Conversion Reform A “Slap In The Face To The Concept Of A Jewish State,” Haredi Knesset Member Says

MK Rabbi Yaakov Litzman summed up haredi feelings by calling the adoption of the reforms, which were supported by moderate Zionist Orthodox and Modern Orthodox rabbis, a “slap in the face to the concept of a Jewish state.”

Above: MK Rabbi Yaakov Lizman

Conversion Reform A “Slap In The Face To The Concept Of A Jewish State,” Haredi Knesset Member Says
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com

Member of Knesset Rabbi Yaakov Litzman of the Ashkenazi haredi United Torah Judaism Party (UTJ) lashed out at the cabinet decision made yesterday to adopt a modified version of the proposed conversion-to-Judaism reform bill as administrative changes – meaning those changes went into effect immediately and did not have to pass Knesset.

It wasn’t that the bill was lacking in Knesset votes. In fact, the opposite was true.

Haredim universally oppose the reform because it allows the state-employed chief rabbis of cities, towns and rural areas  – many of whom who are Modern Orthodox or moderate Zionist Orthodox – to form their own conversion courts and perform conversions of anyone who comes to them no matter where they live, and allows those potential converts to avoid dealing with the haredi-controlled Chief Rabbinate of Israel and its four haredi-controlled regional conversion courts.

To appease haredim, the very secular Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly blocked the bill in Knesset and in the cabinet – until it became clear that many of his coalition partners would ignore him and get the bill passed in Knesset anyway. At that point and under pressure, Netanyahu agreed to a compromise in which slightly watered down reforms would be adopted by the cabinet as administrative changes, and would go into effect immediately.

Haredim were enraged.

According to Yeshiva World, Litzman summed up haredi feelings by calling the adoption of the reforms, which were supported by moderate Zionist Orthodox and Modern Orthodox rabbis, a “slap in the face to the concept of a Jewish state.”

Litzman was especially angry at the right-wing Zionist Orthodox HaBayit HaYehudi Party for adopting positions and backing laws that were not in agreement with the rulings and wishes of haredi rabbinic leaders and with hared-Zionist-Orthodox “haredi-lite” (harda”l) rabbis. He blamed the Zionist Orthodox party for what Litzman claims is the alarming deterioration of the religious status of the country.

Litzman colleague in the Ashkenazi haredi party, Uri Maklev, reportedly said the current government “bad for the Jewish People.”

Rabbi Yisrael Rosen, the head of the Zionist Orthodox Zomet Institute on halakha, science and modernity, insisted that the haredi opposition to conversion reform is not based in halakha. He reportedly said the reformsdo not challenge halakha in any way.

But Rosen opinion holds little, if any, sway in teh haredi community.

Comments

[Clifford from Clifton Park]

Perhaps this will be the last straw for Litzman and his ilk.

Perhaps this will cause them to say "enough is enough already" and become Yerida-niks.

[Lamed Vovnik]

In the movie "Ninotchka" the lead character is asked how the Moscow show trials are going. She replies "There will be better, but fewer Russians." The haredim want better, but fewer Jews.

Their idea of a Jewish state is one where no one serves in the army, no one works for a living, everyone has 10 children and men study gemara all day...the new Zionist dream. Let's give it a try and see how it works out.

And Bibi will still be PM.

[Alter Kocker]

I believe that the camel's back has been broken, and Netanyahu knows that another coalition with the Haredim will not happen again in the forseeable future. The laws that have been on the minds of secular Israel will now begin to pass with great regularity. Peanut-sized brains bred and possessed by the Haredim will not be able to deal with the coming upheaval in their world. Their little world wherein the majority kowtows to their psychotic demands is coming to an end. Bye Bye R. Litzman. You are done.

[Jeff]

"Slap In The Face To The Concept Of A Jewish State"

That would be the Jewish state they insist has no right to exist.

[The Fez]

It's a numbers game. My figures are a few years out of date but over 100.000 people have applied for conversion and less than 5000 people per year actually convert and the majority of conversions are done through the successful Israeli army system, which the Haredim also object too. This whole thing is inevitable as not everyone wants to be Haredi !

[A-NJ]

He looks like Woody Allen in disguise.

[Sarek]

So can I slap him in the face?

[S M L]

Sarek: Yes, then kick him in the ass.

[jj]

Slap in the face? Litzman is a slap in the face to humanity as a whole. Hey shlitzman. Leave politics and go become a mentch for a change.

[state of disgust]

A “Slap In The Face To The Concept Of A Jewish State,”

Israel was established by Eastern European, secular, socialist Jews to be a State where Jews could practice Judaism as they saw fit - or not at all.

These secular socialists led the new state with foresight, energy and determination that saw the country through its worse trials. Unfortunately, Ben Gurion cut a deal with Rav Kook etal, that has resulted in giving undo power and influence to the Haredim many of whom do not pay taxes, recognize the authority of the State, demand welfare and demand support for their political/messianic enterprise on the West Bank.

Israelis have had enough. They are rebelling against the graft and corruption of Litzman and his cronies.

In the last election Liberman's party ran a series of ads that asked, "Who says I'm not Jewish?" Who defines Jewishness in a Jewish State established by secular Jews? Litzman, anti-Semites like Hitler, or secular/socialst Jews? (If you were Jewish enough to go to the gas chambers as a Jew, then you are Jewish enough to be recognized as a Jew by the State of Israel). Litzman has no more authority then Hitler or secular socialists to decide who is Jewish.
If Litzman finds the existing concept of a Jewish State a slap in the face, he is welcome to leave and start his own state, perhaps in Uganda. Now there's an idea.

I'd be happy to contribute to a fund to pay for his relocation.

[AmericanIsraeli]

How about Germany instead? What was Israel before the European Aliya-"state of disgust"

The real problem isn't Rav Kook's deal with Ben gurion it was Rav Kook's deal with the presiding Sephardi Chief rabbi or Rishon Lezion to create an Ashkenazi chief rabbinate to serve along side of him.."stating the ways of peace are great...- sounds like something the Indians said while trusting the new settlers.

The same people that formed the Jewish state put the Haredi in charge of certain issues.. They were very aware of the reformed religions and pretty smart guys, I might add. I am not saying I agree with these Racist Ashkenazi Haredim but what would happen if any American could go to any 3 rabbis in America to convert. Not your local rabbi!! Not your cities Beit din!!! Not anyone who knows you!!! This is what in essence has happened here.

[Jeff]

American Israeli - BT, I presume?

[state of disgust]

"What was Israel before the European Aliya"

It wasn't a State.
At the time of European aliya in the 20's and 30's, Jewish settlement was referred to generically as the Yishuv.
And yes, they were almost exclusively socialist, secular Jews.

[Just saying]

I think American Israeli's point is that prior to 1948 Israel was a place Jews could practice how they wanted or not at all..

Is he wrong? Imagine if you could bring your catholic girl friend to your childhood rabbi across the country because the guy in your city thinks she is only converting for you... - while or after going through a nation wide conversion course.. I bet Ashton Kurtcher would of signed up for that.