In an age when war is called peace, down is called up and left is called right, no wonder confusion reigns. What goes for the secular world goes double for the spiritual one. It seems that the more basic a concept is to Judaism, the less it is understood. The following is an attempt to clarify one of the most fundamental principles of Judaism.
What is the desired path in Judaism?
Rambam
Midrash
According to the Maharal of Prague, left represents material bounty and multiplication, and right represents spiritual wisdom. This is presumably derived from what one sees when facing the Ark of the Covenant when inside the Temple: to the left, the Shulchan (table with the holy bread); to the right, the Menorah, the light of Torah. Today, the terms "secular left" and "religious right" have become universal.
Why is the Land of Israel the center?
The Land of Israel is known as Eretz HaKodesh or Holy Land - land being the most materialistic element and holiness being the highest level of spirituality. The Land of Israel therefore unites opposites - materialism and spirituality. Human life is also a unification of these opposites - the physical body with spiritual soul. Thus, Torah calls the Land of Israel "the Land of Life". This why Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook says that the Land of Israel is "not a means to an end", but rather, "the Judaism of the Land of Israel is salvation itself." (Orot MeOfel, Chp. 1)
What is the name of the yeshiva that spawned the drive to redeem Judea, Samaria and Gaza?
The Central Universal Yeshiva of Rabbi Kook, known simply as Mercaz, or "Center".
Slogans of nationalist parties:
National Religious Party slogan - HaMafdal Leyemincha - "The NRP is at your right."
Moledet party slogan: Rak Moledet baYamin - "Only Moledet is on the right."
A new nationalist party is called Yamin Israel (The Right of Israel).
Slogans of leftist parties:
"Shimon Peres: Kadima first centrist party in years" (Ynet News, January 20, 2006)
"Mr. Netanyahu and his allies were, of course, the main reasons that Mr. Sharon decided to break with Likud and form a new centrist party, Kadima...." (The New York Times, January 10, 2006)
The defunct Third Way party (a euphemism for 'center') proposed surrendering Judea and Samaria to Arabs. The defunct Center party proposed surrendering Judea, Samaria and the Golan to Arabs.
Even if they tell you....
"'Do not stray from that which they instruct you, neither right or left.' Even if the leaders tell you that right is left and left is right." (Sifri on Deuteronomy 17:8-11)
Time to promote the real center
A quick glance at any Israeli newspaper reveals an obsession with the concepts of moderation and extremism. Daily, we are told who is "moderate" and who is "extreme". People today are searching for the middle path. But in an age where extremists call themselves moderates and moderates call themselves extremists, no wonder so many are confused.
It has taken me a long time to realize that the worst enemy of the Land of Israel is not the Likud, not Kadima, Labor, Meretz, the PLO or even Hamas. It's those among the national-religious public who insist on telling anyone who will listen how extreme they are and how moderate are their opponents. But between Israel's secular left and the fundamentalist Hareidi right, a moderate path exists that can unite the nation. With the world on the verge of a cataclysmic confrontation between the hedonistic West and the fundamentalist East, the need for promoting the Jewish center is more critical now than ever.
How long will we deny who we are? How long will we go on leading others astray? Isn't it time this insanity stopped? Before the far-left Kadima party takes control and surrenders the country to Hamas, don't the citizens of Israel deserve to know the truth?
The nation is waiting. The world is waiting. If only we could stop fleeing from our destiny.
What is the desired path in Judaism?
Rambam
The desired path is the middle of the road in each disposition... namely, that disposition which is equally distant from the two extremes.... This is the way of the wise.... We are bidden to walk in the middle paths, which are the right and proper ways, as it is written, "And you shall walk in His ways...." and this path is called "the way of God".... (Hilkhot De'ot 1:4-7)Torah
And you shall come to the Levite Priests and to the judge that shall be in those days, and you shall inquire, and they will tell you the judgment. And you shall act according to that which they tell you.... Do not stray from that which they instruct you, neither right or left. (Deuteronomy 17:8-11)Where is the middle?
Midrash
The Land of Israel is situated in the middle of the world, Jerusalem in the center of the Israel, the Temple in the center of Jerusalem, and the Holy of Holies in the center of the Temple. (Midrash Tanhuma, Kedoshim 10)Prophets
I set Jerusalem in the midst of nations, with countries round about her. (Yehezkel 5:5)What are the extremes?
According to the Maharal of Prague, left represents material bounty and multiplication, and right represents spiritual wisdom. This is presumably derived from what one sees when facing the Ark of the Covenant when inside the Temple: to the left, the Shulchan (table with the holy bread); to the right, the Menorah, the light of Torah. Today, the terms "secular left" and "religious right" have become universal.
Why is the Land of Israel the center?
The Land of Israel is known as Eretz HaKodesh or Holy Land - land being the most materialistic element and holiness being the highest level of spirituality. The Land of Israel therefore unites opposites - materialism and spirituality. Human life is also a unification of these opposites - the physical body with spiritual soul. Thus, Torah calls the Land of Israel "the Land of Life". This why Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook says that the Land of Israel is "not a means to an end", but rather, "the Judaism of the Land of Israel is salvation itself." (Orot MeOfel, Chp. 1)
What is the name of the yeshiva that spawned the drive to redeem Judea, Samaria and Gaza?
The Central Universal Yeshiva of Rabbi Kook, known simply as Mercaz, or "Center".
Slogans of nationalist parties:
National Religious Party slogan - HaMafdal Leyemincha - "The NRP is at your right."
Moledet party slogan: Rak Moledet baYamin - "Only Moledet is on the right."
A new nationalist party is called Yamin Israel (The Right of Israel).
Slogans of leftist parties:
"Shimon Peres: Kadima first centrist party in years" (Ynet News, January 20, 2006)
"Mr. Netanyahu and his allies were, of course, the main reasons that Mr. Sharon decided to break with Likud and form a new centrist party, Kadima...." (The New York Times, January 10, 2006)
The defunct Third Way party (a euphemism for 'center') proposed surrendering Judea and Samaria to Arabs. The defunct Center party proposed surrendering Judea, Samaria and the Golan to Arabs.
Even if they tell you....
"'Do not stray from that which they instruct you, neither right or left.' Even if the leaders tell you that right is left and left is right." (Sifri on Deuteronomy 17:8-11)
Time to promote the real center
A quick glance at any Israeli newspaper reveals an obsession with the concepts of moderation and extremism. Daily, we are told who is "moderate" and who is "extreme". People today are searching for the middle path. But in an age where extremists call themselves moderates and moderates call themselves extremists, no wonder so many are confused.
It has taken me a long time to realize that the worst enemy of the Land of Israel is not the Likud, not Kadima, Labor, Meretz, the PLO or even Hamas. It's those among the national-religious public who insist on telling anyone who will listen how extreme they are and how moderate are their opponents. But between Israel's secular left and the fundamentalist Hareidi right, a moderate path exists that can unite the nation. With the world on the verge of a cataclysmic confrontation between the hedonistic West and the fundamentalist East, the need for promoting the Jewish center is more critical now than ever.
How long will we deny who we are? How long will we go on leading others astray? Isn't it time this insanity stopped? Before the far-left Kadima party takes control and surrenders the country to Hamas, don't the citizens of Israel deserve to know the truth?
The nation is waiting. The world is waiting. If only we could stop fleeing from our destiny.