Let's go back to the videotape for a second. You said: " . . . Shahak convincingly argues that racism and a pre-Enlightenment world view are endemic to orthodox Judaism as it is practiced in Israel today. Note that there is no separation of religion and state in Israel, so that this is a matter of no small social consequence. For example, the vast majority of land in Israel is reserved for use by Jews only. . . . " I've already made clear I have no idea what Shahak said, so we can put that misleading impression from me aside. Tendentious in this context means making more out of a link than merited, or implying a link means something it doesn't. This is further signalled in this remark: " . . . Students of religion refer to Islam and Judaism as "orthopraxy" rather than "orthodoxy" religions like Christianity because the emphasis is on correct behavior rather than correct belief. So perhaps it is not surprising that in Israel correct belief does not play so great a role as it might in a Christian state. . . . " My objection is that behavior in re: orthodox Judaism has nothing whatsoever to do with a Jew acquiring or retaining the privileges of Israeli citizenship. Nor, as you note, does belief. By virtue of their political power, orthodox Jews in Israel have some effect in regulating behavior and making public policy. But if you are born a Jew you can live like a heathen and still be a citizen. We are well short of the point where the Israeli orthodox can vet everyone who applies for citizenship under the Law of Return. As you know from our local news, the Israeli state recently took in a known murderer and shielded him from extradition to the U.S. on the grounds of his alleged dual citizenship. There was also the Ethiopian airlift; was that supported by the extreme orthodox religious people, or by the Likud government as a nationalist maneuver? I would guess the latter, though I would welcome correction or elaboration. You would also probably agree that racism and pre-Enlightenment views are not exclusive to the orthodox in Israel. Again, the leading role of non-orthodox Jews in the founding of Israel and its governing ever since. In a way, an over-emphasis on orthodox religious faith lets secular Jewish Zionists off the hook. I would agree that orthodoxy now has an important role in Israel as a general right-wing counter-weight, and worse as a breeding ground for West Bank settler/shock troops, among other negative roles. The religious content of this, I reiterate, reflects a decided evolution away from pre-wwII orthodoxy. The fact of medieval Jewish authoritarianism is to me a very weak source of explanation for the evolution of Israeli society. Don't most religions have authoritarian traditions somewhere in their past? (that's a real question, not a rhetorical one). I agree that a focus on Taliban relative to Gush Emunim etc. can be overdrawn in light of the U.S. roles w/respect to each situation. Of course, the U.S. is not absent from recent Afghani history either. When we have a spare month we can argue about the democratic secular state. I'm afraid it's a pipe dream. mbs
