Learning Religious Tolerance From a Little Pork in the IDF

You may be familiar with the story of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate considering ending Rabbi Riskin’s tenure as Chief Rabbi of Efrat.  Briefly, the law in Israel is that municipal rabbis must retire at age 75, but their terms may be extended for an additional 5 years.  This process of extension is really a formality.  The Chief Rabbinate, though, decided to call Rabbi Riskin in for “a discussion” about the extension so as to address some “concerns” that members of the Rabbinate’s council had concerning some of Rabbi Riskin’s “controversial” statements and decisions.  Now, thankfully, reason has prevailed, and Rabbi Riskin will continue in his role as Chief Rabbi of Efrat.

This week’s outrage was Religious Services Minister and Shas MK David Azoulay saying Reform Jews “are a disaster to the nation of Israel.”  Of course, this prompted appropriate protests from much of the Jewish world as well as Azoulay’s attempt to explain himself.  (See here.)

These episodes may sound like a really bad joke, but they are, alas, a recurring reality.  Time and again, we hear voices in leadership positions saying outrageous things delegitimizing fellow Jews.  Will it end?  I really don’t think so.

Here’s another crazy story about religion in Israel.  This one has a nicer ending.  “Grandma’s Pork Sandwich Lands Lone Soldier in IDF Hot Water.”  An American serving in the Israeli army was sentenced to military jail for bringing non-kosher pork sandwiches to his base and offering them to fellow soldiers.  It is against IDF rules to bring non-kosher food on its bases, which are kosher.  In the end, the 11-day sentence was reduced to missing a weekend furlough, and the furlough was, ultimately, restored.  Although, wouldn’t you know it that the religious Deputy Defense Minister protested the leniency?

IDF Spokesperson Moti Almos wrote on Facebook: “"The bottom line is that we made a mistake…The IDF will continue to keep kosher, but won't probe another soldier's sandwich…There are tensions in Israeli society and there are different positions and different views. The IDF has room for everyone...”

Let’s replace the Chief Rabbinate and all the other misguided Religious Services officials with this guy.

Kol ha-kavod l’Tzahal – Let’s hear it for the IDF!