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Ultra-orthodox Jews push for all to keep Sabbath holy
Their beliefs may tear Israel in two
December 5, 1996
Web posted at: 8:15 p.m. EST (0115 GMT)From Bureau Chief Walter Rodgers
JERUSALEM (CNN) -- In Tel Aviv Wednesday, 10,000 ultra-orthodox Jews gathered in prayer. They do not believe Israelis properly honor the commandment, "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy."
Many less-orthodox Israelis worry that their strictly religious compatriots could become the face of Israel.
Ovadia Iosef, one of Israel's most revered rabbis, told the gathering that "violators of the Sabbath should surely die." His followers want all restaurants and cafes closed on Friday night and Saturdays, and say nobody should drive a car.
They believe in a strict interpretation of the Bible. "The precepts of our nation is the Bible, all the precepts of our nation," said Menachem Porush of the Agudoth Israel Party.
But for many non-orthodox Jews, the ultra-religious are viewed as a threat to democracy and a way of life. "They want their diets, their dress and their calendars and the attitudes, imposed on us -- by force, if necessary," said Ze'ev Chafets of "Jerusalem Report" magazine.
Ultra-religious Jews remain a minority, but less religious Jews fear that if they became a majority, violence could erupt. According to a recent poll, 47 percent of Israelis believe the potential for civil war exists.
Moreover, time and population trends are on the side of religious Jews, since they take to heart the Biblical command "Be ye fruitful and multiply." There may be as many as 10 to 11 children per family.
"They (the non-orthodox Jews) have to be afraid, because we are increasing and they are going down," Porush said.
As much as any voting bloc, conservatives rabbis worked to elect Israel's right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He pays attention to them now.
"...They form an important part of his coalition," said political analyst David Landau.
Their power has not yet let the ultra-orthodox groups impose their will on other areas of Jewish life. But they try.
In their neighborhoods "the ultra-orthodox in Jerusalem have what they call modesty patrols," said Chafets. "These are very reminiscent of fundamentalist thugs that roam streets of Teheran."
The face of Israel's future is so wracked with these divisions that this society is naturally segregating itself. The division is so egregious that in the future, some think Israel might be better off split into two separate states.
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- Ultra-orthodox Jews 'target' Israeli chief justice - September 20, 1996
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