Jerusalem – Israel’s chief rabbi has ventured into the divisive question of gender segregation, saying such practices, adopted by some devout Jews, are not required by Jewish law.
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Rabbi Shlomo Amar spoke on Monday after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was quoted by Israeli media as expressing shock over segregated buses and other practices adopted by ultra-Orthodox religious activists.
In a radio interview, Amar criticized these relatively new and controversial practices. He says people do these things for their own sake, but “it’s not Jewish law.”
In recent months, radical activists have also cowed advertisers into removing images of women from billboards, shunted women onto separate sidewalks and walked out of military events were women were singing.
Amar is the spiritual leader of Jews of Sephardic — or Middle Eastern and North African — descent. Israel has a second chief rabbi who serves the Ashkenazi, or European-descended Jewish population.
With his comments, he became the most senior religious leader to step into an contentious debate over the nature of Israeli society, where ultra-Orthodox extremists have increasingly tried to impose their values on mainstream society. Ultra-Orthodox make up some 9 percent of Israel’s 5.9 million-strong Jewish population, which is overwhelmingly secular.
Clinton caused a furor in some circles over remarks she reportedly made in a closed-door session over the weekend expressing concerns over Israel’s democracy. According to Israeli media, Clinton was also appalled by the segregation of women by some elements in the ultra-Orthodox community.
Israel’s Supreme Court has outlawed gender segregation on buses and sidewalks, but some transit routes and public spaces remain segregated in practice.
Amar said Clinton’s knowledge of the situation was incomplete.
“If she were to learn from the right people … she would know that the people of Israel respect women and turn them into veritable queens and princesses,” he said.
This rabbi is serving Israel and knows our Laws and Hashems intent. Good for him. Some in Israel would wrap cellophane around their heads if thats what they thought that Torah was about.
Just 2questions to this rabbi 1)why did the real chief rabbi R’ yosef Chaim sonnenfeld make a taanis tzibur on the day of the creation of the rabanut that this rabbi is today the head of it? 2) was his predecessor Goren’s PSsak regarding the 2 mamzeirim according to Jewish law?
Why are u posting such news ? everyday that passes I feel more disgusted with the state if Israel.
If they would only hate the radical Arabs as much as they hate radical jews we would have a safer Israel…
The situation with the soldiers falls into a different category because it does involve halacha and a ruling must be obtained. The military should accommodate them, to excuse them, even if they wish to have such performances. It can be done without song and dance.
However, the meshugas with the buses and lines in supermarkets etc. is at the instigation of individuals, however well-intentioned they may be, who may be intimidating rabbinic leaders – It’s tznius so what can be wrong. WELL, WHERE DO YOU THINK THE IMPETUS FOR THE “TALIBAN” WOMEN CAME FROM? MAKE THE WOMEN CRAZY AND PUSH THEM BEYOND THE PALE BY BLAMING THEM FOR EVERY CATASTROPHE THAT HAS HAPPENED TO KLAL YISRAEL!!!!
A sane Rabbi who says the the truth.. I won’t be surprised that the radicals will form a protest in front of Rabbi Amar’s house..
Rav Amar for those who know him, is a Gaon, and and ‘Ish Emes’ and Yeraih Shamyim.
Sadly, we can all yell and scream, we will never change these crazy fanatics. the best we can do is ignore them. get on a bus and sit wherever you want. Bus drivers should be told that anyone that tries to intimidate any riders should be immediately thrown off the bus. period. sick mamzeirim.
Im Bechikoysy Talychi….Just keep on ignoring the Torah and the Torah has spelled it all out ….With so many enemies aiming their weapons against eretz Yisroel we need more Racmy Shumayim then ever…The situation in eretz hakdoshe is very grave and we need more mitzvehs and shmires eyenyim then ever before and all the govt. wants is break the yiddishkeit as much they can..
While segregation per-se may not be the actual law, it is recommended that men and women be separate and many frum people are more comfortable doing so. It should be done voluntarily without everyone making such a big fuss about the Mehadrin buses etc. If you want to travel on a Mehadrin bus, do so if not, don’t.
There is a Rashi on this weeks parsha. Yaakov was punished for hiding Dina from Esav.
Halocho must be followed. Dont
make up eigener chumros.
Wow! Lots of pent up feelings flowing here.
To all my American Brothers and Sisters,
I love sitting on a Mehadrin bus. I can daven or say tehillim, I can look out of the window or talk to my neighbor. I feel much more comfortable surrounded by ladies and girls. The men in the front learn, read, talk with each other and don’t need to worry about who is going to sit next to them. It’s a mechaiah to be on a Mehadrin bus. What is all the fuss about?
There would be no segregated buses in Israel if it was not for America.
Segregated buses is not new-they have had them for years. It may not be against halacha but in matters of tznius, there is a matter of going beyond the letter of the law to safeguard kedushas Yisroel.
This is why I am against the rabbanut being government – there should be freedom of religion – if meah shearim want to be extra frum what business does the rabbanut have to say its wrong? Nobody is planning to turn all of israel to meah shearim