Jewish Scene
Rabbinate ordaining associates as rabbis?
Aviel Magnezi
Published: 09.11.12, 06:45
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8 Talkbacks for this article
1. It's a shame!
Norman Gellman ,   Rehovot   (11.09.12)
It's a shame that unqualified people are allowed to act as rabbis. Rabbis should be licensed by the government (not the rabbinate) after a recommendation by the rabbinate and demonstrating the required educational credentials (a university degree for example) and passing a written test graded by government officials not rabbis.
2. Nepotism is a Jewish disease
Larry ,   Los Angeles   (11.09.12)
Nepotism is a Jewish disease. Where there is money, and those who get jobs in the Rabbanit get good salaries, good working conditions and great pensions. One of the Ten non-Commandments is: Where there is money, there is corruption. The Rabbanut is no exception. As G-d said, "Let there be light (investigate the matter)"
3. Black Suit and title of Rabbi does not equal honesty
Yitzi ,   Bet Shemesh   (11.09.12)
It's a shame but from first hand experience I know that giving a man a black suit, black hat and the title of rabbi makes him no better than anyone else. Some of them remain liars, cheats, and thieves.
4. No. 2 Larry
NYC Girl   (11.09.12)
First of all, it's only nepotism when it involves a family member. Secondly, what makes you think it's a "Jewish disease" when it's endemic to so many other ethnic groups as well?
5. Only one side so far
Sherlock Holmes ,   London England   (11.09.12)
So far we are hearing only one side of the story. Here in England mainstream [Orthodox] United Synagogue rabbis require certification from the Chief Rabbi, but in the past those with semicha from Gateshead have been accepted. Some of the candidates in Israel may have valid semicha from major poskim and therefore not require further certification. There is probably more to it than we've heard. 'Nepotism' is a word bandied about, but it often happens that five star Rabbonim have five star offspring. Pre-war Europe had rabbinical dynasties such as Soloveitchiks, Carlbachs, Munks, Sophers, Hirsch-Breuers ...
6. # 5 Sherlock Homeless,you did not
J.K. ,   Brooklyn USA   (11.10.12)
consolt with DR Watson before you wrote your TB,God fearing Jews don't eat in restaurants supervised by the Rabanut,which means that great Poskin don't provide semicha to people whose goal in life is to be a masgiach in a restaurant,therefore the badatz and the beit yosef (shas ) mafia took over the hashgacha buisness,and the stupid people believe that ,badatz-shas is superier to the rabanut,because they charge more for their service, it is time for the state of Israel to dismantle the rabanut and the ministerium for godly affairs,Judaism flourished in Europe without government help.
7. Which is why I, and many other Jews, don't recognize Rabinat
Dati Leumi Jew ,   Israel   (11.11.12)
and more and more Jews, long past 90%, reject the rabbis for a common sense restoration of more pristine halacha.
8. #5 the article states they failed exams
george ,   Canada   (11.11.12)
I don't see what good a foreign semicha is when the standards tfro appointment require passing an Israeli exam, which, the article claims, some have failed.
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