[Askel5]

Do you mean that the acts against Israel aren't anti-semitic because the Knesset hasn't published a paper defining the term "Jewish" to your satisfaction?

What exactly is the relationship of the Knesset to Judaism? I would very much like to understand. Have they authority to make pronouncements on the relative substance of the difference Jewish practices? Is the State of Israel a "religious" as well as secular authority?

For it seems to me that a pronouncement on the relative validity of Orthodox, Reform and Conservative would have ramifications outside the State of Israel were practicing Jews actually citizens of Israel to recognize such edicts as binding somehow.

(The weight given to the State of Israel and Israelis where all things "Jewish" are concerned these days being EXACTLY the point of your article, of course.)

I don't know ... I'm asking you.

The actions of the State of Israel have been in response to aggression and were not the origin of the aggression.

A nation born in part of political murder is not entirely blameless from the get-go.

Additionally, if DennisW is correct and the State of Israel was confected out of the blue in reparation for Hitler's sins, I don't much understand why those actually living on the land at the time had to pay the price that was summary eviction. These all are troubling questions and I don't think there are any easy answers. It's certainly not as black and white as you're making it out to be.

There is nothing "immoral" about preserving your own life under attack and in fact Pikuah nefesh (saving life) is one of the pillars of Judaism.

Believe it or not, the "right to life" on which is premised all notions of self-defense and just war is a self-evident concept.

(All evidence to the contrary as Christian and Jew alike embrace the Culture of Death which has killed tens upon tens as many unborn in the womb as Hitler killed in the concentration camps.)

But I'm glad you bring that up. Off-topic, I know, but it's my understanding, though, that -- as at Masada -- sometimes suicide is a viable option as opposed to Christianity where it's an absolute moral evil always.

Is that true or have I misunderstood somehow?

[FreeReporting]

Was it Christianity or death at the hands of the Romans that was the alternative at Massada? This is actually a rare example of suicide among Jews.

As you mentioned in an earlier posting Jews are continually redefining attitudes and interpretations of holy writings even within sects are common and acceptable and the subject of continuing debate. Agreeing on a single "Judaism" is as impossible at this stage as deciding on a single "Christian church".

The Knesset is a political and not religious body.

Your talk of "summary eviction" I presume was intended to describe Arab evictions? As far as I know properties were purchased from Arab owners legally according to the laws of the land at the time. When the State of Israel was declared there were Arabs who left the country on the advice of the Mufti who promised that they could return after the conquest of the Jews to land and houses that had been improved. The same situation probably applies to Jews from Arab countries who left properties behind them when they were airlifted to Israel to escape prosecution.