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| Chief Rabbi of France Gilles Bernheim Photo credit: Getty images via the Forward |
But it doesn’t really matter what side of the Hashakfic fence he resides. His deceptive practices which he has admitted to are an embarrassment to all of world Jewry… and, I might add a Chilul HaShem. Having a major position like being a Chief Rabbi of a country like France gives him that dubious honor. He is out there representing French Jewry as their ‘chief’! A rabbinic leader of high standing in the Jewish world.
Pretending to be writing scholarly philosophical works pertaining to Judaism; he was found to be guilty of plagiarizing much of it from others some of which were not even Jewish:
A French academic noticed that long passages in Bernheim’s critically acclaimed 2011 book “Forty Jewish Meditations repeated word for word an earlier book by the eminent philosopher Jean-François Lyotard…
The scholar Jean-Noel Danarde who specializes in literary plagiarism, flagged other passages in Bernheim’s book taken from thinkers as diverse as Elie Wiesel, Jean-Marie Domenach (who, ironically, had been accused of anti-Semitism toward the end of his career) and Vladimir Jankelevitch. Moreover, [Danarde ??] revealed that one thing left unsaid in “What Is Often Left Unsaid” was that Bernheim hijacked entire passages from the writings of the reactionary Catholic priest Joseph-Marie Verlinde and Beatrice Bourges, the Pasionaria of the anti-gay movement.
At first he denied it but then he admitted it and tried to blame others. He was also found to be lying about his credentials. Claiming to hold a PhD in philosophy - some good investigative work on the part of reporters has determined that he held no such degree. Officials at the university he claimed to have granted him a doctorate, the Sorbonne declared that Bernheim never finished it.
This goes beyond just lying about oneself for purposes of self promotion. That would be bad enough - but ultimately forgivable via an admission of guilt and a contrite apology. But when one involves himself in a consistent pattern of deception which includes plagiarizing word for word the work of others - claiming them as his own, it shows that aside from being a liar he is an empty shell. That he has no depth and nothing personal to offer. All of this makes him unworthy of any kind of leadership. To say the least.
To add insult to injury, he has the Chutzpah to insist on remaining France’s Chief Rabbi – claiming that to resign would be an act of desertion.
Desertion - my foot! He wants to keep his job. And is probably more motivated by the Kavod he gets than he is by any desire to help his people.
I don’t know if what he did will have any legal consequences. But they do have moral and ethical consequences. There is no way that he should retain any position of authority or respect. He ought to resign. Because by continuing to stay on he continues to bring dishonor to his office, the Jews of France, and ultimately the entire Jewish people.
Update:
I have been informed that Rabbi Bernheim has indeed resigned 11 days ago on April 13. The Forward article did not mention that. Which is kind of irresponsible of them.
I guess he had a change of heart. I'm glad he did. I wish him no further ill.
Update:
I have been informed that Rabbi Bernheim has indeed resigned 11 days ago on April 13. The Forward article did not mention that. Which is kind of irresponsible of them.
I guess he had a change of heart. I'm glad he did. I wish him no further ill.