Is Judaism compatible with the concept of the separation of religion and state?
“The answer to the question as to whether Judaism is compatible with the concept of the separation of Church and State (or rather: religion and state), is similar to that given to the question whether Judaism is compatible with democracy. Again, Judaism, as such, has no position. The ultra Orthodox streams in Judaism have the greatest difficulty accepting the concept when it comes to a state that defines itself as Jewish – i.e. Israel (they have no problem with the separation of religion and state in non-Jewish states), while the liberal Reform and Conservative streams have less of a problem with the concept, even though in Israel neither of these streams is officially recognized by the State. The most extreme ultra Orthodox streams – Neturei Karta and the Satmer Hassidim, simply do not recognize Israel as a Jewish state, and do not feel a part of it, so as far as they are concerned there is a complete separation between the Judaism which they practice, and the State of Israel. It shou
