Baptists In The Synagogue

Martin Luther King Day at the Hebrew Institute- January 2010

Those Jews with their heads screwed on right will instantly recognize this for what it is. A pagan ceremony. An astounding chillul Hashem. How else to describe a Baptist reverend and his church choir performing in the Beit Knesset of a supposedly "orthodox" synagogue? (Albeit, one that now has a female "Rabba", and that has at least on one occasion featured a female cantor leading the Kabbalat Shabbat service. Personally, I don't consider them orthodox, nor have I for some time now.) My understanding is that the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale has been hosting this interfaith-concert for years. As seen in the screen capture below, they continued the tradition this year. I couldn't find this year's concert on the internet, but I'm quite certain that it will make its way there eventually. Thanks to technology, every outrage can now be shared with millions across the world.

Now why, you may ask, is it necessary for an orthodox synagogue to hold this function? Isn't it enough to recognize the legacy of Dr. King, and treat all people with dignity and equality? You my unenlightened friend obviously don't understand "open-minded, modern-orthodoxy." The liberal, modern-orthodox, Jew feels a burning need to atone for the sin of x-tian slavery. And what better way to engage in this "tikkun" than to host an annual church choir in the synagogue? They even had Neshama Carlebach singing niggunim.

Can you feel the holiness? I can't. 

For some time now, Avi Weiss has trampled upon his Rebbe's p'sak Halachah regarding interfaith-dialogue. Rav Soloveitchik (of blessed memory) prohibited Jews from participating in any form of interfaith-ceremony, religious discussion, debate, or dialogue with members of other faith communities. His classic essay "Confrontation" is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the Rav's definitive position on the matter. (Many of the Rav's misguided detractors falsely portrayed his stance as a radical one. The Rav's position was deeply rooted in the normative Jewish approach to interfaith matters. He differed with Rav Moshe Feinstein (of blessed memory) and the other gedolim on the question of whether it was permissible to engage in dialogue with members of other faith communities, on non-religious issues, that affect society as a whole.)  Avi Weiss's actions are merely the next logical step of one who doesn't really believe in any separation from the goyim. If your Judaism is so influenced by goyish values that you extol the benefit of interacting with priests and "moderate" imams, the next step is to take down the barrier. Enter the Baptist choir into the synagogue. 

The x-tian faith is a rejection of the Noachide covenant. Maimonides maintained that they are idolaters. (No posek denies that for a Jew it constitutes idolatry.) If Weiss wants to sanctify The Almighty's name, he should introduce his  friends to the 7 Noachide Laws. This is the real meaning of Tikkun Olam. To bring the knowledge of The Almighty to Jews and non-Jews. Not to host interfaith concerts that not only involve serious Halachic and Hashkafic violations, but also come across as patronizing carnivals of liberal Jewish guilt.

Racism is repugnant to Judaism, and Dr. King deserves to be remembered for his struggle to end legislated discrimination. But not with interfaith-concerts in a synagogue, where a preacher calls upon his Jewish brothers and sisters to "clap their hands together and let him hear it", to the rhythm of a church choir. I'm sure many of the deluded Jews and gentiles in the audience truly believed that they felt something "spiritual" that night. So do the animists who pound on drums and wear death masks. The pagan drive is strong. Music is a powerful but dangerous medium. (Unfortunately, many talented, religious Jewish musicians allow their emotions to shape their deot, and not the opposite.) 

No religious Jew should ever attend an interfaith concert. Not in a synagogue, or on the beach, or in a night-club. Even if it means missing a rare opportunity to hear a Baptist preacher sing, "L-rd, Get Me High" with Neshama Carlebach. (And what about the kol isha prohibition?)  Ironically, the song was written to bring Jews back to the fold. Considering the setting and the participants, renditions such as this latest one, will surely send many Jews away. And Heaven forbid, they may never come back.


The only way to truly get "high", is to elevate the soul with the intellect, by studying the Torah. The Rambam speaks about a supremely elevated state whereby a perfected man becomes almost "lovesick" (so to speak) for Hakadosh Baruch Hu. This should be the model for the authentic "spiritual experience", unattainable as it probably is, for most of us. An elevated level where one is totally immersed in the knowledge of Hakadosh Baruch Hu. Not some "mystical" experience of goyish paganism. Shabbat Shalom.

Why Did The Feminist Chicken Cross The Road?

"Rabba" Hurwitz with Avi Weiss. 

Q: Why did the feminist chicken cross the road?

A: To daven for the amud at The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale.

It's been a while since I wrote about Avi Weiss, who heads the Hebrew Institute in Riverdale, NY, and whose list of radical innovations in a supposedly "orthodox" synagogue include the recent ordination of a women, Sara Hurwitz, as a "Rabba."  When I last visited this issue, I castigated the Rabbinical Council of America for a weak-kneed response and their failure to throw Weiss out of the organization.The following link contains the RCA's official statement.  Essentially, the RCA told him not to do it again, and he agreed. It's important to note what the RCA did not require of him. They did not demand that Weiss remove the title Rabba from Sara Hurwitz, or remove her from her post. They neglected to deal with the dangerous precedent that even one Rabba represents to Torah Judaism. This concession was a major victory for Weiss and the other ortho-feminists out there. At the end of the day, the Hebrew Institute has a female Rabba. (For more on this subject, read my post, The RCA Is Dead.) As seen by this screen shot from the HIR website, Sara Hurwitz still retains her title.

I wasn't even aware of Weiss's latest outrage, until I stumbled upon an online article from The Jewish Week entitled, "Weiss Moves Beyond Rabba."  The title was appropriate, for indeed Weiss had moved beyond the issue, by allowing a female congregant to lead the Kabbalat Shabbat prayer service one Friday night. 

I don't feel like regurgitating the article. Read it yourself and consider the following points that jumped right off the screen at me:

• Just how smug and brazen is Avi Weiss, to take this next descent into the abyss right after a public clash with the RCA? He's making an absolute laughingstock of the RCA, and they have neither the courage nor the intellectual honesty to remove him.

• Consider the contempt he has for many of his former and present congregants, some of whom have already left his congregation, and others who may now reconsider it, after being put off by this latest incident. Avi Weiss does what he wants and the congregation can come along for the ride or leave. Of course there are many sheep in his congregation who will adapt to the innovations of their esteemed rabbi and mentor. In time they may even learn to enjoy it. And then they will hail him as an even greater innovator of "open orthodoxy."

• Surprisingly, Rabbi Shafran of the Agudath Israel of America had mild words about the incident. While obviously opposing these innovations as contrary to yahadut, his response was parve. This is what I got out of Rabbi Shafran's words. "Rabbi Weiss's move saddens me." Really earth-shaking sentiments. I would have expected the condemnation to have some bite. It did not. And for that the Agudah should be ashamed of itself. Of course, in the grander scheme of things,  the Agudah is irrelevant to Avi Weiss. We're talking about two different planets.

• Ironically, Rabbi Shmuel Goldin of the RCA had stronger words on the matter, as seen in the following segment of the article. This makes the RCA's subsequent failure to address the issue even more inexplicable:

Rabbi Shmuel Goldin of Englewood, N.J., a vice president of the Rabbinical Council of America, said RCA leadership is critical of Rabbi Weiss’ action, but has not yet decided on any action it may take.

“A woman serving as shaliachat tzibbur [the cantor] for any portion of synagogue services is unacceptable,” Rabbi Goldin said. “If such a thing occurred, it would obviously be wrong and not in keeping with Orthodox tradition.”

The recent RCA agreement with Rabbi Weiss, in which he agreed not to ordain women, did not foresee and “did not address” a woman leading services, Rabbi Goldin said, so Rabbi Weiss’ action is not in technical violation of the agreement. “The question is, is it a violation of Jewish tradition, and we believe it is.”

Does Rabbi Weiss face disciplining by, or suspension from, the RCA?

“It is premature for us to comment on any particular action that we will be taking,” Rabbi Goldin said, “but all actions are on the table.” 

This article was from August 4, 2010 (one day short of a mere five months after the RCA's "Rabbah statement"). From the tone of Rabbi Goldin's words, it sounded like Weiss was in trouble with the RCA.  I've checked the RCA website. I've clicked on every link and searched the site repeatedly. I don't even see a reference to the incident, let alone a statement reflecting any discipline. I don't know about you, but I find this this very disturbing. (I suspect that one or more philanthropists who support  Weiss and the RCA may have put a damper on any plans to oust him.) The RCA purports to represent "Torah true" Judaism. Yet time and time again, they fail to stand up for the Torah. Exactly how far can Avi Weiss push the envelope before they throw him out? Perhaps when a lesbian "Rabba" blows the shofar following neilah.Then again, maybe not.

Where is the public outrage from Torah leaders? There are striking similarities between orthodoxy's collective  failure to address the menace of Lubavitch messianism that arose after the Rebbe's (of blessed memory) death, and this very different but no less dangerous infection that endangers many segments of the "modern-orthodox" world.

"Separate but equal." An obscenity when it comes to dividing people based on skin color, or absurd notions of race. But in yahadut, separate but equal is essential to the perpetuation of the mesorah (tradition). One could surely argue that the role of the woman is even more essential than the man's. In many aspects I believe this to be true. The Torah requires a separation in roles, both for halachic and hashkafic (idealogical) reasons. And both are critical for the Torah observant Jew. Gender confusion, role reversal, these will prove to be the spiritual death of the Jewish family. Jews will leave the fold in even greater numbers if the fundamentals of our tradition become warped, skewed, and finally abandoned. (When Jonathan's Ema starts behaving like a second Aba, something is bound to go wrong.)

Women are as good as men. And Jewish women are as essential to Judaism as men are. But they are not men, and men are not women. Let women find fulfillment as Jewish women in accordance with the Halachah. And let them not be led astray by the false shepherds, who would sacrifice the flock to the wolves, to satisfy a feminist agenda. 

Shmuley's World (audio)

A recent Chillul Hashem in Shmuley's career.

Reflections on Shmuley Boteach's recent article in which he expressed support for evangelical x-tians, and lambasted religious Jews for being "ungrateful" of the massive sums of money they give Israel.  Shmuley needs a lesson on the basic principles of Chanukah. 


MP3 File

The RCA Is Dead (audio)

The Rabbinical Council of America is dead, as far as I'm concerned. While never a fan of the organization myself, I believe they have lost the right to refer to themselves as an orthodox one. I recorded this a week or so ago, but nothing has changed. The RCA is still the same bunch of cowards, who bent like flimsy reeds when they needed to take a stand on behalf of the Torah. Welcome to the future of "modern-orthodoxy", where men aren't men, and woman can become "Rabbis". Mark my words. This is only the beginning. The feminist perverts who masquerade under the guise of "modern-orthodoxy" are only getting started.

Blu and "Yitz" Greenberg must be shepping a lot of nachas. That should say enough.

The RCA Is Dead

The Rabbinical Council of America is dead, as far as I'm concerned. While never a fan of the organization myself, I now consider them a partner in the destruction of Halachic Judaism. I believe the RCA has lost the right to refer to themselves as an orthodox one. A recent piece in "the Jewish Week" (the only thing Jewish about the paper is the name) cited rumors that the RCA was going to rescind Avi Weiss's membership for officially recognizing Sara Hurwitz as a "Rabbah".

"This will make it clear to everyone that Sara Hurwitz is a full member of our rabbinic staff, a rabbi with the additional quality of a distinct woman’s voice," said the statement issued by Weiss' office

While I hoped it was so, I knew that it would not be.The RCA is supported and funded by many rich and powerful people many who love Avi Weiss. The script was written. Avi Weiss declared that he wouldn't ordain any more women with the title "Rabba". In return, the RCA left him alone.

The RCA must think that we are stupid. As if we didn't see what just happened. What a chillul Hashem! What cowardice in the face of such an abomination! This is a victory for Weiss, who kicked down the fence of the Torah and brought "orthodox" women into the clergy of the so-called "orthodox" camp. He needed to be cast out like a weed. Now he can smirk with satisfaction, knowing that the next generation can carry on his life's ultimate work, a commitment to pluralism and progressive ideals that have everything to do with Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem, and nothing at all to do with Torah.

Avi Weiss's activism on behalf of Jews may have been parve, ineffectual, and largely shaped both ideologically and tactically by non-Jewish ideas such as pacifism, but at least he displayed a commitment to the welfare of other Jews. That's a lot more than many other Jews did. So it makes it even more tragic that this will be his legacy. Destroyer of the mesorah, and the bridges of modesty that separate the critical roles of the sexes in perpetuating the mesorah. Unlike segregating people based on some irrelevant trait such as skin color, when it comes to yahadut, "separate but equal" is the most moral code of all. It is the sole guarantor of

The scourge of feminism that has infected large segments of the "modern-orthodox" world is as foreign to Judaism as any pagan rite. The false priests of pluralism that dress in the cloak of "modern-orthodoxy" scored a major victory. It doesn't matter that Avi Weiss said he wouldn't ordain any more Rabbah's. One Rabbah was too many, and she's still retaining her position. That's a victory for him, where I come from.

The RCA is a partner in Weiss's grotesque behavior. Shame on them. They had a chance to show that in their own way (hashkafic differences aside), they were just as committed to the mesorah as the rest of the Torah world was. Halachic Judaism was dealt a mortal blow, and they needed to take an uncompromising stand. The RCA turned it's cheek. They will ultimately pay the price for their silence. As far as I'm concerned, they have nothing to say to Jews who are committed to Torah. They should at least be honest with themselves and drop the charade. Hell, they should drop the "C" in the RCA, and merge with the conservative "Rabbinical Assembly.

Where Is The RCA?

Caution: Reading "The Jewish Week" can be hazardous to your soul. Proceed with caution. Rabbis Set To Rumble Over Rabba? - (Jewish Week Article)

A friend directed me to the above article. As a general rule, I rarely post a link to any of "The Jewish Week's" articles, which are usually a forum for federation influenced Hellenists to bash religious Jews and distort Judaism in general. Occasionally, I read it online (I would never pay a cent for that rag) to get a sense of what's going on in the world of secular American Jewry. I found this article interesting, because I have been calling on the RCA to oust Avi Weiss from their organization, due to his numerous "progressive" actions that pose a threat to Halachic Judaism. The most notable examples within the last year have entirely crossed the line. First there was his unprecedented ordaining of a woman as a "Maharat" (a "rabbi" for all practical purposes, but at the time they were still trying to insist that it wasn't the case), and more recently, when he put aside the charade and made her a full member of his synagogue's rabbinical clergy, under her new title of "Rabbah".

If what the article is positing is true, (and I hope it is) then the RCA should stop dawdling and expel him immediately, while they still retain some semblance of credibility. Avi Weiss has been barking up this feminist tree for years without any consequence. (The RCA considered throwing him out years ago, but they backed off, due to pressure from certain individuals from within the organization.) Enough is enough. Ordaining a woman as a "Rabbi" is antithetical to the most basic concepts of yahadut, and a direct assault on Halachic Judaism.

The RCA needs to follow the lead of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah, who recently came out with a statement condemning this abomination and declaring outright that, "Any congregation with a woman in a rabbinical position of any sort cannot be considered Orthodox." (There are a great many issues that I disagree with when it comes to the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah. This is not one of them.) The RCA needs to throw him out before his contagious belief system spreads and creates another version of the heretical conservative movement. They have already waited too long.

It will speak volumes if the RCA allows Avi Weiss to remain. In my opinion, the RCA is facing a critical decision today. The Hellenists are on the march and they need to make a decision. Will they show courage and come out with an unequivocal statement fighting for Halachic Judaism even if it means that they lose the support of the more "pluralistic" members of the organization? Or will they shirk away from the issue and desecrate The Almighty's name as Halachic Judaism takes another gut shot?

Years ago, when the Lubavitcher Rebbe (of blessed memory) passed away, prominent Lubavitch personalities and organizations faced a similar moment when they neglected to condemn the heretical/idolatrous messianics in the movement, either due to similar convictions (in the majority of cases) or fear of taking an unpopular stance. As a result they lost credibility among those who have any understanding of the heresy that transpired. How the RCA responds (and silence will also constitute a response) will also resonate for years to come. The RCA needs to decide. Will they stand up for yahadut, or become partners in the continued erosion of the mesora?

Personally, I have no confidence in the RCA (or any Jewish organization for that matter). My gut tells me that they're going to bury their head in the sand and let this abomination slide. I hope they prove me wrong.

Female Rabbis? "Open-Modern Orthodoxy" Officially Closes The Door On Torah

Orthodox woman to get title of ‘rabbah’ | JTA - Jewish & Israel News (click link)

A tragic day for the Jewish people. I predicted this many years ago about Avi Weiss, The Hebrew Institute, and more recently "Yeshivat Chovevei Torah." (What a sick joke. If this is a yeshiva, then JTS is one as well.) Common sense and logic indicated that this was where this "open-modern-orthodoxy" (or whatever the hell they call it) was heading. After many years of absorbing and perpetuating the Hellenistic notions of feminism, pluralism, and progressive values, Avi Weiss has finally stepped off the cliff. By officially recognizing Sara Hurwitz as a "Rabbah", he and his followers, as well as all the institutions affiliated with him, have officially severed themselves from the camp of those who believe in the revelation at Mount Sinai. What can I say? Ordaining women as "rabbis" has always been a basic indicator in the Torah world. It indicates a clear break-off from Halachah.

"This will make it clear to everyone that Sara Hurwitz is a full member of our rabbinic staff, a rabbi with the additional quality of a distinct woman’s voice," said the statement issued by Weiss' office.

I was wrong about one thing. I never thought that he would have the courage to take the final leap himself. At least not until he was very old and out of the public eye. I guess by giving him the benefit of the doubt, I misjudged his "courage" to follow the distorted logic of his arguments and carry it through to it's conclusion.

There are those who will find my words troubling based upon feelings they have for Avi Weiss. They will cite his many actions on behalf of Jews over the years, and question our right to attack the man. As if the one justifies the other. Let me just say that as opposed as I am to many of Avi Weiss's beliefs and actions, I respect his past activism on behalf of Jews (not Arabs!), despite the fact that his efforts were guided (or misguided) by such un-Jewish principles as pacifism and pluralism. Unfortunately, all too often he was a vehicle for perpetuating these foreign ideas on the world stage and presenting them as Jewish. Furthermore, each time gentiles harassed him during the course of his activism, and he responded like the accursed decrepit idolater Gandhi, G-d's name was disgraced by the image of weakling Jewish pacifists being knocked around by anti-semites. Nevertheless, I will not deny his intrinsic Ahavat Yisroel (love of fellow Jews), even if it was and is terribly distorted and misunderstood. I can't dismiss the fact that too many Jews, (religious and otherwise) ignored and continue to ignore their brothers and sisters. Obviously, this is a far cry from Rav Kahane's authentic Torah -based love of Jews and his mind-boggling mesirat nefesh (self-sacrifice), but nevertheless, it is one which we are forbidden to deny.

Of course this is completely irrelevant to the issue I am addressing. The other side of Avi Weiss can also not be ignored. The side of the public distorter of yahadut, who engages in the most repugnant forms of interfaith-dialogue, and dare I say it, worship. The corrupter of basic Jewish ideas who strays from the Halachic path and goes the way of the feminist who thinks the Torah is some outdated chauvinistic manual. The side of a man who has essentially created another Jewish sect, that just snapped off the healthy Jewish body and went it's own way into the abyss. In this sense, Avi Weiss has gone the way of "rabbis" Yitz Greenberg and David Hartman who made careers out of distorting Rav Soloveitchik's words. Way off the deep end.

I will never apologize for my zealous indignation when The Almighty's name is disgraced. As a general rule, I hate to bash Rabbis who have undergone Rabbinical ordination from "orthodox institutions". Even if I vehemently disagree with them, if the contrary position is grounded in Halachah and the Rav is committed to Yahadut, I will stick to the issue and not condemn the man. But there is a point when one goes to far. At this stage, the gloves come off. Some real life examples of the kinds of actions I am talking about. When an "orthodox Rabbi" 1) enters a church, 2) calls Jesus (may his name and memory be erased!) a "Rabbi", or ordains a woman as a "Rabbah."

Today's prominent poskim (Halachic decisors) must not let this unprecedented desecration of The Almighty's name go unanswered. Now is the time for a loud and unanimous declaration that this and similar actions are against the Torah. The first institutions to condemn this should be the Orthodox Union and the RCA. The Hebrew Institute should be bounced out of the OU. I'm waiting with bated breath.

Thanks to "The World's Biggest Houston Rockets Fan" (I don't know if he wants me using his real name) for forwarding me this article. It's not a happy article. But evading the issue (as well as other "uncomfortable issues" (as Rav Kahane referred to them), is the essence of Jewish cowardice and intellectual dishonesty. It's a sad day for those who care about Am Yisroel.

More Heresy From "Rabbi" Shlomo Riskin

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CONTAINS UN-JEWISH HERETICAL NOTIONS THAT ARE DANGEROUS TO THE JEWISH SOUL. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

It seems that the most prominent leaders of "modern-orthodoxy," Haskel Lookstien, Avi Weiss, and Shlomo Riskin, are having a contest to see who can desecrate G-d's name the most. In their own distinct style, each one is leading their followers into the abyss by engaging in one form or another of "interfaith-dialogue." Ironically, all three profess to be students of Rav Soloveitchik, of blessed memory. I can say with 100% certainty that the "Rav" would be tearing kriyah if he saw this. Rav Soloveitchik was always consistent in his stated position that Jews are prohibited from engaging in any form of religious discussion, debate, or dialogue with members of other faith communities. His so-called students are trampling upon their Rebbe's p'sak Halachah.
Shlomo Riskin's love affair with x-tians is absolute madness. It seems that all he does these days is make videos where he fawns all over them. He even sounds like a missionary when he refers to the dead Jew as "rabbi jesus" and uses such ideologically dangerous terms as "branches" (or "grafting" as he did in a previous video) that are laden with x-tian associations. I'll bet the missionaries are having a field day. Videos such as this are surely being translated and distributed by the thousands to misguided Jews, who are now being told by an "orthodox rabbi" that the accursed one (may his bones be crushed to dust!) was also a "rabbi."

It's impossible to remain silent when yahadut is being rolled through the mud by supposed men of Torah. Not only is everything and anything related to "jesus" un-kosher, it is the epitome of chillul Hashem. There is no commonality whatsoever between Judaism and any other faith on earth. Not one iota of commonality exists with a lunatic theology that stole it's basic motifs from the pages of the most ancient pagan books and worships a pagan man-god. There is no common ethic between yahadut and a theology that believes that only by blindly accepting the dead one as a savior can we find salvation. The x-tian faith is a blatant rejection of the Noachide covenant. They are idolaters. Is Riskin such a child that he cannot see through the ruse of these sneaky people, who support Israel solely because they believe the "second coming" is upon us?

May The Almighty grant Jews the wisdom to see these dangerous men for who they are, and the courage and strength to combat them, before they destroy more Jewish souls. The day will come when Shlomo Riskin will have to answer for his original support of the Oslo Accords that resulted in so much Jewish bloodshed. Now he has another sin to answer for. The destruction of untold numbers of Jewish souls, that will surely result from his insane love-fest with the descendants of Edom.

While the Arab Amalekites continue to try to wipe us out, the missionaries are enjoying unprecedented success in their eternal war with the Jewish soul. Tragically, the physical and spiritual enemies of Judaism are being aided by so many representatives of the "modern-orthodox" mixed-multitude, who use their pulpits to help them carry out their insidious plans. With Chief Rabbis such as these, who needs enemies?

Another Winner Visits Yasuf

Another prominent leader of the "modern-orthodox" camp of religious pluralists pays a visit to the Arab occupied town of Yasuf.