Exploring the Heart of the Haredim
Together we can reach the unreached with the love of Yeshua.
Haredi Life Today
The Haredim live in many cities around the globe—yet they remain one of the most unreached people groups in the world. For the Haredim, faithfulness to Torah and obedience to rabbinic law guide everyday life. They keep themselves separate from society to preserve the purity of their faith.
Haredim often live in insular communities, allowing their culture to flourish and their population to grow. But the same safeguards that have kept the Haredim from being polluted by the world have also distanced them from the greatest message of all time.
Isaac’s Story
From the location where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, Isaac shares what it was like growing up in the Haredi sect of Chabad. There were rich traditions, but something was missing. “There’s just one thing that doesn’t fit in their box, and that is that Jesus is the Messiah.”
Download our Prayer Guide
Work among the Haredim must always begin and end with prayer. So, several contributors curated this beautiful prayer guide for you. It explores real-life stories, the details of daily life that you need to know, and prayer points to focus on throughout the year. Download your free guide (available in several languages) and start your journey today.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The term “Haredi” comes from the Hebrew word hared, which means “to tremble.” You can see it in these words from Isaiah: “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word” (66:2).
To the Haredim, the idea of “trembling” signals a very real respect for God. It means a devout and deep reverence—and it’s something we can all admire.
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The Haredim accept the responsibility of preserving, protecting and passing on the Torah and Jewish tradition (like the Talmud). They aspire to live a life that is frum (observant) and committed to following the authority of the rabbis.
In terms of practice, there are many different sects that fall under the Haredi umbrella. Some are charismatic, and some are non-charismatic. Some, such as Chabad, even focus on outreach. There are many different flavors and cultures, just as you find in Christianity and other religions.
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Most of the time, the Haredim don’t think about Jesus. Faith in him is strictly forbidden—in fact, children are taught from a young age that Christianity is not for them, and that belief in Jesus is idolatry.
You might be surprised to learn that most Haredim have never read or even seen a New Testament. But God is working among the Haredim—many are having encounters with him through dreams, visions, or in meeting believers like you.
And there are increasing numbers of secret seekers—or even secret believers! In these stories, we are seeing God’s steadfast love for his people come to life.
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Haredim have been taught from an early age to be cautious of outsiders, especially Christians—for understandable reasons. The Jewish people have suffered unthinkable harms during the Inquisitions, the Crusades, and the Holocaust. And most Haredim are the direct descendants of Holocaust survivors.
These survivors remember that “Christians” had a hand in the Holocaust. Their grandparents and great-grandparents lived—and that remnant has grown into a community that’s now committed to passing down a faithful, inextinguishable form of Judaism.
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Unlike in Western societies, in the Haredi world, the community always comes before the individual. Daily life is prescribed; gender roles are tightly defined. Some Haredi men study Jewish texts while women work and care for their families and their homes.
Visit our Learn page for more!
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While the Haredim are not usually accessible to outsiders, it is actually easier to make an impact than you might think.
Firstly, prayer is the one constant that does the most good! On our own, it might seem impossible. But nothing is impossible with God.
And secondly, if you encounter someone who’s Haredi, you can be friendly. We have met some Haredim who remember one trustworthy Christian—and that person made all the difference in the world. However, most Haredim have never interacted with a Christian.
Lastly, you can join our community! So many things in life are better together, and ministry to the unreached is one of them. We’ll keep you updated on points for prayer, new developments, and hands-on ministry opportunities.
Thank you for learning, praying, and serving with us!
