There's a great article in Yediot on the demands being brought to the Israeli Defense Minister and IDF Chief of Staff: Progressive (Reform) and Masorti (Conservative) Jews want a Reform or Conservative military rabbi.
To any American, it would seem like a bizarre and even unnecessary request. But, for Israelis who do not enjoy the same Amendment rights when it comes to synagogue and State, the request for pluralistic religious representation is big news that could have a major impact on both the Israeli and the Jewish diaspora's way of viewing and living Jewish life.
Currently the rabbinic services within the IDF are strictly Orthodox. This means that non-Orthodox Jewish soldiers are required to observe an Orthodox way of life including traditions that limit women's prayer on base and denying the families of fallen soldiers the ability to hold non-Orthodox funeral services. The argument being put forth by the Progressive and Conservative movements is that "Every soldier who dedicates his time, and sometimes risks his life for the State, is entitled to religious services in accordance to his faith."
In some ways, the argument could be seen as a slippery-slope. While Muslims are not required to join the IDF, there are a few dozen volunteers who join the ranks every year. Opening the door to non-Orthodox religious representation could pave the way for Muslim soldiers to call for an Imam in the ranks. Given the gross politicization of Islam in the Middle East, and the bureaucratic undertaking the IDF would have to conquer in appointing an Islamic cleric to their staff, more than one headache could ensue. Still, should the risks outweight the worth of religious freedom?
Should the change take place, it would send a variety of equally important messages to Israel and the Jewish world, as well as to Israel's critics. Firstly, the acceptance of religious pluralism within the ranks of the IDF would testify to Israel's reputation as the strongest democracy in the Middle East. Secondly, this action of religious pluralism would send a much-needed message to Jews the world-over: We all worship the same God and read the same Torah; we can have unity despite our different religious points of view. Thirdly, the introduction of Jewish religious pluralism within the ranks of the IDF would sound the death-knell for the stranglehold the Orthodox Rabbinate has over the otherwise secular Israeli government. This is, perhaps, the most politically threatening aspect of the request--and the strongest reason why it should be honored.
To reach its full potential, Judaism needs to be de-politicized from the Right in Israel as much as the Left in America. Judaism is, first and foremost, a faith of morals and values that simultaenously informs and transcends political outlook. When religion itself (any religion, for that matter) crosses the line into the political sphere, human beings feel free to justify their political beliefs and actions in the name of God; division ensues when unity should be the goal. There's a reason the only leader who ever brought us truly together sang, "Oh how good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity."
Americans pay special attention to religious freedom for a variety of reasons, all of which boil down to the simple fact that developing a relationship with God and expressing that relationship publicly is a personal choice. For too long, the Jewish world has been pushed in a variety of directions and made to worry whether we are too Jewish or not Jewish enough. As the national representative of Jews across the globe, Israel has taken the brunt of this burden. For all the directions in which Israelis (the majority of whom are in the midst of some level of military service) are being pushed, they should feel the freedom to walk in the direction of faith, and reassured with the knowledge that they will be received with open arms.
No comments:
Post a Comment