Top Rabbi Criticizes Religious Zionism's Priorities, Citing Surrender of Jewish Identity to Haredim
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Rabbi David Stav, chairman of the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization, criticized Religious Zionism for prioritizing settlement in Judea and Samaria over religious institutions and Jewish identity, which he claims have been ceded to Haredi parties. He argued that both left and right governments have "abandoned" religious matters to the Haredim, a trend he believes the national-religious public also contributed to. Stav also dismissed political categorizations based on belief and condemned discriminatory laws, such as the "deserters law."
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Rabbi David Stav criticized Religious Zionism for ceding Jewish identity and religious institutions to Haredi parties.
- He stated that governments have "abandoned" religious matters to Haredi parties, calling it the "cheapest product" for leaders.
- Stav acknowledged settlement success in Judea and Samaria but noted it came at the cost of religious influence.
- He asserted that the national-religious public also bears responsibility for the current state of religious affairs.
- Rabbi Stav dismissed political labels like "believing camp" and "non-believing camp" as nonsensical.
- He condemned the "deserters law" as a violation of democratic principles.
Rabbi David Stav, chairman of the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization, has sharply criticized the priorities of Religious Zionism, arguing that its focus on settlement expansion in Judea and Samaria has come at the expense of national religious affairs and Jewish identity.
In an interview on the "Mabat Gadol" podcast, Rabbi Stav stated that successive Israeli governments, both left and right, have effectively handed over responsibility for religious matters to Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties. He described this as "selling the country's Judaism" and "abandoning it" to the Haredim, calling it the "cheapest product" for prime ministers. Stav acknowledged the significant achievement of settlement in Judea and Samaria but lamented that "almost all religious institutions in Israel are in Haredi hands," influencing the approach to Judaism in the state.
Rabbi Stav also placed responsibility on the national-religious public itself for this situation, stating, "We in the national-religious public have also abandoned these areas." He warned that divisions over Jewish identity could undermine social cohesion, asserting, "There is no value in holding Judea and Samaria if half of this country is not with you."
Furthermore, Stav criticized the use of terms like "believing camp" and "non-believing camp" to categorize political factions in Israel. He argued that political affiliation is not a measure of a person's faith or religious observance, calling such labels "nonsense." He pointed out that some leaders in the "believing camp" may not adhere strictly to religious law, while some in the "non-believing camp" are observant, emphasizing that "there is no such thing" as defining groups by belief or non-belief.
Finally, Rabbi Stav addressed the limits of majority rule in a democracy, citing the "deserters law" as an example. He condemned a law where "Haredi deserters are not sent to prison, but secular deserters are sent to prison," calling it a law that "contradicts the rules of democracy, no matter what majority you have for this matter."
