Jewish Scene
Begin: Tel Aviv is not a Jewish city
Ynet
Published: 14.06.12, 14:43
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1. It is a country that celebrates Hannukah and not Christmas
tom ,   tel aviv   (06.14.12)
or Id el Fitr.... what's so difficult to grasp here?! It is a country for those citizens, that are ready to work, pay taxes and defend it through army service, be it voluntary or by conscription. (oh dear, I just stripped the Arabs and many haredim of their "citizenship"!) ...on the other hand: why not? What the hell has eating hametz to do with it?!! Is it Begin's turn now?? They are surely dispensing something either through water or air. Jews cannot be THAT stupid all of a sudden!
2. At least for now, he's right.
Akiva   (06.14.12)
Of course Tel Aviv, like all of Israel, is changing. Slowly but surely more and more are returning to the Torah their parents jettisoned and realizing that there really is no such thing as Jewish identity without it.
3. Jewish identity - nothing new under the sun
Harald ,   Bremen Germany   (06.14.12)
The same procedure as every year. As long as the Jews have no clue, whether they are a people, a religion, a race, a nation, an ideology or a culture, they will continue quarreling. What they've done already for some two thousand years.
4. #3,Agreed. Therefore, I accept only the cultural definition.
Michael ,   California, USA   (06.14.12)
I cannot accept the religious or genetic definition because I am an atheist who will not lie to himself and others. I recycled the Torah, forgot it exists. Tel Aviv is an Israeli city because residents there carry Israeli passports. Culture (Hebrew language, service to the state, respect for history) is defining while religion doesn't mean a thing. Benny Begin doesn't make any sense to me.
5. A righteous nation, like a righteous gentile.
(06.14.12)
If the effort is for all that's considered good and wholesome, that would speak volumes, all in accordance to the truth, the life and the way. That would also go to include the law. The name of the nation speaks for itself. And then bring in the totally uncorruptable word of Zion, which unfortunately has been given a negative connotation by the acts of some, and you will have it. The Israelis and Palestinians could work this out. It may take some arguing, convincing, understanding and sympathy, sounds like curcumsizing the heart, but it could be done, even with a biased mediator in the defense of both Palestinians and Israelis. The Lord said, "It could be".
6. same old thing happens in Jerusalem during passover!
(06.14.12)
there are many many places in western Jerusalem in which one can openly buy beer and bread during Passover too! Therefore I don't get Minister Mr. Begin's comments.
7. Jews are a nation - not just religion
Menachem ,   Israel   (06.14.12)
The Jewish People constitutes one of the oldest nations in the world. Jewish history, culture, the Hebrew language are no less important than the Jewish religion. Limiting Jewish identity only to religion -only strengthens extremist voices around the world who oppose the resurrected Jewish national independence in Israel. Just like other nations, Jews should be able to choose the degree of their religious affilitation without coersion and most Israelis do celebrate and keep the main Jewish holidays and traditions.
8. #3 Reality-check
Eyal ,   Israel   (06.14.12)
The question of Jewish identity has been answered by half of the world's Jewry who lives as an independent nation in the resurrected Jewish nation-state Israel. Within the coming decade Israel will become the home for a majority of the world's Jews. The issue today is not whether Jews are a nation which they certainly are but the public role of religion in a democratic society. In contrast to Israel which has a strong identity and purpose, Germany and many other European nations are struggling with their identities after moving from ultranationalism of the 1930s to the widespread post-nationalism of the 21st century.
9. 7 Israel is a nation,not Jews.
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (06.14.12)
The hebrew language was reintroduced not so long ago,thanks to the religious people who prayed in Hebrew.Otherwise Hebrew would be Has Vehalila, as dead as Latin.
10. 3 Harald,The only who have a clue..
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (06.14.12)
are the orthodox people.
11. So why is the government of Israel so adamant
Chaim   (06.14.12)
that Arabs should recognize Israel as a Jewish state if the government and citizens of Israel theselves don't. And if Tel Aviv is not a Jewish city what right does Israel have taking it away from the Arabs?
12. who died and made you king?it is jewish are you,i'm not sure
ralph   (06.14.12)
13. 4 Michael,you are mixing up...
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (06.14.12)
Jewish with Israeli. Arab Israeli are not Jewish. Even an atheist can see the difference between Jewish and Israeli. You forgot that the Tora exists?What is that ,if not lying to your self? Com on Michael,you are a Halahic not a cultural Jew,you d better get it in your head ! !
14. no right to live here
moshe   (06.14.12)
If you don't believe in the Creator and do not believe that He gave the Chosen Land to His people what right do you have to live in Israel over Uganda? What does the homeland mean? What right did Mencham Begin have to fight for the land of Israel if it isn't his? The answer is-it is ours because G-d gave it to us. Deep down we all know there is G-d and a Torah and that's why we live here!
15. #9, Wrong, Jews are a people and a nation
Jake   (06.14.12)
Judaism is their religion. Eretz Israel is their land. Medinat Israel is their state.
16. #13 The Jews are defined as a nation right from the start
Jake   (06.14.12)
Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing. וְאֶעֶשְׂךָ, לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל, וַאֲבָרֶכְךָ, וַאֲגַדְּלָה שְׁמֶךָ; וֶהְיֵה, בְּרָכָה.
17. #1 tom
Sarah B   (06.14.12)
In that case you agree with me that Bethlehem is not a part of Israel then?
18. #13, It is very simple: there is no Catholic Nation
Michael ,   California, USA   (06.14.12)
And there is no Islamic nation or Buddhist nation. Similarly, there is no Jewish nation, ein Am Yehudi. But there is Am Israel, you will agree with that. Jewish means religious and I am not part of it. I am part of Am Israel, of the Israeli Nation. As such, I accept what has passed to me from the Jewish past when my forefathers were religious: I accept and respect their history. All the secular are like me and if they say they are Jews it's because they prefer not to think deep about it. Secular in Israel prefer to wait until Israel writes its constitution which will have to separate religion from the state. Religious in Israel, like Benny Begin, know that defining who is a Jew will be very hard to accept. But Tel Aviviim behave as if the constitution existed already. The do it through ignoring the views of Benny Begin and of Ovadia Yosef. Isn't it all very simple?
19. #14, Do you know the saying "might makes right"?
Michael ,   California, USA   (06.14.12)
It means the might of people, only of those who care and are committed to a purpose. Those are the people who serve Israel and have the right to live there. No other right exists.
20. are Chosen People to LIVE in Chosen Land?
observer ,   Egypt   (06.14.12)
God says since they claim that they are chosen ones then ask them to wish to meet their beloved, that is God. If you are so beloved then you'd like to meet Him at the earliest.
21. Tel Aviv
Rita ,   Israel   (06.14.12)
Not everyone who lives in TA is Jewish. Why should all the restaurants be kosher or kosher for passover? Begin is a moron and just needed to get some publicity since he is now lower on the totum pole within Likud. If everyone just minded their own back yard the world would be a greener place.
22. Jewishness
SD Charger ,   San Diego   (06.14.12)
I live in the United States and I am American, just like everyone else who calls the US home. If you live in Israel, you are known as an Israeli. Israel IS the HOMELAND of the Jews, not Arabs. Israel will always be their homeland, from now until the end of time. Many may try and change that fact, but they will fail. No one will ever be able to separate Israel from it's people, Jews. Never!
23. #7 I agree with you Menachem
Yossef   (06.14.12)
24. #14 Moshe, believing have nothing to do with jewishness
Yossef   (06.14.12)
you believe in what you want, it's your private issue. Jews are not required to believe in anything but to act accordingly with the commandments. That's all. Read a little bit the Midrashim, you'll find it there.
25. #9 Israel is a JEWISH NATION-state
Nir ,   Israel   (06.14.12)
and the Jewish people is an ancient NATION. A person living in Jerusalem should know that.
26. why on earth was benny begin
oferdesade ,   israel   (06.14.12)
looking for hametz in tel aviv? couldnt he find any in jerusalem?
27. # 4 Good, Michael
Keren, IL-BR   (06.14.12)
You are 100% right, as always... but I don't give you one minute before that freak Sarah B. comes again with that shtuyot of ersatz Palestinian... even Begin recognizes the Palestinians... delenda Cartago.
28. #18, Am Israel IS the Jewish people!!!
Jake   (06.14.12)
29. #17 Bethlehem is part of Eretz Israel
Jake   (06.14.12)
Not for nothing, it is called Bethlehem of Judea...as opposed to Bethlehem of NeverNeverLand.
30. Israel being the "Jewish Homeland: is a fact
Scott ,   Ramat Gan, Israel   (06.14.12)
It doesn't need to be declared or put into law. The reason Mr. Begin & every other Jew is here is because Israel is a Jewish state. This does not mean that other will be treated unfairly. Israeli Arabs are treated fairly by the government. Also, there doesn't need too be a uniform definition of Judaism. There are different streams of Judaism just as there are different streams of Christianity & Islam. What is unique about Judaism is we are all one people with the same ancestors tied to the same land.
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