[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Benny Rabinowitz of Yated Ne’eman and Rabbi Rafi Feuerstein of Tzohar Rabbonim debate the issues surrounding the upcoming elections for new Chief Rabbis of Israel. The debate was conducted on Knesset TV.

The moderator begins by questioning how Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita could come out using such harsh terms in effort to block the candidacy of Rabbi David Stav.

Rabinowitz begins by questioning why there is outrage when there is opposition to Rabbi Stav when a few weeks ago, when Rabbi Yaakov Ariel was involved in the race, Tzohar Rabbonim were against his candidacy.

Nevertheless, the moderator does not permit him to dodge the question, which surrounds the tone used against Rav Stav by the Gadol Hador.

Rabinowitz states “you want to turn the Chief Rabbinate into a Reform body” and continues with accusations, avoiding the question posed to him.

Rav Feuerstein begins “I am a proud rosha!” He adds the chareidim simply cannot live with the fact that a son of Rav Stav is an IDF company commander and that we can incorporate learning, being frum and integrating into the community.

See the entire video:

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)