Jewish Scene
Reform rabbis against boycott law
Kobi Nahshoni
Published: 16.07.11, 08:02
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23 Talkbacks for this article
1. basic wisdom
Yael Schlichting ,   Raubling - Germany   (07.16.11)
There are some basics, we don't need to be taught by our parents or a Rabbi. One of them turns out over the time, when we are young and enthusiastic: »If something is bad, the other bad doesn't become better!« You may not be happy with the new law, but these progressive Rabbis also need to say clear words on the other things that are tied to it. I mean, they need to clearly speak out on the boycott itself. And I expect something like this: »A boycott of goods of Israel, cannot be viewed as a rightful act from within Israel. It looks more like an abuse of the right to freedom of speech.« And of course, they would have to keep an eye on the settlements in the West Bank and this will not be an easy task, because they must not forget about the crimes the Arabs did against Jews! It may sound good, if you are preeching the goody to shoes in the temple, but not in the real world. Israel is surrounded by real enemies. They say "A" and do "B". They always did and they will not rest until they have extinguished Israel. It's a matter of fact, that the Palestinians are working towards a territory that is free of Jews - "Judenrein". (look at Gaza and the West Bank) These are the true racists! +++ At the end you must not mix up your concern about the right wing and the Haredim with the tricky historical issues around the partitioning of Palestine.
2. Reform Rabbis
Michael ,   Haifa   (07.16.11)
While I share your views don't you understand that the religious right-wing in Israel hate you even more than they hate the ordinary secular Israelis ?
3. Real rabbis?
Brian   (07.16.11)
Why is there a picture of real Rabbis? These protesters are not real rabbis. Let them complain.
4. Acting against boycotters is SELFDEFENSE
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (07.16.11)
First fight the boycotters . They not "only" boycott Judea & Shomron , but the WHOLE of Israel . We have to fight them with their arms , that's the language they understand . You boycott ? we can do you the same .
5. Looks like the believers in the Grand
tom ,   tel aviv   (07.16.11)
Old Daddy in the Skies can't get anything right or even agree on something, that on the face of it should benefit our country?
6. reform popularity
zalman dean ,   israel   (07.16.11)
ever notice how reformed movement in Israel take uniformly left positions on every thing. why they bother even to issue opinons we all know their opinios before they even state them. dont you guys ever have difference of opinions. way to go to make friens and influence people
7. Reform Rabbis are a Joke to Judaism
Eli ,   New York   (07.16.11)
These are not real Rabbis, they are a Joke, matter of fact it is better to be secular non practicing Jew than to be a Reform religious Jew, either do it right or dont do it at all, these people break every rule in the book. These so called Rabbis make a mockery of Judaism. I once went into a Reform Temple by accident , it took me 10 minutes and I was running for the exit door, what a disgrace to real Torah practice. There is no such thing as a reform Rabbi, if they were alive during the biblical days when we had the Temple they would of all been found guilty of Idol Worshiping and mocking the Laws of Moses.
8. Judaism was to have Levites ( if you remember )
Bad assed Jew. ,   United States   (07.16.11)
as priests and judges. Their term of service was to be one year. Not Rabbis, never Rabbis, that's where we went wrong, not following instructions from on high. These "rabbi's " are rubble many of them neither work or serve in the IDF as do all other Israeli Jews. They have made themselves despised and act like the pigs in Animal Farm. As for "Old Daddy in the skies" He gave us the rules, if we break them, it is not His fault. He kept His promise and returned the Jews to their ancient and, Israel, just as promised, you have a problem with that? Rabbi's should not mix in politics then, they become political hacks, neither "Priestly" or respected.
9. Why should we care about boycott or this bill? Q&A
Mark ,   Jerusalem   (07.16.11)
Some Q&A about boycott stuff: 1. Does boycott in any form is a democratic move? - No, any such act opposes democratic means, because of ignoring reprehensive system and basic rights of majority. 2. Did this people read boycott law before protesting against it? - No, majority of people didn’t read it. If they had spent 5 minutes of their time they would understand that there is nothing to protest against in this law. 3. Do they aware, that such laws exists in the majority of democratic states? - I seriously doubt that any of them aware of that fact, even more there are such laws (prohibiting deliberate boycott against Israel, Israeli companies, companies who work with Israel) in US, France and most of EU countries. 4. How it affects boycotters? Something changed in their day to day life? - No, it did not change anything. Basically it actually encourages people to act through real democratic means. 5. But what's all the fuzz about? Why people talk about something that won't affect them, something what is a regular thing in democratic states. Why all the politicians and media talk about it all day long? - You should ask it yourself. Is there any real reason for such attention to this bill? Have a nice day.
10. Reform Rabbis
JGrosman ,   Sugar Land TX   (07.16.11)
There is no such thing as a Reform Rabbi. They are a group that do not believe in the Torah. They think that is should be a work in progress. They formed their own group and call themselfs Rabbis. The Torah is the law and is unchangeable. We loose more Jews because of them. Israel is all of Israel, they have no right to boycott parts of it.
11. Reform rabbis are not rabbis...............
(07.16.11)
12. #3,#11,#10 Reform
solomon ,   bklyn   (07.17.11)
You sound like the Taliban. If you knew as much as you say you do about Judaism, you would know it is all inclusive. You even ignore the Rambam who counseled taking the middle road. Just because someone does not practice the way YOU believe he/she should practice does not make him/her a non Jew because YOU say so.
13. misleading picture
yoni ,   Tel Aviv   (07.17.11)
the picture on the site for this article should be a bunch of women in low cut sleeveless shirts and not a room full of orthodox rabbis. Ynet continues to pretend that reform Judaism mean anything in this country
14. Reform Rabbis
WadiAra ,   Karkur ,Israel   (07.17.11)
Kol HaKavod! These are the rabbis that will ensure the future of Judaism in this country - not the rabbinic rabble that are doing their best to destroy what's left of 'the only democracy in the middle east'.
15. Now that's funny
Dov   (07.17.11)
Reform guys are worried about the Jewish character of Israel and telling religious Jewish "it's a mitzvah to protest against it". LOL! If you're so worried about the Jewish character of the State, you should be protesting the weekly desecration of Shabbat in Jerusalem.
16. Rabbis are neither priests, nor ministers.
Sargent Preston ,   U.S.A.   (07.17.11)
Rabbis are teachers. Now Reform rabbis are not known for their schollarship, so you can't expect too much in certain areas. It's everyman's right to choose his teacher even if the teacher is not fully accomplished. Just don't expect the advice to be that good.
17. *Yawn*
Andy ,   Washington, D.C.   (07.17.11)
18. Reform Rabbis support freedom to:
Lemmings Hotline ,   SD USA   (07.17.11)
impose racial practices on populations, freedom to express oneself to arouse a crowd to hate and murrder. R Rabbis have to understand that Jordan and Saudi Arabia are Judenrein. The right to make Judea and Samaria Judenrein must also be protected?
19. Rabbis support 'starving out Jews'?
David ,   Shiloh Israel   (07.17.11)
Let's get this straight - boycotts mean preventing someone from carrying out a business. That in turns results in lay offs, no money to pay bills, children going hungry, even suicides (that followed Jews being expelled from Gush Katif)...the list goes on. This policy was successfully employed under the nazis against Jews, so what does that say for someone calling themselves a rabbi? Opinions should be voiced and peaceful demonstrations undertaken, but peronal attacks on one's livelihood is something else entirely. I guess these rabbis for justice have also never spoken to local Palestinians who depend on settlements for work?
20. Reform Rabbis
Martym ,   Ocean, NJ   (07.17.11)
Reform Rabbis are in no position to give us advice. Its Emancipation movement is shrinking in numbers world wide. It stand has always been that Israel is a bad idea. It refuses to work within our system. Its business in Israel is only for self gain in the U.S & the U.K. Send them back.
21. Judaism
Tom ,   New York , USA   (07.18.11)
When Christians realized they couldn't sway their fellow Jews they decided to preach to the Greeks & Romans . The early Christians dropped circumcision , kashruth , Sabbath observance. While Jews are forgiven for their sins against God on Yom Kippur , the Reform Rabbis dropped Kashruth .
22. #20 martym
solomon ,   bklyn   (07.18.11)
"Its stand has always been that Israel is a bad idea. It refuses to work within our system. Its business in Israel is only for self gain in the U.S & the U.K." Prove your statements, please. Examples? Quotes? Especially as to ""Its stand has always been that Israel is a bad idea."
23. #20 martym
solomon ,   bklyn   (07.19.11)
No, I didn't think you could prove your statements. Thank you for your confirmation.
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