MK Uri Maklev, chairman of the United Torah Judaism faction, delivered a passionate speech in the Knesset plenum during debate over the proposed Basic Law: Torah Study, arguing that the very need for such legislation demonstrates a growing erosion of Torah’s place in the identity of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

The Knesset approved the Basic Law: Torah Study in its first reading, after which Maklev strongly criticized opponents of the measure, saying much of the criticism had little to do with the legislation itself and instead reflected broader political disputes.

Opening his remarks, Maklev said, “Unfortunately, we heard many things that have absolutely nothing to do with this law. What didn’t we hear? That this law is really a budget for yeshivos, that it is anti-Zionist, and other claims that were simply political populism unrelated to the legislation. All of the political battles and struggles taking place in Israel over the past period have been poured into this one bill.”

He went on to argue that much of the opposition reflected a lack of understanding about the role Torah plays in Jewish life.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, we heard a great deal of ignorance. I don’t even know if I should call it ignorance, because ignorance results when people are never taught. Today, in elementary schools, high schools, and even universities, they don’t teach the essence of Torah. I wish they taught even 10 percent of what is taught in the United States about the Ten Commandments, basic Jewish values, and the importance of Torah study.”

Maklev then questioned what truly defines the Jewish people, arguing that national symbols alone cannot provide that identity.

“How can people understand who we are when they don’t recognize the foundation of our nation? What makes the Jewish people the Jewish people in the State of Israel? Is it because we have a national food—falafel or shawarma? Every country has a flag and a national anthem. What is it that makes us the Jewish people?”

According to Maklev, the Jewish people’s right to live in Eretz Yisroel is rooted in the Torah rather than in the decisions of modern political leaders or movements.

“There is no question that everything stems from the Torah. It is our right to exist. It is the reason we are here. We cannot say that our right to live in this land exists because the Zionist Congress decided it, or because of a speech by Herzl or Ben-Gurion. If you look at what they themselves said, our right to settle this land comes from the promise of ‘the land of our forefathers.’ That fundamental principle appears in the Torah, and that is the source of our right to exist.”

Maklev also argued that Zionism itself has no lasting meaning without Torah serving as its foundation.

“There is no Zionism without Torah behind it. Zionism by itself is empty—it has nothing. Whatever people call our attachment to this land only has meaning when it is built upon the foundation of Torah. In the end, all values lead back to Torah. Some people want to say that good character, caring for others, equality, or observing Shabbos are the central values. Of course those are values—but they all ultimately flow from Torah.”

As he concluded his address, Maklev said the fact that lawmakers now find it necessary to pass a Basic Law affirming the importance of Torah study reflects how negatively bnei yeshivah have come to be viewed in Israeli society.

“We’ve heard people say that the Knesset has deteriorated. I agree that there has been deterioration. But if we’ve reached the point where we need a Basic Law on Torah study, that didn’t happen by itself. It happened because people who learn Torah are being portrayed as criminals.”

Maklev recalled attending proceedings in a military court earlier in the week, where he witnessed what he described as a striking contrast.

“I was in a military court this week. There were hearings involving soldiers who had trafficked weapons and behaved like criminals guilty of very serious offenses. And then there was another line of people whose only ‘crime’ was that they studied Torah.”

He concluded by comparing the legislation to a hypothetical law declaring democracy to be an important national value, arguing that fundamental principles only require legal protection once they come under attack.

“If we heard that the United States was passing a law declaring democracy to be an important value, people would ask, ‘What happened? Isn’t that already the foundation?’ The fact that we now need a law explaining the value of Torah study is only because that value is being challenged. That is why this legislation is necessary, and I thank you very much.”

{Matzav.com}