Petach Tikvah Chief Rabbi Micha Levy has come out strongly against the new Giyur Law and other religious legislation passed by the current administration.

The weekly BaSheva newspaper brings a report from a dati leumi kenos held on motzei Shabbos called “The Jewish Core”. Rav Levy was among the speakers.

The rav decided to address the operations of the Chief Rabbi of Israel and the latter’s role vis-à-vis the new unwanted religious legislation that was passed into law.

Regarding the Giyur Law, the rabbi explained the exclusive authority that must recognize giyur is the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He feels the new law is a “Chilul Hashem”, calling the law “political” rather than being one that addresses true Halachic issues. Rabbi Levy feels it is prohibited to entertain this law and efforts to change giyur in Israel. He feels that one of the problems is that the chief rabbis have become advisors instead of relying upon them for Halachic rulings. He scoffs at statements from religious MKs who claim their laws are approved by the Chief Rabbinate, calling their statements “void of substance”. Rabbi Levy speaks of the pressure and threats against the chief rabbis and the unacceptable behavior of law makers as they seek to change Halacha.

Rabbi Levy concluded by addressing his past, being among the founders of Tzohar Rabbonim. He explains the organization was founded as an extension arm of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, to assist. He explained that the moment he realized the organization was opposed to the Chief Rabbinate, presenting itself as an alternative, he broke away.

Rabbi Levy spoke of his zechus, and how he merited heading the wedding program of Tzohar for years but he cannot be associated with the organization today as it is seeking to replace the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He now refers to Tzohar as “chareidi” for it is opposed to the Chief Rabbinate, pointing out Tzohar today is like the Badatzim of Belz, Sheiris Yisrael and Rav Landau. The rav concluded explaining that in Petach Tikvah today, for every couple registering to get married with the Rabbanut, eight couples bypass the Rabbanut.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)