April 27, 2009 (Section 1) (continues in Section 2)
Editor – Joel Katz
Religion and State in Israel is not affiliated with any organization or movement.
'Israel must call new disease Mexico Flu, as swine unkosher'
AP www.haaretz.com April 27, 2009
“Don’t say Swine flu” “Say Mexico flu”
Haaretz Cartoon by Amos Biderman April 30, 2009
Ultra-Orthodox Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman on Monday declared that Israel would call the new potentially deadly disease that has already struck two continents 'Mexico Flu,' rather than 'Swine Flu, as pigs are not kosher.
"We will call it Mexico flu. We won't call it swine flu," Litzman told a news conference on Monday, assuring the Israeli public that authorities were prepared to handle any cases.
Under Jewish dietary laws, pigs are considered unclean and pork is forbidden food, although the non-kosher meat is available in some stores in Israel.
Making swine flu kosher: A symptom of the disease of Israeli politics
By Benjamin L. Hartman www.haaretz.com Opinion April 27, 2009
...This attempted rebranding of swine flu raises another issue about the dangers of Israel's lack of separation of synagogue and state, albeit one less important or divisive than the monopoly held by the religious over marriage, death, circumcision, public transport, and dietary laws.
This danger is the constant ability of the religious, when put in charge of government ministries, to make a mockery of a modern, would-be sophisticated western country that sees itself as a beacon of pluralism and modernity in a region darkened by religious fundamentalism and political extremism.
Why Haredim don't honor Memorial Day
By Eliezer Hayon www.ynetnews.com Opinion April 27, 2009
...So, dear ‘seculars’, get off our backs on Memorial and Independence Day. We truly have nothing against them.
We have no reaction to your grief, and we do not despise your joy, but however – they mean nothing to us.
Standing in silence during the siren for fallen soldiers of Tzahal
By Rabbi Shlomo Aviner www.ravaviner.com April 27, 2009
Q: Is it permissible to stand in silence during the siren on Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers of Tzahal?
A: Some say that it is forbidden on account of "Chukot Ha-Goyim" (following the practices of the non-Jews). This is not "Chukot Ha-Goyim."
Others claim that this act is "Bitul Torah" (taking time away from learning Torah). But there is no problem to think about Torah or learn Torah by heart related to the self-sacrifice during that time.
…Regardless, the entire community stands in silence for the fallen soldiers and one should not separate himself from the community.
Ultra-Orthodox rally in favor of segregated buses
By Kobi Nahshoni www.ynetnews.com April 23, 2009
More than 2,000 ultra-Orthodox protestors demonstrated Thursday in Jerusalem, demanding that the Egged bus company introduce more segregated buses in the capital.
Organizers distributed leaflets addressing the importance of the struggle for segregation aboard buses in more neighborhoods in the capital, while rabbis and Orthodox public officials delivered speeches.
Municipal official Rachel Azaria, who protested against the segregated bus lines, told Ynet: As a religious woman, I came to make sure that the public space remains pleasant for everyone.
As one who grew up in Jerusalem and has no intention of leaving it, I care about what this city is like."
"The [ultra-]Orthodox are very good at pressing Egged and when it introduces new segregated lines, the service in the regular lines is undermined," she said.
"I don't force anyone to sit next to me on the bus, and everyone can decide on their own segregation and who they wish to sit next to. Yet nobody should decide for us how to travel on buses."
Mehadrin Bus Rally in Yerushalayim
By Yechiel Spira www.theyeshivaworld.com April 23, 2009
Event organizer Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Viener explained the Vaad Rabbonim for Transportation is seeking mehadrin service in all areas with 90-95% or higher chareidi ridership on buses, permitting men and women to use separate doors and to accommodate the religious lifestyle of the chareidi community.
The rav stated “they simply won’t budge” regarding Egged and others as talks to date have failed to bring about new mehadrin lines, particularly buses servicing the Kosel.
Ometz Organization Files Complaints against Dayanim
By Yechiel Spira www.theyeshivaworld.com April 26, 2009
The Ometz organization turned to Justice Minister Prof. Yaakov Ne’eman with a complaint against four Tel Aviv Rabbinate dayanim, which the organization accuses of arranging a get (bill of divorce) for the husband of a mentally challenged woman without her knowledge.
The state’s ombudsmen for judges and dayanim dealt with the matter in the past, recommending disciplinary actions against the Av beis din as well as a formal censure in the files of the other dayanim who dealt with the case. Former Justice Minister Daniel Friedman did not address the ombudsmen’s recommendation.
Ometz is now calling on Ne’eman, in his capacity as the authority permitted to convene the appointment committee, to suspend the Av beis din as well as demanding criminal charges against him.
Ometz expresses surprise and disappointment that to date nothing has been done in the matter, adding if the current administration opts to refrain from taking action against the dayan, the matter will be brought before the High Court of Justice.
Ministerial Approval for Chief Rabbis’ Travels
By Yechiel Spira www.theyeshivaworld.com April 23, 2009
Following a recent complaint filed by the Ometz Organization pertaining to travel abroad of Israel’s chief rabbis, a system is being established by which privately funded trips abroad will have to receive prior approval from a ministerial body.
In a letter sent to Interior Minister Eli Yishai, who is handling the matter, Israel Chief Rabbinate official Oded Viener requests that the committee be made up of ministers, not clerks, a move that will better preserve the dignity of the position of the nation’s chief rabbis.
The entire matter surrounds a private trip made abroad by Rabbi Yona Metzger Shlita. According to Israel Channel 10, the chief rabbi traveled privately, funded by people abroad, assisting them in fundraising for their organization, a move that is not permitted for the senior civil servant.
Ometz Organization Challenges Chief Rabbi’s Travel Abroad
By Yechiel Spira www.theyeshivaworld.com April 22, 2009
The Ometz Organization has turned to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in his capacity as the overseer of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel regarding recent travels abroad by Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger Shlita.
The letter is based on an investigation, questioning if the rav traveled abroad using allotted vacation time or if he was paid ‘on the job’. The organization also wishes to know if there is any follow-up to the rav’s business trip and if there is any agency monitoring his accountability as a senior civil servant.
Ometz is calling for an accounting regarding salaries and expenses for personnel accompanying the rabbi abroad, wishing to learn if they were paid by taxpayers or private funders during a fundraising trip abroad.
Ometz requests formulating well-defined criteria to set guidelines for the chief rabbis pertaining to travel abroad, seeking to prevent using a government office for private benefit including fundraising missions.
Minister of religious affairs vexed by TA centennial book
By Roni Sofer www.ynetnews.com April 26, 2009
Marking Tel Aviv's centennial celebrations, Mayor Ron Huldai on Sunday presented cabinet ministers with a book commemorating the event.
The gesture, however, somewhat backfired, as Minister of Religious Affairs Yakov Margi furiously criticized its connect:
"Is the filth parade really one of the city's greatest moments?" he said, referring to the annual gay pride parade featured in the book. "Why isn’t there any mention of Jewish events?"
Tel Aviv Municipality approves NIS 28.9m. for religious council budget
By Miriam Bulwar David-Hay www.jpost.com April 23, 2009
The Tel Aviv city council has approved a budget of NIS 28.9 million for the city's religious council this year, more than one-third of which will go toward funding the retirement of its employees, reports www.mynet.co.il .
Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau will receive a salary of NIS 564,000 per year, or NIS 47,000 per month.
The report said that out of the NIS 28.9 million budget for the religious council in 2009, 13.6 percent (NIS 3.9 million) would come from the city, while the remainder would come from the government and from income for services rendered, such as marriage fees (NIS 1.95 million), kashrut certificates (NIS 1.25 million), mikveh (ritual bath) fees (NIS 1.3 million) and others.
It said the religious council was responsible for managing and maintaining 21 ritual baths, spending NIS 6.2 million on them, of which two-thirds (NIS 4.1 million) was for salaries.
The budget also shows an increase in the salaries of some 15 neighborhood rabbis, who received a total of NIS 945,000 in 2008 and this year will receive a total of NIS 978,000.
Cosmetics Company to observe Shabbat
By Amit Schneider www.ynetnews.com April 27, 2009
Another major company going kosher: Cosmetics company Il-Makiage announced Sunday that it plans to begin observing the Shabbat as of this Friday – for the benefit of its store workers and customers from the religious and ultra-Orthodox sectors.
Il-Makiage owns a make-up college and 25 stores across Israel. Its branches all over the country will now be closed on Shabbat and on Jewish holidays, enabling the religious and haredi public to enjoy the brand's products without hurting their religious sensitivities.
Electric Company Rapidly Automating; Machmirim Will Be Able to Use Electricity within a Year
By Ezra Reichman, Mishpacha www.vosizneias.com April 24, 2009
After years of seeking a solution to the problem of electricity generated by Jewish work on Shabbos, a solution is on the horizon.
A rabbinical committee founded several months ago to seek a solution to the problem sent a delegation last Tuesday to visit the power station in Ashkelon to study the immense advances made towards full automation to produce electricity free of chilul Shabbos.
"The technological systems in the power stations were not built according to halachic criteria, so we had to invest considerable financial and technological resources to find solutions to the halachic problems on the way to full automatization.
Non-essential administrative actions which didn't have to be performed on Shabbos were shifted to the weekdays despite possible risks. We did surveys and inspections to see what other changes could be made..."
Knesset Chairman Promises to Help Jerusalem Chabad House
Source: www.col.org.il http://shmais.com April 20, 2009
Knesset Chairman Reuven Rivlin visited the historic shul in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Nachlat Shiva this week.
…The visit concluded with a farbrengen at the Chabad House at which Mr. Rivlin promised the local Chabad House director Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Slonim that he would help with the various activities run by the Chabad House and the shul for tourists and youth.
By David Sperber www.ynetnews.com April 23, 2009
So, what does a women's head covering look like? The immediate answer would be a hat or a scarf, but the eight artists participating in the "Glu-ya" exhibition, which opens at the Lifschitz Teachers' College in Jerusalem on Thursday, have a rather different perception of the issue.
Head covering for women is a significant topic in the modern ultra-orthodox discourse.
Religious City among Tops in Apartment Sales
www.israelnationalnews.com April 23, 2009
Modi'in Illit is the second leading city, after Jerusalem, in the number of apartments sold by private entrepreneurs in recent years, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.
“It’s not a surprise considering the strong desire among young couples and large families to live here,” said Modi'in Illit Mayor Rabbi Yaakov Guterman. But it is the first time the city has reached the number two position.
The ratings, published this week by the Globes business news service, show 293 Modi'in Illit housing units were sold in 2007, and 556 in 2008, as compared to 564 apartments sold in Jerusalem during 2008.
Dispute over Haifa’s Great Shul Turning Chareidi
By Yechiel Spira www.theyeshivaworld.com April 26, 2009
There appears to be a power struggle surrounding control of Haifa’s main shul, a shul that is no longer a center for mispalalim, but serving a small number of people on Shabbos, who generally daven in a downstairs small chapel.
Belzer Chassidim of Haifa are working to utilize the main shul, which sits vacant, but it appears their plans are not supported by all.
At one point a number of years ago, the city’s chief rabbi, Rav Shar Yashuv Cohen Shlita turned to the local Chabad community to daven in the upper sanctuary, but it appears the invitation was short-lived, expiring after the yomim tovim.
Egged: Advanced Registration Required for Travel to Kever Rashbi
By Yechiel Spira www.theyeshivaworld.com April 27, 2009
Seeking to learn from last year’s Lag B’Omer fiasco, Egged bus officials this year are demanding advanced registration for travelers from Yerushalayim to Kever Rashbi on Lag B’Omer.
Buses will leave all neighborhoods, Egged officials explain, seeking to avoid the congestion seen in past years at central pick up locations.
Officials add that with advanced seating, maintaining separate seating for men and women will be achieved with less stress than in the past.
Ben Gurion Airport to open glatt kosher restaurant
By Arie Egozi www.ynetnews.com April 26, 2009
Passengers belonging to the ultra-Orthodox community will soon also be able to enjoy a glatt kosher meal at Ben-Gurion Airport's departure terminal while waiting for their flight.
The Israel Airports Authority plans to issue a tender for the operation of a first-of-its-kind glatt kosher meat restaurant at the terminal's duty free area, following the growing demand for such a service on the part of haredi passengers.
Attorney Challenges Rabbinate Hechsher to Coke Zero in Israel
By Yechiel Spira www.theyeshivaworld.com April 21, 2009
According to attorney Chaim Stinger, Coca Cola, the Chief Rabbinate and Tel Aviv Rabbinate are deceiving the public regarding the hechsher granted to Coke Zero.
The letter sent on behalf of Shmuel Jubani states Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger Shlita and Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau Shlita would like the public to believe all Coke products are kosher.
Report: IDF Educational Weekend in Hotel Lacking Proper Kashrus
By Yechiel Spira www.theyeshivaworld.com April 26, 2009
According to complaints filed by soldiers, the IDF holds educational weekends for soldiers, held in a Jerusalem hotel lacking Jerusalem Religious Council kashrus certification.
According to Jerusalem Religious Council officials, they warned military officials involved in arranging the weekends that bringing in kosher food does not make a hotel kosher.
The IDF Spokesman is quick to respond, stating the food given to the soldiers was brought from a kosher caterer, rejecting allegations of any foul-ups regarding kashrus.
Officials report the 7-Arches Hotel on Har HaZeisim is used by the army due to its proximity to areas of interest, related to the educational weekends.
It appears efforts are underway to arrange for the hotel to receive Jerusalem Rabbinate supervision. The IDF Rabbinate is involved in making appropriate arrangements.
Rabbi Ovadia: Smoking students should be slapped
By Kobi Nahshoni www.ynetnews.com April 27, 2009
Shas' spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, called on parents and teachers to act to prevent smoking among youth, a phenomenon which he referred to as "a breach which must be thwarted."
Speaking during his weekly sermon Saturday evening, the rabbi said that "if a person sees his son smoking a cigarette, he should shout at him and defend him and stop him from doing it… A yeshiva head who has a meeting and sees his student smoking, should slap him in the face. What are you smoking for?"
April 27, 2009 (Section 1) (continues in Section 2)
Editor – Joel Katz
Religion and State in Israel is not affiliated with any organization or movement.
