There are "Jewish Israelis" and then there are "Israeli Jews." How each Israeli defines themselves determines how they perceive the Jewish state and its conflicts.
Even though I am a Jew with Canadian citizenship (how’s that for nailing down my identity?) and not quite “frum” yet, I identify with the group Josh calls the “Jewish Israelis”.
I, too, struggle with issues that would seem to trample on individual freedom. But Torah honors individuals and G-d gave all humans freedom to choose good or evil while laying down mitzvoth He wants Jews and gentiles to follow. (The latter are obliged only to follow the 7 Noahide Laws. Look them up.) I believe they were designed to help our species become more than the “clever animals” we are now. But I don’t believe that any good can come from running around like storm-troopers (G-d forbid) imposing G-d’s laws in people’s homes and other private spaces.
So it seems to me that Torah law should be applied to public spaces and national practices. Which means – for example - no more public Pride celebrations because many LGBT practices are forbidden in the Torah. But if you want to celebrate in your home with no public display, okay. And no barring gays from shul as long as they don’t make any outward displays of stuff that Torah forbids. Let’s face it: we don’t bar people from shul who committed other types of sins. Nobody is without sin. We’ll let the Muslims throw gays off the roof in Muslim countries – but not in Israel where that will always be considered MURDER. (BTW: In my vision of Israel, other religions would be allowed to practice their faith in properties they own – hence are “private” - as long as that doesn’t involve overtaking public spaces, preaching or committing violence or proselytizing to Jews. There would also need to be limits on how much property other religions can own.)
What about abortion? Here’s a sticky issue for secular folks to contemplate. Torah doesn’t recognize a woman’s (or a man’s) “right” over their own bodies. Our bodies are G-d’s. In a Torah observant Israel, abortion would be banned except for the exceptions Torah allows. So if a woman wants to murder her fetus she can either travel outside of Israel to do it or abide by the law. What’s so bad? If she doesn’t qualify for an exemption, she can either have the baby with help from the community if she is alone, or give it up to a married couple aching for a child.
Making Israel a Torah observant state will obviously involve a lot of thought and input from people way more religiously qualified than me. And selling it to the “Israeli Jews”, as Josh calls them, won’t be easy. But I truly believe that if everyone followed G-d’s laws – beginning in Israel - our world would be a Garden of Enlightenment and not the Planet of Insanity we have now.
Great article and a perspective on this issue which I hadn't given any thought. It reminded me of the anti-Semites in the US who always questioned American Jews' loyalty, alluding to their allegiance to Israel and not the US. Haven't read about that one since October 7th, since the anti-Semites have so many more negative comments to make about Jews.
Excellent article, especially for those of us in the USA. This is the information we need to help us understand the conflict that has been happening in the Middle East for centuries.
Agree! It's the noun that's dominant and the adjective that's secondary. I identify as an American Jew, i.e., I'm a Jew first, and "American" is the modifier that identifies my country of origin/residence. A Jewish American is someone who identifies as an American first with "Jewish" a secondary modifier, like Irish American, Italian American, etc. Since we're writing in English here, the placement of the modifier after the noun in Hebrew does not change the fact that the noun is still the focal point. Israeli Jew to me means, "Jew" is prominent (regardless of where one is on the religious and political spectrums). I interpret "Jewish Israeli" to be an Israeli citizen who's Jewish (as opposed to non-Jewish Israelis) and identifies primarily as Israeli and not necessarily observant. The question could also be posed to Arab citizens of Israel as to whether they see themselves as Arab Israelis (Israeli first), or as Israeli Arabs (Arab first). I also refer to "the Palestinians" deliberately as Palestinian Arabs. The desire of some Israelis who just want to be Israelis vs. citizens of a Jewish country is a more nuanced and complicated topic. Certainly, there are secular Jewish Israelis who embrace Israel being a Jewish state. But what do I know? I'm a questioning secular, but somewhat observant, staunchly Zionist American Jew who loves and supports Israel, Jewish tradition, America, and personal freedom.
I disagree with the whole concept of trying to pigeonhole and label different factions within Israeli Jewry. My guess is that within each group — all the different Haredi sects, Reform Jews, secular Jews, nationalists, peaceniks, yada, yada — there is a spectrum of beliefs, practices and hopes. You do justice to the current conundrums of disagreement within Israeli Jewry, Joshua, but trying to clump them together under two labels is a lost cause. Two Jews, three opinions. It will never be a neat division, and the multi-faceted disagreements between and among the different factions will always splinter. Somehow, thankfully, Israel manages to make it work, mostly.
So where does a public figure like Einat Wilf fit here? Very realist and clear-eyed regarding security, and straight down the left regarding everything else.
I agree that those who imagine the Palestinians, as currently fashioned, to be capable of having a peaceful, state of their own, suffer from a lack of reality testing, At the same time, I find your essay to be insufficiently critical of so-called "Jewish Israelis" and the zeal with which they seek to impose Jewish religious precepts on the wider body politic, or in their most extreme manifestations, to live as parasites on that same body politic, siphoning away taxpayer dollars to support their parochial, insular communities while doing little to nothing to contribute to the economic welfare or military defense of that same body politic.
Forgive if you’ve already written on this, I may just need to look harder, but an article that describes in detail what all of the pre-October 7 protests against government reform would be really great. A lot of us outside of Israel don’t understand what these were really about, I’ve even spoken to some lawyers who seem confused because it seems like some of the proposed reforms were similar to American law. And other resources don’t seem to clarify much. It would be wonderful to have the Israeli picture on this.
Some don’t understand that the “state solution” in the Palestinian’s mind is all of Israel and no Jews!
A Case for Jewish Israelis
Even though I am a Jew with Canadian citizenship (how’s that for nailing down my identity?) and not quite “frum” yet, I identify with the group Josh calls the “Jewish Israelis”.
I, too, struggle with issues that would seem to trample on individual freedom. But Torah honors individuals and G-d gave all humans freedom to choose good or evil while laying down mitzvoth He wants Jews and gentiles to follow. (The latter are obliged only to follow the 7 Noahide Laws. Look them up.) I believe they were designed to help our species become more than the “clever animals” we are now. But I don’t believe that any good can come from running around like storm-troopers (G-d forbid) imposing G-d’s laws in people’s homes and other private spaces.
So it seems to me that Torah law should be applied to public spaces and national practices. Which means – for example - no more public Pride celebrations because many LGBT practices are forbidden in the Torah. But if you want to celebrate in your home with no public display, okay. And no barring gays from shul as long as they don’t make any outward displays of stuff that Torah forbids. Let’s face it: we don’t bar people from shul who committed other types of sins. Nobody is without sin. We’ll let the Muslims throw gays off the roof in Muslim countries – but not in Israel where that will always be considered MURDER. (BTW: In my vision of Israel, other religions would be allowed to practice their faith in properties they own – hence are “private” - as long as that doesn’t involve overtaking public spaces, preaching or committing violence or proselytizing to Jews. There would also need to be limits on how much property other religions can own.)
What about abortion? Here’s a sticky issue for secular folks to contemplate. Torah doesn’t recognize a woman’s (or a man’s) “right” over their own bodies. Our bodies are G-d’s. In a Torah observant Israel, abortion would be banned except for the exceptions Torah allows. So if a woman wants to murder her fetus she can either travel outside of Israel to do it or abide by the law. What’s so bad? If she doesn’t qualify for an exemption, she can either have the baby with help from the community if she is alone, or give it up to a married couple aching for a child.
Making Israel a Torah observant state will obviously involve a lot of thought and input from people way more religiously qualified than me. And selling it to the “Israeli Jews”, as Josh calls them, won’t be easy. But I truly believe that if everyone followed G-d’s laws – beginning in Israel - our world would be a Garden of Enlightenment and not the Planet of Insanity we have now.
Great article and a perspective on this issue which I hadn't given any thought. It reminded me of the anti-Semites in the US who always questioned American Jews' loyalty, alluding to their allegiance to Israel and not the US. Haven't read about that one since October 7th, since the anti-Semites have so many more negative comments to make about Jews.
Excellent article, especially for those of us in the USA. This is the information we need to help us understand the conflict that has been happening in the Middle East for centuries.
Agreed!
But maybe you have the terms backwards?
Seems to me that "Israeli Jews" are Jews who live in Israel. Primary identity being "Jew."
And that "Jewish Israelis" are Israelis who are Jews. Primary identity being "Israeli."
Otherwise, well said!
Am Yisrael Chai!
No, no backwards at all. It’s what comes first that matters, i.e. Israeli Jew = Israeli first then Jewish.
Not to be pedantic, but I think it's the noun that counts....
Agree! It's the noun that's dominant and the adjective that's secondary. I identify as an American Jew, i.e., I'm a Jew first, and "American" is the modifier that identifies my country of origin/residence. A Jewish American is someone who identifies as an American first with "Jewish" a secondary modifier, like Irish American, Italian American, etc. Since we're writing in English here, the placement of the modifier after the noun in Hebrew does not change the fact that the noun is still the focal point. Israeli Jew to me means, "Jew" is prominent (regardless of where one is on the religious and political spectrums). I interpret "Jewish Israeli" to be an Israeli citizen who's Jewish (as opposed to non-Jewish Israelis) and identifies primarily as Israeli and not necessarily observant. The question could also be posed to Arab citizens of Israel as to whether they see themselves as Arab Israelis (Israeli first), or as Israeli Arabs (Arab first). I also refer to "the Palestinians" deliberately as Palestinian Arabs. The desire of some Israelis who just want to be Israelis vs. citizens of a Jewish country is a more nuanced and complicated topic. Certainly, there are secular Jewish Israelis who embrace Israel being a Jewish state. But what do I know? I'm a questioning secular, but somewhat observant, staunchly Zionist American Jew who loves and supports Israel, Jewish tradition, America, and personal freedom.
Agreed!
Guess in English the adjective comes before the noun, Good Year, while in Hebrew the noun comes before the adjective, שנה טובה
And someone should tell you that the so called “Jewish Israelis” need to do their share to work and fight for Israel.
Many do, some don’t — and they should.
I disagree with the whole concept of trying to pigeonhole and label different factions within Israeli Jewry. My guess is that within each group — all the different Haredi sects, Reform Jews, secular Jews, nationalists, peaceniks, yada, yada — there is a spectrum of beliefs, practices and hopes. You do justice to the current conundrums of disagreement within Israeli Jewry, Joshua, but trying to clump them together under two labels is a lost cause. Two Jews, three opinions. It will never be a neat division, and the multi-faceted disagreements between and among the different factions will always splinter. Somehow, thankfully, Israel manages to make it work, mostly.
Of course I was generalizing but these labels apply to most Israelis. Not all of course.
So where does a public figure like Einat Wilf fit here? Very realist and clear-eyed regarding security, and straight down the left regarding everything else.
I agree that those who imagine the Palestinians, as currently fashioned, to be capable of having a peaceful, state of their own, suffer from a lack of reality testing, At the same time, I find your essay to be insufficiently critical of so-called "Jewish Israelis" and the zeal with which they seek to impose Jewish religious precepts on the wider body politic, or in their most extreme manifestations, to live as parasites on that same body politic, siphoning away taxpayer dollars to support their parochial, insular communities while doing little to nothing to contribute to the economic welfare or military defense of that same body politic.
Hi Joshua I have a question for you. Anyway to send it privately?
Forgive if you’ve already written on this, I may just need to look harder, but an article that describes in detail what all of the pre-October 7 protests against government reform would be really great. A lot of us outside of Israel don’t understand what these were really about, I’ve even spoken to some lawyers who seem confused because it seems like some of the proposed reforms were similar to American law. And other resources don’t seem to clarify much. It would be wonderful to have the Israeli picture on this.
Good idea! We’ll put something together.
Thank you!!