Secularism in Israel
Encyclopedia
Secularism in Israel shows how matters of religion and how matters of state are related within Israel. Secularism
is defined as an indifference to, rejection or exclusion of religion and religious consideration. In Israel
this applies to the entirely secular community that identifies with no religion and the secular community within the Jewish community which identifies with no particular division of the religion. When Israel was established as a new state in 1948, a new and different Jewish identity formed for the newly created Israeli population. This population was defined by the Israeli culture and Hebrew language, their experience with the Holocaust, and the need to band together against conflict with hostile neighbors in the Middle East. This is not an identity that Jews outside of the Israel can easily identify with.
, his idea was that Israel would be a secular state which would not be influenced at all by religion. When David Ben-Gurion
founded the state of Israel he put religious leaders at the head of the government next to secular Jews in the government. Many westernized Israelis feel constrained by the strict religious sanctions imposed on them. Many businesses close on Shabbat
, including EL AL, Israel’s leading airline, many forms of public transportation, and restaurants.
. This also applies when and if a couple would like to divorce, they must seek out rabbinical council. Since many secular Israelis find this absurd they often go abroad to be married, often in Cyprus
. Marriages officiated abroad are recognized as official marriages in Israel.
Also, all food at army bases and in cafeterias of government buildings has to be Kosher even though the majority of Israelis do not follow these dietary laws.
. The Israeli National Anthem also brings a few references of religion. “As long as the Jewish spirit is yearning” and “the two-thousand-year-old hope” are both lines in the anthem HaTikvah- “The Hope”.
, the port city, for example, is a direct example of a secular city. Tel Aviv is the type of city that Theodor Herzl had envisioned for Israel when the country was first established. It is very cosmopolitian with modern hotels, boutiques, coffee shops, and loud music on Friday night. Non-Jews and secular Jews alike feel very comfortable in this city because of the lack of religious bearing. Tel Aviv is a modern city similar to a costal city in the United States like Miami. Tel Aviv is even considered one of the top party cities in the world. It would be typical to find bars and night clubs open until dawn, even during Shabbat.
(army), they celebrate Jewish holidays (differently from the Orthodox), and speak Hebrew. This part of the population is the largest making up 45% of the Jewish population. Secular Jews are largely supporters of the Israeli Labor Party and a Secular Zionist state. Many secular Israelis identify with being Jewish however the religion is only one aspect of their identity. However, even many secular Jews practice certain aspects of the religion, such as having a Passover Seder
or fasting during Yom Kippur
. It would not be uncommon to see a secular family to light Shabbat candles, say the blessings over food and wine, have a Shabbat dinner together and then for the parents to get into their car and drive their children to the movies. Traditional Jews make up 35% of the Jewish population in Israel. This is the second largest group. By identifying as traditional in general it means they are observant but not in a particularly strict way. They fully support the Zionist state. Traditional Jews make up most of the Likud
political party.
. Unlike the Ultra Orthodox, they believe that secular Zionist nationalism and Judaism can successfully work and life together in Israel. Politically they align with National Religious Party
, the Morasha Party and by the two state-appointed Chief Rabbis. Orthodox Jews are often seen wearing knitted yarmulkes. The Ultra Orthodox (Hariedi) are the smallest part of the population, representing only 5% of Jews living in Israel. The Hariedi tend to live in their own communities and live according to Jewish law by following moral and dress codes passed down from ancestors. This part of the population are often seen wearing black hats or yarmulkes and some Hasidic sects are related to Hasidic sects in the United States.
. When a state becomes part of the United Nations, the state adopts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
. In the Declaration there are many instances that reflect a country’s need for religious freedom. The Preamble of the Declaration states that it is “a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.” In the Declaration both articles 2 and 18 reference freedom of religion. In article 2 it states that everyone is entitled to all the rights without any distinction such as religion. Article 18 states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and has the right to show their religion in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
and many parts of Europe and had previously identified as Jewish even though they did not have a Jewish mother. This part of the population accounts for around 320,000 people who serve in the Israeli Defense Forces and celebrate Jewish holidays.
There is also a Christian
population. Many of whom live with Jewish communities. Rather than have their own education and medical institutions they have integrated into state institutions. The Christian population in Israel is the only Christian population in the Middle East that has grown in the last half century. Christians choose to live in Israel because they have freedom of speech and the freedom to practice religion.
The population of Muslim
’s living in Israel is expected to increase by 66% by 2030 making the Muslim population 23.2% of the population of Israel. However, Israel is the only country in the region where Muslims are a minority. The Muslim population in Israel lives mostly in the northern part of the country. The population of the Muslim community has the highest population growth of any community in Israel.
Many Arab
’s enjoy living in Israel because of the freedoms they have. In a survey taken, 77% of Arab Israelis would live in no country in the Middle East other than Israel. They are free under the law to vote, practice religion, be members of the Israeli parliament and can use the same Israeli education system as the rest of the country. Many Arabs are a part of the Israeli government and politics. Almost one 10th of the parliament are Arab and there is a mosque
in the parliament building (Knesset
) for those who are Muslim. A supreme court justice and a minister of the Israeli cabinet are also Arab Muslims.
Secularism
Secularism is the principle of separation between government institutions and the persons mandated to represent the State from religious institutions and religious dignitaries...
is defined as an indifference to, rejection or exclusion of religion and religious consideration. In Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
this applies to the entirely secular community that identifies with no religion and the secular community within the Jewish community which identifies with no particular division of the religion. When Israel was established as a new state in 1948, a new and different Jewish identity formed for the newly created Israeli population. This population was defined by the Israeli culture and Hebrew language, their experience with the Holocaust, and the need to band together against conflict with hostile neighbors in the Middle East. This is not an identity that Jews outside of the Israel can easily identify with.
History
Since 1922 many official documents originating in the land of Israel gave rise to religious freedom and secularism. In 1922 the Palestinian Mandate prohibited discrimination based on religious affiliation. In 1948, at the establishment of the state of Israel, the Declaration of Independence again protects freedom of religion. The Declaration of Establishment of the State of Israel was approved by members of the Jewish community of Palestine and the Zionist movement. The documents first section sheds light on the relationship between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. It reads “the Land of Israel,[ Palestine] was the birthplace of the Jewish people. Here their spiritual, religious and political identity was shaped.” The history of the Jews establishing the State of Israel is long. The right of the Jewish people to the land was recognized in the Balfour Declaration of 1917. The United Nations General Assembly passed the resolution that called for a Jewish state to be established in Eretz-Israel on November 29, 1947.Separation of Religion and State
When the idea of political Zionism was introduced by Theodor HerzlTheodor Herzl
Theodor Herzl , born Benjamin Ze’ev Herzl was an Ashkenazi Jew Austro-Hungarian journalist and the father of modern political Zionism and in effect the State of Israel.-Early life:...
, his idea was that Israel would be a secular state which would not be influenced at all by religion. When David Ben-Gurion
David Ben-Gurion
' was the first Prime Minister of Israel.Ben-Gurion's passion for Zionism, which began early in life, led him to become a major Zionist leader and Executive Head of the World Zionist Organization in 1946...
founded the state of Israel he put religious leaders at the head of the government next to secular Jews in the government. Many westernized Israelis feel constrained by the strict religious sanctions imposed on them. Many businesses close on Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
, including EL AL, Israel’s leading airline, many forms of public transportation, and restaurants.
Policies controlled by Religious Leaders
In order to be formally married in Israel, a couple has to be married by a RabbiRabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
. This also applies when and if a couple would like to divorce, they must seek out rabbinical council. Since many secular Israelis find this absurd they often go abroad to be married, often in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. Marriages officiated abroad are recognized as official marriages in Israel.
Also, all food at army bases and in cafeterias of government buildings has to be Kosher even though the majority of Israelis do not follow these dietary laws.
Religious Influences in Politics
Many religious symbols have found their way into Israeli national symbols. For example, the flag of the country is similar to a tallit, or prayer shawl, with its blue stripes. The national coat of arms, also displays the menorahMenorah
The menorah is described in the Bible as the seven-branched ancient lampstand made of gold and used in the portable sanctuary set up by Moses in the wilderness and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. Fresh olive oil of the purest quality was burned daily to light its lamps...
. The Israeli National Anthem also brings a few references of religion. “As long as the Jewish spirit is yearning” and “the two-thousand-year-old hope” are both lines in the anthem HaTikvah- “The Hope”.
Location
In Israel certain cities and regions are known for their more secular or religious qualities. Tel AvivTel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, the port city, for example, is a direct example of a secular city. Tel Aviv is the type of city that Theodor Herzl had envisioned for Israel when the country was first established. It is very cosmopolitian with modern hotels, boutiques, coffee shops, and loud music on Friday night. Non-Jews and secular Jews alike feel very comfortable in this city because of the lack of religious bearing. Tel Aviv is a modern city similar to a costal city in the United States like Miami. Tel Aviv is even considered one of the top party cities in the world. It would be typical to find bars and night clubs open until dawn, even during Shabbat.
Differences in the Jewish population
With the Jewish population of Israel, Jews can be divided into four groups. The two largest groups, the non-observant or secular Jews and the “traditional Jews” make up 80% of the population, with the remaining 20% being made up of the orthodox and ultra-orthodox population. In a broader sense, two groups can be derived: The Secular and the Orthodox. In Israel there are rarely distinctions made such as Conservative and Reform Judaism, although this is a popular practice in much of the diaspora.Secular and Traditional
Secular Jews in Israel identify as being Jewish because they serve in the Israel Defense ForcesIsrael Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
(army), they celebrate Jewish holidays (differently from the Orthodox), and speak Hebrew. This part of the population is the largest making up 45% of the Jewish population. Secular Jews are largely supporters of the Israeli Labor Party and a Secular Zionist state. Many secular Israelis identify with being Jewish however the religion is only one aspect of their identity. However, even many secular Jews practice certain aspects of the religion, such as having a Passover Seder
Passover Seder
The Passover Seder is a Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. It is conducted on the evenings of the 14th day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, and on the 15th by traditionally observant Jews living outside Israel. This corresponds to late March or April in...
or fasting during Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur , also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue...
. It would not be uncommon to see a secular family to light Shabbat candles, say the blessings over food and wine, have a Shabbat dinner together and then for the parents to get into their car and drive their children to the movies. Traditional Jews make up 35% of the Jewish population in Israel. This is the second largest group. By identifying as traditional in general it means they are observant but not in a particularly strict way. They fully support the Zionist state. Traditional Jews make up most of the Likud
Likud
Likud is the major center-right political party in Israel. It was founded in 1973 by Menachem Begin in an alliance with several right-wing and liberal parties. Likud's victory in the 1977 elections was a major turning point in the country's political history, marking the first time the left had...
political party.
Orthodox
15% of the Jewish population identifies as Orthodox or “dati.” This is an incredibly observant faction of the religion and regularly attend synagogueSynagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
. Unlike the Ultra Orthodox, they believe that secular Zionist nationalism and Judaism can successfully work and life together in Israel. Politically they align with National Religious Party
National Religious Party
The National Religious Party ) was a political party in Israel representing the religious Zionist movement. Formed in 1956, at the time of its dissolution in 2008, it was the second oldest surviving party in the country after Agudat Yisrael, and was part of every government coalition until 1992...
, the Morasha Party and by the two state-appointed Chief Rabbis. Orthodox Jews are often seen wearing knitted yarmulkes. The Ultra Orthodox (Hariedi) are the smallest part of the population, representing only 5% of Jews living in Israel. The Hariedi tend to live in their own communities and live according to Jewish law by following moral and dress codes passed down from ancestors. This part of the population are often seen wearing black hats or yarmulkes and some Hasidic sects are related to Hasidic sects in the United States.
Membership of the United Nations
In 1949 Israel became part of the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. When a state becomes part of the United Nations, the state adopts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly . The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled...
. In the Declaration there are many instances that reflect a country’s need for religious freedom. The Preamble of the Declaration states that it is “a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.” In the Declaration both articles 2 and 18 reference freedom of religion. In article 2 it states that everyone is entitled to all the rights without any distinction such as religion. Article 18 states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and has the right to show their religion in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Non-Jews In Israel
In Israel to be considered Jewish you have to have a Jewish mother. This excludes a large portion of the immigrant population that moved to Israel from the former Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and many parts of Europe and had previously identified as Jewish even though they did not have a Jewish mother. This part of the population accounts for around 320,000 people who serve in the Israeli Defense Forces and celebrate Jewish holidays.
There is also a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
population. Many of whom live with Jewish communities. Rather than have their own education and medical institutions they have integrated into state institutions. The Christian population in Israel is the only Christian population in the Middle East that has grown in the last half century. Christians choose to live in Israel because they have freedom of speech and the freedom to practice religion.
The population of Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
’s living in Israel is expected to increase by 66% by 2030 making the Muslim population 23.2% of the population of Israel. However, Israel is the only country in the region where Muslims are a minority. The Muslim population in Israel lives mostly in the northern part of the country. The population of the Muslim community has the highest population growth of any community in Israel.
Many Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
’s enjoy living in Israel because of the freedoms they have. In a survey taken, 77% of Arab Israelis would live in no country in the Middle East other than Israel. They are free under the law to vote, practice religion, be members of the Israeli parliament and can use the same Israeli education system as the rest of the country. Many Arabs are a part of the Israeli government and politics. Almost one 10th of the parliament are Arab and there is a mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
in the parliament building (Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
) for those who are Muslim. A supreme court justice and a minister of the Israeli cabinet are also Arab Muslims.