Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef announced the Giyur Bill approved by the cabinet on Sunday 9 Marcheshvan is not acceptable to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He added the chief rabbis will ask for another discussion on the matter in the upcoming Chief Rabbinate Council meeting.

Rabbi Yosef explains that the nation’s giyur, which operates under the Chief Rabbinate of Israel is a workable system that was established in response to corruption. He pointed out in the old system it was possible to bribe a local rav since there was no oversight. However, the current system changed this and now the bill seeks to return giyur to the local level and ultimately, the converts will pay since their giyur will not be recognized as it has been in the past.

Rav Yosef warns the cabinet decision will tear the nation apart and there will be real Jews and second rate Jews as a result of the cabinet’s action.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)