Programmed Haredi Opposition vs. GDP Contribution

The programmed attack, by so many Israelis, on Hareidim (the religious who wear black), those who dedicate their early life to Torah study and often continue into institutionalized Yeshiva life, is relentless. Their basis for attack is largely unwarranted except for the compounding fact that institutionalized Haredim default to extend Torah study and through it justify their avoiding compulsory service in Israel's defense force (IDF). These people are supported by their Rabbinical heads, much to the ire of Israel's secular and other religious communities. 

The Haredi Torah enterprise is an extremely successful machine, funded and financed by massive flows of foreign and domestic private sector philanthropy and government funding. Among those who exit institutionalized Torah study, some become independently wealthy and continue to finance and support the institutions and their people.

I have tried to aggregate the total of all private sector philanthropy dedicated to Haredi communities, but the government does not openly promote this statistic. In my estimate it warrants inclusion in the annual economic reporting of domestic GDP because it would certainly be a significant private sector contribution, likely to exceed $1 billion annually. Unreported GDP of this magnitude underlies ignorance among the wider community of Israelis.

What motivates the private sector to support such an enterprise is complex, but Haredim present the most successful model for Jewish continuity of any other Jewish segment, worldwide, by far and that may be the ultimate reason. 

Further, Haredi enlistment into the IDF is very low and the problem exacerbated by institutionalized sectors of  Haredi community who are typically older than 21, and who continue married life, centered around the Yeshiva, without ever pursuing regular forms of employment. Arab sectors of Israeli society who also have very low enlistment rates also drain taxpayer funding through educational institutions of Israel. The problem is not limited to Haredim, yet they remain the target of attack.

Efforts are underway to improve Haredi enlistment, but its high time the Haredi leaders and Israel's government fight for improved transparency so the nation can become more aware of their important economic contribution to the country.

5784

The days between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur are known as the days of repentance, more accurately characterized as returning to God. Psalm 130 is added to the daily prayer ritual. The last two lines emphasize two words with a single 'redemptive' context, derived from the Bible, written with letters in the form Peh-Dalet, פ-ד, the numerical equivalent of 84. 

יַחֵ֥ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֶל־יְה֫וָה כִּֽי־עִם־יְהוָ֥ה הַחֶ֑סֶד וְהַרְבֵּ֖ה עִמּ֣וֹ פְדֽוּת׃ 

O Israel, wait for the LORD; for with the LORD is steadfast love and great power to redeem (פְדֽוּת). 

וְ֭הוּא יִפְדֶּ֣ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מִ֝כֹּ֗ל עֲוֺנֹתָֽיו׃ 

It is He who will redeem (יִפְדֶּ֣ה) Israel from all their iniquities. 

One of Israel's most ancient traditions, the פדיון הבן "Pidyon HaBen" ceremony shares the Peh-Dalet, פ-ד word root. On the 30th day after the birth of a boy, if born naturally from the first of the mothers womb, he is redeemed, for 5 silver coins, by the father, from the High Priest of the temple. 

I read (1) that the emotion of love is most acutely defined by feelings invoked by truth. Feelings that can be unique, but the moment of a truth is axiomatic in the attribute of chessed (הַסֶד) love, kindness or inclusiveness. Here, the truth of a first born son is sobered by a realization that he is a gift, not just another biological outcome. With that truth the gift must be returned to God, redeemed through the agency of the father and High Priest. In much the same way Abraham ultimately recognized his son Isaac was entirely God's gift, at that moment he was compelled to offer 37 year old Isaac at Akeida. Isaac obliged, sharing the honest interpretation of truth, by his father, returning him to God. What transpired is forever associated with Rosh HaShana.

Three reasons are expounded as to why God created the world; 1) Torah, 2) The Jewish People, 3) First Fruits (known as Bikkurim). Here, first fruits seem out of place, but the ritual truth, found in the redemption of a first born son, is also found by the conscientious farmer who ties a ribbon on the first buds of his fruit trees to consecrate the first fruits and to return them to the High Priest in the temple on their maturing. 

Paradoxically, eating the meal of the Pidyon HaBen ceremony is said to be equivalent to 84 fasts. Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (The Ari) expounded that 84 fasts was required to redeem oneself from the sin of terminating intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Indeed this sin, by Judah's first born son Er, invoked his Heavenly judgement to die. Thus, was birthed the Peh-Dalet, פ-ד redemption for his widower Tamar to birth the Messianic ascendency of King David. 

One hundred years before Rosh Hashana, of this Hebrew year 5784, on the 11th of September 1923 a riot over unemployment in Dresden, Germany led to police shooting six workers. This impetus lifted Adolf Hitler to notoriety. By the end of September 1923, at a Nazi party meeting in Munich he persuaded the party to entrust him as their leader. Now, 100 years later in Israel, Jews are politically, religiously and soulfully divided, albeit stronger than ever. This is Israel's moment, as difficult as it is for some, a realization that from the distrust arises a truth that our nations redeemer will be greater than all of us.

(1) Writings of Rabbi Aaron Chaim HaLevi Zimmerman, Torah & Rationalism, by Michael Landy

The Israel vs Palestine Debate

If you ever found yourself in the hotly contested debate about occupation in Israel, you probably had to make a fight or flight decision to jump in, raise your blood pressure and argue your point or get out with your emotions in check. The subject seems to attract people who are motivated for many different reasons, none of which make this thorny subject any easier to navigate. For the purpose of this article lets just assume you are going to stay and argue. Therefore, given the diverse supercharged field, I highly suggest you do your homework and always take the offensive, you're going to need it.

In September 1970 Jordan's King declared a state of military rule to thwart an attempt to overthrow him. Following the brutal deaths and expulsion of thousands of Jordanian Fatah revolutionary fighters, the Black September organization was formed. In 1972 Black September raised their international awareness when they killed two and kidnapped nine members of the Israeli Olympic team in Munich. Under the banner of Fatah the, 10 year old, Palestinian Liberation Organization cooperated with Black September operatives and turned their attention toward domestic Israel.

By the early eighties there were few walls, barriers or fences between Jews, Arabs and Christians living in Israel. Until the Oslo Accords in 1993, life was a 'box of chocolates'. Kids would cross roads, streams and wide, open fields riding their bikes through each others neighborhoods. Adult's would shop in each others villages or markets and communities would happily coexist. Then, in the positioning and lead up to Oslo, the official business got underway and in everyone's way!

Oslo Accords

I'd like to reflect on this history, but there seems little point because the positions and vested interests of debaters, on either side, are mostly intransigent. Instead I'm going to focus and equip you with the tool that can direct the argument at the 'box of chocolates' in an attempt to restore elements of that once prosperous condition.

In 2021, Israel's per capita GDP  was $52,000 vs $3700 for those living under Palestinian Authority (PA) control. The vast gap will never be narrowed by the PA because Israel's natural gas supply, to its domestic market, has significantly improved its economic efficiency. Gas, defense and dominant technology exports ensure its future economic performance will expand the gap at a faster rate. The charts below illustrate the acceleration of Israel's vs. PA per capita GDP over the past decade. 

Israeli Government per capita GDP $52,000

Palestinian Authority per capita GDP $3700

What does this all mean? People living under the PA are severely disadvantaged. The gap is inexcusable! By comparison landlocked Swaziland's 2021 per capita GDP was $3900. But belligerent, authoritarian political policies of PA leaders dissuade Israel from helping to restore the peoples advantage. Fearing electoral reprisal from Fatah's rival Hamas (Gaza), the PA have not held elections for 16 years. Corruption and organized crime have become rife as the leadership struggle continues in the streets. With the impending death of PA leader Mahmoud Abbas, change may usher in new hope that prosperity can be restored, but the chances are slim. 

Israel is the primary enabler of these authoritarian leaders who rule over people trapped by PA corruption, fear and the raw struggle for gang power. Israel must fill the void by formulating and offering the more prosperous alternative, one that will free people under the PA and weaken the grip of Fatah. Israel's direction and objective must support autonomous, elected city councils, provide umbrella economic oversight, policy coordination, administrative agreement, security coordination, infrastructure support, alien privilege, residency and ultimately full Israeli citizenship, for those who qualify and want it. In process and during progress toward these objectives, the walls and separation fences must come down. 

Prosperity for residents under the PA is their superior and primarily, desired objective. This sentiment will not be shared by terrorists and criminals who instill fear through which they silence opposition to command unchallenged media attention. However, Israel's surprise, genuine offer to integrate residents under the PA will no doubt throw the underworld into disarray. This is the right offer, and argument, because prosperity of all people is the only universal argument, after all everyone wants a 'box of chocolates'. 

And, if you're wondering how Israel will deal with such a proposition, I suggest you read this... 

 

 

 

   

A Judicial Reform Rethink.

Jerusalem

Tel Aviv

75 years is but a fleeting moment for indigenous Israel. The complex nation was formally established more than 3300 years ago and its rituals emanate from ancestors a thousand years before that. Following the Holocaust, over the past 75 years, the instinct for survival inspired some communities to adopt extreme practices like religious isolation or secular assimilation. These emotive responses will dissipate to shape a future that is more true to its origin. Trust between those living at the extremes must be restored in order that the democratically elected representatives obtain the confidence of their electorates to govern authoritatively.

Israel is being besieged by an impassioned people intent on determining their destiny. The political crisis of 2018-2022 felled 5 successive coalition governments each time their ill-fated legislative bills exposed a lack of confidence. Finally the 2022/23 Netanyahu government obtained a sufficient majority to confidently pass legislation. The crisis marked a demographic tipping point, a shift to a more religious, conservative constituency that finally produced the robust majority. It also reflects on Israel's more liberal, less religious constituents who face very uncertain futures.

Hopeless liberals must reconsider their approach and support political personalities that adopt new strategies to win their favor, including from religious liberals. Many liberal bastions in foreign countries have been forced to make similar transitions to the center. However, in Israel the new strength of religious constituents is a dimension that has caused liberal leaders, who are less religious, to panic. How will they win votes from the liberal leaning, less religious constituents to marginalize conservative thinking, orthodox traditionalists? 

Israel is wonderful and miraculous, even the less religious would admit to it. Transforming the nation into a cohesive peace-time unit where people can retain strong, independent views and efficiently function side-by-side is the goal of any democratic society. How Israel will make this transformation could be its' biggest miracle of all!

Israel inherited the abandoned British government framework, it was flawed and immature compared to major democracies. Indigenous to Israel is a long forgotten framework that, more than ever, its' liberal constituents will be inspired to acknowledge and adopt to restore hope and resolve their present political impasse. The State comprises a majority traditional and religious people, but separation of 'Church' and State conflicts with its legislated, religious, orthodox implementation of Biblical-Rabbinic law that exposes societal division. American Reform and Liberal (or US Conservative) Jewish communities have also joined the political struggle for a less-religious Israeli state. 

Presently the Electoral College for Rabbinical representations of each Israeli city is an indigenously inspired institution that was bolted on after the formation of the State of Israel. Inherent in its mix of liberal (minded) and conservative Rabbis, of communities, is their potential and desire to earn more authority, from both political sides of the Jewish constituency. Such a representative achievement, through a single religious institution, would enable these representative Rabbis to gain community-wide authority such that adoption or modification of ancient Talmudic interpretations in Jewish and national law may better unite Jewish society in Israel. 

A modern, national extra-judicial body may be favored to represent societal views, establish customs and interpret or approve new laws that bring its indigenous nation up to date and keep it there. Liberal minded politicians and communities will be inspired and find it necessary to embrace indigenous Israel to advance this authority into the political realm. Through liberal leaning religious leadership they would reach new constituents and obtain political clarity that aligns with Israel's ancient system for a common identity. 

With support of liberal and conservative constituents, Mayors of Israel's cities, the Electoral College for City Rabbis and Religious Minster will become motivated and directed to advance these new representatives into the framework for government, perhaps the equivalent of a senate or upper house. 

Historically a similar authority was vested in a Sanhedrin, but for a political body to achieve the extra-judicial authority of Sanhedrin it would require respect and regard of Jews worldwide. The most religious, Hareidim prefer the status quo, rarely do Hareidi Rabbis compete for electoral representation to Israel’s city’s. However, they do participate in general elections and hold numerous powerful seats in the government. Once the institution of City Rabbis progresses from its present benign character to a more substantive arm of government, no doubt the Hareidim will compete for proportional representation. 

If I leaned left and less religious I would embrace the struggle to liberalize orthodoxy, if I leaned right and more religious I would struggle for religious authority. The Electoral College for City Rabbis is the best venue to politically define a modern, balanced religious authority that would be acceptable to world Jewry, through which religious and secular laws of Israel can ultimately converge so that the Sovereignty of Jewish Israel can be guaranteed and all people represented and governed under one body of law for all.

Can Liberal Rabbi's Return Israel's Left?

American Rabbi's that have impacted Israel

Israel is being besieged by an impassioned people intent on determining their destiny. The political crisis of 2018-2022 felled 5 successive coalition governments each time their ill-fated legislative bills exposed a lack of confidence. Finally the 2022/23 Netanyahu government obtained a sufficient majority to confidently pass legislation. From the void, their latest slew of politically and legislatively inspired judicial reforms have triggered a massive uproar from the opposition. 

The 2018-2022 crisis was the demographic tipping point of Israel's shift to a more religious, conservative constituency that finally produced a robust majority. On the other hand it reflects a dire future for Israel's less religious, liberal constituents, particularly the powerful, more radical, liberal political opponents who face very uncertain futures.

Hopeless liberals, including those from the center must reconsider their approach and support political personalities that adopt new strategies to win their favor, including from religious liberals. Many liberal bastions in foreign countries have been forced to make similar transitions to the center. However, in Israel the new rise of religious constituents is a dimension that has caused liberal leaders, who are generally less religious, to panic. How will they win votes from the liberal leaning, less religious constituents to marginalize conservatives, orthodox traditionalists? 

Israel is wonderful and miraculous place, even the less religious would admit to it. Transforming the nation into a single unit where people can retain strong, independent views and efficiently function side-by-side is the goal of any democratic society. How Israel will make this transformation could be its' biggest miracle of all!

Israel is a State comprising a majority traditional and religious people. It inherited an abandoned, British designed, government framework that is flawed and relatively immature compared to major democracies. Indigenous to Israel is a long forgotten framework that, more than ever, its' liberal constituents will adopt to resolve their present political impasse and restore hope. Separation of Church and State conflicts with Israel’s legislated, orthodox implementation of Biblical-Rabbinic laws and exposes societal division. American Reform and Liberal (or US Conservative) Jewish communities have also joined the struggle for a less-religious Israeli state. 

The Electoral College for Rabbinical representations of each Israeli city is an indigenously inspired institution that was bolted on after the formation of the State of Israel. Inherent in its mix of liberal (minded) and conservative Rabbis, of state-wide communities, is their potential and desire to earn and obtain more authority, from both political sides of Jewish constituencies. Such a representative achievement, through a single body, will enable these Rabbis to gain sufficient authority to modify ancient Talmudic interpretations of Biblical laws that many blame for dividing rather than uniting Jewish society in Israel. 

Judaism's ancient path points to a judicial body that represents societal views, establishes customs and interprets or passes new laws that bring its indigenous nation up to date and keep it there. Politicians and communities will find it necessary to embrace indigenous Israel from within and to modernize and advance this legal authority. Liberal leaning religious leaders will reach new constituents and obtain political clarity that aligns Israel's ancient system for a common identity. 

With support of liberal and conservative constituents, the Electoral College for City Rabbis will be motivated and directed to advance their representatives into the framework for government, perhaps as the equivalent of a senate or upper house. Historically a similar authority was vested in a Sanhedrin, but for a political body to achieve the judicial authority of Sanhedrin it would require respect and regard of Jews worldwide. The most religious, Hareidim prefer the status quo, rarely do Hareidi Rabbis compete for electoral representation to Israel’s city’s. However, they do participate in general elections and hold numerous powerful seats in the government. Once the institution of City Rabbis progresses from its present benign character to a more substantive arm of government, no doubt the Hareidim will compete for proportional representation. 

If I leaned left and less religious I would embrace the struggle to liberalize orthodoxy, if I leaned right and more religious I would struggle for religious authority. The Electoral College for City Rabbis, as modified to include women Rabbis is the best venue to politically define a balanced religious authority. World Jewry would embrace the concept, through which religious and secular laws of Israel will ultimately converge so that the Sovereign Jewish Israel can be governed under one body of law for all.