The growing interest in traditionalism is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of contemporary Judaism. What is traditional Judaism? Is it a lifeline of modern Jewish identity? Perhaps Israeli identity? How does it fit in with other experiences of Israeli life? All these questions have garnered great interest.
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Traditional Jews do not accept the definitions of "religious" and "secular" at face value. For them, these are way too limiting to describe their identity. In the past, evading definition was considered a conceptual problem. But from a contemporary perspective, it is clear that such terms were created in modern times. For centuries, the word "Jew" was enough to define, well, Jews, and no other term was ever heard of.
Traditional Jews do not write books on halahcha (Jewish law). What interests them is the attitude towards such laws. A Jew does not get an halachic package deal or unload a yoke but is constantly in the process of growth. It is not an either/or, but a continuous process of personal development. "This is what I keep today, tomorrow I will take on more."
A friend of mine told me about her great-grandfather, Rabbi Yehuda Fatiyah, who was one of the greatest Kabbalists of his time. A Jew came to him asking for advice for he had a hard time not smoking on Shabbat (just imagine how comfortable he must have felt with the rabbi to approach him with such a question). Fatiya's reply was, "Smoke less."
Dr. David Bitton explained that when Jews arrived in Casablanca and Morocco, some started to work on Shabbat. But they did not create an alternative rabbinate, or threaten and slander their rabbis, but got up to pray at the earliest minyan alongside their leaders.
Traditionalism is therefore crucial for a community, for the existence of a people with a common past and future. It is the understanding that all Jews are a family and the value of the individual. Not one individual consuming the other, but one that requires humility, compromise, love, and patience.
That is how at a time when polarization and politicization are tearing Judaism apart, publicity, conversion, marriage and the celebration of the individual appear not only in quarrels but also in the love of one's heritage, Jewish wisdom, learning, Shabbat, the land of Israel and taking responsibility for each other.
If so, why is traditionalism not made into an Israeli statehood then? If most Israelis are interested in Judaism, would it not be better to establish a single education system that helps maintain a favorable connection to the Jewish heritage?
These revolutionary ideas stem from tradition. Time has come to invite believers in the Jewish heritage to take part in the creation and formation of the Israeli Jewish heritage.
We have given way too much leeway to representatives that have not delivered. Traditionalism belongs to no one sector and it must be kept out of the hands of groups that try to limit it instead of letting it spread out of heeding Israeli concerns.
Those who chose to take part in shaping the Jewish heritage of our lives will discover a joyful space that includes poetry, wisdom, and most importantly, healing for the Israeli society.
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