The storm continues over kosher and conversion reforms.
A few days after the publication in "Israel Today" about the consultations held by the Minister of Religions Matan Kahana in preparation for the formulation of a state conversion law, hundreds of rabbis and members of the Chief Rabbinical Council met today (Wednesday) for a historic emergency meeting calling for a fight.
The conference was attended by the Chief Rabbis, Yitzhak Yosef and David Lau, along with, among others, Rabbi of Ramat Gan, Yaakov Ariel, Head of the KF London London Kashrut Department, Rabbi Israel Yaakov Litenstein, Rabbi of Safed, Shmuel Eliyahu, and Rabbi of Petah Tikva, Micha Halevi.
Chief Rabbi Yosef, Photo: Yaakov Cohen
"Israeli rabbis and judges join the position of the Chief Rabbinate Council of Israel, which rejects the Ministry of Religious Affairs' dangerous initiative to destroy kashrut and Judaism in Israel. The 'plan' approved by the government for changes in the kashrut system Possibility for every person to grant kosher when the result is one, destruction and destruction of kosher, "the rabbis of Israel stated in the announcement at the end of the conference.
"This is part of a general trend of harming religious services, kosher food, marriage and conversion, the ultimate goal of which is to abolish the Jewish identity of the State of Israel and to eliminate the rabbinical institution in Israel.
"This is a decision made in a snap, in addition to the Arrangements Law without coordination and consultation with the bodies authorized by law - the Chief Rabbinate, local rabbis, and religious councils and ignoring the reports of committees of the Chief Rabbinate and the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
"The rabbis of Israel announce that they will listen to the listeners' lesson not to rely on kosher food given under this plan, which has an obstacle for many."
It goes on to say: "Conversion can not be done out of civic, social or cultural interest, but only out of a sincere desire to be part of the people of Israel and its teachings upon receiving the yoke of Torah and mitzvos ... We are not only faced with the question of whether conversion is conversion or not. "Will the people of Israel exist as a Jewish people or be a combination of many Gentiles - this is a war of existence ... Conversions that are carried out without the Chief Rabbinate of Israel will not be recognized by the rabbis of Israel."
"Making a split in the people of Israel"
The Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, David Lau, mentioned in his speech at the conference that he initiated a proposal to strengthen kashrut according to which the law would oblige local rabbis to act "subject to kashrut procedures."
According to Rabbi Lau, "Those who failed in this were people who allegedly held a great degree, and persuaded the MKs to oppose so as not to strengthen the chief rabbinate.
They are the ones who are now applauding this reform. "
Regarding the possible changes in the field of conversion, the Chief Rabbi said that "the conversion system makes an effort within the rules of halakhah, out of reverence, to facilitate as much as possible. Do you know where I want city rabbis to join? "Convert and assimilate, mobilize and help us strengthen the people living in your city. This is the real action."
Chief Rabbi Lau, Photo: Coco
Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, who serves as president of the Chief Rabbinical Council, protested: "It is not appropriate for the government and the Knesset to ignore such a historic conference. We call from here: Come back. Pedigrees They divide the people of Israel.
"I talked about this with my colleague Rabbi Lau, who in no way recognizes the conversion of city rabbis. How do you want to come and recognize the Reformers? How many millions of Jews have we lost because of them? Repent, do not destroy Judaism in the Land of Israel. "
"To protest against the honor of the Torah"
Opponents of the reforms were joined, as mentioned, by Rabbi Micha Halevi.
"First and foremost, this is the tradition of the Torah, this is the sanctity of the Torah, which passes through it as a conduit to all the avenues of the people," he said.
"A rabbi is not just a degree of someone who has passed tests. Rabbi Kook wrote, 'The rabbinate is not a kosher clerk.' "Can it be said, God forbid, that there is a conflict of interest here? Calling all the officials let the rabbinate into the world.
Rabbi Halevi, Photo: Yaakov Cohen
Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Lichtenstein claimed that "this is not just a struggle of the Land of Israel, it is a global struggle, it has consequences all over the world. "And pray that you will succeed in the struggle to preserve the rabbinate and kashrut. There has never been a danger like now."
