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Chief IDF rabbi: Military rabbis inseparable from combat units
Hanan Greenberg
Published: 21.05.08, 07:01
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40 Talkbacks for this article
1. I agree with the Rabbi
Kohanim   (05.21.08)
The only point I sorely disagree upon is equating rabbi's to being the "continuation" of the Kohanim. They're not. Only genuine descendants are. But otherwise I agree completely with the Rabbi's logic. In the past when the temple existed, and even before it, our holy men went to war along with the troops. I see no reason why military rabbis should face criticism from religious circles. These cowards who criticize these brave rabbis should keep quiet. They're a disgrace to all the real Jews of Israel. I sincerely applaud this rabbi and hope many follow in suit. -A pleased Kohanim
2. The Macabees Fought on Shabbat
kurt ,   san diego   (05.21.08)
Pray on it and seek guidance from Hashem.
3. HE is God's prototype for a Rabbi
Talula ,   Israel   (05.21.08)
HE is what a rabbi is all about. I admire him for what he did and may all other rabbis follow his lead!!
4. Rabbi Ronsky
Rachel ,   Tel Aviv   (05.21.08)
Kol HaKavod Lo! He most certainly did the right thing!
5. Rabbis GET READY WE ARE GOING INTO GAZA FULL STRIKE!
YITZAK BEN SHLOMO ,   SINGAPORE   (05.21.08)
RABBIS who disagree saty at home like cowards . To the COWARD RABBIS.s as teachers you should al least TEACH the correct things, here you IDIOTS are confusing EVERYONE. You eirther serve the MILITARY or GET OUT FOR GOOD ! IDIOTS
6. I violate almost every Shabbat
talish ,   phx, USA   (05.21.08)
And I'm in enlisting in the IDF in July. I'm fighting for country where Jews still finger point about Torah laws? Ugh.
7. This guy understands what unites people
daniel   (05.21.08)
8. He is a shinning example to all
Simon ,   TA Israel   (05.21.08)
Although 100 secular i agree with this rabbu. He has the sense unlike those idiots in Shas to realise that if we dont defend the country there will be no country . He is an example to all those Harideem who hide behind the TAL Law and what a surprise supported by Shas.
9. I challenge all those
Shmuel ,   Maale Adumim   (05.21.08)
who criticize this Rabbi to have the courage and fight for Israel even on a regular day. I dare guess that most of these critics have never had the courage to be in the IDF. So either be couragous or shut your mouths!
10. Thank you Rabbi!
Esther ,   Ofarim, Israel   (05.21.08)
11. All non-Chareidi religious Jews support him
Michael Berg ,   Petach Tikva, Israel   (05.21.08)
Also, Talish is ignorant, stupid, and intolerant. Why does the fact that some people care about keeping mitzvot, about the kedusha of Shabbat, and about their connection to H' bother him? The only answer is: 1) ignorance-he obviously has never been in the house of someone who keeps Shabbat 2) The ignorance and stupidity go together. As mentioned above, why does the fact that other people care about the spirit and law of the Torah bother him? Intolerance, that's all.
12. It is believed by some scholars that the Messiah will fight
Rivkah   (05.21.08)
for Israel when Yom Kippur is on a Shabbat. The Lord's annointed will fight on a Shabbat as the Lion of Judah and the King of Kings.
13. Nice rabbi, but....
jack ,   jerusalem   (05.21.08)
What he did, while comendable, was a violation of Sabbath laws. Before you start bashing hariedim, understand that this rabbi considers himself religious and must follow sabbath laws. If I am not mistaken, the original article stated that the rabbi left the army base long after his unit had and as the operation was winding down. There was no need for him to be there then.
14. Dear Mr. Rabbi
Sagi ,   Israel   (05.21.08)
I hereby award you 11 out of 10. You are an excellent example and a fine human being. Your criticizers should hang their heads in shame, they are a disgrace to our nation.
15. Kol h'kavod for Rabbi Ronski.
Wise Saba ,   Western Negev   (05.21.08)
He is an example of what a chief Rabbi of the IDF should be. I once met him & he truly is a great person & a fantastic Rabbi!
16. Rabbi Brig.-Gen. Ronsky! Thank you, Sir!
Ami Israel ,   Jerusalem   (05.21.08)
You have shown a beautiful action of "Keruv" (bringing others closer) at work! Thank you for going out with our soldiers, May HE who watches over all of us...grant you, our soldiers and us many quiet Shabbatot! p.s. it is really a delight to write "Rabbi Brig.-Gen" all as one title! thanks for that too!
17. No question as to whether original order to desecrate...
Lemmings Hotline ,   sd usa   (05.21.08)
Shabbat was justified. The rabbi obviously thought it was, and therefore made the point that there was no difference between the soldiers shabbat exemption to defend his country and his.
18. saving souls and lives
Abu Daud ,   Zurich Switzerland   (05.21.08)
Unlike others who bless the guns and leave the soldiers alone on the battlefield, this man gave them strength. Doing this, he saved lives! May he be blessed!
19. The Perfect perpective.
Paul ,   Jerusalem   (05.21.08)
The soldiers are fighting to save lives. Lives that have been endangered by our liberal government with monetary, anti-Torah and foreign interests. Therefore this Rabbi is Halachically perfect in his actions, and sees what all the Charedim need to see. That is, we all can't stand the government and what this country has become, but every Jewish life is precious, including your own and must be defended even on Shabbat.
20. Its perfectly acceptable to do on Shabbat.
David ,   Boston, USA   (05.21.08)
I agree with the majority, to save lives it perfectly acceptable for the IDF and rabbis to assist. Not only acceptable, but required. Now I dont know what else there was left out of the article. Was there a choice to go on another day? Would it have been preferable? I will let the military experts decide that.
21. Details important
SL ,   New York   (05.21.08)
The devil, as always, is in the details. If the rabbi's presence was truly needed in battle, no one would question him. However, if he came after the battle was over, and had a Jewish driver drive him there to provide moral support or something similar after the fact, the propriety of his actions is open to question. Should the chef also drive out after a battle, to offer sandwiches? How about the band, to play a tune? One also has to know what the intentions of the person were. The key task of a military rabbi is to strike the correct balance, even someone as distinguished as this ba'al teshuva is.
22. Finally A true Jewish leader..There is hope Thank G-d
Al   (05.21.08)
23. army rabbi
david hasday ,   new york /usa   (05.21.08)
bs"d Kol Hakavod leRabbi. We only need leaders like him that take responsability towards their men as seriously as towards the Allmighty . Him joining his soldiers is a solid KIDUSH HASHEM . ashre haam she kaele banim lo
24. Deborah was a Prophet (higher than a Rabbi) and leader
Rivkah   (05.21.08)
of ancient Israel. She went out with the troops with her General Barak. Whether that was on a Shabbat is up for question, but the religious/political leader of the nation was with the General watching the battle. Charles Wheeling is in the ELS codes in the Song of Solomon along with his birthday and place of birth. He believes Armageddon will be fought in the fall or autumn beginning Tishri 1 and the Lord will appear and fight for Israel on Tishri 10, Yom Kippur, when Yom Kippur falls on a Saturday Shabbat. Messianic Rabbi Michaelbelieves the Ezekiel chpater 38 attack on Israel will begin on Tishri 1 of some year. Whether that is seven years before Armageddon or leads into Armageddon is up for debate. Michael Drosnin in his book "The Bible Code" finds Israel is attacked on Elul 29 of some year. Jack Van Impe believes an asteroid attack or an EMP attack that causes darkness precedes the Ezekiel chapter 32 attack and the Joel 2:3 war. Then there is the solar eclipse explanation for the darkness the prophets saw preceding some wars to come. The point is that soldiers will fight on Shabbat and the Lord considers that to be lawful as long as it is needful and necessary.
25. Curious
Israel   (05.21.08)
I wonder how most talkbackers have become Rabbis and halachic experts who can make educated decisions about whether this Rabbi was right or wrong. Pathetic really.
26. part of a pattern- look at his predesessors
Joe Jew ,   Jerusalem   (05.21.08)
the one who publicly permitted mamzerim, the one caught out in a fake conversion scandal in Switzerland, and you see that the Job demands someone without Halachic morality.
27. ho hum here we go again
Jewboy ,   Israel   (05.21.08)
Another so- called "rabbi" caught violating basic Jewish principles of behaviour for no valid reason other than a headline. the headline will be forgotten, the eternal verdict will not.
28. equivocation is dangerous in life and death situations
mike   (05.22.08)
When emergency action is required one must act with clarity. This is not the time for self-doubt but faith in God. This requires a Torah intuition. If errors are made they will be forgiven with minimal tshuvah. Later
29. #25 Curious
David ,   USA   (05.22.08)
Curious, what gives you the right to judge the qualifictions of those posting these talkbacks? Perhaps these people study Torah daily as they should. Perhaps they are expercts. Perhaps many of them are Rabbi's themselves. The point is, you don't know, you just want to spout off and judge others. Pathetic really!
30. #24 Deborah was judge dummie
(05.22.08)
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