Israel Law of Return

Posted by Sigal Mendelson on June 30, 2009 under Israel history | Read the First Comment

The Law of Return was passed in the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) in 1950. It grants every Jew the right to acquire citizenship. Combined with the Nationality law (1952) it results in unique legislation combining nationality, religion and democracy.

In plane words, the Law of Return declares that Israel is not only the home to its citizens, but also for all Jewish people, their decedents, and keens. The basis for this concept is resulting from the goals and purpose for which Israel was established. To be a home for the Jewish people is the ultimate fulfillment of the Zionist vision. Regarding an independent state of Israel as the solution for the Jewish people was recognized by the League of Nations in 1922 and later voted on and accepted by the United Nations in the Partition Plan in 1947.

Eligibility remained a complex issue, as it boils down to the definition of Jew according to the Law of Return. The question “Who Is a Jew” has shaken Israeli Society in the 1960s and 70s, involving subtleties relating to differences between Jewish groups (Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, etc.). When created, the law encompassed Jews only. An amendment from 1970 expanded the eligibility to a child and a grandchild of a Jew, the spouse of a Jew, the spouse of a child of a Jew and the spouse of a grandchild of a Jew.

An extremely rare and perhaps the only case that a Jew was denied his privilege was in 1972, with Meir Lansky, a “retired” Mafia head who sought “righteous retirement in the land of his people”, as stated in one of those days’ newspapers . The minister of Interior at that time, Dr. Joseph Burg refused Lansky’s application for citizenship under the law of Return based on the claws excluding those with a “criminal past likely to endanger the public weal”.

For the curious among us, we chose to offer an opportunity to peek at this famous and controversial law.

http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Aliyah/Aliyah+Info/The+Law+of+Return

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About Karaite Judaism

Posted by Sigal Mendelson on under Israel history, Traditions | 3 Comments to Read

“It is the personal responsibility of every individual to study the Hebrew Scripture and ultimately decide for themselves the correct meaning.” This unique group within Judaism practices Judaism as close as possible to the original scripts.

Karaism is Judaism according to the Hebrew Bible. The word Karaite (Hebrew: Bnei Mikra) means “Followers of the Bible” (“Mikra” is the Hebrew word for Bible). Karaites believe only in the authority of the Hebrew Bible and reject all later innovations such as the Rabbinic “Oral Law”.

Karaism does not reject Biblical interpretation but rather holds every interpretation up to the same objective scrutiny regardless of its source.

Karaite Jews belief states that we don’t have the authority to alter anything in the scripts and Tora. They do not take it literally since every written work requires interpretation. Instead, Karaism requires that Biblical interpretation strive for the plain meaning of the text, as it would have been understood by the ancient Israelites when it was first given.

Karaism has been around since the Torah was given on Mt Sinai. It was only in late Second Temple times that other sects appeared and challenged the authority of the Hebrew Bible.

Synagogue, Ramla	Synagogue, Ramla	Synagogue, Bat Yam

Out of approximately 30,000 Karaim worldwide, 25,000 live today in Israel, having immigrated from Arab countries such as Egypt and Iraq and the rest scattered in France, Unites States, Turkey and Russia. There are about 11 Karaite centers in Israel spread across Israel in Jerusalem, Ashdod, Bat Yam, Beer Sheva, Aard, Ofakim, Beit Ezra Moshav Matzliach, Moshav Ranan and Kiryat Gat.

Synagogue, Rana	Synagogue, Ashdod	Synagogue, Jerusalem

Each Karaite spiritual center typically combines a synagogue (Prayers include morning and evening, Shabbat Rosh Khodesh and holidays), Beit Midrash and a community center serving for gatherings and occasions such as Bar-Mitzva, weddings etc.

Pictures courtesy of Israel Karaim Portal.

More information at karaite-korner.org.

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A Different Business State of Mind?

Posted by Sigal Mendelson on June 27, 2009 under News, Personal stories | Read the First Comment

Sherry Arison is well known for the banking and business empire she has been successfully running for many years and for philanthropic activities. Last week she gained much attention in an interview on Israel TV, which shed light on other aspects, worthy closer attention.

“I want to be recognized for what I really am, not as Billionaire, she said. “I have so much more to offer: I have a warm heart, I am a philanthropist and I am a businesswoman”.

Disclosing spiritual connections to divine sources was the statement provoking most attention, though.

Arison said “It has been years that I’ve been receiving messages and connections. I see things before they happen. I received this gift not in order to buy and sell or make money but to bring the world to another place.”

Silence….

This interview does not come off the agenda in Israel. The business community and media were quick to hop into a celebration of ignorance. In a similar way that only two hundred years ago people would make a joke out of one talking about electromagnetic radiation. The other truth revealed is here is about the classy crowds of businesspeople and journalists, showing as shallow, superficial as their ignorant ancestors were hundreds of years ago. Sherry Arison is paying the price always paid by those who are aware of things which others fail to see.

This is not even about whether the specific perception presented is “true” or scientifically “correct”. The ignorant crowds do not see what is clear and evident to others. Unknown and unexplained is part of everyone’s daily life experience. For example, most people have had the experience of a brilliant idea popping out of nowhere. Very few are able to consciously make it happen and fewer if any can explain.

The refreshing news here is to have successful fortune-class businesspeople possessing more than rat-race qualifications, who can offer values and spiritual qualities. The world needs businesspeople that bring to the table broader and further-looking goals. Sherry Arison is not the only one. Some of the world’s most fortunate people were also blessed with wealth.

Many of the world’s greatest achievers did so because they saw something that others did not and went for it. What were their resources, maybe we will never know.

Isaac Mendelson

Zichron Yaakov, Israel

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