![]() ![]() ![]() Again, the two cities are one and the same – they are light and darkness, hope and despair, wisdom and foolishness, depending on one’s perspective. For the other, the Chief Rabbinate has stood in the breach and established, and to an extent enforced, standards that have advanced the cause of religious values and practice in the State of Israel. For one, the Chief Rabbinate has become retrograde, has lost the inspired leadership once shown by Rav Kook and others, to become small-minded, perhaps even regressive, and especially mismanaged. Likewise, supporters and opponents of Matan Kahana see the status quo in stark opposing terms. The two cities of the tale are one and the same, but like the negatives from which we once printed our photos, they are mirror images that are also negative, opposite imprints of one another. On both sides are Orthodox Jews, but what they see is as different as can be. And on the other hand is a broad informal coalition of religious leaders spanning the entire charedi spectrum, notably including many chardal, Modern Orthodox and dati leumi representatives, who see Kahana’s attempts as foolish at best – but regardless of intent, as damaging the religious values that reign in the Israeli public sphere, and having repercussions for a great many private citizens. On the one hand is Matan Kahana, Israel’s minister of Religious Affairs, for whom the present fragile coalition, comprised of the most unlikely partners, provides a unique, once in a lifetime chance to reform the Chief Rabbinate to make it more responsive to tomorrow’s needs. ![]()
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