All we want is respect

Reform, Conservative rabbis don't need President Katsav's approval, but we demand a minimum of respect

Reuters | Published: 07.06.06, 15:05

Synagogues around the world last week – from ultra-Orthodox to Conservative to Reform – read the Torah portion of Hukat. The reading tells the story of Moses' request to the king of Edom for the Jewish people to pass through his land on their way to the Land of Israel. "Please allow us to pass through your land. We won't trample your fields or vineyards; we won't drink the water out of your wells. We will travel the king's path; we won't veer right or left until we've left your land."

Of late, I feel that President Katsav has related to non-Orthodox Jews who simply want to pass through as if they have no real connection to this place. The king of Edom won't let the Jews pass – and the president acts as if he would prefer that we, too, not pass through.

As a Conservative Rabbi, I am supposed to be happy that the president has agreed to call me "rabbi", but I am not. What kind of achievement is it if it doesn't include my Reform rabbinic colleagues? When he insults Reform, he hurts me, and all Conservative Jews, as well.

Who's a rabbi?

According to Pirke Avot, the classic ethical teachings of Talmudic tractate called Chapters of the Fathers, a person from whom you have learned one halacha (Jewish law), or even one letter, should rightly be called your "rabbi" – but it seems that this minimum standard is still too high for the president. During a meeting last week with the president, Rabbi Jerome Epstein said he felt no need to be Katsav's teacher – but he demanded the minimum respect of being addressed by his proper title and name.

The classic model for respect amongst differing opinions is the Talmud. Every page features discussion and debate between rabbis who disagree with one another, yet who still manage to treat one another with respect. Furthermore, we Conservative and Reform rabbis are in the same "boat" – neither group's rabbis have the right to conduct marriage or conversion ceremonies here. We cannot use public mikvehs (ritual baths) and we do not have the right to pray at the Western Wall with our minyans.

Ordained by God

In a certain sense, Reform and Conservative rabbis do not need the president to gain legitimacy. Our right to work the fields and orchards of the Land of Israel was granted by the ultimate king – God - no less than other streams.

We go in the way of the king. Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews all drink from the same well. We do not seek any "understandings" with the president that exclude the Reform, and we will not allow the Reform to suffer such a slap in the face alone.