I would call it a difference in attitude towards involvement with the outside world. Although I don’t like either term (they’re both gross oversimplifications, for one thing), I would probably say that the ultra-Orthodox feel that one should remain withdrawn from the outside world, with the exception of situations necessary to earn a living, because of negative outside influences. Non ultra-Orthodox, while they (we) are still observant of all the same commandments, are more involved in higher education, non-Jewish entertainments such as TV, etc. Certain other social attitudes differ as well, but many of them, I think, stem from this central one.
(Zev - I certainly know many people of a more Agudah bent who are certainly non Hassidic, but who would almost certainly fall in the ultra category, no?)
What about the term haredi? Would that be better than “ultra-orthodox”?
AARGH!!
What I meant to say was that the food is kosher.
[sub]Memo to self: Proofread![/sub]
Zev Steinhardt