Posted on 07/28/2016 8:43:33 AM PDT by Read Write Repeat
The Knesset passed a controversial bill that allows local Orthodox rabbinates to bar non-Orthodox Jewish conversion ceremonies in publicly funded mikvahs.
The bill, which was introduced by the haredi Orthodox United Torah Judaism party and opposed by many North American Jewish leaders, was passed Monday night in a 41-35 vote, The Jerusalem Post reported. The new law will be implemented in nine months.
Under the law, the municipal rabbinates can determine who may use the mikvahs, or Jewish ritual baths, in their purview. Immersion in the mikvah is part of most conversion ceremonies.
The measure aims to override an Israeli Supreme Court ruling in February that paved the way for non-Orthodox Jewish communities in Israel to use public mikvahs for conversions.
The government has said it will establish four mikvahs expressly for use in non-Orthodox conversions. However, it is not clear whether the funding will come from the government or the Jewish Agency for Israel, which is funded largely by donations from Diaspora Jews.
Natan Sharansky, chairman of the Jewish Agency, condemned the new law in a statement issued after its passage.
“This bill, which offers no solution to the non-Orthodox denominations, circumvents the rulings of the High Court of Justice. It is unfortunate that the bill passed before such a solution was ensured,” Sharansky said.
Rabbi Gilad Kariv, director of the Reform movement in Israel, said the law “breaches the clear promise of the prime minister not to legislate against the progressive denominations” and was damaging to Israel’s relationship with Diaspora Jewry, The Jerusalem Post reported.
“This legislation jeopardizes the ability to have fruitful dialogue with the Israeli government, and we see it as a direct move by the government against millions of Reform and Conservative Jews in Israel and around the world,” Kariv said.
Yizhar Hess, director of the Conservative, or Masorti, movement in Israel, condemned the new law as “un-Jewish and undemocratic.”
There is a universal war of the worldviews.
Western liberals look at Western conservatives and shriek that they are a would-be Taliban, seeking to impose an oppressive religious state, while ignoring the violence and oppression even in the west by Muslims.
Thus American liberals say oppression will come carrying an American flag and Bible while ignoring Muslim drivers refusing to carry the blind with guide dogs or alcohol or interfaith rooms in schools controlled by Muslims. In the EU, the state arrests Christian ministers for repeating Leviticus while ignoring Muslim Shariah law zones in Europe. And in Israel, the liberal secular Jews see the conservative Orthodox as a greater threat than the Muslims who are regularly killing Jews.
If you have a law-based religion that focuses on the distinction between clean and unclean, and for which “defilement” is a big deal, then it makes sense to allow the “doorkeepers” to control who gets to use the sacred facilities.
Good. Judaism needs no further watering down from its laundry list of un-Orthodox varieties. Especially those trying to force homosexuality from Torah.
Most North American Jews are Jews last; Liberals first, secularists second.
The government has said it will establish four mikvahs expressly for use in non-Orthodox conversions
Since non-Orthodox conversions may or may not (mostly not) be valid conversions, this law actually allows non-Jews to use specially constructed mikvahs rather than raising questions about current halachicly valid mikvahs.
During this period of mourning for the destruction of the Temple, this mikvah controversy is a painful reminder that true Jewish sovereignty has not been fully restored to the Land of Israel.
Here’s a follow up:
“...In other words, the religious council shall be authorized to deny recognition to Reform or Conservative bodies and to prevent them from using the mikvo’os counter to the Halacha. It was also emphasized that the law does not change anything; it only preserves the status quo which has held sway all these years.
The UTJ lawmakers noted that the Reform and Conservative movements do not have even one mikveh in the U.S. where their base is and their main activities are. Therefore it is hypocritical and sheer mischief making of them to ask to use these facilities in Israel.”
http://www.chareidi.org/archives5776/mattos/amikvamts76.htm
Just pointing out the facts.
Good point about ownership.
As far as I know, they operate under Orthodox rabbinic supervision as to their physical design, hours, etc. This would seem to be almost exactly will be happening in Israel - kosher mikvehs available for questionable halachic use. I believe the Reform used to use swimming pools and such.
In Israel, such practices are much more politically charged than they are here: Government rabbis vs. Agudath rabbis, etc.
From the article, “Today, Mayyim Hayyim operates under Orthodox rabbinic supervision...”
The mikvehs in American Reform or Conservative synagogues aren’t under Orthodox supervision; they’re under whatever rabbinic supervision the shul operates under.
Yes, that one particular standalone mikveh is under Orthodox supervision because Anita Diamant wanted everyone possible to use it.
You typically can’t use Orthodox mikvehs for Reform or Conservative conversions here either. If one isn’t available, then there’s always a river, lake, or ocean.
Which is probably going to happen in Israel too.
If you'd like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Should be noted that mikvahs are used for purposes other than conversion. There's no indication that Reform or Conservative Jews don't appear to be barred. Because Israel doesn't recognize different kinds of Jews, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Modern Orthodox, Reconstructionist et al. There are no non "Orthodox" conversions in Israel because there is no distinction between artificial branches. And though Reform and Conservative converts from outside of Israel are eligible for aliyah, they're not necessarily recognized as Jews. Kind of a non issue.
Israel doesn’t need any liberal “denominations of Judaism.” Israelis may be Orthodox or secular, but western liberal Judaism doesn’t belong there.
If they actually convert to Judaism.
Non-Halakhic "conversions" (Reform, Conservative) aren't conversions to Judaism at all.
This is a little ridiculous. Putting aside the conversion issue, I am appalled at a law being passed 41-35. There are 120 members of the Knesset. That means that just over 1/3 of the Knesset made a law and 44 members didn’t even vote!
If you're implying there are no rules or traditions you're incorrect. You can't just wake up and decide you're a Jew or belong to the Jewish community. Reform and Conservative conversions don't meet the standards in Israel, which simply has Judaism, or in the US most Orthodox standards. The "non-Orthodox" conversions referred to would not be considered Jewish in Israel. It's an Israeli issue which doesn't impact the diaspora. And in Israel there's nothing preventing non traditional Jewish denominations from building their own mikvah. Other than the miniscule numbers.
Actually, my Rav says that's exactly what he hears from most of his converts.
Why do you need to vote on something that’s already the law?
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