Jerusalem – Israel Rabbis, Wives Warn on Intermarriage

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    Israel – At least 27 Israeli rabbis’ wives have signed a letter calling on Jewish women to avoid intermarriage with Arabs and even avoid working alongside Arab men, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.

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    The letter also warns Jewish women they risk falling under the sway of Arab men if they serve alongside them in Israel’s national service.

    “For your sake, for the sake of future generations, and so you don’t undergo horrible suffering, we turn to you with a request, a plea, a prayer,” said the text of the letter as quoted in media reports.

    “Don’t date non-Jews, don’t work at places that non-Jews frequent, and don’t do national service with non-Jews.”

    The letter accuses Arab men of using Jewish names to deceive unsuspecting women, and warns a life of “curses, beatings and humiliations” awaits them if they date or marry an Arab.

    “There are quite a few Arab workers who use Hebrew names. Yusuf becomes Yossi, Samir becomes Sami and Abed becomes Ami,” the letter was quoted as saying.

    “They ask to be close to you, try to find favour with you, and give you all the attention in the world… but their behaviour is only temporary. The moment you are in their hands, in their village, under their control, everything changes.

    “Your life will never go back to the way it was, and the attention you so desired will turn into curses, beatings, and humiliations,” the letter warns.

    Among the signatories to the letter are the wives and daughters of senior rabbis, including the daughter of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the spiritual head of the ultra-Orthodox party Shas, which is part of Israel’s coalition government.

    The letter is reportedly being distributed by a group called Lehava (Flames), an organisation that seeks to prevent Jewish assimilation and says it draws inspiration from the legacy of anti-Arab rabbi Meir Kahana.

    Kahana, who was assassinated in New York in 1990, led the Kach movement, which promoted an extreme right-wing racism against Arabs that led to it being banned in Israel in 1994.

    The letter comes as rights groups warn of a rising tide of anti-Arab sentiment in Israeli society.

    In recent weeks, about 300 rabbis have signed a letter calling on Jews to avoid renting or selling property to non-Jews, and right-wing groups have staged demonstrations warning Jews against fraternising with Arabs.

    The rabbis’ letter drew widespread condemnation, including from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but a poll published on Tuesday showed Israelis are evenly divided on the issue.

    The survey, which had a margin of error of 4.5 percent, found 44 percent of Israeli Jews supported the rabbis’ calls, while 48 percent were opposed.

    Defense Minister Ehud Barak criticized racist letters issued recently by male and female rabbis regarding Jewish-Arab relations and the renting of apartments to Arabs.

    “The rabbis’ letters is part of a racist tidal wave threatening to sweep Israeli society into dark and dangerous zones. The Labor Party under my authority is working to draw all of Israel’s citizens together, in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence,” Barak said.


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    17 Comments
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    Yisroel
    Yisroel
    13 years ago

    It is about time that Israeli religious leaders are doing something about preserving Jewish identity and fighting assimilation in Israel. This letter is not about racism it is about preserving Jewish identiy and preventing intermarriage. May their efforts be successful!

    Babishka
    Member
    Babishka
    13 years ago

    They have to ask themselves, what is the reason that a Jewish girl would even want to date an Arab in the first place? Ask the girls, why do they want to go out with an Arab but not with a Jew?

    DRE53
    DRE53
    13 years ago

    and what about all those who underwent the “army conversion” and are halachikly non jews. why was there no mention that jewish women shouldn’t work in places where they frequent?

    Member
    13 years ago

    A Jewish woman can never acheive purity in the home of a non jew. Period.

    yaaak
    yaaak
    13 years ago

    It should be Rav Ovadia’s daughter-in-law – not his daughter. Every other article I read said this.

    13 years ago

    I don’t get it y do they go out with Arabs? Then they come begging for mercy by all organizations like Yad L’achim that they r in Arab villages with an Arab husband who abuses and threatens to kill her and the kids ,and they risk their lives to get them out of the mess , its insane to see how these girls don’t get it.

    kollelfaker
    kollelfaker
    13 years ago

    when you live in a secular society you don’t see this all you see is LOVE. it is only after you get into this relationship that you realize it was a mistake and need help to get out much of Israel are secular and are brought up to believe the liberal mantra only the frum Jews need be avoided

    jewishbrother
    jewishbrother
    13 years ago

    well if they would find the beauty un judaism they wouldnt go looking elsewhere!

    HaNavon
    HaNavon
    13 years ago

    I tend to look at this very differently than most people. Most people see the destruction of the Jewish people through intermarriage and say “oh no, let’s do something to stop them”, but I say no! Let them go! The weak will leave and the strong will survive!