City rabbis will be able to convert, but control of the conversion system will remain in the hands of the state conversion system and the chief rabbinate: the
conversion plan of Minister of Religions Matan Kahana was first revealed, centered on the possibility of city rabbis establishing conversion courts to convert tens and hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens. But are not Jews according to Halacha.
The new outline, which the Minister of Religious Affairs intends to raise in government legislation in the coming weeks, is closely compatible with the elders of religious Zionist rabbis, led by Rabbi Chaim Druckman, including Rabbi Yaakov Meidan, Rabbi Ram HaCohen and Rabbi Eitan Izman. "Because the great men of religious Zionism trust their hands in him, and they expect the Chief Rabbinate to adopt her," the Minister of Religions told Israel Today.
As part of the main outline, a "district rabbinical district" will be established within the state conversion system, and as part of it, city rabbis will be able to establish local courts.
In addition, a committee of rabbis will be established to formulate the rules of procedure for the local assemblies.
One of the explosive issues will be the question of whether to allow city rabbis to convert tens of thousands of minors.
Conversion of children will allow the rapid entry of thousands into the Jewish world, but it has met with opposition from conservative elements.
In order to preserve the control of the state conversion system and the chief rabbinate in the procedure, it was decided that the chief rabbis and the chief rabbinate council could in a regulated procedure revoke the appointment of Dayan Gior.
According to the procedure, the chief rabbi can apply to the rabbinical committee with a recommendation to revoke the authority of a dayan who deviates from the procedures, and after a recommendation from the committee, his authority will be revoked by the chief rabbinical council.
Minister of Religions Matan Kahana, Photo: Arik Sultan
A study was recently published in "Israel Today" in which it was stated that tens of thousands of people from the former Soviet Union would want to convert if the conditions were more lenient, but at least they were expected to be discouraged. The Minister of Religions notes that the purpose of the reform is not to facilitate conversion in a way that is contrary to Jewish-Orthodox law. "I am convinced that conversion must be in accordance with Halacha and include accepting the yoke of mitzvos," clarifies Minister Kahana. At the same time, he believes that the establishment of city rabbinical courts will dramatically make it easier for potential converts. "We want to find ways to help them, to establish courts that see converts as an asset and potential. An active conversion system that is courting Israelis from the seed of Israel who will return to the Jewish people."
As part of the outline, Minister Kahana plans to set a precedent in a campaign in which he will for the first time widely call on hundreds of thousands of Israelis from the seed of Israel who are not Jews according to Halacha to come and convert.
"The issue of conversion is on our minds. One in ten couples is in a mixed marriage. These are our best friends at home, at work and at school. The rabbis understand that if we do not act on the issue, we will damage the Jewish identity of the State of Israel."
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