"One of the reasons why I did not accept the post of Chief Rabbi of Israel – and the offer was made to me several times – was that I was afraid to be an officer of the State. A rabbinate linked up with the state cannot be completely free.... I admire the rabbis in Israel for their courage in standing up for the problems there and displaying almost superhuman heroism. However, the mere fact that from time to time Halachic problems are discussed as political issues at Cabinet meetings is an infringement of the sovereignty of the rabbinate.... A State based on agnosticism and secularism cannot fit into the outlook of redemption. If this singularity is obliterated in Israel, then what right is there to apply the adjective “Jewish” to that State?"
RYB"S z"l
