IF THE Basic Law relating to the President of the State had not been amended in 1998, President Isaac Herzog would next week be packing his bags and either getting ready to move out of the President’s Residence or concluding a campaign for a second five-year term. Due to a fiscal indiscretion, President Ezer Weizman was forced to step down in the second year of his second term, and the law was changed from the possibility of two five-year terms to one seven-year term, meaning that Herzog still has two years to go. The last president to serve two full five-year terms was Herzog’s father, Chaim Herzog, who was the nation’s sixth president. Yitzhak Navon, who was the fifth president, had no desire for a second term and opted to return to the Knesset and to be appointed Minister of Education.
Ephraim Katzir, the fourth president, likewise did not seek a second term. A scientist by profession, he wanted to return to his laboratory at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot. Zalman Shazar, the third president, served two five-year terms and died a year after leaving office, while the second president, Yitzhak Ben Zvi, who was elected three times, died in office, six months into his third term. It was after his death that the Basic Law regarding the president was enacted in 1964. Chaim Weizmann, the first president, also died in office after serving for three years. Politically active before taking office, he felt very much constrained in his ceremonial role. His nephew, President Ezer Weizman, said that Chaim used to complain that the only thing he was permitted to poke his nose into was his handkerchief.
Unlike his predecessors, Isaac Herzog, as the son of a two-term president, had a good understanding of what the presidency entailed. Every president has made certain changes - and if not he, his wife. Isaac Herzog has made more changes than any of his predecessors despite having to deal with situations which they did not confront.
No President of the United States privately or publicly pressured the President of Israel to pardon the Prime Minister who is on trial on corruption charges. No previous POTUS ever publicly insulted the President of Israel. Presidents of Israel have always paid condolence calls to bereaved families of fallen soldiers and victims of terror, but never to the extent that Herzog has had to do. When he triumphed over Miriam Peretz (known as the mother of the soldiers, having lost two of her own sons), he never imagined how much of his time would be taken up with inviting bereaved families and former hostages to the Residence, and how often he would be talking to them on the phone. All these on top of hosting numerous delegations from Israel and around the globe, welcoming heads of state of other countries, accepting credentials of foreign ambassadors and appointing Israeli ambassadors and judges to the civil and rabbinical courts, holding regular meetings with representatives of various branches of Israel’s security and intelligence networks, paying state visits abroad as part of Israel’s ongoing diplomacy efforts, visiting army bases, schools, and universities across the country and so much more. But whereas all his predecessors had most of these events open to the media, Herzog has not, even though it is extremely important to the organizations that meet with him for those meetings to be publicized. What he has done is to ensure that he will be remembered in more households in Israel and around the globe than any previous president. Even though so many events are held back-to-back, at the end of each one, anyone who wants to be photographed with the president is invited to come up to the stage and give their cell phone to a member of his staff, who uses it to take the photo. Most visitors take advantage of the invitation, especially those visiting the building for the first time. In many households, that photograph is enlarged, printed on photo paper, framed, and placed in a prominent position where it serves as a status symbol. Whether this practice will be continued by his successor remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Herzog still has two years left to serve and may be able to achieve some of the things he had to put aside due to the military and political situation.
What about English and Math?
IT IS understandable that the ultra-Orthodox community wants to include Torah study in the Basic Law. By the same token, its leaders should understand the importance of studying core subjects such as English and math - and even the basics of science and technology. Regardless of whether one is religiously observant or an atheist, it is important to have accurate knowledge of one’s heritage. This is particularly essential in a world in which antisemitism and the delegitimization of Israel are on the rise, with the mayor of New York saying that he can’t support Israel as a Jewish state. The late cartoonist Yaakov Kirschen, whose wry cartoons were published for many years in The Jerusalem Post, was totally secular, but very knowledgeable about Jewish history and tradition, and even published an informative and amusing Haggadah. It infuriated him when Jews explaining aspects of Jewish tradition got it wrong out of sheer ignorance.
What is not understandable with regard to the ultra-Orthodox community is why so many yeshiva and kollel students are permitted to take time away from Torah studies in order to attend protest rallies against imprisoning ultra-Orthodox young men who ignore army call-up notices, and who create considerable damage to private and public property at anti-draft demonstrations. Considering the number of such people deployed throughout the country, it takes only minimal logic to figure out that their argument claiming there is no justification for taking students away from Torah studies to serve in the army has as many holes as Swiss cheese. How much time have all these rallies and demonstrations taken away from Torah studies? Where is the justification? The ultra-Orthodox have proved time and again how good they are at organizing. Why haven’t they organized a roster system to ensure that only a certain number of young men leave their Torah studies to demonstrate, and that they can participate in a demonstration only once a month? That would at least give some justification to their cause. As things stand, why should anyone believe that they are so immersed in Torah studies that they cannot bring themselves to leave? It is precisely because of their Torah study training that many of them could make valuable contributions in intelligence units.
Then there’s the matter of influential rabbis cursing the IDF Chief of Staff or other national leaders. It’s perfectly legitimate to disagree and to stage protest rallies. What is not legitimate is publicly wishing that a leader should die and that all memory of him should be erased.
What a terrible thing for anyone to say, but more so for an influential rabbi - a so-called man of Torah. Rabbi Aryeh Yazdi was roundly condemned for the evil that he wished upon Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. What Yazdi said was inexcusable - a knife in the heart of the concept of Jewish unity. In fact, it was no less criminal than the Pulsa deNura (Lashes of Fire) curse leveled at Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Ariel Sharon. Rabin was assassinated, and Sharon collapsed as the result of a stroke, and over a period of years, never regained consciousness. Warnings to be careful of what one says should be taken seriously. All utterances are more than just words.
Emuna Jerusalem's full-morning seminar
INTERACTING WITH Modern Israel is the title of Emunah Jerusalem’s full-morning seminar on Tuesday, July 7, at its new premises at 15 Sokolov Street in the Talbiya neighborhood. The location is easily accessable via bus routes 18, 72, 75, 77 and 78. Speakers will include The Jerusalem Post’s prize-winning long-term health and science feature writer and reporter, Judy Siegel-Itzkovich, who will discuss how man’s best friend is influencing medical research. Other speakers are Rabbanit Pearl Borow, whose topic, Listening for the sound of the Trumpets, evokes many religious images; tour guide Raanan Hirsch who will discuss innovations in agriculture; Brenda Coren, the cochair of Emunah Jerusalem’s English Forum who will reflect on how Emunah is adapting to today’s society; and venture capitalist Meir Dardashti will share information on how AI is affecting our lives.
Following the talks, there will be a buffet lunch.
Cost of participation including lunch will be NIS90
Quasi-diplomatic representations in Jerusalem
DIPLOMATIC OR quasi-diplomatic representations in Jerusalem are increasing. Several countries whose embassies are located in Tel Aviv or Herzliya have cultural centers, economic offices, or both in Jerusalem. India decided to go one better and, together with the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, initiated what is believed to be Israel’s first lotus festival. Indian ambassador J.P. Singh, together with Botanical Gardens CEO Tom Amit, in a gesture of friendship and deepening ties between the two countries, engaged in a ceremonial lotus planting ahead of the festival, which will launch today, July 3, and continue tomorrow, Saturday, July 4. In Indian philosophy and culture, the lotus is a symbol of purity, beauty and eternal life.
Last week, the two men engaged in a ceremonial lotus planting, which preceded the festival launched on July 3 and 4. Anyone who may miss it but would love to be there still has another chance. The festival will resume on July 9-11 with live Indian music and dance performances by ICCR Music and Dance Teachers and Israeli artists.
There will also be immersive experiences: traditional sari dressing corners, henna tattoo stations, and lakeside yoga sessions; culinary delights available at authentic Indian food courts featuring flavors from across the subcontinent; and Creative workshops for all ages and a photography competition centered on the breathtaking lotus blooms.
To Americans everywhere: Happy 250th Independence Day