Minister of Diaspora Affairs Michael Melchior is also still
the official rabbi of Norway, but he told visitors that while he is
working in the Israeli government, he should be looked at as a
politician and not as a rabbi.
Many of the ideas that Minister Melchior expresses are far
from what
is expected of an Orthodox rabbi, and in particular the
recent plans
he has announced for mass conversions that do not meet
minimal halachic
standards and allow the Conservative and Reform to
participate in
the conversion process. A recent delegation from the Vaad
HaRabbonim
Haolami LeInyonei Giyur headed by HaRav Chaim Kreiswirth
asked him
about his outspokenness on many issues and his suggestions
that are
beyond the bounds of what a rabbi in good standing would
suggest.
In response, Minister Melchior told the rabbonim, "When I am
in
the government and in the Knesset I speak as a politician and
not
as a rabbi."
