December 26, 2005

Tendler Decision Sparks Fallout

NEW YORK
The Jewish Press

Posted 12/14/2005
By Special to The Jewish Press
Reaction to the November 28 decision of the Jerusalem Bet Din of Israel`s Chief Rabbinate declaring the Rabbinical Council of America in defiance of its rulings (“Lo Tsayis L`din”) in the Tendler case has been fast and furious, sources say.

The RCA leadership is reportedly being challenged by some of its members to answer how the group can ignore the rulings of an established bet din. Some are asking whether performance of religious functions such as wedding ceremonies, kashrut supervision and serving as pulpit rabbis can be compatible with membership in a group that has been declared in open defiance of the rulings of the internationally recognized bet din.

They are also asking whether the activities of the RCA-affiliated Beth Din of America, the chief judge of which was named as a defendant in the bet din proceeding, can have any halachic legitimacy.

Posted by kshaw at December 26, 2005 08:33 AM