If the plaintiff has his way an Israeli court will classify Yeshivas Shavu Banim under the leadership of HaRav Eliezer Berland a “cult” and not a “chassidus”.
Attorney David Helfer is representing the plaintiff, basing the case on expert opinion of Dr. Gabi Zohar, a researcher who has studied Yeshivas Shavu Banim, its followers and conducted interviews. The case was brought by a former member of the yeshiva and it appears the court is placing a great deal of weight on Zohar’s opinion, citing he is a social worker and viewed as an expert on cults. The opinion is based more on the activities of the rosh yeshiva’s son, Rav Nachman Berland and Rav Eliezer Berland’s wife, Rebitzen Tehila, allegedly distancing Rav Eliezer from objectionable activities.
Zohar’s report states Rav Nachman has been selected as the heir and he is working hard to exert his control and tighten his hold on the yeshiva and its kehila.
Zohar writes “There is no doubt that Rabbi Eliezer Berland is a big rav, a talmid chacham, a Torah personality, and this opinion is not intending to cast a doubt on this. Based on the testimony I have gathered, the rav is not in agreement with the direction of community and for various reasons, he is forced to cooperate with his son and his wife.
“The two, R’ Nachman and his mother do not hesitate to manipulate and take advantage according to the statements gathered, to bring closer or distance community members from kehila activities, and there is no control regarding the instructions of Nachman and his mother vis-à-vis the kehila regarding that which comes from the voice of the rav or by those two.”
“The kehila is run like a cult, stating that in comparison, by definition the yeshiva kehila is run along the same lines as a cult. Studying the criteria defining a cult shows the kehila I run in the same fashion.”
Attorney Helfer is confident that showing the court that today there is no comparison as to the running of the kehila under the son and rebitzen to the days when it was run by Rav Eliezer Berland, and therefore there is reason to believe the court will intend recognize the Shavu Banim community as a cult.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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7 Responses
Who really cares whether some silly zionist court considers Judaism, or some Jews, a cult or not.
By (de facto) definition, a “cult” is a religious group that you don’t approve and want to surpress (this applies only in countries with religious freedom, in secular countries all religious groups can be surpressed). From the point of view of the mainstream of American Jewry (which is overwhelmingly non-Orthodox), Torah Judaism is a “cult” (fortunately, American law doesn’t see it that way).
Shame on you for even publishing this story
The yeshiva world should take a united stand against the Jew hating secular media
Shuvu Banim is an amazing community.
They are not a cult.
The best litmus test to distinguish a cult from a religion is whether they require you to give them money. If you can remain a member in good standing while giving your tzedakah elsewhere, then it’s a religion; if it demands your money, and especially if it demands all or most of your money, then it’s a cult.
Because enquiring minds want to know.
And if it is a cult? Are they illegal?
I believe it is based on a form of “Chassidus” who’s current leader has been dead for over 200 years. Dangerous minds.