Rehmat
02-03-2008, 02:41 PM
Orthodox Jews had always been against the establishment of a separate Jewish State – based on their belief that until the promised Jewish Messiah appears – Jews are required to live in Diaspora (wilderness) – as their punishment for their disobedience to G-d. Therefore, the leaders of World Zionist Federation (WZF) were unable to receive their support for establishing a ‘Jewish homeland’ – Uganda, Madagascar, even in Holy Land (Palestine).
During British Mandate on occupied Palestine – Both Muslims (Grand Mufti) and Christians (Archbishop) had a ‘central figure’ with whom British authorities used to consult – but there was no ‘Chief Rabbi’ to provide similar advice on matters concerning the Arab Jews. In order to solve this ‘handicap’ – the British Foreign Office designated a senior Rabbi to act as ‘Chief Rabbi of Palestine’ in Jerusalem. He tried to gather the support of local Orthodox Jewry to throw their support behind WZF for a ‘Jewish homeland’ in Palestine – but failed. So he came up with a novel idea. He told the Orthodox Rabbis that they should consider Zionism as a ‘vehicle (donkey)’ to carry the Messiah into Jerusalem – as prophesized in Jewish Bible. The Rabbis accepted this interpretation of the Biblical prophecy and agreed to support Atheist Zionist leaders.
When Israel was established in 1984 – its first prime minister, David Ben Gurion gave the Ministry of Religious Affairs to Orthodox Rabbis – which they hold till today.
During British Mandate on occupied Palestine – Both Muslims (Grand Mufti) and Christians (Archbishop) had a ‘central figure’ with whom British authorities used to consult – but there was no ‘Chief Rabbi’ to provide similar advice on matters concerning the Arab Jews. In order to solve this ‘handicap’ – the British Foreign Office designated a senior Rabbi to act as ‘Chief Rabbi of Palestine’ in Jerusalem. He tried to gather the support of local Orthodox Jewry to throw their support behind WZF for a ‘Jewish homeland’ in Palestine – but failed. So he came up with a novel idea. He told the Orthodox Rabbis that they should consider Zionism as a ‘vehicle (donkey)’ to carry the Messiah into Jerusalem – as prophesized in Jewish Bible. The Rabbis accepted this interpretation of the Biblical prophecy and agreed to support Atheist Zionist leaders.
When Israel was established in 1984 – its first prime minister, David Ben Gurion gave the Ministry of Religious Affairs to Orthodox Rabbis – which they hold till today.