Comment by Ori Pomerantz”

Do you really believe the two are on par?

That the latter should be outlawed?

Indeed, that the latter (perhaps in more sophisticated language — “there is a judgment after you leave this life”) is not a legitimate part of religious discourse?

Thank you for the encoraging news that Meretz has introduced a bill banning Kiruv work among the young.

That Meretz did so reveals that its constituents see it as a prioblem that they cannot throw their money at to solve.

We are not dealing here with disadvantaged youth who may see in the adoption of religous ways at the behest of religious organizations a means to better thmselves materially.

Meretz is the party of the creme de la creme of secular Israeli socitey. Its members are in the top social and income strata of the state. If their children are attracted to the what the Kiruv organization offer, it means that they, as parents and educators, have failed them. They cannot see how to counteract the appeal of the religious groups. Everything in their welterschaung tells them that the phenomeon of Chozerim betshuva should not be happening amoung their kids. Therefore, their party, Meretz, has intoduced an assinine bill to outlaw kiruv work among the young, both as means of currying favor with its consituents and an admission of failure.

Hence, Meretz cannot be accused of hypocrisy!

It’s a pretty good deal

KT

Thanks for posting his (form) reply.

The most frightening part about the reply was that he would propose outlawing kiruv whether done by “direct or indirect” means (פעולות” ישירות או עקיפות”).

Wonder just what that might include, hmmmmm?

George Orwell, phone your publisher.

(And BTW I did not miss his sly remark about kiruv through threats. First of all, how real is that? I am rather dubious that he could come up with any real examples. Second, if true, then that is already a crime, no need for this new proposal.)

It is unlikely to be passed in practice. But if passed I strongly disagree with the premise that it would be unenforceable. Just consider the Rosh Hashana arrest of a man for blowing the shofar at the kotel. He was arrested by Israeli Police, who stood firmly by the charges until the light of publicity apparently led a judge to fold.

There is no guarantee that the lights of publicity will always burn so brightly. And there are already visible hints of what many employees of the Israeli government would like to do when those lights dim.

Check out MK Oron’s reply to my readers.

Bivracha,

“Jameel”

Now, if they had started with the Mormons, they might even have had the ability to claim they were objectively defending the rights of parents. As it is, their bias is glaringly showing.

But we should remember that this is grandstanding, not legislation. Meretz played this card knowing they weren’t risking its passage.

-mi

What next, outlawing milah?