Opinion
Rabbis, leave politics
Rabbi Chaim Shein
Published: 25.12.12, 10:38
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21 Talkbacks for this article
1. religion and state.
David ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (12.25.12)
I woud say "Rabbis" dont even enter politics, its none of your buisness in a true democracy where there is a separation of religion and state.Leave this filthy business to the politicians. You will have far greater influence if you act as spiritual leaders.
2. You are preaching to the choir
American Sabrah ,   Israel   (12.25.12)
I've always said that religion does not belong with politics and vise versa.
3. Yes - !.
Arn. ,   Sweden.   (12.25.12)
The Rabbis should represent the Word of HASHEM, Who is no Ideology of Political Partty. They should Embody HIS Word. Political Party is a split of the National Consciousness of the Nation, and that is a sin before HIM. Arn.Sweden.
4. Rabbis and politics
Larry Rich ,   Afula, Israel   (12.25.12)
The lethal mixture of organized religion and politics has accounted for horrors in the history of mankind. Religious 'leaders' see in politics the opportunity to attain great power, wealth and subjugation over multitudes. The very minute a so-called religious figure steps into the political arena, he or she exposes their true intentions. The nerve that any person dare think that they speak in the name of our Creator is ludicrous. Even sadder is that so many people believe in and follow them.
5. Self-contradicts
adameliyahu   (12.25.12)
It is precisely the separation of church and state that permits rabbis to enter politics as citizens.Excluding rabbis friom politics because they are rabbis is secular fascism, which is rampant in israel. Separation of church and state as a concept was intended to protect reliigon from poltics so that religion could flourish. It was not meant to exclude religion from the state or to create a secular state.
6. Rabbis can speak truth outside the Knesset
Steve   (12.25.12)
Rabbi Shein says, "Rabbis are supposed to represent dignity and the truth, in accordance with the Torah." Rabbis can and do speak the truth irrespective of holding seats in the Knesset as they should. Rabbis should tell the people the Torah says all of the land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people and we should not relinquish any of it. Rabbis should speak out on other moral issues even when they pertain to politics. Maybe the author is right. Maybe a rabbi should not seek political office but neither should he maintain silence on political / moral issues.
7. ism's ism's ism's
yosef ,   williamsburg US   (12.25.12)
Does the author and the talkbackers not realize articles like this only validate what the Satmar Rebbe ZT"l and many other non zionists say about the modern medinah? That it would replace daas Torah and that replacement would be nationalism which would become an idolatry.
8. yes!!
Ilana   (12.25.12)
I could not agree more. It always amazed and stunned me that religious people, rabbis could be such liars and real criminals. It makes me very sad, and I therefore feel that I can be more Jewish and pure by not being religious-like them.
9. What kind of rabbi is this Chaim Shein whose report is
(12.25.12)
nothing but lashon hara and motzi shem ra lies? Must be reform rabbi.
10. Rav Joseph Soloveitchik ztl
Joseph ,   London UK   (12.25.12)
In the early years of the State the Gaon Rav Soloveitchik believed Religious Zionism should remain non-political and provide moral and ethical input. After some years it became clear that it did not work in the Israeli model where so many MK's were openly anti-religious, and Rav Soloveitchik accepted that we also need to stand for office and influence the Govt from inside the Knesset. Part of the problem of 'rabbis' giving Torah a bad name is that so many of those 'rabbis' lack genuine semicha.
11. that is what Chabad is all about
JDK ,   NEW YORK USA   (12.25.12)
only there to teach the Torah way. go to your local Chabad today!!!!!
12. Actually it's religion that gives Torah a bad name!
tom ,   tel aviv   (12.25.12)
Would you suggest to say, European Christian Democrats that they should disband because of "separation"? It's Catch22 and the culprit is simply the very existence of superstitious world-view known as RELIGION
13. Rabbis, leave politics - and let us all say Amen to THAT!
Talula ,   Israel   (12.25.12)
They HAVE shown themselves to be liars, thieves and cheats who have been convicted of such crimes.
14. Rabbis have the same right as..
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (12.25.12)
everybody else to enter in politics ! ! Are we in democracy or not?
15. 8 Ilana Do you also feel that you ...
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (12.25.12)
can be more healthy by,when needed not consulting doctors,because of some charlatans?
16. Beit Hillel Rabbis organization
S Judah ,   Jerusalem   (12.25.12)
This Rabbis organisation has not one Sephardim in its make up. The majority of the population of Israel is Sephardi. The picture accompanying this article is that of a Sephardi, Deri. I am not saying there isn't any sense in this article, but I am saying we don't need some modern Ashki Rabbi's organisation preaxching to the Sephardim.
17. this attitude is like saying the womans place is in the home
zionist forever   (12.25.12)
If a rabbi wants to get into politics thats their right and being a rabbi doesn't mean they are not qualified to get into politics. Just because we don't like their policies why should that mean rabbis should stay out of politics? Why shouldn't a rabbi who wants to serve his country be told he is a rabbi so your to naive to be a politician and a rabbis place is with his congregation. Would also love to know who this second group of rabbis who all go onto commit crime are, how about examples. Where is the difference between that attitude and telling your place is in the home with the kids? A rabbi is just as qualified to be a politician as somebody from a secular background. The only reasons to want to keep rabbis out of politics is to keep out religion and leave politics as a job reserved for secular people. You don't have to like policy but that doesn't mean they shouldn't serve.
18. Division
peter ,   tel aviv   (12.26.12)
as an ardent secular and not a lover of the current government and the way we are moving I still say this. Respect to the rabbis. It is not their fault that from the onset of the state of Israel there was not a clear separation of state and religion. We need their wisdom and their input. But by giving them political center stage they often forget their place and talk about things they maybe should not. They should be in shul and teach those who want to be taught by them. But they should not decide upon state affairs and bring in the Halacha which gives their students no choice but to follow.
19. The pot calling the kettle...
Jay ,   Brooklyn, NY   (12.26.12)
What exactly are you doing "Rabbi" Stein, by penning this op-ed? Sitting at home drinking tea?
20. # 14
Harry ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (12.26.12)
No Israel is NOT a true democracy, so that you have answered your own question!
21. take it even further!
nadav ,   tlv   (12.26.12)
Separate religion from state.period! The government should not be involved with religion and vice-a-versa, religion should NOT be involved in government. ALL the secular parties should make a law that definitely separates religion from State and BANS all political parties from running if they are based on religion, language, ethnicity, or country of origin- like they did in France. Another important point, this articles also applies to the far left rabbis in the West who are far too partisan and deeply affiliated with the radical progressive left. Keep your opinions in your pulpits!
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