To tremble at the word of God: the rising Haredi world
Derived from the biblical verb for trembling, the term Haredi describes a community defined by awe-inspired fear of the divine. As global populations shift, this strictly observant sector of Judaism is experiencing unprecedented demographic growth, fundamentally altering the social fabric of Israel and North America.
Haredi Judaism is characterized by a strict interpretation of halakha, or Jewish law, and a commitment to traditions that many adherents view as unchangeable. The name itself, Haredi, comes from the Hebrew word hared, meaning "one who trembles" at God's word, a reference found in the Book of Isaiah. This identity often involves a deliberate separation from Gentile society and even from other Jewish movements, such as Modern Orthodoxy, which some Haredim view as a deviation from divine law.
The community is primarily Ashkenazi, though approximately 20% of the population is Sephardic. While the term "ultra-Orthodox" is frequently used by outsiders, many Haredim find it pejorative, preferring labels like "strictly Orthodox." In Israel, the community has seen rapid expansion. By the end of 2024, the Haredi population in Israel surpassed 1,392,000, representing 13.9% of the nation's total population. Projections suggest this growth will continue, with the community potentially making up one-third of Israel's population by 2065.
This demographic surge is driven by exceptionally high birth rates; for example, in the UK, the Haredi fertility rate has been estimated as high as 6.9 children per woman. In the United States, the community is also growing, with a rate on pace to double every 20 years. This expansion brings complex social challenges, including intense political debates in Israel regarding military service exemptions and concerns regarding the educational curriculum in some communities, where secular knowledge is sometimes absent from religious schooling.
Source: Haredi Judaism
