On the eve of Shavuot 2022/23, it justifies raising the question: What is Jewish in the Jewish state?
The other name of Shavuot is, after all, the holiday of giving the Torah. On the 6th of the second month of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, Mount Sinai took place – the Torah descended from heaven. The code that has defined Jewish identity for generations. Although many alternatives arose throughout the millennium, they did not survive, certainly not as Jewish.
Shavuot holiday in Moshav Hatseva, photo: Tanya Fox-Alon
The Kingdom of Israel, which split from Judea and built an alternative altar, was destroyed, the Hellenists eventually brought about the disintegration of their culture, the Dead Sea sects were destroyed, the disciples of Jesus established a separate religion, Shabtai Zvi turned out to be a false prophet, and in conclusion - anyone who abandoned the rabbinical track ended up leaving Judaism.
Unfortunately, this bitter truth is once again proving true in the United States. In recent decades, the enormous assimilation rates (80% or more) have obscured members of the non-Orthodox streams. And we read on Shavuot about Ruth, who chose to tie her fate with Judaism. And Judaism, 3,500 years of history teach, has only one way to sustain. Any other option simply does not survive.
Don't be afraid of definitions
In recent months, the call to D-M-O-K-R-T-I-H has been heard again and again in the streets of Israel. Rightfully. Few people in the country, if any, disagree with this position and want a different form of government. But democracies are many, while a Jewish state has only one. Therefore, those marching in the streets must explain how, as far as they are concerned, after all the reforms and changes, Israel will remain not only democratic, but also a "Jewish state in the Land of Israel," in the words of Israel's Declaration of Independence.
We need to define what Judaism is. The protest against the reform, photo: Eyal Margolin/Genie
The right wing, which supports the government (and pardon the generalization), has an answer. It may not be perfect, but those who do not tolerate the ultra-Orthodox and do not get along with the religious, and therefore take to the streets, should present their Jewish outline. After all, all these protesters undoubtedly intend to continue living in the State of Israel.
In recent days, social networks have been filled with sad confessions by secular leftists about their intention to leave the country. Threats to this effect were heard throughout the protest period. But it seems that the intentions of descent are not only an expression of their anger at "what we will become of Israel," but also an escape from their own Jewish point.
Passengers at Ben Gurion Airport (archive), photo: Yossi Zeliger
Well, emigrating abroad will not ease the burden. On the contrary, assimilation rates among Israelis who have left the country sometimes reach 90 per cent, according to studies. After all, it is precisely abroad that the question of identity becomes clearer: "Who am I? Am I a Jew?" And anyone who does not have a solid answer in Israel will not know how to provide an answer outside of it.
Instead of fleeing from the message of identity, instead of abandoning the foundations of Zionism, the strongest camp in Israel should define Judaism for itself. It doesn't have to be Orthodox, but it does have to ensure survival. Ask Ruth the Moabite.
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