Meeting With Leaders of Other Religions

[Chabad-Yudele]

Thought this will be intresting (also posted at http://www.shmais.com:/archivenewsdetail.cfm?ID=12747&continue=news


Israeli Rabbis Hope to Search Vatican
GAVIN RABINOWITZ
Associated Press

JERUSALEM - Israel's chief rabbis, who will meet the pope Friday, said they hope to get permission to search Vatican storerooms for artifacts such as the huge golden menorah that stood in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.

Vatican officials confirmed the meeting would take place but declined comment on the rabbis' request.

Yehuda Metzger and Shlomo Amar are to have an audience with Pope John Paul II, the first by Israel's chief rabbis in the Vatican. The pope met Israel's previous chief rabbis in the Holy Land during his visit in 2000.

Amar, spiritual leader of Israel's Jews of North African origin, told Army Radio that when he received the invitation, "the truth is I asked them, I could not resist ... I asked them about the Temple vessels and the menorah."

When the Romans sacked Jerusalem in 70 A.D., they took huge amounts of booty home. Legend has it that religious articles from the Temple, including the menorah, were among them.

The Arch of Titus in Rome depicts victorious Roman legions marching off with the seven-branch menorah in hand.

Amar said the Vatican official denied the menorah was there.

"My heart tells me this is not the truth, but that it is some kind of camouflage," Amar said. An aide to the rabbi said the Vatican was not likely to permit a search.

The Vatican will allow the rabbis to view rare Jewish manuscripts in its possession, Amar said.

He said if the rabbis were to come across "other objects," they would be happy to bring them home.

The menorah was the most important symbol of the Temple after the Ark of the Covenant. The image of the biblical menorah is the symbol of the modern state of Israel.

Some Orthodox Jews believe the restoration of the menorah and other holy vessels to Jerusalem would be the first step in rebuilding the Temple, whose site is now occupied by the Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest shrine of *slam.

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&edition=us&q=Israeli+Rabbis+Hope+to+Search+Vatican

[Bittul]

Stupid of them to say it publicly. Give the Vatican a chance to digest this open attitude before making heavy demands. "I couldn't resist"... What a reason for failing to show restraint...

[Vayaaminu]

The vaticant (sic) will willingly give back the menorah and everything else when, and only when, the Beis Hamikdosh is built bb"a very soon (mikdosh Hashem koininu Yodecha...). Until then, by hashgocha protis, the keilim are being kept safe and sound.

[Jude]

when did the Rebbe blast those who met with the Pope?

[Yankel Nosson]

Originally posted by Bittul
"I couldn't resist"... What a reason for failing to show restraint...
Isn't that usually the reason? ;)

[Bittul]

Originally posted by Jude
when did the Rebbe blast those who met with the Pope?
That I know of - in a conversation with Zalman Jaffe. Might have been other times, don't know.

[RebYid]

Also at a farbrengen in 5747?

[Jude]

can we hear the details?

[Bittul]

The details of the the conversation with Zalman Jaffe were that this is Avodah Zara mamash, and where is our Jewish pride when we travel to meet the Pope.

[Yankel Nosson]

Didn't you hear? The British Royal Rabbi says that the Pope has a piece of the truth, too!

[Jude]

and that British Chief Rabbi became a rabbi because of his yechidus with the Rebbe (after traveling the world and meeting dozens of scholars), as he tells it

[daas]

Originally posted by Jude
and that British Chief Rabbi became a rabbi because of his yechidus with the Rebbe (after traveling the world and meeting dozens of scholars), as he tells it

And therefore what ?

[AskMoses]

Maybe it shouldn't be publicized that they deny about the menora, just in case.

[Jude]

Originally posted by daas


And therefore what ?

therefore it seems particularly egregious for him to use his position to make a chilul Hashem, hepech ha'kavana ...

He has even written Torah Studies, a book that presents a sicha on every parsha. He has studied the Rebbe's teachings, and said what he said?!

[Barera]

this chief rabbi is going from bad to worse.

I just read a letter to the editor in the Jewish Chronicle dated 12/12/2003 and I quote:

begin quote "Word's Worth

The Chief Rabbi, in an otherwise inspiring and unimpeachable "Thought for the Day" broadcast on Radio 4 last week, emphasizing the importance of honesty and the careful choice of words in all communications, declared: "In the beginning was the Word"

Is this an appropriate declaration for a Chief Rabbi, or is it a further case of eradication of the dignity of difference between religions?

(The quotation is of course, from the Gospel according to St John, and a core credo of ******ianity. Professor Sacks did not mention its source.)"
end quote

Isn't it time this chief rabbi resigned with dignity?????

[Jude]

Chief Rabbi Yonah Metzger spoke with Arutz-7's Uzi Baruch this morning about his visit last week, together with Chief Rabbi Rishon LeTzion Shlomo Amar, with Pope John Paul II in the Vatican. He said that the meeting had more historic value than practical value, "but we were told in advance that this would be the case. In the Vatican, there is no such thing as decisions on the spot; everything takes much time, with committees and the like. Despite this, our meeting was a great departure from their regular protocol: It was planned only three days in advance, and in fact the Pope expressed opinions, though not officially; in addition, only the three of us were there, and photos were permitted - major changes from hundreds of years of protocol."

The meeting was called in order to discuss anti-Semitism, the redemption of our captives, and a mutual condemnation of terrorism. It had some unexpected ramifications, however:

"I can tell you something that the rabbi of Warsaw told me just this week - something very wondrous that resulted from this meeting. He said that after we met, he received dozens of calls from Poles who wished to confess their role in killing Jews during the Holocaust.

The rabbi rebuffed them, though, saying he wasn't a priest for confession. But one man insisted and said he couldn't sleep at night, and told him that that at age 11, his uncle came from the front wearing an army uniform and wanted to show him how to shoot. So just for fun, he [the uncle] took 50 Jews and shot them on the spot. He, the 11-year-old, threw the bodies into some kind of hollow in the ground and covered them.

For 62 years, he told no one, figuring that the Jews are not important. But when he saw on television how the Pope received the Chief Rabbis with such honor, calling them 'my older brothers' in front of the whole world, he said he realized that he did a great sin, and he therefore called the rabbi and said he wants to show him the 'burial' spot, and that he wants to atone by helping bring them to proper Jewish burial. This is something that came directly out of our meeting."

"There are certainly plenty of tensions in Church-Jewish relations from what has happened over the years," Rabbi Metzger said, "but the current Pope is the best one in history, in terms of the Jews."

[Nissan]

ISRAEL'S MINISTER OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS, Shimon Shetreet, has asked Pope John Paul II to help him locate Israel's ancient Menorah - the seven golden candlesticks (as the Bible calls it). Shetreet met with the Roman Catholic Pontiff in late January to ask the Pope's assistance. The news article about this historic request appeared in the January 27, 1996 Jerusalem Post. Shetreet claimed that recent research at the University of Florence indicated the Menorah may still be among the treasures in the Vatican's underground vaults. He said, "I don't say it's there for sure, but I asked the pope to help in the search as a goodwill gesture in recognition of the improved relations between Catholics and Jews."

He noted that the pope plans to visit Jerusalem in 1997 on a religious pilgrimage to encourage the peace process.

Is the golden Menorah preserved in an underground catacomb? I once met an exCatholic priest that told me he saw several Temple relics in a vault four stories under the West Wing of the Vatican. The West Wing houses a dormitory for priests from the United States.

What happened to the Menorah, the golden lampstand, that graced the early Tabernacle and the Temple of King Solomon? What information was found in the University of Florence that led Israel's minister of Religious Affairs to think it might still be under the Vatican? In A.D. 70, the Romans carried the booty of the Jerusalem Temple to Rome. A stone relief of that Menorah can be viewed in the Triumphal Arch of Titus, located just north of the Coliseum in Rome.

According to Edward Gibbon, author of THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, Herod's Temple Menorah now lies at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, somewhere between Italy and the northern coast of Africa.

Gibbon wrote, "At the end of 400 years, the spoils of Jerusalem (the holy instruments of Jewish worship, the gold table and the gold candlestick with seven branches) were transferred from Rome to Carthage, by a Barbarian ... the haughty Vandal; who immediately hoisted sail, and returned ...to the port of Carthage." However, the twelve ships that carried the loot encountered a storm at sea. We are told that "the vessel which transported the relics of the Capital was the only one of the whole fleet that suffered shipwreck ... this cargo ... was lost in the sea."

Gibbon indicated that the spoils of the Jewish Temple went down with the ship, including the Menorah. Was Gibbon right? Were his sources correct? Or is the Menorah still in Rome? It seems that bringing up the subject of Temple furnishings during the celebration of "Jerusalem 3000" is quite significant. Psalm 96 was the psalm used to celebrate the establishment of Temple liturgy in Jerusalem in 1004 B.C.- just 3,000 years ago. That was the year King David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. If the Menorah and perhaps even other Temple furnishings were returned to Israel during this year, it would be a highly significant fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

Did the Romans rob Herod's temple of the original lampstand built at Sinai? According to some Jewish historians, it may have been one of Solomon's ten menorahs built to embellish and enhance the original Mosaic Menorah which was placed among them. There are many strange stories about the Servant Lamp that stood in the center of the Menorah. One such story has the "Lamp of God" mysteriously extinguished about the same time the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines. Do such stories have a prophetic significance for us today?

I just saw this recently, although it is from 1996 (http://bibeltemplet.net/Menorah.html)... Is it against Halacha to go undercover to see if it is there and find a way to get it back?

[Torah613]

What will you do with it when you get it back?

[Nissan]

Gape at it in awe, faint, wake up, gape at it in awe and use it to help spread the word about Judaism with renewed energy? :knockedou
I dunno, why are you asking such difficult questions? ;)

[stwill]

Isn't there a story in "All for the Boss" to the effect that the Keilim are in a cave under some field in Eretz Yisroel?

[Nissan]

Oh well, so much for my covert operations idea.... :frown:

[noahidelaws]

Chief rabbis to meet Pope Benedict in Castel Gandolfo on Thursday

By The Associated Press

ROME - Israel's two chief rabbis will meet with Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of a landmark Vatican document on relations with Jews, and will likely urge his support in fighting anti-Semitism and terrorism, Israel's ambassador to the Holy See said.
Israel needs the Vatican's support at "this very dire hour" now that it has completed its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, Ambassador Oded Ben-Hur said on Wednesday.

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger and Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar will call on the pope at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, in the hills south of Rome, the ambassador said.

The meeting follows the historic visit by Benedict to the central synagogue in Cologne, Germany last month, the second time a pope had entered a Jewish house of worship.

It also follows a diplomatic altercation between the Vatican and Israel that erupted over the pope's omission of Israel in a list of countries hit by terrorism. Ben-Hur said the dispute has been resolved.

The rabbis would likely speak to the pope of the need for further dissemination and understanding of the landmark "Nostra Aetate" document adopted by the Second Vatican Council in 1965, Ben-Hur said.

In the document, Latin for "In Our Time," the Vatican deplored anti-Semitism in every form and repudiated the "deicide" charge that blamed Jews as a people for ******'s death. The idea of Jewish guilt had fueled anti-Semitism among ******ians for centuries.

Ben-Hur said the document needed to be further understood, not only among the ranks of lay people but even among ordinary priests.

In addition, the rabbis would likely bring up the need to combat anti-Semitism and terrorism, Ben-Hur added.

"We're looking for common ground, we're looking for common declarations," he said. "And true, while the church doesn't have teeth, it can definitely influence" people through its declarations.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/625321.html
I'm no chief rabbi, but IMHO, meeting with the pope--avi avos ha'tumah--for any reason seems highly questionable, especially in such a public way. Although it's not to debate religion or even to have an interfaith dialogue, it still doesn't seem so kosher. Does anyone know of a precedent for such a thing, or sources that address it?

[mordechai7215]

Askonim and rabbonim used to meet with bishops etc. to help out yidden in Europe (l'mashol the mahral tried to stop blood libels etc.) We know that many tzadikim did go to the vatican as well (The Gra went to look at kisvie yad [though I don't think he met the pope] as well as other people in our times, some of which went with the Rebbe's approvel)

[noahidelaws]

but did they do so publicly, as if it was some sort of accomplishment, instead of recognising the need for it as a gezeirah?
also, this seems more like playing politics, quite different from pleading that an actual gezeirah be annulled
And what about having popes come into shuls, that's also kosher now?

[jjbennoach]

Chief rabbis to meet Pope Benedict in Castel Gandolfo on Thursday
From: Haaretz, September 14, 2005

"ROME - Israel's two chief rabbis will meet with Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of a landmark Vatican document on relations with Jews..."

That vatican document, NOSTRA AETATE, does not specifically deal with Jews and Judaism, instead proclaiming the superiority of Rome over all religions.

[JewishHiphop]

Chief rabbis to meet Pope Benedict in Castel Gandolfo on Thursday
From: Haaretz, September 14, 2005

"ROME - Israel's two chief rabbis will meet with Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of a landmark Vatican document on relations with Jews..."

That vatican document, NOSTRA AETATE, does not specifically deal with Jews and Judaism, instead proclaiming the superiority of Rome over all religions.

Sounds pretty fishy

[noahidelaws]

when did the Rebbe blast those who met with the Pope?
he did so here, but it's not clear whether the offenders were "rabbis" or "askonim":
Role of Rabbis to Publicize the Noahide Code


During the last year a shocking thing occurred. Some of those who presume to speak in the name of the Jewish people—who emphasize that their actions are not performed as individuals, but as Jewish leaders—went and perpetrated shocking, idolatrous acts,[1] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftn1) G–d save us, which is one of the sins of which it is written,[2] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftn2) “One should even allow oneself to be killed, but not transgress”!

What’s more, they created tremendous publicity, and emphatically reported that this has saved the honor of the Jewish people, and will bring them everlasting benefit, and deserves praise! They believe that that will be the result of their infamous meeting! (This meeting included kissing his hands and fingers and mentioning the well-known titles, which are a form of idolatry, though the extent of the severity of this idolatry is debatable.) What’s more, they pride themselves on their deeds, and consider it an achievement for the Jewish people, and even consider themselves unmatched in Jewish history!

This is all despite the fact that, as some pointed out, the Muslims and the Buddhists have not been seen pursuing him to this extent, and even the ******ians who follow his theology[3] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftn3) don’t chase after him to this degree! And no one opens his mouth to protest!

Although there was some protest, since it was performed weakly, they silenced it and strove to bring it to be forgotten. Now they wish to continue in this direction, because the statement of our Sages, “He who possesses one hundred desires to possess two hundred,”[4] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftn4) does not necessarily refer to money or honor that can be beneficial. Rather, human nature is such that when one attains something, “one hundred,” he does not suffice with it, but desires twice as much, “two hundred”; and when he has “two hundred,” he is not satisfied with “three hundred,” i.e., another hundred. Rather, he wants twice as much as he already possesses. So too in this case: they still intend to continue in this direction, and who can tell them what to do?

Thus, efforts must be invested to ensure that they not continue with such actions. One should not wait until after it has been done to protest against it. ...

Thus, the only solution to prevent this from now on is that those able to speak in the language and content of Torah should fulfill the principle of “do not be ashamed before the scoffers”[5] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftn5) and should make a proper campaign in the opposite direction. First and foremost they should begin with the positive, and publicize true Judaism, without being intimidated. ...

Those who went to that meeting may desire to represent the Jewish people at this meeting [of the United Nations]. Who will tell them that they are not fit to speak in the name of the Jewish people? Are they not the ones who spoke to the representative of that man [the pope], and they were greeted warmly! This is very grave, for if they are the ones speaking, who knows how far it can go!

The only solution to this as well (and one anyway worthwhile) is that at meetings of the United Nations only G–d-fearing rabbis—who speak in the name of Torah and conform to the intention of Torah—should speak in the name of the Jewish people. Only they are entitled to act as these messengers, for their lives are based on Torah, and they have devoted their minds entirely to Torah study, to the point that they have become united with Torah, as the Tanya puts it, with “a wondrous, unparalleled unification.”[6] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftn6) ...

It is written that one should go to “the judge that will be in those days,”[7] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftn7) who are similar to the Sanhedrin. For us, these are the rabbis of our generation who studied in Talmudic academies, received rabbinic ordination deserving of the name, and have behaved accordingly from childhood until now, keeping the Mitzvot of the Torah. ...

If the demand comes from these rabbis, and is presented with the appropriate firmness, their request will almost certainly be accepted. There will be no reason not to accept their request to come and say in the name of the Jewish people what is written in the Jewish Torah. The only thing remaining will be the question, “why didn’t you come until now?” However, “We do not cry over the past.”[8] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftn8)

First and foremost [these rabbis should declare] concerning the gentile nations, that their purpose is to act in accordance with the principle “He [G–d] formed it [the world] to be civilized.”[9] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftn9) Thus, they must adhere to the Noahide Code, which generally speaking means that “A nation shall not lift up sword against nation.”[10] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftn10) This has become the slogan of this institution regardless; it merely needs to be renewed and elucidated so that it can be implemented. I.e., one must prepare the non-Jew constantly “not to lift up sword” by adhering to the Noahide Code in his personal life.

When this is actually done, it will almost certainly be successful, for “words that emanate from the heart will penetrate the heart” and have their desired impact.[11] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftn11) Perhaps they will eventually succeed at erecting a boundary, and all will know that if anyone wants to know what Jews are, what Judaism is, and what is the demand of the Jewish people, and what they deserve despite their status as “Few among all the nations”[12] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftn12)—the only people to whom they should turn are those who learn Torah and observe the Mitzvot, for they are united in a wondrous manner with the Jewish Torah, the Jewish people, and the Jewish G–d. ...

May it be G–d’s will that those able to do so will be active in all the above according to their potential, and the sooner, the better, for aside from its inherent importance, this activity is needed in order to separate people from sin.

This notwithstanding the fact that for whatever reason the mentality of exile that existed overseas [in Europe] has remained, where they feared the village policeman, and the chief of police even more, and the ruler even more, especially several rulers combined.

Ultimately the Jewish people should demonstrate that although they are quantitatively few in number, they are still G–d’s people, and He has chosen each and every one of them, and especially those who promote “the Word of G–d, which is Halacha”[13] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftn13) to the point of publicizing the law concerning the gentile nations—the Noahide Code—both in areas related to doing good, and to refraining from committing evil.

This should all be done in the appropriate time and place, with true Jewish pride. It will then surely succeed, until that side [non-religious Jews] will have no wish to discuss or commit such acts in the first place, knowing that as soon as they do there will be a harsh protest and denunciation of anything contrary to Torah.

[I]Hitva’aduyot 5748, Vol. 1, pp. 111; 113-116.

[1] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftnref1) They met with the representative of the Pope, an idol-worshiper.

[2] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftnref2) Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin, 74a. This is said of the three cardinal sins: murder, idolatry, and adultery.

[3] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftnref3) Catholics.

[4] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftnref4) Ecclesiastes Rabba, 1:13.

[5] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftnref5) Shulchan Aruch Admur HaZaken, Orach Chaim, 1:1.

[6] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftnref6) chap. 5.

[7] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftnref7) Deut., 17:19.

[8] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftnref8) cf. Babylonian Talmud, Berachot, 54a.

[9] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftnref9) Isaiah, 45:18.

[10] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftnref10) Micah, 4:3.

[11] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftnref11) Sefer HaYashar of Rabeinu Tam #313.

[12] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftnref12) Deut., 7:7.

[13] (http://www.chabadtalk.com/forum/#_ftnref13) Jewish law—Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat, 138b.

[noahidelaws]

of course, this is relevant of late since PM (short for exPulsion Minister) Olmert's meeting with the Dope

[Torah613]

A wonderful ראשי תיבות! Keep up the important work!

[noahidelaws]

why, thanks! glad you think it's apt too :)

[noahidelaws]

here is a famous letter on the inadvisablity of interfaith meetings

The date for this letter was not available

By the Grace of G-d

... In reply to your question as to what should be the Jewish attitude towards the matter of "religious dialogue" which has been advocated in certain Jewish and non-Jewish circles.

It surprises me that you should have any doubt in this matter. For, anyone with some knowledge of Jewish history knows with what reluctance Jews viewed religious debates with non-Jews. There were many good reasons for this attitude, in addition to the basic reason that Jews do not consider it their mission to convert gentiles to their faith, nor do they wish to expose themselves to the missionary zeal of other faiths.

Each and every generation has its own characteristics which have a bearing on contemporary problems. One of the peculiarities of our own day and age -- a circumstance which makes such "dialogue" even more reprehensible -- is the confusion and perplexity which are so widespread now, especially among the younger generation. Symptomatic of this confusion is the lowering, or even toppling, of the once well-defined boundaries in various areas of the daily life. This process, which began with the lowering, or abolishing altogether, of the Mechitzah [divider] in the synagogue, has extended itself also to the abolishing of boundaries in the areas of ethics, morality, and even common decency. In some quarters it has even led to a perversion of values, reminiscent of the lament of the prophet: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20).

One can hardly blame the young generation for their confusion and perplexity, considering the upheavals, revolutions and wars which have plagued our times, and the bankruptcies of the various systems and ideologies to which the young generation has pinned its hopes for a better world. Moreover, many of those who should have been the teachers and guides of the younger generation, have compounded the confusion and misdirection, for various reasons which need not be elaborated here.

One of the consequences of the said state of affairs is also the misconception prevailing in some quarters regarding the so-called "interfaith" movement. The "brotherhood of mankind" is a positive concept only so long as it is confined to such areas as commerce, philanthropy, and various civil and economic aspects of the society, wherein peoples of various faiths and minority groups must live together in harmony, mutual respect and dignity. Unfortunately, the concept of "brotherhood" has been misconstrued to require members of one faith to explain their religious belief and practices to members of another faith, and in return to receive instruction in the religion of others. Far from clarifying matters, these interfaith activities have, at best, added to the confusion, and, at worst, have been used with missionary zeal by those religions which are committed to proselytizing members of other faiths.

The alarmingly growing rate of intermarriage has a variety of underlying causes. But there can be no doubt that one of the factors is the interfaith movement, or "dialogue" (which is a euphemism for the same), wherein clergymen of one faith are invited to preach from the pulpit of another. It is easy to see what effect this has on the minds of the young, as well as of their parents, whose commitments to their own faith are in any case near the vanishing point.

This in itself offers a complete justification for the prohibition which the Torah imposes upon the study of other faiths -- if, indeed, external justification were necessary. Only in exceptional cases does the Torah permit the study of other religions, and that also only to specially qualified persons. Bitter experience has made it abundantly clear how harmful any such interfaith dialogue is. Thus, even those Jews to whom the Torah is not yet, unfortunately, their Pillar of Light to illuminate their life, but who still wish to preserve their Jewish identity and, especially, the Jewish identity of their children -- even they should clearly see the dangers of intermarriage and complete assimilation, G-d forbid, lurking behind these so-called "dialogues," and should reject them in no uncertain terms.

While we must not give up a single Jewish soul which happens to be in danger of straying from the path of Torah and Mitzvos, and certainly in danger of intermarriage, or assimilation, G-d forbid, and we must spare no effort in trying to save that Jew or Jewess, even if it involves a lengthy "dialogue" with him or her, we must just as resolutely reject any such dialogue with a non-Jew, for the reasons mentioned, and also because we have no interest in his conversion to our faith.

To be sure, we have obligations to our society at large. We must contribute our share to the common weal, help to maintain and raise the standards of morality and ethics, and to encourage the non-Jew to observe the "Seven Precepts of the Children of Noah" in all their ramifications. But to accomplish these objectives, there is no need for us whatsoever to have any religious dialogues with non-Jews, nor any interfaith activities in the form of religious discussions, interchange of pulpits, and the like.

Finally, I wish to stress the following points: -

1. In most polemics, debates, dialogues and the like, the usual outcome is not a rapprochement of minds and hearts; rather do they evoke an impulse of rivalry and the desire to score a point, or gain a victory over the opponent by any means. This is usually the case even in non-religious polemics, and certainly very much so in religious debates, inasmuch as the subject matter touches one's inner soul; and even more so where religious zealots are concerned.

Hence, if the purpose of the "dialogue" is rapprochement, it is doomed from the start, and often even brings the opposite results.

2. Where one party to the dialogue is committed to proselytizing, and the other is not, it is clear that the dialogue will be used by the first to accomplish its purpose, and the "dialogue" will in effect become a "monologue."

3. Looking at the question from a practical standpoint, perhaps the most important point is that the effort expended on such "dialogues" is, to say the least, a waste we can ill afford. For, every individual has only limited resources of time, energy, and influence, while every right-thinking person must feel a sense of responsibility to accomplish something in behalf of the community in which he lives. Experience has shown that the benefits, if any, from all such "dialogues" in terms of a better understanding among men of different faiths and races, have been hardly discernible. But certain it is that the energies thus expended have been at the expense of vital areas of Yiddishkeit, where there is a crying need for strengthening the Jewish faith and practices within our own ranks, especially among the younger generation.

There are, of course, some well-meaning, but misguided individuals, who see in interfaith and dialogue an avenue of lofty goals and ideals deserving of their utmost efforts. But there are also those who encourage them in their misconceptions, thus abetting the misdirection and misplacement of energies and resources, sorely needed elsewhere, namely, and to repeat, in the spreading among our youths a deeper knowledge of the Torah, Toras Chaim [the Torah of Life], which, as the name indicates, is the true guide in the daily life of the Jew, at all times, and in all places. For the Torah's truths are eternal, having been given by the Eternal, the Creator of man, and the Master and Ruler of the World, at all times and all places. It is a tragic irony, that precisely in this day and age, and in this country, where we have been blessed with freedom of worship, and do not face persecution and constant peril for every observance as in certain less fortunate countries, yet so many of our younger generation are lost to us daily by the default, negligence and misdirection of the leaders who should know better.

It is high time to replace interfaith with inner-faith, and concentrate on dialogue with our own misguided youth, as well as to our shame - with the adults, so as to fan their slumbering embers of faith and to illuminate their lives with the Pillar of Light and the Pillar of Fire of the Torah.

With blessing,

www.lchaimweekly.org/lchaim/5761/672.htm continued in www.lchaimweekly.org/lchaim/5761/673.htm