Our 'Talibans'

Based on his direct experience as a lawyer, Yair Nehorai wrote a poetry-novel telling the story of a child growing up in an abusive household. 

Lev Tahor is a cult counting around 200 people that lately set up headquarters in Bet Shemesh in Israel, its distinctive feature being a burqa-like dress for the women. Nehorai, which is criminal lawyer, defended the son and the husband of a woman leader of the group, that was charged with child abuse. This is not the only 'unusual' case Nehorai dealt with, as he frequently defends members of extreme anti-Zionist groups like Neturei Karta.

Translated in German - this is the version I've read - as 'The Child of the Taliban Woman', it was published in Hebrew as 'Vtahiyeh li ima keveri' ('And my mother would have been my grave'). 

The block of verses are organised per years, and one can notice the increasing tension shared by the protagonist, the growing up child telling the story of his alienation from his more and more extreme mother. We have here the usual 'we' vs. 'them' contrast, which is anyway typical for a certain isolationist mindset, with a depreciative take to everything that has to do with modernity and people adopting it. But, in addition, there is a very extreme and aggressive take, which has to do with the corporal punishment and verbal abuse against children that do not conform to the unrealistic standards set by the parents. In this case, without any normal connection with the Torah learning and education, but just the result of people in high need of a psychological support. There are individuals lost in the intricacies of spiritual promiscuity and superstition, that lost the love and humanity that the word of Torah might bring in the life of people. 

Unable to know any other world and surrounded by people with similar problems, the little child is going through a stage when he acknowledges the need for punishment, agrees with the need to be treated in this way. Until his world grows up and his perspective on the world changes as well. He can see the difference and realize that he is a victim.

The poetic form of expressing this story is unique, but makes the story even more interesting and dramatic at the same time. 

I've seen many reviews in German trying to outline that this is a typical 'Ultra-Orthodox' story, but obviously it ignores the very specific cult-status of this group, which is rejected by many representatives of the strict religious groups in Jerusalem and abroad. The stories of abuse surrounding not few people belonging to this very small group are indeed shocking for everyone, but a basic knowledge and background of the group will avoid generalisations.