HaRav Shamshon Rafael Hirsch once wrote that Sholom is a goal
of the utmost importance, and we would no doubt sacrifice
everything that is ours in order to achieve it. But Truth is
not ours and we may not abandon it in order to achieve
peace.
We appreciate peace and we long for peace and we do not
forget for a minute what a wonderful thing it is. But we
cannot abandon the truth.
There may be ways of building some sort of modus
vivendi between secular and religious, but finding a
common denominator is not among them.
The attempts that were made and that resulted in what is
known as the Kinneret Covenant are at their basis attempts to
blur the boundaries between those who keep the Torah and
those who reject it. They presume to set up those who
preserve the Torah and those who undermine it as two equal,
symmetric sides, who can approach each other and "meet
halfway." This is ridiculous and false.
We must first and foremost remain true to ourselves and our
own foundations, and we may not do anything to compromise
this.
Unfortunately, the secular, anti-religious side seems to
recognize this more fully than some who speak for the
religious side. The published Kinneret Covenant in fact
includes no mention of Jewish principles of faith or even of
Hashem's name. According to press reports this was a result
of a "colossal concession" made by the religious spokesmen.
Why was this necessary? Apparently the secular side found it
more difficult to mention Hashem than the other side found it
to give Him up. But can those who are loyal to Hashem and His
Torah subscribe to any cause that is not based on those very
things?
Falsehood can serve as a foundation only for more of the
same. It is impossible to build a truly sound structure on
foundations that are false. Nothing worthwhile can be built
on such a foundation and any attempt is at best a waste of
time.
All that they could find in common among the Jews of the
State of Israel was the Hebrew language, as well as "its
symbols and its anthem." In the educational system they only
found that it inculcates a range of subjects like, "general
education and pan-human values, loyalty to the State and love
of the land and its scenery," along with some other
topics.
The goal of unity towards which the initiative is obviously
oriented is certainly beautiful. The motives of those
apparently behind it are probably good. But the results so
far are a lie and the consequences are potentially,
tragically, disastrous.
There is a very real danger that this document will be used
by the High Court and others of their persuasion to claim
that their views enjoy the backing of "Israeli society."
Commentators have already suggested that it can be used as a
tool to determine the common values of Israeli society today
and can provide guidance on how to achieve them.
Therefore it is important now for us to make clear as loudly
as we can that the entire chareidi Jewish community is
utterly opposed to the Kinneret Covenant and rejects the
entire idea of finding common ground in fundamental matters
of principle between those who keep Torah and those who cast
off the yoke of Torah and deny its very basics.
