing even in front of their father, will have enormous rights.
165. Do not walk in sloppy clothing as is the custom of the settlers.
(The list is preliminary, and only partial)
2. No classes outside the seminar.
3. It is forbidden to look men in the eye.
4. Minimize talking with nephews over the age of 13.
5. Do not talk to brothers-in-law.
6. Do not sing near brothers.
7. No contact with father/grandfather.
8. No cell phone.
9. It is forbidden to associate with girls outside Hassidism, not even other Hassidisms.
10. No lycra shirt.
11. Mid-length skirt only (length up to the middle between the knee and the ankle).
12. No makeup is allowed in the seminar, until you get engaged, or right before.
13. No mascara or any eye makeup.
14. It is forbidden to volunteer in charitable organizations that are not charitable.
15. No man is allowed to pass anything from hand to hand. The permit is special if it is a large object and there is no possibility to put it down (and thus the endearing situation of a girl bending down at the feet of a man to place a bill on the floor is created).
16. Move to the edge of the sidewalk when a man passes.
17. It is forbidden for a girl in a seminar to touch a cell phone, even kosher. If they have to, they let the little sister hold the cell phone and call for them.
18. Hide the body. All teenage girls bend over, to hide their breasts, and those who don't understand on their own that this is required - receive the guidance.
19. Do not sit next to a taxi driver.
20. It is forbidden to stay at friends' weddings after 11:00.
21. [missing]
22. It is forbidden to listen to the radio, not even ultra-orthodox stations.
23. It is forbidden to say hello to brothers-in-law.
24. It is mandatory to take care to pronounce the words of the prayer in the exact Hasidic pronunciation (and if you make a mistake in even one point, the whole prayer is not equal because it does not add to the privilege of ancestors).
25. Girls are not allowed to go to the beach alone.
26. It is forbidden to meet the groom.
27. It is forbidden to talk about him with girlfriends.
29. It is forbidden to go without a robe in the sea.
30. In the camp, it is forbidden to wear a bathing suit in the pool, only clothes. 3 pieces and tights.
31. It is forbidden to listen to modern Hasidic songs.
32. Lipa Shmeltzer - Excommunicated.
33. When you go to Bismidrash on Shabbat, you have to leave after 'Ketar'.
34. It is forbidden to walk through the street where the men's exit is located, and not during the hours when the men are walking.
35. It is forbidden to answer Amen aloud in prayer.
36. It is forbidden to stand for Kaddish, because the noise of the chairs will disturb the men.
37. When you talk to men, look down and keep your distance. If there is a piece of furniture in the room - let it separate you. The provision applies to all men including family members.
38. When the manager enters the seminar, they all stand up or rush to the side.
39. It is forbidden to say 'you' to a foreign man. If you talk to a doctor or manager or someone you have to talk to, say 'you'. In the family it is allowed to say 'you' only to father, grandfather or brothers. The rest (including brothers-in-law) - 'you'.
40. Shirts are not allowed outside.
41. A side bag is not allowed, and certainly not a diagonal bag. Just a bag with a handle to hold in the hand.
42. Chewing gum is not allowed on the street.
43. Once a month we pray together in the hall, and the girls and the headmistress take turns 'chanting', to accustom the girls to the correct Hasidic pronunciation.
44. They skip over Rashi in 'problematic' verses in the Vikra, and say "this is a grammatical explanation that can be skipped".
45. You don't sing on the bus on a trip.
46. It is forbidden to watch non-Orthodox films.
47. Do not write 12th of Adar, but 12th of Adar.
48. When traveling on the bus you have to get on at the front and pay, then get off and get on at the back so as not to pass between the men at the front of the bus.
49. Playing the guitar is 'less appropriate' for a Hasidic girl.
50. The hair must be collected. By no means scattered. Scattered hair longer than the ears is not allowed (= gathering into a rat tail).
51. It is forbidden to walk in a group of more than 4 girls together in the street.
52. No white or bright skirts.
53. It is forbidden to walk on Jaffa Street.
54. Don't say pregnancy, say 'condition'.
55. No dangling earrings.
56. A bracelet with pendants is prohibited.
57. God forbid I mention a shopping mall.
58. When meeting the guy, it is forbidden to serve drinks, because it may bring the hearts together.
59. It is forbidden to sit on a step or on a tree trunk.
60. It is forbidden to sit next to each other.
61. It is not appropriate to sit cross-legged.
62. Do not sit cross-legged.
63. Do not sleep with friends.
64. Don't hug a girlfriend for a long time.
65. It is forbidden to be left alone with children over the age of 9.
66. It is forbidden to ride a donkey or a horse.
67. It is forbidden to travel by bicycle.
68. It is forbidden to go to sites that are open on Shabbat (so every year on a trip we go to the same place).
69. Eyebrows must not be trimmed.
70. It is better to use a deodorant without a smell, Dove or Speed Stick.
71. Do not wear perfume.
72. Do not dye eyelashes.
73. Do not go to secular events.
74. We don't talk about menstruation.
75. They don't say RL bra, they say 'top item'.
76. One should avoid saying the word crazy.
77. It is forbidden to say period, they say 'special days'.
78. It is forbidden to wear brands. If you buy a brand, you have to take off its label (even if the label is sewn externally and as part of the design).
79. It is obligatory to say 3 chapters of the Psalms, and to learn the laws of guarding the tongue.
80. No tampons before the wedding. Just bandages.
82. The one who closes the first button, immediately wins the sons of scholars until the end of generations.
83. No shoes with a heel more than 5 cm.
84. Shirts with half sleeves over another shirt are not allowed.
85. When studying for exams, no more than 4 girls are allowed together.
86. Two girls alone in a room are not allowed in the camp.
87. As above, it is forbidden to lock the room.
88. On the Friday before there is a Shabbat station in the seminary, one should hide all the holy books in the closet lest they see a girl's name.
89. It is forbidden to make friends nice on the back. Not even with a pencil.
90. It is forbidden to dance Hora with too much enthusiasm.
91. Before the station they cover all the pictures in the corridors, which had girls or a boy with girls.
92. There is no hair removal, except in times of need.
93. Dances, limited in the movements allowed to be performed, and an older teacher will supervise the creative process and rehearsals.
94. It is forbidden to run in the street.
95. It is forbidden to refer to brothers-in-law by name when talking about them, but only "husband of".
96. Sports shoes are not allowed.
97. No front zipper.
98. Floor skirts are not allowed.
99. No platform.
100. No hoodie or vest with a hat.
101. Anything with inscriptions is prohibited, for example a shirt with an inscription, or even pajamas.
102. It is forbidden to curl the hair, or clips.
103. Kissing or hugging from father is prohibited, and care is also taken to minimize contact at all.
104. A daughter who was engaged to a non-Gorai guy is also forbidden to meet with him.
105. A skirt with pockets on the back, or a protruding zipper or in a different color is prohibited.
106. You don't walk down the street with your father or brother.
107. For a third meal in the organization it is allowed to bring only olives, pickles, hummus, tahini, corn, and dry challah.
108. In the organization, it is forbidden to sing loudly lest they be heard in the street.
109. It is forbidden to talk to the girls from the American seminary, because they are spoiled.
110. It is forbidden to walk with a bag or a skirt or an accessory made of khaki fabric, because it belongs to soldiers.
111. It is forbidden to go out on the street with wet hair.
112. It is forbidden to arrange the hair with a gel that has a wet appearance (the rule also applies to owners of afro hair).
113. In Bnei Brak: You must not go through Rabbi Yossi St., because that is where the Yeshiva is located.
114. Registration to a gym (also ultra-Orthodox) requires a special permit.
115. It is forbidden to go to Hasidic musical performances, even if the performance is separate. If the family goes - you have to stay at home.
116. It is forbidden to show friends photos of the bridegroom.
117. It is forbidden to register in a library other than the seminary library.
118. It is forbidden to connect with girls who are not from the class, especially not from another class.
119. It is forbidden to wear a shoe or sandal that is open in the front and shows the toes.
120. It is forbidden to fly abroad without management permission, even if it is a brother or sister's wedding.
121. Do not say thank you to the driver, security guard or service provider.
122. Curly hair must be collected, even if it is really short.
123. It is forbidden to wear a sweater made of Potter fabric.
124. It is forbidden to wear bright socks of a "natural" color, and if they have become lighter in the wash, new ones must be purchased.
125. Girls are not allowed to wear socks before a seminar.
126. It is forbidden to run in the street.
127. It is forbidden to eat in the street.
128. It is forbidden to go for a walk on Saturday night, and if you have to go out avoid passing through the main streets.
129. It is forbidden to wear black socks.
130. It is forbidden to wear a half-boot.
131. In Bnei Brak: it is forbidden to wear boots unless it rains half an hour before leaving for the seminar.
132. Brands of stationery may not be brought to the seminar.
133. It is forbidden to wear cotton socks of any kind.
134. Brides are not allowed to talk about the guidance.
135. Married girls move to a special class for married women, to avoid unnecessary conversations between married and single women.
136. New from last year: it is forbidden to give a kiss on the cheek between girls, not even to a bride who got engaged.
137. It is forbidden to talk with female friends about menstruation, etc.
138. It is forbidden to wear or hold accessories made of denim fabric or fabrics reminiscent of the color or texture (including wallet and pencil case).
139. After going to the pool, one does not take off the wet swimsuit, but puts on the clothes over the wet clothes, and rushes home.
140. After a lecture one does not applaud, but only stands as a sign of respect.
141. It is forbidden to whistle.
142. During the camp or social programs it is forbidden in any way to shout "Awww" or whistle, or encourage in any way except singing and clapping.
143. It is forbidden to wear maxi dresses to events. Not even for a sister's wedding.
144. It is appropriate not to arrange eyebrows.
145. It is forbidden to babysit / volunteer when there is a man at home.
146. It is forbidden to buy anything in Copics, and the seminary girls are not allowed to enter Copics.
147. It is forbidden to address the teacher in the second person but only in the third person. "Can the teacher check please..."
148. It is forbidden to leave the seminar during the break to buy food.
149. It is forbidden to say "racial" (in Bnei Brak they turned it into "gizeyginen").
150. It is forbidden to enter the body shop.
151. It is mandatory to wear a tank top under the outfit shirt even on very hot days.
152. It is forbidden to wear a smooth bra but only with a seam.
153. It is forbidden to look at siblings of girlfriends over the age of 9.
154. You must not wear a shirt with 'flashlights' because it emphasizes the shape of the body. Not even one with 'flashlights' only at the back.
155. It is forbidden to offer a drink to a laborer who arrives home. You can just put a bottle and a glass in the room and leave.
156. One should hide with the help of women of the synagogue when men pass by.
157. When you get into a taxi, you should immediately say coldly, "Turn off the radio", and you should not say "Can you turn off the radio, please?"
158. If you see the groom in the street you should run away.
159. It is forbidden to exercise with only pants, you must exercise with a skirt over the exercise pants.
160. It is forbidden to hold independent class meetings.
161. It is forbidden to read non-Orthodox books.
162. It is forbidden to read most of the books published by Feldheim.
163. A backpack is only allowed on trips, and only on both shoulders. Do not wear only on one shoulder.
164. Those who are careful not to sing even in front of their father, will have enormous rights.
165. Do not walk in sloppy clothing as is the custom of the settlers.
(The list is preliminary, and only partial)
The Beis Yisrael's children were murdered by the Nazis, so after his death, leadership passed to his brother Simcha Bunim, known as the Lev Simcha. When he passed away in 1992, his half-brother Pinchas Menachem (known as the Pnei Menachem) was appointed as rebbe, with the understanding that upon his death leadership of the group would be inherited by Simcha Bunim's oldest son Yaakov Aryeh (the current rebbe), and not pass to his own children. The Pnei Menachem's children held to the deal, and Yaakov Aryeh assumed leadership of Ger in 1996.
Rabbi Shaul Alter / Kehilas Pnei Menachem / Ger Torah / Leftists
Rabbi Shaul Alter, the second son of the Pnei Menachem and his successor as head of the central Gerrer yeshiva in Jerusalem, is (as Randbot would say) an absolute mensch. Like his father, he is respected throughout all segments of Orthodoxy due to his vast Torah knowledge and down-to-earth nature. Unlike his uncle, he's charismatic and an excellent public speaker, and Yaakov Aryeh quickly became jealous over his growing popularity amongst the hasidim. Eventually, he ordered the shutdown of Shaul's yeshiva purely to put him out of a job.
More liberal-minded Gerrers looked to him over the past few decades as an alternative to his uncle's increasingly tyrannical leadership, which eventually resulted in Shaul starting his own community in 2019. His group officially calls itself "Kehilas Pnei Menachem", and is derogatorily refered to by Ger as the "leftists". Since the split, Ger has embarked on a jihad against Shaul's followers, which culminated in coordinated violence against them in May 2022.
Rabbi Tzvi Meir Zilberberg
Mashpia from a prominent Ger family and the living incarnation of the Happy Merchant meme. His brother Abraham Binyamin is the rebbe's chief capo, responsible for organizing much of the campaign against the leftists. Obsessed with the evils of technology, and got a bunch of kids to vandalize electronic donation platforms installed in synagogues throughout Israel. American-born, so you can find a lot of his insane rants in English on YT.
Chabad/Lubavitch
The tunnel people. They were a mainstream hasidic sect until their last rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel
Vizhnitz
Vizhnitz is conventionally taken to be the second largest Hasidic group in Israel, and they have a significant presence overseas as well, with a proliferation of rabbis from various branches of the Hager family leading their own communities. The main Israeli branch is split between the two sons of the late Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager:Rabbi Yisrael Meir Hager / Srulcha Vizhnitzer /Vizhnitz Shikun
Although the oldest son, Srulcha fell out with his father and ended up in exile in America. During this time, he was disinherited and his younger brother Mendel was prepared to be Rebbe. However, towards the end of Moshe Yehoshua's life, he reconciled with Srulcha and reinstated him as the heir. Most chassidim chose to follow him when his father past, but a minority stayed loyal to Mendel.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager / Mendele Vizhnitzer / Pope Mendel / Mendel Shvantzer / Vizhnitz Merkaz
Mendel is definitely the more entertaining brother, and is known for his long and elaborate prayers (as well as his long and elaborate annual vacations in the Swiss Alps). He also demands cultlike devotion from his followers. A couple years ago he started emphasizing that his chassidim should act like "shvantzunes", which means "tails" in Yiddish; i.e. the chassidim should follow the rebbe as closely as a tail follows an animal. His even composed a song about this, which his chassidim started singing everywhere, including at the grave of the previous rebbe, the nominal inventor of the "Shita Hakdosha" ("holy method") of shvantzunes:
Mendel and Srulcha are frenemies; unlike Aron and Zali, they're on speaking terms, but that hasn't stopped the feuds between them/their followers. Recently, Mendel's group won a legal fight for control over a synagogue in Antwerp, which led to much coping and seething on the side of Srulcha. After the verdict, Mendel delivered a fiery address declaring war on his enemies within the Hasidic community, and made a triumphant visit to Antwerp to hold a tish in honor of Tu B'Shvat.
Glossary
Admor - see rebbe. Hebrew acronym for "Our master, teacher and rabbi".Askan - activist, community organizer
Av Beis Din - Head of a Beis Din
Avreich - member of a kollel.
Beis Din - Rabbinical court.
Bochur - yeshiva student, or more broadly any unmarried male.
Dayan - Judge on a Beis Din.
Gabbai - Attendant
Gartel - belt worn for prayer.
Halacha - Jewish law
Hoizbochur - "House boy". A bochur who serves as a personal attendant to a rebbe.
Kollel - Yeshiva, but for married men.
Litvish - Originally used to refer to Jews originating from Lithuania, where opposition to Hasidim was strongest. Now used as a catch-all term for non-hasidic Hareidim.
Mashpia - Basically a Rebbe, but doesn't want to be called one.
Mashgiach - Spiritual director of a yeshiva. In charge of rule enforcement.
Mikvah - Ritual bath. Hassidic men immerse every day.
Moshiach - Messiah
Mosdos - institutions, mainly educational.
OTD - Off the derech ("path"). Someone raised religious who is no longer observant.
Posek - Decisor of halacha
Rebbe - Grand Rabbi, leader of a hasidic group,
Rebbetzin - Wife of a rabbi
Rosh Yeshiva - Head of a yeshiva
Takanos - Regulations. Can be anything from limiting the price of shtreimels to determining what type of glasses you can wear.
Tish - lit. table, formal meal of a Rebbe.
Tuna Beigel - A younger, more "worldly" hasid.
Yeshiva - institution for Torah study
Yeshivish - see Litvish.
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