The untimely and tragic death of Lindsey Graham shook the American and Israeli public, as Graham was a loyal civil servant and a true friend of the State of Israel. His loss was mentioned in every news outlet in the country, and all recognized his death as a turning point from one of the last of a generation that grew up on the early heroics of Israel.
The day he died, the Channel 14 program The Patriots took this sentiment one step further when they stood and said kaddish, the prayer for the deceased. It was a respectful gesture, but it was religiously wrong and out of touch.
Kaddish is reserved for the passing of Jews, and this is only a recent example of the confusion we see today as it concerns the blurred lines of Judaism and religion. Every week, we see secular members of Knesset lighting Shabbat candles, praying, or reading the weekly portion.
Just this week, we saw the passing of Basic Law: Torah Study as an attempt to barricade the status of Torah-learners while putting them on a pedestal with our soldiers. The secular Likud Party was one of its major backers, and it was approved by the votes of the Religious Zionist Party as well.
Of course, there is nothing inherently wrong with taking on religious practice in a way that connects the practitioner with their religion. However, it seems that in many cases, public figures and others are picking and choosing religious practice or symbols as a way to define their Judaism.
More so, in the case of the Torah-study law, members of Knesset are ramming down a haredi (ultra-Orthodox) identity and Torah study as the main feature of Judaism, or, at least, which connects the rest of the country to Judaism. This completely disconnects large segments of the Israeli population who are not haredi, religious, or who study Torah regularly. These populations are no less Jewish or Israeli, yet they’re being cut off by laws that serve a narrow segment of the population.
Part of what leads to narrow views on religious connection and Judaism is a real lack of understanding of that which binds us all – a unique and united history and culture. Yes – part of that culture is religious and should be considered, but there is much more that goes into making a people.
Education and understanding
We must start putting real effort into educating our youth and even our leaders about the history of our people in the land, coming out of Egypt, creating business and trade, and exploring the history of the modern Zionist movement.
By exploring and celebrating our roots – not just from a religious perspective, but from a historical and cultural one – so many more Israelis will find that which connects them to their people and to their country.
Using religion as the benchmark for Judaism, especially when it’s used by those who are not even religious themselves, only serves to further distance Jews who hold different traditions from their people and country. At a time when antisemitism is on the rise and war is being waged, we should be striving not only to connect more Jews but also to create a sense of pride in our connection to Israel and the story that has built us into who we are today.
Religion, similar to volunteer work, is better kept private to preserve its authenticity. Religious adults generally make the decision to remain religious due to their personal beliefs.
Once made public and used as a selling point, it tends to lose its purpose and meaning. Anyone can easily claim to be keeping the laws of the Sabbath and the strict Jewish dietary laws, but to use them as a selling point is not only to undermine them but also to disregard their importance for personal use, contrary to their original purpose.
Parties and their members choosing to promote divisive laws under the broken umbrella of strengthening religion are doing the exact opposite while continuing to use those same values as a wedge between communities and sectors.
It is not a shield to hide behind, rather a tool that, used correctly and genuinely, along with strong cultural and historical education and connection, can be used to bridge the major gaps in Israeli society. A much-needed sentiment we can all benefit from.
Meira Lerner is a Zionist affairs and nonprofit leader based in Israel.
Akiva Spiegelman is a media and foreign affairs adviser.