Gothamist: Hasidic Hellraisers!

Shayt

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 17:13:40 -0500

As a religious jew I am totally embarassed by these stories, and can honestly say that this does not in any way reflect the majority of the Jewish people. The Satmar are an insolar, ignorant and intolerant community who does not care about anything or anyone different from themselves. I am confused on why they are fighting amongst themselves, but am not shocked. The most important relationship in Jewish tradition is the relationship between "person to person," such communties as the Satmar seem to forget this and place their relationship between "person and god" first. They hold themselves out as pious Jews who engage in religious studies and prayer all day, but do not think twice when cheating on their taxes, embezzling money, or in this case attacking their brethren. They should look at their actions and realize that by acting this way they are doing more harm than good. I cannot believe that they let a family feud turn one of the most joyous days of the Jewish calendar into one of fighting and war. You people should be ashamed of yourself, stop acting like animals and start acting like a good Jew should, respect your fellow man and woman. Alright, Im done ranting.

zack

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 11:16:03 -0500

i guess the irony of using Matisyahu's words as a calming influence should be noted - there is a longstanding rivalry of sorts between the Satmar and Lubavitch sects - Matisyahu being Lubavitch...

Chaim Potok

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 20:06:19 -0500

"Because religion makes people stupid." That may or may not be true, but this conflict is certainly not about religion. It's a power struggle. Satmar is a vast empire today, controlling numerous institutions worldwide, and phenomenally huge cash-flows. Neither Aaron's nor Zalmen's supporters give a rat's ass about the religiosity of either. It's all partisan politics hasidic-style.

QNS

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 15:39:12 -0500

so what does that lyric mean? see above

Pat

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 14:49:11 -0500

well I was actually in williamsburg last night for the wolf parade show and was totally put out of my way with bedford avenue being closed. not too mention that the jewish people fleeing the scene were just running wildly across the streets without even looking. i do wish i would have gotten to see some of that beard pulling though.

Think twice

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 14:09:57 -0500

"I against my brother, I and my brother against our cousin, I, my brother and our cousin against the neighbors, All of us against the foreigner." - Bedouin proverb

QNS

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 12:58:12 -0500

"Inside America bleeds, Israel won't you get up from your knees" What does that mean?

Schizohedron

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 11:16:09 -0500

Fantastic fezzes! Do they also zoom around in miniature Cadillacs?

Haywood

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 10:50:38 -0500

"Why can't we all just get along?" Because religion makes people stupid.

k

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 10:39:04 -0500

It should be illegal for any journalist ever again to quote a witness/source/etc. who uses the phrase "it was like a war zone" when really, it's not at all like a war zone. It's a lazy way to say a situtation is chaotic or whatever, without having to really describe the particulars of the chaos. or maybe i'm just being nitpicking and peevish.