- Family and Society
- General Questions
Question
Shalom Rabbi,
Could you please expand on this in relation to indigenous communities, their customs and practices and what this means for Jews living in their lands? I am thinking specifically of M?ori whose language, customs and practices are protected under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) and settlers to these lands are viewed as partners based on this document. There is other legal precedent which affirms their authority of the lands and sea here. However, this is still often met with intense hostility which plays out in government and the laws and policies. This said the customs and practices of the different tribes are still widely known and practiced (eg. Speaking the language, doing formal introductions linking yourself to your forebears and saying non-religious and religious chants before and after activities and meetings).
Toda rabah for your guidance here.
Answer
“Dina d'malkhuta dina” is a principle in Jewish religious law that the civil law of the country is binding upon the Jewish inhabitants of that country. This has to do with different laws and regulations. Customs, practices, languages and chants don’t usually have anything to do with it.