A few months ago, Mrs CP and I spent some time in Israel.
Our guide was a Jew, who quickly let us know she was a "secular Jew". (somebody else can get into all the intricacies, but one can be a Jew by nationality with no religious attachment)
Mayoral elections were taking place throughout Israel while we were there, and I engaged her in a discussion about Israeli politics. She pointed out that Israel was, in her words, "at a turning point", where more and more secular Jews are getting "fed up" with the "religious Jews" who "run everything".
She used the "Shabbat Elevator" as her case in point. The hotels we stayed at all had "Shabbat Elevators" -- at least one elevator which, on Fridays, is switched to "Shabbat mode", which means it stops at EVERY FLOOR on the way up and down, so that observant Jews don't have to "push buttons". Her complaint was that all of Israel and those who visit have to "suffer" because of this "religious burden".
She was very personable, polite, friendly... but quite obviously frustrated because "many religious Jews do not have to join the Military (all others do, male and female) and many religious Jews are paid from the public treasury to 'study' and do not have to pay taxes". There is, according to her, growing resentment from the secular Jews that the religious Jews get a "free ride", and the secular Jews are bound by the "burdens" and limitations placed on them by the religious Jews.
We spent 14 days with her (Mika - MEE kuh) and she really seemed to enjoy our talks. She seemed pretty surprised that a Baptist Preacher (me) would be so tolerant of, and interested in, the opinions of "a girl like me". We had some very interesting discussions, and I was glad to have the opportunity to learn more than one might learn from "a standard tour guide".
Our guide was a Jew, who quickly let us know she was a "secular Jew". (somebody else can get into all the intricacies, but one can be a Jew by nationality with no religious attachment)
Mayoral elections were taking place throughout Israel while we were there, and I engaged her in a discussion about Israeli politics. She pointed out that Israel was, in her words, "at a turning point", where more and more secular Jews are getting "fed up" with the "religious Jews" who "run everything".
She used the "Shabbat Elevator" as her case in point. The hotels we stayed at all had "Shabbat Elevators" -- at least one elevator which, on Fridays, is switched to "Shabbat mode", which means it stops at EVERY FLOOR on the way up and down, so that observant Jews don't have to "push buttons". Her complaint was that all of Israel and those who visit have to "suffer" because of this "religious burden".
She was very personable, polite, friendly... but quite obviously frustrated because "many religious Jews do not have to join the Military (all others do, male and female) and many religious Jews are paid from the public treasury to 'study' and do not have to pay taxes". There is, according to her, growing resentment from the secular Jews that the religious Jews get a "free ride", and the secular Jews are bound by the "burdens" and limitations placed on them by the religious Jews.
We spent 14 days with her (Mika - MEE kuh) and she really seemed to enjoy our talks. She seemed pretty surprised that a Baptist Preacher (me) would be so tolerant of, and interested in, the opinions of "a girl like me". We had some very interesting discussions, and I was glad to have the opportunity to learn more than one might learn from "a standard tour guide".
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