Approximately 25% of the residents of Israel are not Jews. This position paper explores the question of their status from the perspective of halakha. According to Jewish sources, is it possible to give non-Jewish minorities full equal rights, as would be required in a democratic state? And what is the place of the unique national identities of minorities in a state that is defined as being Jewish?
This study identifies two approaches to the status of the ger toshav – the non-Jew living among Israel – found in classical halakhic literature. According to one view, the granting of rights to non-Jewish minorities is conditional, and depends on their partial assimilation into the Jewish people and forfeiting of their unique national identities. According to the other view, the ger toshav may keep his national identity, but his status is not given a formal basis in law.
Changes in international norms and the establishment of the State of Israel presented contemporary halakhic authorities with the challenge of examining the halakhic feasibility of granting full equal rights to minorities who do not give up their distinct national identities. This study describes six halakhic models that can be found in the responses of contemporary halakhic scholars to this challenge, which have all internalized the international norms that demand equal rights for all residents of the state. This requires striking a balance between extending full civil rights to minorities in Israel and preserving the Jewish identity of the state.
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Related article: "The Rabbis' Letter and Halakhah" by Eliezer Hadad