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One of the "time bombs" that lie within Israeli society is the problem of those who moved to Israel based on the Law of Return and received full Israeli citizenship but are not halachically Jewish. At least the second generation of these people consist of fluent Hebrew speakers, and they study in standard Israeli schools (including religious ones) and serve in the Israel Defense Forces – in other words, they are fully integrated into Israeli "Jewish" society.
They encounter a problem when they want to marry according to Israeli law, as the State does not have a solution for them at this crucial moment in their lives. Marriage is a religious act here, and these people are not included in any religion. Estimates of the number of such Israelis vary from 300,000 to 500,000 (including the third generation).
Those who have difficulty in being recognized as Jews can be categorized into three groups: 1. Jews who cannot prove that they are Jews, usually because the Holocaust and/or the wicked Soviet regime erased their ability to prove their Jewish status, whether by means of documentation or by means of behavior. 2. Those who come from Jewish men, who, under the difficult situations that existed, married non-Jewish women. They require full conversion. 3. Distant relatives of Jews, who were granted aliya rights due to the Law of Return.
In the coming weeks, we will look into how to deal most properly with each of these groups. We will start with the first. Determining one’s status as a Jew is a broad topic, and there are different ways to try to go about it. The State of Israel should spend the resources necessary (which are significant) to do so properly to allow these brothers to feel as full and accepted parts of their national heritage. This is a great mitzva, which does not require any religious procedure.
Of course, it suffices for their matrilineal line to be Jewish. We are involved in halachic and scientific research into a genetic test that can help in giving support for the claim of being born Jewish, to up to 40% of the Jewish population of this group. When we have completed our efforts, we will share it with halachic and scientific leaders throughout the world to promote this avenue of assistance to an important segment in our society.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.