May 10, 2016

Does Patriotism equal Zionism?

secular zionism is hardly an issue nowadays. Arguing about it is, like many other arguments, arguing about history, arguing about 50-70 year old issues. We can argue about the Secular Zionists of 70 years ago and debate whether or not they were anti-religious, whether or not they were doing good or bad, whether or not they did some bad things along the way, but what does that have to do with us, 70 years later,  in today's world? Sure, things are far from perfect, but, for the most part the religious community continues to grow unhindered and even encouraged and supported by the government. We have freedoms and liberties today that we did not have 70 years ago.

why can't a person love Israel and wave the flag from a perspective of being patriotic and loving the country he lives in, even without considering himself a zionist (if he does not want to associate with that word due to its history)? why must singing the anthem and waving the flag automatically associate a person with zionism, rather than as just being a patriotic person and loving the country one lives in?

If I can celebrate July 4th and/or Thanksgiving in the USA, and I know not everybody does, why must celebrating Yom Haatzmaut be related to Zionism and therefore someone might be hesitant to do so, so as not to be perceived as a Zionist, God forbid, or so he won't have to worry about his kids shidduchim or childrens schools or whatnot?

In today's world, if I do not want to declare myself a Zionist, can I still be patriotic to my country? Is patriotism automatically Zionism? Can someone who is a non-Zionist still be patriotic and love Israel the country??  





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5 comments:

  1. MarkMay 10, 2016 9:36 PM

    Jews ask too many question. Especially of each other. And that's why we suffer disunity. And that's why we are repeatedly thrown into galut.

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  2. AnonymousMay 11, 2016 2:23 AM

    i think you meant to ask it from the opposite angle--- can a person NOT wave the flag or celebrate the State holidays , and yet be considdered a supporter of the State. why even ask of haredim to give up one of the Cardinal Principles of their faith?

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  3. JoshMay 11, 2016 11:29 AM

    Good questions. It seems the official Haredi line is to be stuck in the 'who' created the country and 'what' their intentions were, and this makes the country a pasul idea lhatchila. They refuse to rise to the challenge to take the shell and do tikun and improve. They fail to see the distant future when they will be an even larger majority and will need to handle very hard questions and it is a shame that 'their' gedolim are not dealing with these questions NOW and instead leaving it for the next generation of leadership who are obviously not at the same level and will not be accepted as widespread as they are.

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  4. BatyaMay 12, 2016 7:25 PM

    This post is featured in the Independence Day Havel Havelim, 5776, 2016.

    Thanks and Chag Sameach!

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    Replies
    1. sheldanMay 12, 2016 10:00 PM

      I would probably say that one does not have to be a Zionist in order to love the Land of Israel. I disagree with the haredim regarding their views on the state, but I believe that they do love the land. The issue for them is the how and when of the state's founding, which they disagree with. How they can feel that way and still wave the flag and sing the national anthem is going to be difficult.

      Maybe we will have to agree to disagree. But the haredim can disagree and still allow for the fact that the state exists and that they live there, so they will have to live with those who are Zionists and do wave the flag.

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