Several months ago, an IJN editorial prompted discussion on how religious a state Israel should be. We all know it’s a “Jewish” state, but what does that actually mean? The crux of the problem is that the word Jewish encompasses so many defintions, including racial, religious, cultural, national, it becomes that much more difficult to define.
The issues comes to a head when, for example, a supermarket, such as Shefa Shuk back in August, decides to open for business on Shabbat. Israel’s hardei community finds this profane, while others believe that it is an individual’s and not a society’s choice whether or not to guard the Sabbath.
Now it’s happening again, this time over the opening of a parking lot. Last Saturday saw violent protests from ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem, and according to latest reports, Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat has caved in and agreed to close the Safra Square lot.
While one admires the devotion of the protesters to their cause, you have to wonder, How Jewish is violent protest? Is it a Jewish value to physically harm your own – throwing rocks, bottles and soiled diapers at policeman, as JTA reported.
What happened to the Jewish belief of “ben Adam l’Chavero” – between man and man – which places interpersonal relationships at the core of practicing Judaism.
And if that’s too intangible, let’s speak to these protesters in their own language. Does not engaging in such activity violate the primary dictum of Sabbath, “On the seventh day thou shall rest?”
Shabbat is a beautiful, spiritual entity. Sadly that beauty is befouled by what took place last Saturday in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighborhood. Not only did the protesters desecrate their own Sabbath, but they sullied the very concept. And instead of being a “light unto nations,” they’ve put an ugly face on Judaism’s most central ritual.
