By Ira Sharkansky
JERUSALEM — You wanted a Jewish state. You got one.
It comes with an army, and the army has rabbis. Much of the time they concern themselves that the food is kosher, but they also lecture the troops, give advice to all who would listen, and represent the army to outsiders who want to hear what an army rabbi has to say.
Once I saw a slip-up in a small unit of reservists in Lebanon. The orange dishes used for meat were mixed with the blue dishes used for dairy. None of the men I was lecturing to seemed to care.
Most Israelis are not religious Jews. Something over 20 percent of the population are not Jews at all. Another few hundred thousand identify with the Jews, but don’t pass muster with the Rabbinate.
Close to 50 percent of the Jews (by self-definition, not necessarily with the Rabbinate’s seal of approval) describe themselves as secular. We know from surveys, however, that most have a festive family meal on Friday night and attend a Passover Seder. Lots of them fast on Yom Kippur. Almost all circumcise their sons, and most celebrate a Bar Mitzvah 13 years later.
Another 30 percent of the Jews describe themselves as Traditional. In Israeli parlance, that means somewhat religious. Many of the traditional kiss the mizzuzzah when entering a room. The men may wear a kipa, but drive to the beach, a football game, or a family barbecue on the Sabbath.
An Israeli Bat Mitzvah is likely to be a family trip or other celebration, without benefit of ritual.
There is no separation of religion and state, and non-Orthodox need not apply for any of the positions capable of serious decisions, including who can marry who (within Israel), who can divorce, and who can convert.
There are usually three Orthodox or ultra-Orthodox parties in the Knesset, and there has never been a party of non-Orthodox religious Jews that has won a Knesset seat..
Politics being what it is, that pretty much explains things.
However, people who the Rabbinate will not marry may do so somewhere else, and the Interior Ministry registers them as married.
Jews have been finagling with religious law since there was religious law.
Last week–before Nice then Turkey took the media’s attention–there was a hassle over the nominee to be the IDF Chief Rabbi.
Googlers found spicy things he said or wrote over a long career. His defenders assert that what was uncovered has been quoted out of context, or was never said or written, or was expressed as part of discussions about religious law, and do not represent the Rabbi’s views about practical issues, or his inclination to act against the norms of the society or the IDF..
Distinguished Rabbis ruled long ago, and included in the Talmud, that a Jew must honor the laws of the State.,
Nonetheless, there are gems in the Rabbi’s repertoire of teaching Torah.:.
It is possible to use rape as a weapon in warfare, when the woman is not a Jew
Women should not be recruited to the IDF
It may be possible for soldiers to hear female singers, but they should be able to avoid looking at them
Wounded Palestinian attackers are not human, but animals who should be summarily executed
Homosexuals should be treated mercifully as if they were sick or deformed. Homosexuality destroys the natural order, and one should hope that homosexuals can be reformed.
The lives of Jewish soldiers have priority over those of non-Jews in the IDF
Women are sentimental, should remain under the authority of their husbands, and should not be witnesses in court
Those with a bit of religious education might claim that all of the above have their justifications.
Those with a bit more religious education, might assert that none of it is clear, or undisputed, or takes precedence over secular law..
The Rabbi’s comments on women singers make him a liberal among other IDF Rabbis, who have ruled that soldiers should not be exposed to women’s voices.
The issue of homosexuality is one of Judaism’s conundrums (problem without solution).
The Torah seems clear.
“If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death . . .” (Leviticus 20:13)
But on the other hand, there is practice.
David said, “How the mighty have fallen in battle . . . I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women. (II Samuel 1: 25-26)
Religious Jews insist that the passage refers to love as between brothers.
But that ain’t what the text says.
IDF personnel are saying that they will not reconsider the appointment of the man nominated as IDF Chief Rabbi. The Rabbi asserts that he does not approve of rape, and that he supports the recruitment of women to the IDF.
The Rabbi’s record is roiling women and homosexuals, and joining the commotion surrounding the possible early release from prison of former President and convicted rapist Moshe Katsav. Katsav has not done what is usually required for early release, i.e., admit his crimes and promised reform.
On this issue there is pressure in both directions. Supporters say that Katsav is an old man who is not a threat and suffered enough. Yet he continues to insist on his innocence, despite substantial evidence against him and the voices heard from those he violated. A Committee of the Prison Authority charged with deciding the issue is said to be leaning in favor of a release, but the Office of the Prosecutor is opposed.
There was also an issue about a gay rights parade in Beer Sheva. Police expected trouble, and ordered it moved from a main street to side streets. Protests and arrests resulted.
And there has been one of the periodic upticks of ethnic tension. Activists from Middle Eastern backgrounds (i.e., Sephardim) assert that their culture is not treated with respect, that their music is not given equal time on the media, and that they suffer discrimination in education and hiring.
Jews will continue putting up with Judaism and other Jews, even while arguing details to and from the synagogue.
If they go to synagogue.
Others will argue on the bus, in a coffee house, or around the dinner table.
Jews welcome dispute. It’s a key to our survival and strength. Those who insist on unity do not understand their roots.
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Sharkansky is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. He may be contacted via ira.sharkansky@sdjewishworld.com. Comments intended for publication in the space below MUST be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the United States.)
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