Israel’s Chief Rabbi David Lau criticized the visit of Minister of Education and Chairman of the Bayit Yehudi party Naftali Bennett to Conservative congregations in the United States and said that it is clear the minister did not consult with a rabbi about those visits.
According to Rabbi Lau, “The visit constitutes a recognition of congregations that are dangerous to the future of the Jewish nation.”
Rabbi Lau told religious Radio Kol Khai regarding Conservative congregations:
We must continue to educate Jews and explain to them the true values of Jewish tradition and the nation of Israel. Don’t forget, in almost every Jewish family you’ll find a religious grandfather, an ultra-Orthodox grandfather, or even a grandfather who is a rabbi. You will not find a lot of families with a Conservative grandfather.
That is, in the end, when we talk about the future, Orthodoxy is the way.
Rabbi Lau said that in his opinion “the Conservatives are certainly Jews but, again, not because of their moral identity. We must tell them clearly: If you continue in this way, you will lose your children and your grandchildren.”
Rabbi Lau opposed Bennett’s visit to a Conservative School and said, “we should ask Bennett if he consulted with a rabbi before this meeting and I very much fear that he didn’t, [and] this behavior is unacceptable to the entire [nation of] Israel. When you speak to a general audience, of course you’re not going to ask whether everyone in the audience is Orthodox, but to plan in advance an appearance before a certain audience and legitimize its path, when this path removes Jews from the Jewish way, it is forbidden.”
The rabbi continued:
If Minister Bennett were to ask my opinion ahead of his visit, I would have told him clearly that ‘you can’t go to a place where the education removes Jews from the tradition, from the past and from the future of the Jewish nation.’
The Office of Minister Bennett’s responded in a statement saying: “Minister Bennett believes public leaders in Israel should bring Jews in, not ostracize them, and is strongly opposed to statements that keep hearts away rather than bring them closer. We are now in a state of emergency for Diaspora Jews, when assimilation reaches millions of Jews.
“As someone who is responsible for the diaspora issues in the Israeli government, Minister Bennett is proud to care for each and every Jew wherever they are, and will continue to meet with every Jew, no matter their denomination.”
The current chief rabbi Lau is certainly not an Ohev Yisrael like the previous chief rabbi Lau. Spread love for every Yid instead of becoming hung up on fleeting “denominational” issues. Ahavas Yisrael is .not a political issue.
Aren’t ALL Israel responsible for one another?
Aren’t ALL Israel responsible for one another?
Bennett and the Chief Rabbi have a responsibility as leader to unite the Jewish people rather than create divisions. How is infighting going to bring the Moshiach?
Are you kidding? Reaching out means one is inclusive. It is positive that you even recognize conservaties as Jews. For that I commend you.
I was happy to read that former Chief Rabbi Lau's son was following him as Chief Rabbi, but his comment about Minister Bennett's visit to a US Conservative school tells us he is totally out of touch with the American Jewish community. Ignoring non Orthodox Jews isn't going to do anything positive for the whole community here or its connection or identification with Judaism or otherJews.
Too bad.
Dear Chief Rabbi, I am a Reform Jew and a strong supporter of Israel. Get your head out of your Torah and see what is going on in this world.
why do we fight each other,this ortho intolerance is destroying Israel society and am Israel.
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, for one, would approve of this visit, as he himself did and does the same. So the good Chief Rabbi Lau (and I mean that sincerely) means Orthodox rabbis that agree with Chief Rabbi Lau on this would not allow the visit. I’m not sure how you explain the importance of Torah education and encourage halachic observance to families who don’t go to Orthodox shuls and schools already, if you don’t go to the places where they are, but I’m sure Rabbi Lau has that all worked out. I, for one, would love to hear his plan.
Get over it and pay attention to what really matters! Unity and peace
A conservative Jewish Day School is about the most positive place to visit. For Orthodox Jews in the US, it is a given that they will give their kids a Jewish education; for Conservative Jews, it is an affirmative act that they want their kids to stay Jewish.
The chief rabbi of Israel can live in his illusory dalet-amot, but he certainly has no concept of reality, particularly in the US
We Jews hve enough enemies, Rabbi Lau. We don't need fellow Jews dividing us.
Rabbi Lau is 100% correct. We Jews don't need Trojan Horses wannabe "Jews" among us.
Rabbi Lau, is being a divider not a uniter. Rabbi Lau seems to be showing his lack of tolerance to other people than people he associates with.
Such hatered for another Jew just because they elect to practice differently then us is just plain wrong. Have you not learned from our past of basless hatred for one another, is why we are in galut and have Rabbinic Jewdaism instead of what whe had in the time of the bait ha meldosh! And no I am not a conservative practicing Jew I am Shomer Shabbat and Mitzvot.
Naftali Bennett is visting Conservative congregations. He isn't praying with them. There is no reason for othodox Jews to throw their toys out of the pram.
What about Orthodox Shuls that seperate Jews from the Jewish mission of building a Jewish Kingdom in the Land of Israel? Should MK Bennett not speak at these too?
boycotting conservative and liberal Jewish communities is thereal danger to Israel, not everybody shares Lau's opinions
The real danger is the desecratrion of God's name by some yeshiva bochur from Hevron who only got the job of chief rabbi because of his family connections.
A “danger to the future of the Jewish nation” he says. So, does he, as an Orthodox Jew, believe that this is the time for a Jewish nation? Some Orthodox Jews say it is not yet time for a nation with an economy and an army.
Schechter Manhattan is a wonderful school. I've responded to Rabbi Lau's comments by making a donation to Schechter Manhattan in his honor. I encourage those who object to his comments to join me. http://www.sssm.org/giving/
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