- Torah and Jewish Thought
- Basics of Jewish Faith
Is orthodox Judaism always conservative & Trump on Democrats
Question
If one had to look at Judaism from a specific philosophic standpoint, would you describe Judaism as conservative, Paleoconservative or a believer in High Toryism or all of the above? Please explain why, and what are your sources?
Answer
You infer that Judaism is inherently conservative, which is only partially true. Tradition, values, family, and nationalism are all essential parts of Torah, yet so is liberalism (serving the individual, poor, universalism, international cooperation, etc.). Rav Kook (Orot, pp. 70-72) explains that Judaism harmonizes all the good, believing that people are Godly, and inevitably, all ideologies have at least some truth: "There is a time and purpose for everything" (Kohelet, ch. 3), e.g. Judaism is both nationalist and universalist, both conservative and liberal, encourages altruism as well as self-fulfillment, simultaneously valuing kindness, strength and truth, the rational and the emotional. The trick is to always identify the positive aspects of each ideology and trait, and leave the negative sides. True, in Israel today, the religious parties are all on the "right" side of the political map, simply because the main issues are security and religion, while democracy and helping the underprivileged are unanimous. Similarly, opposition to the exaggerated intervention and almost dictatorship of the leftist, anti-nationalist and anti-religious Israeli judicial system, is unanimous among the religious. In other words, although President Trump is undoubtedly Israel's best friend ever in the White House, his recent statements about Jews having to vote Republican and not Democrat, are extremely simplistic and obviously one-sided and politically biased.
With Love of Israel,
Rav Ari Shvat

Was Torah Corrupted or Changed?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 20, 5781

Serving with Non-religious Jews
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 2, 5781

Where Does Torah say we have Free Will
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyyar 10, 5781

Freedom of choice (Behirah Chofshit)
Rabbi Moshe Kaplan | 29 Kislev 5763

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Fasting or giving Tzedaka on seeing Sefer Torah fallen
Shevat 7, 5771

Goyim at Shul/hashkafah of Shul
Adar II 1, 5771

Yericho conquest by Yehoshua
Tevet 28, 5771

How to manage to not listen Loshon Hara?
Adar I 23, 5771
Genesis 24: 2-9 – Put your hand under my thigh
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tevet 26, 5770

Hallel no minyan
Various Rabbis | 1 Adar 5767

No sukkah at home
Rabbi David Sperling | Tishrei 7, 5775

Writing on Chol HaMoed for College
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 24, 5772

fast on yom kipper
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tishrei 9, 5784

Investing in a Corporate Bond ETF
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Tishrei 12, 5784
Soup Status
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Tishrei 9, 5784
