MK (Machane Tzioni) Tzipi Livni has come out strongly against Rison L’Tzion HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef Shlita as the rav spoke of Israel’s secular courts.
Livni, a former Minister of Justice, added “I heard that the Chief Rabbi of Israel, the Rishon L’Tzion said that turning to the (secular) courts is worse than turning to gentile courts. Anyone who is not willing to accept the courts in Israel does not accept Israel as a legal state and cannot serve in an official position.”
Rav Yosef stated that in some cases, the civil courts in Israel are “worse than the goyim”.
Rabbi Yosef also criticized former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, who opposed a bill that would allow the rabbinical courts to function as arbitrators, and to discuss financial disputes according to Torah law.
“Barak continues his war, this is anti-religious coercion,” Rabbi Yosef said. The rav added that Gedolim have determined that a Jew who appeals to gentile courts “kicks in the Torah of the living G-d.”
Meretz Chairman Zahava Gal-On also attacked Rabbi Yosef and said, “The Chief Rabbi has announced that it is forbidden to litigate in court and that they are worse than the courts of gentiles.” The rabbi now receives more than NIS 50,000 a month from the state. Get our money back.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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8 Responses
She is NOT saying that the Rav is not entitled to express his views on political matters. Indeed, that is a right he is guaranteed in part by the very legal system he seeks to delegitimize. What I hear her saying is that someone who takes such a position shouldn’t be paid by the civil institutions whose legitimacy he denies.
In a larger context, I find the whole notion of “Chief Rabbis” to be a joke, whether for the Sephardeshe or Litivish tzibur. EY does not need state-subsidized Rabbonim. Each segment of the tzibur can select and financially support the Rav of their choice. For those functions where state/religious matters overlap, rabbonim who chose to work for the state must accept the legitimacy of its institutions.
Why is this a surprise? None of the secular MK’s or IDF officials have any modicum of respect for gedolim. I’m eagerly waiting for the frum MK’s to condemn MK Tzippy Livni…
You mean michutzefes 😜
She’ll do anything to get some press coverage, no one could care less about anything she says, so she found something exciting to talk about. Loser.
Both Livni & Gal-On need to procure a Chumash {I assume they don’t even own one} and study the 1st verse of Mishpotim which we read 4 times this week. Meanwhile Is Not Suited To Serve In Any Position applies to both Livni & Gal-On who needless to say, are talking exclusively about themselves.
Do you expect anything less out of her mouth?
His job is to promote Torah and halacha.She’s the one who needs to be FIRED for her attacks on Israeli law, including observance of Shabbat.
This is what happens when you combine Zionism & Judaism itogether. You get confusion & hatred for one another.
Israel can be a Zionist State full of Jews or it can be a Jewish State full of Zionist.
Zionism is diametrically opposed to Judaism.