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Jerusalem - New Bill Wont Eliminate the Import of Shtreimels to Israel |
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Last updated on: Jun 16, 2009 at 09:04 AM
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Knesset Member Menachem Eliezer Moses, chairman of the Haredi-religious United Torah Judaism party, has found that an animal welfare bill supported by the government could make his shtreimel an endangered species. The shtreimel is worn by married men, particularly those affiliated with the Hassidic communities, on holidays and the Sabbath. It is made of a circular velvet center surrounded by fur.
The proposed legislation, which gained the cabinet's support, was brought to the attention of the broader coalition leadership forum on Monday. The amendment to the Animal Welfare Law would outlaw the import of products made from the fur of dogs, cats or rabbits. Specifically noted are furs imported from east Asia. The penalty for violation of the clause, which would be treated as a criminal offense, would be up to a year in jail.
MK Moses wants fur imported for use in making shtreimels be exempted from the general prohibition. "It is inconceivable," he said, "to support a bill that outlaws imports for such a clear and important religious need."
Moses, who is a Belzer Hassid and also a rabbi, explained to the coalition representatives the meaning and importance of the shtreimel to the sector his party represents.
The UTJ leader was at pains to explain that he does not oppose the proposed law entirely, "but I request that the law include an appropriate exception stating that import for religious purposes will not be infringed and will not be considered a violation of the law." With a call for the government ministers to amend the law, MK Moses added, "We are not in the Middle Ages, when Jews were forbidden to use explicitly Jewish symbols."
The shtreimel can be made from genuine or synthetic fur, with the latter actually more common among Israeli Hassidic Jews than those overseas. The Rebbe of the Gerrer Hassidic sect, in fact, issued an edict that his followers may only purchase spodiks (a style of shtreimel) made of fake fur and that cost less than $600.
**UPDATE**
The Knesset ministerial committee approved the banning of imported rabbit, dog, and cat fur from eastern Asia due to reports of animal cruelty. And the proposed law will not affect shtreimel fur importers, as the manufacturers use fur from other animals not included in the bill. However, those who don fedoras made out of rabbit pelt are out of luck.
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Read Comments (39) — Post Yours »
1
Jun 16, 2009 at 07:08 AM Anonymous Says:
i guess the liberal flu spread to Israel
2
Jun 16, 2009 at 07:02 AM yehudala Says:
100% for chasidim but are you aware what has to be done for the fur I watched a video and had nightmares for days they skin the animals alive !think about that
3
Jun 16, 2009 at 07:28 AM YOELIE Says:
How can a government take our streimlach away? Next they'll ban esrogim or matzas. We must stand up for our right to wear what we've worn for thousands of years. The animals were created so we could have this mitzva.
4
Jun 16, 2009 at 07:24 AM Jeremie B Says:
Why it's so important ? Why not use Fake Fur ?
5
Jun 16, 2009 at 07:32 AM mottel Says:
they'd better ban 'raid' too if they're so concerned about animal rights; just scoop up the cockroaches and carry them to the nearest garbage dump.
and as for mousetraps, they are cold-blooded murder
6
Jun 16, 2009 at 08:19 AM Anonymous Says:
“ How can a government take our streimlach away? Next they'll ban esrogim or matzas. We must stand up for our right to wear what we've worn for thousands of years. The animals were created so we could have this mitzva. ”
"The animals were created so we could have this mitzva.”
Wearing a shtreimel is not torah moshe m'sinai. Your comment displays a profound ignorance of halacha and yiddeshe history. First, it is lunacy to suggest that dogs, cats etc. were created by the ebeshter so some rebbele in Eastern Europe 150 years ago could tanz around in a fur hat that made him look like a Russian Cosak guard in a Gilbert and Sullivan operatta and his chassidim today have a chiyuv to continue to dress in that costume FYI: The shtreimel began as a matching item together with a fur lined coat lapel known as a "peltz" which was dropped from the costume years ago. A shtreimel is a minhag which some chassidim prefer to continue but it has ZERO significance under halacha.
7
Jun 16, 2009 at 08:13 AM chuck Says:
“ How can a government take our streimlach away? Next they'll ban esrogim or matzas. We must stand up for our right to wear what we've worn for thousands of years. The animals were created so we could have this mitzva. ”
And what exactly is the mitzvah of "wearing a shreimel? I under stand that its a minug but a mitzvah?? Not quite yet.
8
Jun 16, 2009 at 08:13 AM Raphael Kaufman Says:
“ How can a government take our streimlach away? Next they'll ban esrogim or matzas. We must stand up for our right to wear what we've worn for thousands of years. The animals were created so we could have this mitzva. ”
Chassidim have been wearing streimlach for about 200 years. Russian and Polish noblemen, including the tzars (Y'S) wore them from about 350 years ago. The idea that a streimel is a chefetz shel mitzva like an esrog or matzah is too silly even for Milhouse to comment on. P.S. Regular hats are made of fur too.
9
Jun 16, 2009 at 08:10 AM Izzy Says:
Its not a mitzvah to wear a fur hat.
10
Jun 16, 2009 at 08:34 AM Anonymous Says:
Regardless, when an animal's life is valued more than any Jewish minhag, in the so-called Jewish state, it is cause for concern.
11
Jun 16, 2009 at 08:31 AM Anonymous Says:
Just like to remind everybody! That the animal rights groups began in Nazi Germany!!!! Animal rights groups are the biggest hate mongers around!! They should be classified as a terrorist organization!!!!
12
Jun 16, 2009 at 08:27 AM chuck Says:
“ How can a government take our streimlach away? Next they'll ban esrogim or matzas. We must stand up for our right to wear what we've worn for thousands of years. The animals were created so we could have this mitzva. ”
And what exactly is the mitzvah of "wearing a shreimel? I under stand that its a minug but a mitzvah?? Not quite yet.
13
Jun 16, 2009 at 09:18 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Just like to remind everybody! That the animal rights groups began in Nazi Germany!!!! Animal rights groups are the biggest hate mongers around!! They should be classified as a terrorist organization!!!!
”
"“ Just like to remind everybody! That the animal rights groups began in Nazi Germany!!!! Animal rights groups are the biggest hate mongers around!! They should be classified as a terrorist organization!!!! "
Your comments are absurd. Animal rights groups were in existance long before Nazism. The first animal rights laws date back to the mid 1600s. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded in 1866.
Perhaps next you will say that since some murderers drank wine, the drinking of wine should be associated with murder?
I am not an animal rights fanatic, however I do like to promote vegetarianism. I am against PETA. One can be in favor of vegetarianism and animal rights and still be very much against PETA's tactics.
I have heard some Jewish vegans have been loooking for "vegan" tefillin and mezuzot. These items must be made from the hide of a species that is kosher, however they can be made from the hides of animals which died of natural causes. Is there a reliable source of tefillin and mezuzot that is certified to made only from the skins of animals that died of natural causes?
How do chasidim wear shreimels in the hot weather? Are there shreimels made of artificial "fur"?
14
Jun 16, 2009 at 10:11 AM YitzchokM Says:
“ "“ Just like to remind everybody! That the animal rights groups began in Nazi Germany!!!! Animal rights groups are the biggest hate mongers around!! They should be classified as a terrorist organization!!!! "
Your comments are absurd. Animal rights groups were in existance long before Nazism. The first animal rights laws date back to the mid 1600s. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded in 1866.
Perhaps next you will say that since some murderers drank wine, the drinking of wine should be associated with murder?
I am not an animal rights fanatic, however I do like to promote vegetarianism. I am against PETA. One can be in favor of vegetarianism and animal rights and still be very much against PETA's tactics.
I have heard some Jewish vegans have been loooking for "vegan" tefillin and mezuzot. These items must be made from the hide of a species that is kosher, however they can be made from the hides of animals which died of natural causes. Is there a reliable source of tefillin and mezuzot that is certified to made only from the skins of animals that died of natural causes?
How do chasidim wear shreimels in the hot weather? Are there shreimels made of artificial "fur"?
”
Moron. Vegetarianism (as it's cruel to eat food from animals) is against the torah!
Put it this way, how can the slaughtering and eating of animals be cruel if some three HUNDRED mitzvas involves killing/eating animals?!?
Saying your a Vegetarian b/c of health reasons is (as I see it) ok, but...
15
Jun 16, 2009 at 11:05 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Its not a mitzvah to wear a fur hat. ”
It's not a mitzvah like tzitzis? I guess it depends on where you live.
16
Jun 16, 2009 at 11:03 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Just like to remind everybody! That the animal rights groups began in Nazi Germany!!!! Animal rights groups are the biggest hate mongers around!! They should be classified as a terrorist organization!!!!
”
Please post background information and proof that it started in Nazi Germany you are a liar, who just made up a story , as I have a dog and I love animals I am a bid familiar with this subject you need to read up, the reader will see that in throughout The Middle Ages, Renaissance & Early Anti-Cruelty Legislation [ca 1485-1660], Age of Enlightenment [ca 1660-1780], Romantic Age, Modern Legislative Beginnings [ca 1780-1830], Victorian Age, Anti-Vivisection & Early 20th Century [ca 1830-1900's], there were a host of animal rights laws.
See link below
www.animalrightshistory.org/
17
Jun 16, 2009 at 11:34 AM Anonymous Says:
“
Please post background information and proof that it started in Nazi Germany you are a liar, who just made up a story , as I have a dog and I love animals I am a bid familiar with this subject you need to read up, the reader will see that in throughout The Middle Ages, Renaissance & Early Anti-Cruelty Legislation [ca 1485-1660], Age of Enlightenment [ca 1660-1780], Romantic Age, Modern Legislative Beginnings [ca 1780-1830], Victorian Age, Anti-Vivisection & Early 20th Century [ca 1830-1900's], there were a host of animal rights laws.
See link below
www.animalrightshistory.org/
”
It started in Torah. Many, many examples including kosher shecita. [sp]
Vegetarinism is acceptable even favored by Chazal. Only on Shabbat should an ordinary Jew eat meat and fish.
No, it's not a mitzvah! It is a minhag. And that's fine. Enjoy! If it were a mitzvah, Jews from all over the World would be obligated in some way. Jews from Asia and Africa don't know from strimmels. Our heads would explode from the heat buildup. LOL, BTW did you all know that the kippah originated as the centerpiece of the TURBAN? Ditto the fez.
18
Jun 16, 2009 at 11:45 AM Anonymous Says:
“ It started in Torah. Many, many examples including kosher shecita. [sp]
Vegetarinism is acceptable even favored by Chazal. Only on Shabbat should an ordinary Jew eat meat and fish.
No, it's not a mitzvah! It is a minhag. And that's fine. Enjoy! If it were a mitzvah, Jews from all over the World would be obligated in some way. Jews from Asia and Africa don't know from strimmels. Our heads would explode from the heat buildup. LOL, BTW did you all know that the kippah originated as the centerpiece of the TURBAN? Ditto the fez. ”
Not surprizing that Yidden in Aisa and Africa don't ware streimlach since their mesorah is different than ours. Anyway a tiger or lepord skin streimal would look badly
19
Jun 16, 2009 at 11:42 AM Anonymous Says:
“ How can a government take our streimlach away? Next they'll ban esrogim or matzas. We must stand up for our right to wear what we've worn for thousands of years. The animals were created so we could have this mitzva. ”
Killing animals as they do in Asia (not in western countries) is a clear violation of Tzar Baalei chaim. The animals were created for us to watch over them, not torture them. We have no business to purposefully harm them as they do. Were you one of those supporting the video of the kosher slaughter by ripping out the cow's trachea as kosher, simply because peta caught them, even though many rabbis said how this even render's the animal treif?
If you had to make your own shteimlach as they do by torturing these animals to death by skinning them alive you would swear to never wear one again. Or since it was a mitzvah for R' Akiva it should be for them too?
20
Jun 16, 2009 at 11:30 AM Anonymous Says:
“ "“ Just like to remind everybody! That the animal rights groups began in Nazi Germany!!!! Animal rights groups are the biggest hate mongers around!! They should be classified as a terrorist organization!!!! "
Your comments are absurd. Animal rights groups were in existance long before Nazism. The first animal rights laws date back to the mid 1600s. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded in 1866.
Perhaps next you will say that since some murderers drank wine, the drinking of wine should be associated with murder?
I am not an animal rights fanatic, however I do like to promote vegetarianism. I am against PETA. One can be in favor of vegetarianism and animal rights and still be very much against PETA's tactics.
I have heard some Jewish vegans have been loooking for "vegan" tefillin and mezuzot. These items must be made from the hide of a species that is kosher, however they can be made from the hides of animals which died of natural causes. Is there a reliable source of tefillin and mezuzot that is certified to made only from the skins of animals that died of natural causes?
How do chasidim wear shreimels in the hot weather? Are there shreimels made of artificial "fur"?
”
You might be against PETA but I will bet that you voted for this Obama guy and that
gives me the whole picture.
21
Jun 16, 2009 at 11:27 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Regardless, when an animal's life is valued more than any Jewish minhag, in the so-called Jewish state, it is cause for concern. ”
When a minhag is valued more than an mitzvah it's time for concern. It is a minhag for SOME Jews to wear the garb of their forefathers but it is a mitzvah for ALL Jews to treat animals well and kindly. When we must use them as #3 indicates, it is to be done with the utmost kindness and least amount of cruelty possible. It is also chillul Hashem to harm a living creature to indulge one's vanity. You can survive with a fake fur, particularly in Jerusalem where it was 90+ º the past couple of days.
As for regular hats, that fur is not skinned off a living animal. It is the fur itself, the hair if you will, that is taken leaving the animal alive to produce more like a sheep for wool.
22
Jun 16, 2009 at 12:59 PM yehudala Says:
If a human can skin a animal alive he can do it to humans just as well. Sadly to say if you'd watch the videotapes I have you to will be outraged!
23
Jun 16, 2009 at 01:13 PM Anonymous Says:
the article quotes Knesset Member Menachem Eliezer Moses, chairman of the Haredi-religious United Torah Judaism party to say:
"It is inconceivable," he said, "to support a bill that outlaws imports for such a clear and important religious need"
such stupidity & ignorance is one of the factors that causes the chiloni - charedi rift.
religious need ???
bris milah is a religious need !! matzot are a religious need !!
Shtreimalach ?? need ?? Religious ??
STUPID
24
Jun 16, 2009 at 12:26 PM Anonymous Says:
“ "The animals were created so we could have this mitzva.”
Wearing a shtreimel is not torah moshe m'sinai. Your comment displays a profound ignorance of halacha and yiddeshe history. First, it is lunacy to suggest that dogs, cats etc. were created by the ebeshter so some rebbele in Eastern Europe 150 years ago could tanz around in a fur hat that made him look like a Russian Cosak guard in a Gilbert and Sullivan operatta and his chassidim today have a chiyuv to continue to dress in that costume FYI: The shtreimel began as a matching item together with a fur lined coat lapel known as a "peltz" which was dropped from the costume years ago. A shtreimel is a minhag which some chassidim prefer to continue but it has ZERO significance under halacha. ”
SHABBAT = SHtreimel B'makom Tfillin
25
Jun 16, 2009 at 04:01 PM Anonymous Says:
silly goose! one doesn't have to look for vegan tefillin. They are made from animals that have already died -- even non-kosher ones.
26
Jun 16, 2009 at 04:26 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Not surprizing that Yidden in Aisa and Africa don't ware streimlach since their mesorah is different than ours. Anyway a tiger or lepord skin streimal would look badly ”
My point exactly although I sort of like the idea of Leopard LOL
27
Jun 16, 2009 at 06:10 PM Anonymous Says:
Why do so many of you have a problem with yiddin who are machshiv minhog avosaihem?
28
Jun 16, 2009 at 06:07 PM Anonymous Says:
“ "“ Just like to remind everybody! That the animal rights groups began in Nazi Germany!!!! Animal rights groups are the biggest hate mongers around!! They should be classified as a terrorist organization!!!! "
Your comments are absurd. Animal rights groups were in existance long before Nazism. The first animal rights laws date back to the mid 1600s. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded in 1866.
Perhaps next you will say that since some murderers drank wine, the drinking of wine should be associated with murder?
I am not an animal rights fanatic, however I do like to promote vegetarianism. I am against PETA. One can be in favor of vegetarianism and animal rights and still be very much against PETA's tactics.
I have heard some Jewish vegans have been loooking for "vegan" tefillin and mezuzot. These items must be made from the hide of a species that is kosher, however they can be made from the hides of animals which died of natural causes. Is there a reliable source of tefillin and mezuzot that is certified to made only from the skins of animals that died of natural causes?
How do chasidim wear shreimels in the hot weather? Are there shreimels made of artificial "fur"?
”
FYI - The German animal rights groups raise money to find homes for the pets of Jews who were sent to the camps.
29
Jun 16, 2009 at 05:59 PM Anonymous Says:
The Kasho rebbe, before he became rebbe (while his father was still alive) went along with me to buy my shtreimel.
We were talking about what kind of hat to wear during the week. I told him I would wear my Beeber hit during the week, and my new shtreimel on Shabbos.
I mentioned that I would need to get a new beeber hit, as wearing it every day, it would wear out faster, etc., and that I would get a synthetic reggen streimel for the rainy days.
He said something like this:
"Though it is nice to wear a beeber hit during the week, it is also okay to wear a "shtuffine" (felt) hat. But, Shabbos is different, as there is an "INYAN" to wear genuine fur for a hat on Shabbos, but not necessary during the week."
He then told me that since my beeber hit was also made of fur, that it was better on shabbos than a synthetic reggen shtreimel. But, that there were genuine fur reggen shtreimlech available for not much more than the synthetic ones. Maybe just not as pretty after a few years.
I wish I had asked him for the mokor (source) for the Shabbos fur hat, but I was very nervous, etc., But it was clear that his father had told him that wearing a Genuine Fur Shtreimel was something important for Shabbos al pi kabbalah.
30
Jun 16, 2009 at 08:29 PM Anonymous Says:
“ You might be against PETA but I will bet that you voted for this Obama guy and that
gives me the whole picture. ”
"“ You might be against PETA but I will bet that you voted for this Obama guy and that
gives me the whole picture.”
I did not vote for Obama. I am against abortion and against gay marriage, but pro vegetarianism and pro animal rights. I also want tougher gun control laws.
31
Jun 16, 2009 at 09:51 PM Anonymous Says:
The mitzva of Shtreimel is 'al titosh toras imecha'
32
Jun 16, 2009 at 10:42 PM Anonymous Says:
“ The mitzva of Shtreimel is 'al titosh toras imecha' ”
Than why was the this mitzvah ignored 200 years ago when the shtreimel was introduced amongst chasidim who than forsook what they had been wearing as head covering for the previous 2800 years. Apparently "toras imecha" began in the Pale of Settlement.
33
Jun 16, 2009 at 09:18 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Moron. Vegetarianism (as it's cruel to eat food from animals) is against the torah!
Put it this way, how can the slaughtering and eating of animals be cruel if some three HUNDRED mitzvas involves killing/eating animals?!?
Saying your a Vegetarian b/c of health reasons is (as I see it) ok, but... ”
"Put it this way, how can the slaughtering and eating of animals be cruel if some three HUNDRED mitzvas involves killing/eating animals?!?"
Which ones are those? The korbonos? We don't have a beit hamikdash now so there are no karbonos. In a vegetarian society, animal sacrifice takes on much greater meaning than in society where animals are routinely killed for meat. being a vegetarian(except for the meat from korbonos that one was required to eat0 made eating the meat from korbonos have much more meaning.
Tefillin, mezuzot, and shofars as well as sefer torahs can be made from animals that died of natural causes.
34
Jun 16, 2009 at 11:22 PM Anonymous Says:
“ You might be against PETA but I will bet that you voted for this Obama guy and that
gives me the whole picture. ”
Nothing wrong with supporting PETA.
I myself am a dedicated member of PETA -
People Eating Tasty Animals.
35
Jun 17, 2009 at 02:58 AM Anonymous Says:
“ "Put it this way, how can the slaughtering and eating of animals be cruel if some three HUNDRED mitzvas involves killing/eating animals?!?"
Which ones are those? The korbonos? We don't have a beit hamikdash now so there are no karbonos. In a vegetarian society, animal sacrifice takes on much greater meaning than in society where animals are routinely killed for meat. being a vegetarian(except for the meat from korbonos that one was required to eat0 made eating the meat from korbonos have much more meaning.
Tefillin, mezuzot, and shofars as well as sefer torahs can be made from animals that died of natural causes.
”
Korbanot are to be made with utmost concern of rthe animal not to suffer. In fact, If the animal does suffer during schechita according to the halacha, it is to be discarded as korban and a different one substituted.
36
Jun 17, 2009 at 02:54 AM Anonymous Says:
“ Why do so many of you have a problem with yiddin who are machshiv minhog avosaihem?
”
I for one have no problem with the minhag. I dont' even have a problem with wearing fur in a cold climate like Poland, Russia and Jerusalem in Winter. The only concern is that the animal hides be obtained in as compassionate way as possible and cause the animal no undue suffering. Skinning a creature that has a nefesh while it's still alive so that is howls in agony as it dies slowly, is not in keeping with Torah principles. It doesn't matter if it's a dog, cat or weasel. It doesn't matter if it's use for food or clothing. Hashem made it and gave it life. For that, we are supposed to respect it.
I don't care if the Nazi's y"s made animal rights a priority. Two wrongs do not make a right. If that bothers you, go find a Nazi y"s to skin alive. He will deserve it more than the poor dog.
BTW, Do you know how much petroleum it takes to make fake fur and how much pollution it contributes? It's basically polyester for goodness sake.
37
Jun 17, 2009 at 04:44 PM Milhouse Says:
“ Than why was the this mitzvah ignored 200 years ago when the shtreimel was introduced amongst chasidim who than forsook what they had been wearing as head covering for the previous 2800 years. Apparently "toras imecha" began in the Pale of Settlement. ”
Shtraimlach were introduced 200 years ago? Since when?
38
Jun 17, 2009 at 04:43 PM Milhouse Says:
“ Korbanot are to be made with utmost concern of rthe animal not to suffer. In fact, If the animal does suffer during schechita according to the halacha, it is to be discarded as korban and a different one substituted. ”
What are you talking about? There is no such law. Go open a sefer and learn something.
39
Jun 18, 2009 at 09:18 AM Says:
I believe I read that as commentary a couple of weeks ago for the Parasha. I was reading R. Kaplan's translation. He was explaining how sharp the knives had to be and if they weren't could cause the animal to be discarded. Maybe I was thinking about tearing and making it treif. However, one reason for a quick clean cut and not tearing is to spare the animal agony. Maybe I combined 2-3 ideas in my mind.