Torah and Tech in Israel
Can you learn to code if you\u2019ve spent your life studying religious texts? Can you be part of the fast-paced, secular world of technology and startups if you\u2019re from a conservative religious community? Israel has been called the "Startup Nation", with a flourishing technology sector playing a big role in the country\u2019s economy. But one group who haven\u2019t traditionally been involved are ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim. They often live apart from mainstream Israeli society and adhere to strict religious laws covering everything from diet to dress and technology. Many men don\u2019t work or serve in the army, spending their lives studying the Torah, subsidised by the government. It\u2019s a way of life that leaves many Haredim in poverty, and other Israelis resenting picking up the tab. But in recent years, the ultra-orthodox have been increasingly joining the high-tech world, working in big international tech companies and founding their own startups. David Baker travels to Israel to meet the new breed of high tech Haredim, and find out how they reconcile taking part in the "Startup Nation" with traditional Torah life.
Produced by James Fletcher.