Rabbi Aryeh Ralbag Shlitah is also the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Avenue K in Brooklyn. The "Orthodox" Jews of Amsterdam want their Rabbi to go against the Torah and be Pro Gay, so they suspended him!
The chief rabbi of Amsterdam, Aryeh Ralbag, was temporarily relieved from his post Wednesday by the board of the Orthodox Jewish community, after he signed a document describing homosexuality as an inclination which “can be modified and healed.”
Ralbag, a US-born Orthodox rabbi nominated to head the Amsterdam community in 2005, had recently cosigned the document titled “Declaration On The Torah Approach To Homosexuality,” which called on “authority figures” to “guide same-sex strugglers towards a path of healing and overcoming their inclinations.”
“Rabbi Ralbag’s signature may give the impression the Orthodox Jewish community of Amsterdam shares his view,” a press release by the community’s board, known the NIHS, read. “This is absolutely untrue. Homosexuals are welcome at the Amsterdam Jewish community.”
Ronnie Eisenmann, chairperson of the board, added: “The community regrets that the chief rabbi cosigned this document and distances itself from this view.” He also offered “heartfelt apologies to anyone who may have been hurt by the rabbi’s signature.”
“The board has decided to (temporarily) relieve the chief rabbi from his duties, in any case until he travels to Amsterdam to discuss the issue.”
Esther Voet, former editor-in-chief of Dutch Jewish weekly Nieuw Israëlietisch Weekblad, supported the decision to relieve Ralbag of his duties. “I think it’s the only right position because the policies of rabbi Ralbag have come repeatedly under scrutiny for a while now.”
Voet, currently vice-director of CIDI - the Dutch Jewish community’s watchdog on anti-Semitism – said there was a cultural gap between the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community of Brooklyn and the relatively liberal Dutch Orthodox community. Her organization called on Ralbag to step down as chief rabbi on Tuesday, following his signature on the document.
“The Dutch Jewish neshoma (soul) is unique. We have special rules, like waiting only one hour before eating meat and dairy. We need a chief rabbi who is aware of our traditions and that’s something you cannot fly in two times a year,” she said.
Content is provided courtesy of the Jerusalem Post
"Dutch Jews" and Rabbi Rabbag are not out of sync. The CIDI is a self-appointed Foundation, which tries at every opportunity to serve as a mouthpiece for the Jewish Community. They have a consistent anti-torah viewpoint, and have found another opportunity to justify their existence. She called Rabbi Ralbag's stance "disgusting" in the secular press.
ReplyDeleteRabbi Ralbag has merely gone along with the leading Orthodox Rabbis in America to state "Daas Torah". The Kehilla is extremely worried about losing their 80% non-frum members. By issuing their statement, they have put the Frum members on notice that a Rav who even concurs with "unpopular" Daas Torah is not welcome. We will probably have to resign from our 375 year old Kehilla because of this. Speak of Chillul HaShem...
A Dutch Jew
CIDI is rather the Dutch Israel propaganda bureau...
ReplyDeleteHow sad...that there are people so stupid to put Yekke minhagim [meat/dairy] and halocho straight out of a pasuk in the Tora on the same page. The Tora says, I think in Kedoshim, that a man shall not "sleep" with another man, as he would a woman.The work sleep was used for tznius purposes...everybody knows what it means.With this attitude in the Dutch [Jewish]community, allowing homosexual behavior, there will be no Jewish life to talk of very soon there.Pirkei Avos clearly stated what punishment will be brought forth to a society that promotes such filth in its midst.Hashem yerachem!!I respect Rabbi Ralberg, and I pray for his [and family's]safety.
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