Posted on 09/28/2005 8:57:29 AM PDT by Alouette
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
BTTT
Related story about Rav Schwartz and Noahides from the August 30, 2005, J-Post:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1125368481611
Aug. 30, 2005
Building Noahides' Ark
By KARIN KLOOSTERMAN
They can be found in small pockets around the world from small Russian villages to Palestine, Texas. They reach out to small lights in the fog as family, friends and communities chastise them for saying the unthinkable.
One of the lights collecting souls like moths flitting to a candle is Rabbi Yoel Schwartz, head of a Har Nof yeshiva and rabbi for the haredi unit of the Israel Defense Forces for seven years. Schwartz has become well-known as a source of answers for people who have questions that no other rabbi can – or wants to – answer. In March, he also became the chief rabbi of the newly formed Sanhedrin set up especially for the Bnei Noah movement...
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This may be of interest to you! Ping!
Very interesting...
I'd claim to be a Noahide, if I didn't feel closer to Jewish Orthodxy.
For sure you should stay away from 'Rocky Mountain oysters'!
How come I can't find out about this from anyplace besides secular Israeli newspapers and Christian sources? Is this a Messianic Jewish group?
No, you just have to kill the animal before eating it.
I've met Vendyl Jones and I would be VERY careful of anything he was involved in.
The guy who first introduced me to Free Republic was also a Noahide subsequently banned, though he wasn't a fruitcake like the fellow you described. For example, he pretty much scorns the so-called 'Sanhedrin', which is more in line with traditional Jewish views than with most other Noahides, who embrace the 'Sanhedrin'.
Since that experience I've always thought of Free Republic as a Christian forum where others are mostly welcome if they are deferential, which seems fair enough to me.
Noahides are usually ex-fundamentalist Christians who seem to harbor resentments about being taught falsehoods, etc, and so are more intense than they should be for political cooperation.
To tell you the truth, I had no idea that there was any Halakhic smikhah for non-Jews of any kind. Is this a new idea or just an ancient commandment that's never had the opportunity to be carried out before?
The fact that the Sanhedrion is dealing with this is of utmost importance. I'm only concerned with Rabbi Yo'el Schwartz's associations with the "Root and Branch Association," a syncretistic/ecumenical organization that implicitly promotes the notion that all the "three great monotheistic faiths" are basically all right (they also have had some questionable political associations). It may be that Rabbi Schwartz is no longer associated with them. They certainly don't need to be influencing the Sanhedrion, that's for certain.
Actually, when it comes to castration of animals there's a dispute. I was told once that the majority of Talmudic Sages held it was permitted for non-Jews to castrate (and spay) farm animals, but both Rabbi Bindman in his book and CHaBa"D seem to regard it as forbidden. I realize it's forbidden for Jews to do this (that's not the topic in dispute). It's the permissibility for non-Jews that I've seen disagreement on.
Until now, Noahide communities and organization had been scattered around the globe, with a particular concentration centered around the southern United States.
Take that, stereotype!!!
There is no such thing as 'ordination' of non-Jews by Jews. I think the way the story is written is somewhat misleading.
I know Rabbi Friedman of R&B personally. There's nothing unkosher about him.
There are minor disgreements on a number of points concerning Noahide laws. In addition to castration, there are differing opinions on cross-breeding and grafting, eating blood, etc. These do not affect the basics, though.
I'm sure there are many Rabbis who work with R&B who are 100% kosher. But the point is that R&B is an ecumenical organization (many of whose members are not practicing Noachides but clergy of false religions) with sinister political associations (such as the Transnational Radical Party, whose speakers it has promoted). If R&B has changed its philosophy, well and good. If not, I don't think kosher individuals (Jewish or Noachide) should have anything to do with it.
From a Jewish perspective, someone who comes to learn the seven laws is welcomed, clergy, activist, or not. R&B is NOT a two-way street or a meeting of equals. Non-Jews come to learn from Jews. I know of no acknowledged posek who has issued a psak din declaring R&B assur.
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