Orthodox Rabbinic Leader Urges Increasing Jewish Values in Israel

The head of a 1000-member Orthodox rabbinic body called upon the new Premier of Israel, Menachem Begin, “to strengthen Israel’s bonds with world Jewry by embarking on an all-out effort to inject uniquely Jewish values into the fabric of Israeli society.” Rabbi Walter Wurzburger, president of the Rabbinical Council of America, made his remarks in his presidential address at the 41st annual convention, which opened today at the Pine View Hotel.

The rabbinic leader declared, “At a time of growing disenchantment with purely secular values, Israel cannot be content with being merely a bastion of democracy but must strive to embody the religious aspirations of Jews throughout the world. The State of Israel came into being because Jews throughout the ages persevered in their religious faith which is inextricably intertwined with the land of Israel. The religious dimension of the rebirth of the Jewish State must be more fully expressed if Israel is to realize its full potential for the revitalization of the Jewish people and to make its proper contribution to the resurgence of spiritual and moral values in our time.”

Wurzburger was critical of recent comments of prominent spokesmen for the Conservative and Reform movements who charge there is a suppression of the religious rights of non-Orthodox Jewish groups in Israel. “The unique spiritual identity of the country can only be realized by strengthened halachic authority in Israeli public life,” the rabbi declared.

CONCERN OVER CARTER’S STATEMENTS

At the same time, Wurzburger expressed concern over President Carter’s recent statements about Israel. He declared that, “The President’s recent statements regarding the Palestinian homeland and territorial concession make a mockery out of the Administration’s promise to refrain from imposing any kind of solution upon the parties to the Israeli Arab conflict. When our highest officials publicly define what they regard as terms of a reasonable settlement they automatically preclude any kind of genuine negotiation between the parties concerned.

“Public declarations by the President of the U.S. on specific issues in advance of actual peace negotiations can only impede the search for a peaceful solution which will emerge only by direct negotiations between the parties concerned. Our President will be most effective if he uses the tremendous prestige of his office to bring about such direct negotiations between Israel and its Arab neighbor states.”

Wurzburger also called upon American Jewry to rally behind the newly elected government of the State of Israel and expressed the fervent hope that under Begin’s leadership a lasting and just peace be secured.