NEWS
Issues with the Reform in Israel
by YN
The Reform work constantly in Israel to advance their interests but also to disrupt the chareidi way of life whenever they have a chance.
Recently the publication Mekor Rishon hosted a conference at which there was a panel that included a well-known and influential Orthodox rabbi and a woman Reform cleric.
One of the main issues that is raised by the Reform is whether they are truly a Jewish movement or something else. Many observers have said it is the latter, that their behavior and practice does not put them within the Jewish tradition.
Undoubtedly, among the members of the temples and Reform communities there are also Jews who are Jews according to the Halacha alongside many who are not Jews halachically but are members all the same. The question is not whether Reform Jews are technically Jews, since that depends on each individual, but rather, if Reform is really Judaism, if it lies within the Jewish tradition, even broadly conceived! It would seem not.
Perhaps one could call it a religion; perhaps not. But if it is, it is a foreign, alien one, like Christianity and Islam. Were the Reform people to come in Israel and demand the rights of a religion which they established, they would possibly have an ethical right to demand such rights. Does the Jewish State not service Christians and care for their religious rites? Don't the Moslems in Israel enjoy a receptive ear to their religious requests?
The Religions Ministry does indeed care for all religions, but the Reform movement obstinately demands to speak in the name of Judaism as a legitimate spokesman, which it certainly is not!
In the rabbinical convention of Elul 5716 (1956), the then Chief Rabbi Rav Herzog stated (speaking of Reform):
"It is Christianity without a cross," adding, "Heaven forfend that we allow them to strike a root, which would be tantamount to introducing an idolatrous statue in the Beis Hamikdash."
He then said that the different modus operandi of this extra-Jewish spirit have always evoked revulsion among Jews and turned the stomach. This spirit have sown irreversible damage throughout the generations. Even a secular head understood that such activities were illegitimate. Those who were not Torah-observant acknowledged the damage, if not its mirth-evoking mockery.
A pamphlet published by Manof, of Arachim, cites numerous quotes from secular people who also saw a goal of copying Christianity, which feeds this objective.
Even President Rivlin who is of secular leaning once said: "It is idolatry, not Judaism. Until now, I believed that they were a stream within Judaism but after visiting two of their temples, I am convinced that they are a new religion altogether, without any association to Judaism." This was stated when Rivlin was yet the President of the State with his own interests, and was able to express himself objectively. Now that he has his position, he feels that he has to be inclusive. But these were his real thoughts.
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