Many people from Third World countries claim to be Jewish

Bartley Kulp asked:

Question: What is your halachic take on the subject of people claiming lost tribe lineage? In light of these two articles from YNET
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Answer: There is no halachic basis to accept them as Jews.
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Ynet News -
YNET reports

Tens of thousands of requests submitted to Interior Ministry in past two years by residents of Third World countries seeking to immigrate to Israel, claiming to be members of '10 lost tribes

Nurit Felter

Who wants to be a Jew? It appears that many people around the world would like to join the club which would grant them free entry into the State of Israel.

Interior Ministry data reveal that tens of thousands of requests have been filed in the past two years by members of "lost Jewish tribes" worldwide, mainly from Third World countries, seeking to immigrate to Israel.

A rise in the number of appeals has been noted in the past year. The drop in the number of new immigrants arriving in Israel continued in the past Jewish year (18,746 new immigrants compared to 23,050 in the previous year). This trend has motivated private organizations, many of them religiously orientated, to locate descendants of the 10 tribes and bring them to Israel.

Interior Ministry officials are less enthusiastic over the matter and have recently issued strict regulations for people who converted abroad and seek to immigrate to Israel as Jews. Sources in the ministry noted that more than half of the people who immigrated to Israel under the Law of Return, about 54%, were not really Jewish. A draft document distributed in the past few days among organizations dealing with conversion lists a number of strict criteria set by the Interior Ministry for granting citizenship to people who converted to Judaism abroad. Among the criteria: Taking part in regular Judaism lessons for nine months while actively participating in community life.

Data obtained by Yedioth Ahronoth reveal that thousands of people, claiming to be members of the 10 lost tribes, most of them from Africa and Asia, have immigrated to Israel with the help of different haredi groups, or are demanding to make aliyah.

According to estimates, millions of people in countries across the world – including Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, India, China, Russia, Peru, Portugal, Brazil and Spain – are demanding that Israel recognize their Jewish status.

The Taliban - or being accused by others of having inferior moral standards

R' Josh Waxman said...

What is your take on this?

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Also reported in Jerusalem Post:

A grandiose event marking the inauguration of the new bridge at the entrance to Jerusalem was marred late Wednesday night when a girls' dance troupe performing at the celebration was forced to wear hats to conform to the demands of the haredi-run city hall, the head of the dance troupe said Thursday.

The NIS 2 million bash had already been criticized as excessively extravagant and a waste of public funds, when the girls, who ranged in age from 13 to 16, were informed by production organizers several hours before the event that at the municipality's instruction they had to don black knitted hats and wear long clothing for the performance, said Shlomi Hoffman, the director of the Jerusalem dance troupe.

The controversy over what media were referring to as the "Taliban dance troupe" brought the sensitive issue of religious coercion in the capital to the fore in an election year.

"As an Israeli and a Jerusalemite, it is very painful to see this process of frightening religious extremism," Hoffman said.

Hoffman, 58, who comes from a traditional home, said it was clear that Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski was involved in the "extremist" decision which, he said, started unfolding late Tuesday night when Deputy Jerusalem Mayor Yehoshua Pollack of the mayor's United Torah Judaism Party called the girls "promiscuous" in an interview with a haredi radio station and vowed that they would not appear at the event.

The head of the dance troupe noted that the girls - who were also informed an hour before the event that they could not perform three out of four of their planned dances - had danced in the official state Independence Day ceremony just one month ago on Mount Herzl in virtually the same attire.

"This was not a religious event or an event at the Western Wall, but an event for the public at large for the inauguration of a bridge," Hoffman said.

The girls' parents expressed outrage Thursday over the incident.

"[Up to] this very moment, I cannot understand how we allowed this to happen, and why we did not stop the performance," said Jerusalem resident Marcel Levy, whose 15-year-old daughter was a member of the dance troupe. "Since when do you force 15-year-old girls to cover up their hair?"

"This incident takes us back to the days of the Taliban," said Avi Ben-David, also of Jerusalem, whose 15-year-old daughter was also part of the performance. "This should serve as a wake-up call to Jerusalem's non-haredi voters ahead of the mayoral elections, and maybe this time they will [get out of] their apathetic state."

Jerusalem opposition leader Nir Barkat said Thursday that a red line had been crossed by the haredi city leadership, which smacked of a pattern to drive secular residents out of the city.

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First of all if you live according to halacha - whether you are Chareidi or Modern Orthodox - there is a clear halachic problem of watching 13 to 16 year olds girls dancing - especially if they are not weaing modest clothing. As can seen be the before picture provided with the original url - these are not little girls performing at kindergarten graduation. Furthermore for those who live according to halacha - it is being quite lenient to have a public dance performance of young women dancing - even if they are modestly clothed. I am not sure why it should be permitted. Thus it has nothing to do with the Chareidi stringencies. If someone can provide me with the ruling of a respected rabbi permitting this I would be most appreciative.

However if you don't live according to halacha than the rest of the post is relevant.

I once gave a lecture in Great Neck to an Modern Orthodox audience concerning dealing with children becoming more religious than their parents. I asserted that there are many Jewish parents who would rather that their children join Hari Krishna or some other cult - than to become Chareidi. Some of the parents thought it was a ridiculous idea. However the rav of the Shul confirmed that in fact that was his experience - not only amongst secular parents but also amongst Modern Orthodox.

I have observed a similar phenomenon when children of yeshivishe families becomes chassidic - especially Breslav.

Another example, I have had the strange experience of walking to Shul on Shabbos in various American communities and being criticised by Jews for wearing my talis. They found it very embarrassing.

When I went to Rensselaer Polytechinic Institute in Troy New York - the Reform Temple had a rule - that the only person allowed to wear a kippah and talis was the cantor - who was a black woman who was not Jewish. Up until recently kippah and talis were embarrassing to the Reform Movement.

A few years ago I met Rabbi Eric Yoffie - President of the Reform Movement - at the International Book Fair in Jerusalem and he mentioned that there have been significant changes in the Reform movement in recent years. One of them was that they had appointed a new head of their New York Seminary - who accepted the job only on the condition that it would henceforth be referred to a beis medrash. He said he was sure many of the founders of the Reform movement were turning over in their graves because of the move towards more traditional forms of worship and behavior.

Bottom line is that people can tolerate and even value differences in others - if it doesn't reflect negatively on them. High standards of modesty can be tolerated by most of us - unless we perceive it as labeling us as deviants.

This talk about Taliban is an indication that the local population views such standards as indicating that they are lax in their moral standards. If they were visiting Saudi Arabia they would have no problem acting so as to not offend the natives. Or if they were hosting a Saudi Arabian diplomat they would not find it problematic to adhere to his standards so as not to offend him.

The standards of the world are changing. Constantly invoking the Taliban or mental illness or lack of common sense - just shows a fear of being judged as morally inferior.

In New York there is a community called Starrett City. The developers of the community were liberals in the old sense of the word - and they wanted to have a truly integrated community. They were advised by sociologists that whites would stay in the community with blacks as long as they were at least 60% of the community. Below that point they felt intimated by minority and would leave. So Starrett City introduced a rule that the whites must always be at least 60%.

The above rule applies to other communities. As the native population increasing views it self as a shrinking majority which is losing control over the values of the community - they get frightened and insecure and resentful.

That is one of the reasons that at least under Mayor Kolleck there was an attempt to have homogeneous neighborhoods of secular and religious Jews.

Bottom line is that it is a common reaction of the indigenous population - and there is no simple solution. There is usually a lot of very negative feelings to those who make us feel inferior and/or immoral when we have had a high view of ourselves up until the outsiders moved in.

Zechus Avos (ancestral merit) - does it still exist?

Garnel Ironheart commented:

DaatTorah, I think I can help you out. The gemara says we ran out of zechus Avos a long time ago so you can put a passing footnote in and move on.

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The gemora does in fact state that zechos avos stopped sometime during the First Temple:

Shabbos(55a): Samuel said: The taw denotes, the merit of the Patriarchs is exhausted [tamah].19 R. Johanan said: The merit of the Patriarchs will confer grace [tahon].[ (20) Samuel explains the taw on the wicked; R. Johanan that on the righteous.] …. And since when has the merit of the Patriarchs been exhausted? — Rab said, Since the days of Hosea the son of Beeri, for it is written, [And now] will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.22 Samuel said. Since the days of Hazael, for it is said, And Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz;23 and it is written, But the Lord was gracious unto them, and had compassion upon them, and had respect unto them, because of the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence until now.24 R. Joshua b. Levi said: Since the days of Elijah, for it is said, And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening oblation, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, O Lord, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.25 [25) I Kings XVIII, 36. Here too this day implies a limitation.] R. Johanan said: Since the days of Hezekiah, for it is said, Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with judgement and with righteousness for henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this.26 [Isa. IX, 6. ‘The zeal, etc.’ implies, but not the merit of the Patriarchs, this being exhausted by now.]

However we have

Vayikra Rabbah(36:6):. How long did the merit of the Patriarchs endure? R. Tanhuma said in the name of R. Hiyya b. Menahma, or, as some say, R. Berekiah b. Helbo said it in the name of Rabba b. Zabda: Until Jehoahaz. This is proved by the text, But the Lord was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them... because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and would not destroy them... until now (II Kings XIII, 23), as much as to say, ’until now’ the merit of the Patriarchs has endured. R. Joshua b. Levi says: Until Elijah. This is proved by the text, And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening offering, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said: O Lord the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Israel (I Kings XVIII, 36). Samuel said: Until Hosea. This is proved by the text, And now will I uncover her shame in the sight of her lovers, and none (ish) shall deliver her out of My hand (Hosea II, 12); ’ish’ in the present context signifying Abraham, as may be inferred from the citation, Now therefore restore the man's (ish) wife (Gen. XX, 7); ’ish’ also signifies Isaac, as it says, What man (ish) is this? (ib. XXIV, 65); and ’ish’ also signifies Jacob, as it says, Jacob was a quiet man--ish (ib. XXV, 27). R. Judan says: Until Hezekiah. This may be proved by the citation: That the government may be increased, and of peace there be no end... The zeal of the Lord of hosts1 doth perform this (Isa. IX, 6). R. Judan b. Rabbi in the name of R. Berekiah said: If you see that the merit of the Patriarchs is failing and the merit of the Matriarchs slipping away, go and occupy yourself with benevolence [love]. This is borne out by the text, For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed; but My love shall not depart from thee (ib. LIV, 10); ’mountains’ signify the Patriarchs, ’hills’ the Matriarchs, and after that ’My love shall not depart from thee’.2 R. Acha said: The merit of the Patriarchs shall endure for ever. We shall always mention them and say: For the Lord thy God is a merciful God; He will not fail thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers, etc. (Deut. V, 31)

Ohr Zarua(2:23) says we poken like the above view of R' Acha against the view of the Bavli

However we have another Bavli which clearly states that zechus avos did not end in the First Temple. This is the incident where R' Gamliel was replace by R' Eleazar ben Azariah.

Berachos (27b ): Come, let us depose him! Whom shall we appoint instead? We can hardly appoint R. Joshua, because he is one of the parties involved. We can hardly appoint R. Akiba because perhaps Rabban Gamaliel will bring a curse on him because he has no zechus avos. Let us then appoint R. Eleazar b. Azariah, who is wise and rich and the tenth in descent from Ezra. He is wise, so that if anyone puts a question to him he will be able to answer it. He is rich, so that if occasion arises for paying court19 to Caesar he will be able to do so. He is tenth in descent from Ezra, so that he has zechus avos and he [Rabban Gamaliel] cannot bring a curse on him.

Protest against the Offensive Gay Parade - Kikar Shabbos

Rabbi Moishe Sternbuch told those participating in the right-wing rally that "even the small community gathering here is a deterring force, a few of a few is also good. This is a time of concealed faces. The L-rd must bear protest and welcome our forgiveness." He concluded his speech by saying, "They have no part in Israel and may their names be erased." The crowd then answered, "Amen".

The Yeshiva and the Bridge

In order to be more sensitive and aware of what is going on in the streets of Yerushalayim, I went with my daughter to see the String Bridge - after the official event was over. We walked from Kanfei Nesharim - passing by the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva. The yeshiva is only a stone's throw from the bridge. This is the picture I got of the yeshiva and the bridge.

Gedolim call for protest demonstration - against Offensive Gay Parade - at Kikar Shabbos 4 P.M. today!

Gedolei Torah - call for protest gathering of prayer and repentance against the Chillul HaShem, profanation of the holy Jewish people, desecration of the Holy Land, desecration of the Holy City caused by the Parade of Tumah

This protest gathering of sanctity and prayer will take place at the same time as those who are doing the deeds of Amalek and descrecrate the Holy City.

THURSDAY 23 OF SIVAN
KIKAR SHABBOS 4 P.M.

Bring a sefer Tehilim and drinking water

Signed by:
R' Yosef Shalom Eliashiv
R' Shalom Cohen
R' Yochanon Sofer
R' Shmuel Auerbach
R' Ovadiah Yosef
R' Yitzchok Sheiner
R' Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg
R' Moshe Tzadka

A separate announcement was put out by HaRav Moshe Sternbuch, shlita

Offensive gay parade to close Jerusalem streets on Thursday

Arutz Sheva reports:
Thursday's road-closings will be less festive, though possibly no less disruptive. The police plan to close downtown streets including Agron, King David, and Emek Refaim, from 4-7 PM, to make way for the controversial gay parade. The marchers will gather near Independence Park at 4 PM, will begin parading at 5 PM towards Liberty Bell Park, and will hold a rally there at 6 PM.

Several anti-parade demonstrations are scheduled to be held in the city at around the same time, including one at the main Jaffa-Ben-Yehuda intersection at 4 PM.

Late last week, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupoliansky filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the parade, calling it a provocation. The Court refused to cancel the parade, and Supreme Court Justice Ayalah Procaccia even said that it was important that parades such as this "become a normal part of the routine and not arouse storms of protest each year."

Religious Knesset Members had asked that the parade at least be held in a closed area, such as a stadium, in order not to "offend the sensibilities of Jews, Moslems and Christians." Though this solution was implemented two years ago, it will not happen this time.

Anonymous claims that I don't have a clue as to what is going on in Yerushalayim

Anonymous commented on my post "Do protests corrupt our society - or strengthen i...":
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I had written:

The Shomer Emunim Rebbe told me that if a person enjoys being a kanoi - he is not allowed to be one. It is not a game for excitement.

Anonymous commented:

Except from my experience on the ground in Yerushalayim, most of the people who protest are the ones who "enjoy" it.

There are very very few who protest who actually don't draw enjoyment/excitement from it.

Put it this way, I would hazard to say (hazard as no statistics, just based on views on the ground) that a larger percentage of people who view themselves kanoim are doing it for the wrong reasons (i.e. enjoyin it) then those who go to co-ed jewish schools (as most simply think its the best school for their children, albiet they might be mistaken).

And this even in small cases, not major ones like have provoked this discussion.

For example, I was waiting with my mother in the outskirts of bnei brak once for a bus. There were some chareidim, but as it was on the outskirts it wasn't really a chareidi area, and a chiloni soldier came with what I assume was his girlfriend. They held each other and kissed. An older woman scolded them harshly. However, it wasn't just scolding, there was an air of superiority, of being happy to scold them, of getting pleasure from it, as well as affirmations from the chareidim around her.

Another example is a someone in the Mir had an issue with his baal dira, that the landlord wanted to kick them out to raise rent. R. Finkel said it was assur what the baal dira was doing. So a friend, who enjoys being a protester/nudnik was the one who stood outside when prospective renters came and told all of them "The Rosh Yeshiva says its assur". I'm not particularly arguing that this is a kanoi case and hence is wrong, I just bring it as an example of enjoying, and that the people who would tend to protest loudly are the ones who gain enjoyment on some level from it. I personally think the RY is well aware of this, and hence why the sign was up in the Mir not to protest (I also tend to think that talmidim in the Mir have the best opportunity to learn middot when compared against the other major chareidi yeshivot).

At the end of the day, I really don't think you are sensitive enough to the facts on the street and what actually happens and how the majority actually feel.

Supreme Court rejects appeal to stop offensive gay parade

YNET writes:

Efrat Weiss

The High Court of Justice rejected Monday afternoon a petition filed by right-wing activists Itamar Ben-Gvir and Baruch Marzel against holding a gay pride parade in Jerusalem.

As a result, the parade will take place as scheduled this coming Thursday.
In their ruling the judges said they took the parade's route into consideration, as well as a statement issued by the Open House organization according to which the marchers do not plan on provoking the capital's residents in any way.

The plan to hold the gay parade in Jerusalem has drawn the ire of several religious bodies. A few days ago Shas Chairman Eli Yishai, Knesset Member Uri Ariel (National Union-NRP), the United Torah Judaism party and Israel's chief rabbis demanded that the parade be called off or held in a closed venue.

This year's parade will begin in Jerusalem's Independence Park at 4 pm on June 26, and end in Liberty Bell Park with a ceremony presenting the gay community's call for equal rights, with the hope of promoting love and tolerance in the country's capital.

Mayor Uri Lupolianski recently urged the High Court to accept Ben-Gvir's petition prohibit the gay community from holding the parade in Jerusalem and described it as a "severe provocation".

In a letter to the court the mayor said, "Past experience shows that the parade greatly offends, deliberately and unnecessarily, the feelings of Jews, Muslims and Christians, who view its sheer existence, and the blatant manner in which it takes place, as a desecration of the holy city and of the values with which they were raised."