Ultra-Orthodox versus Secular Jews among the Israeli - Term Paper Example

Ultra Orthodox versus Secular Jews among the Israeli Within any given community or culture, there are often more than one world view. A person’s world view refers to the perspective that one uses to interpret and give meaning to his world. It also refers to the beliefs and the values that a group of people or an individual holds. A person’s world view is usually influenced by the social context in which the individual finds himself. It is expected that a person’s or society’s world view comprises of the value system of the individual or society, and the method that the individual follows in order to achieve their goals. The world view also comprises of the knowledge of what is held to be true and what is considered false by the individual or society. The world view also includes the ethics held. This therefore means that people with different world views will have different thoughts and attitudes about a given subject. This can be a potential cause of conflict in a multicultural setting. An example of a community that has diverse world views is the Israeli community. The different world views present in the Israeli society means that there are many attitudes that are held in the society towards issues such as sexuality and intimacy. The different world views present in the Israeli society include the ultra orthodox Israeli Jews and the secular community. The two communities are different in the way that they interpret the world around them, and how they carry on their day to day activities. The fundamental difference between the two groups can be seen in their religious beliefs. The differences in religions mean that the two groups will have different codes of behavior and ethics. The differences however extend to the values that they hold in regards to different aspects of life. This means that the two groups have different world views when it comes to their views on intimacy and sexuality. The ultra orthodox community in the Israeli culture for example is very strict on matters of sexuality and intimacy. The boys and the girls are not allowed to mingle freely. They are instead expected to attend separate schools. Interaction between the two sexes is discouraged. In regards to intimacy and marriage, the norm in the society is that the man is introduced to the woman for the purposes of marriage. Intimacy between the sexes is reserved for the purposes of procreation. In this society, there is a rule that specifies that all male ejaculations should be vaginally contained. This is reflected in the big families that are characteristic of the community. Marriages are also expected to take place at a young age. Other than that, all forms of intimacy between the men and the women are discouraged. In all sectors of life, the men and the women remain segregated. The ultra orthodox community does not encourage awareness of one’s sexuality for the community. This is reflected in the restrictions that are placed in access of information from the internet and from the mobile phones. The women are generally looked upon as the lesser sex and some of the ultra orthodox publications even have a policy of not publishing pictures of women. Women are expected to maintain a decent style of dressing which is characterized by long skirts or dresses, high necklines that do not expose their bodies and the married women are expected to cover their head. All forms of intimacy and contact before marriage are forbidden which often prevents the people from forming positive and intimate relationships. In this society, intimacy is accepted in the confines of the marriage institution. And most people get into marriage without any prior knowledge or experience in matters of intimacy and sexuality (‘The Status of Jewish and Palestinian woman in Israel’). The views that are held by the orthodox on intimacy and sexuality can be attributed to the ideals that they hold on their religious practices. The ideals of the community are based on the teaching of the torah. They therefore do not accept any other ideals or ways of life that seem to be in contradiction with the religious law. Any practices that are not in line with the teachings of the religion are frowned upon and are in some cases punishable. This group is rigid when it comes to their views on sexuality and intimacy. This is because the source of those views and attitudes is constant and does not change depending on the changes that take place in the wider society. While the traditional Israeli society followed the Jewish religion and religious practices, the interaction with other communities and society saw the Israelis become increasingly secularized. At present, an average of 44% of the Jews considers themselves as secular. The secular group in the Israeli society serve still celebrates the Jewish holidays and speaks Hebrew; they are however more liberal in their world view and their attitudes and practices when it comes to intimacy and sexuality reflect this liberalization. The group does not hold the belief that is held by the ultra orthodox Jews that the Judaic law has its basis on the divine authority and should thus govern all aspects of life. The secular attitudes and world view are based on the need for the Jewish people to find a place that is not governed and restricted by the religious laws and practices. The secular group in the Israeli society believes in the interaction between the sexes and as a result they do not insist on segregation of the sexes. The two sexes are allowed to interact in different avenues and in different sectors of the society. This includes in the educational institutions. This in turn means that the secular society in Israeli is more aware of their sexuality and is therefore in a position to form intimate relations. The secular group continues to be open to change in attitudes that are concerned with intimacy and sexuality. They do not have rigid ways and practices but instead accommodate individual differences. When it comes to dressing, the women are not required to wear any religious clothes. Their dressing is not regulated as long as it is acceptable to the general society. The choice of marriage partner is made by the partners themselves as opposed to having the choice made for them. The individual in this community is given the freedom and opportunity to make decisions and choices in regards to their sexuality and intimacy matters as opposed to being guided by religion. The secular Jews do not prohibit intermarriage with other Jewish denominations or movements. The same applies to intermarriages with non Jewish people. The differing opinions on the issue of sexuality and intimacy among the secular and the ultra orthodox in the Israeli society can therefore be seen to be based on the source of values for the two groups. The ultra orthodox are governed by the individual freedoms that they believe should be accorded to every person. This accounts for the differences in the way that the two groups relate to the issue of sexuality and intimacy. When the secular group is more flexible and open to change in the attitudes and beliefs on sexuality, the ultra orthodox has a rigid way of looking at the issue. The women in the secular society are also given more freedoms when it comes to the expression of their sexuality when compared to the ultra orthodox women. The only similarity between the two groups in relation to sex and sexuality is that they only accept heterosexual relationships. In the wider Israeli society however, there is the enactment of the control of the woman’s body (Sered 151). Works cited ‘The Status of Jewish and Palestinian woman in Israel’ Web. 14 Dec. 2011 Sered, Susan. What makes women sick? Maternity, modesty and militarism in Israeli society. Hanover, NH: Brandeis University Press, 2000. Print. Read More