Israel's Conservative movement threatens to sue ex-chief rabbi

What would be the basis of such a lawsuit? He didn't make any specific charge; he just made a generally obnoxious statement! A reasonable person would understand that the "stench" of which he complains is not a literal one!

Once you're finished exterminating the Palestinians you will turn on each other in a civil war. I can't wait.

Why should anyone be surprised when an adherent of one mythology says things that make the adherents of other mythologies feel bad? I mean, that's pretty much their stock in trade.

We today have two forms of Judaism. Traditional and liberal. The liberals clearly hate and resent the traditionals for not accepting their revisionist definition of Judaism. The traditionals resent and devalue, but don't hate the liberals, because of their revision of Judaism. A third group simply doesn't care about religion at all. All of these Jews would not be Jews were it not for their ancestors who were firm, like Rabbi Eliyahu, about what being Jewish is all about. Probably all of us can go back a couple of generations to Europe or the Middle East and our grandparents were authentically religious, even if we aren't. The true test of what is meaningful as a form of Judaism will be what is a Jew in one or two more generations. I'm betting that, unlike today, the majority of Jews, identifying as Jews, will be some form of Orthodox Jews. Most of the rest will be lost to the goyishe world. Any other bets?

I am studying Judaism for conversion purposes. I love the Jewish people and want to be a Jew. I did not know there was such hatred from one Jew to another Jew. This revelation is a blow to my beliefs in Judaism. I will get past this but how sad this is after we have been persecuted for such a long time and now have a place to call ours.

Perhaps people should focus on the Rabbi's comments as it pertains to anti-Biblical religious practices and not on "Jewish Harmony". Torah when viewed in many of its literal constructs would vindicate the Rabbi's position. One must only wonder what zealous Phinehas (Pinchas)might do if presented with the same dilemma. Has HaShem changed or just the Hebrew people?

I was raised orthodox. These people are very smart, they value education like nearly all Jews. Deep down inside their hearts they know very well that when they get to the next world, thay are going to find out that our creator really couldn't care less about whether we kept two sets of dishes or went to the movies on Shabbat. Not only that, their definition of what it means to be Jewish is based on obsessive compulsive observance of all these self sacrificing rituals. I feel sorry for them.

A final solution to the reform movement problem?

We today have two forms of Judaism. Traditional and liberal. The liberals clearly hate and resent the traditionals for not accepting their revisionist definition of Judaism. The traditionals resent and devalue, but don't hate the liberals who are authentically Jewish, because of their revision of Judaism. A third group simply doesn't care about religion at all. All of these Jews would not be Jews were it not for their ancestors who were firm, like Rabbi Eliyahu, about what being Jewish is all about. Probably all of us can go back a couple of generations and our grandparents were authentically religious. The true test of what is meaningful as a form of Judaism will be what is a Jew in one or two more generations. I'm betting that, unlike today, the majority of Jews, identifying as Jews, will be some form of Orthodox Jews. The rest will be lost to the goyishe world. Any other bets?

The only factor limiting the damage from extremist rabbis is Israel's pluralistic democracy. Considering that the haredim, who largely don't work, are 'producing' more and more unproductive, yet voting, offspring points to a danger to Israel's survival in the future. I am a good Jew. I am also a member of a conservative congregation that, to quote this extremist thug - 'reeks'...

LET'S HAVE A BIG BASH IN JERUSALEM NEXT YEAR!

Against my better judgement Iam answering thi post , but I will try. We are not talking about good Jews Or bad Jews. We are talking about being jewish or not being Jewish We are talking here about tvila as a reqirement for conversion or the term I prefer cooption into the Jewish people. For this purpose aperson has to go to a mikve where there are certain standards regarding size and water source which I don't want to try to clarify at this time. . Theprespective ger rmoves all his cloths and goes into the mikve and three religious judges or'dayanim' witness him immersing his entire body in the water. If hehas been previously been circuncized and acceptall the mitzvot while in the water, heis considered a Jew. As for a woman, the dayanim enter the mikve when the woman is in the water up to her neck and they ask her to accept all the mitzvot. she then immerses her body in water and the dayan turn their backs , and proclaim her as being Jewish and walk out.

Wonder if this great man will allow those from the Conservative and REfiorm movement to fight for his freedom to be called Rabbi.

Interesting to note that for all your yap yap, it is you that should ponder why the only growing community in Judaism is the Orthodox community. As for your comments on Rav Ovadia, since when is the Torah Truth subject to legal challenge? We aren?t in the days of the Spanish Inquisitions, or The Paris Talmud Burners, or The Roman Empire either.

Yes - that is indeed what you should do. Then the USA and Canadian Jewish communities would finally get the message about what a bunch of insane fanatics you are over there and and cut off the money that keeps you going!

What is madness? We as a people have denied the literal biblical interpretation of patrineal descent in favoring of a mother goddess insanity that elevates woman above the head of God's first creation of mankind.(The rabbi is Aaronic in his levitical interpretations.) Yes, yes, we "reinterpreted the divine law when some of our women were found pregnant." We as a people have denied the self-preservation methods of marrying our own in favor of destroying our own lineages through marriage with the nations. (The rabbi is a Nehemiah of this age.) We as a people of reason have denied the kosher plate in favor of the pig-laden opulence of the gentiles. (And yet we wonder why our jews are sick and fat.) We as a people of intellectual superiority have denied the power and strength of God as healer and have embraced the medicines of Egypt. (Where are the physicians of Solomon's time , , , physicians like Sirach), and yet we wonder why so many among us are sick.

I was recently at a Chinese Restaurant in NJ, the parking lot was so crowded that soon a traffic jam resulted and people were honking and screaming at each other. One man opened his window and screamed "Move Aside! Move Aside! I have hot chaza in my car and my children are home waiting!" (apparently a take-out order). In all honesty, the other cars moved out of the way, almost as if this Chaza Deliverer was the Chief of Police on his way to an emergency. While I don't eat chaza (although I do eat Wonton Soup which is technically the broth of boiled chaza) I do see that Reform and Conservative Judaism are far removed from the Orthodox. My point is, if we sue the ex-chief Rabbi, will we have to take the stand and explain our actions? ("Your Honor, I have important testimony to give, unfortunately I have this hot bag of chaza....)

If you had bothered to read my first post you would have known what I think about this particular statement by the Rabbi. Your need to stamp everything said by a Jew that you don't like "fascist" or worse is a result of your problem. And if you had actually read my first post to you you would have known why you do not know the first thing of Ahavat Israel. You should be ashamed of yourself.

What has a discussion between the Rabbis of the Talmud as to whether Moses or Joshua wrote the last few word of the Torah got to do with its authenticity? That the All Mighty dictated all the words is not the subject of any dispute or discussion. I would suggest that you indulge in some bedtime reading to enhance your mental sharpness. I am suggesting Rambam?s Guide for the Perplexed, because perplexed you certainly are.

"Torah Giants" like this meshuganeh, are what's killing Judaism in Israel. Their extremism is the reason most secular Israelis won't go near the stench of such Charedi Israeli synagogues, or why they run to Cyprus to get married -- so as to avoid having ANYTHING to do with the rabbanut. These guys do more damage to Judaism that anything they ever accuse the Conservatives of. Their patent nonsensical deviation from a classical evolving and historical Judaism is the real shanda... Perhaps they want to further deny the development of Judaism and go back to stoning Shabbas violators as called for in the Torah as well?

back to "perfect" you and convert you to HER cave. So enjoy the company, and maybe you will find bin laden there too. Hallelujah.

In my opinion, the wrong aspects of this story are being looked at. The Orthodox and their increasingly ugly rhetoric aren't the issue - this is nothing new. Neither are the intolerance and fanaticism of the Haredim and the nationalist extremism of "Modern" Orthodoxy/Religious Zionism. More worrisome is the response to this outburst by the Masorti movement. "You insulted us-we're suing" and "No fair-this is sinat chinam". Oy abrucch, as we used to say in Brooklyn-what insipid, plaintive whining. If Rabbi Eliyahu's outburst constituted a genuine threat of violence-which,in the Israeli context is possible though unlikely-then this should be taken up with the Israeli Attorney General. If not,then contemptuously ignoring it seems the best course. Indeed,the whiny tone of the Conservative response characterizes its' spirtual energy in general-its' davenning,its almost universally ignored halachic decisions,etc.Using this smear as an occasion for reflection on this might be more fruitful.

Like it or not ( and very clearly a great many so-called Orthdox do not ) it is the Masorti, Reform, Liberal and other movements that espouse dialogue and therefore present the clearest and most positive re-thinking of Judaism at a time when historic change has accelerated exponentially and the material/secular world offers so many more forbidden fruits than ever before. We are in the middle of great changes; my advice is : get used to it P.S. Can you guess which strand I belong to, if any? And if you can, how much should it really matter?

The southern law center sued the Nazi movement in America and won! Their leader was sent to jail, all their property was seized. Judaism was changed after the fall of Israel to Rome over 2,000 years ago. No more Levite priests, no more animal sacrifice. What was substituted was Levites Priests for Rabbis animal sacrifice for prayer. THIS is what we get instead. Gimme that old time religion! This neo Jewish stuff is not holy. We have dissolved our true religions roots and unctions. Rabbis are NOT Levite Priests!

Part, a big part acutally, of the reason for this rabbi's hateful speech (which he of course sees not as hateful but loving, since it is saving Jews from being led astray; it is showing good example) is the influence the Reform and Conservative movements are having in Israel. For these Orthodox estaqblishment figures there can be only one form of Jewish practice and they take Jewish law as something inflexible that can only be made stricter; Why? Because they are loosing their authority and see the majority of Jews simply looking upon them as irrlevant. The more they are made to feel irrelevant the stricter they become in their rulings. Things never becole morelenient since it might lead to a house of cards and bring people to the door of the "Jewish sects". You conform or you are out.

Steve, to the Orthodox establishment in Israel there is no such thing as Reform or Conservative "Judaism". The Orthodox establishment in Israel considers them anathema. They are not recognised for purposed of conducting religious ceremonies, ie marriage, funerals, conversions, etc. They are looked upon as a sect that employs Jewish artifacts and vocabulary. They are looked upon by the Orthodox establishment as the Sunni Muslim establishment would look upoin Shi'ites, or worse, Bah'ais.

I think this guy never read that Jews were expelled from the second Temple because of baseless hatred. He probably think that Rabin's assassin was a righteous Jew.

Thanks for the note. But my view is I do not want any Chief Rabbi appointed by the State, not Orthodox, Reform, conservative, etc. Religion is corrupted when it is wed to state budgets and politics. I want freedom of religion in Israel where each can privately chose how to express faith and commitment to Judaism and different points of view will compete for the minds and hearts of people. This by the way does not prevent the State of the Jews keeping all of the indicia of its Jewish character, ie national holidays are Jewish holidays, Shabat is the day of rest, all publicly funded places must maintain kosher standards so as to be inclusive of all, etc. We desperately need civil marraige and divorce laws (preferably in agreement with rabbinical authorities so that there is no Kidushin created and no mamzerut problem-this is important for unity even if many Jews don't really care). No more religious partisan parties because no more discriminatory sectoral budget allocations. Amen

One of the reasons I do not go to reform is because I like the tefilla according to the Ashkenazi tradition and the tunes I know fit in well. I also go to conservative who daven according to Rinat Yisroel Ashkenaz or Sfard in some cases. I go to Orthdox if they daven Askenaz and I go to Chabad too. I have been to many Haredi Shuls to Daven, some I liked, some I didn't. They all have different versions and different Siddurim. What I am saying is the choice is yours. I do not mind mixed choirs or mixed seating so much but I do dislike musical instruments in Shul on Shabbat and I think I would not feel comfortable with a female Chazan or Rabbi. However, that is me. I do not condem others who will disagree with me. After all it was the males years ago who made the decisions and not the females. Females today have a stronger voice and are more learned. Kol Hakavod to them too. It is not for me so I stay away from the reform but I do say that a little is better than nothing. Regards.

the swimming pool you regarded as a bad Jew. and if you are naked, you are good no matter what you do afterwords, steal, kill, rape. LOL what a funny religion. I guess if you are a good person, you work and pay taxes BUT god forbid, take mikve in the bathing suit, you are damned forever!

Let us hope the real Maschiach is not as stupid as the one who writes here. Rabbis are not meant to tell us what to do. Rabbis are there to teach us what they have learnt and we are here to debate and discuss same with them. They can give us interpretations and we as Jews with a brain given to us by G-D can agree and disagree with them. We also have access to all the books and nw we have access to the internet too where near all can be found. Even girls can now learn and are not subject to the bullying tactics of the old Rabbis except for maybe the likes of that old f-rt Eliyahu and his kind. Regards.

Ofer is as confused and distorts as does the rabbi in question. Ahavat Yisrael does not require rubber stamping policies of Israel's occupation. Ofer thinks it does or perhaps that one should remain silent in the face of injustice. For Ofer, that implies ahavat yisrael. This rabbi and the statements emanating from scores who are his clone represent a mindset that is fascist in essence, that says there is one Judaism and this is what it is annd if one wavers one centemetre from this definition of the Tradition, then they must be ostracized, attacked, vilified, declared heretics who are out to destroy the Tradition which shall have one interpretation and one only. There shall be utter conformity or total exclusion. This is the mentality of a mullah, and this is apparently what Ofer calls "ahavat yisrael".

Is any one aware about how the conservative rabbis disparidge the orthodox It is a very common occurance. If they demand respect let them set apolicy for there own rabbis to stop talking badly about orthodox jews from the pulpit and elswhere.

Who does this old man think he is?? God?? Such arrogance, so typical of religious (mad) people.

Unfortnetly Rabbi Eliua words are very correct Hi\e is not sinal its you that cant take real criticisim

Last Shabbat eve, I went to a Reform Shul to doven. The Cantor had a wonderful voice, the musisicans were all tops. It was a wonderful performance. They had totally changed every prayer, including the Shema, the Aleynu and the Amidah and I don't just mean gender stuff. When I left, I wondered what religion was being practiced in this so-called Shul because it surely wasn't Judaism.

Remember, If Rabbi Eliyahu were perfect, he would convert to Christianity. Praise Jesus!

J10, Thanks for your wonderful post. I hope that Israel eases up on the Conservative and Reform Jewish streams. Whether the Orthodox likes it or not, 4 million American Jews are Reform or Conservative and have been so for generations. If the purpose of Israel is to be a refuge for the Jewish people, these two streams need to be recognized. In Israel, secular people don't have any religion and are agnostic or atheistic. In America, the secular are still religiously Jewish (but not Halakhic). The Orthodox have long ago lost most of Torah (where are the Red Heifers, why don't they sacrifice on Holy Days - the Haftarah talked of sacrifice in Temples other than Jerusalem, why don't Levites play instruments at service?) Nevertheless, the other streams of Judaism don't criticize them for their lack of Torah perfection. Israel needs a Conservative and a Reform Chief Rabbi. May I suggest a Rabbi Leinwald who was once a Colonel in the US Army Chaplain corps. A great leader.

... exactly what qualifies one Jew to decide why another may not be considered a Jew? I had thought until now that Judaism was very much unlike Catholicism, that the former lacked the pontifical and episcopal character of the latter. So how can there be a "chief rabbi", if this is so? Who voted for him? Why does he presume to speak on religious authority for all Jews, as he seems to do? Why should anyone pay him any mind? Thanks for any explanation. It's indeed a confusing religious state of affairs to me. MV

if this rabbi?? made these remarks in canada, germany and many other western countries he would be arrested for hate crimes. when they find bin laden these 2 gentlemen should share the same cell. they have much in common to discuss. the seem to like the same barber. as for the ((VOICE OF THE JEW)) asking for liquidation of other jews, may be has more in common with the jewish neo-nazis. this so called rabbi is sickening in his hate for other jews and is a disgrace to jews throughout the world. did not his other rabbi??friend ben ovadin?? also justify the holocaust. sicko's, i feel like vomiting from these idiots.

Israel made a compromise with the religiously insane at it's birth. That Israel still allows the religiously insane to dominate it's government, culture and society to this day only shows one thing. That the vast majority of Israelis lack the guts to oppose the religiously insane in their midst. Welcome back to the dark ages Israel.

It's interesting that Mordecai Eliyahu and so many of his supporters talk in genocidal language about non-Orthodox Jews. They almost sound as though they think they should physically attack us. But I have to be honest, a bunch of yeshiva bochurs throwing books at us is not a terribly frightening picture. Still, the hate is incredible. Sure, progressive Jews and seculars talk about no longer allowing the haredim to leech public resources without contributing to Israeli society, or, along with hard-core Religious Zionists, to dictate Jewish norms to the rest of world Jewry, but we certainly don't advocate for their destruction. The sooner Israeli society decides this crowd will no longer dictate to the majority, the better. May we see it soon and in our day.

the walking away of the jew from the pure and undefiled law is sheol the reek of the divisins of judaism is the sin upon our flesh in every way that we have turned away from the law of our God. he speaks like a sage that is misunderstood he speaks like elijah from the gates of heaven and mordechai as he walks about captive Jerusalem Sing the words you have been fed by HaShem amariah

What is his real problem?

Not all Jews are JewISH.(point taken) Jews for Jesus are Jews but they are not JewISH.(quite right,you cannot be both) The Rabbi and I are not against Conservative Jews we are against the conservative movement calling itself JudaISM..(Why)? Any denial of the divinity of the entire Torah even one letter is not not JudaISM.(agreed) Who is a Jew? One who is born to a mother who is a Jew or one that converted to JusaISM accoring to JewISH law.(Too true correct) What is a Jew? One who is obligated to uphold the Torah and obligated to believe in the 13 principles of Maimonidies. Being JewISH means just doing the above.(okay..) No I am not JewISH.(oh but I am) Looks as though I too shall have to strive to be H+JewISH.. Here the lessons endeth...Thanks Common sense.

good joke. never heard this before. Hope all is well with you. Great fall days here in Toronto. P.S. Road Map is on its way.

You have never said a single positive thing about Jews or Israel in your tens of thousands of posts. Don't talk about "Ahavat Yisrael", you know not the first thing about it.

Jay Never heard such ugly and unacceptable behaviour by a high ranking rabbi. What is the world coming to?To feel such pure hate for one of your own?What was he thinking of? Someone here called him "senile" who knows perhaps he is past it.And almost sounds like the fubdementalist "mullahs".The only difference(thank the LORD)is that he is not going to blow the place up with a bomb,or strap one on himself. And for that at least we nust be thankful for. OY,OY,OY ELIYAHU, YOU CARRY THE NAME OF:ELIYAHU HANAAVI REMEMBER .....

This dear rabbi and his followers should have a nice life in Saudi Arabia together with the Wahhabi Sheikhs. Are we really so deeply lost in the past?

What is this, family troubles? Say, what's this you are posting about rabbis and biblical scholars having issues about the Torah and its authenticity. So you speak one thing to the homies, do you, and the opposite to everybody else. What's with you guys anyway? If you can acknowlege between yourselves it is hooey, why dispute it on other threads. I have to tell the Pro-Pal posters to come to this thread to read it with their own eyes. Golly day, what a bunch. Regards.

Not all Jews are JewISH. Jews for Jesus are Jews but they are not JewISH. The Rabbi and I are not against Conservative Jews we are against the conservative movement calling itself JudaISM. Any denial of the divinity of the entire Torah even one letter is not not JudaISM. Who is a Jew? One who is born to a mother who is a Jew or one that converted to JusaISM accoring to JewISH law. What is a Jew? One who is obligated to uphold the Torah and obligated to believe in the 13 principles of Maimonidies. Being JewISH means just doing the above. No I am not JewISH. I am a Jew that is STRIVING to be JewISH.

among the inciters to hatred. If he knew he could be sued for defamation and incitement, would he still have that courage?

You have made a vile insult against Virginia, who, by her postings, is a fundamentalist Christian with simple but sincere beliefs. I do not accept anything she says about belief, but she is obviously a loving person. You are not.

"the validity and authenticity of the Torah/The Talmud/The Halacha.". Tell me, what do you make of the Beraitha in Bavli, Bava Bathra 14b-15a on whgo wrote the last 8 verses of the Torah? The general opinion there is that Joshua wrote it, because Moses had died. And what do you think of Gen. 12:^ "And the Canaanite was then in the land" - i.e., at the time of writing, the Canaanite was no longer in the land, meanng Moses couldn't have written this verse (see Ibn Ezra on Deut. 1:1 for all the verses he doubts are of Mosaic authorship. Now how about Gen. 36:42-45 "Now these are Kings that reigned in Edom before there reigned an Israelite king". Now isn't that interesting? Whoever wrote that verse lived AFTER there were already kings in Israel! Want more evidence for the inauthenticity of the Torah? Justr ask.

is what emanates from the yeshivas and synagogues of Orthodox Judaism. They wish to live according to a Talmud completed 1500 years ago for a society that has ceased to exist. They believe in the Divine Revelation of the Torah to Moses, something even the Rabbis of the Talmud and medieval Bible commentators such as R. Abraham Ibn Ezra had their doubts about, and the impossibility of which is accepted today by all scientific scholars of the Bible. Not only that, but they force their beliefs and their way of life on all Jewish citizens of Israel. I support both Reform and Consrvative Judaism in Israel, because they offer a viable alternative in tune with the times (just as the ancient Rabbis once were). If you had attended the recent Reform ordination ceremony in Jerusalem, you would know that alternative Judaism in Israel is alive, well, and growing steadily.

sorry. I wanted to say: It's the best way to keep our children in Judaism and avoid them deserting

why i everyone getting so excited? i've heard this from every Ortodox rabi that I ever heard. The fact is that there is a schism in Judaism between the Orthodox and the Heterodox. The problem is with converts We cannot accept as Jews, Reform converts who are not necesarily circumcised or undergo 'tvila in a mikve. Nor could we accept patrolineal descent. As for the Conservatives , they have 'tvila' in a swimming pool while wearing a bathing suit.Their practices of conversion or 'cooption' is similar to early Jewish Christianity and Paulian Christianity where the Rabbis formally separated Christianity from Judaism.

Is there that much conflict between Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox? I understand theological differences, but do those differences end up in open social hostility? I am aware of the ultraOrthodox problems, but that's not what I'm referring to. For example, are Reformed in anyway shunned by those who are Orthodox, or vice versa?

kol ha kavod. I'm liberal myself and it's the best way to keep Judaism in modern days. And most of all it's the best way to avoid our children to keep being Jews.

everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and in democratic countries such as israel and the usa every imbasile alive can express there own for all to hear. the problem israel has is that it has given the chief rabbis power beyond what a heathy democracy can tolerate. in the best scenerio, the rabbi's view should not be news of any consequence, but because of their status it's news. when modern israel became a reality, nobody thought twice about giving such power to such an insignificant minority as the religious. it is necessary for israel's future to take this power away from the religious. the intolerance they have toward the majority of jew's religious practices is a window into what they would do with more power. is may be a bad analogy, but look at iran since the shah fell.

Sorry all, but this one falls under right of free speech.

If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen! Why all the hullabaloo? WHO is the real orthodox? WHO is the one to speak with righteous authority? WHO of these three groups is in error? The answer should be simple--it is he who speaks according to the Word of G-d and does not add or take away. The opinions of men should be left aside. And, by the way, how do we know that THAT "kitchen" wasn't "forbidden?? Kosher is as kosher does!!

The comments here by the anti-Orthodox are hateful. The Rabbi simply views Reform and Conservative Judaism as having become so different from the traditional historical Judaism, continued in what are called Orthodox movements, that they don't qualify as Judaism, and are really more like Christianity or something else. He happens to be right. Forget Reform because it's so far out. Conservative Judaism was more traditional many years ago, but has succumbed to political correctness. They don't believe the Torah was given to Moshe Rabbeinu at Sinai. They don't believe the mitzvahs are binding upon Jews. They don't see a difference between HaShem's creation of man and woman. They now accept homosexuality as legitimate. How can a great Rabbi like Eliyahu accept this? He said what he said to his congregants, not the public. True baseless hatred is directed at Orthodox by non-Orthodox as we see here, because they really don't want to live a Jewish life.Rab bi

Eternal Jerusalem wrote:"These movements which are only a few hundred years old are in decline" LOL! the so-called "Orthodox" movement is actually younger than the Reform movement. The difference is that Orthodoxy comes with a build-in arrogance of our-way-or-the-highway and ridiculously imagine themselves to be the followers of Moshe Rabeinu.

Not to Torah. Do the other two you mention somehow excuse such? I am not trying to point fingers or judge anyone, my point is...If we were to ALL look in the mirror of God's Word, we ALL fall short. End of the matter. I take issue with those who try and set themselves on high above the rest of us. That's all.

Great. . .all it takes is one crazy Orthodox like this for all the secular Jews in Israel and America to use as another excuse for them to run away from judaism. Sorry folks, but every religion has its crazy people. Israeli Orthodox should be standing up against this guy. No wonder why so many Israelis are running away from religion - if only they knew about modern orthodox and conservatism, and it wasn't being demonized at every turn by the ultras.

Boy, Moshe! You sure honor the initials Ph.D. You Pile it High and Deep!

This is the kind of thing that lead to the destruction of the second Bais Hamigdosh. BTW, I do attend an Orthodux shul.

Where does this come from? What is it based on and how do those educated by the schools run by this man think? What are the critical issues for this man? Eliyahu is hardly a solitary figure. The truth is there are armies of his cohorts who think exactly as he does. Conformity of thought, with one Judaism and one Judaism only is his or their credo. All based on the negative and minutiae trussed up as love of God based on insult to your neighbour.

You don't understand. Catholics and protestans are both Christians, they have differencies in customs and interpretation of Bible. Reform and Conservative "Judaism" are not simple branches of Judaism; the difference between Orthodox Judaism and others in not in intrepretation of Bible but in acceptance of some of it parts. It is more like the difference between Christians and Jews (who don't accept part of Bible called "New Testament") than among Catholics and Protestants.

It's intellectual vapidness and regurgitation of the thoughts of others. It's a rejection of the responsibility to make Torah relevant to the time and place, as the great rabbis of old did. It's an attempt to freeze in place a couple of hundred years ago, pretending that "Torah mi Sinai" took place in Poland in the 1700's. It's a foolish clinging to myths our ancients wouldn't believe if they had our science and knowledge. Thank God for Conservative and REform, for documentary hypothesis, for Maimonides, for archeology. Thank God for movements which demand that Jews *think*, make their lives relevant, and function in the world. Do they look like Orthodox Jews? No -- and thank God for that, too!

The stench of Gehinom that the Rabbi (though I am troubled to use this term for this man at the moment) detects may be the one emanating from his own mouth. The Temple was destroyed on account of people saying such things. In #43 above "Another Jew" has is exactly right. Feel free to disagree with the ideas, but saying viscious mean-spirited things like this brings nothing but shame on the speaker, and unfortunately, on the rest of us in the Jewish people.

hey moshe Ph.D. you sound like some Al-Qaida fanatic. Is this what they teach in the madrassas where you got your Jewish education?

Not a shred of arrogance in your post! Or stereotyping. I prefer to judge individuals on their level of arrogance, not whole communities. Every community has it's good hearted people who are respected by other good hearted people worldwide, regardless of religion

Most religions begin by being peaceful until some holier-than-thou guys come along and start spewing hatred and damnation against those who, to their own liking, are not religious enough.

Has Mr. Hess heard of free speech or did he leave such concepts in the United States? He should calm down and stop the vitriolic attacks on a leading Rabbi who is entitled to his free speech and religious beliefs. Let me guess, Mr Hess.. are you also a leftist who believes that only people who agree with you are entitled to free speech?

It is very different in the U.S. than in Israel. I was raised in a Jewish family with zero observance. Kosher meant going out for a corned beef sandwhich with or without Swiss Cheese. I once went to a refromed temple that was near my house on a Friday night. I saw a father telling his w boys to keep their kippahs on while the president of the temple was making his announcements and not wearing one. I though this was a place for lunatics. I joined a conservative shul. I learned hebrew. I learned how to daven and put on tefillin. I was taught that I should elevate my observance of mitzvot. Try to become shomer shabbos and keep kosher. I did. I moved to walking distance of a Modern Orthodox Minyan. I beleive had I gone straight to orthodox I would have not succeeded in becoming an Orthodox Jew. I beleive the conservsative movement is a great way in the U.S. for a person to really evolve as a Jew. It may be different in Israel.

the orthodox are not Jewish they have planted themselves among Jews in order to destroy us. with these people seating among us our enemies do not have to worry.with all that hatred and all their pregnancies and their men not working and demanding a living from the state because they PRAY!! the orthodox Jews will destroy Judaism from within.

And to all the genocidal rightwing monsters, thanks for being honest about your feelings that Hitler was partly right.

The comments here by the anti-Orthodox are hateful. The Rabbi simply views Reform and Conservative Judaism as having become so different from the traditional historical Judaism, continued in what are called Orthodox movements, that they don't qualify as Judaism, and are really more like Christianity or something else. He happens to be right. Forget Reform because it's so far out. Conservative Judaism was more traditional many years ago, but has succumbed to political correctness. They don't believe the Torah was given to Moshe Rabbeinu at Sinai. They don't believe the mitzvahs are binding upon Jews. They don't see a difference between HaShem's creation of man and woman. They now accept homosexuality as legitimate. How can a great Rabbi like Eliyahu accept this? He said what he said to his congregants, not the public. True baseless hatred is directed at Orthodox by non-Orthodox as we see here, because they really don't want to live a Jewish life.

Guys, whether you are orthodox or not - even if you believe that only orthodoxy is the way to heaven - think before you open your mouth! The catholics and protestants (and to lesser degree other sects) fought each other tooth and nail. Do you really want to have a jew fighting a jew?

You're such a wannabe terrorist.

Da shul of da Man! Luv ya brother! beyond all denominations. beyond all understandings. !!!

The Halakha evolved from the Thora, ok, but eventually has been developed by men. Men err, including this ex-chief "rabbi", Mr. Eliyahu. The jewish ultras love god, but they simply dont love people. Without us, the people, God is nothing.

anybody who teaches none tolerance is not jewish. these so called orthodox jews are really none jews planting themselves among us. make sure you study their past and behavior and you will see what i am talking about.

Reform and Conservative movements should remove word "Judaism" from the definition of their religions (they are not Jewish) and then everything would take it approriate place, and no one would insult nobody.

Different types of wedding: In an Ultra Orthodox wedding, the mothers of the groom and bride are both pregnant. In a Modern Orthodox wedding, the bride is pregnant. In a Conservative wedding, the officiating Rabbi is pregnant. In a Reform wedding, both the groom and bride are pregnant.

For one thing, they can't answer the calims of higher biblical criticism, or scientific crtique of the Talmud - clearly these texts were written over centuries, and by men (or women) and not God. Most of what they think is halacha are relatively recent innovations inspired by Gentiles. The only way this heresy of theirs can survive is through isolation and hate.

Eliyahu proves Judaism has its share of religious nutcases, just like islam and christianity. And I'd bet Eliyahu would get along just fine with co=nutcases Kahamenei and Robertson.

I am cringing inside reading these hateful mean spirited comments from both sides. This is terrible. Who amongst us dare consider themselves righteous enough to judge and vilify fellow Jews in their own method and level of observance. Avodat Hashem is a deeply personal commitmant. If you tell me Reform Judaism is not for you I will agree with you, but to talk about liquidating and killing fellow Jews? This is the height and epitome of sinat chinam. I am deeply ashamed. Hashem alone will judge each of us. May we draw all our fellow brothers closer to Avodat Hashem in unity and not alienate any of Hashem's chosen people.

Sounds like he was holding back to me. The reformed and conservative movements are imposers who have marketed a false alternative, producing nothing but spiritually confused, emotionally disconnected, and alienated Jews. Jews who find the past irrelevant, are politically dysfunctional in the present, and clueless as to the future. Yet, arrogant enough to think they are enlightened over their ULTRA-orthodox, primitive brothers.

nude ! its a nice word. why I am the only idiot, here ? because I have nothing to lose. I have nothing to hide. can you blame me for been poor in mind...poor in knowledge ....? cant you see how knowledge dirtness there are around us ! I read. I read a lot. I still find myself too selfish. yes I am. who I am ? a selfish guy. why I am here ? to torture your minds ? maybe yes. maybe no. who knows. but ! I like to make you guys confuse ! that is sure. *** So ! what you think ? talk to me in general with nice words. or dont talk. *** guys ! I am not happy. I am not. I am hungry of love. my soul and my body tortures me. see that ! you are all same. poors. there is no human happy who has three legs under the sun ! the third leg is the problem. the is the reason of all wars, all fights. *** So ! do I still sound weird ? *** in friendship Atilla

An overcrowded bus in Jerusalem full of Hassidim, in a hot day on Chol-Hamoed Pesach, all wearing their holiday black robes and sweating as usual. No wonder Rabbi Mordechai is familiar with hell's smell. He must have been invited to many Hassidic simchas in his days.

You said that you're not Jewish but you also said that you attend a Messianic synagogue. Synagogue is where Jews pray, isn't it? On the other hand I was told that MJ are nothing more than Jews converted to Christianity. Please evolve. shalom

And what would Rabbi Eliyahu do if he came across Rabbi Mondrowitz the Ger Hassid and alleged serial sodomite, say the bracha "sheasa li krzono" - recite the blessing that G-d has made me as he desires.

How does the rest of the Orthodox community feel? I for one feel that at last someone other than Rav Ovadia Yosef has had the courage to stand up and be counted. The Conservative and Reform movements have no more to do with Judaism than any other new christian movement. Rabbi Eliahu's expressive language just puts it far more eloquently than I could.

Israel must not accept them. It is because of the Reform & Conservative movements the we no longer know "who is a Jew". They go against our holy G-D given Torah & are creating their oun religion. Yes they do "reek of hell"!

Virginia, sweet, it's time for your medicine. Here, just slip your arms into the jacket; there's a love, mind the buckles.

I for one don't like these weird movements at all and would rather that we got together under the very broad and multifaceted thing that is Judaism (and by Askenasim referred to as "Orthodoxy"). With his moronic statement Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu distances the people I hope someday will find their way to Shul and displays a hiddeous lack of heart and respect for his fellow Jews. With rabbis like that, who needs Reform?

like the karaites before them, like the reform, like christianity, like the samaritans, all of these offshoot movements have one thing in common: the total or partial rejection of the Oral Law, the Torah shel baal peh, which is the defining characteristic of Judaism. Why are we Jews? Because we are followers and descendants of Rabbinic Pharaseeic Judaism, which means we do not change and reject any part of the Oral Law as was handed down at Mount Sinai. This is Judaism by definition. Therefore, it doesn't matter what other groups call themselves, they are not practising Judaism. Moreover, we believe any change to our tradition is spiritually destructive, why? if G-d hands down something that's relevant for all generations, and we reject what we don't like and keep what we do like, well...

It does not seem to me that the Rabbi has attacked any individual, although I am sure he does not look kindly upon the leaders of a belief system that does not give full adherence to and who question the validity and authenticity of the Torah/The Talmud/The Halacha. These are the three central pillars of Judaism. Now you cannot undermine theses and expect compliments from an Orthodox Rabbi, and if you aren?t an Orthodox Rabbi, you may be something but you are not a Rabbi of the Jewish Faith.

Our wonderful Rabbi Laura G, just got our New torah purchased. It is very beautiful, and has a rainbow cover. It is written Gender neutral because that is what is least offensive to the Gay,Lesbian and transgender members of the congregation. Why just last sabbath we all drove to the temple on Saturday morning for our monthly cook out and picnic. The cheese burgers and milkshakes were wonderful!!!

I attend a Messianic Synagogue. Where the reflection of "the two shall be as one" is seen on many levels.

Fascism stems from fear and projections, ignorance, common places and ecclecticism. It is violent, ugly and dangerously fanatical. Judaism should decry it, denounce it and overcome it. It has been able to do so historically, why not now?

Ms Coxly anyone who lives in 'Israel' would have pretty good idea what hell would be like. The difference would be for those in hell it would be an earned and deserved abode unlike 'Israel' which is a stolen one.

Does he know about hell from personal experience?

I am a very long way from the fullness of the Holy Spirit of God. Though He is welcome in my heart and is working on me, somehow, I don't think He is finished yet. I know one day, He will be finished and I rejoice in that!!!

Well, Chelemer, old son, it obviously isn't you who is doing the fighting, sitting there in sunny Naples, Florida, eh?! I think, you might be confusing 'orthodox' with 'haredi'. The former constitute about 40% of combat troops in IDF; the latter are beginning to fill the ranks, with one haredi battalion already operational. Likewise, the workforce is amply represented by orthodox Jews, in all occupations and professions. Hell, my doctor is a haredi; and my dentist too. As for myself (dare I say it?) I am a haredi(ish) person who not only served in a reserves combat unit for 12 years, until discharged on account of age, but actually works as a professional engineer (as I have done for over 27 years). Amazing, isn't it, how these frumers get absolutely everywhere! We can't have our beloved stereotypes threatened, can we? Someone should put a stop to it, I think!

I must say i don't believe your post..it is a breath of fresh air..it is the fruit of a neshama that sees beyond the narrow perspective of so many of our Orthodox leaders, Zionist and non-Zionist. But your letter rings true..I believe you are a real Hareidi Rov..I hope you can say and write these things under you name in your community.

They are a picture of "the two shall be one" I am hearing what this Rabbi would think of them, without even knowing them. I do seek guidence from those who know more than I, however, I was taught to "sift" the words of every man through the strainer of the Word of God. God taught me that.

If only the orthodox remain who will do the work and fighting? It is the conservatives and reformers who have been doing all that because the orthodox are too busy making babies, and have no time for anything else. When they are not having sex they are busy praying for it.

Of course we have an amazing God who is all around us and you don't have to be a Scholar or Sage to believe in God.You don't have to be Jewish either. However if you are Jewish (as in the religion), you may want to beleive in The Torah/The Talmud/The Halacha and you may want the guidance of a Sage or Scholar

Call it spiritual excercise. May God Bless and keep Israel and reveal the Power of HIS Majesty to all!!! Amen

There is so much good work done by the conservative movement. So many Jewish children that aren't from shomer shabbos homes connect to Judaism via USY, Camp Ramah, Conservative Shuls. I don't agree at all with the conservative poskim or their hashkofo, however it is very devisive to insult their movement and it just increases machloket. Name calling is offensive and counter-productive. If you disagree with a hashkofo - debate it discuss it. Name calling is cheap and can cause hate towards orthodoxy. We have enough enemies outside of am yisrael and within am yisrael, we must find ways to bridge.

One need only welcome His Holy Spirit through the reading of His Word. Can God abide in those who cannot read? Yes. Our God is an Amazing God who knows no limitations. He can use anyone/anything He pleases to reveal Himself to us. He is all around us, because He wants to be known.

I wasn't aware that a movement or institution could sue for libel. Oh well, I suppose one lives and learns, eh? If admissible, I was wondering upon what basis the conservative movement could establish a viable case for libel. First, how do they (or anyone for that matter) establish whether or not there is a "reek of hell" that 'wafts' from conservative places of worship? Second, what does the "reek of hell" actually smell like?

1. I am not for being rude and seeking an unnecessary row. However it is worth noting that as far as Sephardim are concerned Reform and other like movements are not Judaism as they recognise it, you might as well tell them to attend Church. 2. The views expounded by The Rabbi are pretty much the standard view held in all Orthodox / Haradi Rabbinical Circles, although they may not be expressed as such publicly or if so more diplomatic terms are generally used. 3. I would venture to suggest that there is likely to be very little seepage from Judaism by the Rabbis constituents then those of the Reform and like movements. In other words, his views will have greater impact than those of his attackers. 4. Perhaps the Conservatives and Reform do some good by holding on to the weaker members or our brethren, however until they acknowledge the primacy of The Torah/Talmud and Halacha and stop making up their own rules, doubts will always be raised. No Torah scholar resides in their midst

I hate to bring up an old disagreement, but why is it that Sephardi Chief Rabbis seem to put their feet in their authoritarian mouths? Ovadia Joseph does it rather too often. The present Sephardi Chief Rabbi has managed to insult the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of America over conversions and this former chief rabbi has gratuitously abused the Conservative and Reform groups. The rabbi who wouldn't allow a Reform rabbi to say Kaddish for his soldier son who died defending Israel was also Sephardi. Do they reflect the Islamic countries they come from?

I am not a Jew or a Muslim and I do not seek to be part of any, that I may be part of all. I am a child of God seeking His Will, looking to Him for guidence. What does God expect from His people? Look to the Torah and see. None of this has changed. Love God first, then you will be able to Love others. Love self first and only despise for others can follow.

Seems to me Orthodox has really missed the mark. Refraining from generalization; I will just say, from these remarks of this "leader" one would get the immpression that they [orthodox] somehow believe that they have a higher standing in God's sight than the rest of the world and that they misuse God's Word in an attempt to get others to believe so too. Sad. God Loves based on who He is, not on who we are. And God's Love cannot be measured out, more for some, less for others. There is no limit or end to the Love of God. God is Love. Mr. Eliyahu would do better to reflect that.

Does Iarael now have an ayatollah? We need to focus on shared values and bring people nearer to traditional Judaism, not push them away. What does this retired rabbi think of secular Israelis, who make up the majority of his flock?

#23 Joseph, please stay in Canada, we dont want to pay your medical bills here in Israel. Sick haredi, well, another one.

WHEN IT COMES TO POWER INFLUENCE AND MONEY NO ONE TOPS THESE RELIGIOUS SAGES FOR SCATHING RHETORIC---- THIS IS NOT JUDAISM -THESE RABBIS ARE NOT MY JEWISH BROTHERS -I DISOWN THEM -AND THEIR ZEALOUS RELIGION - WHERE ARE THE DECENT NON-CULTISH MODERN JEWS. JORDAN.

It is not the first time, and it will continue, as long as the rabbi's are above the law! They can say whatever they want, and hide behind the Torah! Sue him, and let him stay in prison!

Rabbi Eliyahu is Orthodox. Conservatism and Reform are heterodox or one might say HETERodox. By his very orthodoxy , he rejects heterodoxy. He is not a 'live and let live' person like the humanist liberal West. He takes his religion seriously. To him G-d is an 'absolute monarch' whose laws we have to follow slavishly and not a 'constitutionsl monarch' where we tell G-d where 'to get off'. As a Sefardic rabbi his is not a democratic Western tradition, but rather a despotic Eastern tradition, as is allof Orthodoxy.

Since the middle of the 20th century, the rift within the Jewish Community between the secular and revival nodes of Am Yisrael has been increasing. The technical term for this process is SCHISM. The North American Jewish secular movements have broken away from the more tradition branches of Jewish expression, themselves undergoing a religious revival. The result of this SCHISM is an inevitable process of separation--not unlike a divorce. It is not simply a question of turning on a light on Shabbat, changing standards of conversion, or doing away with not-so-insignificant differences in diet. The manifest change is more than process oriented--it transcends to the very core of the participants on both side of the divide. As the 21st century opens, we are witnessing the birth of two separate religious traditions. The real task before the State of Israel is Freedom of Religion. In the Religious Market, different denominations compete. Let them. Suing is so declasse.

He is an old and senile man. But I call him a theological shiriniwsky, a social paskudniq. I do not respect him, he is a disgrace for jews.

There you go again, the "hate" word. Prehaps the world would be a better place if we could all learn to to tollerant of other people that are different from ourselves and respect other peoples choices whether we agree with them or not. We are all Gods children afterall. What ever happened to Love?

The fact that Eliyahu (and with him probably 15% of the State of Israel nd most Orthodox in the US and elesewhere) has these beliefs is his private business. The fact that the State of Israel through its legal system gives monopolistic coercive power to Rabbis of his kind is a problem of basic democracy. Why the Conservative, Reform, secularists and all democrats do not aggressively insist on freedom of religion and freedom from coercive religious institutions in the State of Israel is a total mystery. I am modern Orthodox and I would withhold funds from the UJA and send them to specific charities and I would create a public outcry in the US over this issue. It goes to the heart of any democracy. The family courts in Israel are a travesty. People cannot be married as and by whom they wish. Enormous budgets are allocated sectorally to the ultra-orthodox anti-zionist institutions which inculcate the same hateful ideas which we finance through our taxes and you through your donations.

If a minister or priest in the US were to speak about Jews in this way the orthodox community would be taking them to court and be accusing incitement and hate.

Sorry but your argument is an relevant as mentioning that you live in the place where the ISraeli left opened fire on a boat filled with Jews called the Altelena. Or was that Kfar vitkin? there is all the difference in the world beteen a building or an ideology and those trapped inside. we love the people, hate their ideas.

I dont mean dis-respect. But someone has to remind it. you did great job. you are the greatest people on earth to keep something Holy. But ! we must accept the truth even it hurts. What would I do if I were one of you ? I realy dont know. maybe I would do same as you doing NOW ! which one of us a good religus, anyway. WE ALL USE RELIGIONS AS SELFISH. SO ! WHO IS GOOD ONE ! ME, WHO IS JUST MUSLIM BUT A BLIND ONE ? YOU, WHO IS JUST JEWISH BUT A DEAF ONE ? *** this is boring subject ! we all try to survive. we all same. selfish smart we are all idiots in fact. losers is better word, I think. *** I still love judaism and you. hey ! I am just one person, dont be happy :) *** If I were God ! what would I do with you ? I would a little beat you :) BUT ! I WOULD PROTECT YOU. *** So ! how to finish this unbeliavable post ? haaretz ! I miss you. I think its enough punishment for me. I LOVE TALIIIIII FARKASHHHHH :)

Sorry but while i hate the fake "judaism" that these movements peddle, that has never stopped me from having them as guests in my home. I love jews, all jews, but hate forgery. what is the connection? The stench of dead ideas from the buildings simply means I need to redouble my efforts to provide the victims with an alternative- the real thing- Torah.

Joseph, The leaders of the reform movement are not descendents of goyim and mamzeyrim. They are descendents of ordinary Jews like me. That of coorse does not mean that they can not be low-life scum-bags. Otherwise you are perfectly right on everything.

you sound so open minded the brains fell out

Try speaking to high-school groups from both. the reform kids are at least interested. the conservative kids look and sound brain-dead.

if they are a flower they sure rotted away. Someone once compared a Religion class in a conservative temple to an Autopsy of a corpse that died long ago. Whatever the smell, it definitly is not a living Judaism. Ask any of their own youth.

JTS's theology was best articulated by M kaplan before he left to found his own religion: it is forbidden to believe that G-d made man it is forbidden to believe that Torah was devine revalation So the conservatives share a Godconcept with Adolf Eichmannn who also believed that men invented a wonderful idea called G-d. it sure as hell aint the G-d of the Jews. G-d made man, not the other way round Since when is it defamation to state the obvious?

Two stupid people in Israel? What if I was to say "close those Yeshivas where none go to serve in the Israeli army"? "Stop all subsidies to those who do not serve this country". " No allowances to those who do not recognize the State and refuse to do any National service or miluim". Do Not support any Synagogue where those who attend do not and refuse to serve this State? I think Dissin and his like who be hopping mad. I'd also like to know where Eliyahu was? Can he elucidate as having three Synagagoues in one building belonging to different streams, shows how well most people can get along at least until he arrived. REgards.

The hatred that emanates from the Israeli orthodox Jews is unbelievable. The daughter of a former orthodox Israeli diplomat to central America and graduate of the university that spawned Yigal Amir told me it is better for a Jew to be Christian than Conservative. They have no problem with Israel accepting money collected in the Conservative and Reformed communities though.

Joseph you are taliking about your fellow jews here. Your speak of such hatred, killing, intollerance, not only of other jews but of non jews as well. Look what religion has made you. When i read such postings such as yours you make me ashamed to be a jew and cause me to further distance myself from my jewish religion. Because you clearly define Jewdism as religion of hatred and intollerance towards other human beings. I also realise why there is so much antisemitism in the world when people like you spew this kind of venom towards your fellow human beings, you should be ashamed of yourself. It makes me wonder if you reall our Jewish?

Well I ws shocked by some of this talkback The answer that "voice of the jews give" is just "kill kill kill" this reminds me strongly of the worst talibans I agree with Binyamin Dissen that a lawsuit is not a proper way of answering, but a call to kill is just unaceptable

A statement CLEANSE THE LAND does not fully explain who you are and what view you espouse. For example, are you a haredi who wishes to CLEANSE THE LAND and evict all non observers and non believers from the Land of Israel? Are you a fundamentalist Moslem who wishes to CLEANSE THE LAND and evict all infidels from Palestine? Are you a nationalist Jew who wishes to CLEANSE THE LAND and evict all non Jews from the State of Israel? Are you an evangelical Christian who wishes to CLEANSE THE LAND following Armageddon and kill all the heretics? Or are you just a detergent salesman who wants to CLEANSE THE LAND? Kindly clarify.

How could this stupid rabbi say something like this about millions of Jews just because they interpret the Torah differently? who does he think he is anyway? Judaism is not his property and he is not God to say this man goes to hell and that man goes to heaven. Indeed, if Judaism is that intolerant, that hateful, I might very well seek another religion.

The leftists yet again show their hypocrisy, where they only allow "freedom of speech" if it fits within their world view.

Like his replacement he is a senile old man which manipulates his flock. The sheep that follow him and listen to him - DESERVE HIM - let them enjoy his "Kind" words - I guess that is all that he has left to overcome his inferiority. He and his friends do worst things ? manipulating a whole community by making up the rules as they feel like and claiming them to be the word of God. Leave him and let him enjoy the companies of fools to which is belongs.

Sinat chinam is back. As usual from the pompous orthodox rabbis. He is an old bag who otherwise has nothing else to say. Forget his name and his memory. Pisst auf sein Grab.

Rabbi Moerdechai Eliyahu is 100 % right. The reform leaders during war of hitler against the jews requested the the U.S. Senate not to allow any jewish refugees in to USA. The hands of reform leaders and "rabbies" are dripping with the blood of millions of jewish children ,women and men. The present leaders are no different ,they are working for the destruction of the jewish people.They are a disgrace to the human race. If Israel and the jewish people want to survive. We must bring these low life scumbag descendents of goyim and mamzerim to a legitimate jewish court and hang them like eichman.

You are BOTH sick and should be hospitalised under section immediately. There are no other words

Why get excited about the rantings of a wild mullah in Israel ? The mullahs of Iran are far more threatening.This mullah was going to a circumcision,in Iran they,d probably cut off the whole thing.Give the man a break,he needs help not a court case.Why stoop to his level.Just hope he keeps walking past your synagogue on the way to somewhere else.

It doesn't get much more disgusting than this. Someone who has the nerve to call himself a Rabbi. As if being a rabbi is nothing more than studying text and interpreting law, etc... It should include being an example of tolerance and acceptance of ALL Jews - not just the ones who follow his words and footsteps. The best thing Israel can do is cut off the money these cult leaders and their followers suck from the rest of the Israeli people. Not one shekel should go to someone who says things like this so maybe the lawsuit isn't such a bad idea after all? Listen to what that VOICE OF MOSHIACH IDIOT))) is saying! "Liquidate" them? When will this country have leaders who stand up to these people who use hashem's name IN VAIN.

Send him and those other fanatics to Iran. There is no place in a progressive society for these kinds of remarks. He belongs to another era namely back in the middle ages. Could someone explain the difference between him and the ayatollahs. Funny how they look alike!

Kol Hakavod, and a huge yasher Koach to this true Torah Giant.

I'm sneezing and breaking into a rash. Cleanse that land?? As in a 'final solution' to anybody who doesn't your particular extremist viewpoint? Lose the mustache, pronto.

"Reform" and "Conservative" both deny the Torah. What do they care if their places are compared to Hell? They don't believe in it anyway!

The conservative movement seeks to have the state of Israel punish this Rabbi financially for opposing their movement. Sounds like religious coercion to me. Support conservative Judaism or the courts will make you pay.

It's too bad that the sepharidim have also been infected with the haredi cult's hatred and intolerance. The time has long passed to abolish the role of chief rabbi and if any more proof is needed this is it.

I know that the Torah commands the Jews to follow religious leaders, but it begs the questions: Who was an authentic leader at the time the Talmud was written, given the different sects that existed? Who is an authentic leader today? Neither can be answered without personal judgement. I just can't help but be skeptical that people would keep a complex oral law in their heads for hundreds of years. If you choose to follow orthodox interpretations, do so. I don't hate you. Just don't blatently slander those who come to different conclusions.

These movements are not holding/attracting memebers.Intermarrage is high and attendance is low. So is interest living here in Israel They really have become just a place where a Jew can do what ever they want to with the approval of a "rabbi". These movements which are only a few hundred years old are in decline Shalom Al Yisroel

Some rabbi; some Jew. A schanda fon da goyim. Hell is comprised of "orthodox" rabbis like this jerk

I don't accept orthodox INTERPRETATION as more authoritative than any other INTERPRETATION. And comments like this certainly won't convince me to jump into the Orthodox school of thought. In fact, in strengthens my conviction that independent thinking is critical to proper observance. I would never willingly hand over the reigns of religious interpretation to such men. Everyone should study the Bible and rabbinic OPINIONS in order to make educated decisions about observance, and never listen blindly to the decisions of others. If you do, you're not doing your duty to God to question what it is He really wants. After all, given all the subsects of even Orthodoxy, you might just have been born into a group that interprets the Torah incorrectly. They can't all be right.

For chief foot in mouthist following the retirement of Rabbi Ovedia Yosef. One has to wonder if Rabbi Eliyahu had a few books fall on his head while studying. Certainly, someone who is supposed to walk with compassion and humility has better things to do with his life than spew such hateful comments.

sue me for telling it as it is. i have no problem with any jew. i am an accepting person, but i do not have to accept an ideology that is bankrupt and has led to a holocaust of jewish souls. reform and conservative are dead movements but now they are using all their money and effort to establish themselves in israel so like vampires they can live off the blood of jews there.

Conservative movement is a flower which must be torn out of the ground and throughn away for ever. This rabbi is right. These conservative/reform guys approve gays, wich is a capital crime. They not just smell badly, these movements must be eradicated as associations rebelling against G-d. I call to everyone to get out of these criminal movements. Moshe, Ph.D. Moshe, Ph.D.

With astronomical intermarriage rates outside of Israel and failure to attract members in Israel, everyone knows they're a sham. One that will disintegrate.

Note that the Rabbi did not disparage any individuals (though that may be OK in some extreme instances) - rather he disparaged a movement which he feels is a threat to the religion he feels passionately about - and which I may add - as a former chief rabbi he is definitely an authority on. I fully understand and accept his tone.

There is no response an itelligent person can make to this comment. Just by uttering these words this "rabbi" reveals himself to be nothing more than a moron. We have enough enemies around the world without such asinine comments coming from our own.

How does the rest of the Orthodox community feel about the example this is of and to others in the Orthodox community? And the rest of the watching world?

CLEANSE THE LAND.

Some Jew; some rabbi! a senile old man who brings disgrace on Judaism. A schande for the Goyim.