https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/351277
The Orthodox objection is to the organizational rejection of the ideals, but in no way do the orthodox reject the Reform or Conservative Jew. Conflating and obscuring this distinction is a tactic of some of the less ethical members of the Reform and Conservative clergy. The purpose of this falsehood is to rally the masses against the orthodox and to draw away attention from the organizational rejection of thousands of years of Torah-true belief.
Rav Moshe responded with three points:
a kosher individual should not be present at a wedding in a Conservative Temple where the Rabbi will officiate.
If, however, a kosher Rabbi will arrange the Kiddushin properly and the wedding is held at a time where people do not come to pray there – there is no prohibition technically – for there is no concern that they will suspect that he is praying there.
However, a choshuv (important) individual should not go there even under such circumstances. He may only go there if it is a great need and also only derech mikreh shenizdamen kain – if he happens to be nearby.
Generally speaking, one may apply Rav Feinstein’s dictum of “nit shain” but if a Rabbi has special reason to attend a simcha there – the principles of V’ahavta larayacha kamocha would override a “nit shain.”
An interesting corollary to the second point.
ReplyDeleteIn Toronto, all Conservative synagogues are supervised by the COR which is the main kashrus authority for the city. That means if one is invited to a function at a Conservative synagogue the food is at the same standard as the Orthodox synagogue down the street.
So here's the question: A family makes a simcha at the Conservative synagogue because their local Orthodox one is small and doesn't have a nice social hall. The food is kosher. An Orthodox rabbi will be leading the ceremony. If, during the meal, a bunch of guys want to go off and daven mincha - again, just men - is it permitted to do that in the building?