Jewish Conflict

Over the weekend, two news stories about conflict between secular Jews and ultra-orthodox Jews in Jerusalem emerged.

The first from Diaa Hadid, an AP reporter, detailed how two religious Jews were stabbed and another beaten in a fight with secular Jews. The second AP story told how ultra-orthodox Jews threw themselves under the tires of buses and in front of waiting cars. Both stories dealt with opposition by the ultra-Orthodox community to a parking lot that was opened in Jerusalem last month in an effort to cut down on illegal parking in the Old City of Jerusalem. The controversy is because the parking lot is open on the Sabbath. The ultra-Orthodox believe that driving on the Sabbath is a violation of the Sabbath; thus, the parking lot should not be opened on the Sabbath.

So, how would you feel if someone decided you could not do something because it violated their religious understanding. Would you allow them to control your life?