Ask Florstadt anything about yourself

[Florstadt]

Why do non-Ashkenazi Orthodox Jews (haredim) dress also in black & white suit, instead of their traditional dress (depending on their diaspora background)?

I do sometimes see in some events (Mimouna, weddings) them wearing more oriental clothes but it seems to be restricted to these occasional events. It seems that Mizrahim adopted the dominant/hegemonic Ashkenazi way of dressing along their assimilation into Israeli society.

Also am I assuming correctly that among non-Ashkenazi Orthodox Jews (haredim), they keep learning also traditional pronunciations of Hebrew (from their diaspora background) when reciting some prayers or songs (piyyutim, ...), but use standard Modern Hebrew speech in their day-to-day life (i.e. the accent revived by the first Yishuvs, the original old Ashkenazi Yiddish establishment; without 'het, 'ayin, with guttural r and tz)?

Like he is singing with non-Ashkenazi pronunciation (but still Hebrew), while I imagine in his daily life, he speaks with the standard Israeli accent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_kwx59nXwE

Then on another level, some still know (at least for singing, probably not again for daily speech) their old mixed language, like Judeo-Arabic from Morocco:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGwGuxQjgLI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBTacjMQC2U

Or like these ones are even singing in Judeo-Arabic Yemenite mix, certainly only for musical or religious purpose, and not used in day-to-day life:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MGr9LdR4vQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voT5BWZ5Y78

Of course, among Ashkenazi haredim, many still speak Yiddish even in their daily life - and it seems to be restricted to this "tribe/sector" of Israel; I don't believe there are other Israeli-born communities that keep using their old Diaspora language even for daily speech (and not just for folkloric events):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckVYO9oI8vc

But still, are these cases of diglossia only restricted to more religious groups and therefore, among the secular groups (hilonim), there is no retention AT ALL of old diaspora speech or folklore (i.e. just generic Israeliness)? Certainly I assume the ethos of Israeliness from the socialist-secular-Ashkenazi founders was negating anything from old Diaspora (Shlilat HaGalut - https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A9...9C%D7%95%D7%AA )

Maybe only remainings are some specific dishes and food at the end of the day.

Hi iqa3,

Because the thread states "ask anything about yourself," I'm assuming you're Jewish. If not, then why are you so taken with the Jewish people? Is it a "know your enemy" strategy? Since I've known you, I've remembered your deep hatred for Israel.

[Kess]

According to Besim Tibuk Turks and Jews have been friends and allies for 1400 years. What do you think about that?

He also has a book about that.

[RogueState]

Hi iqa3,

Because the thread states "ask anything about yourself," I'm assuming you're Jewish. If not, then why are you so taken with the Jewish people? Is it a "know your enemy" strategy? Since I've known you, I've remembered your deep hatred for Israel.

Shalom Flory

No absolutely not, I have a love-hate relationship with Israel and Jews; it's a very complex issue

I don't get why only Jews can study Arab world and Islam like Zvi Yehezkeli or more famously, Mordechai Kedar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mordechai_Kedar ; and not the opposite (i.e. Goy/Muslim studying Jews, Judaism and Israeli society as a social object: from historical, philosophical, religious, anthropological, (geo)political, ... perspectives)

There are a lot of French-speaking materials from great rabbanim to learn btw with a lot of wisdom regarding theology (our purpose in life, metaphysics), daily life (Shalom Bayyit and how to build good family and relationship with wife, ...), and son on : https://www.youtube.com/@leava/videos

If you are indeed Or LaGoyyim, you should feel good about that no?

[RogueState]

The Greek Orthodox Church was the only church that publicly opposed the Jewish expulsion. Greek partisans assisted in the hiding and rescue of Jews in Greece. I know this firsthand since one of my relatives fought, died, and was buried among them. During his time with them before the Nazis took over Crete, he passed letters.

Almost every Israeli has visited Greece once or twice in their lifetime. Young people frequently visit Greece for a short period of time to enjoy the climate, beaches, and local nightlife.

Calmer or more mature visits typically include visits to antique sites and museums. Personally, I am a big fan of Greek architecture and statuary.

Greek cuisine is extremely popular here, particularly the Greek cheeses Halloumi and Feta, as well Greek salad and herbs.

As for music:

Many popular songs in Israel are cover versions of Greek music, and singers such as Nikos Vertis and Glykeria are well-known here.
Many Sephardi / Mizrahi Jews listen to Greek-inspired music on Fridays before Shabbat.

Many of Israel's very first bands performed Israeli renditions of Greek songs composed by Manos Hatzidakis.

Yehuda Poliker, a Jewish of Greek heritage who collaborated with George Dalaras, was one of the most successful musicians in the 1980s and 1990s.

My cousin is married to a non-Jewish Greek singer. He makes a living by arranging tavern music. So I am very familiar with it myself.

Yehuda Poliker:

BTW - Very insightful comment from Gilad Atzmon about Greek Music and its influence on Mizrahi (Mediterranean) music genre in Israel:

[oszkar07]

Ask Florstadt anything about yourself

1) What is your views about Jewish mysticism such as esoteric Lurianic Kabbalah ?

2) Why in your oppinion are Jewish people so succesful in buisiness and often make up a percentage
of the wealthy class of almost every society/ nation they reside in. Or is this just in your oppinion an over exaggerated stereotype ?

[Florstadt]

Why do non-Ashkenazi Orthodox Jews (haredim) dress also in black & white suit, instead of their traditional dress (depending on their diaspora background)?

Black and white can symbolize simplicity, humility, and seriousness. Avoiding vibrant colors can be seen as a way to focus on inward devotion and religious study rather than outward appearances.

It is considered timeless and less susceptible to trends, which aligns with the Haredi emphasis on tradition and continuity.

Also, the black and white attire can serve as a visible marker of Haredi identity and community belonging.

[Florstadt]

I do sometimes see in some events (Mimouna, weddings) them wearing more oriental clothes but it seems to be restricted to these occasional events. It seems that Mizrahim adopted the dominant/hegemonic Ashkenazi way of dressing along their assimilation into Israeli society.

The apparent adoption of Ashkenazi dressing by Mizrahim in Israeli society may not solely be a result of assimilation but could also be attributed to broader trends in Western fashion. The influence of Western styles on both Ashkenazi and Mizrahi communities has been significant, shaping the overall trends of Jewish fashion. The adoption of certain clothing styles might be a shared response to the global impact of Western fashion rather than a unilateral assimilation into Ashkenazi norms.

The western fashion impact is felt globally and crosses cultural boundaries, even reaching Muslim communities.

[Abti]

Let’s say the state of Israel didn’t exist today. Where would YOU be? Based on where your parents and their parents were born.

[Abti]

Have you also taken a DNA test?

[Florstadt]

Let’s say the state of Israel didn’t exist today. Where would YOU be? Based on where your parents and their parents were born.

I've already mentioned my origins, but the fact is that Israel exists and will continue to exist, forever; it is an accomplished fact.