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Gedolim Reach Agreement On IDF Conversion Controversy


According to Ynet, Hagon Chacham Ovadia Yosef Shlita, authorized a number of senior Rabbonim on Sunday to add clarifications on his behalf to his controversial ruling which legitimized conversions performed in the Israel Defense Forces.

The addition is said to be accepted by leaders of the Eda Charedis , including Hagon Rav Elyashiv Shlita, who are expected to call off the mass protest against Rabbi Yosef planned for Wednesday.

According to the compromise – brokered by former Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri – Rabbi Yosef added a restriction to his ruling, stating that a convert who did not really intend on adopting a religious lifestyle while undergoing the conversion process would not be recognized as a Jew.

The compromise offers the Ashkenazi rabbis a way out from their aggressive and uncompromising statements in the past few days, while sparing an embarrassing mass protest against Rabbi Yosef and Chief Sephardic Rabbi Shlomo Amar, without any of the parties reneging on their original stances.

The converts, however, are in for greater difficulties following the agreement. The Ashkenazi Charedi marriage registrars are expected to give them a hard time, trying to prove in any way possible that they did not really intend to observe mitzvos.

The Sephardic Rabbonim, will argue that this can be proved only in very rare cases and that adopting a secular lifestyle – even shortly after the conversion process is completed – does not necessarily prove that the convert acted in a deceitful manner.

Sources close to Chacham Yosef stressed that he was not reneging on his original ruling, just emphasizing it, and that his halachic stand is well known and has been published on various occasions in the past.

READ MORE: YNET 



5 Responses

  1. “leaders of the Eda Charedis , including Hagon Rav Elyashiv Shlita” ??? r elyashiv and the eidah have zero shichues.
    also this sounds like a clarification of what has been said the whole time no comprimise on any side

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