Q&A: The Haredim and Israeli Society
The Haredim and Israeli Society
Question
Good evening!
I would like to know what makes Israeli society a shared collective. Is it only the mere fact that we are, technically, a shared society (something like a condominium association), in which case the mutual claims and implications are of course on a lower level? Or perhaps a shared ethos and shared values, in which case the practical differences are much greater? Or perhaps there is a soul-level, quasi-biological bond (the soul of the Jewish people), in which case the claim is of course stronger?
Seemingly, these definitions would create different practical implications in explosive issues, such as the level of mutual solidarity, giving up values in the face of shared burden, etc.?
Thank you very much!
Answer
There are no criteria here. Rabbi Soloveitchik spoke about a covenant of fate and a covenant of destiny. There is of course no covenant of destiny, because different groups have different destinies before their eyes. But these days it is becoming ever clearer that there is a covenant of fate; that is, this is a group that decided to live together as a group despite the differences and the quarrels. Metaphysically, one can speak about the collective as an entity (the soul of the nation?), but I do not see any point in talking about practical implications.