#segreation

When it comes to religion, I don’t think people should be imposing their views on others. If someone is uncomfortable with the way a woman is dressed or a woman singing, they should walk away/wear ear plugs/look down. They shouldn’t impose their religious standards on others and should instead, remove themselves from the situation. This position protects everybody’s rights; women’s rights, religious rights etc.

(An answer of mine to a previous question)

In this 3 Part series I’ll address three topics: Beit Shemesh, segregated buses and women singing in army ceremonies.

Buses

 In the past few days there has been international uproar regarding some of Israel's bus lines which are gender segregated. This issue caught the attention of the media after the recent events in Beit Shemesh and a protest in Beit Shemesh condemning gender segregation. The day after the protest, the media attention on the matter increased, after Doron Matalon, a female IDF soldier was verbally abused by an Ultra-Orthodox man on a Jerusalem "Mehadrin" line, for standing in the men's section.

See

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israeli-female-soldier-accosted-for-rebuffing-haredi-bus-segregation-1.404158

In Israel, the bus lines can be divided into two groups, the "normal" lines, and the "Mehadrin" lines. The "normal" lines, run just like regular buses, but the "Mehadrin" lines, have the men standing in the front, and the women in the back.

The word Mehadrin is usually refers to the most stringent level of Kosher supervision, but in this context, refers to more stringent levels of religious observance, particularly the Chumrot (stringencies) pertaining to separation between men and women.

The Chumrot regarding separation of the sexes, are directly related to the Halachot of Tzniut, modesty. Men are forbidden to see the "ervah" (nakedness) of women they are not married to, or related to. In addition to this, men are restricted in the blessings they can see and the Torah materials they can learn, whilst in the presence of a woman who is displaying what is considered ervah. Furthermore, members of the opposite sex are forbidden to touch one another (Shomer Negiah) if they are not married, or related. Ultra-Orthodox communities generally discourage members of the opposite sex mingling due to these laws of modesty as well as to prevent adultery. (In fact, this is the reason that many of these laws are actually in place).

See

http://www.davening.net/tznius.html

http://www.aish.com/ci/s/Guys_and_Modesty.html

Riding a bus, is a potential situation where all these factors could come into play. An issue of great concern, was that of Shomer Negiah - especially when riding bus lines during peak hours. Thus, the Mehadrin line was created in order to provide an environment where Ultra-Orthodox Jews would be able to use public transport, but at the same time adhere to their level of religious observance.

The Mehadrin bus line caters to the Haredi community that pays particular attention to the stringency in which they observe the rules of Tzniut. The line is targeted towards the Ultra-Orthodox community and generally runs between major Haredi population centres. In addition to regulations as to where men and women sit, the Mehadrin lines censor their advertisements to conform with Haredi religious stringencies and avoid playing the radio or secular music.

Here is a brief list and explanation of Rabbi's opinions regarding segregated buses.

http://yeranenyaakov.blogspot.com/2011/12/men-and-women-on-buses-contemporary.html

In January 2011, the Israeli High court stated the unlawfulness of gender segregation and abolished the Mehadrin lines. However, the court rule allows the continuation of the gender segregation in public buses on a strictly voluntary basis for a one-year experimental period

See

http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=202456

http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel-to-let-haredim-run-but-not-enforce-gender-separate-buses-1.262479

Personally, I do not feel that Mehadrin lines should be institutionalised and be considered part of the state's public transport system as Israel, a democratic country should not foster gender separation or exclusion. However, if these buses were to be run privately, I see no reason as to why they could not continue to have the men in the front or the women in back - without forcing women to do so of course. In fact, this is one of the solutions that are being offered.

See

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4164472,00.html

On the other hand, according the High Court's ruling in January 2011, the continuation of gender segregation is on a voluntary basis only. Essentially, that means that women who choose to sit in the back may do so, but women can also choose to remain in the front of the bus. The women in the Haredi community continue to volunteer to sit in the back. In fact, this entire conflict is considered a non-issue by most women in the Ultra-Orthodox community. They do not feel "persecuted" or "discriminated against". Most wish, just to continue to live life as they usually do - sitting in the back of the bus and following the Chumrot they've accepted upon themselves. 

See

http://www.aish.com/ci/w/Women_on_the_Bus.html

http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=251808

Doron Matalon, the IDF soldier that was called a "gentile" and a "slut" by an Ultra-Orthodox Jew was riding a Mehadrin line. While I condemn the Ultra-Orthodox man's, (Shlomo Fuchs) actions, I do believe that the request of the Haredi community should be respected. If a woman does not feel comfortable sitting in the back of the bus, don't take the Mehadrin line!

I also feel that the media and the Left is purposely trying to widen the chasm between the Ultra-Orthodox community, and the rest of Israeli society. It is obvious that there is also a certain degree of "Haredi Bashing" in the media.

See

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/151294#.TwLP_1b4L7h

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/hundreds-board-segregated-bus-lines-to-protest-ultra-orthodox-exclusion-of-women-1.404961