A similar question was a question posed in 19th century America between the North and the South. So divided was the country then, that the solution chosen by one side (the South) was to secede from the union and create their own country, the Confederate States of America.
The North would not hear of it, and that resulted in one of the bloodiest periods in American history – better known as the Civil War. We all know how that ended. Over 600,000 people were killed before the South conceded defeat. The union was maintained.
If one takes a look at what is going on in Israel right now, one might predict a similar outcome there. But I don’t think it will happen. There will be no bloodshed even though the differences among various segments are so stark. Because at the end of the day. we are all one nation. We are all the Jewish people chosen by God to be His treasured people – a ‘kingdom of priests and a holy nation’. Whose wisdom and piety will be the envy of all mankind.
That is our mission in life as the Torah tells us. But I don’t think we are there yet. Not even close.
The divisions between us are stark. And the Torah is not considered the guidepost by the majority of the Israeli people. The secular majority sees freedom as their guidepost. Religious Jews see the Torah that way. But even there the differences in how to execute our mission could not be more stark. For example Charedim see it properly executed by full time Torah study, Chasidim by cleaving to their Rebbe and following his Chasidic customs, and right wing Religious Zionists by settling the land.
So yes, we are a pretty fractious bunch. But as a people we are all one. I think that deep down we all know it. Or at least we should.
So what about all the angry protests fueled by those differences.? Will that break us as a people? Is the the threat of a mass exodus of brains, talent, and entrepreneurship I keep hearing about - real? My guess is that this is all at most an exaggeration. There may be some so disillusioned by the prospect of losing the cherished freedoms they have become accustomed to - that they will leave. But I do not believe that is a realistic fear for the majority. I would be willing to bet that the vast majority of those protesting so strongly now will not leave.
I wonder for example whether any of the expatriate American commentators that have been so agitated and disgusted by the right wing government - that they will actually move back to America. I'll bet you none of them will. That’s because they are all Israeli patriots. They may be dissatisfied with the direction the country is taking now. But they also realize that Israel is still a democracy whos political leadership can easily change in the next election - if the electorate so chooses. As the polls stand now, the center-left, it seems, will be the next ruling coalition.
In the meantime they will stay and continue to contribute. This is what patriots do. They do not cut and run the minute they see things not going their way. Israel will remain strong in spite of the dire predictions to the contrary.Those who leave now cannot by any definition be considered patriots. And those who by way of protest refuse to do army service cannot be called patriots either.
At the end of the day the Jewish people (Israelis) are one people We all share a culture, history, and tradition. And despite our strong differences what unites us is far greater than what divides us.