The Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) has demanded that Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein launch a criminal investigation against Safed’s Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu for incitement to racism. The demand comes after Eliyahu’s recent halachic adjudication against selling or renting out apartments to Arabs. A conference on the same theme was held last week by Eliyahu and fellow rabbis who share his view.
“These sentiments are prohibited by law, and worse tenfold when they are expressed by a public figure in an official capacity – as Rabbi Eliyahu is,” the IRAC wrote to Weinstein. “The exploitation of the religious and public status given to a city rabbi, and using the money of the religious council [which hired the convention hall where the conference was held] in order to express racist opinions, severe enough by themself, necessitate your urgent probe.”
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(Source: Jpost)
I remember when it was that HaRav Neventzal of the Old City issued a Pesak that the people involved expelling Jews from Gush Katif would have been Hayyav Mittah in the times of Bet HaMikdash. There was quite an uproar and HaRav Neventzals response was that he had a responsibility to say the Halachah.
Same here! I can think of at least one Halachic reason why it would be assur to sell or rent to Arabs. Sackanah.
Sorry to disappoint the IRAC, but being ‘racist’ – that is distinguishing between Am Yisrael and the nations – is one of the most fundamental mitsvot in the Torah!! Instead of running after those who are simply following it, they should save the Rabbanim (and themselves) the trouble and take THE ONE WHO COMMANDED IT in the first place to the Attorney General!!!
Oy lanu le amaratsut
IF Gdolim have reiterated not to hire Arabs workers for your businesses, schools, groceries, etc….it is simple to extend that to selling or renting them apartments..
Could have figured this out without the Chief Rabbi of Safed’s excellent advice.
What about Rav Chaim Kanievsky’s psak about hiring Arabs? Did they go after him?
if they would refer to the arabs as orthodox jews i think noone would have a problem with racism it just depends who you are insulting
Good idea, but also check into why Arabs are forbidden to sell property to Jews. Seems to me that we must be honest, equal and not two faced in front of the justice, yea?
Why can’t Jews rent apartments in Arabs areas? Seems to me that this is also a slightly bit tainted with racism, yea? Maybe I would like to live in Ramallah, like Ahmed wants Sfad…
Lets be fair, yea?
your sister, great point. this rabbi is on of the medina’s favorite targets for a long time.