Help With The Hasidics

i haven't seen many hasidics in ft greene. perhaps on bedford, which is the border between clinton hill and bed stuy or south williamsburg?

tghe average hasidic family has 7.9 children...damn!!! you go, dudes!!

O.K., I won't try to pawn myself off as an expert on Hasids, but here's a stab at it.

1. On the clothes: There's a biblical prohibition against mixing wool and linen. (Google Shatnes or Shatnez). If different fibers are mixed in an article of clothing, it isn't kosher to wear. This proscription obviously makes it unlikely that they'd buy "off the rack". They're going to buy from someone who manufactures clothing with shatnes specifically in mind. Also, wearing their style of clothing fosters a sense of a separate community. They are making a specific point of visibly demonstrating that they are both united as a community and separate from the rest of us.

(Note: They don't have any particular aversion to interacting with non-hasids {witness B&H Photo}, they just don't see any particular point in doing so on a casual basis)

2. As regards the dog. I have no idea why they're scared of your dog, but I'll present a couple of theories on the lack of dog ownership. First, in the neighborhoods where you're seeing Hasids, you're not seeing the most well-to-do folks. Most of those people are working stiffs. With an average of 7.9 children, I think they'd view dog ownership as frivolous. Second, I did a quick search for Kosher dog food and found a few items that specifically stated that they are kosher to the degree that they don't mix meat and dairy but wouldn't be considered kosher for humans.

Exodus 22- 31 says," And you shall be holy men to Me. Neither shall you eat flesh torn by beasts in the field. You shall throw it to the dogs." This one means that any UN-kosher food should be thrown to the dogs. I'm extrapolating that if you have dogs tending your flocks and living in the fields, give them the stuff you can't eat. What with our lack of flocks and fields here in Brooklyn the only place left for the dog to live would be in the house.....and no Hasid is going to allow unkosher (treyf) food into his house regardless of who is going to consume it.

Hope this helps.

If not, ask a Hasid. They don't bite either.

Someone previously found this link on these boards.
http://www.pinenet.com/rooster/hasid1.html

somewhere in there, is the answer regarding dogs as well

Subject: A little tutorial on Hassidim

1. About the dog thing: A lot of the fear of dogs stems from the fact that they and most of their colleagues do not have dogs. Why not? Because many were raised by parents and grandparents who went through the Holocaust and developed a fear of dogs because any dog reminded them of the Nazis' dogs. Don't take it personally; they realize where it comes from. They just haven't been raised around animals. It really has nothing to do with kosher. Also, remember how difficult it would be to have 7.9 kids and a dog to look after--in the city.
2. Chassidim (the "H" has a "Ch/Kh" sound) maintain their old-world dress to remind themselves of who they are and create a somewhat separatist environment for themselves. This does not make them unfriendly or biased or racist. They just look different. Believe it or not, different groups of Chassidim dress differently based on their group's origins. Creating a distinct look, however, does not mean that they won't keep up with technology. Why is that hypocritical?
3. Kosher eateries have no problems serving non-Jews. Do Thai restaurants exclude the rest of us?
4. I hate the way Amish are cute/adorable/choose-your-own-charming adjective but Chassidim are strange. Be nice. Discrimination does not only apply to our attitudes toward blacks, Asians, Muslims, Indians....

Subject: Re: A little tutorial on Hassidim

good perspective PJ - thanks