The first argument in the newly sworn-in 24th Knesset took place on Wednesday morning between the first Reform Rabbi to become an MK, Gilad Kariv (Labor) and Noam MK Avi Maoz.
Kariv spoke from the plenum about the state of Israel cultivating a commitment to all Jewish communities throughout the Diaspora – to all streams of Judaism.
“As long as the state of Israel isn’t willing to recognize all the streams of the Jewish people, Israel’s investment in the Diaspora won’t be of benefit,” Kariv said. “Because despite the investment people won’t accept being told that they’re second-rate or third-rate Jews.”
MK Avi Maoz responded: “A Jew is whoever the highest halachic authority, which is the Chief Rabbinate, determines is a Jew. There’s a difference between individual Jews and streams or movements. There are no streams in Judaism. There’s one Yahadus according to the Torah. And these streams are new, but Yahadus is over 3,000 years old.”
“It’s impossible to mislead the public and say that everyone can establish their own Judaism. Just like I can’t establish an academic institution and call myself a professor, it’s the same thing in Judaism. There is only one Judaism.”
Kariv interjected: “You’re a small minority. This is a Jewish and democratic state, not a halachic state.”
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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6 Responses
“Kariv interjected: “You’re a small minority. This is a Jewish and democratic state, not a halachic state.”
First of all “Reform J” are not a majority. unaffiliated (not yet frum Jews) are not reform.
I would have quipped back, and this is why you can put a Tallis on a dog and give him A BM. Because your Judaism has no architectural plan.
Those who practice “Reform” are not practicing Judaism. Reform is a recently made up (1800’s) collection of practices that have nothing to do with Judaism. Reform ideology is close to xtianity.
The reformers have a convention every year where they vote on and make up what they’re going to do and believe in for the coming year. They’re a bunch of phonies.
The great thing about reform is that it causes all different sects of Orthodox Jews to unite for the same cause.
The reform are with Labor? Ha, they belong with the real haters of Judaism: the Arabs.
I remember in ’67, when the war broke out the reform on the west coast SF area called on its members to donate blood to the ARABS! Well the youth (not the adults) were insulted and after this the deformed movement began changing from an anti-Israel stance to a sort of pro Israel but still America first stance….
We are not a small minority. You have to add in all the past generations. That is Jewish democracy.
“Kariv interjected: “You’re a small minority. This is a Jewish and democratic state, not a halachic state.” SUCH a petty childish response!!! If a majority of people, a mob, decide to kill someone, I guess Kariv would say it’s OK!! Very Very Sad!!