Retroactive Nullification of Conversions
Failed Messiah links to this article from Ma’ariv about another retroactive nullification of a conversion in Israel. See here for a responsum by R. David Golinkin about the possibility of retroactively nullifying conversions. For a very interesting discussion of the topic see Transforming Identity: The Ritual Transition from Gentile to Jew-Structure and Meaning
January 13th, 2009 at 1:05 am
This story makes me sad and angry at the same time. Sad because it goes against simple human decency and compassion and splits even further the notion Jewish peoplehood. Angry because Israel has given authority to such a narrow minded and rigid group of Rabbis. In a way this situation is another form of collateral damage in the fight with the Palestinians. Since no Israel government is going to challange these fanatics when a war is on going. I am afraid the knowledge and good sense of people like Rabbi Golinkin or Professor Sagi are wasted with most of the Heredi Rabbis. They are more interested in consolidating power for their group. They have no concern how this effects the wider Jewish world.
HarryP
January 13th, 2009 at 10:55 am
I’m with Harry. This is awful for Clal Yisrael.
I’m a big fan of universal standards, as proposed by the Ne’eman Commission. These retroactive annulments, unless we are talking about agunot or some countervailing social reason for annulling a conversion, is outrageous.
January 14th, 2009 at 5:30 am
For those interested, here is a summary translation of the nrg.co.il article:
Jerusalem Rabbinical Court retroactively annuls conversion of Emil Fackenheim’s son
http://religionandstateinisrael.blogspot.com/2009/01/religion-and-state-in-israel-january-12_12.html
January 14th, 2009 at 5:31 am
For those interested, here is a summary translation of the nrg.co.il article:
Jerusalem Rabbinical Court retroactively annuls conversion of Emil Fackenheim’s son
[correct link]
http://religionandstateinisrael.blogspot.com/2009/01/religion-and-state-in-israel-january-12.html
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:28 am
In the Torah it is specifically stated time and time again to love the ger and not to oppress him or her. Actually to prove beyond any doubt that a ger did not accept the mitzvot AT THE TIME OF CONVERSION is extremely difficult for obvious reasons. All the more so in the case of an infant! This decision, like the Ashdod one not long ago, has huge ramifications leaving many geirim concerned that a dayan might arbitrarily void their own genuine conversion twenty or thirty years later. Once Hashem has given you your Jewish soul, nothing on earth can send it back.