Posted on 08/04/2016 4:32:54 AM PDT by OddLane
A colorful legend holds that when God offered the Torah to the Israelites at Mt. Sinai, they were reluctant to accept it. God then lifted the mountain over their heads in a threatening manner, mak-ing them an offer they could not refuse. They reconsidered.
The saga of economic liberalism, some-times dubbed "neoliberal-ism," and Israeli economic growth bears some similarities to that legend. Modern Israel has developed into something of an economic miracle, largely as a result of economic liberalization, driven by entrepreneurship, innovation, investment, and the accumulation of human capital. Yet Israelis have never been entirely comfortable with economic liberalism and indeed are by and large hostile to it.[1] Like their wandering ancestors, they have benefitted in spite of their disinclinations.
(Excerpt) Read more at meforum.org ...
Actually God offered the Israelites the Ten Commandments. Moses came down from Sinai and found them dancing around a golden calf idol.
May be source of the disparity the author is trying to convey.
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/2786/jewish/Underneath-the-Mountain.htm
...The Torah tells us that prior to the revelation at Sinai, the people of Israel “stood beneath the mountain” (Exodus 19:17). How does one stand beneath a mountain? The Talmud interprets this to mean that “G-d held the mountain over them like a jar and said to them: If you accept the Torah, fine; if not, here shall be your grave.”...
This lengthy article should be required reading for those who think Netanyahu or any other Israeli politician is an American-style ‘conservative’.
One stands beneath a moutain that is rising above you and it just means standing at the foot of a mountain.
The truth is that there IS no where else on earth like America (or rather, the REAL America.)
Scripture holds out an economy rooted in inviolate private ownership of land and the basic economic functions of society, with unmolested inheritance rights, prescribes private charity where folks take it upon themselves to take care of the less fortunate, and even praises investment.
Socialism etc are at odds with all of that.
In the past, specifically when describing the character of American so-called “progressives”, I’ve said that if only old Ahab had taken Naboth’s vineyard for a garden to feed the poor of Samaria (rather than his own belly) he would be now considered an early hero and advocate of public welfare.
I’ve also pointed out that at no time did The Lord ever command the establishment of some All Israel Bureau of Harvesting and Reaping Standards to go around with measuring rods to make sure no one harvested too close to the corners or else went back over the vineyard for fruit missed.
And finally, for this post, in the NT we find Peter explicitly indicating to Ananias that his property, and then the money from the sale, had been under his control, which could only mean that giving was NOT under compulsion. The sin was lying and not holding back part. Had the old boy but said something like: “here’s some of it, I and the wife are going on vacation with the rest” (or whatever) he would have lived.
But with Socialism etc everyone is compelled to give at the office, taking care of the poor is a matter for paid professionals to look after, and wealth is just what they leave you with ... they certainly feel the right in many countries to bestow a virtual right to inheritance on the government!
Still, I would wager than Israeli Jews are more conservative than most American Jews, who see the continuation of their faith as to spread socialism - meaning what are called “Reformed” Jews.
Ping
Indeed. I used to be in that camp. Netanyahu is a classy guy and some his blunt rhetoric when he makes in rounds in America media makes it sound like he's the Israeli equivalent of Allen West or Joe Walsh. Then I read up on his domestic policies and I was horrified at what this guy allows in his own country. If I was president, I would be giving this guy an earful behind closed doors. His immigration policy alone is suicidal and will result in a Muslim majority in Israel within a few decades.
>> The Europeans catch a lot of heat around here, and rightly so. But for some reason Israel is sacrosanct and above criticism. <<
Very true. It also works that way with religious affiliations. The American "evangelicals" won't hesitate for a minute to LOUDLY trash and demonize other "Christian" denominations who AGREE with them on social issues for "not speaking up" loudly enough on abortion and gay marriage and not doing enough to hold politicians accountable for passing those policies. But if devout, synagogue-attending "Jewish leaders" not only tolerate but openly PROMOTE and help enact horrible social policies like taxpayer funded abortion on demand and gaystapo tactics "celebrating" gay marriage, well now, that's okay, the Bible says they're God's choosen people in Old Testament, so today's Jews can be as leftist they please.
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