What'a a Jewish state?
Evelyn Gordon writes that Europe has a problem understanding what a Jewish state is.As a European diplomat once told me, Europeans are profoundly uncomfortable with the idea of a Jewish state, because to them it sounds like a “Christian state” –i.e., a religious state. And while most European countries were founded as Christian states (that’s why many still have a cross on their flags), modern-day Europeans generally have little use for religion: Just 21 percent say religion is “very important” to them, compared to 59 percent of Americans, and only 15 percent regularly attend religious services (44 percent for Americans).Well, maybe. But there are many aspects of life in this country that are clearly Jewish and not necessarily nationalistic (e.g. our holiday calender is almost entirely religious holidays, marriage is dominated by Jewish rabbis etc.).
True, Europe is fine with Arab and Muslim countries defining themselves as Islamic states, but this isn’t just hypocrisy. While Europeans won’t admit it, they do have a double standard: Non-Westerners can adhere to “primitive” beliefs and practices like religion, but Westerners are supposed to be secular like them. That’s precisely why Europeans are often uncomfortable with America’s overt religiosity. And if Israel wants to be considered a Western country (which it does), then in Europe’s view, it can’t be a “religious” state.
The problem is this view reflects a profound misunderstanding of what a “Jewish state” actually means. Judaism has never seen itself exclusively or even primarily as a religion; indeed, you won’t find the modern Hebrew word for “religion” anywhere in the first five books of the Bible. The Biblical terms for what we today call Jews are Am Yisrael – “the nation of Israel” – and Bnei Yisrael, “the children of Israel.” And that’s precisely the point: From a Jewish perspective, the Jews are first and foremost a nation.
Thus, the term “Jewish state” is in no way analogous to “Christian state.” Rather, it’s analogous to “French” or “Danish” or “German” state. Just as these are the respective homelands of the French, Danish and German peoples, a Jewish state is the homeland of the Jewish people.
Europe does indeed have a problem with religious westerners. But I don't believe it's a problem that we can resolve.
Labels: Europe, Israel is a Jewish state
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:34 PM
4 Comments:
Judaism is many things: a civilization, a nation, a religion and a culture. You can't reduce it to one facet.
As a country Israel embodies all of the above aspects of Judaism.
Christianity is about a religion - Judaism is much more than that and that is why Westerners can't comprehend why Israel isn't really a theocracy - Judaism has rabbis but the clergy stopped functioning when the Temple was destroyed over two thousand years ago.
Israel and Judaism defy simple and easy categorization.
Carl wrote; But I don't believe it's a problem that we can resolve. --- The only way you could resolve it is too be as brutal as the followers of islam. Then the Jews will be as feared as the muslims are and become a protected religion. All sarcasm aside, I have to agree with Carl.
Europe loves mozlems. Izlam is the most violent, murderous anti-semitic cult on the planet. Ergo...
Right: in addition we have to consider thata certain ( high ? low ? )percentage of Jews in Israel is not relgious at all
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