State and Religion

1
State and Religion

• Democracy and Judaism

2
Jewish state what does it mean in terms of
religion?

• Mainstream Zionism
• National-secular - yet Jewish State.
• Inherent contradiction between "Jewish
• and "Democracy"?
• Non separation between state and religion.

3
Non separation between state and religion.

• Religious bodies for official functions
• Religious law in specific areas
• Marriage/Divorce
• Burials
• Religious educational system makes part of public
  education
• State finances religious matters
• Public observance of Sabbath and dietary rules
  (Kashrut).

4
Origins and Legal dimensions

• The Status Quo agreement 1947
• The exclusive status of Orthodox Judaism
• The Supreme Rabbinate Sephardic-Ashkenazi
• Religious courts for civilian and religious
  matters
• Non-Civic jurisdiction over matrimony
• Role and composition of the Supreme Court

5
Compromise and Ambiguity

• 1948 Declaration of Independence "placing our
  trust in the 'Rock of Israel'
• Status of Halacha
• The absence of constitution
• 1958 the Rufeisen case?
• -gt"who is a Jew by nation or religion?
• -gt1962 Supreme Court verdict against Rufeisen
• 1969 Shalit case ?
• -gt1970 Ammendment to Law of Return
• 1980 Law on the Foundations "Israel heritage"
• Russian and Ethiopian Olim

6
Political dimensions

• Religious political parties Role and split
• Post 1967
• Growth and impact of religious fundamentalism
• The status of the Holy Places in Jerusalem
  liberalism versus security.
• Struggle over general duty of military service
• Growing hold of Orthodox education