Since the 19th century, religious Zionists have hoped that, in Rabbi David Stav’s words, “the miraculous rebirth of a Jewish nation in our own homeland would serve as a remedy” to denominational and other internecine divisions among the Jewish people. Alas, the state of Israel seems to produce constant social and political tension between the Orthodox and the secular. Stav argues that most inimical to a revival of traditional Judaism in the Land of Israel are attempts to use the power of the state to enforce religious norms:
Particularly in the modern Jewish world, and all the more so among the younger generations, there is a growing [perception of religious coercion], and as a result, rather than find the beauty in Jewish tradition, [the secular] find it easier to turn away.
Just as I am writing these words, I am afforded a painful example. A fellow rabbi called to inform me that, following the announcement that he would be coming to a local kindergarten to blow the shofar in advance of Rosh Hashanah, one of the parents called the teacher to say he didn’t want his child exposed to that. As a result, dozens of children would be deprived of the chance to connect to this central symbol of our tradition—and I am wholly confident it is because of that fear of coercion that has become so commonplace in our society.
Removing coercion from religion is not a simple step, but on a basic level it will require those religious authorities, particularly here in Israel, to adopt a far more modest and compassionate approach. This need not mean ever abandoning halakhah, because halakhah must always be the standard-bearer for how we act as Jews, but it means being open to the sensitivities and emotions of people who think and act differently.
[Moreover, we must] remind our students and children that the Torah is not intended to be a constricting set of laws, but is at its very essence a code of morality that can bring happiness and meaning to every aspect of our lives. Young men and women are unable to find the beauty in their faith and identities as Jews because they often only hear about the restrictions that come with Jewish practice.
More about: Freedom of Religion, Judaism, Judaism in Israel