Prominent dati leumi rav and rosh yeshiva Rabbi Dr. Yuval Sherlow feels that Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein crossed a dangerous line by announcing he disqualifies the candidacy for Chief Rabbinate of Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu.
Rabbi Eliyahu, Tzfas’ Chief Sephardi Rabbi, is too “racist and controversial” according to Weinstein, and therefore, Weinstein informed him that if his candidacy is challenged in the High Court of Justice, he cannot defend his position, as was reported by YWN-ISRAEL.
“There are many controversies between me and Rabbi Shmuel, and even though he has written very ugly things about me I still think the attorney general is wrong in his decision. I think he is doing something wrong and has ruled incorrectly. I also believe his decision will result in real damage… Nevertheless I believe serious lines have been crossed.”
Rav Sherlow explains the public is supposed to elect the chief rabbis via the panel of 150 people selected, representing various aspects of the nation. He feels that all said and done Rav Eliyahu’s position is his hashkafa and therefore, the state agencies should leave this alone and permit the voters to select a candidate since everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.
“Regarding the rental of homes to Arabs Rav Eliyahu clarified this and regarding his statements that Arabs are our enemies, one can argue either way based on his statements.”
Rav Sherlow highlights that anyone favoring normal rule of law must tolerate opinions that are unfavorable, and it is evident in this case since the rabbi’s opinion is unfavorable to Weinstein and therefore, he acted, but in other cases, when he does not object, preferring to remain silent. Rav Sherlow calls on Attorney General Weinstein to retract his ruling and permit the voting body to select its candidate without government interference.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
Rav Sherlow is in many respects at the opposite end of the DL spectrum from Rav Eliyahu. Kudos to Rav Sherlow for putting principles above ideology. Perhaps he will become Chief Rabbi himself in a decade.