Given the anti-religious sentiment rampant in secular Israel, the minute a rabbi makes any pronouncement it will be attacked let alone a call for some sort of private or public action. In such environments, silence is called for. Why expose Torah to the bitter arrows of heretical archers? But you did just as bad by publicly criticizing our sages and religious leaders. You shamed them in the eyes of those who relish in publicly shaming rabbis and the religious public. Real not nice, Andy.

and if the rabbis would've said anything about fasting, the secular public would've been up in arms about religious coercion

If only they were at least reading this, then........

...forward this article to the leading rabbonim. we will not win any war until we are at peace with our brothers. we all need to recognize each others places in society. we all need to realize that those that are in the army protect (with G-Ds guidence) even those that don't hold of zionism, and those that don't do the army because the are in yeshivah are still (hopefully) praying silently for there safe return.

The secular don't want to hear either. They don't know Tammuz from a tappuz. And if the rabbis talk too loudly, you'll then accuse them of 'religious coercion'. Kwicherbitchin' Andy.

Katushas have begun to hit in differnt parts of Israel on the 17th of Tamuz a day of infamy for the Jewish People. It should bring us to teshuvah return to Hashem. Firstly by following the Shulchan Aruch regarding not giving one Iota of land to our enemies (Orach Chaim 329). To all those who demonized the settlers or stood silent when the army Police expelled our brothers from the Gush and caused countless hardships for them and their Families to ask (Mechilah)Forgiveness

we certainly need solidarity at this time, perhaps the rabbis will ask for everyone to observe the 9th of Av. In the meantime...we have 3 weeks of this. perhaps everyone here in Israel could take on one spiritual thing that they do..to show solidarity with Klal Yisrael, after all, if we don't all hang together,we will all hang separately. i suggest everyone works on improving one character trait, for 2 set hrs a day, eg not speaking loshen hora, or being helpful to a neighbour, not getting angry etc, or perhaps giving tzedukka, or maybe men could 'lay teffilin' or wear a hat/kippa etc, and women could perhaps light candles for shabbat or wear something a bit more modest than they usually do. just do this for the next three weeks, until after the 9th of Av. if people take on something with the idea that they are helping Klal Yisrael, i'm sure this will have an effect in the greater scheme of things. Klal Yisrael is in more danger at this time, as we don't have as much spiritual protection during these 3 weeks as we usually do. hoping everyone keeps safe during these difficult days.

Thanks so much for clarifying--it's the rabbis' fault again! Never mind that the secular elite of Israel created an educational system that essential eliminated a meaningful understanding or knowledge of practical Judaism from millions, creating a nation of what some would call Hebrew gentiles (G-d forbid). Now, we learn from the Opinion Editor of YNet who is really at fault: the rabbis again! And, we also get to hear a curse directed at them! This is brilliant writing! Oop, my tongue, planted firmly in cheek, hurts.

Just two days ago Peretz HIMSELF gave an order to arrest a 16 years old religious girl while she wa babysitting 7 small children. He can arrest any Rav at any time. Even during the current war his main decisions are: arrest Jews who maight oppose his politics. He really enjoys it.

My wife is in our home at Jerusalem. She said one cannot tell that today is a sad day in Jewish history. She was surprised to see the restaurants open and business as usual. In Baltimore, the Vaad Hakashrus closes all kosher restaurants under their supervision, allowing only for the sale of take out food. A sign is posted at each establishment explaining the historic and religious significance behind this action. Thus, even less observant Jews are made aware of the fast day. I worry that if this were implemented in Israel, Mr. Friedman or his friends might claim that the absent rabbis were interfering with their freedoms. There is a trade off. It works in Baltimore. It should work in Israel. I agree with him that it would be to our nation's benefit for increased and improved spiritual leadership. The future of any people is at question when it forgets its past. I believe this is a root cause behind many of the problems we face today. The Temple was destroyed and the Jews exiled because of "sinat chinam", unbridled hatred. This problem persists across the board until this day. We need to work on the antidote - "ahavat chinam'. Our enemies do not make a distinction between any Jew. They are happy to kill any one of us.

Beware of falling into the conceptual matrix of literalist orthodoxies that have no basis in historical fact.

This just proves that to some people in Israel no matter what happens, it is the fault of the religious. Your sinat chinam is showing-stop it now!

In this country where religious people are literally almost persecuted if not ethnically cleanesed from their homes, where gays want to march in total misrespect for Jerusalem and that same religion you want to spread (albeit for one fast day only), where teachers in secular schools are dismissed if they dare say a bracha aloud, in a country where an ex chief rabbi, a prominent candidate for president, suffered from infinate antisemitic remarks from every newsmedia - (and who could be useful in spreading judaism for everyone , as you like it) . In a country where even if you have a neighbourhood 100% religious it becomes "religious cohersion" to have its roads open only for pedestrians in Shabat. In a country where many seculars call anyone religious either fanatic or messianic lunatics Why on earth would a rabbi expose himself to be ridiculed at best?? You missed to notice that seculars don't abide to Torah laws, because they DON'T WANT TO. Nothing else. Andrew you seem to forget that they don't even know when and for what this fast and others are all about is only the by-product of their self imposed misrespect. Woeh to the teacher that ever taught a word of judaism in a secular secular school ! Like a child who needs someone else to put the blame for his shortcomings ,so you Andrew choose the religious community as a secular scapegoat. Wrong plainly wrong

So the editor of YNet urges everyone to HATE THE RABBIS. That sure makes a lot of sense. NOT.

Do you not even bother to read your own paper, then? http://www.ynetnews.com/home/0,7340,L-3443,00.html

Inspired by hatred. Sorry, Mr. Friedman, but you cannot have it both ways. When Rabbis call for public observance of something, Yediot Acharonot leads the pack in yelling "religious coersion" When the Rabbis were calling for massive public prayer rallies, Y.A. was condemning the Rabbis and declaring the sanctity of the "Rule of Law". So, you have the rule of international law to deal with now. If you were serious about this, you would have approached the Rabbis with a great public campaign. I myself tried, several years ago, to encourage my secular colleagues to observe Tisha B'Av. One or two did, and were surprised to discover all the tragedies that are commemorated on that day. But the secular education system has declared all Jewish history before Herzl to be irrelevant and counter productive to the so-called "new" Jew. I have an idea - why doesn't Yediot Acharonot approach some Rabbis and offer them the chance to reach the people. Didn' t think you'd do it.

The Haredim play no part in the security of the state. They, with few exceptions, do not serve in the IDF, they try to force their warped ideology on others and persecute Jews who have altenative lifestlyes. I have no idea what Minister Yshai is dong in the Security Cabinet! As far as "religion" is concerned, may one ask where is this Omnipotent Supreme Being, that some cal the "Lord our G-d" might be when is chosen people are being killed, kidnapped and terrorised? Please expalin this to the famillies of or soldiers, killed, injured and MIA. I think they deserve an answer, don't you? Did you see the pictures pf the Hammer Jeeps and can you image how our boys died?

of falling into a nihilistic existence where you dont care about anything or anybody except your own smug self-righteousness. by the way there is a movie released this week that puts stories from the Bible right back into historical fact by looking at archeology. the new opiate of the masses has become meaningless liberalism and pseudo-atheism.

Please e-mail me at one_tall_gentleman@yahoo.com I'll let you know then what it is about.

FIRST I do agree with what you have to say, BUT, Baltimore is not 'clean' shall we say from 'sinat chinam', after living there for quite a number of years and leaving over 10 years ago, things havent changed there. If anything IT IS BETTER in ERETZ YISROEL. Remember also, JLM is not only OUR CITY and the CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, but it is everyone's. I am Shommer Shabbat and I lived there for MANY years. LIfe goes on there as it does everywhere. Regarding gays, that is ONE PLACE that there SHOULDN'T be a parade, would they do it in Rome?????

"The Talmud says fasting is a traditional, appropriate response to suffering and bad luck." Oh - that's brilliant! We're going through a terrible time: let's make it worse by starving ourselves on the longest, hottest day of the year. Our sages were reall geniuses. No wonder the vast majority of Jews never paid any attention to the brilliant sayings of khazal.

what a typical anti dati atrticle yet again from your newspaper dont blame the rabbis but blame your governments since 1948 who have delibertetly failed to teach your youngsters anything about our faith

I am really surprised. I have never read anything by Friedman before and this was a less than impressive start. even the pro-gay groups say they don't think that Haredim were behind those ridiculous posters.

http://www.chabad.org/library/article.asp?AID=397164

Talking about Sinat Hinam... Sounds like you have just a bit of it toward the rabbis you are denigrating. No matter, Tisha BaV is coming up, you can repent by promoting love on that day instead of sharing your obviously biased view of rabbis..

I fasted today...And I cryed for Jerusalem walls being breached by Romans and Yerushalayim had being invaded. I cryed for what is happening in Israel by now,and I will keep these 3 next weeks with my heart tied and I will fast in Tishav be av,and I will be at the sinagogue in the Shabat before Tishav be av, to have the Vision of our third Temple, which is a Vision of hope and happiness as always are the Jewish Visions. I find interesting the sincronicity of Torah, and historical Jewish facts with the actual moments in Israel. This week's parsha Pinhas has every thing to do with the gay parade being discussed at the moment ,for exemple .And ,unfortunately,this war has every thing to do with 17 tamuz. We should reflect about it. And I agree very much with the author:Rabbis and Religious in order to be loved for all other Israelis,must them selves love all the Israelis. They MUST accomplish their role in spread the Torah in the Holy land. Israel is the most especial country in this world;Rabbis and more observant Jews must start accomplishing their responsability on it.

Israel is a sacred place,so ,I suppose, being in all of it is the same as being inside a sinagogue. What about those 14 more rich people in Israel start subsidying a DELICIOUS Kidush for public Shabats, to be held in every public square in Israel all over the year?It would be a great Mitzvah. It would unite Israelis,since hearing week's parshas and praying a bit is always very interesting and inspiring. Ynet,please,if possible ,send this suggestion to those more rich in Israel ,along with to all sinagogues for it to be implemented. It is easy and will be a very important thing to happen in Israel,in my view.

They are Rabbis. Why should we care what they say or do not say