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They are, of course, not Jewish unless they undergo conversion. Yet, it is our opinion that we should not look at them as if they have, in the meantime, no connection to the Jewish People. The great majority were treated as Jews in the Soviet Union, where a citizen’s nationality is determined by his father, not his mother. As a result, they suffered from anti-Semitism. How shocked were many, upon arriving in Israel, to find out that halacha does not view them as Jewish and that they cannot get married here?
Many of these people declared, by making aliya and by the way they integrated into Israeli society, that they view themselves as Jews. "Your nation is my nation," as Ruth declared, they fulfilled. Yet, before them still stands the demanding process of conversion, which includes the acceptance of "your G-d is my G-d."
Let us try to understand what the difference is between those with a matrilineal and a patrilineal link to Judaism. The gemara (Kiddushin 68b) learns from the p’sukim "Do not marry them [non-Jews]," followed by "for he will remove your son from Me" that one’s son from a Jewish woman is considered his son, whereas his son from a non-Jewish woman is not the son of his Jewish biological father. This is the unanimous ruling of all halachic authorities.
Rav Moshe Isserles, the preeminent codifier of the Ashkenazi community, taught us the following novel idea on the matter in his notes to the Tur, Darchei Moshe (Even Haezer 156). He cites the Ohr Zarua, a great, early Ashkenazi Rishon. He raises the possibility that the idea that a Jewish male’s child from a non-Jewish woman is not considered his is true only on the level of Torah law, but that Rabbinically he might be considered the Jew’s son. What does it mean to be his son Rabbinically? We certainly cannot let him or her marry a Jew! We can’t count him for a minyan! Rather, one prominent ramification is that the father has the responsibility to try to bring him into the fold by arranging for him to accept the Torah and convert.
Based on this and other sources Sephardic Chief Rabbi Rav Uziel came to the conclusion that there is a concept of zera Yisrael (the seed of Israel), which gives responsibilities to the Jewish father of the non-Jewish child. Arranging for the conversion is a form of atonement, so that his biological son does not stray further from Hashem and certainly does not come to hate Hashem and His mitzvot, including those in which even a non-Jew is commanded. We rely on the training he should receive under his father’s tutelage to cause him to uphold the commitments accepted with conversion.
We certainly should not create unnecessary obstacles and push away the candidate, as we often do for other candidates, regarding the child of a Jewish man. To the contrary, the State of Israel should try to bring close all the members of this group to avoid further assimilation and distress. If they are ready to undergo a serious conversion process, let us welcome them with open arms and a warm smile.
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.