In his brief Knesset plenum address last week MK (Labor) Eitan Cabel told chareidim to distance themselves from the upcoming election for new chief rabbis. Cabel believes that since the chareidim do not rely upon the Chief Rabbinate of Israel for religious services, they have no right to involve themselves in the election.
Cabel turned to Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, asking him to disqualify the candidacy of Tzfas Chief Sephardi Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, who is a contender to become the next Rishon L’tzion. Cabel’s basis his requests on piskei Halacha released by the rav in which he ruled one may not sell or rent homes in Tzfas to Arabs as the latter is working in earnest to obtain land in Tzfas. Cabel feels that since the rabbi has spoken out against Arabs, he is unsuited to be a chief rabbi.
The MK adds that the rav promotes racism and has even turned it into Halacha and that is why his candidacy should be disqualified.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
Why is it not racisim to disqualify charaidim on spurious, inconsequential charges?
“Cabel feels that since the rabbi has spoken out against Arabs, he is unsuited to be a chief rabbi.”
and since you have spoken out in opposition to the torah your opinion is not worth 2 cents
What Cabel should be stating is Thank you Rav Eliyahu for securing the safety of Tzfas and doing all he can so that Jewish residents can live peacefully in Tzfas.
I’m not sure it really makes a difference. The so called “chief rabbi” of EY is primarily and administrative job that dispense political patronage. Its decisions affect more secular yidden than from yidden who will always rely on their local rov or posek on matters of halacha. Eliyahu has been prone to racist comments about the Arab population and other extreme statements. He is grossly unsuited for the position of “chief rav”.
Zionflag – You got it right !