Jewish Scene
Self-appointed Torah court takes on China
Zvi Zinger
Published: 20.08.07, 11:13
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28 Talkbacks for this article
1. Israel is not prepared to have its Sanedrin reestablished
Keren ,   Israel-SP   (08.20.07)
Neither to deal with its own issues,nor ,and let alone, to other's.
2. WHAT?!
Nadav ,   Misgav   (08.20.07)
Can someone please explain who or what gives this San Hedrin legitimation. May me me and my football team could do the same thing then? Either I am getting it wrong or this guy should simply stay away from magic mushrooms.
3. Sanhedrin - a Jewish court or a mini-U.N.?
Alan ,   Silver Spring USA   (08.20.07)
W. Europe and North America appears to be in the grips of a love feast with China -- overlooking Chinese governmental oppressions of its people as well as the Tibetans, etc., while Chinese industry uses cheap labor to eradicate western industry. On the other hand, India tends to get overlooked, despite its 60 years of attempting democracy in its vast, multicultural, impoverished land. But I am confused as to why the Sanhedrin would be adjudicating internal Chinese issues -- it's not the U.N. (which of course has no time to mull over China, being too busy condemning Israel). Aren't there sufficient issues how to live under Jewish law, as applicable to Jews, to more than occupy a Sanhedrin?
4. To learn more about the re-established Sanhedrin go here:
LEE ,   NY, USA   (08.20.07)
http://www.thesanhedrin.org/en/
5. Why is Ynet promoting Jews for Jesus on this site?
LEE ,   NY, USA   (08.20.07)
Take a look at the first link below the article. This link appears in several places on the site. Why would an Israeli newspaper in the Jewish State promote a Jews for Jesus website yet take every opportunity to slam the religious or term them "extremist", "fringe", or "radical'?
6. Why hasn't the ICJ heard this yet?
Ilan ,   Ariel   (08.20.07)
These allegations have been verified. China's behavior can not be excused, but I doubt the ICJ will ever convene a session on this issue.
7. PROF WEISS, YOU'RE DOING BIG MITZVOT
MOSHE ,   US   (08.20.07)
B-RUCH H-SHEM.
8. #1 Karen
ER ,   Canada   (08.20.07)
Karen, while it may be that the Sanhedrin lacks some legitimacy, it is everyone’s responsibility to do whatever he can to oppose oppression. This is called being a light unto the nations.
9. "The new Sanhedrin recently appointed itself"
Andy ,   ramat hasharon   (08.20.07)
Enough said....
10. Israel's own problems first
Korem ,   New York, USA   (08.20.07)
How about he starts a campaign against the oppressive conditions many Israeli workers face...the massive poverty in Israel...the influences of the Russian mafia in Israeli politics...the fact that Knesset members decide not to show up to work en masse...the weakness of the courts...how about he does something about the problems in Sderot...how about he starts a campaign to develop the Negev, to absorb or come up with some humanitarian plan for african refugees...or better yet about all the controversy of settlers in hebron etc...Israel has a bunch of problems it needs to work on, why is he focusing his attention on something like China??
11. China is oppressive
K. Tyson ,   Mobile, AL USA   (08.20.07)
China is an oppressive communist country. I suppose any organization can voice a humanitarian issue. But does China care what the Sanhedrin says? More to the point..does the Sanhedrin think China cares what they say?
12. Falun Gong's organ claim questionable
Charles Liu ,   Seattle, USA   (08.20.07)
I'd like to offer some facts of the case to the Sanhedrin. Falun Gong's "Auschwitz" allegation has been discredited by multiple undercover investigations conducted by the US embassy, and Chinese dissident group: 1) http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=April&x=20060416141157uhyggep0.5443231&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html http://www.usembassy.it/pdf/other/RL33437.pdf (section CRS-7) 2) http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20060806_1.htm http://www.cicus.org/news/newsdetail.php?id=6492 3) http://tinyurl.com/2qd8nz As you can see, the hospital FLG accused is jointly owned by a Malaysian health care company, and is subject to oversight beyone the Chinese authority. It has been open to the public for years.
13. Appointed themselves??
Ilan ,   Ariel   (08.20.07)
What do they think they are another rinky-dink court like the one Aharon Barak threw together?
14. He , people
charles ,   petach tikva   (08.20.07)
Do you remember the turmoils that were provoked here when a Belgian court wanted to prosecute Ariel Sharon for "war crimes" ? Then we were all shouting at the Belgians . And now a self appointed Sanhedrin wants to judge China's oppression of this organisation . Is there not something wrong ? If one may not judge us , what right do we have to judge others ? Ok . There is a difference , the Sanhedrin can't put anybody in jail . Do we need diplomatic problems because of some irresponsible men , who have any authority ?
15. the sanhedrin: The jewish peoples sole representative today
Moshe ,   New York new york   (08.20.07)
The sanhedrin is an independent judiciary based on jewish law. It's members are jewish scholars whose allegiance is to the Authentic bible not to the interests of any government ,some of which are very corrupt. This action of accepting the complaint of the chinese group againtst the chinese government for murder gives me pride as a jew to see an authentic jewish body concerned with world justice. Our only hope as a proud jewish nation at the present time is this sanhedrin legal body. Apparently it has decided to be fearless and fair and address in a dignified manner the injustices that are being inflicted on any nation. every jew in the world should support the sanhedrin morally and financially.
16. SANHEDRINITIS
ROLAND SEENER ,   LONDON ENGLAND   (08.20.07)
THE CHINESE PEOPLE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR FROM THIS SELF CREATED SANHEDRIN.WHO WOULD JUDGE THE WORLD. AS A MATTER OF FACT I WAS GOING TO CREATER ONE MYSELF,SO I COULD EXCOMMUNICATE A FEW PEOPLE WHO CURSE GIVE STRIPES TO THOSE WITHLESSER CRIMES AND STONE ANY OTHERS. WHO DISAGREE WITH MY OPINION. HAVEN;T WE GOT ENOUGH PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE BETH DIN AND THE HIGH COURT? .TO THOSE ,WHO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY ,I SAY YOU MUST BE JOKING!
17. #9 Andy Ramat hasharon
Ariel ,   London UK   (08.20.07)
It would be courteous if you would at least verify the facts before you cast these kinds of aspersions. The Sanhedrin did not appoint itself. It was appointed by the widest pool of Rabbi's that responded to the invitation from all over the Israel. The original idea of how to do this in modern times was that of Maimonides.
18. What's the fuss?
Ariel ,   London UK   (08.20.07)
In country and the whole world for that matter that is marching Left..Left..left left left, The Sanhedrin is a good thing!
19. When will the new sanhedrin address the palistinian refugee
muktar ,   wien   (08.21.07)
issue and seek to re-dress a historic injustice? According to halakha of course.
20. torture, and organ removal in China
Kathy Gillis ,   ottawa canada   (08.21.07)
I cannot remain silent about this and I commend you for speaking up. Indecent acts like this cannot prevail when exposed to sunlight.
21. To # 10 you must be kidding
Marty ,   USA   (08.21.07)
to think that your list of complaints is on a par with killing and harvesting the organs of peaceful people. What is wrong with you?
22. Prof. Hillel Weiss
Spencer ,   Israel   (08.21.07)
He's nuts! Someone should refer him to a good psychiatrist.
23. #21 Marty: #10 is right - kindness begins at home
abdullah ,   ashkenaz   (08.21.07)
How can the new sanhedrin be expected to have any impact on non-jewish morality, without first significantly impacting jewish morality in israel? The upside, perhaps, is that this is good publicity for torah observant jews - showing that they, like many non-observant jews are also interested in human rights issues, and to approach this from a halakhic perspective. But even this needs to begin at home, in order to enhance its international credibility. #10 lists important local issues, and I would like to add 2 extra ones to that list, which i think is of utmost importance - 1) the issue of what to do to descendants of palistinian and jewish refugees of the isreali-arab conflict. 2) Working out a good arrangement between jews and palisitinians of the territories that allows them to live side by side as neighbours.
24. Prozak
Dr. Froid ,   Here   (08.21.07)
prof. Hiilel, you should try Prozak
25. #23 Abdullah
Keren ,   Israel-SP   (08.21.07)
"2) Working out a good arrangement between jews and palisitinians of the territories that allows them to live side by side as neighbours". Abdullah,there is no need to live side by side.ME is enourmous,there is no need to push 2 people to live so closely if they don't want. In Mount Sinai,G'od defined what belongs to the children of Israel. Arabs can be our good neiboughrs;we can be friends and help each other,but everyone in its own place. The arabic Peninsula,for example ,is enourmous. Not everything should fall in Jew's shoulders.Arabs have shoulders and lands too.They must take responsability and stop hating and desiring what belong to Jews!Only then peace will be achieved!
26. Sanhedrin Court
John Schwartz ,   Eilat. Israel   (08.21.07)
Not established or sanctioned by religious leadership or establishment. Will sow seeds of division and argument if left to itself. A real descration of the ineffable name for purely political motives.
27. #25 - Keren
Deborah ,   Midwest, USA   (08.21.07)
Thank you for hitting the nail on the head! You have described the whole Palestinian issue simply, yet brilliantly.
28. Self appointed court
J Hollcroft ,   Martinsburg, WV USA   (08.21.07)
Self appointed is the key here. The term ‘sanhedrin’ is a helenist term not an Ivrit term. This self appointed court has no place in the Orthodox world of Judaism. There is NO prophecy that states that this body will re-emerge now or in the future. This organization is a false entity and I think dangerous in its deception of goyim as well as Orthodox Judaism. There is no official ordination that this Sanhedrin can have any jurisdiction over any person let alone another country. Even when the Jewish High Court was in place 2000 years ago they did not interfere with Roman rule they only worked within the Israeli peoples jurisdiction. Torah of Har Sinai is the only way.
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