Torah Jews/Frequently asked
Asked often. Answered plainly.
Journalists and readers are welcome to quote any answer on this page, with attribution to Torah Jews.
Q.01Do all Jews support Israel?
No. Great numbers of Torah-observant Jews around the world oppose the Zionist state on religious grounds, continuing a rabbinic opposition that began the moment the movement did, in 1897. The claim that the state speaks for all Jews has never been true.
Q.02Why don't we hear about Jews who oppose Israel?
The Zionist movement has portrayed itself as speaking for all Jews, strategically silencing Torah-held opposition. Most secular media lack the religious literacy to distinguish between Judaism (a 3,000-year-old faith) and Zionism (a 19th-century political movement).
Q.03Is anti-Zionism the same as antisemitism?
No. We are Torah-observant Jews opposing Zionism on religious and moral grounds. The Satmar Rebbe — the most consequential anti-Zionist voice of the 20th century — was a Holocaust survivor who lost his entire community. Conflating our theological position with hatred of Jews is itself a form of silencing us.
Q.04Are Jews a race or a nationality?
Neither. Jewish peoplehood is a covenant, not a bloodline or a passport. At Sinai the Jewish people became a people by accepting the Torah — with no land and no state of their own. That is why anyone, of any race or background, who sincerely accepts the Torah becomes fully a Jew: Ruth, a convert, became the ancestor of King David. Zionism's redefinition of Jews as a nationality bound to a state is a modern departure — not the tradition.
Q.05What about Israeli government actions?
Whatever the Zionist state does, it does not act in the name of Jews or our sacred Torah values. "Not in our name" is not a slogan; it is a precise theological statement.
Q.06What is the relationship between Torah Jews and Neturei Karta?
Torah Jews is not affiliated with Neturei Karta or any Neturei Karta-identified groups, nor do such groups represent this organization, its leadership, or its mission.
Q.07Who is Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum?
The Satmar Rebbe (1887–1979) — founder of the Satmar Hasidic dynasty and author of Vayoel Moshe, the canonical halachic text opposing Zionism. His voice is the one Torah Jews was founded to carry forward.
Q.08What are the Three Oaths?
The Talmud (Kesubos 111a) records that G-d made the Jewish people swear (1) not to return to Israel as a wall / by force, (2) not to rebel against the nations of the world, and (3) that the nations would not oppress Israel excessively. A state established by force violates the first two.
Q.09How is Torah Jews funded?
Entirely by community members and readers — no government money, no political money. We are a 501(c)(3).