נקודת מפנה? השפעת משבר הקורונה על תפיסות ערכיות בחברה החרדית

Contemporary research on the ultra-orthodox society in Israel identifies parallel processes in which modern forces within the ultra-orthodox society promote integration, while conservative forces struggle to preserve the separate character of the community. This study estimates the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on these processes. Based on preliminary data, including in-depth interviews with ultra-orthodox individuals, and analysis of press articles and research reports, we argue that the outbreak of COVID-19 challenged the ultra-orthodox community’s fundamental principles. The COVID-19 epidemic challenge the community’s voluntary separation from the liberal society, its prohibition on the consumption of external media, its tendency to limit its interaction with state institutions, and the importance the community attributes to religious studies. These challenges led to conflicting patterns within the ultra-orthodox community. While the erosion of the fundamental community principles is not a new phenomenon, the COVID-19 crisis has intensified processes that have hitherto been considered on the community’s margins.