Zees – With all due respect, you’re a little black and white on an issue that that’s got a million shades of grey. I’m going to disagree that that “bilbul hamoach” is worse today than ever. Have you heard of the Haskalah? Have you studied what happened to Western European Jewry in the aftermath of the French Revolution? Would you prefer to go to Israel and land at Queen Elizabeth Airport and have your passport stamped by the British? Or a Turk?
We all have to realize that while the medina came about largely through the hands of anti -Torah personalities, it is a reality now. Yes, there are many, many problems as the government is not run by the Torah. However, as Rav Pam points out on Parshas Shelach, we should learn from the meraglim and not speak Loshon Harah about our Eretz Yisroel – yes, even the government. And, I would add, when it comes to Yom HaZikaron, please speak with respect about those who made the ulimate sacrifice for the safety of their people.