Grizzly Groundswell

 Cross Posted from Yidwithlid

The separation of church and state is a key component of the US Democracy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I live in a “secular” state. Freedom of religion means, the government tolerates the fact that I observe Judaism. And while there is no official religion here, Christianity is the de facto official religion of this country. If you have any doubts about that fact, read some of the debates going on in America about school prayer, displaying nativity scenes on public venues, or take a look at the political ads running this week. I am not saying that this is a bad thing. (I don’t agree with Abe Foxman that religion should be kept out of political campaigns). I would prefer to vote for a candidate who is a person of faith, even if it is not my faith (as long as it isn’t a put-on) it makes me feel more confident that the candidate has a moral anchor.

The US defines itself as a secular state, but is really a Christian state; Israel by definition is a Jewish state that tries its hardest to be a secular state. Israel is the rebirth of a religious Jewish state that existed almost 2000 years ago. It is that religious history that gives Israel part her legitimacy. The biblical prophecy of the ingathering of exiles that gives legitimacy to Aliyah, the Jewish right of return. We Jews are unique in the world–we are a nation and a religion. Survival is only assured when the two are linked together. Thats why it was so sickening that as part of the celebration of Israel’s 60th birthday, its President, Shimon Peres announced that he will observe Shabbat—ONCE. Because by making a big deal out of it Peres dishonors Israel’s Jewish traditions. There are those who believe Shabbos should be observed for other reasons than a cheap publicity stunt.

One of the main reasons that I worry about Israel is that its government has no sense of its Jewishness. The last government that did was probably Menachem Begin, which is why Jimmy Carter hated him so much. (see Jimmy Carter’s Obessive Hatred of Menachem Begin: Why He Hates Israel)

If Israel’s leaders had a sense of Jewishness they would protect Sedrot. If they truly believed that Israel was a Jewish state they would NEVER bargain away Judea and Samaria not only for its religions value but because of the families it would harm, the ones the government would have to uproot– and the ones that would be placed closer to harm’s way because of the new borders. If Israel’s leaders had a sense of Jewishness, their moral compass would tell them that Jerusalem, the heart of the Jewish People, cannot be divided and that Hebron, purchased by Abraham, the first Jew–must remain in Jewish hands.

It is ironic that the US, a secular state, elects candidates with a strong background in religion, while Israel a Jewish state, doesn’t.

For those of you busily writing comments that being a “Jewish State” makes Israel somehow racist or prejudiced, put down your keyboard. Israel and Judaism protects good people of ALL Religions. Israel protects holy sites of ALL religions. But Israel is surrounded by Islamic states, that, in many cases, forbid the practice of other religions, where people are urged to convert, become dhimmi’s or leave.

Israel should be different form the Islamic states, who are constantly fighting amongst themselves over the way they practice, Sunni vs. Shiite for example. Israel must be a home where all “flavors” of Judaism can exist in a JEWISH STATE were Rabbis of all kinds, Reform, Conservative and Orthodox can tend to their flocks during the entire cycle of life from births, marriage to death. If Israel’s leaders had a sense of Jewishness, instead of being so secular, THAT would happen.

It is precisely because Israel leaders are ruled by their political desires instead of using the Torah as a moral compass that Israel is facing the issues it does. The concessions Olmert and other secular Israeli leaders are planning, abandoning Judea, Samaria, The Temple Mount, Hebron etc, because once you take away Israel’s religious heritage, they all become expendable, once they become expendable so does Tzevat and Tiberias and eventually all of Israel. The Palestinians get it, that’s why they consider recognizing Israel as a JEWISH STATE as a deal-breaker.

In biblical times, each king of Judea was commanded by God to have a Torah Scroll written for him and kept near him. This was so they could rule alongside the moral compass of the Torah—maybe today’s leaders should take a cue from that. After all America, a secular country has leaders that try to rule within the tenants of their religion maybe Israel, a Jewish state should try the same thing. Maybe Israel’s leaders should govern the country as a Jewish state on ALL the Jewish Land and to adapt what Bill O’ Riley said a few year ago— Israel is a Jewish state, If you don’t like it move to America.

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