Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Wow, real sackcloth

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys protest against Tal Law replacement, June 25, 2012 in Jerusalem, Israel. The Tal Law, which exempts ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students from mandatory military service, was declared unconstitutional by the High Court in February, and is due to expire in August. (Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images)

I do not think I've ever seen someone wearing actual sackcloth. Of course, the silly little Haredi boy has missed the whole point. In the ancient world you wore a cilice to induce discomfort or even pain as a sign of repentance. The thing was ultra-scratchy and you wore it up against your skin. It wasn't a costume.

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