HaEdah HaCharedis
Encyclopedia
The Edah HaChareidis, also known as the Edah for short and popularly as the Badatz, is a prominent Orthodox Jewish
communal organization based in Jerusalem, Israel
. It represents a large section of the Ashkenazi
Haredi
community and provides facilities such as kashrus
supervision, mikvas, an eruv
and a rabbinical court. The Edah HaChareidis is viewed as a continuation of the former leaders of the Yishuv haYashan
, and is well known for being strongly opposed to Zionism
, which it condemns as heretical and opposed to Judaism.
There is also an "Edah HaChareidit HaSefaradit" representing Sephardi
Jewry. While the Sephardi Edah holds similar viewpoints to the Ashkenazi Edah regarding Zionism and the State of Israel, they are not officially affiliated with each other.
, Rabbi of Brisk
, Lithuania
) in 1919, prior to the establishment of the Chief Rabbinate
by the Zionist movement under British auspices. Rabbi Sonnenfeld was named the first Av Beis Din
of the Edah Chareidis, a position he held until his passing in 1932. His tenure saw the Ottoman Empire
's control over the Land of Israel
weakening, and the British gaining control of the British Mandate of Palestine after World War I
.
The British chose to create a new Zionist rabbinical hierarchy under the newly-created Chief Rabbinate of Palestine, which later became the Chief Rabbinate of Israel
. Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook
became the first Chief Rabbi
in 1921. The Edah HaChareidis, which was — and still is — strongly anti-Zionist, resisted these moves and opposed the new British-created Zionist Chief Rabbinate.
Rabbi Teitelbaum emigrated to the United States, but retained his position as Av Beis Din of the Edah HaChareidis. Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum's nephew, the late Grand Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum
of Satmar, was given the title of President, upon Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum's passing. Meanwhile, in 1945, the Edah parted ways with Agudat Yisrael. The lay leader of the Edah HaChareidis for many years was Gershon Stemmer, until his death in early 2007.
, written by former Edah President and Chief Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum
, which is regarded as the standard, and by which all issues relating to the modern State of Israel
are determined. For example, the Edah forbids voting in the elections for the Knesset
, and forbids accepting any funding from the Israeli government (such as subsidies for schools and unemployment benefits), nor to accept Israeli citizenship through the Law of Return
. According to Ynetnews, "It [the Edah] has declared an ideological war against the 'heretic Zionist government'."
Despite the anti-Zionist stance of the Edah HaChareidis, a fragile cooperation is maintained with the state-run Chief Rabbinate, for example for the purpose of registering marriages and divorces (although this aspect does predate the state of Israel). On the other hand, converts to Judaism
who convert through the Edah HaChareidis (like converts through all non-government organizations in Israel) are not recognized as Jews by the state for the purpose of obtaining Israeli citizenship via the Law of Return
.
In 2002, the rabbinical leadership of the Edah wrote a complimentary introduction to Vayoel Moshe. The introduction mentioned: "and it is necessary to learn about this subject [of Zionism]... the holy book Vayoel Moshe will open [its readers'] eyes to see [the reasons behind] all troubles and horrors of our time, and will prevent readers from being drawn after the Zionist heresy, may the Merciful One save us."
In 2006, during a campaign against the participation of Haredim in the Israeli parliamentary elections, the Edah accused the Zionists of having played a role in the Holocaust.
In March 2008, an article in the Edah's newspaper HaEdah blasted the 'first chassidic police officer' and the newspapers who had praised him, and called for him to be thrown out of the Haredi world. It referred to him as presenting his children to Molech. Addressing him personally, it said, "and even if you are great in your own eyes, you are worth nothing and an embarrassment to us", and, "we will continue our continuous war, the days of which are the same as the days of the existence of the Zionist entity, against them and against everything you represent."
for the Edah HaChareidis is a song written by Rav Amram Blau
entitled Hashem Hu Malkeinu (ה' הוא מלכנו) (Hashem is our King).
to Sanhedria
, and in Meah Shearim) and Beit Shemesh. The Edah publicizes a weekly magazine called Ha'Edah ("The Edah"), written in Hebrew. This magazine is used to publicize the views of the leadership of the Edah on various issues, as well as articles on Jewish thought including the weekly Torah
portion and biographies of deceased leaders of the Yerushalmi community.
In response to violent haredi protests in Jerusalem in 2009, Israel's President
Shimon Peres
described the Edah as "a radical minority".
in Israel
. It is often simply known as the hechsher of the "Badatz", which stands for Beis Din
Tzedek (literally "Court [of] Righteous Law"), the standard term for a rabbinical court. Products certified by the Edah are marked with the well-known logo of the Edah.
. Nowadays, the groups include: Satmar
, Dushinsky
, Toldos Aharon
, Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok
, Spinker
, Brisk, Sanz-Tshokave, Perushim
, a faction of Breslover
hasidim led by Rabbi Yaakov Meir Shechter
and Mishkenos HoRoim
.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
communal organization based in Jerusalem, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. It represents a large section of the Ashkenazi
Ashkenazi Jews
Ashkenazi Jews, also known as Ashkenazic Jews or Ashkenazim , are the Jews descended from the medieval Jewish communities along the Rhine in Germany from Alsace in the south to the Rhineland in the north. Ashkenaz is the medieval Hebrew name for this region and thus for Germany...
Haredi
Haredi Judaism
Haredi or Charedi/Chareidi Judaism is the most conservative form of Orthodox Judaism, often referred to as ultra-Orthodox. A follower of Haredi Judaism is called a Haredi ....
community and provides facilities such as kashrus
Kashrut
Kashrut is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha is termed kosher in English, from the Ashkenazi pronunciation of the Hebrew term kashér , meaning "fit" Kashrut (also kashruth or kashrus) is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha (Jewish law) is termed...
supervision, mikvas, an eruv
Eruv
An Eruv is a ritual enclosure around most Orthodox Jewish and Conservative Jewish homes or communities. In such communities, an Eruv is seen to enable the carrying of objects out of doors on the Jewish Sabbath that would otherwise be forbidden by Torah law...
and a rabbinical court. The Edah HaChareidis is viewed as a continuation of the former leaders of the Yishuv haYashan
Old Yishuv
The Old Yishuv refers to the Jewish community that lived in the Land of Israel from the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE to the First Aliyah in 1881-82, prior to the onset of Zionist immigration....
, and is well known for being strongly opposed to Zionism
Zionism
Zionism is a Jewish political movement that, in its broadest sense, has supported the self-determination of the Jewish people in a sovereign Jewish national homeland. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Zionist movement continues primarily to advocate on behalf of the Jewish state...
, which it condemns as heretical and opposed to Judaism.
There is also an "Edah HaChareidit HaSefaradit" representing Sephardi
Sephardi Jews
Sephardi Jews is a general term referring to the descendants of the Jews who lived in the Iberian Peninsula before their expulsion in the Spanish Inquisition. It can also refer to those who use a Sephardic style of liturgy or would otherwise define themselves in terms of the Jewish customs and...
Jewry. While the Sephardi Edah holds similar viewpoints to the Ashkenazi Edah regarding Zionism and the State of Israel, they are not officially affiliated with each other.
History
The Edah was founded by Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld and Rabbi Yitzchok Yerucham Diskin (son of Rabbi Yehoshua Leib DiskinYehoshua Leib Diskin
Yehoshua Yehuda Leib Diskin , also known as the Maharil Diskin, was a leading rabbi, Talmudist and Biblical commentator. He served as a rabbi in Łomża, Mezritch, Kovno, Shklov, Brisk and finally Jerusalem, after moving to Eretz Yisrael in 1878....
, Rabbi of Brisk
Brest, Belarus
Brest , formerly also Brest-on-the-Bug and Brest-Litovsk , is a city in Belarus at the border with Poland opposite the city of Terespol, where the Bug River and Mukhavets rivers meet...
, Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
) in 1919, prior to the establishment of the Chief Rabbinate
Chief Rabbinate of Israel
The Chief Rabbinate of Israel is recognized by law as the supreme halakhic and spiritual authority for the Jewish people in Israel. The Chief Rabbinate Council assists the two chief rabbis, who alternate in its presidency. It has legal and administrative authority to organize religious...
by the Zionist movement under British auspices. Rabbi Sonnenfeld was named the first Av Beis Din
Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community, or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular authorities...
of the Edah Chareidis, a position he held until his passing in 1932. His tenure saw the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
's control over the Land of Israel
Land of Israel
The Land of Israel is the Biblical name for the territory roughly corresponding to the area encompassed by the Southern Levant, also known as Canaan and Palestine, Promised Land and Holy Land. The belief that the area is a God-given homeland of the Jewish people is based on the narrative of the...
weakening, and the British gaining control of the British Mandate of Palestine after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
The British chose to create a new Zionist rabbinical hierarchy under the newly-created Chief Rabbinate of Palestine, which later became the Chief Rabbinate of Israel
Chief Rabbinate of Israel
The Chief Rabbinate of Israel is recognized by law as the supreme halakhic and spiritual authority for the Jewish people in Israel. The Chief Rabbinate Council assists the two chief rabbis, who alternate in its presidency. It has legal and administrative authority to organize religious...
. Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook
Abraham Isaac Kook
Abraham Isaac Kook was the first Ashkenazi chief rabbi of the British Mandate for Palestine, the founder of the Religious Zionist Yeshiva Merkaz HaRav, Jewish thinker, Halachist, Kabbalist and a renowned Torah scholar...
became the first Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community, or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular authorities...
in 1921. The Edah HaChareidis, which was — and still is — strongly anti-Zionist, resisted these moves and opposed the new British-created Zionist Chief Rabbinate.
- Rabbi Sonnenfeld was succeeded by
- Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky.
- He was succeeded by Rabbi Zelig Reuven BengisZelig Reuven BengisZelig Reuven Bengis was the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem for the Edah HaChareidis...
, - who was succeeded by the SatmarSatmar (Hasidic dynasty)Satmar is a Hasidic movement comprising mostly Hungarian and Romanian Hasidic Jewish Holocaust survivors and their descendants. It was founded and led by the late Hungarian-born Grand Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum , who was the rabbi of Szatmárnémeti, Hungary...
RebbeRebbeRebbe , which means master, teacher, or mentor, is a Yiddish word derived from the Hebrew word Rabbi. It often refers to the leader of a Hasidic Jewish movement...
, Grand Rabbi Joel TeitelbaumJoel TeitelbaumJoel Teitelbaum, known as Reb Yoelish or the Satmar Rav , was a prominent Hungarian Hasidic rebbe and Talmudic scholar. He was probably the best known Haredi opponent of all forms of modern political Zionism...
.
Rabbi Teitelbaum emigrated to the United States, but retained his position as Av Beis Din of the Edah HaChareidis. Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum's nephew, the late Grand Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum
Moshe Teitelbaum (Satmar)
Moshe Teitelbaum was a Hasidic rebbe and the world leader of the Satmar Hasidim, which is believed to be one of the largest Hasidic communities in the world, with some 120,000 followers.-Early life:...
of Satmar, was given the title of President, upon Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum's passing. Meanwhile, in 1945, the Edah parted ways with Agudat Yisrael. The lay leader of the Edah HaChareidis for many years was Gershon Stemmer, until his death in early 2007.
Anti-Zionist ideology
The anti-Zionist stance of the Edah is supported by the book Vayoel MosheVayoel Moshe
Vayoel Moshe is a Hebrew book written by Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, leader of the Satmar Hasidic movement, in the year 1961. It made his case that Judaism is against Zionism....
, written by former Edah President and Chief Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum
Joel Teitelbaum
Joel Teitelbaum, known as Reb Yoelish or the Satmar Rav , was a prominent Hungarian Hasidic rebbe and Talmudic scholar. He was probably the best known Haredi opponent of all forms of modern political Zionism...
, which is regarded as the standard, and by which all issues relating to the modern State of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
are determined. For example, the Edah forbids voting in the elections for the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
, and forbids accepting any funding from the Israeli government (such as subsidies for schools and unemployment benefits), nor to accept Israeli citizenship through the Law of Return
Law of Return
The Law of Return is Israeli legislation, passed on 5 July 1950, that gives Jews the right of return and settlement in Israel and gain citizenship...
. According to Ynetnews, "It [the Edah] has declared an ideological war against the 'heretic Zionist government'."
Despite the anti-Zionist stance of the Edah HaChareidis, a fragile cooperation is maintained with the state-run Chief Rabbinate, for example for the purpose of registering marriages and divorces (although this aspect does predate the state of Israel). On the other hand, converts to Judaism
Conversion to Judaism
Conversion to Judaism is a formal act undertaken by a non-Jewish person who wishes to be recognised as a full member of the Jewish community. A Jewish conversion is both a religious act and an expression of association with the Jewish people...
who convert through the Edah HaChareidis (like converts through all non-government organizations in Israel) are not recognized as Jews by the state for the purpose of obtaining Israeli citizenship via the Law of Return
Law of Return
The Law of Return is Israeli legislation, passed on 5 July 1950, that gives Jews the right of return and settlement in Israel and gain citizenship...
.
In 2002, the rabbinical leadership of the Edah wrote a complimentary introduction to Vayoel Moshe. The introduction mentioned: "and it is necessary to learn about this subject [of Zionism]... the holy book Vayoel Moshe will open [its readers'] eyes to see [the reasons behind] all troubles and horrors of our time, and will prevent readers from being drawn after the Zionist heresy, may the Merciful One save us."
In 2006, during a campaign against the participation of Haredim in the Israeli parliamentary elections, the Edah accused the Zionists of having played a role in the Holocaust.
In March 2008, an article in the Edah's newspaper HaEdah blasted the 'first chassidic police officer' and the newspapers who had praised him, and called for him to be thrown out of the Haredi world. It referred to him as presenting his children to Molech. Addressing him personally, it said, "and even if you are great in your own eyes, you are worth nothing and an embarrassment to us", and, "we will continue our continuous war, the days of which are the same as the days of the existence of the Zionist entity, against them and against everything you represent."
Anthem
Unofficially, the anthemAnthem
The term anthem means either a specific form of Anglican church music , or more generally, a song of celebration, usually acting as a symbol for a distinct group of people, as in the term "national anthem" or "sports anthem".-Etymology:The word is derived from the Greek via Old English , a word...
for the Edah HaChareidis is a song written by Rav Amram Blau
Amram Blau
Amram Blau was a Haredi rabbi from the Hungarian community of Jerusalem. He was one of the founders of the fiercely Anti-Zionist Neturei Karta.Blau was born in Jerusalem, and grew up in the Meah Shearim neighbourhood...
entitled Hashem Hu Malkeinu (ה' הוא מלכנו) (Hashem is our King).
| ה' הוא מלכנו, by Rav Amram Blau | English translation (minimalist) |
|---|---|
ה' הוא מלכנו ולו אנו עבדים התורה היא חוקותינו ובה אנו מאמינים ה' הוא מלכנו ולו אנו עבדים התורה הקדושה היא חיינו ולה אנו משועבדים . בשלטון הכופרים אין אנו מאמינים אין אנו מאמינים ובחוקותיהם אין אנו מתחשבים אין אנו מתחשבים בדרך התורה נלך באש ובמים בדרך התורה נלך לקדש שם שמים אוי - לקדש שם שמים |
Hashem is our King and to him we are servants, The Torah Torah Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five... is our laws and unto it we are believers Hashem is our King and to him we are servants, The Holy Torah is our life and unto it we serve To the Rule of the heretics (lit: Atheists) we are not believers, We are not believers! And its laws we do not honor, we do not honor! In the way of the Torah we walk, through fire and water. In the way of the Torah we walk, to sanctify the Holy Name Kiddush Hashem The sanctification of the Name The sanctification of the Name The sanctification of the Name (in Hebrew kiddush Hashem is a precept of Judaism. It includes sanctification of the name by being holy.-Hebrew Bible:... . Oy! To sanctify the Holy Name! |
Influence
Followers of the movements that constitute the Edah mainly live in the northern areas of Jerusalem (from Har NofHar Nof
Har Nof is a neighborhood on a hillside on the western boundary of Jerusalem, Israel, with a population of 20,000 residents, primarily Orthodox Jews.-History:...
to Sanhedria
Sanhedria
Sanhedria is a Haredi neighborhood in northern Jerusalem, Israel. It lies east of Golda Meir Street and adjacent to Ramat Eshkol, Shmuel HaNavi, Maalot Dafna and the Sanhedria cemetery....
, and in Meah Shearim) and Beit Shemesh. The Edah publicizes a weekly magazine called Ha'Edah ("The Edah"), written in Hebrew. This magazine is used to publicize the views of the leadership of the Edah on various issues, as well as articles on Jewish thought including the weekly Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
portion and biographies of deceased leaders of the Yerushalmi community.
In response to violent haredi protests in Jerusalem in 2009, Israel's President
President of Israel
The President of the State of Israel is the head of state of Israel. The position is largely an apolitical ceremonial figurehead role, with the real executive power lying in the hands of the Prime Minister. The current president is Shimon Peres who took office on 15 July 2007...
Shimon Peres
Shimon Peres
GCMG is the ninth President of the State of Israel. Peres served twice as the eighth Prime Minister of Israel and once as Interim Prime Minister, and has been a member of 12 cabinets in a political career spanning over 66 years...
described the Edah as "a radical minority".
Kashrus supervision
The Edah HaChareidis is known for its high standards in rabbinical supervision of kosher food, and is considered to be one of the strictest hechsheirimHechsher
A hechsher is the special certification marking found on the packages of products that have been certified as kosher . In Halakha , the dietary laws of kashrut specify food items that may be eaten and others that are prohibited as set out in the commandments of the Torah...
in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. It is often simply known as the hechsher of the "Badatz", which stands for Beis Din
Beth din
A beth din, bet din, beit din or beis din is a rabbinical court of Judaism. In ancient times, it was the building block of the legal system in the Biblical Land of Israel...
Tzedek (literally "Court [of] Righteous Law"), the standard term for a rabbinical court. Products certified by the Edah are marked with the well-known logo of the Edah.
Associated groups
The Edah is mainly formed by people whose ancestors arrived in Jerusalem and the Land of Israel long before the founding of the State of Israel. Many of them maintain the classical customs of Jerusalem — the Yerushalmi minhagim — such as the gold kaftan worn on ShabbosShabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
. Nowadays, the groups include: Satmar
Satmar (Hasidic dynasty)
Satmar is a Hasidic movement comprising mostly Hungarian and Romanian Hasidic Jewish Holocaust survivors and their descendants. It was founded and led by the late Hungarian-born Grand Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum , who was the rabbi of Szatmárnémeti, Hungary...
, Dushinsky
Dushinsky (Hasidic dynasty)
Dushinsky is one of the few Hasidic dynasties not named after the place where it originated; instead, it is named after the surname of the Rebbe. It is a relatively new dynasty, as are many of the dynasties originating in Hungary. However, the Dushinsky dynasty truly became a dynasty in Jerusalem,...
, Toldos Aharon
Toldos Aharon (Hasidic dynasty)
Toldos Aharon is a strongly anti-Zionist Hasidic movement, headquartered in Jerusalem's Meah Shearim neighborhood. Significant concentrations of Hasidim are also located in Ramat Beit Shemesh, London and New York. Toldos Aharon is a split-off from Shomer Emunim...
, Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok
Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok (Hasidic dynasty)
Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok is a strongly anti-Zionist Hasidic movement located in Jerusalem's Meah Shearim neighborhood. It is an offshoot of the Hasidic group Toldos Aharon, which is in turn an offshoot of Shomer Emunim. It is led by its Rebbe, Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Kahn.Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok is one...
, Spinker
Spinka (Hasidic dynasty)
Spinka is the name of a Hasidic group within Orthodox Judaism. The group originated in a city called Săpânţa , Maramureş, Romania, near the Hungarian border.-Spinka rebbes:...
, Brisk, Sanz-Tshokave, Perushim
Perushim
The Perushim were disciples of the Vilna Gaon, Rabbi Elijah ben Solomon Zalman, who left Lithuania at the beginning of the 19th century to settle in the Land of Israel, then under Ottoman rule...
, a faction of Breslover
Breslov (Hasidic dynasty)
Breslov is a branch of Hasidic Judaism founded by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism...
hasidim led by Rabbi Yaakov Meir Shechter
Yaakov Meir Shechter
Rabbi Yaakov Meir Shechter is a leading figure in the Breslov Hasidic movement in Israel. He is a well-known kabbalist and a rosh yeshiva of both the main Breslov Yeshiva in Meah Shearim, Jerusalem, and the Non-Breslov Shaar Hashamayim Yeshiva in Mekor Baruch.-Early life:Shechter was born in the...
and Mishkenos HoRoim
Mishkenos HoRoim (Hasidic dynasty)
Mishkenos HoRoim , also spelled Mishkenot HaRoim, Mishkenois HaRoim, is a small Hasidic group located in Meah Shearim, Jerusalem. It is known as a very isolated and fervently religious group, known for its virulent anti-Zionism, even by Haredi standards. Mishkenos HoRoim is also known as Kahal Yereim...
.
Chief Rabbis
- 1919–1932: Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld (1849–1932)
- 1932–1948: Grand Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky (I) of DushinskyDushinsky (Hasidic dynasty)Dushinsky is one of the few Hasidic dynasties not named after the place where it originated; instead, it is named after the surname of the Rebbe. It is a relatively new dynasty, as are many of the dynasties originating in Hungary. However, the Dushinsky dynasty truly became a dynasty in Jerusalem,...
(1865–1949) - 1947–1953: Rabbi Zelig Reuven BengisZelig Reuven BengisZelig Reuven Bengis was the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem for the Edah HaChareidis...
(1864–1953) - 1953–1979: Grand Rabbi Joel TeitelbaumJoel TeitelbaumJoel Teitelbaum, known as Reb Yoelish or the Satmar Rav , was a prominent Hungarian Hasidic rebbe and Talmudic scholar. He was probably the best known Haredi opponent of all forms of modern political Zionism...
of SatmarSatmar (Hasidic dynasty)Satmar is a Hasidic movement comprising mostly Hungarian and Romanian Hasidic Jewish Holocaust survivors and their descendants. It was founded and led by the late Hungarian-born Grand Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum , who was the rabbi of Szatmárnémeti, Hungary...
(1887–1979) - 1979–1989: Rabbi Yitzchok Yaakov WeissYitzchok Yaakov WeissDayan Yitzchok Yaakov Weiss , also known as the Minchas Yitzchak, was a prominent Dayan, Halachic authority and Talmudic scholar...
(1901–1989; author of Minchas Yitzchak, formerly of ManchesterManchesterManchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
Beth Din, EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) - 1989–1996: Rabbi Moshe Aryeh FreundMoshe Aryeh FreundRabbi Moshe Aryeh Freund was the Chief Rabbi of the Edah HaChareidis in Jerusalem. He wrote a famous book called Ateres Yehoshua, and he himself was also referred to with this name occasionally. He was a Satmar chossid....
(1904–1996; author of Ateres Yehoshua (Chassidei SatmarSatmar (Hasidic dynasty)Satmar is a Hasidic movement comprising mostly Hungarian and Romanian Hasidic Jewish Holocaust survivors and their descendants. It was founded and led by the late Hungarian-born Grand Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum , who was the rabbi of Szatmárnémeti, Hungary...
) - 1996–2002: Grand Rabbi Yisroel Moshe DushinskyDushinsky (Hasidic dynasty)Dushinsky is one of the few Hasidic dynasties not named after the place where it originated; instead, it is named after the surname of the Rebbe. It is a relatively new dynasty, as are many of the dynasties originating in Hungary. However, the Dushinsky dynasty truly became a dynasty in Jerusalem,...
(1921–2003; son of Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky, listed above) - 2002 to present: Rabbi Yitzchok Tuvia WeissYitzchok Tuvia WeissRabbi Yitzchok Tuvia Weiss is the Chief Rabbi or Gavad of Jerusalem for the Edah HaChareidis. He was appointed to this post in 2003, after having served as the av beis din of the Machzike Hadass community of Antwerp, Belgium. Rabbi Weiss is a British national.-External links:*...
(formerly dayan of Machsike Hadass community, Antwerp, BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
)
Presidents
- Grand Rabbi Joel TeitelbaumJoel TeitelbaumJoel Teitelbaum, known as Reb Yoelish or the Satmar Rav , was a prominent Hungarian Hasidic rebbe and Talmudic scholar. He was probably the best known Haredi opponent of all forms of modern political Zionism...
of SatmarSatmar (Hasidic dynasty)Satmar is a Hasidic movement comprising mostly Hungarian and Romanian Hasidic Jewish Holocaust survivors and their descendants. It was founded and led by the late Hungarian-born Grand Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum , who was the rabbi of Szatmárnémeti, Hungary...
(1887–1979) - 1979–2006: Grand Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum of SatmarSatmar (Hasidic dynasty)Satmar is a Hasidic movement comprising mostly Hungarian and Romanian Hasidic Jewish Holocaust survivors and their descendants. It was founded and led by the late Hungarian-born Grand Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum , who was the rabbi of Szatmárnémeti, Hungary...
(1914–2006) - 2006–present: Rabbi Dovid SoloveitchikMeshulam Dovid SoloveitchikMeshulam Dovid Soloveitchik is an Orthodox rabbi and rosh yeshiva of one of the branches of the Brisk yeshivas in Jerusalem, Israel, attended by select young Talmudists, mainly from the United States...
, rosh yeshivaRosh yeshivaRosh yeshiva, , , is the title given to the dean of a Talmudical academy . It is made up of the Hebrew words rosh — meaning head, and yeshiva — a school of religious Jewish education...
of Brisk, current President of the Edah Charedis
Past members
- Rabbi Pinchas Epstein
- Rabbi Yisroel Yaakov FisherYisroel Yaakov FisherYisroel Yaakov Fisher, , was a leading posek, Av Beit Din of the Edah HaChareidis and rabbi of the Zichron Moshe neighbourhood in Jerusalem....
(1928–2003), author of Even Yisroel - Rabbi Moshe HalberstamMoshe HalberstamRabbi Moshe Halberstam was the son of Grand Rabbi Yaakov Halberstam of Tschakava, a scion of the Sanz dynasty, and of the daughter of Rabbi Sholom Moskowitz of Shotz of London. He was the Rosh Yeshivah of the Tschakava Yeshivah in Jerusalem and one of the most prominent members of the Edah...
(1932–2006) - Rabbi Chanoch Dov PadwaChanoch Dov PadwaRabbi Chanoch Dov Padwa was a world-renowned Orthodox Jewish posek, Talmudist and rabbinic leader.-Early years:...
- Rabbi Binyomin RabinowitzMishkenos HoRoim (Hasidic dynasty)Mishkenos HoRoim , also spelled Mishkenot HaRoim, Mishkenois HaRoim, is a small Hasidic group located in Meah Shearim, Jerusalem. It is known as a very isolated and fervently religious group, known for its virulent anti-Zionism, even by Haredi standards. Mishkenos HoRoim is also known as Kahal Yereim...
- Rabbi Meir BrandsdorferMeir BrandsdorferRabbi Meir Brandsdorfer was a member of the Rabbinical Court of the Edah HaChareidis, the Haredi Ashkenazi community in Jerusalem, and was in charge of their Kashrut operations, especially matters of Shechita....
(Chasidei Toldos Avrohom YitzchokShomer Emunim (Hasidic dynasty)Shomer Emunim is a devout, insular Hasidic group based in Bnei Brak. It was founded in the 20th century by Rabbi Arele Roth....
)
Present members
- Rabbi Yitzchok Tuvia WeissYitzchok Tuvia WeissRabbi Yitzchok Tuvia Weiss is the Chief Rabbi or Gavad of Jerusalem for the Edah HaChareidis. He was appointed to this post in 2003, after having served as the av beis din of the Machzike Hadass community of Antwerp, Belgium. Rabbi Weiss is a British national.-External links:*...
, Chief Rabbi - Rabbi Moishe SternbuchMoishe SternbuchMoishe Sternbuch is the Vice-President of the Rabbinical Court and Chief Rabbi Ra'avad of the Edah HaChareidis in Jerusalem. He resides in Har Nof where he is the rabbi of the local GR"A Synagogue, named after the Vilna Gaon of whom he is a direct descendant...
, Head of Rabbinical Court - Rabbi Naftoli Hertzke Frankel
- Rabbi Yehoshua Rosenberger (Chasidei SatmarSatmar (Hasidic dynasty)Satmar is a Hasidic movement comprising mostly Hungarian and Romanian Hasidic Jewish Holocaust survivors and their descendants. It was founded and led by the late Hungarian-born Grand Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum , who was the rabbi of Szatmárnémeti, Hungary...
) - Rabbi Avrohom Yitzchok UlmanAvrohom Yitzchok UlmanRabbi Avrohom Yitzchok Ulman is a senior Haredi rabbi living in Jerusalem.He was born in Hungary and immigrated to Israel as a child. He serves on the Beis Din , also known as the Badatz, of the Edah HaChareidis, Jerusalem's council of Haredi communities...
(Chasidei DushinskyDushinsky (Hasidic dynasty)Dushinsky is one of the few Hasidic dynasties not named after the place where it originated; instead, it is named after the surname of the Rebbe. It is a relatively new dynasty, as are many of the dynasties originating in Hungary. However, the Dushinsky dynasty truly became a dynasty in Jerusalem,...
) - Rabbi Yaakov Mendel Yuravitch
- Rabbi Yaakov Blau
- Rabbi Chaim Uri Freund
Affiliated rabbis
- Rabbi Shmuel WosnerShmuel WosnerRabbi Shmuel Wosner is a Haredi rabbi and posek living in Bnei Brak, Israel....
- Rabbi Moshe Sacks
- Rabbi Yaakov Meir ShechterYaakov Meir ShechterRabbi Yaakov Meir Shechter is a leading figure in the Breslov Hasidic movement in Israel. He is a well-known kabbalist and a rosh yeshiva of both the main Breslov Yeshiva in Meah Shearim, Jerusalem, and the Non-Breslov Shaar Hashamayim Yeshiva in Mekor Baruch.-Early life:Shechter was born in the...
External links
- Statements against Zionism by the Edah Chareidis
- Obituary for Rabbi Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss of the Eidah Chareidis
- Obituary for Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Fisher of the Eidah HaChareidis
- Obituary for Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Fisher, with much information about the history of the Eidah Chareidis
- Obituary for Rabbi Moshe Halberstam of the Eidah Chareidis