As the State of Israel approaches its seventy-seventh anniversary, it seems that the internal divide is reaching new heights. Some feel that their country has been 'stolen,' while others feel that the country's central authorities are persecuting them, disdaining their values, and hindering their progress.
When the state was established, it was clear that it was intended to serve as a common home for those with different visions of its character. Those who sought to establish a secular, liberal state, including those who even wanted to completely separate religion from state, and those who aspired to see a state run according to the traditional, eternal values of the Jewish people.
These believed that the "two-thousand-year-old hope" was "to be a free people in our land," 'free' also in the sense of renouncing the burden of Torah and commandments, and these believed with all their hearts that the "two-thousand-year-old hope" of the Jewish people was to see a Messiah and a Temple in Jerusalem.
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Breaking the 'status quo''
Because these two visions conflicted, the founders of the state were wise enough to agree on things that, while not satisfying each side to their full desires, would give them a sense that the state respected them and their values. Thus was born the famous "status quo" in matters of religion and state, which stipulated that state institutions would observe the Sabbath and kashrut, that Jewish registration, marriages, and divorces would be conducted according to Halacha, that yeshiva students would receive a deferral of military service, and more.
However, over the years, parts of the public lost recognition of the importance of the 'status quo' for preserving the unity of the people, and began to see only themselves, their aspirations, and their comfort. The agreements that had been built with great effort began to crumble.
More and more businesses opened on Sabbaths and Jewish holidays. The High Court of Justice forced the state to register Gentiles as Jews, and allowed the marriage and divorce laws to be bypassed. Those who exalt the 'rule of law' at their throats systematically ignored the violation of the law in all matters related to religion, and did not enforce it.
This trend has aroused very difficult feelings among believing Jews, who have repeatedly felt that their sacred values are being trampled upon, that their voices are not being heard, and that even achievements in the elections do not bring a change of direction in the country's trajectory, since other authorities have taken over the reins.
Message to politicians
This volcano, which has been building up over the years, has begun to erupt, and now a pendulum has swung in the other direction. It still doesn't have many real achievements, but its very existence creates a sense of threat to the rest of the public, especially those who fan and inflate it without regard to reality.
Perhaps it's time to understand that we all need to see the other public and those who have a different vision of the state. None of these publics will disappear, and the way to live in peace and harmony is mutual consideration and respect for others. Just as neighbors in a condominium know how to find the golden path between the tenants, and refrain from doing what each one wants, out of sensitivity to others.
Unfortunately, politicians are not looking for the golden path. They think that extremizing positions and exaggerating expressions will give them dividends in the "base." This is exactly where we all need to tell them the opposite – we want a state that respects Israel's heritage and serves as a warm home for all parts of the people.
