I have often heard many different people calling for unity. Some
people call this unity tolerance.
Inevitably these calls for unity, although authentic, generally
call for the "other" to become like us.
Society in Israel is no less polarized then elsewhere and possibly
more so. Certain Orthodox circles call for Ahavat Yisrael. They
say that every Jew is the greatest Human being. However, when
it comes to understanding why these "special people"
insist on living an empty Western lifestyle and not cling to the
holy ways of the Torah the brotherly love seems to turn.
Still others call for "Sovlanut" which is a Hebrew translation
of the word tolerance. As the old, but true, joke goes: they are
tolerant of anyone who agrees with their "Liberal" outlook
and froth at those who do not. The "froth" is rationalized
by claiming that the "other" is primitive.
This hypocrisy is not due to simple misunderstanding. Instead
it is caused by total misinformation. Yes, a person can be a
hypocrite without intending to be one.
Certain people in Israel believe that "Secular" Jew's
knowledge of Tanach - The Bible is like that of literature. They
think that others think (I hope that this statement is confusing)
that the Tanach is no more special to the Jewish people than the
works of Sigmund Freud.
Although I have not made a survey on the topic my limited experiences
have shown that Secular Jews are proud of the broad knowledge
of Tanach which they learned in School. So much for misinformation.
Others believe that Orthodox society is primitive and boring.
After all, Orthodox people while away their time in Yeshiva's
and Seminaries until their parents force them into an unwanted
marriage at a young and tender age.
My ears too have heard about this forced marriage business. As
I have never witnessed such a thing (I currently live in Givat
Shaul which is one the most Charedi - "Ultra-Orthodox"
communities in the World) I can only assume that it is at least
as uncommon as Secular parents forcing kids to marry for money,
political power or a Green Card. I am sure that the latter happens
far more often.
As to the young and tender age which many do get married at. This
is not as low as you might think. I have not been to too many
weddings in Israel where the bride was less than twenty. Generally
they are between twenty one and twenty three. I do not think that
anyone would call that cradle robbing.
Correcting the spread of misinformation is certainly a beginning
in the abolition of hypocrisy.
Our Haftara of Perashat Vayigash envisions a unified Jewish people
living under one government.
Yechezkel 37-19
Tell them: This is what G-d the Lord says 'Behold, I am taking the stick of Joseph which is in the hand of Ephraim and the tribes of Israel their peers, and I will put on them the stick of Yehuda and I will make them one stick and they will be one in my hands.