Expert: Ovadiah ben Avraham - 12/21/2006

Question
Just one more question.  Reguarding law; When you say when "observant Israel is in her ownland, maintains govermetal authority and the Sanderdrin can meet" are you saying Israel is not technically a Jewish State and therefore not obligated under Torah Law?  If so, isn't this a defiance of what G-d commanded? If that is so, how is this justified?  Thank you for your patience in this matter.

Answer
Marc,
You have a good rational mind. Your questions are logical and not burdensome.

No. Actually what I'm trying to do is distinguish between a Jewish Theocracy (which does not exist today) and the current Israeli government (Democracy).

There are Muslims, secular Jews, etc. in the current Israeli government. This is not Biblical. But yes there is a Jewish State. It will probably take messiah to change the government back into a Theocracy, at which time all Torah law can be fulfilled. Until then, we must obey the laws of the country where we reside, so long as they do not force us to serve other gods or disobey our G-d. Thanks again for the questions. Shalom!