Questions tagged [state-of-israel]

Questions related to the modern geopolitical entity, the State of Israel / *Medinat Yisrael*, and life within it.

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Is there an halachic basis for allowing attacks that may or even will result in civilian casualties? [duplicate]

I’d learned at some point that you cannot kill someone who isn’t directly threatening a life even under threat of death from someone else (along with abandoning God and adultery) and that you should ...
rudolfovic's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
95 views

Halakha and practicality of a halachic state

Is there a practical issue with trying to govern a state in a theocracy by Halakha without divine revelation? Even believing it’s okay to have a Jewish state exist before moshiach, would it still be ...
Kirk's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
201 views

Rabbi Grossman's tzedakkah segula for soldiers

In Israeli Dati social media circles there's been a little bit of a buzz recently1 over a segula apparently first introduced by Rabbi Grossman during the Second Lebanon War (see here from 0:52). The ...
Harel13's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
155 views

Does the Rashi on Sanhedrin 98a really mean that the state of Israel is going to be conquered?

On Sefaria the translation of Sanhedrin 98a:6 introduces a zionist interpretation which is not in the original language of the text. אמר רבי חמא בר חנינא אין בן דוד בא עד שתכלה מלכות הזלה מישראל ...
James Read's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
162 views

What is "the Halachic State"?

There is a term called מְדִינַת הֲלָכָה - Halachic State. On Wikipedia (not a reliable source, but could not find anything else), it says: A Halachic State is a Jewish state that endorses Judaism in ...
Shmuel's user avatar
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13 votes
3 answers
971 views

What should one do to help Israel during war?

Regarding this terrible attack and subsequent war on October 2023, how would our Sages say we can help Israel during a war like this? I’m not just looking for answers like “pray”, but rather maybe ...
Curious Yid's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
83 views

Idol worship temples by Hindus in Israel allowed?

I read the current State of Israel allows idol worship in Israel by Hindus from India. What is the justification for same by State of Israel? And are Jews allowed to help them?
knowit's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
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Change of Eida’s accent of Hebrew

Let’s say a certain Eida has a mesorah on how to enunciate Hebrew, and now their children learn Israeli Hebrew and within one generation it completely replaces the traditional way they used for more ...
KapinKrunch's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
105 views

Do Zachariah 14 and Ezekiel 37 claim that the state of Israel will exist before the arrival of the Messiah?

I heard someone say that the task of the Messiah will be to establish Israel as a theocratic monarchy. However, this person claimed that Zachariah 14 and Ezekiel 37 claim that Israel will exist ...
setszu's user avatar
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1 answer
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Law of Return and Step Children [closed]

The 1970 amendments to Israel’s Law of Return regarding “Rights of members of family” state that right of return also vest in “a child and a grandchild of a Jew, the spouse of a Jew, the spouse of a ...
ThomasMcLeod's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
154 views

Responsa/Rabbinic Thought on Israeli Reprisal Operations

During the 1950s and 60s, the IDF carried out what have become known as "reprisal operations" against Arab villages. Some of the operations, especially Operation Kibya, were condemned on the ...
Bochur613's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
72 views

If Israel legalized polygamy, how would the rabbis react? [duplicate]

If the Israeli government decided to legalize polygamy, how would the rabbinical establishment react? Would they allow it religiously or not? If not, on what grounds, given that the Torah allows it? ...
Maurice Mizrahi's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
72 views

Is there a way to find out where a Pidyon Peter Chamor will be performed?

I am planning on being in Israel later this summer, IY"H. I'd like to do a few "unusual" things (call it my "mitzvah bucket list") that I may not do otherwise. I've never been to a pidyon peter ...
DanF's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
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Does Milchemet Mitzvah (obligatory war) require a King?

אֵין הַמֶּלֶךְ נִלְחָם תְּחִלָּה אֶלָּא מִלְחֶמֶת מִצְוָה.‏ וְאֵי זוֹ הִיא מִלְחֶמֶת מִצְוָה?‏ זוֹ מִלְחֶמֶת שִׁבְעָה עֲמָמִים. וּמִלְחֶמֶת עֲמָלֵק.‏ וְעֶזְרַת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִיַּד צָר ...
Al Berko's user avatar
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Rabbinic responsa on Remembering the fallen IDF soldiers

I know it is a heavy and very "politically" loaded question, but I'd try my best to formulate it in a most neutral way: 24 thousands of R' Akivah students allegedly died of their own sins some 2000 ...
Al Berko's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
208 views

XX century Aliyah, State of Israel, and righteousness of the Jews

(please excuse if the title does not capture the question. Feel free to edit) On the one hand, during the first half of the XX century, a significant number of Jews returned to the land of Israel (...
luchonacho's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
252 views

Does a person who kills someone by accident have to go live in Chevron nowadays?

Someone who kills by accident has to go live in one of the Arei Miklat. The Rambam paskens this halacha and does not specify that it only applies at a particular time, only when there's a Sanhedrin, ...
Heshy's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
307 views

Retroactive psak and conversions

B"H I constantly read about Orthodox conversions which are retroactively nullified by the Israeli Rabbanut, sometimes affecting multiple generations. I am not writing this question to express nor ...
SAH's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
43 views

Was it a sin for the Jews to rebel against the British and take control of the Land of Israel? [duplicate]

Based on the Gemara in Kesubos (110b-111a). There are three verses in Shir HaShirim (2:7, 3:5, 8:4) that refer to an oath placed upon the Jewish people not to "wake or rouse the love until it pleases....
DonielF's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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A Tnach Guidebook to Israel?

I'm looking for a guide to Eretz Yisroel of tnach. Most books in this genre are guides to what happened in a particular sefer, I'm looking for one that is set up like a tour book, for example in this ...
SE is Evil - Support Monica's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
684 views

The Halachic Reasoning Behind the Neturei Karta

The Neturei Karta is a group of Haredim who believe that the creation of the State of Israel is against Torah, claiming that Jews are forbidden to have their own country until Moshiach comes. They ...
ezra's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
165 views

Why, how, and when the switch from "הנותן תשועה למלכים" to "אבינו שבשמים"?

Most נוסח אשכנז prayer books I've seen, published in the mid twentieth century, had a prayer for the welfare of the national government and governors that began "הנותן תשועה למלכים". It's also found ...
msh210's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
249 views

What is 'Maaseh Satan'?

I have often been told that the approach of Satmar to the establishment of the state of Israel is that it is Maaseh Satan, some sort of act of the Satan to trick the entire Jewish nation into sinning. ...
Moshe Steinberg's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
310 views

What is the correct bracha for those Israeli aloe drinks?

I'm talking about the delicious drinks like PurAloe that contain liquid and numerous chewable bubbles of pulp. You really have to and do chew the bubbles. So is it possible that one should follow the ...
SAH's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
297 views

Talking improperly about Eretz Israel

The Torah in Bamidbar 13-14, describes the story of the 12 spies in which 10 of them deceit Am Israel speaking slander about the land. This causes the people to fear and cry for no reason, leading to ...
Gabriel12's user avatar
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15 votes
3 answers
3k views

Rav Moshe Feinstein's opinion on the State of Israel

I was wondering if there is any document which states Rav Moshe's opinion regarding the existence of the state of Israel. Did he consider the state a good thing or bad thing. I ask this because we ...
sam's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
78 views

Seeking a demographic "pamphlet" of Israeli neighborhoods [closed]

Someone I know is considering aliyah. He is a young religious single in his mid-20's who is looking for a young, religious, but not Hareidi community in one of the "larger" cities that has a sizable "...
DanF's user avatar
  • 70k
5 votes
2 answers
7k views

In Israel, what is the difference between l'mehadrin and badatz

In Israel, what is the difference between l'mehadrin and badatz? Also, is there a regular kosher that is different from these two? Do they differ with respect to kashrut standards (e.g., require pas ...
Yehuda W's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
263 views

How do I determine kashrut status of fresh produce from Israel?

Fresh produce from Israel has all sorts of halachic concerns: Orla, Shemittah, Terumot and Maasrot. Periodically, I come across fresh fruit imported from Israel. I generally avoid buying it, but I'd ...
Isaac Betesh's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
255 views

Sources for Milchemet Mitzvah at this time

I heard recently a certain rabbi say that "nobody disagrees that [our "war" to conquer Israel] is a milchemet mitzvah." What sources are there, either way, for conquering Israel today being milchemet ...
andrewmh20's user avatar
  • 2,461
8 votes
3 answers
348 views

Did the state of Israel fulfill ancient prophecy?

Does Judaism consider the state of Israel the fulfillment of ancient prophecy? Especially in reference to this Bible verse. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2037 18 “When your ...
Neil Meyer's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
315 views

Medically treating a 'rodef' (/terrorist)

Although this is done routinely in Israel, is a doctor halachically allowed to treat a terrorist that has been injured, given that they would be considered a rodef. Or is rodef an 'in the act' status, ...
bondonk's user avatar
  • 10.1k
0 votes
1 answer
152 views

Rabbis and Politics

Why do some of the Israeli Left (politically) argue that they believe in the teachings of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai over the teachings of Rabbi Akiva?
Vered Sharon's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
933 views

Is taking control of land by a Jew in Israel a sin if it was not controlled by him before?

According to Halacha, is it a sin for a Jew to take control over some land in Eretz Yisrael when this land was taken against the will of its previous controller (regardless of whether it was occupied ...
luchonacho's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
197 views

How do we know what the truth about Israel really is? [closed]

I went to a class about the various different Orthodox Jewish stances on the State of Israel. In the class, the Rabbi gave 5 different such stances.This ranged from #1 being religiously anti-State of ...
Joshua Pearl's user avatar
  • 3,342
4 votes
4 answers
407 views

What are we supposed to do with idolatry in Israel?

What is the halacha concerning what Jews should do with idolatry and idolaters in the land of Israel (considering that the Torah says in Deuteronomy 7:5 to cleanse the Holy Land from idolatry)? ...
Emet v'Shalom's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
269 views

Burning the Israeli flag [closed]

Is burning the Israeli flag a chillul Hashem? (See 1:15 in video)
Chiddushei Torah's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
226 views

Halachically, do Israeli citizens own their land?

According to Israeli law, the government owns nearly all of the land, except for some privately owned land from Mandatory periods. Citizens get to rent it from the government. This is commonly known ...
Scimonster's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
336 views

Dina D'Malchuta with regards to the State of Israel?

Simply put, I've heard that the 2nd oath (of the 3 oaths Ketubos 111a) (i.e. not to rebel against the nations of the world) doesn't apply within the State of Israel. I don't know whether or not that ...
warz3's user avatar
  • 1,477
5 votes
1 answer
130 views

What is the best way to keep updated with status of hechsheirim in Israel?

There are many halachic (and sociopolitical, agricultural, religious, economical, etc.) kashrut issues pertinent to Israel alone, leading to a great variety of challenges that kashrut authorities face....
bondonk's user avatar
  • 10.1k
1 vote
1 answer
202 views

The "two-state solution" for Israel in Orthodox Judaism

There is a commonly cited machloket between Chabad and many other chassidim (particularly Satmar) in regards to the validity of the State of Israel. There are also a panoply of views among non-...
Noach MiFrankfurt's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
2k views

How do Interest Loans work in Israel?

From my understanding, banks in Israel still issue loans at an interest whether it be for commercial businesses or new home owners. However, I was also told that they have a process in Israel where ...
rosenjcb's user avatar
  • 1,564
3 votes
1 answer
526 views

Terumot and Maasrot in Israeli Shuks

Ordinary Israeli fruit and vegetable stands do not carry teudah. Does the Israeli government ensure terumot and maasrot are taken at some point? For example, can one taste produce in Machane Yehuda or ...
yakzo's user avatar
  • 311
14 votes
2 answers
637 views

How do soldiers in the IDF obey Deuteronomy 23:13?

The mitvah talks about ensuring every soldiers have a spade to cover their excrement. The mitvah seems to be pretty obsolete because by now we have toilets all over the place. So, how it's done? Do ...
user4951's user avatar
  • 4,343
7 votes
1 answer
181 views

Over what parts of current Israel do the laws of Shemittah apply?

Over what parts of current Israel do the laws of Shemittah apply? Do the laws apply to the West Bank (Judea and Samaria)?
Avrohom Yitzchok's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
82 views

Operation Protective Edge and My Brothers Keeper [closed]

In light of current events are there what are the halachic resolutions surrounding Operation Protective Edge and Operation My Brother's Keeper? Issues include: firing at legitimate targets if it is ...
bondonk's user avatar
  • 10.1k
4 votes
3 answers
248 views

Are "Price-Tag" Attacks halachically sound?

Certain fringe elements* in Israel are known for committing crimes in reaction to Palestinian attacks. This attacks have in the past included the destruction of Palestinian-owned olive groves and ...
Noach MiFrankfurt's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
434 views

Is it a Mitzva Deorayta (Biblical Commandment) to serve in the IDF?

בס"ד What do the contemporary poskim say about the serving in the IDF? Do they consider it a Biblical commandment (mitzva de'orayta) if one chooses to serve? I am obviously not talking about the ...
TreeKing's user avatar
  • 1,523
5 votes
1 answer
200 views

Responding to an army draft before 20

מבן עשרים שנה ומעלה, כל-יוצא צבא בישראל--תפקדו אותם לצבאותם, אתה ואהרון. (במדבר א:ג)‏ Rashi, commenting on Bamidbar 1:3, says that you should not join the army younger than 20. Is it ...
Scimonster's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
401 views

Which benchers have the harachaman for the state of Israel?

Which benchers include the line: "harachaman hu yivareich et medinat yisrael, reishit tzmichat geulateinu"? Which include a harachaman for chayalei Tzahal or for peace between bnei Sarah and bnei ...
Saul Tobin's user avatar