Everything you always wanted to ASK about the Chareidim, but were afraid to KNOW!

Orthodox Judaism from the perspective of the Chareidim

Chareidization - It's the newest term in the book. And it has many members of the greater Orthodox Jewish community up in arms. The stark reality is that a major portion of Orthodox Jews don't seem to appreciate chareidim and do not welcome "chareidization".

What is going on - and why?

Has something changed within Orthodox Judaism?

Is there a difference between an Orthodox Jew and a Chareidi?

And, if so:

* What is a chareidi and what is a non-chareidi Orthodox Jew (NCOJ)? Where does one entity end and the other begin?

* Who are the chareidim? Where have they come from? How long have they been here? And to where are they headed?

* Why do some Orthodox Jews refuse to identify as chareidi? Why do others embrace chareidi ideals? And why do some chareidim abandon them?

* Why are the chareidim so successful and why are they so despised?

In a thought-provoking study that is at the same time theological and sociological, studious and sarcastic, insightful and inciteful, light-spirited yet profoundly intense, Yechezkel Hirshman addresses these questions while presenting an insider's look at the upside of the Ultra-Orthodox world.

Hirshman also includes a special feature chapter that examines chareidim who stray from the path.