...are disconnected from real life. Life to them has become a relativistic academic and legalistic debate devoid of any connection to the lives of the people who's country's laws they are supposed to be upholding. Time for a change. We must get rid of the system that allows our lives to be ruled by these un-accounatble czars.

it would make them smarter and less arrogant at the same time; perhaps even less meddling too!

The article said: "According to Beinisch, "The importance of English and mathematics is clear..." English is so important? How much math is important?? I think thinking and logical thought, internationalization and abstract thinking is more important. The yeshivas give that. Maybe proper Talmud studies should be included in secular schools!?

How can those who do not know how to properly read and write Hebrew,who do not know basic mathematics, who are wholly ignorant as to Jewish and Israeli culture and history expect to contribute their share to Israeli society?

of poverty. Not to learn basic skills such as Math and English renders them to a life of poverty. Its as simple as that. Like my late dad who survived Auschwitz and fought for Israel in 48used to say. 1) "You'll want to live, you'll learn to fight." 2) "You'll want to eat, you'll learn to work." 3) "You'll want to achieve, you'll learn to sacrifice." Its as simple as that. Take that welfare teat out of their mouths and the'll run to work like the dickens.

It is incumbent on every man to be able to provide for his family. This is recognized by all even the most orthodox minds. In today’s world the knowledge of English & mathematics is basic to obtain any learning to obtain the knowledge needed to find a job so that a family can be properly cared for. The argument of making Torah study one’s occupation goes back a long time even the Rambam discussed this phenomenon and declared it improper. Your animosity to the High Court of Justice indicates that you have no respect for the laws of our country even though religious law requires the acceptance of civil law except in a small number of instances.

maths make it possible for you to have a keyboard which you use to type drivel .... it made pretty much everything you see around possible and measurable - without maths we would have very little to show as a civilisation ... look at those tribes in the Amazon or other remote jungles, they don't have maths ... saying that, i do understand that it does not necessarily mean that they are unhappy .... but let's think a bit further, let's assume that Israel stops teaching maths .... and Iran doesn't ... who do you think will be able to fire off an ICBM in the other's direction? ... just a thought

separate state and religion- teach ALL Israelis the same subjects regardless- treat all the same... and the religious can have Torah study in their spare time- this is how it works in other countries. IF they are serious about religion this should not pose a problem. The way it is now they use it as an excuse to weasel out of core studies and manage to blackmail the rest of the country.