 Monday Jul 06, 2009
Desperately Seeking a Chief Rabbi
Posted by Rabbi Andrew Sacks
Comments: 32
    
Help Wanted: The City of Jerusalem seeks two Chief Rabbis Qualifications for one: male, Zionist, "able to embrace all elements of Jerusalem's diverse populace and connect the entire Jewish people to Jerusalem, including secular Israelis who love Jerusalem and who serve in the army," according to Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. Qualifications for the second: male, clothed in black, non-Zionist, intolerant, won't eat food under the hashgacha [supervision] of the Chief Rabbinate, intolerant of non-Orthodox streams and of secular Jews, against army service, related to another present or former chief rabbi. So there you have it. Jerusalem has been without a chief rabbi for some time. We have trouble "right here in River City" but not because we lack a chief rabbi. Who really needs one? The haredi (fervently Orthodox) population certainly does not. Many reject the authority of the state and have a rabbinate of their own.  Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger, left, (PHOTO: The Masorti and Reform support abolishing the institution entirely. The secular need these rabbis only for marriage and would support changing the laws to allow for alternative ways to marry. The tradition has been for there to be two chief rabbis - one Sephardi and one Ashkenazi. Thus there are two chief rabbis of the state of Israel and there have traditionally been two for Jerusalem. But imagine hiring a government civil servant on the basis of ethnicity. Tel Aviv put an end to that nonsense (which today only serves to create jobs for the otherwise unemployable) by budgeting for only one chief rabbi.  Shas spiritual leader and former Sephardi chief rabbi In Jerusalem, where there is a growing backlash against the haredi residents setting the agenda for the city- the talk is now of one Zionist chief rabbi and one haredi chief rabbi. Indeed the scuttlebutt is that the haredi Shas political party, whose guru is former Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, will accept a Zionist rabbi if Yosef's son, Yitzhak, is appointed as the other. Sure, why not? The son of former Chief Rabbi Meir Lau is now Chief Rabbi of Modi'in. Far be it from me to suggest that nepotism was involved and that there were no other equally-qualified candidates. Now David Lau is not anti-Zionist but he is adamantly opposed to the growing trend of greater participation of women in Orthodox synagogues and to women's prayer groups. He has also been a vociferous critic of the non-Orthodox movements. Barkat has said that he wants a Zionist rabbi who has served in the army and who raises his children to serve in the army. Rachel Azariya, an official at the Jerusalem Municipality, said that another criterion for being considered Zionist is "seeing the creation of the Jewish state as an event with religious significance. A Zionist rabbi recites the Hallel prayer on Yom Ha'Atzmaut ( Independence Day)." Azariya also said "the ideal Zionist rabbi should also be moderate in his view regarding gender issues and relations with Arabs." I agree. If we must have a chief rabbi then I would support a rabbi who would demand an end to rioting over an open parking lot on Shabbat. (Where are the rioters when it comes to the thousands who park on Shabbat for football? Would they have secular Jews and tourists drive for an extra half hour in search of the limited spots and finally end up parking on the sidewalk?) I would want a chief rabbi who shows respect for all of the denominations, even while feeling they may be on the wrong path. The haredim have threatened to boycott the Chief Rabbinate if a non-haredi is elected (the rules of who votes are very complicated). You know what? Who cares? Let them boycott! One haredi member of the City Council, Shlomo Rosenstein, said "If there's a rabbi whose level or Halachic views do not correspond with the haredi demands, the spiritual leaders will call on the community to shun the Jerusalem rabbinate." Shun away! Jewish tradition tells us that to serve God means to cause God's name to be respected by all. I am a religious Zionist who believes that Israel must offer a home to all Jews, and this must be particularly so in its capital, the City of Peace.
1 |
Kishekman,
Monday Jul 06, 2009
And I am desperately seeing a Conservative rabbi who is willing to move my community to greater observance instead of keeping the stale status quo.
2 |
Ilan Israel,
Monday Jul 06, 2009
Can someone give me one good reason why a chief rabbi is needed? Who benefits and how?
3 |
Ilan Israel,
Monday Jul 06, 2009
I see that #1 (Kishkaman) takes every opportunity, in most every Masorti Matters blog, to knock the Conservative Movement and/or its approach to egalitarianism. He does so on other Blogs too.
Of course he does not respond to the issues discussed in the blog. But angry people often just lash out.
If he were a bit less "desperate" he might succeed in finding the many Conservative rabbis who inspire greater observance.
4 |
David,
Monday Jul 06, 2009
You know, dear Rabbi, your articles are sounding more and more like you have a sour lemon in your mouth....
5 |
David Hebron,
Tuesday Jul 07, 2009
Is the parking situation really important? What´s the meaning of zionism? Does it mean, israel for jewish people? That´s what the german said in world war 2, Germany for germans. Zionism should mean, we love David, we love Moses. We love our neighbour´s in Palastie and respect them, we care for them and we share everything with them, and if the Rabbi´s don´t pray and teach this the jewish people, they will both not qualified to be a chief Rabbi in Jah kingdom.
Forgiveness and Mercy is to pray, to be a high priest in front of Zevaoth.
6 |
Shel Zahav in Jerusalem,
Tuesday Jul 07, 2009
The conservative movement should desperately seek some people who keep kosher and shabbat. Such a shambles of a movement.
7 |
Shel Zahav in Jerusalem,
Tuesday Jul 07, 2009
Answer to Ilan #2. Perhaps unbeknownst to you, Ilan, numerous questions come up. For example, a real question was posed by Tzahal to the Chief Rabbinate concerning a mission to save some Jews while the mission might get others killed. In fact, the numbers of such questions get into the hundreds. Let us not forget who buries the Jewish dead in Israel with great respect. It isn't the Conservatives, that is for sure. The list of examples that I could bring on how the Chief Rabbinate is involved in daily Jewish life is far too long to mention here.
8 |
Shel Zahav in Jerusalem,
Tuesday Jul 07, 2009
Another reply to Ilan.
Ilan, I think that you should consider leading a more Jewish life. If you don't even know what the Chief Rabbinate does, that says more about you than it does about them. Life should not be a celebration of ignorance.
9 |
Avrohom - Israel,
Tuesday Jul 07, 2009
The blogger writes, "Jewish tradition tells us that to serve God means to cause God's name to be respected by all. I am a religious Zionist who believes that Israel must offer a home to all Jews, and this must be particularly so in its capital, the City of Peace." Then again Torah tells us to adhere to mitzvot. It is a shame that hypocrisy is the main point these blogs show. This blogger, who is not to be considered a Rav in the real sense of the word, wants to appoint a Rav. He has it backwards. Does it matter who the Chief Rav is? Will this blogger start adhering to Torah & teach it also?
10 |
Ilan Israel,
Tuesday Jul 07, 2009
To #7: The Chief Rabbinate does not bury in Israel. It is the for profit Hevrot Kaddisha.I recall seeing Chief Rabbis only at celebrity funerals and Talmidei Chachamim.
As to the Halachic questions:Yes they get questions.So do many non-Chief Rabbis. They decided the bones (not clear if they are Jewish) not be moved to build a protected wind in the Ashkelon hospital.The Chief army rabbis said women should not serve.The Chief Rabbi in Ashdod publicly degraded Olim.
Again I ask-who needs them?It is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
As for not knowing what they do-how has Jerusalem suffered without?
11 |
Ilan Israel,
Tuesday Jul 07, 2009
To #8cont.
You say "I should live a more Jewish life."You have no clue how I live my life.And Judaism teaches us not to be presumptive. Only Gad is Bechen Klayot (knows the true path of each of us).
I know how the law defines the Chief Rabbi's role.But that most people don't know what these rabbis are busy doing speaks to their failure,not mine How has Tel Aviv suffered by not having a second Chief Rabbi?
And what does my neighborhood Chief Rabbi 0offer to me that I can not get by a rabbi who does not work for the government?
And why do they not pay taxes (Rav Lau Sr.) on wedding fees?
12 |
Kishkeman,
Tuesday Jul 07, 2009
If Israel had a Chief Rabbinate that Andy Sacks liked and if there was an Israeli conversion policy that Sacks liked and if there was enough money given from the Israeli government to the Masorti movement that Sakcs felt was generous and If Sacks thought enough money was given from Conservative Jews to the Conservative movement and if and if and if and if etc. Still many know the Con. movement would fail those that enter its doors. Its basic committents to Judaism and its theology is a failure. Sacks can write about extenal problems forever. It still won't help the Con. movement.
13 |
David S,
Tuesday Jul 07, 2009
The reason the rabbi calls for an end to the practice of appointing two chief rabbis is because in the Conservative movement they don't respct non-Ashkenazi traditions. As this movement is purely an Ashkenazi formulation, it behooves any Conservative leader to even recognise the equality of Sephardi history or traditions. A Sephardi is as out of place in a Conservative "Temple" as possible. This is why Conservative Judaim will nevr take root in Israel, because the majority of traditional/masortim are Sephardim who are ignored at best and looked down to at worst.
14 |
David usa,
Tuesday Jul 07, 2009
Thank G-d we don't have a Chief Rabbi in the US. Would never work here. Who needs them !?! Jews here go to the synagogue of their choice - and there are countless choices - with the rabbis they respect. Have no idea why we would need one here.
15 |
Morton Friedman Lanham, MD,
Tuesday Jul 07, 2009
I am a Jew. I have read the Torah, the New Testament, the Koran, and see no reason to change. I have been associated with Orthodoxy, Conservatism, and Reformed. I suggest that I am best defined as an amalgam of the many essays in the Pearl Foundation book, I Am A Jew. I do NOT believe in Men of God, Princes of Peace, Supreme Ayatollahs, etc. Let them write essays and books, perhaps I may even read and agree with them. But ruling my life? Forget it. Fortunately, in the USA, I do not even have to offer any financial support to organizations that support them. I judge 'wise men' by their acts.
16 |
Cember,
Tuesday Jul 07, 2009
Shel - #8 The question isn't what Heikhal Shlomo does. It's rather why the taxpayer should pay for whatever it does. If people feel a need for a Chief Rabbinate, then they should voluntarily pay for its support. I personally feel that the religious establishment acts in opposition to my personal needs, the needs of the country, and the needs of Judaism, which they defile on a daily basis, and wouldn't voluntarily contribute a grush to enable their parasitism. If you need them, then you pay for them!
17 |
Kathy Borenstein Teaneck, New Jersey,
Tuesday Jul 07, 2009
You don't want a rabbi, you want a rabbit's foot that you can pull out of your pocket and do with it as you please. The only thing you didn't list for the rabbi to do is be a rabbi. Santa Claus doesn't exist.
18 |
Avi Jerusalem,
Wednesday Jul 08, 2009
For goodness sake-will somebody please tell me what a state funded rabbinate can do that can not be done by the private sector?
19 |
Mayer,
Wednesday Jul 08, 2009
"I would want a chief rabbi who shows respect for all of the denominations"
Says the man whose blog is one long anti-Orthodox diatribe. Respect, indeed.
20 |
Shalom, Cherry Hill,
Wednesday Jul 08, 2009
De Tocqueville wrote: "if the clergy were entirely separated from all temporal power, I cannot but believe that with time it would regain the intellectual influence which naturally belongs to it. I think that to appear to forget the church, without being unfriendly to it, is the best way and even the only way to serve it." As a Torah Jew, I agree--we should minimize the connection of government and religion--it leads to corruption and fighting, and a huge chillul HaShem.
21 |
J. Danzig,
Wednesday Jul 08, 2009
While I deeply respect those who choose to maintain a religious way of living, I find it hard to live in an area where it's quite obvious that people are about to get hurt, either way. We're either get the Jewish version of crusades and inquisitions, or be in a spot where we must alienate a big part of the Jewish identity, just in order to survive within ourselves.
22 |
Ilan Israel,
Wednesday Jul 08, 2009
Again I ask: what functions must be provided by Chief rabbis that can't be covered by rabbis in the free market?
23 |
Baruch Lee,Merion Station,Pa,USA,
Thursday Jul 09, 2009
Once again many responses here attack the blogger,Rabbi Sacks(#4#6#13#17)and the conseraitive movement missing the point which is...why do we need a Rabbi that negates the needs of alll jews in Israel..To # 6,most of my conserative friends keep Kosher(at least in thier homes).Who are you to judge..AND WHY DO WE NEED 2??Also ,what about the nepotism issue?Don't we want a rabbi(a man,OF COURSE)that recognizes the rights of all jewish men&woman?
This is not about Rabbi Sacks or the conserative movement(by the way,shame on people that dismiss rabbis that are not Ortho).
24 |
Ilana, MS,
Thursday Jul 09, 2009
The Masorti rabbi says: "I would want a chief rabbi who shows respect for all of the denominations." Gimme a break. You won't find an Orthodox rabbi to write a blog like this savaging members of unorthodox religious movements. Trashing the haredim and then claiming it's really the haredim who are trashing the rest of Jewry is the exclusive province of the grandstanding rabbinates of the Conservative and Reform movement.
25 |
Philip Crown, Sfat,
Thursday Jul 09, 2009
Bring back Chief Rabbi Lau.The best we ever had.
26 |
Ilan Israel,
Thursday Jul 09, 2009
To #24: You are correct. The Orthodox are often much MORE savage (exceptions like Rabbi Farber and Tzohar rabbis).
You may not rcall that Rav Ovadya Yosef (along with other Roshei Yeshiva who made similar comments) refered to the non-Orthodox as "impure rabbit eaters." He referred to women as "cows."
The Reform have been referred to as "more destructive to Judaism than the Nazis." And the Chief Rabbis will ot even respect the title "Rabbi." earned by the non-Orthodox.
As for savaging Orthodox who write-juts look at the many writings of jonathan Rosenblum in this very paper.
27 |
Barzilai in Chicago,
Thursday Jul 09, 2009
1. What is stopping the Masortim from designating their own Chief Rabbi? Use the energy spent grousing for something 'positive.'
2. Most religious beliefs are exclusivist, as even your Rabbi Heshel would agree. A believes x,y, and z are true, and whoever doesn't believe x,y, and z is not only wrong but poses a danger of subversion to right-thinking people. Orthodoxy and Conservative are incompatible in theology, bible scholarship, and halacha. Sorry.
3. Why would a conservative opinion about chillul shabbat be relevant when the majority of Conservative Jews drive on Shabbat?
28 |
Avrohom - Israel,
Friday Jul 10, 2009
Ilan Israel, Jonathon Rosenblum's writings do not savage other Jews because of their religious affiliation. Nor is it at all clear he fits into the category suggested by Ilana in #24. You do not make a very cogent point at all. The mainstay of the blogger here, who represents the reform Jewish club, is to defame and savage the orthodox.
29 |
Cember,
Friday Jul 10, 2009
Barzilai, #27 - The problem is a tax-supported religious Establishment, not whether Jews need 2 Popes or 3. Orthodoxy is entitled to have whomever it chooses tell them what to think, but why do I need to pay? I agree that any monotheistic religion must be exclusivist. So why does an exclusivist institution deserve payment by those excluded? Don't charge me for your obscurantism, and you can believe that the universe is 5769 ys old, that evolution is a lie and the moon is made of (kosher) cream cheese if you want. I still believe Shabbat violence is a bigger Khillul than Shabbat driving.
30 |
Dale Green ,Tuscon,
Saturday Jul 18, 2009
(Conservative) Rabbi, heal thyself.
31 |
Shel Zahav,
Sunday Oct 04, 2009
Let the conservatives show us the light of private-sector rabbis. Oh, they do. Nobody follows them. Nobody goes to them. I guess the private sector has given Andrew Sacks his answer and its disdain for this American assimilationist tumor.
32 |
Cember, Jewish Reformation,
Thursday Oct 08, 2009
Shel - I assume you meant Conservative. Generally, the Heterodox sector in the US is growing. The free market is providing an answer re American inclusivist tumors too. The Orthodox and even Haredi sectors are thriving under their American private-sector rabbis, so the private sector has apparently given its answer on the American exclusionist tzizit measuring medievalists as well. I wonder whether they would do as well in the Israeli private sector. What are you afraid of; Competition or loss of your government stipend? Only those with weak ideas need to suppress free expression.
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