As a result of the case in which parents are trying to get their daughter back after she became a member of the ‘shawl women’ community, the Jerusalem Family Court has directed social workers and other agencies to probe their lifestyle towards determining if they will be categorized a ‘cult’. Such a ruling would have significant ramifications.
The court became involved after the parents of the young woman petitioned the family court, prompted by reliable rumors there were plans to send their child to Montreal to live among the Lev Tahor community. The parents succeeded in obtaining a court order barring the young lady from leaving the country at this time. Most details surrounding the case are not permitted for publication due to a court gag order.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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11 Responses
A parent-child argument over a personal matter is not something that belongs in a news site – and especially not a frum one. It’s none of our business.
A cult is a cult!!!
Of course it’s a cult that goes against all the practices of all Orthodox Jews for as long as we can remember.
#3, Yes, but we should not want the authorities to make such a determination, because once they start doing that, sooner or later we will be next.
If it isn’t, it should be!
Why does the picture show a female with a facial covering? A shawl does not cover one’s face. The women of Lev Tahor do not cover their faces and they are very nice people in spite of what everyone thinks about them and talks badly about them. I personally do not want to live like them, but, I know them and like them and feel they have a right to do as they want. They are not trying to recruit people to their community.
The shawl ladies are a loose group of frummer-than-thou type ladies. Some wear panchos, some wear shawls, some wear burkas, some even cover their faces with dark veils.
I live in Jerusalem and see them all. The sad part is looking at the faces of their children. None of them look happy. It is a sick repressive live to make young girls look so totally different from the rest and the kids know it. It is seen on their sad faces.
HaShem should help us from our enemies, both from the outside and from the inside.
Which body decides if a group is a cult? And what are the ramifications?
basmelech – The question here is not whether they are nice people or not, but rather has this Rabbi Shlomo Helbrans started a cult like following. Cults are VERY dangerous and only get worse as they get larger. Putting aside the accusations that may or may not be true, one thing is for sure. Rabbi Helbrans is not following the dictates of our Gedolim and, at least according to one article written by someone who was allowed an audience and interview with him, does not respect the leadership of our Gedolim. He is quoted as saying in regards to our Gedolim, “Who decided that they’re the greatest sages? It’s all deals and politics.”
If this is true then he walks in the footsteps of Phillip Burg (may he do Teshuvah).
Ever tried de-programming a cult member? It is very, very hard. You can’t imagine how sucked in these people are & how terrifying the thought of leaving is for them. They are completely controlled by the cult leaders and made to feel they just can’t survive without the “support” of the cult & its leaders. They don’t have any free thought, it’s tragic. G-d gave us becheira, these people take it away.
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