Language:
English
Year of publication:
2020
Titel der Quelle:
Jewish Political Studies Review
Angaben zur Quelle:
31,3-4 (2020) 98-134
Keywords:
Goren, Shlomo,
;
Holy places
;
Judaism and state
;
Jewish law Methodology
;
Mishpat Ivri
Abstract:
The State of Israel has chosen to define itself as a Jewish democratic state. This article will show Rabbi Goren’s efforts to designate places as sacred sites using two tracks: the halakhic trajectory and the civil one. Regarding the religious trajectory, the halakhic practices had been forgotten over the years, and Rabbi Goren had to review the rabbinic literature and other sources in order to learn and develop ways of sanctification in a modern Jewish country.The examples in this article show that Rabbi Goren tried to imbue the Jewish component of the State of Israel with halakhic content. He believed that there was no contradiction between the principles of the Jewish religion and those of the State of Israel, and thus mutual cooperation developed between him and the state authorities. The State needed a religious justification for exercising sovereignty over the historical Land of Israel, while Rabbi Goren wanted to show that Jewish law does not only concern individuals but is also relevant for shaping the nature of a modern Jewish state.In the civil sanctification track, Rabbi Goren used Mandatory legislation in a unique way to define a site as a religious monument. He used this process both during internal Israeli disputes (such as the City of David archeological excavations) and in the struggle for Jewish rule in Judea and Samaria. In these cases, the sacred became a tool against the state authorities and delineated areas under the control of halachic leaders.The concept of sanctity in the religious and secular sectors continues to occupy a central place in the dialogue in Israeli society. The current article helps to understand the ways in which this act of sanctification is expressed.
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
Permalink