Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site aecom.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!harpo!seismo!cmcl2!rocky2!cucard!aecom!teitz From: teitz@aecom.UUCP Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish Subject: Re: Yom Ha'atzmaut Message-ID: <647@aecom.UUCP> Date: Tue, 15-May-84 11:52:16 EDT Article-I.D.: aecom.647 Posted: Tue May 15 11:52:16 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 17-May-84 02:19:39 EDT References: <572@aecom.UUCP>, <1898@utcsstat.UUCP> Organization: Albert Einstein Coll. of Med., NY Lines: 52 In response to the comment on my article by Mr. Posner let me say a few things. Firstly, the Satmar Rav, whether you agree with what he said ( and i do not include myself among the agreers to his philosophy ), was a gadol batorah ( a sage, literally great in torah ), and is entitled to his own opinion. No one is forced to listen to it, but don't call it shtus ( foolishness ). I, too, get upset when I hear Satmar self-righteous pomposity. I only mentioned Satmar to show that there are people who think the State of Israel is not only not a miracle to be lauded, but an action to be ignored and ridiculed. Next, the gemara that you quoted from megilla, as I recall, and i might be wrong, says that moshiach will come when the Jews are either totally righteous or totally unrighteous (sinners). What this has to do with a political state I don't know. Also, if the state promotes irreligiousness ( or however you want to call non-observance ), what good is that state to the Jews ? For such a state we recite hallel ??? The fact that Ariel Sharon is not religious does not detract from his military achievments. A person who dies for the state, protecting other Jews, in my eyes, deserves greater recognition and reward ( in heaven ) than a scolar who sat and learned torah all his life, because the soldier made the supreme sacrifice for the protection and honor of the Jews and all they stand for. I say this whether or not the soldier was religious. In fact, those people who do not go to the army in Israel, are shirking a responsibility for which they will have to answer in the future. If a person sincerely wants to learn torah and dedicate his life to it, then I have no complaints. However, to use the study of torah as an excuse not to serve in the army is cowardly and only gives the non-religious more ammun- ition with which to attack the religious. A person's private convictions make no difference on the national scene. However, the national religious belief should be conducive to observance. If it indeed becomes conducive to religion, then I agree that hallel could be said. To look down at anyone who does not say hallel and call him a non-believer, however, is also wrong. Not saying hallel does not mean that one is not appreciative of the gift G-d gave us. It only means that in its present form, the gift is nothing to cheer about. We must work together to improve the government and make it more comfortable for everyone, regardless of personal belief. In closing, I have just one question. Where is it "written" that the religious leadership in our days has the right to decree when hallel should and should not be said. Now that s'micha ( ordination ) in its original form has been abolished ( it's already close to 2000 years since te last ordained rabbi [ ordination meant acceptance as a rabbi from a previously or- dained rabbi, going back to Moses ]), many laws that apply to the rabbinate can not be implemented. The Satmar approach only breed hatred. Let us not fall into their trap and stoop to their level. Hamitzapeh l'mashiach b'chol yom, ( he who awaits the Messiahs coming every day ) Eliyahu Teitz.