-Caveat Lector-
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=112278&disp
layTypeCd=1&sideCd=1&contrassID=2
w w w . h a a r e t z d a i l y . c o m
Background / A new religious-secular battle comes to the fore
In a sure sign of a lull in Israeli-Palestinian bloodletting,
fighting across the religious-secular divide flared Monday, spurred
by a bill to redefine the great chimera of Israeli politics: the
legal "status quo" surrounding the Jewish Sabbath.
Traditionally, infighting over such sensitive religious issues as
"Who is a Jew?" and Sabbath traffic and commerce laws, has been
stilled during times of military strife, often resurfacing the moment
that war, terrorism or uprisings are quieted down.
This week was no exception.
Aiming to forge a broad consensus over one of the nation's most
contentious issues, senior lawmakers from five key parties - the
Likud, Labor, Shas, the National Religious and Center factions -
joined forces to mold a new law they believed could quell long-
smoldering debates over public regulations governing the Sabbath.
The bill would forbid a wide range of commercial and manufacturing
activities during the Sabbath. At the same time, the proposed law
would turn a blind eye to the operation of establishments providing
entertainment - including restaurants, bars, cafes, theaters and
cinemas - and would allow privately operated public transportation.
In fact, comments Ha'aretz correspondent Dalia Shehori, the bill does not spell out
the liberalizing elements of the law, rather they are implied in what it does not
prohibit.
"Our entire goal was to reach a form of agreement over what was permissible and what
was forbidden," said a co-sponsor of the bill, Nahum Langental of the National
Religious Party. "Every law is worded with a negative mea
ning. It says what it prohibits ... If only that is what it prohibits, that alone is
what is forbidden. The range of other things � to my sorrow, as an observant man, I
must say � apparently will be permitted on the Sabba
th."
Langental suggested that in return for a ban on selling and production of goods -
strictly forbidden by Jewish tradition on the Sabbath - some religious politicians
would be willing to bend on what avowedly non-religious
figures have extolled in recent years as "secular culture": live theater, film,
nightlife and other leisure activities.
"We banned commerce, but we are remaining silent on other matters, because we
understand that this is a part of secular culture, of how they want to experience it
on the Sabbath, and this will be permissible for them," La
ngental said.
Instead of healing wounds, however, the new bill seemed only to open old ones.
"It is most bizarre to see the weakness of thought which has attacked the secular
parties, which have suddenly decided to grant a hechsher [rabbinical certificate of
approval] to religious coercion," said leftist oppositi
on leader Yossi Sarid of the secular Meretz party, a portion of whose constituency are
kibbutz members whose economic livelihood is based in part on kibbutz-owned shopping
centers which flourish on the Sabbath.
The language of the bill does not specifically rule out operation of kibbutz-owned
stores, but Sarid said that would be the effect of the legislation. "Most of the
Israeli population requires these shopping centers to buy
the goods their families need, and I see no reason to keep hundreds of thousands of
families from living the lives they prefer," he said.
But religious Israelis countered that Sarid's contention reflected precisely why such
a new law was needed. They said that the "culture" of driving on Sabbath to make
purchases - acts proscribed by Jewish law - was also c
ontributing to an American-style materialism that threatened to undermine traditional
values in Israel.
For a wary Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, the jury was still out on the new bill. Lau
strongly backed the prohibitions on commerce and manufacturing, but had clear
reservations over easing limitations on leisure activities.
Alluding to kibbutzim and other settlements that have built shopping malls on land
intended for agriculture, Lau said the current reality was an impossible one, with lax
enforcement effectively permitting violations of bo
th Jewish and Israeli law that led to businesses being open on the Sabbath. "Instead
of this soil being used for making the wasteland bloom, it has been turned into stores
to sell shoes and toys on the Holy Sabbath," he s
aid.
"Today the situation is one almost of cancellation of the Sabbath, and if there is an
element of reducing the damage of Sabbath desecration," then there is definitely
something to talk about, said Lau, who added: "No one
could expect a rabbi to come out and say 'I can allow, or close my eye, to Sabbath
desecration."
Lau warned of a risk that if the message of the importance of the Sabbath is not
adequately put across to the public, "then it will be very difficult to enforce a law
like this without increasing the hatred between us. I
would rather the Sabbath be a bridgehead, and not just one more addition to the abyss
that divides us."
By Bradley Burston, Ha'aretz Correspondent
/hasen/objects/pages/PrintArticleEn.jhtml?itemNo=112278
close window
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forwarded as information only; no endorsement to be presumed
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material
is distributed without charge or profit to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information
for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking
new landscapes but in having new eyes. -Marcel Proust
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe
simply because it has been handed down for many generations. Do not
believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do
not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not
believe in anything merely on the authority of Teachers, elders or wise men.
Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it
agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all.
Then accept it and live up to it."
The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutta
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
A merely fallen enemy may rise again, but the reconciled
one is truly vanquished. -Johann Christoph Schiller,
German Writer (1759-1805)
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that
prevents us from living freely and nobly. -Bertrand Russell
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Everyone has the right...to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media and regardless
of frontiers."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will
teach you to keep your mouth shut."
--- Ernest Hemingway
<A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A>
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic
screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are
sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis-
directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with
major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought.
That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and
always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no
credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html
<A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]</A>
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
<A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A>
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
