יומנים > יומן - מלא 28/02/1949

Monday, February 28, 1949

[Discussions on the formation of a government:]

         – Mrs. Rachel Kagan [of WIZO] came to see me, complaining about social work [the Ministry of Welfare] being granted to I. M. Levin [of Agudas Israel]. She forgets that in the government I cannot act as one would in one’ own arena.

         In the afternoon Rabbi Berlin came to see me. He’s demanding the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Again the same clarification took place. He generally agreed with what I said, but surprised me by announcing that Rabbi Fishman is remaining in the government (rather than Pinkas as I’d thought) and advised that we invite Rabbi Fishman. I did as he advised.

         – Rabbi Fishman [Maimon] came. [He] objects to my claim that the Ministry of Religious Affairs is not strictly a Jewish matter. He reminded me that he hadn’t wanted the Ministry of Religious Affairs [“Ministry of Religions” in Hebrew], but rather the Ministry of Religion or of Judaism, and it was I who tempted him to agree to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. He’s certain that he’s the only one who can stand up to the rabbis and also tell them off, and he’ll look out for the state and not just the religion. He noted that he’s the only one who opposed the rabbis when they boycotted Keren HaYesod [United Israel Appeal] over the dispute regarding the Tehran children, dared to publish an article in Sinai on electricity on the Sabbath and wasn’t deterred by the rabbinical judges’ demand that the pamphlet be banned, etc.

         Afterwards members of the Religious Front came (without Rabbi Kahana). Pinkas’s expression turned bitter when he heard that Rabbi Berlin was appointing Fishman as a government member.

         – Ziama came and told me about the conversation with Mapam. Ziama proposes giving them Agriculture, Cooperatives, Post and Telegraph, and Health. The third is going to be either Hazan or Galili. They recognized their mistake in putting forward two weak people, but they cannot retract and admit their failure. I suggested that Ziama consult with Remez.