The preoccupation with the High Court decision incites attention from the main thing • There are many who have come to Israel and are waiting for a solution • If we do not address the default - reality will explode inside us • Opinion
Rabbi Yuval Sherlow
Photo:
Eric Sultan
As is the way things are - look at what is under the spotlight and not at the real challenges.
The tumultuous preoccupation with the High Court's ruling diverts attention from the main issue at hand.
The State of Israel is home to hundreds of thousands of people who came here under the Law of Return, served in the army and defended the State of Israel, are an integral part of Israeli society, contribute to it and form a backbone, their children in the holiday education system and they even fast on Yom Kippur - but they are unequivocally Jews according to Halacha.
Military service, contribution to society, self-identity and celebration of holidays - important as they may be - are not halakhic tools.
A Jew is one who converts according to Halacha.
And we are negligent.
And continue with the policy of lawlessness and irresponsibility to the Torah of Israel.
The laxity in dealing with this question is what will bring us further down the road to a crisis that is several times greater.
The crisis will occur due to the multiplicity of marriages with non-Jews who, as stated, actually live as part of the Jewish people;
It will occur because of a possible change in the political system;
It will occur because of future High Court rulings.
And again we blame others.
It's always easier.
This is the "custom of Israel."
If we do not authorize city rabbis who are closer to the public and have much more accessible halakhic conversion procedures, as has always been the case according to halakhic law, and also in the first decades of the State of Israel;
If we do not accept the rulings on the conversion of minors;
If you did not agree to be accompanying families and messengers of the conversion courts;
If we do not open the gates of the Palace of Judaism and present the wealth and power within it - the bitter reality that endangers the Jewish people more than any other threat will explode before our eyes.
The column was written as part of the Zikim Beit Midrash to convey the words of Rabbi Yuval Sherlow on WhatsApp
