Simply stated, many are questioning the silence of IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gadi Eizenkott, who has given his approval for the appointment of Rabbi Eyal Karim as incoming Chief Military Rabbi. Eizenkott did not rubber stamp the appointment, but met with him in person to discuss some of the rav’s halachic interpretations which unlearned individuals misinterpret either by choice or due to plain ignorance of Torah.

Before meeting with Eizenkott, Rabbi Karim met with and was also cleared by Chief of IDF Personnel Branch Major-General Chaggai Tupolinsky, and finally, the appointment was approved by the Defense Minister.

As reported, the court has frozen the appointment in response to a petition filed by Meretz party MKs, instructing Rabbi Karim to submit a document to the court explaining his halachic responses to the court’s favor. Many are calling on Rabbi Karim to stand firm and not belittle himself or worse, create a chilul Hashem by trying to justify halacha to the state’s High Court of Justice.

However, now the question remains why the IDF commanders are not challenging the court for second-guessing their decision and stamp of approval, which the Meretz MKs find unsatisfactory.

In a brief interview with Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) on Tuesday, 21 Cheshvan, HaGaon HaRav Shlomo HaKohen Aviner Shlita spoke with host Razi Barkai, telling him “you and your colleagues have a true talent for distorting statements and taking them out of proportion”. Rav Aviner went on to explain that it is clear to all that Rabbi Karim’s piskei halacha are not viewed by anyone as practical responses as how to act today since Rabbi Karim was addressing the matter of ‘Eishes Yifas Toar’ which Meretz and others prefer to interpret as Rabbi Karim giving the go-ahead for abusing women taken captive in wartime today.

Rabbi Aviner stated it is clear to all that anyone with intelligence knows Rabbi Karim was not speaking about how one acts today, but the media prefers to distort as is the industry norm.

The ceremony to replace the military’s Chief Rabbi was going to take place later this week as planned but in light of recent events and the court’s ruling, it was announced on Tuesday 21 Cheshvan the ceremony was canceled for the time being.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)