"O Bee, Neither Your Honey Nor Your Sting"

Rabbi Michael Graetz, in his article, "Whither Masorti," is perfectly correct in his introductory analysis. Israel is in need of a vision; it is frustrating to see the Jewish aspect of the Jewish state stagnant or even misguided, while the passion for innovation and renaissance is otherwise so prominent in Israel. The vision Rabbi Graetz outlines for Israel, the religious revolution of the great return of Jews to their homeland as he puts it, is admirable; but I believe his suggestion for implementation is unworkable and I beg to differ with his operative conclusion.

Rabbi Graetz's theoretical discussion leads to a pragmatic proposal, the merits of which must be judged on a practical level. I argue that the practical foundation for such an initiative is weak, and the social and political climate in Israel thwarts any attempt to create a Masorti political party. Indeed, such an attempt is likely to harm Masorti Judaism and vitiate its capacity to implement Rabbi Graetz's magnificent vision.

There are disadvantages in joining the establishment. Institutions that are not part of the establishment are appealing because they are dissociated from that which is considered rotten and corrupt. Underdog organizations, as the Masorti movement is considered to be, who share common maltreatment from the establishment with frustrated individuals—even if for different reasons—enjoy a certain aura of purity and sincerity. This increases their credibility and potentially their appeal.

This is especially poignant with regard to established religion in Israel, in which there is deep disappointment. Much of the attraction of the Masorti movement is due to its opposing that establishment. There is good reason to believe that just as opposition parties in Israel lose their zeal when they join the ruling coalition, so too the Masorti movement risks losing its field of action and boldness as an oppositional group if it joins the forces at play in the power struggle for control of funds and resources.

This risk is exacerbated when put in the framework of Israeli politics. Rabbi Graetz is perceptive and precise in his analysis of Israel as a highly politicized society. However, alongside the idealized concept of politics that Rabbi Graetz skillfully describes, there is often a negative attitude toward political institutions in Israel that commonly associates them with corruption, dishonesty, and misguided priorities (although not always justifiably so). Joining this arena would open Masorti Judaism to the risk of being associated with the negative aspects of the system and might compromise the credibility of its spiritual leadership.

Sectarian political parties in general, and religious parties in particular, are often thought of as promoting an agenda not for the betterment of Israel, but for furthering immediate, narrow interests of their constituencies. Rabbi Graetz's description of a possible Masorti party platform sounds wonderful and is very much designed to promote the greater good of the State of Israel, but I doubt it would be received that way; nor can we guarantee it would be implemented.

We will never be certain that our considerations and motivations are pure when our beliefs and vision are embedded in the political system, and that scares me. Indeed, it seems to me that the temptation to cut deals for increased funding and power for Masorti institutions would be great, quickly overriding the originally chivalrous motives of such a party. In the complex array of Israeli politics, results have shown that furthering one's own agenda often involves compromising one's ideological integrity, especially in small parties. Large parties need many small parties to form a coalition, inevitably conceding on some issues in order to maintain support on issues of security. Small parties may join a large party with which they share little ideologically because that is their only chance for power, and in so doing they relinquish significant parts of their platform. Thus, Israeli governments are often subject to extortion by small parties, who in turn forfeit their positions on major issues for the sake of power. Israel does not need yet another small party to join this poorly functioning system, and Masorti ought not dance...