This is a very pleasant read. I am sure though that you have some other goal here than representing the political through the literary... What could that be?
I think the point was to have an open conversation about the principles of governance in Israel. Is it a Jewish State? How is that defined? What role does vox populi play in these decisions?
If Judaism is defined by observance of Halacha (besides its basic genetic meaning), can- or should- Halacha be the law of the land? Does Halacha adapt to modernity- or do we adapt to Halacha?
For me, Halacha is a personal choice, and part of me is loathe to place that burden on anyone else but me. My kids? My spouse? Brought up to appreciate the halachic way of life by our example. My example is self effacing and self critical, so that they too learn to struggle and adapt to Halachic demands.
These essays are for us to think about the future of our nation. It makes us ponder the pros and cons of our decisions to govern.
Me? I would bring in the concept of local control and work towards one man, one vote. I would create 12 regions with independent regional directly elected governments. Nonetheless, there would need to be a federal system that would contend with those regional differences based on a ……constitution.
My parents were both in Auschwitz, and a bedrock lesson they taught me was that: “ there is no difference between a red shirt or a brown shirt”. The Z of Nazi stands for socialism.
The society must be free market. Halacha will take care to guide the beneficiaries of that market towards social welfare. The Jewish way.
For this reason, I think the discussion is moot. Demographics is destiny, and Charedim have that, not just on a local tribal scale but on a global one. According to my calculations, by the end of this century or shortly after 10% of births outside of Africa may be to Charedi families.
Yes, Charedim will need to learn to be less cultish, and some science (especially computer science) but I think they have it in them. I think their current cultishness is primarily a defense mechanism against the reigning culture. And I believe that the 'Charedi' Rabbanut is not what they created but rather how they adapted to a system put in place but others.
This is a very pleasant read. I am sure though that you have some other goal here than representing the political through the literary... What could that be?
I think the point was to have an open conversation about the principles of governance in Israel. Is it a Jewish State? How is that defined? What role does vox populi play in these decisions?
If Judaism is defined by observance of Halacha (besides its basic genetic meaning), can- or should- Halacha be the law of the land? Does Halacha adapt to modernity- or do we adapt to Halacha?
For me, Halacha is a personal choice, and part of me is loathe to place that burden on anyone else but me. My kids? My spouse? Brought up to appreciate the halachic way of life by our example. My example is self effacing and self critical, so that they too learn to struggle and adapt to Halachic demands.
These essays are for us to think about the future of our nation. It makes us ponder the pros and cons of our decisions to govern.
Me? I would bring in the concept of local control and work towards one man, one vote. I would create 12 regions with independent regional directly elected governments. Nonetheless, there would need to be a federal system that would contend with those regional differences based on a ……constitution.
I surmise you now know where I grew up.
My parents were both in Auschwitz, and a bedrock lesson they taught me was that: “ there is no difference between a red shirt or a brown shirt”. The Z of Nazi stands for socialism.
The society must be free market. Halacha will take care to guide the beneficiaries of that market towards social welfare. The Jewish way.
For some sources for this I would quote these studies https://chotam.org.il/media/37347/demography-of-religiosity.pdf https://www.shoresh.institute/publication.html?id=Pub034 Figure 15 pg. 14
https://www.makorrishon.co.il/judaism/303501/
For this reason, I think the discussion is moot. Demographics is destiny, and Charedim have that, not just on a local tribal scale but on a global one. According to my calculations, by the end of this century or shortly after 10% of births outside of Africa may be to Charedi families.
Yes, Charedim will need to learn to be less cultish, and some science (especially computer science) but I think they have it in them. I think their current cultishness is primarily a defense mechanism against the reigning culture. And I believe that the 'Charedi' Rabbanut is not what they created but rather how they adapted to a system put in place but others.