Home › Forums › Eretz Yisroel › Debate via Email with Rabbi A. Kraus of Neturei Karta › Reply To: Debate via Email with Rabbi A. Kraus of Neturei Karta
Think about this. In every halachic issue, there are many details about the best way to do it, and then ways which although are not the best, are still acceptable. For example, Tzitzis should ideally have 8 strings which are a certain length (kdei aniva), and 5 sets of double knots, with certain number of coils in between.
However, if a string breaks, it is still kosher, because the opposite one is still long enough. However, if two break, then there is a problem that they may have come from the same strand. If some of the knots come out, there is a possibility it may still be kosher, etc. One need not argue with his friend about what to do in even a complex situation, because the laws are laid out clearly in ther Mishna Berura.
In this case of the 3 shevuos, we have people debating back and forth on how much authority the UN has, and how many people need to make aliya at the same time to violate, and what is halachically considered a conquest. The mere fact that there is no shulchan aruch to turn to on these laws means that they can’t be in effect at all. How can an area of halacha which is no less complex than tzitzis have no details spelled out anywhere in shulchan aruch to tell us what to do lchatchila, and what would still be acceptable if we can’t do it the ideal way.
Do you mean to tell us that this particular area of halacha is open to everybody on the street to voice his personal opinion? Ella mai, it is not a halacha at all, but a hashkafic matter that tells us to treat our host countries with menschlachkeit. The founders of the State went through diplomatic channels and did everything possible to get permission from all the relevant parties. There was no mass rebellion of Jews. All the wars were defensive and pikuach nefesh situations.
But that is really irrelevant, since the State exists now, and is flourishing bsiyata deshmaya in both ruchnius and gashmius. I have written many times before on YW in great detail all the brachos we have seen from the Medina. So the only choice is now whether to embrace the Medina with ahava and try to be mekarev the leaders to become more Torah observant, or to teach our children to hate the State and all it symbols like the flag, and the anthem and to have the children learn that they live with an illegitimate govt which should be ignored and trampled on as much as possible. Even though they maintain the essential services which are needed anywhere like electricity, water, police, fire stations, military, economic policy to encourage growth, etc. In addition, the govt is elected democratically, so everybody can change any detail they don’t like.
How are kids supposed to be baalei midos when they are taught hatred and no hakaras hatov? Tell me, you complain about the lack of proper behavior of the founding fathers of the Medina. Well other countries have it a lot worse. How about our good friend England with the nice King Henry the 8th whose hobby was chopping off the heads of his ex-wives. In those days did the Jews living there not say the tefila for the govt of England? Did that make the govt of England illegitimate? Many rulers came to power by gobbbling up whatever countries they could get their hands on. We have said the tefila for the greatest despots in history because we were always good citizens in accordance with the 3 oaths.
So why not use your own logic to behave with menshlachkeit towards the present Israeli govt which despite their supposedly numerous sins, is probably no worse than any other regime in history. Even the USA probably did not treat the native American Indians in a fair manner when it was founded, and may have taken their land in some cases. Yet the USA has done much good, and has now tried to compensate them for any past injustices.
The idea of teaching hatred goes against all the Jewish values which are darchei noam and ahavas habriyos and hakaras hatov. The wild behavior seen among many frum youth is a direct result of this miseducation. It is completely abnormal and sad to grow up without feeling pride in one’s country, one’s town, one’s school spirit, etc. Especially if the government is that of our brethren.