Yona Metzger: Chief Rabbi/Druze Defender

Israel's High Priest of Hellenism has an uncanny ability for trampling on the Torah. In response to Rabbi Aviner's recent declaration that the Halachah prohibits non-Jews from serving in the IDF (boker tov, Rabbi Aviner ), "chief rabbi" Yona Metzger ascended the pulpit to defend the many Druze who tragically serve in the army. (Halachah wasn't going to interfere in interfaith relations with his beloved Druzim.) One usually expects a chief rabbi to defend his position by citing Torah sources. Being that there are no sources that permit Druze to reside in the land, let alone serve and command Jewish troops, Metzger went a different route when he babbled the following incoherent and shocking statement:

"The question of the Druze's participation in the Israel Defense Forces, in all ranks and levels and with equal rights and responsibilities – has already been determined by the defense authorities and the military. We must not involve other considerations of tangled halachic complexities in this security matter."

What tangled halachic complexities? Where the hell did this man get his smicha? The Halachah is crystal clear. The Rishonim all agree that no gentile (including Druze) can reside in the land without accepting tribute and servitude. Forget about fighting in the army. They can't even be in charge of water distribution. Read the Rambam.

Metzger reminds me of those creepy maskilim who used to infiltrate the yeshivas because they had beards and knew how to talk the talk. Don't let the l'vush and long beard confuse you. Halachah doesn't matter to Metzger. I haven't heard anything from him about the Christian-Russian TV station that will soon be coming to Israel. One would expect the insidious intentions of missionaries to trouble a chief Rabbi? A tumbleweed just blew past me while I waited for Metzger's comment.

I'm sure a few dolts out there are asking themselves, how can he speak that way about Israel's Chief Rabbi? Simple. He's not my chief Rabbi. I never voted for him. My chief Rabbi wouldn't spit on the Torah.

*One final point. Rabbi Aviner needs to be taken to task for not being consistent. After citing Maimonides as his source that non-Jews may not serve in the IDF, he went on to say that the Druze should do national service instead. The Rambam makes it clear that tribute and servitude, along with the adoption of the Seven Noachide Laws are a prerequisite for even living in the land.