Addressing the 10th Annual Jerusalem Conference on Monday, 25 Teves 5773, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat stated the next Chief Rabbi of Yerushalayim must be a “Zionist”, a person who has served in the IDF. Barkat called on leaders of the Zionist camp to unite towards supporting one candidate towards having such a person elected as the next chief rabbi of the capital.
Barkat added that eight years ago, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu ZT”L called upon him to act to support a Zionist rav for the position, adding “It was clear to me that in a city in which 70% of the residents are not chareidi, the majority would support such a person, one who is capable of dealing with all sectors of society, and I believe we will succeed.” The mayor added that he feels the same holds true on the nationwide level regarding the post of the Chief Rabbi of Israel, and here too, this person should come from the ranks of the Zionist camp.
The mayor explained that one who has served in the military is part of the nation and has an understanding of the values and the system, a common language with most residents of the country.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
' } });
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
11 Responses
Being a Zionist and serving in the IDF qualify someone to be Chief Rabbi? I thought you had to be a gadol b’Torah to be Chief Rabbi. I guess I was mistaken.
Sounds fair and includes many Chasuva Rabbonim.
Makes about as much sense as saying that a true Mayor of Jerusalem must be a rabbi, or a cohen, or perhaps one who has logged a minimum of 10,000 hours riding a bus.
Includes many Chashuva Rabonim, and excludes many others. That’s besides the point. Since when does a Rav need to have experience similar to the flock he leads in order to feel for them, understand them, or lead them? Does a Rav also need to have been in the workplace, since the majority of his congregants share that experience?
This is what happens when people who are not experts in the subject express their opinions – you get views that may or may not have any validity.
Mr mayor what do you know about being a Rov
So I guess he isnt qualified to be Mayor, where at least 30% of the constituents are Chareidi, and many more are religious. If he doesnt practice the religion, then he should be disqualified from representing them.
Why the harsh criticism of the honorable mayor. What he really meant to say is that the next chief rabbi must be a chiloni.
To be President of the United States you need not serve in the military. So I don’t understand this!
#6 Do you know that as a fact?
It’s all politics my friends. The Rebono Shel Olam is laughing at our pettiness. Mem tes shar tumah- I think we’re almost there- no then the chief rabbi would also have to be a homosexual.
#6, I will ask the same Q as bklynmom, is your statistic accurate?? I live in a country in South Florida with a recorded statistic of 200,000 Jews living in the county. If 30% were frum, then the 4 or 5 Orthodox shuls in the county would be sharing 60,000 Orthodox Jews. Far from it! During the week we are lucky to have a minyan. Accurate data is very important!