As Ettinger affirms in his new book Frayed: The Disputes Unraveling Religious Zionists, contrary to the belief of some, orthodoxy in Judaism is not, and never was, static or monolithic. Modern-day Orthodox Religious Zionism has been unraveled through interaction with modernity, leaving behind multiple, conflicting strands. Some have adapted to changes in modern-day life, others not. The fractious outcome is plainly evident, for example, regarding the issue of orthodox women serving in the IDF, but also regarding the divided views on educating women in matters of traditional Jewish learning (Torah, Talmud), and regarding the fulfillment of ritual roles in worship services.

Frayed (Toby Press, 2023) takes its readers, religious as well as secular, on an intellectual journey into the world of Religious Zionism. Along the way, the author lays out and explains the cause of its fraying garment – decentralization of halachic authority. Rather than offering suggestions for reknitting the frayed fabric, the book leaves us with a better understanding, from a keen observer’s perspective, of the extent and significance for Israeli society of the disparate threads. Copies available for purchase from our friends at Chaucer’s

Ettinger is the Commentator for Religion at the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation. For 20 years (to 2017), he was a journalist with Ha’aretz. He was a visiting fellow at Brookings Institute in Washington DC (2016), and while living in New York City (2017–19, was a member of the Shalom Hartman Institute in North America. He is best known for in-depth analysis of the intersections between religion and politics in Israel, particularly within the context of modern Zionism.

“Ettinger’s writing, free from ideological anxieties and academic theorizing, opens a thrilling window into the vitality and richness, in celebration and struggle, of being a free people in the Land of Israel. And like all good books, is an invitation to more conversations, among and within ourselves….Frayed will be interesting, informative and thought provoking for anyone interested in the future of Israeli society” (Daniel Goldman, fathom, winter 2024)