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| Chasidic singer, Motty Steinmetz (VIN) |
I had recently posted my views about some of the demands being made by the religious parties in Israel in exchange for joining the new governing coalition. To briefly restate my views... as an observant Jew I would in theory support a government that followed Halacha. But I am absolutely opposed to ‘shoving religion down people’s throats’ by changing the status quo balance between secular interests and religious interests.
That would in very short order chase secular Israelis away from any potential observance. Probably forever! The status quo arrangement between religious and secular interests has been in play since the earliest days of the state. Not for the lack of each side trying to tip that balance their way. But for the most part things have stayed pretty much the same. I did, however, suggest that some of the things the religious parties have asked for could be implemented without altering a single thing about the way religious or secular Israelis lead their lives.
Which brings me to an article in JNS by Ruthie Blum. Therein she defends the religious parties - and was quite hyperbolic about it. Suggesting that they have been accused of things they are not guilty of. Is that true? Well, yes and no. Read on. The following is what Ms. Blum said:
The shrill accusations from the virtue-signaling crowd about how Israel is on the verge of becoming a Tehran-like theocracy would be funny if they weren’t so false. And the effect that the panic-sowing on the part of home-grown progressives has been having on liberals abroad is not the least bit amusing.
I have to disagree with her. Ms. Blum says the religious parties are reasonably requesting that publicly sponsored events should require separate seating for men and women.
But this request is not based on Halacha. It is a Chumra that Charedim feel is necessary in order to prevent possible immodest situations.
I understand why they are asking for this. But forcing the entire country - secular and religious alike - to abide by their standards oversteps their bounds. It is in fact a perfect example of shoving religion down everybody’s throats! If my wife and I would choose to attend a publicly sponsored event, I would be pretty upset if I was forced to sit separately from her because of a Chumra instituted by Charedim.
If it is a Charedi sponsored event, that would be a different story. A concert designed by - and intended for the Charedi community would be an example of that. They should have the right to set that up any way they choose. (As long as they provide equal seating for both sexes. If on the other hand women are consigned only to the ‘nosebleed’ seats and men get to sit in the front row, that would be discriminatory and I would oppose it.) But when the government sponsors an event of any kind Charedim have no right to insist on their standards of modesty. Ms. Blum seems to feel otherwise..
She is however right about the following:
The purpose of the (request to legalize separate seating) is to prevent a repeat of a ridiculous 2019 court-ordered cancellation of a sold-out concert by renowned Chassidic singer Motty Steinmetz at the Afula Municipal Park.
The ruling was spurred by a “Women’s Lobby” petition challenging the separate seating that had been arranged ahead of the much-anticipated musical happening. That this was at the behest of a mainly haredi audience made no difference to its detractors. Ditto for the many other similar anti-Orthodox appeals over the years.
That court ruling is a perfect example of the secular world imposing their standards on Charedim.
It make me sick when either side claims moral superiority over the other in situations where it doesn’t exist.
This is where the lost art of common sense comes in. I am a firm believer in maintaining the abovementioned status quo arrangement between secular and religious Israelis. Any attempt to move the needle in either direction is a prescription for civil war - if Israelis aren’t already in one. And that is one war that Israel may not survive.