Representatives of chareidi factions in Knesset on Sunday night the eve of 3 Shevat sent a message to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu calling on him to dissolve any plans for an egalitarian prayer area near the Kosel. They explained, in their strongly worded letter, the decision made by the cabinet is contrary to the Moetzas Gedolei Torah and therefore, a non-starter.
The representatives, Minister Aryeh Deri and Yaakov Litzman along with Moshe Gafne, inform the Prime Minister that on Sunday, they met with the Chief Rabbis of Israel and they are all of one opinion, that any egalitarian prayer area near the Kosel is a non-starter. Also taking part in the meeting with the Chief Rabbis was the Rav of the Jewish Quarter HaGaon HaRav Avigdor Nebenzahl Shlita. They call on Mr. Netanyahu to announce on Sunday, the next weekly cabinet meeting, that Government Decision 1075 regarding the egalitarian prayer area is null and void as it is contrary to the position of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Rabbinical Council.
“Given the urgency,” added the chareidim, “and because we cannot bear responsibility for the results of the government’s decision that could harm the unity of the people and devastating blow to the sanctity of the remnant of our Batei Mikdosh, a place that the Shechina never left, in the words of our Sages in the Midrash Shemos Rabbah (2:2) “the Divine Presence never moved from the Kosel,” we ask you honorable Prime Minister to give the instructions, both regarding the cancellation of the government’s decision and the representation of external independent Chief Rabbinate of Israel.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
So these haredim say that the government’s decision could harm the unity of the people? Well, by denying the vast majority of World Jewry the right to pray as they wish is to unite the people? What a shame!
The religious parties AGREED to the pending compromise plan a year ago after extended negotiations with the government and secular parties. They have failed to provide a coherent rationale for not keeping their word and moving forward with the compromise other than having no political backbone.
Waste of time demanding anything from Netanyahu. Unlike President Trump, the Prime of Israel Netanyahu has no power. He’s a puppet of the self-appointed-high-court and cannot do whatever he wants.
You need to stop the apathy and replace the high court democratically – or at least by the government.
#2 –
They gave an excellent reason not to move forward on the compromise – the rabbonim did not approve – neither the Moetzet nor the Rabbanut. The question is why didn’t they consult the rabbonim in the first place.
REFORM = DEFORM
REFORM = CROOKED
REFORM = UNJEWISH