Israel Antitrust Authority: Questions on Identity and Judaism | Israel Hayom

The idea of establishing a national authority for Jewish identity aroused in me reflections and counter-reflections. It can be assumed that most Jewish citizens of Israel have a positive and warm attitude towards their Jewish identity. Most of us say "Shabbat Shalom," light Chanukah candles and don't miss the Seder. The most popular names of Israel's children continue to carry a biblical flavor, such as Jonathan and Noa, Abigail and Itai. We answer the question like good Jews, gladly locating familiar surnames on film credits lists and Nobel laureates.

And most importantly, it is fascinating to see how much that insult by Prime Minister Netanyahu, "They have forgotten what it means to be Jewish," managed to burn into the hearts of anyone who felt that this sentence was directed at him. That's not how people who don't care react. That's not how people who need a national authority to encourage, upgrade or enhance their identity don't react.
Personally, I even had a moment when I toyed with the thought of sending a list of heartfelt suggestions to the authority that was being built. In the exploratory phase, new bodies always need a little help, and I actually had some ideas. Here, I know exactly when my Jewish identity flashes like a neon sign. It happens when I catch myself red-handed and identify with the underdog.

It can happen when I watch some Olympic athletics competition. The broadcasters go over the three title-winning favourites, and suggest we bet on one of them, too. But I'm locked into some anonymous person, who no one understands how she got to this status. She's an occupational therapist, CEO or buttersmith in her godforsaken hometown. It's nice that she took the trouble to show up in time for the jump.

The broadcaster says something like, "That's what's beautiful about sports," and lo and behold, I'm already in her favor. I have no idea who she is, and what, for example, is her attitude towards my people and country. But as I wish her victory, and even mumble psalms, I realize that I have become a Jew. Yes, yes. There is something deeply Jewish about the fact that among the Beatles you would prefer George Harrison.

We have a deep affection for David versus Goliath; We grew up proudly declaring that neither Jerusalem nor Mount Sinai are the highest mountains, not in the world or even in the vicinity; And when all over the world they sang "We Are the Champions" - we sang "Dinamo Mascha" here (and thanks to my friend Yair Nitzani and the guys).

• • •

Here's a chapter in Jewish identity worth promoting! That's what I told myself. After all, in truth, in recent years there has been a severe devaluation of the underdog preference. Young Hebrew-speaking people pronounce the word "loser" as if it were an offense involving disgrace, and "empire" as if it were a wish.

Woe to her for the same shame. Israeli soccer lovers are able to leave their home between Gedera and Hadera and travel all the way to Spain, just to express their love for teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid. After all, it's clear that the players, the staff and especially the accounting department are moved to tears: "Really, Liron? And you, Yogev, too? Did you notice me? To the little Barca from the neighborhood? You probably say that to everyone..." But laughter—what does it say about them, and what does it say about us? Have we assimilated and been like all other peoples?

Here, for example, I would like to see the National Authority for Jewish Identity step in with all its might. Brings those who need it into seminars and seminars, shakes and arranges their heads, and if anyone calls it "re-education" - let them jump at us. We have not waited two thousand years to raise here people whose hearts tend to sympathize with the obvious, Goliath and Og, the emperor and the Fritz. Who will bring back to life our old love and glorious losers?

The problem is, and you know it as well as I do, that such aspects of Jewish identity are pretty much the last thing that interests the thinkers of the New Identity Authority. Not the affection of the underdog, unfortunately, and not the whereabouts. Forget the vague "precisely" and the Masu Habonim stone. Not Hersheleh, not Juha and not Sylvia
Bumper. And why do I think so? Why not praise them? Well, because of this little thing called reputation.

• • •

It seems to me that it was Prof. Yeshayahu Leibowitz, decades ago, who honestly said that both Meir Kahane and he himself base their opinions on legitimate quotes from the Book of Books. It seems to me that Leibowitz was not only referring to the infinite ease of finding the right verse for each purpose. He also intended to point out, painfully and honestly, the infinite difficulty of determining what "Judaism" really means.

Synagogues, for example, are undoubtedly a place where living Judaism takes place, with or without regard to what is written in the books. In a particular synagogue, as recently made public, the local rabbi is able to expel an autistic child and his family. Let them go home, or damn it, just don't walk around in front of his eyes. This child gets in the way, the rabbi says. He makes strange noises, which is beside the point. I assume that when the rabbi says these (horrifying) things, he is not voicing his private opinion. It's not a matter of taste and smell.

As far as he is concerned, one can assume, he is expressing a position that is correct from a "Jewish" point of view. After all, this is a synagogue, a prayer service, and a rabbi who believes that such a child is a problem, and that such problems should be removed. I suppose if pressed, he will have relevant verses to quote, and even references from the first and last.

Is it Judaism? I really don't know. All I know is that this is not my Judaism. I will try to keep my children away from places where such people are considered rabbis.

Fortunately, I know other synagogues and other rabbis. In my synagogue, when that young worshipper arrives with the huge prayer book written in Braille, my friends almost quarrel over who will bring a bowl of water to his guide dog, who of course sits next to his chair in the synagogue and has become
part of the community.

In most of the synagogues I have been privileged to visit, girls and boys with special needs have an openness that they would find difficult to find in other public places. And I know people like Prof. Reuven Feuerstein, zt"l, who, precisely from his Jewish perspective, developed groundbreaking methods to teach the whole world to believe in the infinite abilities of children with autism or Down syndrome.

And for quite some time now I've been thinking it's simply wrong to ask "who is the right Jew" and "what is the right Judaism" - after all, they all have a beauty of relevant quotes. Perhaps it would be better to settle for "what kind of Judaism do we want," and thus examine the millions that have been poured into the new National Authority.

And the simple question is: What kind of Jewish identity is cooking for us here? Is your authority, MK Avi Maoz, going to promote a Judaism that is welcoming to the weak and the challenged – or a Judaism that prefers to leave them out? Asks for a friend, and after all, all of Israel is friends.

shishabat@israelhayom.co.il

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