The Future of Israel
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Rabbi of Efrat in Gush Etzion and founder of Ohr Torah Stone, strongly criticized hareidi Knesset members on Tuesday for their stance on the government's conversion reforms.
In an interview with Galei Yisrael radio, Rabbi Riskin defended the proposed government decision regarding conversion which would remove Chief Rabbinate supervision of the conversion process, and criticized its opponents.
"I do not understand the whole issue. Yes, I think there is a (Torah) commandment of 'you shall love the convert.' Yes, I think that the Chief Rabbinate until now did not know what it is to get someone who wants to convert treated properly, with love and care," he fired. "How dare they say that my conversions were not done according to Jewish Law?"
In response the interviewer, attorney Dov Halberthal - who is himself hareidi - said, "They say it's an issue of love replacing halakha (Jewish law).”
Rabbi Riskin replied, "It's not 'instead of halakha.' The halakha itself talks about love. Don't you know a very simple mishna (Talmudic tract): 'be disciples of Aharon, loving peace and pursuing peace?' Love people and bring them closer to Torah through love.”
Halberthal continued to respond, claiming that applies to "Jewish people and not the Gentiles," but Rabbi Riskin retorted: "there is no place in where it says that 'people' means 'Jews.' It means 'human beings' - period."
Halberthal then presented the position of many in the hareidi world that "neither the halakha nor the Jews want converts," apparently interpreting the Jewish prerogative to warn converts against the hardships of being a Jew as meaning Judaism opposes conversion entirely - a sentiment to which Rabbi Riskin responded harshly.
"That is against the halakhic tradition! I'll tell you, in my opinion the hareidim are the biggest 'Reformers', in many many things, including opposition enlistment into the army because 'there is nothing but Talmud (study)," he said, in a dig at hareidi opposition which has claimed those supporting the bill align with the Reform movement.
"There is no (early halakhic authority) who says that learning Torah physically protects peoples' lives," he said, in a swipe at the hareidi position that yeshiva study should itself be considered national service.
"There is room for dissenting opinions in Judaism," Riskin declared. "There is no one who says that their way is the only way in Judaism - to say so is to be Catholic and follow the Pope," he exclaimed.
The Chief Rabbinate previously warned it would not accept converts under the new law given the fact that it would not be able to supervise the conversion process, and warned that world rabbis likewise have stated they will be forced not to accept Israeli conversions if the Chief Rabbinate is stripped of its supervision.
Source: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/187014
6 comments:
As soon as I saw the name Riskin from Efrat, it was obvious on what side he's on. This guy is a 'Rino' in the Orthodox mvment. In other words, his interpretation of Torah, in general, does not meet the standards of true Orthodoxy. There's no question, he would like us to become one of the nations. He's more Reform/Conservative. I'd rather not say more what I really think.
Actually, I believe he is Reform, or if not, then he aligns with the Reform Movement and its leaders. This is evidenced by many of his actions and activities. I don't think he hides it.
He has changed over the years, he is not the same person he was 30 years ago. Or else he was always hiding it.
He appears to have forgotten everything he learned in Yeshivah, and everything he learned from Jewish History
He is basically one of the leaders in Israel of the unofficial Israeli branch of the "Open Orthodox" movement - ie. reform. Another one being Benny Lau.
What he says here has no basis, but to pick it apart item by item would take a long article.
Thank you Yehudi, your critical info is appreciated
Yehudi Yerushalmi is correct. He used to come to America and would speak at our Yeshiva annually. He is a great speaker and he did a lot of good Kiruv work in the past.
Nowadays, I pretty much disagree with everything he publicly says, and I'll just leave it at that.
Thank you YAAK, and welcome back.
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