When the State of Israel was established, the declaration resonated throughout the world: "We hereby proclaim the establishment of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel." Seventy-five years have passed, and a foreign visitor might get the impression that the state is already completely 'Jewish', and now we must fight for democracy...
Every observant Jew will smile bitterly at this description, but there are certainly many who feel this way, even though it is as far from reality as the East is from the West. It is the result of relentless propaganda, which paints an imaginary picture of a growing religious takeover, to the point where even intelligent people follow it in captivity.
Facts, not propaganda
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The clearest example of this is the "Leave Leaven Law," which has received enormous outrage, and even provoked the scattering of leaven in medical centers in the midst of Passover. In the eyes of many in the public, this law is an example of increasing religious predation and the trampling of the non-observant public.
And what is the truth? Well, throughout the years of the state, it was customary to cleanse medical centers of leaven in advance of Passover, to allow observant Jews to stay there during the holiday. In some centers, guests were asked to refrain from bringing in leaven during Passover, and everything went smoothly.
Until five years ago, a number of anti-religious groups filed a petition with the High Court of Justice, demanding that medical centers be allowed to introduce chametz on Passover. The High Court ruled, by a majority of two judges to one, that medical centers are not permitted to prohibit the introduction of chametz without being authorized to do so by law. In other words: the High Court rolled the matter over to the Knesset.
The Knesset responded to the challenge and enacted an amendment to the law, granting medical centers this authority. This amendment was also drafted in extremely minimalist language, and it merely grants the director of each medical center the authority to establish regulations regarding the prohibition of bringing chametz into its premises. The amendment does not even allow for the actual prevention of bringing chametz, but only to inform visitors of the regulations. And that's all!
But who cares about the facts when you can make an organized 'aliyah' as if there is religious predation here and the country is being turned into a Halacha state. And so the politicians and the media pumped out slogans that agitated the public and caused ugly provocations.
Facing the danger of assimilation
This is exactly the story of all the turmoil that has been going on recently. Instead of sitting together, like the attempt that is now being made at the President's residence, hearing what is troubling and painful to the other side, and reaching agreements – elements entered the picture who decided to ride this horse and set the entire country on fire.
No, democracy is not in danger. It is alive and kicking. Even if the power of the court is reduced slightly, the country will still be democratic in every sense. What should really be worried about is the Jewish side of the country. What is happening to Jewish values? To what extent is Jewish identity embedded in the hearts of the youth? Does he know basic Jewish concepts? To what extent is a young generation growing up here that is capable of resisting the temptations of assimilation?
In all these aspects, there has been a serious setback over the years, and this is the great challenge facing us – to establish and strengthen the Jewish state!
