Saying anything otherwise is silly. You don't want to be religious, do just live together. What next, God is not a religious conception? The Torah isn't a religious book? Secular, by definition, doesn't include religious precepts like marriage.

A Jewish state, filled with Jews. But what are Jews it at its essence a religion from which the culture and ethnicity spring. If there was no Judaism we would not be here to have this discussion thus being Jewish is defined by a religious context. Therefore is it not logical to run the state by the rules which brought us there in the first place? Israel is special to us because we are Jews servants of Hashem who gave us the land, if not for that how many of us would live in Israel? you are there because of the faith, which defines you so is it really the end of the world to attend one class at least informing you of the religion which you are a part of and the culture which you are a member of? If you lie in Israel at least know why and respect the reason you are there which is Judaism. If it were not for Judaism there never would ahve been an Israel ever, and we would never even have this conversation ever. Should we lose the religion the rest will dissipate it is the faith which has brought us through 2000 years of exile to still be here, those who give up the faith in the exile are lost as we can see in America's assimilation rates, that rate is near 0 in the faithful though. it is not a matter of who is the better Jew its a matter of at least knowing what it means to be a Jew. Judaism is more than food and words it is action and its your choice to act it out but at minimum know what you are at least supposed to do, what will you say if your child asks how to act as a Jew? Eat a fallafel and say "oy vey"? If that is what my parents told me or told me by their actions I would not stay Jewish long.

Dear Stacey, Nobody can tell you that you are less Jewish than somebody else because of how much Jewish Law you observe. If you are born Jewish which means that your mother is Jewish and your ancestors were Jewish, you are equal to any kosher or shomer shabbat person. But you have to recognize the same law that makes you Jewish is the law that tells people to keep kosher and shomer shabbat. Being born in Israel and serving in the army makes you Israeli, but not necesarily Jewish. There is a law to the land of Israel, and just the same way that a new driver must take a class to learn the law before he can get his Driver's License, a bride must also learn the law before she gets her marriage license. The government as a duty to uphold the law, but we are all privilaged to individually decided if we want to follow the law. It seems by your statistics, most Jews will ignore the laws and live a secular life. But this doesn't mean that the law of Israel should be changed because many of the people stopped caring to keep them.

Ideologically it sounds perfect, in real it doesn't work out.marriage is an union of 2 pple within the community. If couple redefines marriage as they wish u end up with gay marriage and confusion,and no coherent community. How many of my friends I know who are lost with their identitys neither one or the other?! Because parents didn't care about the consequences of mixed marriages. The problem is not about secular or orthodox it's about Jews and non Jews. U can't define Jewish as u like it, because a kid who has been told he's Jewish all his life will end up discovering he's not and your definition will have misguided him. It's not about Shabat it's not about public transportation it's about keeping people born in this country Jewish.

I agree with the article. The Jewish Taliban should not have any official say in secular law. My mother said in the camps the call was juden raus, not religious Jews, or secular Jews, just Jews. Let's remember that.

Oh, I can see a lot of outraged responses to this article! In my opinion, the cause for this forever ongoing debate is the confusion between the religious and the ethnic meanings of the word Jew. You mean how Jewish are you the way you would say "how Irish are you", or the way you would say "how Catholic are you"? With the word Jew being used for both of these very different identity definitions the potential for the argument is endless. You can say: my parents are nothing else but Jewish ethnically, I have a lot of Jewish culture at home and feel loyal to my country and my first language is Hebrew, and that means nothing to those people who see Jewish as a religious term. For them of course, if you don't follow anything religious you are not very Jewish. For those who use this term as a cultural and ethnic identity you are 100% Jewish. Rabbanut can tell you how Jewish you are from religious point of view, but they have no authority of the cultural or national identity. Arguing who is more Jewish is like arguing about two different movies thinking it was the same.

What is sad about your comments is that you are correct. The problem is that Judaism has been hijacked by the Ultra-Orthodox establishment. It has been so screwed up that most secular Israelis want nothing to do with it. There are organizations like "Tzohar" who try to bridge the gap between factions. Especially when it comes to marriage and the wedding ceremony. You should have dome better research and spoken to people who have had positive experiences within a traditional framework. Yours is an opinion that does not take into account the middle ground. It is typically ignorant and is one of the reasons these problems exist. The other reason is that moderate voices are not loud enough!!! I'm afraid that's my problem.

For me I feel that an even bigger issue than the religious/secular divide is also "Who defines what is religious?" It has always been a mistake to claim that most people in Israel that identify themselves as "secular" are not religious in any way. When people identify as "secular" they're really saying "not orthodox". Why should the Orthodox ( who have always been a minority within the larger Jewish World) be allowed to continue their domination of religious identity in Israeli society. There are many Israelis who have no issue with a religious Jewish wedding, but disagree with Orthodox interpretation of Torah and Halacha. In my opinion the time has come to let "ALL" religious Jews influence the religious character of the nation. Not only the Orthodox.

1. According to Ynet you are "a 24 year old NYU graduate who is working and living in Tel Aviv for the next six months." Wonderful. Until you actually decide Israel is the place for you - you are nothing but a guest. Guests don't criticize how their hosts live THEIR lives. 2. Shoddy work. "Civil marriages within Israel are not recognized." That is simply not true. Civil marriages are not performed in Israel, but are recognized. Otherwise Israelis wouldn't be getting married in Cyprus. 3. Back to issue #1 - you are a guest. Guests do not understand their hosts fully. As much as wonderful and pluralistic American Jews are, Israelis, by and large - still stand by "the shul I don't go to is an Orthodox shul."

Marriage is a choice between two people to create a life together that has nothing to do with religion. Okay How about incestous marriage. Brother and Sister, Father and Daughter. Why limit it to 2 people. Polygamy is a human institution that was outlawed by Christianity and your definition of marraige comes staright from the Church. Above all why should the state bein the marraige game at all. let everybody live with whomever they wish to and leave whenever they want to. People can, if they sign contracts that are legally binding as any other contract is. The terms ofthose contracts would be up to the individuals themselves nit mandated by the state. As long as there are limits and even you agree that there has to be some, otheriwse you do not need the state involved, in Israel they might as well be Jewish.

... it's about following Mitzvot and keeping alive the traditions that have been preserved for us for thousands of years. Anybody and their brother can "identify with the Jewish people". Heck, even the current Pope "identifies with the Jewish people", but this does not make him Jewish, my dear. Like it or not, the various strains of Orthodox Judaism are the only people making a concerted effort to maintain the traditions and institutions of Judaism in a way that is internally consistent. If there were no Orthodox Jews, there would be no Jews, period, and certainly no need for a Jewish state. You want civil marriage? Go back to America. You want public transportation on Shabbat? Go back to America. This is the Jewish state- to expect us to conform to the cushy secular lifestyle you were raised in beGalut is really nothing more than a slap in the face of all those generations who never got to see the Jewish people living free in their native land. In your further columns, please put a bit more insight, inspiration and logic into your work. Thank you...

The Jews have survived over 3,000 years ONLY because of adherence to the Torah and its laws. History has proven time and again that those who abandon the laws will eventually assimilate and disappear. Those who choose to abandon the law and remain "culturally" Jewish, will eventually abandon their "culture" as well, when they realize that there really is no "need" to remain culturally Jewish.

Very true! Forget Orthodox law! Finally someone speaks the truth!

being jewish does not require going to temple. believe me i walked with moses well before these current bunch of hollier than holly. being jewish in all in the head. the best jews do not pray they know what to do to make them right. I could give you an example of the worst camera sales companies in new york run by religous jews are thieves and an embarassment to real jews that are honest business people that do not cheat every customer at every turn. So keep your head high in know that you are right by not being currupted by the temple mongers. as a country israel needs to move forward and fix its political system that is being dragged down religion. one day israel can become a modern country when it sheds its retarded views on who are the real jews. you can equate religion and government as evil that is why they have always held each others hand.

"Just as marriage has nothing to do with religion, religion should have nothing to do with law, even in a state that defines itself as Jewish. " Sorry but the basic premise for marriage does come from religion. The idea of two people becoming one soul originates in the Torah even if you do not agree with this premise. You are a very disconnected person whose brain has been clouded in galus!

Stacey, I must stress to you and the editors of ynet how much information and facts are missing in the column. Ynet articles, or any paper that respects itself, should concentrate on publishing facts and not opinions. Many things come to my head as to why you do not know what you are talking about and here are explanations and recommendations. Journalism school teaches you to study both sides of a story and to get the facts right. You are writing about what it is to be Jewish... Nothing in your article points to the Torah as a source, the base and laws of Judaism, nor to a satisfactory Rabbinical source. I suggest you research what is being a Jew really mean. According to my research, it is to try and study the JEWISH law which allows us to get closer to G-d by serving him in the right way. I think you are right in saying that everyone born from a Jewish mother is Jewish; however, if he/she does not follow the laws of Judaism he/she is a "lost Jew" trying to find himself/herself. I think that the Israeli population is seeking to find an identity. It is unfortunate to say, but maybe the true question is what is an Israeli or how Israeli are you? Not as stated in your article!!! Judaism has been defined for more than 3000 years, even israelis cannot change that! As for your friend, I find it terrible that she was not served by a qualified rabbi! Being a newlywed myself I think those classes were the most important of my life. Most importantly they thought what is true love. I think that when you get married B'H (if not already done) you will be able to realize that these classes are not only the base and foundation of a Jewish home but they are a golden manual to the peace in the house. Not even Dr. Phil or Oprah can analyze and write a manual on marriage THAT WORKS like our sages did 1000s, 100s years ago and even today! I suggest for you, your friend and any other Jew that has the opportunity, no, LUCK to assist in these classes to do so with an unbiased view and with the motive to learn and apply. It will surely help you and dearest one. Stacey we could go on and on and on into this debate but i think this is long enough. I hope next time you write something it will be researched properly! Simon

and said those who love the Lord would keep His commandments. He did not eat forbidden foods like pork and seafood without fins and scales. Isaiah chapter 65:3-5 and 66:5-17 say the Lord will not protect swine eaters and that such who defile their bodies will be consumed (instead of protected). So, there is a GREAT difference to the Lord Yah between those who eat according to the laws of Moses and those who don't. If the Lord will not help or protect swine eaters and the Lord sees them as an abomination, then Jews who follow the dietary laws should not respect Jews who do not unless they repent. Pork should be banned by law in Israel and America to protect the people from the Lord's anger at such who eat abominable things.

You know zero about Judaism, nor Jewish history, the history of the Zionist movement and you have been in this country about 15 minutes. You are about as qualified to voice this opinion as the "son who doesn't know to ask" at the seder. As long as you are in Israel, why not actually learn something about Jewish history, Jewish traditions and practices and the laws that kept us a people for thousands of years? Before you voice your foolish opinion about what is really important, why not actually learn the topic? Instead of sitting around on the moshav at night drinking beer, why not grow up and get in touch with your Judaism. There are many English language programs to learn in, some probably sell beer too, so you can continue to consume your alcohol. In addition to saying "love your neighbor as your self" Hillel also said "Now go and study."

This writer is too pretty for me to savage her article :) Each person has their own opinion or interpretaiton of what Judaism is. If her fulfillemnt is ina cultural or naitonal identity, thatis fine. Perhaps the secular Israelis do nto even recognize that - perhaps she was raised as a good reform Jew in America,a nd isnow spreading her reform ideas to unwanting secular israelis! The problem may also be, what if you accept the Torah, but not the rabbinical Orthodoxy which came much later. And the Rabbis want to have control in every part of civil life. From birth to death there is some rabbinical invovlement, and it is not necessairly bad, When we die,we want to be buried in a jewish graveyard, and have some ceremony.

While I agree that a form of 'civic marriage' should be available to those who do not want a religious marriage I think Stacey Matlin underestimates the conservative mentality in the majority of Israelis. In 1948 it lead Ben Gurion to give the orthodox rabbinate a monopoly on it, though he probably didn't foresee the influence the religious have these days on politics. 'Unscrambling' marriage(and travel on shabbat, kashrut certification and education) from religious authorities is like trying to get an egg from an omelette :-).

A Bulgarian Jew once summed up his way of looking at Judaism. There are a limited number of things one must do according to Judaism: Brit Mila, marriage, burial. Apart from this one can do what the hell one wants Shabbat, Kashrut etc it's up to one's individual preferences. This is the beauty of Judaism and being a secular Jew. However once we stop even these three basic things we stop being Jews.

I don't know where your ideas about what being Jewish is, nor that I care much, but you should check before you talk and check twice before you write. Judaism is not a religion in the sense Christianism is, Judaism is a way of living. The whole Torah teachings is about how we are supposed to live according to G's will and not about empathy with other fellow Jews. You have a basic mistake regarding what religious people believe and unluckily, before WWII, many people thaught like you and you know how they ended. Don't be ashamed of being Jewish, don't try your best to be liberal, open minded, secular, making it short, trying to get gentiles to look to you with simpathy, it just doesn't work!

by the way i am not religious and had no problem getting married orthodox. In fact i WANTED TO, but i wont start explaining myself to deaf ears...............

Jew= Judaism

This was one of the most self-serving, baseless and incorrect articles I've ever read on Ynet, which is actually saying a lot considering the crap you guys publish. Who is this person to tell me or anyone else what Judaism should be, how marriage in Israel should work, or what she "thinks" about Judaism? Why? Why is this relevant and why is she published? The boundless assertions here, including that "Israeli society is increasingly non-traditional" are simply false. Where does she find that information? In front of her apartment in Tel Aviv? Look at the Baal Teshuva movement, look at the high number of Israelis that while not officially "religious" do have such great traditional frameworks in their homes, and others, who draw from the amazing spiritual growth potential that this country allows. But no, this American girl wants it her way, as many American girls do, and she wants her bus on Shabbat and her friends to marry Thai workers. Fantastic. But if you're looking for America here honey, you already have the original back home. What a bunch of crap.

..like Tel Aviv, and that Israelis share the same weak morals and disdain for traditional Judaism that they do.

If you were surprised by the 'bridal training classes', then I'm sure there are many more surprises that lie ahead for you...want to see more - check out www.ReligionandStateinIsrael.blogspot.com

glad that my wife and i have the marriage issue behind us and are now free to worship G-D the way we believe we see in the tanakh instead of the way religious "authorities" would have us do it. G-D says we must love Him-deuteronomy 6:5 and we should love our neighbors as ourselves-leviticus 19:18. all the laws of G-D are summed up in these two commands. why does religion have to be made anymore complicated than this by some ?

I am a persian Jew and The only thing we share is jewish religion That is IT

Most Israelis do not want relgion forced down their throats (myself included). Bring on civil marriage and transportation on Shabbat! Stacey- you are correct.