Rabbi Haim Druckman
Rabbi Haim DruckmanYoni Kempinski

In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Rabbi Haim Druckman, venerable Religious Zionist leader, head of the Bnei Akiva yeshiva network and former MK, spoke about Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked’s criticism of the legal system for its rejection of Jewish and Zionist values ​​in favor of individual rights in accordance with Western-Liberal interpretation..

At the beginning of his remarks, Rabbi Druckman referred to the shouts directed at the minister during her speech at the Israeli Bar Association conference marking the start of court sessions after the summer break . "I was stunned by the shouts heard during the minister's speech," he said. "These people are unable to listen to the Zionist national truth - they can’t even bear to hear it?”

"These things are so vital today, they have to be at the center of our educational work, and certainly in law," said Rabbi Druckman. "We must place the needs of the community at the top of our priorities, the people of Israel, the Land of Israel, and not the needs of the individual, as much as they are important. Of course, one must take care of the individual, but the needs of the community take precedence."

Rabbi Druckman also found an example of the importance to be given to the values ​​of the community over those of the individual in the appeal to Diaspora Jews to immigrate to Israel. "We call on our brethren from the Diaspora to immigrate to Israel, even though they are happy there, and we tell them that even if they give up on comfort and a spacious home, they should immigrate to Israel. That’s how the land was built up. Would it have happened if each person had only worried about his personal needs? Only this true perspective led to building up the country, and we merited a wonderful ingathering of the exiles and the liberation of the land, with Jerusalem at its head.

The rabbi emphasized that he does not intend to belittle the value ​​of the individual and his rights, but to establish the required hierarchy for when two values conflict. "I do not want to negate the needs of the individual, but we need to know what comes first and why, what we live for and what we are doing here." he said.

Rabbi Druckman added: "I very much praise the Minister of Justice for bringing to the forefront the most fundamental things that are part of our very existence. We have to take care of our very existence and our future.” However, Rabbi Druckman went on to mention Shaked’s concluding remarks, emphasizing their importance.

“This is important not only because the Jewish people have no other option, but because in the truest sense our Judaism, nationalism, and Zionism contribute to all of humanity. There is no contradiction between our nationalism and all of humanity. Our return to Israel is the key to the true goodness of the entire world, to the peace of the nations. We believe that when the people of Israel progress In their land, they are capable of achieving the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, ‘And they shall beat their swords into ploughshares.’”

Rabbi Druckman was asked whether, in light of the manner in which the minister raised values ​​that have not been heard in the public arena for many years, and in light of her conduct in the judicial system, which is also appreciated among her opponents, Shaked can lead the religious Zionist party. "I won’t deal with this now,” he said. “She plays an important and honorable role, and will continue to lead.”