Why are people so upset? So he said something stupid and mean.
If those people were living here, that would be one thing. But they don't (at least not the vast majority, and he was specifically talking about Reform Jews in America), so what do they really care what he said. So he is an idiot.
I would agree, if he said something like those without Jewish mothers are not Jewish. They are not halachically Jewish, though they consider patrilineal descent enough to determine their Jewishness. At least then he would have been right. As it is, he did not say that - he just said they all are not Jews.
So he is an idiot. They do not need to get worked up over something an idiot says, especially if it does not really affect them in any way.
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Rafi, it's not just that a meanspirited, self-righteous fool says something to further alienate Israel supporters. He and his boss Deri are in the government catbird seats making law, regulations, and policies that reflect their contempt. They already usurped power and reversed less stringent interpretations of Halacha on matters like conversions and divorce. Bennett ran against these policies and politicos, but is too weak and self-engrossed to challenge them. Despite his "kind" words for non-Orthodox Jews (Reform is just their euphemism) Netanyahu does nothing--any leader worth his salt will fire an employee of his government who speaks like a bigot. As one California rabbi quipped this past week, the greatest proponent of BDS is Israel--they boycott us, they delegitimize us, and sanction us until they need us to lobby politicians and raise money.
ReplyDeleteHe can say whatever he wants. His job is secure.
ReplyDeleteEven the RCA, who isn't particularly pro-Shas, explained:
ReplyDelete"although from the context it seems clear that he meant to question the validity of their religious expression rather than their essential Jewishness"
I think reform Jews in the US have very right to be offended, even if they aren't living in Israel.
ReplyDeleteJews everywhere have a stake in Israel, and have a right to express opinions on what goes on there. The close-mindedness of the minister is a sign of Israeli society's general trend towards being more nationalistic and close-minded.
"Why are people so upset?" Because for 67 years, the State of Israel has been asking American Jews for their financial and political support, and when a member of the government of the State of Israel insults them and basically reads them out of the Jewish people, they feel like they've been taken advantage of. Brothers when you need our money and political support. Strangers when you want to stand up there and congratulate yourselves on your exclusive pipeline to God.
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly did he say?
ReplyDeleteJust how many "Reform" Jews are halachicly Jewish these days?
Certainly "Reformism" isn't even Judaism. I mean do people these days really believe that it is?
Excuse me, he is not an idiot. He is absolutely correct, but when one speaks TRUTH today, he/she gets maligned. The Reform movement has been a makah for the Jewish people. It has nothing to do with Judaism, and eventually it will disappear. Those affiliated with it would be wise to start learning what being Jewish is and disassociate themselves from this movement that was created solely for the destruction of the Jewish people.
ReplyDelete