THE WATCHERS OF THE CITY

The Neturei Karta, an ultra-orthodox extremist group in Israel protested the Haredi/Othodox leader Rabbi Aharon Leib Steinman, because of Rabbi Steinman's support for the formation of a Haredi Israeli army unit.

War is not the issue here, the Neturei Karta/Watchers of the City have since the inception of the State of Israel, over 60-years-ago, oppose the formation of a Jewish State. They insist on speaking Yiddish instead of Hebrew and would never join the army.

Many of the spiritual leaders during the formation of Israel opposed the move; the Jewish People had just gone through the Holocaust and the leaders wanted to hold out for Moshiach – but, once the Jewish State was established solidarity with the Diaspora was assured.

Only the Neturei Karta, living in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City, declined to support the State of Israel. Extremists are often purists, strictly interpreting the Torah making, only prayer necessary. They hold themselves aloof in the world.


The Cabala (Kabbalah) teaches about the necessity to come down into the world, to be a part of the world, on every level, and thereby bring Torah to the whole world and thereby bring peace to the world. The Jewish People were asked by God to be, Lights unto the nations.