Category Archives: Content Type

The Mikveh- Chance To Examine The Body

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Gideon Aran

We could add another latent function: the mikveh gives the Haredi the chance to examine his body, to experience it, and compare it with others. It is virtually the only opportunity available to Haredim to satisfy their curiosity about their … Continue reading →

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Prof. Gideon Aran: The Nakedness of The Haredim

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Gideon Aran

There was no feeling that the nakedness of the Haredim was accompanied by any particular tension. A certain degree of haste while in the nude was observed, but we can easily explain this in terms of time pressure, and not … Continue reading →

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Institutionalized Public Undressing – The mikveh

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Gideon Aran

It is most surprising to find institutionalized public undressing at the heart of Haredi community. The Haredi is exposed both symbolically and literally at the mikveh, the Jewish purifying bath, prescribed in the Halacha with a detailed explication of the … Continue reading →

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Kookism: The roots of Gush Emunim – Preface Part 3

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Gideon Aran

In order to conduct my research I accompanied the followers of Gush-Emunim wherever they decided to go. I looked at them closely, had lengthy talks with them and thoroughly read the materials they had memorized by heart. Written By Prof. Gideon … Continue reading →

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Don’t let The Mirror Peep At Your Body

Posted on May 11, 2014 by Gideon Aran

There are restrictions on nudity even when alone. For instance, Haredim mention that in the toilet a Jew should “expose a little and cover up even more”; an oft-quoted story is told of an exemplary character from the period of … Continue reading →

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Nudity Is No Trivial Matter

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Gideon Aran

Nudity is no trivial matter. For most cultures, including Haredi society, it is a sensitive affair. We can see this from the centrality and gravity of the Jewish laws and customs that deal with exposure of the body in general, … Continue reading →

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Notes on Haredi Physicality – The hair

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Gideon Aran

It is a commonplace in anthropological literature that hair on the head and face is an effective symbolic medium for expressing identity and changes in identity, especially because it is immediately noticeable and easy to manipulate. Hair is a familiar … Continue reading →

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Notes on Haredi Physicality – In The Nude

Posted on April 8, 2014 by prof. Gideon Aran

All clothing, and much more so a peculiar uniform like that worn by the Haredim, has a straightjacket effect on its wearer, as it restricts and defines his consciousness and behavior. This includes the influence of clothing on body language … Continue reading →

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Prof. Gideon Aran: Body and Society – Male Body and Religious Body

Posted on April 7, 2014 by professor Gideon Aran

In the past decade or two, writing about the human body has become a flourishing industry in the social sciences and humanities. A rich literature has accumulated on the Body and Society, including on the male body, and the religious … Continue reading →

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Prof. Gideon Aran – Yeshiva Mizrachit And The Haredi Body

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Gideon Aran

Yeshiva mizrachit is hegemonic. Of course, not everybody adopts it, and there are those who positively reject it. Certain groups of Jewish citizens from the pre-state yishuv, as well from today’s state, can be singled out for not practicing yeshiva … Continue reading →

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