Religious Balance in the State of Israel

This is a part of an ongoing discussion that the ARZA-KESHER Fellows have been having. Heavy stuff! I'm so glad to have dumped it out of my head and onto "paper." I've been mulling over it for quite a while... and I still am...
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Before you even attempt to discuss what role religion has in the State of Israel, I belive that you have to recognize that the entire discussion depends on how you define Judaism / Jews / Jewish / the Jewish people...

Avram Infeld if famous for his passionate statement "Judaism is NOT a religion. It is a PEOPLE WITH a RELIGION." I think this is a good starting point. But we need to go one step further. I believe strongly that the most basic definition we can arrive at is that there is this identifiable group of people (Jews) that in addition to the cultures and customs of its peoplehood, happens to have a religion (Judaism) that was instrumental in solidifying its peoplehood-ness {is that a word?!}. It's this instrumentality that must be recognized and is vital to this dicussion.

Yes, we were a nation before we had a religion injected into our people... but it was that religion which solidified our peoplehood-ness and has allowed us to remain intact for so many millenia. To remove the religion from the people would be a disaster. In short... You can take the people out of the religion, but you can't take the religion out of the people. (This is a topic for another discussion... not enough room here to delve into it)

With this in mind, I believe that Israel, as a Jewish state, MUST have a certain aspect of religiosity in it. Yes, Israel should be able to rule on who is considered a Jew... but they must do it CAREFULLY. I know this is a somewhat contentious statement. First, let me say what I believe would happen if Israel didn't have a say in this matter.

If Israel promulagetd a cultural notion of Judaism, it would be very easy for anyone to claim "Hey! My version of Judaism is equally legit" Even in the Reform movment, we strongly denounce Messianic Judaism, Jews for Jesus, and Secular Humanism. I believe that these expressions of Judaism are misguided and do not have a place in Israel. I know that this is similar to the argument that the ultra-orthodox use against the Reform Movement, however I believe that there's a big difference between the two. Even the Reform Movement draws lines somwwhere... a cultural notion of Judaism in Israel would blur or alltogether erase these lines.

Secondly... If Israel were to espouse a cultural notion of Judaism, it would make it very easy for anti-Zionists and those with anti-Israel sentiments to argue against the legitimacy of a Jewish state. Without the biblical claim to Eretz Yisrael, it becomes very easy to say "Ok, the Jews are a people... but why do they have to have the land of Israel?" or "You know what, without a religion... the Jews really aren't a people." Reform Zionism, as a form of religious Zionism, is grounded in some understanding that theology has an influence on our Zionism. (What exactly that theology is... man, I have had some serious debates on that. I think that's another topic for discussion)

So how does the State maintain some aspect of religiosity, without being discriminatory? It's a very delicate balance. To be truly democratic, Israel must recognize the three (four?) major movements in modern Jewry and invite them to the table in determining what the religious policy of the State should be. NOW... I'm not naive. I know that the reality of such a discussion taking place is slim to none - thanks in great part to the fracturing divisiveness of the ultra-orthodox. But I do believe that if Israel is to remain democratic, while acknowledging the necessity of some dose of religion, such a discussion is painfully necessary.

Perhaps there should be both a political knesset and a religious knesset. A religious knesset wouldn't have unwavering powers, but it would at least provide a forum for discussion and a system of checks and balances in religious matters.

Furthermore... if a Jew in Israel chooses to be secular... so be it. As long as they're not espousing beliefs antithetical to Judaism (i.e. messianic Judaism, Jews for Jesus, etc.) that decision is theirs to make. I may not disagree with the choice, but it's not my choice to make. If the state should recognize the major worldwide Jewish movements (which it must), then it also needs to recognize that the vast majority of its Jewish constituents are secular. It needs to stop disenfranchizing these Jews and find a way for them to feel comfortably Jewish within the Jewish state. Non-religious Jewish weddings must therefore be permitted (as long as it's two Jews getting married... if it isn't, then it should be a secular wedding).

Should "chiloni" be considered a legitimate movement in Israel? That's a tough question. Should "apathetic" be considered a legitimate political party in Canada or the U.S.? I know it's an option on facebook, but... No, I don't think being secular should be considered a legitimate movement. By that, I mean that while those who choose to be secular shouldn't be disenfranchised of rights, it doesn't necessarily mean that they automatically get official recognition as a religious movement. I think it's similiar to trying to create a non-political political party. It's anachronistic. Yes, the chiloni are an identifiable group of people within Judaism, but are they a religious group of people? Choosing to be secular is a religious choice, but does making that choice automatically entitle you to the status of a religious movement. My inclination is to say no, but I'm not entierely sure yet.

Wow. I know that was a lot. And I know that some of what I said is potentially controversial and provocative. And that's good. Please challenge me on these things, and if I've been unclear in anything, it's only because I didn't want to add even more to my posting. If I've been unclear, please ask me to elaborate on what I've said.

I feel better now dumping that all out of my brain. I've been mulling over this for a while. And I think I've found the topic for a master's thesis

Balance... it's all about balance.