The Trial and Torment of Waiting

The Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Community of Israel is in the news lately. Haredi men were exempt from military duty since they devote themselves full-time to studying Jewish texts in religious schools called yeshivas.

So did Bartholomew, aka Nathanael, who had an ardent interest in the Scriptures. It was not surprising to Philip when Nathanael (in John 1) said, ⁴⁶ “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

Philip did not attempt to convince Nathanael, but only said, “Come and see.” Philip’s three-word reply is what Andrew and Peter, who, along with Philip, were from the town of Bethsaida, would have said. The idea and experience of Jesus was not only transformative, but a blockbuster event in their life.

³⁵ The next day John (the Baptist) was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” ⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. ⁴¹ The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus. And Peter, a simple, impulsive, quick to the draw, and as quick to deny Jesus, was appointed leader of a team just quarter formed.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter) (John 1: 42). And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Mt 16:180)

Unlike the Haredi men still studying the Jewish texts, these men had the privilege of encountering the awaited Messiah. Finding the Dead Sea Scrolls or the imprint of the linen draped over the dead body of Jesus – the Shroud of Turin – pale into insignificance.

⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

Just imagine that! 4000 years of waiting, and at a finger’s snap, a bunch of fishermen, and later, an odd bunch – tax collector, zealot, and a betrayer join the bandwagon of Jesus. On a whim. And a prayer. Just because He called them? Possibly not.

Each of the future apostles, most of them unschooled and unquestioning, unlike Nathanael, would have had a longing for Christ in their heart? Where was Nathanael found? Under a fig tree. What was he doing there? Ruminating. About what? Christ. When will he come? Philip, as a close friend, perhaps knew it. So, Philip said just the three-word, “Come and see”.

Our Catholic priests and religious undergo several years of training, immersed in Scriptures and Philosophy, including graduation in a secular subject, often post-graduation, and even a doctorate in their field of specialisation like Canon Law. Nathanael comes to mind.

They, like Nathanael, then go out into the world. Nathanael went to Armenia and converted enough to form the first Christian nation. He is supposed to have come to India based on a community living in India with origins in the 1^st century, like St Thomas is to Kerala, and St Francis Xavier is to Goa in later years.

Our priests and religious form the lot spoken by Jesus to St Thomas. ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (Jn 20:29)

 

October 7, 2023, the Hamas attack on a Jewish festival gathering resulted in mindless shooting of innocents and seizing of hostages, who have all been returned, including the dead. What ensued was Israeli retaliation or annihilation of residents of Gaza in the South, where Hamas is based, and war with their proxies in the North - Lebanon and Syria.

The war continues into the third year with national elections due on October 27, 2026. The Netanyahu government governs with the support of the Ultra-Orthodox Right-leaning parties, who support war but not that Haredi men should serve in the military. The Supreme Court has struck down the laws enacted by this government to exempt Haredi men from serving in the military.  

The military also supports this decision due to depleted forces, exhausted and on the verge of mental breakdown, fighting for three long years. So do 80% of the serving Israeli families who feel it is unfair to them that their sons and daughters should be sent to die but not the men of the Haredi Community, who are the fastest-growing population in Israel with a family size of 7-8 children. Efforts have been made by the military for gender segregation, important to Haredi men and women, kosher meals, and time off for prayer, to accommodate the beliefs of the community.

Since Haredi men do not earn and are supported financially by the government, Haredi men draft dodgers have been stripped of these privileges by the Supreme Court, besides arrests, leaving them with no source of income to have a livelihood, except from the earnings of the Haredi women, who are specially trained for high-tech positions with 700-hour training by the global tech companies. Israel's tech industry accounts for over 50% of the country's exports.   

For students, the most salient events in their lives would be waiting for exam results and university admissions. For those who have completed their education, it would be waiting to embark on a business or career. For those earning an income, they would be waiting for a life partner. And those with a life partner who wish to raise a family would wait for their first child. Those who choose a sacramental life would wait for the call.  

What were the disciples of Jesus waiting for? Were they waiting for a call or did it just happen to them?

 

Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews in Israel have historically not served in the military.

The Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Community

• Haredi Men: Traditionally received exemptions by studying sacred Jewish texts full-time in religious schools called yeshivas.
• Haredi Women: Receive broad exemptions from military service based on religious declarations.
• Court Ruling: Israel's Supreme Court ruled that the long-standing draft exemptions for Haredi men are illegal.
• Current Enforcement: The military has begun drafting ultra-Orthodox men, though fierce political debate and community resistance continue.

 

How Haredi Population Growth Impacts Israel's Economy

The draft debate is deeply tied to Israel’s economic survival. The ultra-Orthodox community is the fastest-growing group in the country, and their lifestyle of full-time religious study creates severe long-term financial challenges.

🇮🇱 ISRAEL'S FUTURE POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS (Projected)

2026: 👥👥👥 (~14.5% Ultra-Orthodox)

2040: 👥👥👥👥👥 (~20% Ultra-Orthodox)

2065: 👥👥👥👥👥👥👥👥👥 (~32% Ultra-Orthodox)

• The Low Workforce Rate: Only about 55% of ultra-Orthodox men hold a job, compared to over 85% of secular men. Most Haredi men spend their prime working years studying in religious schools (yeshivas) rather than earning an income.
• The Tax Burden Rift: Because many Haredi families have large numbers of children and low household incomes, they pay very little income tax. Secular Israelis, who make up the majority of the workforce, shoulder roughly 90% of the country's income tax burden.
• The Lack of Secular Education: Most Haredi boys' schools do not teach core secular subjects like advanced math, English, science, or computer literacy. This makes it incredibly difficult for them to enter Israel’s high-tech sector, which drives the nation's economic growth.
• The Risk of Economic Collapse: The Bank of Israel has warned that if the Haredi population continues to grow at this rate without integrating into both the military and the modern workforce, the country will eventually face massive budget deficits, failing public services, and potential economic collapse.

How Haredi Women Are Entering the High-Tech Field

Because many ultra-Orthodox men study religious texts full-time, Haredi women have become the primary breadwinners for their families. To maximize their income, thousands of women have successfully entered Israel’s booming high-tech sector:

• Tech Hubs in Religious Cities: Tech giants and local startups have built specialized, gender-segregated offices inside ultra-Orthodox cities like Bnei Brak and Modi'in Illit. These workspaces feature strict kosher food, filtered internet, and no male managers on site.
• Bootcamps and Specialized Training: Because traditional universities are often avoided, women learn advanced software engineering, data analysis, and QA testing through specialized, intensive tech bootcamps run by non-profit organizations.
• The "Two-Job" Reality: Haredi tech women balance high-pressure corporate jobs with raising large families (often averaging 6 to 7 children). Tech companies accommodate this by offering flexible, remote hours and early-afternoon clock-outs.
• Closing the Wage Gap: Historically, Haredi women were underpaid compared to secular tech workers. Today, thanks to advanced training programs, they are securing high-earning roles, significantly lifting their families out of poverty.

 

But Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."

Benedict XVI, Pope from 2005 to 2013, spoke of Bartholomew-Nathanael at the General Audience, 4 November 2006,

“The apostle Bartholomew has traditionally been identified with Nathanael:  a name that means "God has given". This Nathanael came from Cana (cf. Jn 21: 2) and he may therefore have witnessed the great "sign" that Jesus worked in that place (cf. Jn 2: 1-11). The identification of the two figures likely stems from the fact that Nathanael is placed in the scene of his calling, recounted in John's Gospel, next to Philip, in other words, the place that Bartholomew occupies in the lists of the Apostles mentioned in the other Gospels.

Philip told this Nathanael that he had found "him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (Jn 1: 45). As we know, Nathanael's retort was rather strongly prejudiced:  "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (Jn 1: 46). In its own way, this form of protestation is important for us.  Indeed, it makes us see that according to Judaic expectations the Messiah could not come from such an obscure village as, precisely, Nazareth (see also Jn 7: 42). But at the same time Nathanael's protest highlights God's freedom, which baffles our expectations by causing him to be found in the very place where we least expect him. Moreover, we actually know that Jesus was not exclusively "from Nazareth" but was born in Bethlehem (cf. Mt 2: 1; Lk 2: 4) and came ultimately from Heaven, from the Father who is in Heaven.

Nathanael's reaction suggests another thought: in our relationship with Jesus, we must not be satisfied with words alone. In his answer, Philip offers Nathanael a meaningful invitation:  "Come and see!" (Jn 1: 46). Our knowledge of Jesus needs above all a first-hand experience: someone else's testimony is of course important, for normally the whole of our Christian life begins with the proclamation handed down to us by one or more witnesses, but afterwards we ourselves have to become personally committed in a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus.