Jerusalem – Leader of the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox faction Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv has called on the public to take part in a mass protest to be staged following Rabbi Ovadia Yosef’s ruling legitimizing Israel Defense Forces conversions. Sources close to Elyashiv confirmed the report.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Shortly after Shas’ spiritual leader ruled that army conversions were valid, those opposed to the decision announced they will hold a mass rally against the ruling. It has since been postponed several times. It is currently scheduled for next Wednesday.
The protest was initiated by Eda Haredit rabbis who have recently been joined by mainstream haredi leaders such as Chaim Kanievsky and Rabbi Elyashiv. Activists associated with the “committee for the struggle against assimilation” hope to recruit more senior rabbis for their campaign.
The organizers promise a large-scale demonstration during which protestors will cut their old clothes, as mourners do in the case of the death of a close family member.
Last month, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef ruled that all conversions performed by the IDF in recent years were valid despite the fact that a special committee appointed by Chief Sephardic Rabbi Shlomo Amar determined it could not recommend approving the conversions.
Following the ruling all recent disputed IDF conversions were validated.
יושב בשמים ישחק
Where and what time? Could VIN post more details. I live in Jerusalem and would love to attend. Better go out and buy a camera!
Wow! Sphards against the Litvaks. My money is on the Sphardi – simply because they hava Tzahal on their side.
Reply to #3: If the Gadol Hador says to go out and protest, it is lacking Emunas Chachamim to say learning is a better thing to at that time! That’s probably b’geder Chosid Shoteh!
To #5 : Rav Ovadia Yosef is not a Chacham as well?
Go out and join Tzahal and the issue would be solved
Sephardim vs. Ashkenazim. When will it stop. We need Moshiah NOW!
People!!! Be rational!!! I am a frum yid, and I respect and hold by R’ Elyashiv and am actually quite anti-Zionist, but this is not a good idea. Think of the reprocussions of this decision if it goes through. Maybe not ALL of the geirim who went through IDF geirus are legit, but there are at least SOME!!! Think about what would happen if suddenly, hundreds of children learning in day schools and yeshivos were suddenly goyim, because their mother had an IDF geirus?! Imagine people who got married, only to realize they arent really married and their kids are mamzeirim, because one of the eidim at the chasunah had an IDF geirus??? It would literally affect EVERY PERSON IN KLAL YISROEL if these geirim are invalidated!!! Think about what will happen to the IDF geirim who actually ARE frum now, and their families and everyone they know, if this happens. I personally think that IDF geirus should cease permanently, from now on, because already getting converted by a Zionist run program is not preferable in the least, but to ruin literally THOUSANDS of peoples lives in this decision is scary and not right. Please have SEICHEL