Two events in the last 48 hours bring to the forefront once again the sad battle over pluralism. The Supreme Court of Israel ruled that persons converted in Reform and Conservative ceremonies outside of Israel, must be granted Jewish status under the Law of Return. The second is an attack upon Rabbi Berel Lazar one of Russia’s Chief Rabbis by the Reform Movement for an article that he wrote.
While I have not read Rabbi Lazar’s words published in Russian, the JTA (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) story on this battle CLEARLY outlines an article which while not politically correct discusses the facts that there is very little similarity between Reform and the Torah that was given to us at Sinai.
The Reform Movement has removed itself from the umbrella of halacha from the day they were founded.
Today in America their inter-marriage rate is close to 50%.THEY HAVE EMBRACED SAME SEX MARRIAGES AND THE WORST OF ALL PATRILINEAL DESCENT
Their observance of mitzvoth is celebrated by their non–observance
SHABBAT,TFILLIN,FAMILY PURITY AND MIKVEH, KASHRUT are part of the laws and traditions they have thrown in the garbage.
Are they socially conscious people-who give charity-I assume many are. But every world religion deals with being a “good person”
How many of Maimonides ‘s 13 principles of our faith do they believe in?
Rabbi Lazar is correct in that the history of the earliest Reform Jews and their Temples is the sad tale of assimilation, inter-marriage and failure to reproduce Jews.
.
The very founding of the Orthodox Union in 1898 by Rabbi Dr Henry Pereira Mendes was to counter the then dominant Reform movement .He spoke with fervor against the Reform movement which he contended was trampling the central tenets of torah Judaism He also attacked the Conservative movement, and noted that the latter was following the footsteps of Reform in defiling the core beliefs of the Jewish faith, albeit in a more gradual and less open way
This has remained our position today .However, the attacks by Reform which were then limited to America, now include Russia and other areas of the world including Israel .Remember that until well after 1948 the Reform movement was anti-Zionist
I personally believe that their major push in Israel is to gain a political foothold aiming for governmental recognition, on par with the Chief Rabbinate.This would be followed by the introduction of same sex marriages and patrilineal descent (currently taboo in Israel for fear of upsetting Israelis) in order to show Americans that despite their American inter-marriage rate and strange customs the Israeli government has recognized them as a legitimate and equeal stream of Judiasm
In fact the court decision will not allow even one of the so called “converts” by the Reform clergy to be married halachically.Moreover it transfers to Israel the terrible dilemma that for many years we have suffered with in America, namely two separate nations and people who cannot marry each other-halachically In Israel they will be the Supreme Court mandated non-halachic Jews and here in the U.S. the products of patrileneal descent or the intermarriage with a gentile non- halachically converted e .
How tragic will be the results when the progeny of one of these non-halachic individuals will desire in 20 or 30 years to unsuccessfully marry a HALACHIC JEW according to the laws of Moses and Israel –IT WON’T BE ALLOWED- Shame on the perpetrators of these acts!
On June 17 1997 in testifying on these issues before a Knesset committee I emphasized that we never accused reform or conservative of not being Jews. Nevertheless they have made tragic mistakes
I pointed out that after four generations 200 Reform Jews approximately 50 remain Jewish. I begged the Knesset not to bring to Israel the great tragedies that plague America SECONDARY to our following Reform doctrine
The Israel Supreme Court has done just that
One final thought regarding political correctness. Jews in America are a minority and despite our deep theological differences must remain civil and as united as possible to fight for Israel, against Islamic fundamentalism, anti-Semitism and Jewish poverty. Therefore these battles that occur in Russia or Israel should remain there. Here in America we should admit that these are issues we can never agree on and concentrate on common problems that we can perhaps solve.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Sunday, March 27, 2005
THANK YOU and SOME THOUGHTS ON MAALEH ADUMIM 1/27/05
I appreciate the thoughtful anonymous comment regarding my views on the allocation of scarce health resources, especially the research dollars that go to AIDS. Based upon the relative mortality figures of Cancer, Heart Disease, and Alzheimer’s versus AIDS, and the fact that the latter is so often self-inflicted (secondary to an immoral life style that includes multiple partners, unprotected sex and drug usage), it is time to stop POLITICAL CORRECTNESS and reapportion those funds.
I also take note that JEWISHWHISTLEBLOWER.BLOGSPOT.COM picked up my comment on one or two meningitis cases following MEZIZAH B’PEH (oral suction of penile blood during a brit milah) that I was involved with during my medical career.
MAALEH ADUMIM
It is a known fact that politicians lie and embellish their words. This is a universal finding. Thus, when Prime Minister Sharon advertised that as a result of the now famous June 24 statement of President Bush, in addition to personal communications with the President that the three major settlement blocs would be saved, it seemed like great news that required some verification.
Yes, Gaza would have to be abandoned and some settlements in addition to the so-called illegal ones would be sacrificed, but let us look at the end result. Maaleh Adumim, Ariel, and the Gush blocs with 180-195,000 Israelis would now have their homes and cities recognized by the U.S. as part of Israel.
Suddenly the lingering doubts that some of us have expressed have become more vocal. I am reminded of the “promise“ that President Clinton made to Bibi regarding Jonathan Pollard. Did he or didn’t he? We will never know until the secret papers will be released at some very future time. Nevertheless, the impression for public consumption was surely a bonus for Bibi while it lasted.
The comment of Sec Rice blasting the Maale Adumim project, the special emissaries who came to explore the issue, the alleged misquote of Ambassador Kurtzer and the President's Freudian comment about abandoning settlements are not the statements OR ACTIONS that bring reassurance. It is clear that the only reason why the Administration presently is as “diplomatic” as it is, surely is to protect the Prime Minister and prevent attacks on Sharon that could endanger disengagement. Remember once disengagement take place this summer, there is plenty of time to lower the boom on Israel in a heavy-handed attempt to stop construction.
Is it not wise to place disengagement on hold until the President clearly and unequivocally clears up American policy at the Texas ranch meeting with Sharon next month?
In the meantime, all of the Governments of Israel for the past 10 years or so deserve the blame for not pushing full steam ahead on this project. What were they waiting for? Arafat wanted Abu Dis as his Capital contiguous to the Temple Mount. Thank G-d for Ateret Kohanim that persisted in building RAS-A-LAMOUD which today stands as a blocking force. Together with the IYR DAVID project the face of Jerusalem has been changed.
Anyone who has visited or even driven by Maaleh Adumim realizes that this is a suburb of Jerusalem, and the security of Israel and the future of a Jewish Jerusalem depends upon the completion of this project. If there is a question by the Adminstration regarding Maaleh Adumim then the future U.S.- Israel relationship is in great doubt.
NO MATTER WHAT ADMINISTRATION PRESSURE OR PA CRITICISM THIS PROJECT MUST BE COMPLETED AS SOON AS POSIBLE TO CREATE THE FACTS ON THE GROUND. SIMILARLY, THE SECURITY FENCE MUST BE COMPLETED WITHOUT DELAY, FOR IT SURELY HAS SAVED MULTIPLE JEWISH LIVES .
I also take note that JEWISHWHISTLEBLOWER.BLOGSPOT.COM picked up my comment on one or two meningitis cases following MEZIZAH B’PEH (oral suction of penile blood during a brit milah) that I was involved with during my medical career.
MAALEH ADUMIM
It is a known fact that politicians lie and embellish their words. This is a universal finding. Thus, when Prime Minister Sharon advertised that as a result of the now famous June 24 statement of President Bush, in addition to personal communications with the President that the three major settlement blocs would be saved, it seemed like great news that required some verification.
Yes, Gaza would have to be abandoned and some settlements in addition to the so-called illegal ones would be sacrificed, but let us look at the end result. Maaleh Adumim, Ariel, and the Gush blocs with 180-195,000 Israelis would now have their homes and cities recognized by the U.S. as part of Israel.
Suddenly the lingering doubts that some of us have expressed have become more vocal. I am reminded of the “promise“ that President Clinton made to Bibi regarding Jonathan Pollard. Did he or didn’t he? We will never know until the secret papers will be released at some very future time. Nevertheless, the impression for public consumption was surely a bonus for Bibi while it lasted.
The comment of Sec Rice blasting the Maale Adumim project, the special emissaries who came to explore the issue, the alleged misquote of Ambassador Kurtzer and the President's Freudian comment about abandoning settlements are not the statements OR ACTIONS that bring reassurance. It is clear that the only reason why the Administration presently is as “diplomatic” as it is, surely is to protect the Prime Minister and prevent attacks on Sharon that could endanger disengagement. Remember once disengagement take place this summer, there is plenty of time to lower the boom on Israel in a heavy-handed attempt to stop construction.
Is it not wise to place disengagement on hold until the President clearly and unequivocally clears up American policy at the Texas ranch meeting with Sharon next month?
In the meantime, all of the Governments of Israel for the past 10 years or so deserve the blame for not pushing full steam ahead on this project. What were they waiting for? Arafat wanted Abu Dis as his Capital contiguous to the Temple Mount. Thank G-d for Ateret Kohanim that persisted in building RAS-A-LAMOUD which today stands as a blocking force. Together with the IYR DAVID project the face of Jerusalem has been changed.
Anyone who has visited or even driven by Maaleh Adumim realizes that this is a suburb of Jerusalem, and the security of Israel and the future of a Jewish Jerusalem depends upon the completion of this project. If there is a question by the Adminstration regarding Maaleh Adumim then the future U.S.- Israel relationship is in great doubt.
NO MATTER WHAT ADMINISTRATION PRESSURE OR PA CRITICISM THIS PROJECT MUST BE COMPLETED AS SOON AS POSIBLE TO CREATE THE FACTS ON THE GROUND. SIMILARLY, THE SECURITY FENCE MUST BE COMPLETED WITHOUT DELAY, FOR IT SURELY HAS SAVED MULTIPLE JEWISH LIVES .
Friday, March 25, 2005
TERRY SCHIAVO- SOME THOUGHTS 5/25/05
I have been trying to analyze my emotions during this entire Terry Schiavo case. As an orthodox Jew, physician and a member of the human race it is quite clear that we are dealing with a case of euthanasia which is totally contrary to Jewish law.
Put simply, who are we to determine the relative value of life. The implications of deciding that an individual will not be cured or productive represents a slippery slope easily applied to tens of thousands of disabled from newborn to senior citizen.
One thing makes this case quite clear namely the absence of BRAIN DEATH. The sine queue non that indicates that a respirator may be discontinued is brain death. The findings of a totally flat EEG, THE FAILURE TO PERFUSE THE BRAIN ON CEREBRAL ANGIOGRAPHY, IN A TOTALLY NON-REACTIVE PATIENT are consistent with that diagnosis. The more modern techniques are nuclear flow studies to prove the absence of brain stem function such as pupillary (light reaction ), breathing etc. It is the absence of brain stem reflexes that differentiate brain death from brain injury.
BRAIN DAMAGED is not brain dead and is serious but may be compatible with life. Terry Schiavo WAS NOT BRAIN DEAD .
I am reminded of the Reform Rabbi while on a mission we took to the FSU informed me that he was a scholar in Jewish medical ethics, and had even published a responsa. I was quite shocked in view of his lack of observance of torah etc., and therefore pressed him for an example.
“Take a non-responsive individual on a feeding tube with no hope of cure’, he said, “one may take out the patients heart for a transplant.“ The reasoning he added was clear. “The purpose of life is to do mitzvoth (613 commandments) and since this person was unable to perform any mitzvoth, the patient was considered dead.” I decided to humor him and asked him to provide me with a copy of his response, so that I could give it to my personal Rabbi who was, like him, a professor in medical ethics. ”Who is your Rabbi?“ he asked. I answered, “Rabbi Moses D. Tendler, a Rosh Yeshiva, scientist and noted ethicist.” “Oh!" he answered. “He has already seen my response,…….and called me a MURDERER.”
INDEED!
Is this not Terry Schiavo? One week ago before she was dehydrated could we have removed her heart, lungs, liver, etc. for organ donations?
As an aside, Rabbi Moses Tendler who is not only my Rabbi, but my Professor of Genetics while at Yeshiva College has been outspoken and courageous in his insistence that oral suction of blood (mezizsh B’peh ) is not an integral part of the halachah of circumcision and for the safety of the child should have a plastic pipette used for suction. I myself when in practice saw one or two (I am not certain) cases of meningitis after mezuzah b’peh. The emotional attacks upon him have no place in serious discussions on human life.
So if the path is so clear why do I have such mixed feelings? Surely the circus media with so many crazies makes me uneasy. Perhaps it’s because as we get older we put ourselves in the place of Ms. Schiavo and we pray we will not have to suffer at the end of our days. Yes, we have faith in the Almighty, but yet no one wants to be a burden or a “vegetable.”
Thus, it is important that each of us has a health Care proxy/living will designating a competent individual who can make the difficult decisions with the guidance of proper and knowledgeable Torah authorities ,when we do not have that mental ability.
It is one situation for a 95 year old individual who tells his family that if he has a cardiac arrest he does not wish to be placed on a respirator (DNR) or have other extraordinary procedures performed, versus having placed the person on the respirator, and one week later trying to remove it (forbidden by halachah in a non brain dead individual).
The complex issues of stem cell research,,abortion, euthanasia, cloning, etc. are here to stay on the front pages of our society. The private rights of the patient to make decisions affecting their OWN life versus society, science, ethics, morality and halachah represent a growing area that will require calm and learned leadership from our religious teachers and the medical profession without the political circus that is currently underway.
NONE OF THIS MUST TAKE AWAY FROM OUR SENSITIVITY OF THE RIGHT TO DIE WITH DIGNITY, WITHOUT SUFFERING. There is a point in the life of terminal patients when the answer is a HOSPICE and not more surgery or experimental drugs. THE GOAL MUST BE DIGNITY AND COMFORT. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE WITHOLDING NORMAL HYDRATION AND ALIMENTATION.
Put simply, who are we to determine the relative value of life. The implications of deciding that an individual will not be cured or productive represents a slippery slope easily applied to tens of thousands of disabled from newborn to senior citizen.
One thing makes this case quite clear namely the absence of BRAIN DEATH. The sine queue non that indicates that a respirator may be discontinued is brain death. The findings of a totally flat EEG, THE FAILURE TO PERFUSE THE BRAIN ON CEREBRAL ANGIOGRAPHY, IN A TOTALLY NON-REACTIVE PATIENT are consistent with that diagnosis. The more modern techniques are nuclear flow studies to prove the absence of brain stem function such as pupillary (light reaction ), breathing etc. It is the absence of brain stem reflexes that differentiate brain death from brain injury.
BRAIN DAMAGED is not brain dead and is serious but may be compatible with life. Terry Schiavo WAS NOT BRAIN DEAD .
I am reminded of the Reform Rabbi while on a mission we took to the FSU informed me that he was a scholar in Jewish medical ethics, and had even published a responsa. I was quite shocked in view of his lack of observance of torah etc., and therefore pressed him for an example.
“Take a non-responsive individual on a feeding tube with no hope of cure’, he said, “one may take out the patients heart for a transplant.“ The reasoning he added was clear. “The purpose of life is to do mitzvoth (613 commandments) and since this person was unable to perform any mitzvoth, the patient was considered dead.” I decided to humor him and asked him to provide me with a copy of his response, so that I could give it to my personal Rabbi who was, like him, a professor in medical ethics. ”Who is your Rabbi?“ he asked. I answered, “Rabbi Moses D. Tendler, a Rosh Yeshiva, scientist and noted ethicist.” “Oh!" he answered. “He has already seen my response,…….and called me a MURDERER.”
INDEED!
Is this not Terry Schiavo? One week ago before she was dehydrated could we have removed her heart, lungs, liver, etc. for organ donations?
As an aside, Rabbi Moses Tendler who is not only my Rabbi, but my Professor of Genetics while at Yeshiva College has been outspoken and courageous in his insistence that oral suction of blood (mezizsh B’peh ) is not an integral part of the halachah of circumcision and for the safety of the child should have a plastic pipette used for suction. I myself when in practice saw one or two (I am not certain) cases of meningitis after mezuzah b’peh. The emotional attacks upon him have no place in serious discussions on human life.
So if the path is so clear why do I have such mixed feelings? Surely the circus media with so many crazies makes me uneasy. Perhaps it’s because as we get older we put ourselves in the place of Ms. Schiavo and we pray we will not have to suffer at the end of our days. Yes, we have faith in the Almighty, but yet no one wants to be a burden or a “vegetable.”
Thus, it is important that each of us has a health Care proxy/living will designating a competent individual who can make the difficult decisions with the guidance of proper and knowledgeable Torah authorities ,when we do not have that mental ability.
It is one situation for a 95 year old individual who tells his family that if he has a cardiac arrest he does not wish to be placed on a respirator (DNR) or have other extraordinary procedures performed, versus having placed the person on the respirator, and one week later trying to remove it (forbidden by halachah in a non brain dead individual).
The complex issues of stem cell research,,abortion, euthanasia, cloning, etc. are here to stay on the front pages of our society. The private rights of the patient to make decisions affecting their OWN life versus society, science, ethics, morality and halachah represent a growing area that will require calm and learned leadership from our religious teachers and the medical profession without the political circus that is currently underway.
NONE OF THIS MUST TAKE AWAY FROM OUR SENSITIVITY OF THE RIGHT TO DIE WITH DIGNITY, WITHOUT SUFFERING. There is a point in the life of terminal patients when the answer is a HOSPICE and not more surgery or experimental drugs. THE GOAL MUST BE DIGNITY AND COMFORT. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE WITHOLDING NORMAL HYDRATION AND ALIMENTATION.
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