Jewish Telegraph Live Internet Chat

14 May 2003

Abide With Me:
Arsenal, the team you support, let things slip rather badly towards the end of the season. Do you think there was a Divine reason for their sudden loss of form and would our prayers assist their success?

CHIEF RABBI:
Yes: the reason was that the Almighty has a special love for Manchester. My team could not have lost to a more gifted team or a more delightful place. To all Manchester United fans, however, I would remind them of the great Jewish teaching: "When your oppoent falls, do not rejoice."!

Brian Lux:
Does the Chief Rabbi agree with Prime Minister Sharon that the 'right of return' of over one million Palestinians is a non-starter in any negotiation relating to the 'road map'? Given that Fiji has altered its constitution to ensure the increasing Indian population can never control the country, does the Chief Rabbi not think a similar change in Israel is needed to ensure the viability of a Jewish State?

CHIEF RABBI:
Were the right of return to be strictly applied, Americans would have to give up the United States; Australians and New Zealanders their country to its aboriginal inhabitants; and so on for almost every country in the world. The United Nations, in its resolution of 1947 bringing the State of Israel into being, effectively recognised the Jewish right of return, having been expelled and dispossessed 2000 years ago. Nor did Jews ever demand the right of return for the one million of their brothers and sisters expelled from Arab lands in 1948-51. The Palestinian insistence on a complete right of return is, in effect, a demand for the end of Israel as a Jewish state -- in complete contradiction to the decision of the nations of the world in 1947 to give the Jewish people a home.

R Cohen:
What does the Chief Rabbi feel now about the Manchester rabbis who so openly and disrespectfully challenged his authority towards the end of last year. They were never disciplined. Is he prepared to let sleeping dogs lie?

CHIEF RABBI:
Rambam rules that talmidei chakhmamim (sages) "are humiliated but do not humiliate; hear themselves denigrated but do not reply -- and of them the Torah says, 'They shall be like the sun in its strength.' That rule has always guided me, as I hope it will always guide those who accept the halakhic authority of the greatest rabbi of the Middle Ages. The most important thing for me has been the restoration of peace to the rabbinate and the generosity of those who apologised for the sequence of events. Now is a time for healing within the Jewish world.

Barry G:
You have in the past been accused of sitting on the fence on a number of issues. The debacle in Manchester over the publication pof the first edition of your book seemed to bear that out. Surely the rabbis in question should have been prevented from continuing to head United Synagogue congregations rather than being let off the hook.

CHIEF RABBI:
Preferring peace to conflict is not 'sitting on the fence.' It is a principled stance, to which I have consistently adhered. When the rabbis signalled to me that certain sentences in the first edition were ambiguous and could be misunderstood, I accepted their point -- readers are, after all, better judges than writers of what is ambiguous -- and I rephrased the relevant passages accordingly. The substance of the argument remains, untouched, and it was, indeed, quite uncontroversial in Jewish terms.

ANONYMOUS:
The Progressive congregations have been gradually accepting mixed faith marriages rather than alienate the single Jew in the partnership. Would Orthodox Jewry not also be better welcoming all Jews instead of driving away the few who actually remain?

CHIEF RABBI:
Judaism is, perhaps more than any other faith, a religion of the family and the home. How can a home be a truly Jewish one if one of the partners belongs to a different faith, has different values and practices, and has a quite different view of life. Such mixed messages as must emerge from such a family are a recipe for confusion among the children -- as many children of mixedc marriages have told me. The answer is not to legitimate mixed marriages but to invite the non-Jewish partner to consider conversion. Quite often, tragically, the opposition to such a move comes not from the non-Jewish partner but from the Jewish one. That is a self-inflicted tragedy. Perhaps the most important thing is to ensure that our young people are inspired by Jewish life and values so that they will want to create a Jewish home, have Jewish children, and continue the Jewish story into future generations.

R A Jackson:
The Children of Israel fled Egypt and the dough they carried on their heads failed to rise, consequently producing unleavened bread - or what we know today as matzo? But where in the Torah, if anywhere, are we commanded to eat matzo during Pesach - and more so where does it say that we have to have everything chometz free during Pesach?

CHIEF RABBI:
The Torah says that "at night you shall eat matzot" (Shemot 12: 18). Thus, on the first two nights of Pesach (in the Diaspora) the eating of matzah is obligatory. On the other days, there is merely a prohibition against eating chametz -- although on Shabbat and the last two days, eating bread is part of the mitzvah of the day -- and it must therefore be done with unleavened bread. The Torah subsequently uses the word machmetzet (12: 19, 20) which means "anything containing chametz" even if it is not bread -- this rule applying to the whole of the festival.

Stephen:
In the light of Tuesday's terrible bombing in Saudi Arabia, how can the international community justifiably ask Israel to commit itself to the Roadmap, whilst militants/terrorists are performing such astrocities continually in Israel?

CHIEF RABBI:
One thing is certain -- that the resolute opposition to terror, wherever and by whom, must now be adopted by the international community, if civilization is to survive this unprecedented and global threat. To some extent I truly believe that at least some in the West now understand better what Israel has faced since 29 September 2000 -- indeed since 1936 and 1929. There can be no peace between Israel and the Palestinians without the total commitment to abandoning terror -- a commitment that must not be a verbal declaration alone.

P Samuels:
Is it permitted to work during chol hamoed? Some of my friends have criticised me for so doing, but I cannot ask for the time off. Do you believe that there is any harm having a television in a Jewish home? Do you have one and did you let your own children watch TV?

CHIEF RABBI:
Certain kinds of work are permitted on chol hamoed, others not; and circumstances are relevant, as well as the kind of work involved. Please consult your local rabbi, who will take you through the rules and how they apply to you. On television -- I personally do not watch it, altho' I make programmes for it. Real parental control is called for here. There are programmes of great educational value. There are others that -- subtly or not-so-sub tly -- undermine all we believe in.

A Matthews:
What would you like to see happen in Iraq in the immediate future and have you any plans to visiting the remaining Jews there?

CHIEF RABBI:
I have written about this in greater length than I can do here. It takes a long time to create a free society. The process cannot be rushed. Iraq is a mix of many conflicting religious and ethnic groups, and great vigilance will be needed to prevent one or other attacking each other, creating bloodshed and chaos. I have no immediate plans to visit -- it is not yet safe to do so -- but how wonderful that we can at least today consider the prospect!

Lynn B:
If Jewish schools across the country are unable to fill their quota how do you feel about the entrance of non-halachic children?

CHIEF RABBI:
There is no single answer that applies to all schools in all places. Some already do -- King David Liverpool and Birmingham for example. For some it might seriously compromise their ethos. There are a range of possibilities, and we are willing to give advice on a school by school basis.

Alan Cohen:
When are we going to see a consensus on what constitutes kashrut in Britain? Kosher surely means kosher.

CHIEF RABBI:
Kosher means kosher. Some people prefer greater stringencies, and the rule is that "one who wishes to be stricter with him/herself than the law requires may do so, and gains blessing thereby" ..

BR:
My wife is not Jewish and my son is now 11. I would dearly love him to have an Orthodox barmitzvah, but this seems to be almost impossible. There would not be tiome for a full conversion. Any suggestions?

CHIEF RABBI:
Teach him the beauty of Judaism -- give him all the love you can express for your faith. As far as you can, make him love it as well. Then, when he is mature, he may decide to convert. Then he will be able to celebrate his barmitzvah -- because bar mitzvah does not mean "thirteen years old" -- it means "child of the commandments" -- which, for a convert, can be at any age..

J Richman:
Is there anything stopping me walking to a football match on Shabbat with my ticket pinned to my clothes?

CHIEF RABBI:
Yes -- it isn't Shabbosdik. It is not in nthe spirit of the day. Programme your video to record the match and watch it after Shabbat. Go to Sunday and midweek matches only -- and your team may win the double, as mine did last year. About this year -- I have nothing to say! ..

BP, Leeds:
I have to admit I like visiting cathedrals all over the world. An orthodox friend was horrified when I told him. Surely it is a harmless indulgence.

CHIEF RABBI:
When I asked my own rav about this, many years ago, he permitted me to stand in the doorway and look in. It is impossible to be in a place of worship without this having religious connotations -- hence, just as we do not pray in church, we do not enter one either.

Jack Marks:
Would the Chief Rabbi himself mediate in the Israel-Palestinian dispute. Would he be prepared to hold talks with both sides?

CHIEF RABBI:
Of course I would -- and have. I have been involved in various forms of dialogue with Palestinians -- as, for example, has the previous Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Bakshi Doron. These are sometimes known as track-2 negotiations, and they are an essential part of the peacemamking process..

M Cohen:
I am a Cohen by birth, non-observant and an infrequent shool attender. Am I being hypocritical if I want to duchan at yomtov?

CHIEF RABBI:
No. You should duchan. One who does not keep all the commands, should at least keep those he can -- and what more moving than to be a vehicle through which the Divine blessing may flow. But I would add one point -- let the genuine spiritual feeling you have for "duchaning" lead you to consider coming to shul more often. When you duchan, you bless. When you davven, you are blessed..

Sam S:
In response to the Chief Rabbi's earlier answer football matches are not usually shown on Shabbos, but in any case it's surely not in the spirit of Shabbos either to use a video on that day, according to my rov.

CHIEF RABBI:
In which case, follow your rav..

Daniel C:
I am planning a honeymoon - We would love to go to some where like the caribbean / maldives / etc -exotic , but we are therefore restricted by food/kashrut issues. How do you cope when you go abroad to exotic places?

CHIEF RABBI:
We take with us, in a vaccum bag, frozen pre-prepared kosher meals. Your local rabbi will tell you where these can be obtained..

S.Cohen:
Can we save our dwindling communities in the provinces/non-north london communities? I live in Chigwell and I am a young person, but i feel my families future in in North West London as the community here is old and stagnant.

CHIEF RABBI:
Jews move. They have done since the first call of G-d to Avraham: "Get thee out from thy land, thy birthplace and thy father's house." It is always sad to see a community dwindle, but one must also be able to ensure that your children have a strong Jewish environment. However, you surprise me a little. Chigwell is a lovely and good community. The area has recently seen the growth of Jewish education -- especially the King Solomon High School. I believe the area does have a strong Jewish future..

Michael Brown:
Why does Judaism not excommunicate those who behaviour is inconsistent with the best religious practices?

CHIEF RABBI:
They used to. However, as part of the process of Emancipation throughout Europe, Jews in the 19th century relinquished their internal coercive powers and became a voluntary community. This happened in Britain with the appointment of Rabbi Nathan Marcus Adler in 1845 -- and has applied to every Chief Rabbi since. I am somewhat convinced that the hand of Divine Providence is at work in this fact. If we could excommunicate those with whom we disagree -- who would be left?

James:
Do you listen to chart music?

CHIEF RABBI:
Not during the Omer. Thereafter, please tell me if there is anyone you can recommend?

Helen Reed:
What book are you presently reading?

CHIEF RABBI:
The most recent books I have read, in the past few days, have been, B S Lewis' new book on Islam; Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein's two new books -- Worship of the Heart and By His Light; and his son's -- Rabbi Moshe Lichtenstein's -- lovely book on Moshe Rabbenu and leadership (it's in Hebrew), called Tzir vaTzon..

Debbie Scott:
What is the subject of the next book you are planning to publish and do you think it will be greeted with as much controversy as the last?

CHIEF RABBI:
To be honest, I'm not sure. I write books only during the summer holidays, and I currently have many I want to write (26 by my current reckoning). Will they attract controversy -- so long as it is machloket leshem Shamayim (the title of my first book, "arguments for the sake of heaven") then that's OK. However, so far there has been no controversy about my latest book, The Haggadah. Instead I've been thrilled by the positive reactions..

ANONYMOUS:
Is there any chance of a close rapport with the Reform community?

CHIEF RABBI:
The principles by which I have tried to live and act have been these: On matters which affect us as Jews regardless of our religious differences, let us work together regardless of religious differences. On matters which affect our religious differences, let us agree to differ, but with respect. Those seem to me to be honorable rules by which to live -- and they have considerable halakhic precedent. I have explained them in two of my books, ONE PEOPLE? and COMMUNITY OF FAITH..

Richard Marson:
Do you feel that some rabbis receive their semicha too easily?

CHIEF RABBI:
I'm not sure. One thing I will never forget, though -- my own rav's answer when I asked him what difference semikhah made if yesterday someone did not know the whole of Torah, and today still does not, but nonetheless carries the title "Rabbi". He said: the difference is this: yesterday, he had an excuse; today he has no excuse. Therefore the one thing I expect of our rabbis is that they keep learning..

Simon B:
How long are you planning to remain as Chief Rabbi? I am supporter and would like to thank you for all the work you undertake on our behalf.

CHIEF RABBI:
As long as the Almighty and Anglo-Jewry allow me. There are very few days on which I do not feel it to be a privilege to serve so wonderful, diverse, goodhearted and fundamentally loyal and decent community. Each Jewish community is lovely in its own way, but there are things about Anglo-Jewry that make it -- and the privilege of leading it -- unique. I enjoy every day..

Sue Grant:
Do you ever read anything which is non-religious - that is purely for pleasure?

CHIEF RABBI:
Yes. I love Gerald Durrell's "My family and other animals'; J B Priestley's The Good Companions; and many, many others. There are few aesthetic experiences I thrill to like reading Shakespeare's poetry and prose. But religious books also give me pleasure -- of a different kind. There is nothing quite like the study of Torah -- the feeling of being p;art of a more-than-three-thousand-year unbroken conversation. To have a share in that is like nothing else in the world. So keep learning!!

The Jewish Telegraph:
thanks the Chief Rabbi for participating in this forum and all those who sent in questions - a full dialogue will be available on the website