Ramat Gan Chief Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Ariel Shlita is among the outspoken voices opposed to MK Elazar Stern’s Giyur Bill.

The rav explains that today there young rabbis, clarifying that he is not referring to chronological age but inexperience or lacking knowledge, rabbis who are affiliated with the new generation and have a better understanding of this new generation and feel that giyur should be performed with these guidelines in mind. Rav Ariel stresses these young rabbis believe giyur should be carried out in line with an understanding of the needs of this new generation and this is simply not the case.

In his weekly Arutz-7 column the prominent dati leumi posek address the deaths of Aaron’s sons. He speaks of the “tragedy of the death of two young men that simply wish to inaugurate the Mishkan with actions that to their best of their understanding are fitting to be done on the first day of the Mishkan”.

The rav addresses the realities surrounding the aliyah from the Former Soviet Union, the many mixed marriages that resulted in the situation that existed for them in their former country and the need to extend a hand to facilitate giyur for these people whenever possible. He feels that everything possible should be done to encourage them to become converts, particularly the young but the halachic framework must never be compromised.

Rav Ariel writes “enthusiastic young rabbis feel that we must lower requirements to facilitate the process for these people. Giyur provides a continuation of Moreshet Yisrael” and compromising halacha will lead to the destruction of the Jewish home and community.

“My young friends” stated the rabbi, “please, you have ideas? Come to the older rabbonim and consult, accept their advice and make your ideas heard. We will consider them but please don’t erupt and don’t break away and don’t question the authority. Don’t destroy the Mishkan and don’t destroy the house. The kedusha off the Jewish home is such because not everyone may enter inside, but only those that the home agrees upon…”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)