SmartCookie-
100% correct. The Chassidim I see are the ones that come collecting for their daughter’s wedding and to buy the couple an apartment, or so that they can support their son-in-law in Kollel. It rubs off on me the wrong way. The Chassidim that I meet are not the ones that you would want me to meet!
I’m sure its not all that bad. After all, Chabad is a Chassidus, and they do a nice job, sending out Shluchim and the sort. B&H is a big store in NYC run by Chassidim.
Then again, the town I mentioned before is mostly on support, as well as those on MOFES in NYC (Williamsburg & BP).
I wonder what the percentages are? Anyone with any stats on Chassidim, Yeshivish, etc. on Tzedaka or gov’t support? It seems like an awful lot. But then again, I don’t see those who DON’T need the money & don’t come to my door or my shul.
As a final point: I remember hearing a story about (IIRC) Rav Schwab how people were bemoaning to him about the frum people caught stealing, etc. He replied to them that if they would have been eating Pork, they would not be called Frum, so why if they steal, you do call them Frum? They’re not frum!
I would guess the same idea applies here. Those who expect to live off of Tzedaka would not be called frum, let alone Chassidim (a term which the Gemarah reserves for two Tannayim alone!).
May we all be Zoche to Ahavas Chinam.