Beersheva Chief Rabbi Yehuda Deri Shlita spoke with Kol Chai Radio on Monday morning 20 Adar-I about recent events and the allocation of an egalitarian prayer area near the Kosel.

There have been rumors that another meeting of the Chief Rabbinate Council is planned for this week and a decision will be forthcoming that will provide a solution to the allocation of the egalitarian prayer area near the Kosel by the cabinet.

Rabbi Deri explained the rabbonim would have already met if not for the fact Kosel Rav Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz Shlita is abroad. They are currently expecting to convene on Tuesday 21 Adar-I and he expects the decision will be publicized by Wednesday the latest.

Unwilling to drop a hint, Rabbi Deri explained the new decision that will be announced “will put the Reform back in their place for years to come”, assuring listeners the Reform has not made great advances and even the little that was gained is going to be short-lived.

Kol Chai cited that despite claims to the contrary, the Chief Rabbis were consulted before the cabinet passed its decision. Rabbi Deri quoted the Chief Rabbi explaining “Coming to meet a few short minutes before candle lighting on erev Shabbos does not constitute consulting with us”.

Regarding the recent High Court decision to compel the Beersheva Religious Council to permit a Reform giyur candidate to toivel in the presence of a Reform Beis Din, Rabbi Deri explains this decision has already been circumvented as the Chief Rabbinate has decided to prohibit the use of public mikvaos for converts to toivel and this applies to all, even converts accepted by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. Therefore, he explains, the Supreme Court can no longer view the policy as discriminatory against the Reform.

Rabbi Deri explains that candidates for giyur will make arrangements to use a private mikve.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)