Eric Yoffe is a Rabbi like I am a Rabbi. He and Michael Lerner can attach Rabbi to their titles as much as they like. But Rabbis they are not. While Yoffe has a certain appeal to many unaffiliated Jews, the title more appropriate would be Cultural Jewish Affiliator. Let us call an ace an ace, and a spade a spade.

The term Rabbi is clearly being misused. In Judisim it properly refers to one who is learned in and teaches according to the Halacha. The members of the Reform Clergy are not experts and do not adhere to the Halacha. This has nothing with being good people or not, I am sure they are wonderful. but it has everything to do with belief. In consequence the President is 100% right. However to avoid offence perhaps Rabbi of the Reform community might have been appropriate.

How come this artice omits Presdent Katzav's title frequently, but keeps reffering to "Rabbi Yoffee"? How many Haaretz writers or Yoffees other suporters really accept "reform judaism". It's plain that this is all a rebellion against orthodox judaism, the only kind that even Isreal's anti religious recognize (even if only to rebel against it). the best proof that reform is a "branch" of athiesm, not Judaism, is that most of it;s supports in the media and the HCJ are athiests, not "reform jews"!

an idiot.

He is very anti-Israel individual. He adviced his people not to visit Israel 2003 because Shorn did not liked Arafat in 2003. Eric indeed was a big supporter of Arafat and Beilin but now his influence in Jewish community is very small because of his strong support of Arafat, now dead.

Where does this number come from? Temple membership rolls? No way. They have been spouting 1.5 million for more than 30 years, but recent population studies (based on random telephone surveys) show that a huge percentage of Jews who self-identify as "Reform" do not practice Judaism in any way shape or form. This leaves a very small clique of ulta-liberals, feminists, pagans and homosexuals to "re-form" a new-age religion in their own image. It has nothing to do with Judaism except for the name.

The behaviour of Katsav shows a huge degree of ignorance and arrogance. The majority of Western Jews (like myself) are either very secular or reform and without their support of Israel over the years (and making the US does the the same) Israel couldn't have survived. The reform and secular jews have also played a critical part in rehabilitating the image of jews and judaism in the west in recent times. Who do you think help to improve the image of jews more, a female or a gay refrom rabbi or Rabbi Ovada Yousef? I am sorry to burse Katsav and the orthodox bubble, but without reform and secular jews, the world will see the jews in the same light as they see fundamentalist muslims now; is that what we want? Israel should encourage rather than stifle this enlightened and refreshing revision of Judaism. The enlightened jew Daniel

Those meshiegene orthodoks think they are the only one to have the truth but they are wrong and a time will come when a jew will be a jew...

the reform and Conservative movements grew out the Rabbinic tradition in the same way theat haredi traditions evolved out of those traditions. the rightfully claim the same unbroken tradition of smicha or ordination going back to talmudic times... It is perfectly legitimate for an individual not to accept the teachings of a rabbi and to disagree with their approach to Jewish life but to deny the individual the title is historically unacceptable.

I am sorry to say that "in my upringing" presidents like President Katzav are "davar acher" and ingnoramuses. Is that person the symbol of the State?

"Eric Yoffe is a Rabbi like I am a Rabbi. He and Michael Lerner can attach Rabbi to their titles as much as they like. But Rabbis they are not. " Maybe if you even made a pretense to understand this guy and Reform Judaism, you wouldn't be so quick to spew sensless hatred. Shame on you.

Orthodox Jews believe in God and that He has given Isreal to the Jews. it seems to come down to the Land these days, certainly not image, unless you value the world's opinion more than God's. Reformed Jews have come up with what is good in their own eyes and the eyes of the world. Katsav loves this guy because he is a Jew. I think Katsav behaved with kindness and admirable restraint. when you arrive at the conviction that to follow God and Torah is the only way, it can be very frustrating to interact with Jews calling themselves rabbis while not regarding Torah as valid.

i can tell you that tommorrwthere will be a har article in www.nfc.co.il in Heberew, which attack ARIK YAFE

Rabbi Yoffe is a rabbi in every sense of the word!

His PRIDE and ARROGANCE. Real rabbi not supposed to behave like that. This is NOT Judaism. There too many layman people who like to call themselves "rabbi". For example there is one shwantz by the name of Lerner. This is a shame. Judaism always holds high standards. The president is right. We don't need more "rabbis" who do politics-not Judaism. Kol hakavod le Katzav.

I love every Jew I dont ask him what he is, orthodox, conser., or reform, just like i dont ask him if he straigth or xay. but if he preaches against the Torah / Halacha I MUST TAKE THE SIDE OF TORAH otherwise in a few generations there will be no jew left look whats going on in the USA and the rest of the world. i invite every jew to join in learning about your heritage and learn Torah only with and from someone who keeps the torah / Halacha. Shabbath Shalom

Rah B'eyney Hashem the venom that comes from you leftitst is poisioning you. You are loosing it, and you know it

There is nothing in the torah as to what makes a rabbi. Noah, as it says in the torah, was a good man for his time. The Ultra hardi may be good men for the 1800's shtel in europe. The spectrum of Modern Orthdox to Reform Jew is a group of people trying to be good people for the current time. And if you read Sanhedrian the rabbis of old never said that you had to belive in g-d, just not a belive in any idols. And no one would say that Einstien didn't help the jews and wasn't himself a good jew, he was however, secular. Tell me what the Hardi in Israel are doing to advance Judism into a religon of tekuin Olam? yes Rambam, put study over all else, but only in writing, he was a doctor, not a man living off state money he got from a state he gave nothing back too.

Reform "rabbis" who posess less Torah scholarship than a high school Yeshiva student are as rabbinical as Jews for Jesus rabbis.

we had a similar discussion the other day. Something about the orthodoxy of ben-gurion, dayan & meir i think. LET ME JUST BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT there is NO THREAT TO ORTHODOX JEWS by the existence of the reform movement. Only support.........ultimately Stop hyping meggiddo scenarios. ...and "My Yamulke is blacker then yours" talk is really silly. and as for Katsav? Ma matsav? about Rabbi Yoffe - He's a Jew, a rabbinal Scholar and he keeps "gods flock" in accordance with "the rules" and the Jewish way of life. He's a brother. Fraternite ahi, Fraternite.

19m Jews in 1940, (6m in the USA). Now: 13m Jews worldwide, 5.4m in the USA. What in heavens name is wrong? With 50,000 Jews being lost each year, do the Orthodox Rabbis (and their congregations), AND, the Pres. of Israel, have the foggiest idea of reality? W/O we, reform, conservative and more secular Jews, Judaism cannot survive, it's just that simple. W/O US Jewry's support, Israel is doomed (Iran will see to that). I am serious about this. Let US Jews be Jews...we do not have to observe all 613 ancient laws, or pray 3 times daily to be CONSIDERED Jews. We are all in the same boat I'm afraid..black hat or no.

More pertinent here, however, is something more dangerous, and that is the notion that majoritorianism is being allowed to squash and trivialize certain fundamental rights. The rights to freedom of expression should never be squashed or trivialized, as long as they are the honest expression of religious conscience. In 1993, Stephen Carter, a well-known legal scholar wrote a book entitled, “The Culture of Disbelief: How American Law and Politics Trivialize Religious Belief.” In his book, Carter argues that religious groups and their adherents ultimately operate to sustain liberty by limiting the overweening power of the majority and “preventing the reduction of democracy to simple and tyrannical majoritarianism.” To serve this function, religions and religious people must have their own autonomy and should be permitted to express values and traditions that may be at variance with what happens to be politically correct at the time. It is a self-evident truth that ethically, one cannot commandeer or hijack a term or office used exclusively by the adherents of a major religion for thousands of years for one’s own use. It is morally reprehensible that after one has hijacked such a title or office - to expect others to automatically tow the line and utilize that term. Let no one kid themselves - this is what has transpired here. The title “Rabbi” was once conferred exclusively upon students of the Talmud that demonstrated proficiency in and absolute commitment to Halacha – Jewish law. In the mid 1800’s, somewhere in Germany, the term “Rabbi” was co-opted by those that were not committed to observance of Jewish law. In a similar vein, the term “Jihad” in Islamic theology once had a positive connotation. It meant “striving, struggling to grow and achieve.” Non-violent Muslims are upset that the term was hijacked by terrorists who have given it an intolerant “suicide-bomber”-esque connotation. A term that once reflected admirable religious growth has now taken on a new, dark and evil countenance - one that peaceful Muslims view as anathema and runs counter to Islam. A person who wishes to stand up for the historical and true legal usage of a term, and is backed by his religious conscience and conviction, certainly has the right to do so. Indeed, this right forms the backbone of freedom-loving democracy. It is a right that keeps us all, whether religious or not, from falling into the abyss of totalitarianism and absolutism. It protects society. And let’s be honest: If a wealthy and powerful individual visiting Israel was armed with a PhD from a diploma mill and expected to be called “Doctor” – what would be the reaction? Katzav would be hailed as a moral hero for standing up for the ideals of intellectual integrity. Why should religious conscience and historical truth be any different? Katzav is under tremendous pressure. Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Weinreb, the leader of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, ostensibly “a voice of reason”, stated unhesitatingly, “Katsav should address Yoffie as "Rabbi.” Weinreb continued, “There are many matters that are in dispute between the [Orthodox] movement I represent and the Reform movement, but titles must not be an obstacle to cooperation between us.” Anti-Defamation League head Abraham H. Foxman has stated categorically, “Whoever advised President Moshe Katsav not to address Rabbi Eric Yoffie, leader of the Reform movement in the United States, by the title "rabbi" has erred.” True. It is important to important to seek consensus and unity on issues that affect the Jewish people, especially on issues that affect Israel. It is important not to alienate entire groups of supporters. But it is also important to stand true to one’s own convictions. What the Jewish people need now more than ever are strong and courageous leaders who stand firm in their convictions. Moshe Katzav is such a leader.

So Daniel we have a problem. Either Israel is a Jewish state or not? Judaism as a religion is defined by Halacha, and in partcular the conversion, divorce and marital practices of the Reform cause a serious problem. They do not adhere to Halacha. This is not a question about whether Mr Yoffe is a good guy or a bad guy. We have to maintain the standards of the Torah. The Torah was not given to people to bend and twist to suit their lifestyle or personal beliefs. It is for us to bend and twist to match the requirements of the Torah.

So you think we should make up Judism as we go along. Well that isn't Judisim , thats anarchy. The Torah and Halacha define us, it is not there for non-sages and the unlearned to bend and twist this gift from The Almighty to match their own shortcommings and weaknesses.

http://www.nfc.co.il/bringHtmlDoc.asp?strFrom=hp&docid=16440&subjectId=3

Homosexualism, abortion, intermarriage, overall failure to reproduce at a sustainable level, the "Reform" movement is rapidly making itself extinct. No amount of "easy conversions" will save this population from wiping itself out. Meanwhile, the Orthodox community continues to reproduce with large families. Do the math.

Let's play pretend and assume the 1.5 million number is accurate to the number of active reform Jews in the world today (a laugh, but let's stretch our imaginations a little). Based on current trends in which 100 reform Jews produce 2 Jewish grandchildren, their movement will have 30,000 Jewish members in two generations. Now, how many Orthodox Jews are there in Israel (without counting the diaspora)? At 25% of Israel's population about 1.5 million, but they produce 700 Jewish grandchildren for every 100 current members (and this doesn't include America's orthodoxy or Israels Ortho-friendly traditional majority (whose birthrate is positive, but not as dramatic as the orthodox)). That means in two generations we'll have 10.5 Million orthodox Jews in Israel in two generation. Adding in American Ortho-Jews and Israels ortho-friendly population and the number increases significantly (much as european Jewries did before the haskalah movement). The proof is in the pudding. The future (and the past) belongs to the orthodox - because their rabbis stayed true to Torah tradition.

President Katsav is right. Besides I don't see a kippa on his head in the picture.