Rav Amnon Yitzchak criticized Israeli chief rabbis Rav Dovid Lau and Rav Yitzchok Yosef for meeting Pope Francis, saying said that shaking the hand of the spiritual leader of Catholic Christianity was an aveirah.
Rav Yitzchak said that “those who are going to meet the pope today and shake his hands are the ultimate source of impurity. Is this what they were chosen for?”
He added, according to Times of Israel, that it was no “honor” to “shake the hand of the idol,” and that these actions would surely not please Hakadosh Boruch Hu.
“Is Hakadosh Boruch Hu happy today seeing the chief rabbis of the State of Israel shaking the hand of the idol?”
Rav Yitzchak called on the Rishon LeTzion to resign.
“Why are you degrading yourself?” Rav Yitzchak asked, referring to Rav Yosef. “You are a representative of the State of Israel. What are you a rabbi for? To purify the sheretz?”
{Matzav.com Israel News Bureau}
Who were considered the better choice
2 questions.
1. On what halachic basis is he different than any other Akum?
2. Is Yaakov”s bowing to Eisuv similar or different?
mipnei darkei shalom the Chief Rabbis had no choice. They were very careful not ch”v to bow to the idol.
Throughout the ages, our sages met and communicated with Oivdei Avoida Zora. I am not sure why he is so up in arms over this.
When the pope came and lavised such warmth and praise to the palastians that should have been a red flag.
There could be worse.
Shimon hatzadik and Alexander the Great
we need good relationship with the Vatican
what about the rambam and his relationship with the gentile king and all of the famous debates between rabbonim and christian leaders in earlier days?