i24 News Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Rav David Lau is threatening that he will not approve any conversions to Judaism if the government advances its plan to reform the system.
Religious Minister Matan Kahana pushes reforms on conversion and kosher certification, hoping to dilute the Chief Rabbinate’s control.
The proposed legislation would allow for conversions supervised by municipal rabbis.
Lau’s authorization is currently required for all conversions in the country, and halting the process would impact immigrants that need Orthodox conversion to be recognized as Jewish in Israel.
Rav Lau wrote, in a letter to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett that if Kahana’s plans advance, “I will be forced to declare myself no longer responsible for anything to do with conversions.”
“Implementing the proposed conversion outline will result in a split of the Jewish people: two states for two peoples, divided Judaism instead of united Judaism,” he continued.
Construction Minister Ze’ev Elkin of the New Hope Party responded by saying that Lau was “blackmailing the government” and using “the wrong approach,” in an interview with the 103FM radio station.
“The conversion of Ethiopian immigrants needs to be dealt with as it has always been.”
Rav Lau has allegedly already frozen the conversions of about 100 Ethiopians waiting for his signature, according to Israel’s Channel 13.
{Matzav.com Israel}
Great idea, Rabbi Lau.