Inclusion Versus Exclusion in Intra-Orthodox Politics: Between Agudat Israel and Hungarian Orthodoxy

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Ever since the concept of Jewish Orthodoxy emerged in the early-19th century, and especially after Jews were awarded equal civic rights in the 1860s, several religious leaders sought to establish Orthodox organizations. They, however, faced two main obstacles: first, the concept of an Orthodox organization was new to Jewish history and conservative rabbis automatically opposed anything new and condemned it as "modern." Second, an Orthodox organization meant a religious jurisdiction superior to that of the local rabbis who were reluctant to give up the full authority they enjoyed. Following a long period of deterioration in the power and influence of the rabbis, local Orthodox organizations were established in Hungary, Galicia and Germany. In 1912, after the establishment of international movements by Reform rabbis, Maskilim, Jewish socialists, and finally the Zionists, leading Orthodox figures decided to establish the international Orthodox organization titled Agudat Israel. Recognizing its critical role in preserving traditional Judaism, individual rabbis and local Orthodox organizations from many countries joined Agudat Israel. The only country whose rabbis refused to join was Hungary. There, Jewish Orthodoxy enjoyed a special civil status and had its own separate communities. Seeking to maintain their distinct status, Hungarian leaders demanded that Agudat Israel declare itself an Orthodox organization and refrain from accepting Jews who belonged to non-Orthodox communities, who were lax in their religious conduct, or who supported Zionism. After deliberating the pros and cons, Agudat Israel decided to decline the "Hungarian demand" and, instead, to accept every Jew who wanted to join. Consequently, most Hungarian rabbis banned the organization. Nevertheless, the political and social circumstances following World War I drove some Hungarian rabbis and their communities to join Agudat Israel.