Controversy DID AMERICAN ORTHODOX

Modern Orthodoxy and the Failure of Nerve? By Emanuel Feldman

here was Modern Orthodox behave with sensitivity and honor the National Council of Young Jewry in the United States toward the pioneers who originally set- and the RCA’s Israel Region unambigu- Wduring the recent withdraw- tled those parts of Eretz Yisrael if the ously denounced the withdrawal and its al/expulsion trauma in Israel? Here is a evacuation occurs—a fine sentiment, as implications. And here and there were group that always identified itself emo- far as it goes. But not a single word was heard strong anti-withdrawal statements tionally and ideologically with Religious spoken about the morality of uprooting from individual Orthodox and Zionism, was inspired by the pioneers fellow Jews from their homes and liveli- , and from several ad hoc who settled the Land and castigated groups. those who did not understand the devo- That American Modern Orthodox tion of the settlers to Eretz Yisrael. It is Jews chose not to get involved in a thus perplexing that when the chips debate about military strategy—will were down, the settlements threatened withdrawal enhance or dilute Israel’s with closing and their residents with security?—is understandable. What is forced expulsion, not only did this difficult to understand is their unwill- American Orthodox community not ingness to address the fundamental ide- growl angrily; it did not even offer a ology of Religious Zionism concerning protesting meow. the surrender of parts of the Holy Land The flag-bearers of Modern to their enemies. And it completely Orthodoxy and Religious Zionism—the defies understanding that there was offi- Rabbinical Council of America, repre- cial silence in the face of the impending senting one thousand Orthodox rabbis, human tragedy about to befall the very and the Orthodox Union, representing communities with whom they were hundreds of Orthodox synagogues— spiritual partners—a silence that was took no sides. In their separate pre- interpreted by Israeli authorities as withdrawal statements they offered boil- acquiescence. erplate clichés that urged Israel to A removes a sefer Torah from a shul in What is exquisitely ironic is that the settlement of Bedolach. Thirty-eight shuls the very organizations that were silent Rabbi Feldman, rabbi emeritus of ’s in Gush Katif were dismantled during the dis- about the obvious consequences of the engagement. Photo: www.sassontiram.com Congregation Beth Jacob, where he served for expulsions have now set up special thirty-nine years, was editor of Tradition for hoods, or about destroying communities funds to assist the Gaza refugees—who thirteen years. He is currently editor-in-chief of and schools and yeshivot and cemeteries. became refugees because of the very the Ariel English project, and his most The other national Orthodox organiza- forced expulsions about which these recent book is Biblical Questions, Spiritual organizations were silent. Journeys (New York, 2004). Rabbi Feldman tions followed suit and were similarly resides in . ambivalent, or remained silent. Only What happened? An unwillingness (continued on page 40) 38 JEWISH ACTION Winter 5766/2005 FORSAKE THEIR ISRAELI BROTHERS?

A Rejoinder By Yosef Blau

abbi Emanuel Feldman is angry skills, the Reform movement presently balanced by a feeling of being “at home” with the Religious Zionist/Mod- has the most representatives in the in America. The sentiment is that Israel Rern Orthodox community in American delegation to the World is a wonderful place to learn Torah, but America and with what he characterizes Zionist Congress.) America is a country where one can live as its “failure of nerve.” He finds it diffi- But whereas the majority of a fully observant life while maintaining cult to understand its “unwillingness to American Jews have little or no connec- a more comfortable lifestyle. Thus, address the fundamental ideology of tion to Israel, the exception is Ortho- while many young American Orthodox Religious Zionism concerning the sur- doxy, where commitment to Israel is Jews spend a year or two studying in render of parts of the Holy Land to [its] strong. Each year thousands of yeshivah Israel, they usually return to the United enemies.” It is clear to him that the dis- States to further their Jewish or secular engagement triggered a struggle for the education or both, get married and set- soul of Israel and an assault on the very Many American Religious Zionists main- tle permanently in the States. roots of Religious Zionism. The Religious Zionist/Modern Let me begin my response by tain that only those who actually live in Orthodox community is the only seg- placing it in the context of the relation- Israel and whose own futures are at ment of the Orthodox world that views ship of American Jewry to Israel. Studies stake have the right to determine the the emergence of the State of Israel as indicate that young American Jews have country’s policies. having profound religious significance. minimal interest in Israel. The tradition- Its perspective contrasts with that of al non-Orthodox Zionist youth move- many non-Orthodox Jews, who either ments have almost disappeared from the view Israel in purely secular terms or high school graduates attend yeshivah or American scene. The Reform move- who want to transform it into a carbon seminary in Israel. While the number of ment, which in its Pittsburgh Platform copy of the American model, with full those making from North of 1885 had been staunchly anti- recognition of Reform and Conservative America is relatively small, North Zionist, reversed its stance after a long rabbis. At the same time, the Religious American olim tend to be Orthodox. process of change. Now, while the Zionist/Modern Orthodox perspective movement is officially supportive of True, the Chareidi world rejects the differs from that of some segments of Israel, its membership is not that com- symbols of Israel; it does not display the the Right who accept the return to mitted to the State; for example, few Israeli flag and, at best, ignores Yom Israel but see no significance in having a Reform Jews have ever visited Israel. Ha’atzmaut. Nevertheless, Chareidim, state, and view the Israeli government as (Paradoxically, because of its larger for the most part, are very supportive of if it were no different than the membership and greater organizational Israel and of the settlements. Yet, despite the American American or Polish government. Rabbi Blau is mashgiach ruchani at Orthodox community’s commitment to What is the essential ideology of University and president of the Israel, for many, appreciation of Israel is Religious Zionism? There is a funda- Religious Zionists of America. (continued on page 41)

Winter 5766/2005 JEWISH ACTION 39 (continued from page 38) taken care of and were then taken from planned protests in New York City drew of Diaspora Jews to confront the demo- their homes with only their clothes on less than twenty thousand Jews. cratically elected government of Israel, their backs, and housed in cramped Historians will wonder how it even when its actions are of question- quarters in dormitories, hostels, kibbut- came about that in the year 2005, the zim and hotel rooms, Modern Orthodox/Religious Zionists in and who, several months after the expulsion, know not what the morrow Historians will wonder how it came about will bring. that in the year 2005, Religious Zionists in Granted, the situa- tion is complex, and one America blinked and then averted their eschews simplistic eyes when an existential threat to the very answers or condemna- core of their own Religious Zionism tions. However, the unmistakable impression loomed before them. is that in circumstances where courage and “Not a single word was spoken about the morality of destroying vision were required, America—the very people who reli- communities and schools.” Photo: www.sassontiram.com autopilot platitudes were giously pray each for the Jewish able morality? A fear of offending the all that were heard. State as the “first flowering of our American government, which was pres- One might have expected ambiva- Redemption,” and for whom this prayer suring Israel unmercifully? Was too lence from extreme right-wing is the litmus-test of Jewish loyalty, and much naive trust placed in official assur- Orthodox Jews, for whom any kind of who were ideological soul mates of the ances that those evicted from their Zionism is a dirty word, and who expelled refugees—blinked and then homes would be lovingly taken care of always distanced themselves from Israeli averted their eyes when an existential (assurances that have been buried under affairs. One might have expected this of threat to the very core of their own the rubble of business-as-usual bureau- Conservative and Reform Jewry, whose Religious Zionism loomed before them. cracy)? support of Israel in general is lukewarm It is not hyperbole to say that while the These might be acceptable consid- and who take their cues from the major- ideological earth was trembling beneath erations in normal times with normal ity culture which, following the their feet, and an earthquake sundering issues. But what was apparently not American media, was fully supportive of the ground on which they stood, they grasped was that before our very eyes a the withdrawal. And one was not sur- struggle for the soul of Israel was taking prised that the Presidents Conference, with its secular orientation and its ties to the American government, fully sup- The unmistakable impression is that in cir- ported the withdrawal. cumstances where courage and vision American Orthodoxy’s reactions were in stark contrast to the attitude of were required, autopilot platitudes were all the Orthodox in Israel across the that were heard. board—from knitted yarmulke to shtreimel—for whom the withdrawal and especially the expulsion touched a place, an assault on the very roots of raw nerve. To be sure, there were differ- A resident of Shirat Hayam tears his shirt— Religious Zionism, a moment which the ent motivations behind their strong the traditional sign of mourning—before being secular Left in Israel saw as a golden objections: The Chareidi Jews saw it as evacuated from his home in August 2005. opportunity to break the back of the further proof of the duplicity of secular Photo: www.sassontiram.com entire culture of yishuv Ha’aretz. (Israel’s Zionism, while the knitted yarmulkes, Haaretz newspaper during this period beyond their strategic objections, saw it were able only to offer pious sanctimo- was filled with classic anti-Religious as a betrayal of their goals of yishuv ny. Zionist—bordering on anti-Jewish— Ha’aretz. But they were as one in oppos- Inevitably what comes to mind— incitement.) Hovering above all this was ing the forced expulsions. A quarter one hopes prematurely—are the words the impending human disaster: the million Israelis of all stripes at the of T.S. Eliot, slightly altered: physical upheaval of nearly 10,000 Western Wall, and a quarter million This is the way the [Religious Zionist] Jewish pioneers—men, women and more in Tel Aviv, voiced their anguish world ends children who were told they would be quite clearly. By contrast, several Not with a bang but a whimper. JA 40 JEWISH ACTION Winter 5766/2005 (continued from page 39) that the “American Orthodox commu- this approach: mental distinction between Religious nity … did not even offer a protesting … It has always been the Orthodox Zionism in Israel and that in America. meow. The flag-bearers of Modern Union’s belief that any discussion of Israeli Since the early seventies, the dominant Orthodoxy and Religious Zionism … government policy or initiative from philosophy among Religious Zionists in took no sides.” Historically, American Jewish communities outside the country be Israel has been that of Rabbi Avraham Religious Zionists have always publicly handled sensitively and in a manner that Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, z”l, as inter- supported the Israeli government— does not weaken Israel’s position or stand- preted by his son, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda whether or not they agree with its poli- ing in the global community. Kook, z”l. The former’s thought encom- cies—both for pragmatic reasons and as Once one segment of American passes an absolute commitment to Eretz a matter of principle. Many American Jewry demonstrates against the Israeli Yisrael Hasheleimah, with a strong Religious Zionists maintain that only government, others would respond in Messianic component. To Rav Tzvi those who actually live in Israel and kind. Before we advocate American Jews Yehuda, the State’s religious value is whose own futures are at stake have the demonstrating against the Israeli gov- contingent on its being a vehicle to right to determine the country’s policies. ernment’s policies, consider which poli- reach this Messianic goal. Prior to the Furthermore, for the most part, cies most American Jews would like to Six-Day War, Religious Zionists in Israel American Religious Zionists believe that change. If American Jews were, in effect, were primarily political moder- to vote on Israeli policies, since ates concerned with promoting the large majority does not share issues such as in the our perspective, Orthodoxy in armed forces, public shemirat Israel would invariably suffer. Shabbat and social welfare in the Rabbi Feldman is disturbed broad society. They were part of that not a “single word was spo- every coalition led by the Labor ken about the morality of uproot- Party, differing with party mem- ing fellow Jews from their bers only on religious issues, and homes….” But not all American supported agreements with the Religious Zionists share Rabbi Arab states that included territo- Feldman’s certainties. Concern rial compromises. In the after- about the demographic reality, math of the Six-Day War, howev- moral qualms about ruling over er, the movement shifted to the more than a million impoverished right of the political spectrum Palestinians as well as the advan- and began focusing its energies tages of having a defined bound- on settling the Biblical lands - ary are all legitimate arguments tured by Israel during the war. for disengagement that Rabbi Religious Zionism/Modern Feldman does not acknowledge. Orthodoxy in America, on the Moreover, while American other hand, was influenced by Religious Zionists identify with Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, and admire the religious settlers, z”l, who saw the State as a source they did not endorse calls for reli- of security for Jews but not as a gious soldiers to ignore orders. harbinger of the Messianic age. Additionally, American Religious In his view, the Jewish people are Zionists found it strange that rab- more important than the Land. bis were offering guarantees that Territorial compromise is halachi- In the aftermath of the Six-Day War, the Religious Zionist God will not allow the disengage- cally acceptable if it promotes movement shifted to the right of the political spectrum and ment to happen. security. Furthermore, all security began focusing its energies on settling the Biblical lands cap- Rabbi Feldman also finds it decisions are to be determined by tured by Israel during the war. Photo: Ilan Bruner, courtesy of ironic that the very organizations the government of Israel. This the Israel Government Press Office that were silent about the expul- last point is one of the reasons sions are now assisting the Gaza the OU did not publicly protest the dis- it is critical that the American govern- refugees. But it is absurd to claim that engagement, although it did work ment view American Jewry as being only those who fully supported the behind the scenes to ensure that its con- loyal to the State of Israel. The state- refugees’ political cause have the right to cerns were articulated. ment of the OU, issued a few weeks assist them. There are no ideological cri- Rabbi Feldman is disturbed that prior to the disengagement, reiterates (continued on page 42)

Winter 5766/2005 JEWISH ACTION 41 (continued from page 41) of world Jewry. Jews who live in coun- tries with small Jewish communities teria for who is permitted to help a Jew depend on Israel for obtaining qualified in need. Ironically, in Israel, a complaint religious functionaries. Moreover, com- frequently heard—that is the exact mitment to Israel is an important part opposite of Rabbi Feldman’s—accuses of their Jewish identity. the non-religious supporters of the dis- Even in those countries with engagement of not providing enough strong Jewish communities such as the United States, Israel plays a role in strengthening religious commitment. As There is a struggle for the soul of Israel alluded to earlier, many American taking place. However, the struggle is not Orthodox youth solidify their religious primarily about land but about the commitment during their year or years of study in Israel. And even non- Jewish character of the State. Orthodox Jews rely on Israel for deep- ening their connection to . A recent study of the members of Young assistance to those forced to live in hotel Judea, a non-denominational Jewish rooms. One does not have to oppose youth group, found that those who had the government’s decision in order to attended a year-long program in Israel care about the pain and anguish of the were not only more supportive of Israel families who were uprooted. Moreover, but were also more observant, more those who guaranteed that there would inclined to send their children to day be no disengagement and told residents school and less likely to intermarry. to make no preparations for the future Perspective is needed. The future of bear much responsibility for the settlers’ world Jewry depends on broader issues present unfortunate plight. than whether or not Israel should have Rabbi Feldman contrasts the inac- retained Gaza. It depends, in large tion of the American Religious Zionists measure, on preserving Israel’s Jewish with what he describes as the united character. The split between Orthodox opposition of Orthodox Jewry in Israel, and non-Orthodox has been widened including Chareidim. This claim is spe- by starkly contrasting reactions to the cious. The Chareidi parties that joined disengagement. While it is natural after the coalition, thereby making the disen- a terrible disappointment to lash out gagement possible, more than balance against those who did not react with the the large number of Chareidim who par- same passion, unfortunately such a ticipated in the mass prayer rally at the response will only succeed in dividing Kotel. and weakening the Jewish people. JA Rabbi Feldman is correct: There is a struggle for the soul of Israel taking place. However, the struggle is not pri- marily about land but about the Jewish character of the State. Many secular Israelis define themselves as Israelis, not as Jews. They resent being restricted to religious marriage ceremonies and detest the limitations imposed upon them by the public observance of Shabbat and . Many of them associate religion with a political agenda that they reject and a rabbinate that they do not respect. It is important to note that the secularization of Israeli society does not only impact Jews in Israel, it impacts all

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