"The religious do not see themselves as socially weak. On the contrary, they do not think they are in a bad situation, perhaps because they have a strong and supportive social network in their community."

This is how Prof. Ayal Kimchi, deputy director of the Taub Center, explained why a report recently published by the Center showed that the religious population in Israel was more satisfied with its social-economic situation than all other sectors. This was the conclusion of a public opinion survey conducted by the Taub Index of Social Confidence that examined the attitudes of 1,000 Israeli citizens.

The revelation of the religious position came as a surprise to the media because it is consistently harping on the growing poverty and economic hardship of this sector.

It seems as if the secular public has forgotten that "man does not live on bread alone" and that there are spiritual values that strengthen Israel forever.

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