Is it Time to Change Our Name to: "Religious-Zionist-Universalist"? | Rabbi Ari Shvat | Beit Midrash

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Y'RUSHALAYIM- HARMONIZING RELIGION-NATIONALISM-UNIVERSALISM
The Tanach teaches that Yerushalayim is the NATIONAL capitol of David HaMelech & his descendants; the RELIGIOUS capitol-home of the Sanhedrin; and the UNIVERSAL capitol- home of the Beit HaMikdash, "for My house, will be called a house of prayer for all nations" (Yeshayahu 56, 7). When Y'rushalayim is "built" (learn well: Tehilim 122), she is the residence of the triumvirate, those 3 respective leaders: the KING (natl. leader), the NASI- head of Sanhedrin (the religious leader) and the KOHEN GADOL- the universal leader from Aharon who is "אוהב שלום, רודף שלום..", "loves and pursues peace". Already today, when Jews go up to Jerusalem it is mainly for either religious or national (e.g. political demonstrations) reasons, but let's not forget that when 99.8% of mankind visits, they aren't interested in our flag or yeshivot, but rather in universal ideals, as the historic center of all major religions & monotheistic ethics. So it was also when there was a Beit haMikdash.
Rav Kook ingeniously summarizes all of the ideologies of mankind through these three, most basic ones: firstly, religion , in Israel comprised of TORAH and mitzvot, the belief and the holy aspect of Judaism; the second is nationalism or ZIONISM ; the third is UNIVERSALISM , calling for the general human content of education, culture, morals and more. [Obviously Jewish nationalism (e.g. the holy land & holy language) and mussar are also religious topics, as Rav Kook continues to explain that the "Kodesh ha’Elyon" (quintessential holiness) is the general heading which includes all three forces, all of which are holy. Yet here he is expressly referring to the religious aspect (among the three) in its narrowest form, as it was in exile (Orot, pp. 70-72).]
In fact, society & the politics of democracies are comprised of a right-wing party of nationalist hawks, a left-wing party of humanist doves, and depending on the local understanding of the separation of church and state, the religious parties, as we have in Israel. The tens (!) of parties usually running in Israeli elections can all be neatly divided among these three ideologies, which are meant to be the "CHECKS & BALANCE" system, ensuring that we don't get to the problematic extremism. Like an equilateral triangle, each of the three sides also "kisses" the other two, but also LIMITS the others from exaggeration or extremism.
For example, Rav Kook writes regarding exaggerated humanism, that one who claims to love all of mankind with that special love usually reserved for one's brothers and nation, his love "needs to be examined" (Orot p.169). One who cares for Arab civilians in Gaza more than he cares about his innocent Jewish brothers in Sderot or in the Gaza envelope, is like a mother who saves her neighbor’s son from a fire before she saves her own. This is not altruism but selective humanism which is far from morality & normality.
Similarly, extremists amongst us who mistakenly think that love of the Jewish people requires opposition to universalism and secular education also, add to this dangerous trend, just as those who think that nationalism obliges the hate of every Arab, and those who think that moralism obliges weakness, retreat and national surrender in the face of threat. Likewise, some Haredim who see Judaism only as a religion, and think that this calls for negating nationalism (serving in the IDF, making Aliya, speaking Hebrew…) and universal ideals (secular education, modernity…).
Even though the ideal is to be broad enough to balance (33-33-33%), like David HaMelech or Rav Kook- harmonizing religious-nationalist-universal ideals, inevitably it's natural (= Godly intended!) in every nation that there be groups or individuals who ideologically stress one more than another. Rav Kook writes that we want there to be right-wing, left-wing and religious parties, but only on condition that there is a mutual, not only tolerance but respect & participation (e.g. 50-25-25%). Just as the beauty of musical harmony necessitates the DIVERSE sounds, cooperating and revealing the Godly unity of all ideologies & creation.
When I came to Israel about 40 years ago, there was basically a large mechitza (barrier) mutually separating the really religious and the really Zionist. Thank G-d the striving for unity of religion and nationalism has basically succeeded, so much so that today in Israeli politics and society, the religious and nationalists are virtually identified as one camp and one political bloc. The Zionists already know that religious-Zionists are leading the army and settling the land, & the knowledgeable Haredim also recognize that the dayanim in the religious courts are comprised also of leading rabbis with kipot srugot from Hesder yeshivot.
If so, what factor is still preventing unity in Israel? It seems that the focus should now be in what Rav Kook infers: the unison of the third side among the triangle of world views, which is often seen today (in an unfortunate widespread coalition between the Haredim and the liberals, and even by some of the religious-Zionists), as if there's a seeming contradiction between religious-nationalism as opposed to universalism, humanism, moralism, liberalism, secular education, modernism, et al.
Yes, youth have a tendency to be simplistic & go to extremes, to speak AGAINST other ideologies, but the 'responsible adult' leadership, must consciously speak in favor, in POSITIVE terms of mutual respect rather than mutual negations (and surely cooperate in the mutual denunciation of Yair Golan's purposely divisive denunciations!). Today's Moslem fanatics and ironically the extreme progressive, can be similarly anti-Semitic & dangerous. Conversely, Rav Kook's students are proud to lead Israeli society not just in Religious+Zionism, but also in morality, as expressed in studying mussar, volunteering, Sherut Le'umi, altruistic kidney donors & soldiers, etc. Perhaps the time has come to complete our movement & prepare for national leadership, by adding the 3 rd rib of the triangle through "upgrading" our nickname to be: Religious+ Zionist+ Universalists. "ירושלים הבנויה כעיר שחוברה לה יחדיו!". Shabbat Shalom & Yom Yerushalayim Same'ach! Rav Ari Shvat (Chwat)

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