Hardal (also spelledChardal;Hebrew:חרד״ל, acronym forחרדי לאומיḤaredi Le'umi,lit. '"NationalistHaredi"', pluralHardalim) usually refers to the portion of theReligious ZionistJewish community inIsrael which inclines significantly towardHaredi ideology (in terms of outlook on the secular world, or in their stringentkhumra approach toHalakha). In their approach to the State of Israel, though, they are Zionist, and believe that Israel isAtchalta De'Geulah (the beginning of the redemption).
Hardal Jews are also known asTorani (lit., "Torah-oriented"), orTorani-Leumi ("Torah Nationalist").
On yeshiva.org.il, "Chardal" is described as, "The people who classify themselves as 'Charedi Leumi', or 'Chardal', try to keep the Mitzvot strictly,Kalah Kechamurah [light and weighty matters alike], while being involved in the national life in the state, and in the settling of Eretz Yisrael".[1] It has also been explained as the "Anglo Orthodox religious sector who follow a Charedi lifestyle, yet may also serve in the army in religious units, attend aHesder yeshiva, and pursue a work career".[2] Yet another explanation is, "those connected to the seriousness ofTorah learning and stricter observance of Jewish Law - like theCharedim - but who areZionist and have a more positive view of the secular world andIsrael, like the dati leumi camp".[3]
The termHardal is sometimes used to refer to those coming from the Haredi world who joinNahal Haredi (the shortened army service for Yeshiva graduates) and continue to live within the broader Hardal world.[citation needed] It is also sometimes used for Americanyeshivish Jews who moved to Israel and support the state.[citation needed]
The termHardal is part of a broad process of certain groups ofReligious Zionist youth becoming more strict in certain religious observances, and more ideologically driven by the thought ofZvi Yehuda Kook (son ofAbraham Isaac Kook).[citation needed] In the late 1970s, graduates ofMercaz HaRav yeshiva began to reject certain aspects of the Religious Zionist andBnei Akiva lifestyle.[citation needed]
According to some sources, the termHardal was created at a meeting of the youth group EZRA in 1990.[citation needed] (Ezra is the Poalei Agudah youth group associated withTorah im Derech Eretz.) In later years, the term Hardal became a group that actually started separating itself from the broader religious Zionist community in order to dedicate itself to leading a life dedicated to strict Jewish practice, without the influence of outside culture. There was emphasis placed on modesty in dress, and early marriage.Shlomo Aviner was a major ideologue for this group.[citation needed]
In recent years, it refers to those under the influence ofZvi Thau, who left Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav to found the moreHardalicYeshivat Har Hamor.[citation needed] Thau rejects secular studies and secular influences. He is also against any academic influence on teachers colleges, rejecting the influence of modern educational psychology, and modern approaches to the study of the Bible. Those who follow this approach are called followers ofYeshivat HaKav - "Yeshivot that follow the line".
There are schools for both boys and girls located inJerusalem, as well as inRamat Beit Shemesh (Ahavat Yisrael). Their philosophy is, "To adhere to an open Haredi approach toHalakha and lifestyle, while at the same time leaving the possibility for army service and university studies as a goal".[4]
Past leaders (deceased)
Current leaders:
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