Rabbi Lior doesn't have a clue about the essence of the beautiful religion of Judaism. He cares nothing about the peaceful home, love among family members, and a commitment to avoid the evil word. Interestingly, President Katsav refused to refer to Rabbi Yoffe, the leader of American Reform Judaism, as Rabbi because of his "beliefs". Although he has not been convicted in a court of law, there are 10 women accusing him of sexual harrassment and there are also accusations of corruption. Some beliefs. Actually, both he and "Rabbi" Lior are committing another grave sin according to Judaic principles. By their words and deeds, they are weakening both Judaism and Israel. Can you imagine Israel's plight if Reform Jews no longer supported Israel---either spiritually or economically? By the way, I get a continuous stream of appeals for money from Orthodox institutions who are only too willing to accept my money but won't recognize my beliefs as a Conservative Jew. This is not to say that all Orthodox Jews are as despicable of Rabbi Lior and his followers. We have a Lubavitch synagogue near us and they are perfectly lovely people who love ALL of the Jewish people. Finally, for this Rabbi or ayatollah or whateer he is to claim that Reform Judaism is worse than Islam, a religious movement that has allowed extreme anti-Jewish feelings to become an integral part of the religion, he is showing what a ignorant and bigoted person he is. He is not practicing Judaism. Judging from past articles like this, I am sure that many of the Ayatollah's followers will also make hateful and ignorant comments about Reform Jews.

I hope that my Catholic friends do not take offense at my comparison of Rabbi Lior to the Pope because I admire the Pope as a man of good-will who is trying to respect the Jewish people, unlike Rabbi Lior who only seeks to divide the Jewish people. My comparison only refers to Catholic doctrine that the Pope has the final word on religious doctrine and practice. Evidently, Rabbi Lior thinks that his demented decree is somehow anymore meaningful or binding on Jews than that of Groucho Marx.

YOU SAID REFORM; YOU SAID REFORM. BY SAYING IT, YOU HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED IT'S EXISTENCE. HEY JERK, HITLER TOOK REFORM JEWS TOO.

This may be news in Israel but in the US most Orthodox or halachic jews have known the position of halacha when it comes to the non-halachic movements. As with everything in our religoin it should be viewed and done with compasion and care to reach out to all Jews regardless of their precatices. If we are consistent but compassionate the non-observant Jew may become more sensitive to the traditions and halacha.

and bind people together . This is the same for all the different religious beliefs in the world today. Nothing new here.

TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG !!!!!!!! JEWS DIVIDED WILL FAIL !!!!!!!!!! OH,RABBI LIOR YOU LOST ALL MY RESPECT !!! ... WHAT YOU TALK ABOUT ? THINK BEFORE YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH ! YOU ARE DEEMING SOME OF BROTHERS JEWS ARE WORSE THAN MUSLIMS ????????????? WHY ? THEY ARE JEWS ! ! ! ( ? ) .PLEASE , JEWS BE UNITED ! ! !

Of course we have to stay clear. I refuse to let any of my 8 kids EVER go to their non orthodox cousins. And being non orthodox is not nearly as dangerous as activley belonging to the reform movement. Heck, the very word "reform" means to "change and improve what is wrong" according to websters. So any socializing with anything that has an identity of "reform" is obviously prohibited. This has been the accpeted halacha dating back to the tziduki (saduces?) times.

Personally, I dislike the reform, reconstructionist, lberal, shmiberal services as they are not Jewish enough for me. I also don't think they should be allowed to perform conversions acceptable for making aliyah. However, they DO serve an important function (keeping some Jews from leaving Judaism completely and attracting back in a "user-friendly" way those who had left) and I respect them for it. Whatever one thinks of them, they ARE ethnically Jewish, and seeking not only to erect walls between us and them but doing it in as insulting a way as "harav" Lior is a hallmark of an incorrigible idiot.

It's unfortunate that Rabbi Dov Lior is so focused on the negative. Between Mercy and Judgment, he should choose mercy, and pray for all those who seek HaShem. I'm not Jewish, but I've been studying Judaism at a Reformed synagogue, and experiencing Schechinah when I pray and beyond. I don't agree with the Reformed movement's acceptance of homosexuality, but I practice being humble before G-d and remembering the message at Yom Kippur; love mercy.

The distruction of our people is caused by this hatred Discusting

This Lior creature is more primitive than the least sophisticated witch doctor in the Third World

Reform Judaism is not Judaism.

Since when has putting words into someone's mouths been considered journalism? Rav Lior didn't say that Reform was worse than Islam or Christianity. If you want to know his opinion be a journalist and ask him.

Nobody can change Halacha or G-D's Torah, G-D's comandments are eternal, for all of Am Yisroel to observe & to keep. We are better off having nothing than this movement that goes against G-D & His Holy Torah. If the reform movement has their way, like thay have in the states, you will not know "who is a Jew" & this wil be a disaster for all of Am Yisroel. We have lost more precious Jewish soles through intermarrige than we did through the Shoa. This must stop now!

What is the percentage of Israeli Reform jews who serve in the IDF? What is the percentage of Israeli haredim who serve in the IDF? The answer will tell us who the "real" Jews are.

Worse than Muslims? What does that even mean? I believe the term Rabbi Lior was looking for was "Islamic Extremists" as most ordinary Muslims have done nothing to hurt the Jews. As a reform Jew, I am deeply offended both by Rabbi Lior's "ruling" and by the advice he gave this young girl. To tell her that she is not allowed to go and celebrate this special simcha with her cousin is horrible. Already, as Jews, we are a minority in the world. Do we really need to divide ourselves into further opposing factions?

When I read the talkbacks I am reminded of the following verse: Mark 3:25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

Here is what a "Pharisee, a son of Pharisees", "a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia" stated a Jew was: RO 2:17 But if you bear the name "Jew," and rely upon the Law, and boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, 21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? 24 For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," just as it is written. 25 For indeed circumcision is of value, if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 If therefore the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 And will not he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. RO 3:1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? 4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, "THAT THOU MIGHTEST BE JUSTIFIED IN THY WORDS, AND MIGHTEST PREVAIL WHEN THOU ART JUDGED." Oh that Pharisee, a son of Pharisees, a very learned Jew in his time, was Saul of Tarsus, who later became the Apostle Paul - an Apostle to the Gentiles. That is how he defines a JEW!!!

I strongly disagree with those who condemn Jews who happen to belong to a Reform Temple. The leadership of that movement is who we need to be taking issue with, not the misguided members who have been misled all these years. There needs to be a clear distinction between their leadership and the members who simply know no better.

#3 I agree with you that they worship kabalistic items (read magic), powers and books. The Rabbis are unquestioned as if g-ds themselves. True love relies on G-d for protection and not items such as a golden calf or the handiwork of a mezuzah and hamzans. Clearly Gan Eden teaches that every word in a sentance contributes to the context and to abandon context is evil. Yet some words they place huge emphasis on and others they comletelty ignore. In their "wisdon" they determined Mosses had the intent but he decided to say something criptic like "dont boil a kid in its mothers milk" and left to the Rabbis to communicate "dont eat milk and meat together". In addition to this point #28 According to you one day G-d decided he would become a third. Let me tell you G-d is not a rudimentary element on you periodical chart. Gas, water or ice, get a grip. Man is not getting off from paying for his sin. Read Deut 13 closely and read the prophecies correctly. The Messiah was to be a man returning from sin. Thus the perfect from sin could not possibly be the Messiah. In fact if you read in context you may end up returning to Torah as Jesus told those who passed his tests when he questioned them to see if they were fallen Jews or good Jews (who he told to return to Hasem). As for Reform, it is a disaster and anyone looking for truth from Mosses will be wasting their time with it as it teaches more christian thinking than Torah. They even quote Jesus in their books. You don't need someone to go and get it for you. Try reading the pashut and walk away from teachers who have no wisdom and care not for the truth that Mosses' job was to communicate Torah and the pashut is what he gave. Jews need to stick together and support any effort to be close to Torah and Hashem as long as it doesn't involve accepting Pagan ideas and false gods.

The Nazis never cared if the Jews were Orthodox or Reform! How dare he say that the Muslims are better than the Reform Jews! He doesn't deserve to be a Rabbi!

he worships religious tradition, which the creator of the universe hates.

why is this news. it has been happening for so many years that it is pathetic to report on it.

I am slowly becoming more frum in my Judiasm. My path has been Conservative, then Reform, and now Orthodox. I could not have made this direction without the help of Reform with it's continuing shift to more conservative Judaism ever since about 1980. Orthodox Jews should be happy to hear this, because as we ALL become more frum, then Mashaiach will come :)

Why do you accuse him of harming the unity of the Jewish people? Nothing has harmed the unity of the Jewish people more than the Reform movement and other Jews who are not really Jews.

Rav Dov Lior needs to chill; smoke some weed and lay-off that Absinthe he drinks on Shabbat. His saying seems to me that they are no different from the teachings of those mad Imams.

I see many emotional comments but are they relating to the facts. Let us understand what is Reform judaism and then ask yourself does the 2 words reform and judaism go together or mutually exclusive. We all know they have many converts who become so called jews in a crash course and bingo "your a jew". So these so called 'jews' who are female one presumes all theyre offspring to be authentic jews - when they are NOT. Herein lies the dilemma. Creating a community of 'jews' where the authentic ones dwindle in numbers and the 'fake' ones grow in majority. Ok so now they allow woman rabbis. Then, now they allow Homosexual rabbis and Lesbian rabbis. Soon they will have chuppah ceremonies for Bob and Joe, Kathy and Mary. All true authentic judaism you say? Ok next we will have a rabbi who is jewish only one slight problem that can never be a problem in reform is that hes a Jew for Jesus. Now he will be semoning on the virtues of Jesus on shabbat, all Judaism right? Wrong its all non judaism and especially the homosexual part when its clearly written in scriptures. Ultimately such a 'jewish' community so diluted you will not be able to make the distinction with a church other then perhaps a magen david here and there. Im all for jewish unity but you have to ask yourselves just where does one draw the line. The Shabbatians branched off, look what became of them. What of the Frankists theyre offshoot? Do you know that the early founders of reform judaism were FRANKISTS? Go research it for yourself. It would be good if ynet give rabbi lior a chance to respond and clarify why he makes his points if he was quoted correctly. But as 1st poster says, ynet has an agenda here dont fall into theyre trap.

Dear Josh: You stated: "In addition to this point #28 According to you one day G-d decided he would become a third." No that is not what I said or mean. I am sorry you misunderstood. Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. Jesus always was. Perhaps these verses well help to explain: JN 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. JN 1:6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John [John the Baptist]. 7 He came for a witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light. JN 1:9 There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. JN 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him, and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, `He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'" 16 For of His fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." You stated: "Let me tell you G-d is not a rudimentary element on you periodical chart. Gas, water or ice, get a grip." I know that. I was trying to simplify a difficult concept for many. You stated: "Man is not getting off from paying for his sin." I agree and the Bible says all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God. You stated: "Read Deut 13 closely and read the prophecies correctly. The Messiah was to be a man returning from sin. Thus the perfect from sin could not possibly be the Messiah." I did read Deut 13, but you'll have to forgive me for I don't understand your last two sentences. Please clarify what you are trying to say. I do know Jesus was born sinless and being both God in the flesh and man he lived a sinless life. He was the perfect sin offering for all men who as you said "must pay for their sins". The sacrifice of a lamb without blemish at the alter of the Temple was a foreshadow of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God Jesus Christ. No man can earn his salvation. God says our works are as filthy rags. But Jesus paid the price. He was a sacrificial lamb offering and if you believe He is the Son of God and accept Him as Savior your sins will be washed away as far as the East is from the West. Sins washed in the blood of the Lamb. God the Son who willingly died on the cross to redeem mankind & all who call upon His name believing Jesus Christ is the Son of God shall be saved. And Jesus Christ is NOT dead, but resurrected sitting at the right hand of the Father. And He will return to Israel to redeem her. For he LOVES Israel and will gather you as a hen gathers her chicks.

It takes a "religious leader" to introduce you to your "own religion". It takes a religious leader to present to him your credentials of daily or weekly ritual practice to guarantee your own “religion certificate". In Islam there is no such "leaders”; you are the one who own your religion and the responsibility to follow the good path is "directly "between you and your God. There is only "scholars" who help you by trying to "clarify the obscure" but the decision is first up to you. Unfortunately extremists try to copy the rule of "religious leaders" of other non-Muslim religions. So, why not allowing religious reformers to rectify and fix the problems of these "leaders; true or fake ones".

You and your biggotry are not what decides who is a Jew. The Reformists are just as Jewish as you. ANYONE BORN TO A JEWISH MOTHER IS A JEW, NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY.