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Feb 19, 2013
new Beit Medrash in the Knesset
What do you think of this?
MK Rabbi Shai Peron (Yesh Atid) and MK Dr. Ruth Calderon (Yesh Atid), along with MKs Yoni Chetboun (HaBayit HaYehudi) and MK Elazar Stern (HaTnua), are planning on establishing a Beit Medrash program in the Knesset.
The purpose of the program will be for MKs and Knesset employees to learn some Torah once a week, on Tuesdays, and to have discussions about Judaism.
Every week a different MK will take a turn leading the discussion, teaching a talmudic topic.
According to Kipa, the haredi parties have not yet decided whether to participate or not.
Looks to me to be a good idea...
it brings new meaning to the phrase Ki Mi'Tzion Teitzei Torah - From Zion will come forth Torah. This would be the heart of Zion and specifically Zionism that would be teaching Torah...
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It depends on what you mean by Torah. If MK Calderon and MK Stern are involved, I wouldn't be so sure it's what I mean by Torah.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a beautiful thing. In the past, I think the Knesset has provided a role model for bad manners and questionable ethics. With this, maybe the Knesset can turn itself around and provide a role model for fellowship built around common interests and mutual respect. That would be really fabulous.
ReplyDeleteEsther, everyone has their own view of what Torah is. The Rambam wouldn't view much of what is learned in yeshivos today as Torah.
ReplyDeleteThanks Esser. We always appreciate everything you do להרבות שלום בין אדם לרעיהו
ReplyDeleteI think it is an excellent idea, for several reasons. For one, the symbolism of MKs 'talking Torah' in a forum supported by the institution sends a powerful message of our culture, history, and values. In fact, I bet the Arab MKs will protest because this just strengthens the perception of Israel as a Jewish state.
ReplyDeleteFor another thing, this helps create common frames of reference for other discussions. How many times did I get into a discussion in miluim of some important public issue, only to find that my friends in the unit didn't even understand my language or frames of reference. Witness how the real old-timers used colloquialisms grounded in Tanach and Judaism, and my generation and younger have been getting further away from that. Davka someone like Dr. Calderon could go a long way to facilitating some of that common ground so that Jews can argue at least using the same referents.
I think only good can come of this.
Um,...RBS resident, Yes we do, but not all of them are correct, such as your view of my name. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young and innocent, I thought this was how a Jewish government would work.
ReplyDeleteEveryone would come with their own reading or understanding of Torah and Talmud. If some Haredi MK would come and say, "You all have to wear hats and jackets because the Torah says so", then some Kibbutznik would stand up and say, "No, the Torah does Not say so, it says to wear sandals." Instead, the argument, out of ignorance, is something along the lines of "The Torah might say that, but we don't have to do it."
Hopefully, they can have many classes, and they can all become literate in the basic texts, and laws can be informed by Torah rather than by demagogues.