Prof. Gideon Aran: Haredi Jewish Fundamentalism
When purist and pushing their logic to its limits, the extreme Haredi positions are self-contradictory if implemented. Implementing their militant anti-Zionist stance therefore requires them to ‘do as the Zionists do’. Hurling stones at cars passing through Ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods or brawling with policemen during protest rallies against autopsies are acts which are anti-Zionists, yet at the same time arguably Zionists in their mode of execution. The Haredi men who excel in fast running or wrestling abilities on such occasions are both God-sanctifier and God-desecrators.
Taken from “Body, Violence and Fundamentalism: The Case of Jewish Ultra-Orthodoxy”, By Gideon Aran.
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Gideon Aran is a professor of Sociology & Anthropology at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. He studies both religion and extremism, and particularly their intersection, in Israel, in past and present Judaism, and in comparative perspective. Aran's research is based mainly on ethnographic fieldwork. In recent years his writing and teaching focus on fundamentalism, sects, cults and radical groups, religious violence, terrorism. Aran's forthcoming book concerns suicide bombing, especially in the Middle East.
contact:
Professor Gideon Aran
Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology
Hebrew University
Jerusalem
Israel 91905
Email: gideon.aran@mail.huji.ac.il
Phone: 972-2-5883331 (Office)
972-2-5345801 (Home)
Fax : 972-2-5324339 (Office)
