Mon 10th April 06
Dear friends and
family,
Some months ago Yediot Ahronot, one of our daily
newspapers, revealed a big scandal, that the David Citadel Hotel, one of the
most luxurious in Jerusalem, gave Rabbi Yona Metzger,
chief rabbi of Israel, a 50% discount ($150 instead of about $400) on his
accommodation.
The Torah has no
objection to a rabbi living in luxury, on the contrary, monasticism is
discouraged and accumulating physical wealth is applauded. But Metzger, more
than anyone else, should have known that the Torah, is
the first law book in the world to prohibit gaining that wealth by taking
bribes.
The Chief Rabbi
doesn't make the law and he's not above it.
Naturally, Manny
Mazuz, the government legal advisor wanted to
prosecute him, but he dropped the case because he felt that he didn't have
enough evidence to get a conviction.
Most prosecutors
would have left the case at this stage, not Mazuz. He
wrote a scathingly critical letter about the Chief Rabbi's conduct and
suggested he resign.
Many people see Mazuz' action as being part of his battle against religion,
but this isn't so. He's descended from a long line of Rabbis in the city of
He is, however,
against the control which religion exercises over the daily life of Jews in
Coming from Djerba and living in Netivot Mazuz has had plenty opportunities to see the detrimental
effects which this kind of control has on a society.
Both Djerba and Netivot are towns
which are famous for miracle making rabbis who seek control over the activities
of the town by promising the population all kinds of physical rewards in return
for their support and financial gifts.
The only way
these rabbis can succeed is by discouraging independent thought which comes
from a liberal education.
Religious
superstition is only a powerful force in a society of ignorant close minded
people. Netivot has been more successful than any
other development town in raising the level of education. Probably this is due
to the fact that 80% of the population is secular, originating from the ex
Obviously the religious
groups in the town aren't too happy about this, hence the great effort they're
making to attract more religious Jews there.
Netivot has become world famous, amongst
ignorant religious Jews, as distinguished from enlightened religious Jews, as
the centre for miracle performing rabbis, like the Baba Sali,
the Rentgen (the x ray rabbi) and others. So many
Jews and others who believe in these miracles come flocking to Netivot that the town is most known for the miracle rabbis
who operate there.
This why
visitors to Netivot are surprised and amazed to find
a thriving town with 11 high schools, a thriving adult education center, many
well run kindergardens and much more.
One cannot
separate Mazuz's treatment of the Chief Rabbi's crime
from the struggle against religious control he's witnessed in Netivot and possibly in Djerba.
Mazuz has proved his worth as legal advisor to
the government by not passing up the opportunity which the Chief Rabbi's crime
gave him.
Wishing
you a happy Pesach and a great no news day.
Reply to: legork@netvision.net.il
Leon Gork. Israeli Tour Guide.
Tel/fax 02
5810732
Mobile phone 052
3801867
http://www.geocities.com/leongork
http://jerusalemwalks.tripod.com