Imagine a national army that serves not just to defend a country but to shape its very identity—welcome to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). We promise to unravel the reasons behind the Haredim's refusal to serve in the IDF, exploring the army's role in promoting Zionist ideology and its mission to culturally and ideologically reform its soldiers. Drawing from historical insights and controversial perspectives, we challenge the notion of the IDF as merely a conventional military force and delve into its deeper purpose.

Ever wondered what it means to be Israeli in a nation where citizenship and nationality aren't synonymous? We'll dissect Israel's Nation-State Law and how it delineates Jewish self-determination while impacting non-Jewish citizens like the Druze. This conversation extends to the broader socio-political implications of military service, revealing the unequal burdens placed on different segments of Israeli society. The episode also critiques the creation of a synthesized Jewish identity through both the Israeli education system and the IDF, questioning the historical narrative that ties Jews to a national self-determination movement.

Join us as we navigate the ideological divides within Israeli society, focusing on the tension between secular, Zionist, and Orthodox Jewish cultures. From the perspectives of former Knesset member Mikhail Ben-Ari to the experiences of diverse communities, we expose the ongoing battle between Zionism and traditional Judaism. Discover how the IDF has historically functioned as a melting pot, reshaping Jewish identity and what it means to be Israeli, all while contending with claims of religious indoctrination and cultural assimilation. Don't miss this in-depth exploration of one of Israel's most contentious issues.

Join us on a thought-provoking journey through the 10 Commandments alongside esteemed guest, Bruce Fine, a distinguished Washington D.C. lawyer. 

As we navigate through the intricacies of interpreting the Torah and the law, I explain that it's not even possible to fathom the full reasoning behind commandments. The conversation takes an introspective turn as we ponder over the concept of G-d's justice, the idea of existence beyond the physical realm, and our purpose of inspiring others. Bruce and I grapple with the intriguing idea of why humans, with their innate ability for higher thinking, engage in actions not crucial for survival, emphasizing the tension between the body and soul.

We wrap up the episode with a hearty discussion on truth and moral decay, exploring why justice and truth are central to our existence as humans. We delve into the Jewish perspective on war, battles, the importance of self-control, wisdom, and justice. Within the principles of Judaism, as we discuss,  are eternal ideas like justice, fairness, and honor that form the bedrock of a stable society. So, tune in and open your mind to a great conversation that promises to challenge, enlighten and inspire.

Fighting Israel's actions without denying the driving ideology behind them is futile. That ideology is Zionism, which claims that Israel is not the country of its citizens but of all Jews. Thus, any association between Jews and Israel strengthens Zionism, including when Jews feel obligated to protest Israel as Jews .  The only effective way to defeat Zionism is for Jews to say - like Jacob Blaustein and the WJC once did - that Israel has nothing to do with the Jews and has no business being anything but a normal, democratic state, and Jews have no more reason to involve themselves as Jews in its politics any more than they do any foreign country. The more Jews distance themselves from Israel the weaker Zionism gets; the more Jews associate themselves with Israel, even by protesting its actions, the stronger Zionism gets.


Jacob Blaustein and WJC's objections to Israel claiming to be the Jewish State

Left Win Zionism and Jiewhs Identity, with Ronnie Barkan

Israel: Jewish and democratic state 1953 Education law and etc.

ADL "deeply disappointed" in John Kerry's statement

Also important on this topic: https://www.committinghighreason.com/why-israel-has-so-many-elections/

At this week's gala WZO 125th Anniversary soiree in Basel, Switzerland, Israel's "Minister of Diaspora Affairs" made mentioned a "deal" between Ben Gurion and Jacob Blaustein regarding the relationship between American Jewry and Israel. He called for a renewed such "agreement" to be made today. But the way the story was described is fiction. American Jews complained to Ben Gurion that Israel was putting American Jews in danger. Ben Gurion promised to change Israel's presentation of itself as the Jewish state, but he betrayed his promise, as did Zionist leaders, repeatedly. In this podcast, the real story of Israel's betrayal of American Jewry.

The Times of Israel article
Ben Gurion's letter to the AJC

Photo: Jospeh Proskauer. Bain, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons