The Hidden Economic Danger in the Basic Law on Torah Study

Legislation that would give the study of Torah constitutional status may lead to a situation in which, given limited resources, the state might prioritize Torah study over the acquisition of skills needed for the modern labor market and a thriving economy.

Photo by Erik Marmor/Flash90

Basic Law legislation – that is, legislation of quasi-constitutional status – is currently making its way through Knesset that would anchor the study of Torah as a foundational value of the State of Israel. Public criticism of the Basic Law on Torah Study has so far focused, rightly so, on the question of equality in sharing the burden of military service, as this legislation would ostensibly put the study of Torah on equal footing with meaningful IDF service. Yet another  significant dimension has received almost no attention: the possibility that the law will alter Israel’s national priorities and damage the growth engines on which the Israeli economy depends. If the study of Torah is granted special constitutional status, what does that say about the study of other subjects, like math, science, English, and civics?

It is important to clarify: the question is not whether Torah study has a place in Israel. One can agree that Torah study is an important part of Jewish heritage and that it deserves to be taught in the education system. The issue at hand is that this law would create a hierarchy of values that could affect education policy, budget allocations, and national priorities. Therefore, the question that must be asked is whether it is right to grant religious studies preferred constitutional status precisely in an era when Israel’s economic future depends on the ability of the next generation to acquire the skills required for a knowledge-based economy shaped by artificial intelligence.

A Basic Law is meant to enshrine the fundamental principles of governance and rights, not to determine which field of knowledge is more important than others. Once the state grants Torah study preferred constitutional status, it ranks one type of knowledge above another. The practical meaning is that, given limited budgetary resources, when the state is required to choose between increasing investment in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering studies (STEM fields) and investing in religious studies, the concern is it will find it harder to prioritize fields that are not Torah study. Moreover, if and when this law enters into force, it will be easier to justify funding institutions that do not teach core curriculum subjects, and harder to condition public funding on the teaching of mathematics, English and other important subjects that are necessary to thrive in the modern world.

This Basic Law may lead to a situation in which, instead of prioritizing the acquisition of skills needed for the modern labor market, emphasis is placed on strengthening the constitutional status of Torah study. Such an approach contradicts the recommendations of experts in education policy and preparation for the future labor market. Studies by the Israel Democracy Institute, the Bank of Israel, and many international organizations, including the OECD, consistently point to the need to expand core curriculum studies and strengthen STEM skills and subjects that hone critical thinking, especially in the Israeli economy, whose comparative advantage rests on human capital and technological innovation.

This is particularly important at the present time, since the artificial intelligence revolution is expected to increase demand for workers with technological and scientific skills, while raising concerns about growing unemployment among workers who lack those skills. Accordingly, approval of this bill would serve as a signal to the world that there has been a change in the State of Israel’s priorities — one that could drive away local and foreign investors and harm the future engines of growth of the economy.

It is important that the public debate on this issue not focus solely on equality in sharing the burden, because the matter raises a much larger question: What kind of country do we want to be twenty or thirty years from now? Do we want to preserve our global technological leadership? Do we want to remain the successful Startup Nation that attracts investors from around the world to invest in Israel? Or do we want to become a country that enshrines a set of priorities that may damage the engines of growth on which its future depends?

In an era in which human capital is Israel’s most important strategic resource, this move must be seen for what it is. Yes, it is a decision with moral and military implications. It is also a decision that could shape the economic prosperity and overall future ability of the State of Israel to survive and thrive. 

This article was published in The Jerusalem Post.