Ideological Extremism

An Israeli soldier scuffles with Palestinian protester (TOI)

What’s the difference between Meah Shearim extremists and Religious Zionist extremists? Not much. One might think that the differences are enormous. Their ideologies could not be further apart. That is true. But I don’t see much difference between them in what is perhaps the most important sense: extremist actions that defy common sense and cause harm. Sometimes physical harm to participants and bystanders. And harm to our image as a wise, moral, and ethical people from whom the world can learn. Instead of being a light unto the nations, we are seen as a mob that will get what we want no matter who or what gets in our way.

The protests in Meah Shearim against drafting Yeshiva students goes on with regularity. Protests that often include setting dumpsters on fire in their own neighborhoods where many infants and elderly Jews are forced to inhale toxic fumes from those smoking dumpsters. Not to mention the disruption of major intersections in Jerusalem forcing drivers to a standstill for hours while those protesters taunt the police trying to control the mob.

Religious Zionist (RZ) extremists are not much better. The most recent disturbing event happened yesterday. There was a disruption on Har HaByais (the Temple mount) on a day where we should have all been in sad reflection - mourning the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash once located there.

Just like the Meah Shearim extremists who believe that protesting the draft is a Mitzvah, so too do the RZ extremists believe they are performing a Mitzvah by going up to a place where the vast majority of Poskim say it is forbidden to go. 

They claim that all they are doing is establishing Jewish sovereignty over the Temple mount. And what better place to lament the loss of the Beis HaMikdash on Tisha B’Av than the place it once stood. How righteous they must feel. Just like the Meah Shearim protesters – believing they are serving God better than anyone else by doing what they do.

RZ extremists will say that they are far from extreme in doing this despite the fact that it is forbidden for a Jew to set foot up there. The reason for that is that we are all in a state of Tumah (spiritual impurity) requiring purification in ways that are currently impossible. 

The prohibition is so severe, that it is an Issur Kares (a type of heavenly death promised by God for transgressing certain prohibitions). That is why the vast majority of Orthodox Poskim do not permit it in our day. As recently as last week that prohibition was reiterated by two of Israel’s most senior rabbis: Rabbi Zalman Nehemiah Goldberg and Rabbi Asher Weiss. As noted in the Jerusalem Post: 

Goldberg wrote at the beginning of his letter: "It is known and clear to all that according to Jewish law, Jews are forbidden to enter any part of the Temple Mount. Rabbis of previous generations also held this position and there is no need to have to strengthen the rulings of previous generations – it is a grave transgression not to accept their rulings."

Goldberg continued in his letter to deny rumors that he has indeed permitted going up to the mount.  Weiss stated that, "regarding ascension to the Temple Mount, I do not understand what there is to discuss." Like Goldberg he said that, "We must follow the ruling of part generations who totally forbade going up to the Temple Mount." He concluded, saying that: "It will be forbidden to go up until the coming of the Messiah."

Goldberg added that when one ascends the Temple Mount, it's difficult to know exactly where to stand – and those who watch someone go up may not fully understand the laws in all their details, which may cause them to transgress these severe laws. 

RZ extremists do not want to hear that. They will tout their own Poskim that say it is permitted to go up there in certain areas – known to not be in question. One can quibble with that. But one cannot quibble with centuries of Psak that forbade it anyway.

Did the Poskim of the past not know what modern day RZ Poskim do today about those permitted areas? Are the RZ Poskin not aware of their Psak? Why break it now? What is gained? How is God better served by this?

Even if it might technically be OK in certain parts of Har HaBayis, why take the chance that one might cross a line by going too close to it? If they were near a railroad crossing with red lights flashing - warning that a train is about to cross - would they go up to the closest point to the tracks where the train will cross?

But let us even say that they are right. What about the incitement of the Muslims on the Temple mount that are in defacto control of things up there? What about the violence that almost always ensues? Especially in this case knowing (as they must have) that Muslims had their own special holy day on Tisha B’Av?

Here is is what ended up happening:

According to police, Muslim worshipers began rioting and making “nationalistic calls” on the Temple Mount on Sunday morning. 

In response, police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and other less-lethal riot control weapons at the protesters...

Police use tear gas, riot control weapons on flashpoint holy site after worshipers make ‘nationalistic calls’ and riot; 4 cops, 61 protesters injured...

I think I might know the answer they would give to the above questions: ‘What better day to show who’s boss than on a day where the Temple mount is significant to both religions?’

What about the incitement against us that causes? Which not only generates violence but increases their hatred of us? What about the negative image it projects about religious Jews? What about the fact that most Poskim forbid going up there? Apparently they don’t care about all that. Just like the Meah Shearim extremists they believe they are being MeKadesh Shem Shomayim - sanctifying God’s name. But in my view all they are really doing in both cases is causing harm to themselves and to our people. 

I do not absolve the Israeli government either in all this. In my view they ought to pass a law that would forever block Jews from going up there. At least until Messianic times. Those that violate that law should be put in jail. Right along with their extremist brethren from Meah Shearim. After all, they have a lot in common.