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| Avichai Barlinksi (TOI) |
In yet another example of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate’s shameful behavior, Rabbi Dov Lipman describes the awful experiences of a Ger Tzedek. A Ger Tzedek is a righteous convert to Judaism about which there is no doubt about the validity of the conversion. Because of the Rabbinate’s negligence in their obligations during the conversion process of a non resident, Avichai Barlinski (formerly Brendan McLaren) had to endure an expulsion from the country he so loved - leaving the people that inspired him to convert.
Avichai’s credentials as a Ger Tzedek should not be questioned. His conversion was eventually carried out in Bnei Brak by the religious court of R’ Nissin Karelitz. And yet because of the Rabbinate’s carelessness he was still forced to leave the country. (Whether a court outside of the Rabbinate’s jurisdiction has a right to do that is a legitimate question but beyond the scope of this post. For purposes of this essay, I don't think anyone should doubt the validity of this particular conversion.)
To say that I am outraged by this is an understatement. And yet I still believe that a Jewish State needs an authoritative Jewish body to define exactly what is and isn’t Judaism. I have therefore been reluctant to advocate for its demise. As bad as it seems to be, Israel would be a lot worse off without a Chief Rabbinate. A Jewish State needs a rabbinate with the authority vested in by by that state to set policy on religious matters.
At the same time, it is becoming abundantly clear that by the way the Rabbinate currently operates, it is failing miserably in some areas. The question is what to do about it.
During my last trip to Israel I had an opportunity to meet with officials of Tzohar, an independent rabbinic organization consisting of over 800 Religious Zionist rabbis. It is currently headed by Rabbi David Stav. I found them to have what the rabbinate seems to be lacking: compassion, integrity, and the determination to help people.
They were not created as an alternative to the Rabbinate. But they have seen the ill will generated by the kind of thing experienced above and wanted to do something about it. They wanted a more user friendly rabbinate instead of the aloof and seemingly uncaring one that has been so characteristic of the Rabbinate lately. In that goal they are willing to do what it takes to help people achieve their goals in both Halachic and expeditious ways. They are willing to work – and have worked with the Rabbinate in order to smooth the process. Turning potentially excruciating processes into a more pleasant ones.
Tzohar officials gave me examples of such cooperation. But they also gave me examples of ineptitude, injustice, corruption, and fraud on the part of some of the Rabbinate’s member rabbis. Yes fraud. But then again, why should that be so unexpected when their previous Asheknazi Chief Rabbi pled guilty to corruption and fraud (to the tune of over $2 million)?! Thankfully the current Ashkeanzi Chief Rabbi is an honorable man.
Do I think that Tzohar should replace the Rabbinate? The truth is that despite my very positive experience with Tzohar they are not without controversy. I still don’t know enough about them to say they should replace the Rabbinate. Nor do I think that is even their goal. Their goal seems to be fairness and justice. They want people that come into contact with religious authority to have a positive experience.
Not that I think there is even the slightest chance of it - but I think they should merge. The Rabbinate could use a huge dose of the above-mentioned attributes. Which they are currently lacking and Tzohar seems to have in spades. I’m sure that Tzohar would agree to such a merger because that would benefit everybody. Unfortunately I doubt that the Rabbinate will have any part of giving up complete and total control of everything. I think they would sooner pound salt than give up any of their power.
Where does that leave things? Apparently, Tzohar continues to do good things. As reported by YWN, Tzohar is about to open up a Kashrus training center that will train both men and women to be Mashgichim (Kashrus supervisors):
It now appears clear to all except officials in the Chief Rabbinate of Israel that the latter’s monopoly over kashrus supervision in Israel has come to an end. While the Chief Rabbinate continues to fight to maintain the status quo that existed in the past, others are looking to the future, including Tzohar Rabbis, with the organization offering training to certify one as a mashgiach kashrus.
The Tzohar Rabbinical Association, in cooperation with the Emunah movement, will soon develop a training course for mashgichim. The course said the two organizations will be subsidized and will take place in the form of seven weekly and intense meetings.
Tzohar Chairman Rabbi David Stav said: “We at Tzohar believe that it is essential to include in the kashrut system women who can perform the supervision functions in an excellent manner, and we know that there are other organizations that want to join us.
I am happy to see progress on this front. Kashrus supervision is one of the areas of the Rabbinate that seems to be fraught with ineptitude and corruption. Hopefully that will now come to an end. Newly trained professionals will proliferate. Eventually the Rabbinate will see the wisdom of hiring these people. I hope.
Ending the Rabbinate’s monopoly over Kashrus is a good move – provided it doesn’t create another monopoly. What should happen is for the two organizations to combine at least on matters of Kashrus.
My hope is that the same thing happens in other matters over which the Rabbinate has exclusive control. As it currently stands they are perceived as inept, coercive, and unfriendly. The bottom line is assuring that Halacha is followed in matters defining Israel as a Jewish State it. That is what the rabbinate is supposed to be about. However, defining and applying Halacha in the State of Israel need not be the torture it seems to have so often become. It is more than time to make that a positive experience for the people of Israel. I believe that Tzohar is making a difference. I hope it that at the very least it continues to do so and forces the Rabbinate to change into what it could be rather than what it is.