Israeli Police have arrested Rabbi Yisrael Ariel and Rabbi Doc Stein, both members of the organization ‘Sanhedrin,’ that called upon settlers and right-wing activists not to recognize the authority of the court system in Israel.
Knesset Member Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) commented on the arrested, saying, “A worrisome trend has recently emerged within the State Prosecution that is characterized by persecuting rabbis and philosophers. We haven’t heard that they behave this way with Arab sheikhs.”
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(Source: Ynet)
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3 Responses
I think it is fairly clear “no-brainer”…
In matters of law that are purely of a secular, civil nature, one must adhere to the state’s law.
BUT…
When the totally goyish courts of Israel involve themselves with anything that has any connection to halacha, the government courts’ opinions are meaningless and Torah law is what must be followed.
The question of whether the principle of Dina D’Malchusa applies in Israel is an interesting one. Given that it does apply, it is the job of the poskim to delineate its limits. An additional question is whether Rabbis should make their decision public knowledge and risk imprisonment as a result. One thing can be said though. Great poskim don’t derive their fame from controversial statements such as these.
Certainly they do not behave thusly with an Arab sheikh. It is not good for their health. The fact that we do not respond violently in response to these events is a tribute to our upbringing, not a shame. It is a short-term tzara with a long-term Kiddush Hashem.
What I am interested in is, WHY did they say that?