Yekke, you are simply incorrect. In fact, Ben-Gurion said that our title deed to EY is the Tanach and sponsored a Tanach circle. While he many others were not personally observant they recognized that Israelihood (as opposed to a galut “Yiddishkeit”) requires a grounding in the Tanach and the Talmud and even made them part of the HS graduate exams (bagrut). As I previously posted, the Jewish character of the State has always been an integral part of the consensus (social contract). Even liberals try to co-opt Jewish concepts. For example, the anti-animal cruelty group is called Igud Tzaar Baalei Chaim and when the Knesset codified the obligations of bailees Shulamit Aloni (!) insisted that it be called “Chok Arba’ah Shomrim”. For that matter, Yossi Sarid (!) was instrumental in establishing the Hesder yeshiva in Kiryat Shemona. There is also a law against lashon hara and a law requiring one who can to proffer assistance called “Chok Al Taamod al Dam Re’eicha”. For that matter, Halacha is enshrined by a basic (quasi-constitutional) law and is frequently quoted by both observant and non-observant judges.
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