Dear members and friends, Hello from Rome.

As we transition from winter to spring, from the month of Adar to the month of Nissan, and from the Book of Shemot (Exodus) to the Book of Vayikra (Leviticus), I am also transitioning. After a few days in Israel, I am spending the next few days in Rome before returning to the U.S. During my time in Israel, I participated in the country’s 20th election, which was often referred to as “a democratic celebration.” Israel voted to keep Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister, but the election campaign touched on aspects of tension within Israeli society, and also added tension in the country’s relationship with the United States. Reflecting on this rich week in Israel and the results of the election, important questions are raised — mainly whether Israel is going in the right direction. Like many issues about Israel, the answer is: It’s complicated. But to try to simplify it a bit, Israelis voted on two main issues — security and social/economic, not necessarily in that order. In fact, the perception of which issue is more critical to Israel at this time determined the way most individuals voted. So far so good. But like the Talmud, it’s not the question that makes it complicated, it’s the many answers; what is good for security and what is good for social/economic involve a full array of perspectives, many of them not mutually exclusive. In broad terms, the division between Right and Left in Israel is the perspective of which issue is more critical: Security leans Right, and Social/Economic leans Left. The more centrist parties claim they are equally critical, that they are two sides of the same coin. In the case of Israel, I tend to agree with the latter notion, but for now, let’s look at the two separately. When we look at Israeli security, is Israel in a good place? That depends on whom you ask, and it depends on whether the perspective is “can it be better?” or “can it be worse?” Let me explain. No one claims that security in Israel is ideal, just like no one claims that the social/economic conditions in Israel are ideal. For example, Fact: There was a war with Hamas in Gaza only a few months ago during the summer of 2014, when rockets and missiles were shot at Israeli civilians for almost two months. Perspectives: The Israeli government managed the conflict well, and was able to achieve quiet without entering Gaza with ground forces and dragging the country into a worse conflict. So it could have been worse. On the other hand, would it have been better if Israel had maintained better diplomatic relations with the Palestinians? If so, perhaps the situation would not have escalated in the first place. Similarly, let’s look at the social/economic situation. Fact: Israel’s living cost is high, as the ever-rising cost of housing attests. As a result, a whole generation of people in their 30s and even young 40s cannot afford to move out of their parents’ houses or are forced to continue to rent housing with little hope of ownership in sight. It’s also true that many young couples are forced to move back with their parents as the only way to save toward a place of their own. Perspectives: On one hand, even though Israel’s cost of living is high, the government was economically prudent, thus avoiding a worse fate as a result of the 2008 global economic crisis, which caused the collapse of various world economies. The other perspective would be that Israel’s cost of living doesn’t have to be this high; the government has enough money and other remedies to offset prices. There is yet a third perspective: The center claims that security and socioeconomics are two sides of the same coin. Less tourism and foreign investment flow into the country’s economy in times of unrest and, at the same time, Israel must spend a significant portion of its GDP on security instead of investing it in its own economy. This results in a growing poverty class. In summary, the results of the election showed one important fact: As much as Israelis are concerned about economy and security, security takes precedence. The Likud party, with Netanyahu at the helm, can claim several victories. They won 31 seats in the Knesset, which constitutes more than a quarter of the 120 seats. Also, the party accomplished this standing alone, unlike the previous election, which called for conjoining with Israel Beitenu to win more votes. This election seems to have drawn a clearer line between the two sides of the aisle; security won. The people of Israel have spoken: Benjamin Netanyahu will continue as prime minister, yet challenges remain. Many conflicting ideas, wants, and needs must learn to live together in a coalition of at least 61 Knesset members. My hope is that the next 120 Knesset members will remember that they represent the ancient model of Anschei Hakneset Hagedola — the 120 People of the Great Assembly. Let them not wipe out the progress made in religious pluralism and acceptance of minorities.

Chodesh Tov, —Rabbi Gadi Capela