Avraham (Avrum) Burg: The Haredim are stupid when it comes to the main issue, not the trivial

Avraham Burg argues in an opinion column that the Haredi public is intellectually sharp in Torah study but foolish in its political decisions, especially in its alliance with the far-right, which leads to wars and conscription demands, instead of an alliance with the left for peace.

Avraham (Avrum) Burg, former Knesset Speaker, publishes a sharp opinion column titled "The Haredim are stupid when it comes to the main issue, not the trivial." Burg argues that the Haredi public, despite its intellectual sharpness in Torah study and pilpul, displays exceptional foolishness in its political decisions. He focuses on the issue of yeshiva student conscription, which he says is the Haredi public's greatest political fear. Burg presents a dilemma: on one hand, partnership with the far-right camp ("ignorant rabble") that provides wars, coffins, and new conscription demands; on the other hand, partnership with the left ("sinners") that would bring peace, fewer wars, and less pressure for conscription. According to him, the logical choice is an alliance with the left, but the Haredi leadership refuses to reveal this to its public. Burg concludes with a paradox: a mind trained to dissect Talmudic issues stops working when faced with the reality of life. The column is written from a distinctly personal and political perspective, using charged and critical language towards the Haredi public and its leadership.