Q&A: Haredi Opposition to Zionism
Haredi Opposition to Zionism
Question
Does the opposition stem from the fact that it is a secular movement and they want to establish a religious state, or do they claim that in general it is simply a bad idea to establish a state because of one religious reason or another, and that it is preferable to remain in exile? (I’m talking about the Haredi movement originally; nowadays I think Zionism is already not such a dirty word for many Haredim.)
Answer
I don’t know, but it is clear that there are different reasons for different people and different groups. In general, in my opinion, there is a basic fear here of the surrounding world and of anything new. My impression is that even if the state were religious, they still would not take part in it (the excuse is the Three Oaths, but that is nonsense, of course). Haredim do not themselves do anything significant and do not take part in significant active moves in the world.
Discussion on Answer
See Ketubot 111a: an oath that they should not go up as a wall and should not rebel against the nations. Haredim see this as a source that forbids establishing a state, certainly by force of arms. This is nonsense, of course.
As I understand it, relying like this on aggadic literature is extremely weak. Do they perhaps have a more convincing source?
What does this discussion have to do with sources? It doesn’t begin with them and isn’t connected to them.
Indeed. By the same reasoning, anyone who does not live in the Land of Israel is practicing idolatry (see there, one page earlier). More power to you, truly. Personally, I would prefer violating the prohibition of breaking the oath to practicing idolatry. But as the Rabbi said, “What does this discussion have to do with sources? It doesn’t begin with them and isn’t connected to them.”
If there is a clear and tangible danger in the Land of Israel, it seems to me that one is permitted to leave the Land.
For example, in an initiative that brings destruction and lays the groundwork for annihilation.
There is no commandment to be destroyed.
It doesn’t suit Rabbi Michael Abraham to fall into such a generalization. Basing things on the oaths is unique to Satmar, whereas the rest of the Haredim oppose Zionism because of its essentially secular character—the idea of turning Judaism from a religion into a nation.
Personally, the attempt by the secular State of Israel to represent Judaism in the eyes of the world seems to me like a fraud, like the Reform movement. Just as the rabbinate falsely represents religion, so too the State of Israel falsely represents Judaism.
What are the Three Oaths?