I would like to correct, what I believe is, a false assumption you make in this article.
You state that a majority of Israelis are secular. “…. Israel's silent majority, which is secular….” According to the Pew survey of March 8, 2016, only 40% of Israelis (Jewish) define themselves as Hiloni, secular. Whereas 41% of Israelis (Jewish) define themselves as Masorti, Dati or Haredi. Since 2016, due to demographics, I think you would find Hiloni less than 39% and the Jewish religious more than 41%.
Furthermore, a small percentage of self defined Hiloni pray on a daily basis and attend synagogue weekly. Also 56% of Hiloni believe in god. 33% of Hilonim keep kosher at home.
So… self defined secular Israelis are a decided minority and even among the self defined secular Israelis they follow many religious practices and beliefs which begs the question: What exactly is a secular person defined as in Israel?
As far as I know, a secular lifestyle is defined as one that has no spiritual or religious basis. Yet, many Jewish Israelis, who define themselves as secular (Hiloni) have many religious components and behaviors which call into question their definition of secular.
A secular Jew in Israel is much more of a political social statement than an actual statement of religion. Masorti Jews do not live a religious lifestyle. Do not were a kappa and most importantly do not follow the edicts of a religious authority. 10% of Israelis are Dati, and another 12% are Haredi. The rest live secular lifestyles with Jewish cultural and even religious components.
I’m not sure how one defines a religious lifestyle. IMO keeping kosher, praying regularly and regular synagogue attendance denote a religious lifestyle.
However… if one’s definition is that of living by the edicts and dictates of your rabbi defines a religious lifestyle then that would indeed include dati and Haredi.
What is your definition? Is there a commonly accepted definition in Israel?
Since religion in Israel is so tied up to politics there is not one regular definition. Most people keep some version of Shabbat because it's the day off and most stores are closed, but are they keeping a Halachic Shabbat? Most Israelis get together with family Friday night- it's a Jewish tradition and many might say Kiddish, but that has to do with tradition and not religion. When you get to praying regularly that becomes something else, but what is regularly mean. Daily certainly, but a couple of time a month a Shabbat, to some less so than in the States it's a social event more than anything else. Ultimately its a question of whose dictates do you live by, Halacha as determined by Rabbis or your own liberal definition of the world.
I would like to correct, what I believe is, a false assumption you make in this article.
You state that a majority of Israelis are secular. “…. Israel's silent majority, which is secular….” According to the Pew survey of March 8, 2016, only 40% of Israelis (Jewish) define themselves as Hiloni, secular. Whereas 41% of Israelis (Jewish) define themselves as Masorti, Dati or Haredi. Since 2016, due to demographics, I think you would find Hiloni less than 39% and the Jewish religious more than 41%.
Furthermore, a small percentage of self defined Hiloni pray on a daily basis and attend synagogue weekly. Also 56% of Hiloni believe in god. 33% of Hilonim keep kosher at home.
So… self defined secular Israelis are a decided minority and even among the self defined secular Israelis they follow many religious practices and beliefs which begs the question: What exactly is a secular person defined as in Israel?
As far as I know, a secular lifestyle is defined as one that has no spiritual or religious basis. Yet, many Jewish Israelis, who define themselves as secular (Hiloni) have many religious components and behaviors which call into question their definition of secular.
A secular Jew in Israel is much more of a political social statement than an actual statement of religion. Masorti Jews do not live a religious lifestyle. Do not were a kappa and most importantly do not follow the edicts of a religious authority. 10% of Israelis are Dati, and another 12% are Haredi. The rest live secular lifestyles with Jewish cultural and even religious components.
I’m not sure how one defines a religious lifestyle. IMO keeping kosher, praying regularly and regular synagogue attendance denote a religious lifestyle.
However… if one’s definition is that of living by the edicts and dictates of your rabbi defines a religious lifestyle then that would indeed include dati and Haredi.
What is your definition? Is there a commonly accepted definition in Israel?
Since religion in Israel is so tied up to politics there is not one regular definition. Most people keep some version of Shabbat because it's the day off and most stores are closed, but are they keeping a Halachic Shabbat? Most Israelis get together with family Friday night- it's a Jewish tradition and many might say Kiddish, but that has to do with tradition and not religion. When you get to praying regularly that becomes something else, but what is regularly mean. Daily certainly, but a couple of time a month a Shabbat, to some less so than in the States it's a social event more than anything else. Ultimately its a question of whose dictates do you live by, Halacha as determined by Rabbis or your own liberal definition of the world.