In future the
Prime Minister will look to his right where he will see the Chief
Rabbi of Israel, perhaps even The King!
Convergence of Jewish Law and
Common Law in Israel - not
inconceivable!
The 2016 Pew report
entitled ‘Israel’s Religiously Divided Society’ delved deep into the issues
that distinguish Jewish religious and secular groups. Among their many reporting's
were these statistical extracts that demonstrate strong support from the
religious and traditional communities that religious law should prevail. This
paper suggests a way forward through the complex issues that arise from a
nation governed by one body of law that competes with a sentimental and often
preferred alternative.
Preferential support
for religious Jewish Law (halacha) is growing and demands by religious-political groups
continue to meet political reality.
However, the slow bleed of halacha into common law is no unifying principle.
Rather, the nation should reach a conclusive view as to how it wants to
reconcile its preferences so as to build the best outcome for the nation's
future. For most this won't be easy to digest, but halacha and secular law is bound only in convergence via parliamentary legislation.
This paper suggests a way forward imagining that societal demands for integration of Jewish Law will continue in the face of rising
opposition. But, there is a mutually beneficial managed outcome.
Bicameral Parliament,
Legislative Unification and Long Term Economic Prosperity
Jewish sovereignty secured by rabbinical representatives elected to an upper house of Israel’s
future parliament (Knesset) may be confronting to many, but the
national benefits are presently misunderstood and misconstrued.
Reorganization of community representation, suggested by this paper is already gaining momentum. Over the next 25 years the nation will begin to
understand and realize the social and economic benefits that will flow from it.
The majority of Israel’s
Jewish electorate periodically participate in religious services of a local
synagogue. Presently, members of these community synagogues nominate
municipally appointed, government funded Town Rabbis to represent their
communal religious interests. Elected Town Rabbi’s are self-interested to
empower their electoral framework and elevate it to a more prominent place on the
national political stage. Grass root, community participation is a principal
requirement for any such advance, therefore town hall meetings, community
activities and societal representations organized by appointed Town Rabbis and
leaders are campaign hallmarks that will mark the successes of this
movement.
Participation by religious professionals servicing the judiciary and other segments of Israel’s
legislative and legal sectors will provide support to integrate Israel’s
secular laws with balanced, favorable (to society) interpretations of Jewish Law as founded in Torah and Talmud. This process will strengthen Jewish Sovereignty and
realize one body of law for the entire nation.
Simultaneous growth in the demand for unskilled labor will be essential to improve the wealth of Israel’s
constituent underclass. Political parties that prioritize development of
sustainable industries capable of employing a significant portion of the non-participating[1] workforce will benefit.
Israel’s indigenous and cultural prerogative, including tourism is a principle
dogma of this plan. As such this powerful linkage of community representation and
sovereignty is tied directly to economic prosperity through means
for people to develop skills[2], obtain economic benefits
and improve wealth distribution to the broader population.
The role of the Rabbi: Spiritual leader or religious governing minister?
We investigate the role of the elected rabbi in the modern era, especially in Israel and seek to define the authority that will be required to fulfill this unifying role.
We investigate the role of the elected rabbi in the modern era, especially in Israel and seek to define the authority that will be required to fulfill this unifying role.
The various
functions of the Rabbinate
Various rabbis defined the role of the Rabbinate in different ways depending on the nature of the role tailored to the specific circumstances of time and place. In the book "B’nei Bina" varied answers are cited of the rabbis consulted on the question offered by Rabbi Rafael Kook:
"Rabbi Rafael Kook the late Rabbi of Tiberius, told me that he heard from R. Meir Berlin that when he attempted to write an article on the role of the rabbi in our times" He consulted with his uncle [and Grandfather], Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein, of Navahrudak and author of Aruch HaShulchan, who replied that the task of a rabbi is to decide questions of lssur Veheter [Kosher etc.]. He traveled to Brisk and asked the same question to Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik who answered: The Rabbi’s role is to;
Various rabbis defined the role of the Rabbinate in different ways depending on the nature of the role tailored to the specific circumstances of time and place. In the book "B’nei Bina" varied answers are cited of the rabbis consulted on the question offered by Rabbi Rafael Kook:
"Rabbi Rafael Kook the late Rabbi of Tiberius, told me that he heard from R. Meir Berlin that when he attempted to write an article on the role of the rabbi in our times" He consulted with his uncle [and Grandfather], Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein, of Navahrudak and author of Aruch HaShulchan, who replied that the task of a rabbi is to decide questions of lssur Veheter [Kosher etc.]. He traveled to Brisk and asked the same question to Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik who answered: The Rabbi’s role is to;
a. look after babies born out of wedlock, known as 'bastards' so they
don't land in the hands of Christian church. The rabbi's duty is to hire
nursing staff to raise these children as Jews.
b. supervise the annual re-election of the treasurers for the free loan
societies so that when the poor apply for loans they are not rejected because
they were already given loans the earlier year. [...] the rabbi should make
sure the treasurers are honest and God-fearing[3]
Parallel explanations clarify the social attitude of the Brisk rabbinical dynasty. The first is entirely pragmatic: As the spiritual leader of the community, the rabbi is the only one in position of authority that allows him to fight the wars of the weak and oppressed. This battle is a holy war of doing justice, charity and benevolence, fundamental Jewish values to which each person must strive to reach.
The second explanation adds to the first, and views the rabbinate as a reflection of "walking in the ways" of God. Leading the congregation is a multi-dimensional mission in the name of God, a "long arm" of making the will of God on earth. Just as His attributes are to grace the poor, to elevate the crushed ones and revive the spirit of the humble (see Isaiah 57.15), so too that should be the role of the spiritual leader, the rabbi must focus on the disadvantaged exposed to abuse by the powerful.
In this way, the rabbi
continues the traditional role of the Bet Din (Jewish Law Court) "to save the oppressed from the hands of the
oppressors"[4].
However, it seems that the social role does not substitute for the traditional functions of a rabbi, but adds to them. From the testimony of Rabbi Michel Zalman Shurkin. He brings another approach to the role of the Rabbi; "when they asked the Gaon Rabbi Raphael [Shapiro] what is the work of a rabbi, he responded: nothing, just to sit and learn Torah day and night".[5]
In his work "the Halachic Man" Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik mentions the Brisk perception of the rabbinate. To his view the rabbinate does not deal with teaching and political leadership, "but fulfillment of the ideals of justice is the pillar of fire of a rabbi and teacher in Israel. Fulfilling these ideals is the purpose of creation, imposed on the person, correcting the world through the kingdom of halacha (Jewish Law) and revitalizing creation".[6]
From this we can
conclude that teaching is not the exclusive role of the rabbi, but he must use
it to implement the "kingdom of halacha" and "revitalize
creation" in accordance with the ideals of justice. The role of the rabbi
according to Rabbi Soloveitchik, is therefore to realize the halacha in its
widest sense within the framework of a real and concrete community. As he puts
it:
"the halachic man materializes the Torah with action, without concessions and compromises, since indeed fulfillment of Jewish law is his desire and glorious dream.
The halachic man is fearless of humans hence he creates worlds and partners with God in the creation of the world. Since he has no fear of humans he does not betray his mission nor does he desecrate the holy. He stands in the real world, with his feet stuck in the ground of reality, and he observes and sees, listens and hears and protests openly against oppression of the poor, theft of the impoverished and the cry of the orphan.
The role of the rabbi is to ensure that the Torah and Jewish law will not be far away and cut off from the daily affairs of the community, but rather they will see it as an essential part of life itself. Rabbi Soloveitchik (ibid) explains that "halacha does not seek divine transcendence or flying on the wings of the abstract and mysterious. Halacha looks directly into the real world and does not distract from it." It is therefore the role of the rabbi to bring the Torah- Halacha to its real, concrete expression in worldly life of the communities members. Practical halachic decisions and concern for the disadvantaged, according to this principle are two sides of the same coin: a halachic man and the communal Rabbi who is in charge of both.
"the halachic man materializes the Torah with action, without concessions and compromises, since indeed fulfillment of Jewish law is his desire and glorious dream.
The halachic man is fearless of humans hence he creates worlds and partners with God in the creation of the world. Since he has no fear of humans he does not betray his mission nor does he desecrate the holy. He stands in the real world, with his feet stuck in the ground of reality, and he observes and sees, listens and hears and protests openly against oppression of the poor, theft of the impoverished and the cry of the orphan.
The role of the rabbi is to ensure that the Torah and Jewish law will not be far away and cut off from the daily affairs of the community, but rather they will see it as an essential part of life itself. Rabbi Soloveitchik (ibid) explains that "halacha does not seek divine transcendence or flying on the wings of the abstract and mysterious. Halacha looks directly into the real world and does not distract from it." It is therefore the role of the rabbi to bring the Torah- Halacha to its real, concrete expression in worldly life of the communities members. Practical halachic decisions and concern for the disadvantaged, according to this principle are two sides of the same coin: a halachic man and the communal Rabbi who is in charge of both.
Israel's spiritual leadership in the modern era
In summarizing the various roles of the rabbi, as discussed in the previous section the essence of the role is spiritual leadership. This leadership is reflected on the one hand by teaching people how to act through the study of Torah, on the other hand it is shown by concern for the weak, strengthening religious institutions and introducing their activities into the lives of the community.
When asked to explain
his refusal to apply for the post of Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Soloveitchik
clarified the gap between a rabbi as spiritual leader and one who is a mere
religious minister: "The rabbinate was not for them [my ancestors] an
issue of the position in office, but rather a matter of holy work of Torah
study with Jews...their attitude to the community folk was not formal at all,
but personal and intimate, as a rabbi has with his disciples. For that reason,
my ancestors lacked the typical features of [modern] rabbis. Their garments
were not rabbinical! They never let the congregation wait for them to conclude
the Amidah (prayer)...unfortunately, I did not inherit a lot of the great virtues of my
ancestors, but some things I still inherited from them: a lack of affection to
ceremonies and love for teaching. I do not see the rabbinate as an institution
and its head as a symbol of the institution...I despise formal ceremony and
artificial manners, segregation associated with high positions is particularly
alien to me especially formal representative ceremonies...In short, as a formal
rabbi with all that entails, I am a failure".[7]
While talking on a personal note, it is clear from his words that he saw "the ceremonial Rabbinate" askance. This Rabbinate, which to his understanding characterized the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, can be defined as the transformation of religious leadership of the Rabbinate into a rabbinate of "Religious Ministers" - a style, in the opinion of Rabbi Soloveitchik better suited to Christianity than to Judaism, because it distinguishes between the spiritual realm of life to the physical one.
More than the
personality of the Rabbi, the character of the rabbinate, as leaders or
ministers depends primarily on the authority given to him. In this regard one
should distinguish between authority conferred from his community, in the style
of the authority of a "parnass" [communal political leader] appointed
with public consent and the authority granted by a state authority. Clearly,
the first style suits the spiritual leadership since the hearts of the members
are open for this leadership, whereas the second is inclined to the religious
ministry officiating formally and detaches from the style of the former.
In the present era, many towns and neighborhoods are secular. The lack of authority of the rabbi in the modern community is due to the eroding desire of the public to grant authority. It doesn't mean that rabbis stopped officiating. Also in modern communities, the rabbi continued to serve and monitor the religious affairs, but a distinction has arisen between religious and secular life. Therefore, the Rabbi's authority has been reduced to supervising life ceremonies, marriage, births, funerals and shivah's, which lack any connection to the routines of everyday life. Design of communal life, even their spiritual aspects; remain in the hands of the political authority, with no rabbinical intervention.
Status of the Israeli Rabbinate
Analysis of the present state of the rabbinate in Israel can be divided into two parts. The first and more significant for our purpose are the elected rabbis of towns and neighborhoods among the general public. In this regard their situation is similar to the new rabbi serving mainly as "Religious Minister".
Contrary to early times, the authority of the town or neighborhood rabbi does not depend upon the will of the public. Sometimes elections are held, but usually the community is not aware of them and the result does not reflect their will. Instead, the authority of the rabbi is given to him by virtue of the state and it focuses purely on religious matters: Kashrut, Mikvaot and Eiruvin. The Rabbi is also in charge of religious ceremonies, but in civil day to day life the role of rabbi is significantly reduced.
The second part is the
pool of neighborhood rabbis available from which the ‘elected’ rabbi will
appointed. Each in place by the free will of the members of the community. In
these cases, the rabbis are involved in community life intensely deal with
general issues such as housing, education to personal issues such as disputes
between neighbors and spouses. The difference is of course the will of the
community. Nevertheless, it seems that this will reflects a much deeper relationship
a factor that is worthy of consideration.
Ministerial Rabbinical training program
Ministerial Rabbinical training program
If we want to see the
return of rabbinic involvement in broad, public civilian life, which can happen
only if the public wills it, it is necessary to bridge the gaps between the
rabbi and the population he is to lead. These gaps are structured into the
educational and cultural differences between secular and religious,
particularly in relation to Haredim. So, it seems that the only way to restore
people’s confidence and desire for rabbinic involvement is by training and
community wide educational programs.
Traditional rabbinical
training that focuses solely on Halacha, is not sufficient. The need is for
extensive training that will enable rabbi’s to heal the present societal
alienation and allow them to return to a position of popular influence. This
training should include some exposure to worldly values, trends in
modern/secular thinking and provide a basic level of introduction to global and
Israeli culture in particular. Possible and desirable this framework would
establish a special course for young rabbinical candidates that would
complement traditional Halachic studies to establish solidarity between the
rabbi and his local members. One may define this complement as a form of
"language interface". An average Haredi person lacks the language of
communication with his non-Haredi counterpart. And without a common language,
it is impossible to lead!
It's clear that a plan of this nature will be opposed. However, those who oppose can continue to serve as rabbis in voluntary Haredi or other religious "private" communities. A person who sees himself fit to serve as Rabbi for the general public - a public that does not belong to his own religious sub-sector - will take it for granted that he must acquire the appropriate tools for this position, both the Torah and secular skills.
It's clear that a plan of this nature will be opposed. However, those who oppose can continue to serve as rabbis in voluntary Haredi or other religious "private" communities. A person who sees himself fit to serve as Rabbi for the general public - a public that does not belong to his own religious sub-sector - will take it for granted that he must acquire the appropriate tools for this position, both the Torah and secular skills.
In this context it
would not be superfluous to mention the words of Rabbi Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg,
in a letter from 1955 recently published[8]. In a letter to his friend
Rabbi Dr. Leo [Eliyahu] Jung,who was a prolific writer and one of the most
important rabbis in the United States, he expressed his strong view of the need
to train rabbis to obtain also a general education. The words of Rabbi Weinberg
speak for themselves: "I will not stop from revealing my heart; I am of
the opinion that also in Eretz Israel one should provide highly educated
rabbis, because the rabbis who are Yeshiva and Kollel graduates are not
suitable at all for the great mission of leading the new generation that is
growing up in the new Israel.”
In another letter to
the same recipient (from 1956) Rabbi Weinberg repeats his view of the need for
training educated rabbis, and reveals that the main reason for this is due to
the necessity for rabbis "who are well versed in the ways of the world and
can influence the youth”. On the opposition of the "Haredim and rabbis of
the old type", who oppose any amendment in the rabbinic educational
institutions, he says "it is really a very tragic situation."
Unfortunately, this "tragedy" bore fruit, and is to blame (at least
partially) for turning the rabbinate from a spiritual leadership role into a
functionary role of a religious clerk.
Amora - Rabbinic Leadership Training
Policy Paper Abstract
Legal introduction
Amora - Rabbinic Leadership Training
Policy Paper Abstract
Legal introduction
By law[9], the Chief Rabbinate of
Israel (“CRI”) which serves as the highest rabbinic institution is responsible
for providing religious services to all Jewish residents of the country[10]. This includes Torah
training of rabbis, rabbinical judges and shochatim (slaughterers) and
provision of certifying them to serve in office. The CRI is also responsible
for operating a State Kashrut system[11] and registration of
marriage and divorce. As any statutory entity it may enact regulations[12], which obligates the
appointed rabbis in any venue or position and are subject to its provisions[13].
Chief Rabbinate of Israel (CRI) - Authority and Smicha (Ordination)
With its formal authority the CRI is authorized to grant two types of titles and certificates: those acknowledging Torah scholarship: 'Yoreh 88" and 'Yadin Yadin" certificates - indicating the holder succeeded in written tests on various select Laws from the Shulchan Aruch suited to the role the candidate applied for (Rabbi of Neighborhood, of Town or Dayan [Rabbinic Judge]). Another is the "Ability certificate" attesting to the candidate’s fitness to serve in a position, granted almost automatically to those wishing to be appointed as rabbis of cities or rabbinical judges after their lifestyle and suitability for the post were examined and they were interviewed before a committee. Out of ~3000 students tested annually the "ability certificate" is awarded to a mere 500 to serve as rabbis of cities. Only a few dozen are appointed as rabbis across the country, the appointment is carried out in coordination with the designated community and the Ministry of religious affairs, occasionally taking place a very long time after the time of the test. The main problem is the lack of correlation in training and variation with the dual role. Reviewing the historical and Torah role of the rabbi proves that it stands on two main foundations; Authority as "Halachic decider" requires knowledge of Halacha and "Communal leader", requires spiritual responsibility towards the public.
As the CRI carefully scrutinizes the Torah education scholarship of the candidates, it turns a blind eye from the more complex rabbinical leadership role. Rabbinic candidates are not required as part of their training to intern under acting rabbis and there is no way to ensure that they are skilled to mediate their Torah to the crowd. Are they equipped with socio-political intelligence in order to lead their congregants in the right path? Are they able to communicate in a productive and empowering way? Reality shows that it is precisely in the modern era that the role of "communal leadership" has become more complicated, and Torah knowledge is not a reason for ignorance or secular matters sufficient to rise to become a leader. Finally if the Rabbi is not seen as a "merciful father" to the congregants, they will not turn to him to seek Torah from him and benefit from his sage counsel.
Chief Rabbinate of Israel (CRI) - Authority and Smicha (Ordination)
With its formal authority the CRI is authorized to grant two types of titles and certificates: those acknowledging Torah scholarship: 'Yoreh 88" and 'Yadin Yadin" certificates - indicating the holder succeeded in written tests on various select Laws from the Shulchan Aruch suited to the role the candidate applied for (Rabbi of Neighborhood, of Town or Dayan [Rabbinic Judge]). Another is the "Ability certificate" attesting to the candidate’s fitness to serve in a position, granted almost automatically to those wishing to be appointed as rabbis of cities or rabbinical judges after their lifestyle and suitability for the post were examined and they were interviewed before a committee. Out of ~3000 students tested annually the "ability certificate" is awarded to a mere 500 to serve as rabbis of cities. Only a few dozen are appointed as rabbis across the country, the appointment is carried out in coordination with the designated community and the Ministry of religious affairs, occasionally taking place a very long time after the time of the test. The main problem is the lack of correlation in training and variation with the dual role. Reviewing the historical and Torah role of the rabbi proves that it stands on two main foundations; Authority as "Halachic decider" requires knowledge of Halacha and "Communal leader", requires spiritual responsibility towards the public.
As the CRI carefully scrutinizes the Torah education scholarship of the candidates, it turns a blind eye from the more complex rabbinical leadership role. Rabbinic candidates are not required as part of their training to intern under acting rabbis and there is no way to ensure that they are skilled to mediate their Torah to the crowd. Are they equipped with socio-political intelligence in order to lead their congregants in the right path? Are they able to communicate in a productive and empowering way? Reality shows that it is precisely in the modern era that the role of "communal leadership" has become more complicated, and Torah knowledge is not a reason for ignorance or secular matters sufficient to rise to become a leader. Finally if the Rabbi is not seen as a "merciful father" to the congregants, they will not turn to him to seek Torah from him and benefit from his sage counsel.
Appointed Rabbis are required to work with diverse communities in their own cultural languages and levels of religious commitment. Many see this as minor sector role, and feel alienated from the rabbi and others see him as a "religious technician" giving a technical service only for lifecycle events. Even when a congregant refers to his rabbi, the referrals often cover areas for which the rabbi had no training for, like problems with relationships, sexual abuse, education, various disputes (mediation), and more. The rabbi also lacks basic working tools for public management in the modern world, such as computer applications, speech and rhetoric, and proper language. In this situation it would difficult for the rabbi to become a leading figure, whose Torah - Halacha dialect could be translated into a professionally articulate moral language, that could constitute a source of sympathy for a public ever seeking significant statements and spiritual support for life crises. This fact contributes to the decline in the appreciation accorded to rabbis who are viewed as "free riders" eating from the account of the public without providing any meaningful service in return.
The proposed solution - "Amora" : Rabbinic Leadership Training Program
The Talmud relates[14] that alongside the Tana
who was of a very high torah standing served the Amora as the interpreter,
reader or commentator for the wider public. This means that tools are needed in
order to translate the language of Jewish law and tradition, making it
meaningful for its recipients especially to the reality of their lives. The
vacuum in rabbinic training in Israel has led us to offer two training frames
for the role of Amora incumbent on upon the Rabbis:
Training program as a prerequisite for the "Ability" certificate.
Training program as a prerequisite for the "Ability" certificate.
This program takes place, one day per week for as long as two years. Alongside the Yore certificate, participants of the program would be recognized as BA graduates, in relevance to the Israeli public service.
The program offers:
A. Basic familiarity with therapeutic tools on family, relationships, violence and sexual abuse, enabling the rabbi to identify and refer those in need to more extensive professional help they need.
B. Deepening knowledge of Jewish philosophy and its ways of confronting various challenges along the ages.
 |
| A group of program participants in memory of Rabbi Raziel Shevach z'l (center) |
Superior Judiciary
Active Rabbinical
representation in Israel’s judiciary is virtually nonexistent despite the
obligation to refine social justice as expressed in the Torah portion Shoftim
and the requirement to pursue that end in Talmud Sanhedrin (32b). Such pursuit
relates to the effort an individual expends to bring all of society to a more
refined state, in this case through a superior judiciary. Although Torah and
Talmud may emanate from a different era, the responsibility to refine justice
is unequivocal at all times. Therefore the obligation is active and must be
carried out with clear intention and conviction. This paper defines a plan to
achieve such a result.
Rabbinical ordination
and certification to practise law may not appear to have much in common, but
Israel’s state judiciary would be better served by qualified applicants who
have also learned the legal foundation of Torah. Such a scenario in which these
qualified individuals integrate and assimilate ideas through the Ministry of
Justice is one where the Rabbis and scholars of Israel’s communities and their
various Talmudic institutions take command. In doing so they also fulfill their
obligations to pursue justice in a manner that would imbue Israel with a more
just judiciary capable of incorporating into precedent substantially Talmudic
principles.
The number of places
available to students in Israel’s law schools is limited. Each year
approximately 1500 students qualify the bar examination to become lawyers in
Israel. Some move to private practices, partnerships, corporate jobs, politics,
advocacy and the judiciary. Whilst enlistment is competitive, selection of
accomplished Torah students would virtually be be assured and supporting grants
could encourage this development. Although negative biases at certain
educational institutions may prevent a fair balance of religious enlistment, it
would not take more than a few years before selection on the merits prevailed.
Israel’s Law
Schools
Developing channels of
cooperation between religious community leaders and Law Schools will provide a
foundation for parties to explore these ideas. Financial assistance in the form
of grants and other incentives for participation by underprivileged applicants,
over and above existing assistance programs from Law Schools can and should
also be considered. The Law Schools of
Israel are listed below;
In addition there are six schools of law at these Israeli colleges: Academic Center of Law & Business [1], Ramat Gan; College of Management [2], Rishon Lezion; Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) [3], Herzliya; Netanya Academic College [4], Netanya; Ono Academic College, [5], Kiryat Ono; Sha'arei Mishpat, [6], Hod HaSharon
Increasing religious
participation in the legal affairs of Israel is a sure way to bring productive
Torah principles to the nation. Concern about imbalanced secular influence has
led to an isolationist response by many Haredi communities. Such community wide
response can be progressively improved by their participation in the Israeli
judiciary with a view to producing laws that would reflect their interests.
Some communities are already participating in this manner and we are encouraged
to support them in their efforts toward these stated objectives.
Working with the Ministry of Justice
and the administrator for judicial appointments, including magistrates we
intend to promote a more balanced representation from the Haredi and religious
sector.
Bicameral
Government - Israel as Constitutional Monarchy
Israel’s government
and constitution are remnants of the British system of government prior to
1948. The unicameral Knesset and Basic Law of the country followed forms that
did not emanate from Jewish culture and therefore remain somewhat cumbersome,
not addressing national, traditional or religious constituents particularly
well. Further the 20% mostly Muslim block of Israeli Arabs are often
antithetical to sensitive national issues that favor the Jewish majority
because of an ambiguous constitutional construct.
Although not
immediately apparent, Israel’s unicameral system of government does not ideally
represent the demographic it represents. Voter turnout over the past 50 years
has progressively dropped from the 80th to the 60th percentile, but voter
turnout is not the primary issue. More than a third of Israeli Jews observe
traditional laws and another 25% consider themselves to be traditional
non-observing. Returning Israel to its more traditional model of judiciary and
government will be culturally compatible for its majority Jewish population.
Notwithstanding the spread of secularism in Israel, economic pragmatism will
continue to direct domestic politics toward this ideal.
Establishing legal and
cultural uniformity will certainly clarify the sovereign rights of Israelis,
but the objective of these unilaterally mandated propositions is to
significantly boost economic development for citizens. The legal and
citizenship rights consistent with a democratic institution to appoint a king
are not foreign to Jewish culture or those of the region and the benefits of a
constitutional sovereign, would ultimately accrue through pomp, ceremony and
constant global fascination that would boost tourism well beyond anticipated
levels.
A newly convened group has
been established to promote and educate the electorate, electoral assembly and
Town Rabbis to provide direction, insight and inspiration to ultimately move a
resolution on a referendum for a bicameral structure of government that would
draw its new members from the electoral framework specified in the The
Jewish Religious Services Law, 1971.
Tourism showcase
and economic incentive
The shortfall in
contribution to GDP through added revenue from tourism is now widely
acknowledged at various levels of government and is closely tied to unskilled
labor demand. Response to the shortage of hotel rooms is the acute focus of
government evidenced in development grants that offer 28% cash rebate for
approved developments. In addition very few municipal councils in Israel will
not grant relaxed zoning conditions for new hotel developments because these
offer significant contributions to the economy of any city. The economic
shortfall from Israel’s sub-optimal exploitation of global tourism demand
presents an opportunity to build and focus awareness on Israel’s most
significant national economic initiative. The government views the deep reforms
required to address the complexity of the issues, but has not actioned all of
the top down changes required to realize the benefits that would flow.
Realizing potential revenue and employment advantages from tourism requires
Israel attracting, accommodating and facilitating millions of additional
visitors to the country each year. Planning and developing infrastructure,
attracting capital and skills and training and educating workers needed to kick
start the momentum is a significant undertaking that requires attention from
the Prime Minister and the entire cabinet.
The Jerusalem 5800
team are a good example having assumed responsibility for planning a future
Jerusalem capable of expanding tourism by providing hospitality and
infrastructure for residents and visiting guests. These plans are now well
established, published and in circulation among the country’s most active
bureaucrats. Planning has occurred over much of the past 3 years and the
principle project team will soon complete its initial work. The work on
individual projects anticipated by the plan will soon commence and are expected
to span the next 25 years.
Jerusalem anchors
Israel’s ability to attract mass tourism, its unique qualities allow it to
compete in a world filled with malls, tall buildings and resorts. Inherently
its ‘holy city’ attractiveness guarantees it a significant place on the world
stage, but narrow vision, distractions and complacent attitudes are a constant
threat to the city realizing its full potential. To illustrate the magnitude of
the attitudinal shift required, we return to the idea at the opening of this
paper - sovereignty expressed through national religious representation.
In order to advance
Jerusalem and other major cities in Israel to their ultimate and most
beneficial conclusion, a new, but different phase of planning and development
for Israel leading to the year 5800 will be required. Anything less than a
cross-government, highly professional approach, the likes of administrators who
transform a city in preparation for the Olympic Games, would be a poor result.
This effort must be fully embraced by the highest office of the land, as such
the Prime Minister must have received a mandate for the idea’s covered in this
document from the electorate as the Knesset platform on which they are voted to
power.
Present Government
Representation
Appointment of Israel’s
Town Rabbis is governed by the Minister for Religious Affairs. Town Rabbis are elected
via the electoral domain of the Religious Council, city council, synagogues and
communities in accordance with The Jewish Religious Services Law, 1971.
They receive lifetime appointments.
The election of Israel’s
chief Rabbi takes place in accordance with Chief Rabbinate of Israel Law,
5740-1980* through a legal Electoral Assembly that forges an alliance of
150 people made up of elected Mayors and Rabbis of Israel’s largest city’s,
public figures, religious and regional councils and knesset members. In all 80
Rabbis and 70 members of the public make up the body required to make the
appointment.
The Electoral Assembly
representing the communities of Israel is constructed as follows;
● (1) 30 Town Rabbis from
the major towns;
● (2) 14 Town Rabbis from
the major local councils;
● (3) two regional rabbis
from the major regional councils; "regional rabbi" means a person
appointed with the approval of the Minister of Religious Affairs to be a rabbi
of a regional council;
● (4) eight rabbis from the
major moshavim (smallholders' settlements);
● (5) the most veteran
neighbourhood rabbi from each of the towns of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Haifa
and Beersheba, and in the case of neighbourhood rabbis with equal length of
service, the oldest of them; "neighbourhood rabbi" means a person
appointed by the Religious Council, with the approval of the Minister of
Religious Affairs, to be a neighbourhood rabbi;
● (6) the ten most veteran dayanim,
and in the case of dayanim with equal length of service, the oldest of
them;
● (7) the Chief Army
Chaplain and his deputy, and if he has no deputy, the army chaplain with the
highest military rank, and in the case of army chaplains of equal rank, the one
with the greatest length of service in the Army Chaplaincy;
● (8) ten rabbis appointed
by the Minister of Religious Affairs with the approval of the Government.
The representatives of
the public in the Electoral Assembly is;
● (1) the mayors of 25 major
towns;
● (2) the heads of six major
local councils;
● (3) the heads of four
major regional councils;
● (4) the heads of the
religious councils of 14 major towns;
● (5) the heads of the
religious councils of four major local councils;
● (6) two Ministers elected
by the Government;
● (7) five members of the
Knesset elected by it or by one of its' committees empowered by it for this
purpose;
● (8) ten members of the
public appointed by the Minister of Religious Affairs with the approval of the
Government.
The overwhelming
construction of this Electoral Assembly are religious representatives making up
98 of the 150 members.
Whilst this Electoral
Assembly is a temporary body assembled for the purpose of electing the chief
Ashkenazi and Sephardi Rabbis, its 80 Rabbinical members are empowered in
communities that extend deep into the heart of the Israeli electorate. These
Rabbis have within their collective power the ability to move the nation toward
electoral reform to enable Israel to finally address its constitutional
construct, legal authority and sovereignty. Any initiative directed to bring such
constitutional change would need to occur from the level of Town Rabbis who
would lobby for and obtain community support for such an initiative. The
hurdles to any change are high, to understand them let’s look at referenda in
Israel.
Referenda
The Basic Law of Israel does not provide for the holding of
referendums and the country has never held one. The holding of a referendum has
been proposed several times over the course of Israel's history, although none
of these proposals have ever succeeded. David Ben-Gurion proposed a referendum on the
introduction of a majoritarian electoral
system in 1958 to reduce the influence of the National Religious Party. Menachem Begin proposed the introduction of a legislative initiative, which
would have allowed 100,000 citizens to demand that a proposed law be submitted
to a referendum. The referendum was also briefly discussed in the 1970s, when a
plebiscite over the future of the West Bank was considered[16].
The enactment of
significant constitutional reform would require the Knesset to adopt a
nationwide referendum or at least a referendum of a Knesset supermajority, a
seemingly impossible undertaking at this time. However, analyzing the reasons
why events that promote such an adventure could be embraced by the country and
its elected representatives are beginning to become apparent.
The national disparity
that exists between religious and secular Jews also exists between Ashkenazim
and Sephardim; Haredim and Religious Zionists; new immigrants and old; hardline
Muslims, Christians and Jews; Bedouins and Druze; people under the Palestinian
Authority, Gazans and Israelis. In addition post military education ensures
Israel’s concentration of the highly skilled, while torah scholars and those
without any post school education are often left without skills. The principle
unifying prospect for such a diverse society will be that which provides the
most apparent economic benefit. This presents a unique opportunity in Israel
for constitutional reform centered on employment centric economic prospects
that are otherwise not obtainable. Although other sector opportunities may
contribute, tourism associated with Israel as the “Holy Land” stands out from
the crowd.
Putting it all
together
A promoter
organization has enlisted Town Rabbis and Electoral Assembly officials to form
a loose body that concentrates its lobby to organize its electoral framework to
serve Israel and its economic objectives. The promoter organization, operated
without fanfare, will direct its objective to promote its ideals and organize
its participants. Its objective is to document and approve a charter directed
toward establishing a bicameral parliamentary system, by referendum using
elected Rabbis to perform a national function beyond their present role as ‘Town’
Rabbis.
Promoting the expanded
mandate of the existing electoral framework, by which Town Rabbis are
appointed, as a means to elect a second house to the legislature of government
is a starting point that will no-doubt transform as the idea matures. Although
the development or even the marketing of such an objective is feasible, a
factor of financial budgeting, the higher motivation and inspiration to drive
toward the objective would make such an initiative far more compelling for many
of its participants. If the body of participants are motivated by the prospect
of expanded power and by a higher reason to obtain it, there may be sufficient
impetus to achieve the objective.
The multitudinous and
substantial issues to be addressed by any elected body responsible for
approving law in an upper house of a bicameral parliament would be daunting.
However, as the nation and the Jewish people’s authoritative religious body,
its higher purpose would also become the progressive amalgamation of religious
and secular law in order that Israel’s indigenous Jewish culture be expressed
and fully exploited to the benefit of all its people. Such an ambitious
undertaking can only ever be initialized by motivated participants who bring a
religious and secular sensibility and can foresee a future Israel which enables
its prophetic cultural realization and releases the economic benefits that flow
from it. Envisaging and developing a path forward is a function of education
and direction toward the objective, a matter of interpretation already well
prescribed in the Jewish exegesis.
The Law
The separate existence
of national and religious law establishes a basis for confusion and dismissal,
each rendering the other impotent at the secular and religious fringes of
Israel’s Jewish society. The equal application of law by Israel’s executive and
enforcement agencies is made more difficult by the existence of underlying
legal precepts that are culturally observed to a lesser or greater degree by
diverse groups in different parts of the country.
Israel’s unicameral
legislative structure cannot serve its cultural or religious disposition
because it does not permit an authoritative body of representatives qualified
in accordance with halachic principles
to prevail over it. As such it is conflicted by its inability to express Jewish
sovereignty over the land to which it claims an indigenous right on behalf of
its Jewish people. This proposition addresses the present shortcoming. A law to
enable a one time national referendum to introduce a bicameral structure would
also introduce to the national debate the constitutional representation in
Israel’s sovereign image.
The election of Town
Rabbis to the upper house of a bicameral parliament is presently influenced by
public opinion through the Electoral Assembly and Minister of Religious
Affairs. The future process would ensure
that selection criteria as modified in the course of drafting the referendum,
would satisfy the demands of both religious and secular communities in Israel.
The hope that Talmudic law and Israel’s state laws would converge as enabled in
a bicameral parliament would shift the paradigm. In such a scenario Knesset
Kattan (upper house) would be responsible for approving law, Knesset Gadol (the
existing lower house) responsible for drafting law and the executive branch
under the Prime Minister responsible for administering and executing law.
The Tourism Benefit
Toward a positive
referendum, momentum for economic growth can be characterized in terms
synergistic with the vision of Israel’s postexilic future. The present desire
of local and state government is for 10 million tourists to arrive in Israel
each year from the present 3.5 million. The presently stated requirement is an
additional 19000 hotel rooms to be constructed in Jerusalem in order to
accommodate 5 million tourist arrivals. Although enormous potential exists, the
complexity of the task requires a detailed knowledge, much of which can be
understood through the work of the Jerusalem 5800 team. Ultimately the limit to
tourism arrivals in Israel is unknown because the expression of sovereignty in
a bicameral government would also allow Israel to resolve its cultural and
religious prerogatives, which would significantly increase tourism demand and
boost the economy accordingly.
For every 1 million
new tourists GDP increases $1.8 billion and includes at least 20,000 direct
jobs and 60,000 indirect jobs in employment classes which span unskilled and
skilled labor sectors. The future benefit to people in Israel and Jerusalem as
a direct result of tourism is arguably more significant than any other single
industry sector. In addition to economic benefits, tourists leave Israel with a
realization of safety and security an orientation that counters the dangerous
image cast upon Israel every day in the global media. A bicameral government
that provides this stimulation and direction would finally re-establish Israel’s
most important cultural, religious and national icons and assets which would
add significantly to the nation's economic outlook.
Perhaps the promise of
a restored, authentic Jerusalem competing with annual pilgrimage to the Vatican
or Mecca, where history and exploitation of narrative entertain visitors who
can be touched in ways never before imagined, is sufficient to motivate Israel’s
secular and religious communities to recognize and realize their awaiting
benefit.
[7] (Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, Community Covenant
and Commitment - Selected letters and Communications (New York, 2005, Section
V, pp. 247-268, Quoted in Liechtenstein, p 998-997.)
[8] Section 2 of the Act.
[10] (by Mark B. Shapiro, "necessity of
providing rabbis who are scholars of Torah and science to serve in the State of
Israel," Milin Chbibin 7 p. 181-180)
[12] Jewish Religious Services
Regulations (town rabbi's elections), 2007 . For more see the legal appendix in
appendix A
[13] See Rule
5 (3) of
the Jewish Religious
Services Regulations (town
rabbi's elections), 2007. The regulations prescribe the places
which require a Rabbi,the qualifying conditions, and more details.For more see
the legal section of this document .
88 From the website of the Chief Rabbinate - Certification and Examinations Department.
88 From the website of the Chief Rabbinate - Certification and Examinations Department.
[14] And how did R.Abbahu display
humility? - The wife of R.Abbahu's Amora said to R.Abbahu's wife, 'my husband
has no need of [instruction from] your husband;and when he bends down and
straightens himself, he merely pays him respect. R. Abbahu 's wife went and reported this to
him,and he said to her,'Why worries about it? Through me and him the All-Highest is praised
'.(Sotah 40)
[15] Yedidia Z. Stern "Wealth
kept with its owner against him: the role of law and religious law in Israeli
society " Thoughts on Jewish democracy 561 (Benny Porat, editor, 2010}
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