The Fight Goes On

22 Kislev 5774

Hellenism still exists, but instead of being focused on Greek culture, the focus is on Western 'values' which were inherited from Greece - democracy, pluralism, hedonism, etc.

And just as in the times of the Chashmonayim, it clashes with Torah values.  The two opposing systems cannot co-exist. So, the fight goes on and in the end, only one will be left standing.

Government Tenacious in Effort to Dismantle Torah Lifestyle

The current administration appears determined to make it impossible for one to maintain a chareidi lifestyle in Eretz Yisrael.

The bills introduced and some already passed in Knesset include;

1. The new law liberalizing marriage registration,

2. A bill to scrutinize mohelim,

3. A bill to eliminate the post of one of the chief rabbis,

4. A policy demanding the introduction of ‘core subjects’ into the chareidi curriculum or forfeit state funding.

5. Changes in IDF policy to integrate women into additional units, making it extremely difficult for religious soldiers and officers,

6. Drastic cuts in funding for yeshivos and avreichim,

7. The new chareidi draft law which Yesh Atid hopes will result in failure to report for military service a violation of the penal code,

8. The law increasing the minimum marriage age from 17 to 18.

Regarding the last point, many posit that the bill is not directed against chareidim per se as many feel 17 is too young. However, if one analyzes the law of the land one may understand just how the marriage age law is indeed directed at chareidim.

In Israel, the minimum age that one can be viewed as a ‘consenting adult’ is 16, not 18. That means a female can consent to be with a partner from age 16 to 18 for as long as they do not try to get married before 18. This encourages promiscuity and prevents young adults from marrying.

With Chanukah days away one cannot help but to make a comparison between the Hellenists of Chanukah and the priorities of the current administration R”L.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)