Get Ready For MK Yair Lapid's Attack On Torah

ט"ז לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

(Non-)Jewish Press: Lapid: Let Conservatives And Reform In
The (Conservative) Rabbinical Assembly [RA] shares remarks, photos from Yair Lapid’s address to its 2012 convention.

Jewish Press Staff, January 24th, 2013

Yair Lapid, chairman and founder of the Yesh Atid Party, which ended with a surprisingly strong second place finish in the Israeli election Tuesday, had his first and only major appearance in the United States at last year’s convention of the Rabbinical Assembly. In May 2012, Lapid addressed the Atlanta convention of the international umbrella organization for Conservative rabbis.

During his address to the RA, Lapid focused on the need for increased religious pluralism in Israel.... (cont.)

Lapid addressing the "RA," Atlanta, May, 2012 (screen shot)

Now, I am certainly willing to assume that the "RA" took Lapid's comments out of context.

After all, the "Conservative Movement" in Israel, likes to claim that the majority of Israelis are actually "Conservative." Polls consistently show that the majority of Israelis identify themselves as "traditional." In Hebrew, that is "masorati" (מסורתי). This is how the "Conservative Movement" in Israel identifies itself. Through its illogical, circular reasoning, it has deluded itself into thinking that the majority of Israelis are thus "Conservative."

You do the math.

And, what of Lapid's "need for increased religious pluralism in Israel?"

Translation: 
The Torah is powerful to attack head on.  So, let's try to chip away at it, bit by bit, instead.  First, we will convince everyone that the Torah is something that it's not, and includes "religious pluralism," even though it doesn't.

I guarantee you, this is only the beginning of his attack on the Torah.  Wose yet, it seems like he might have some help from Tzohar member, Head of the Petach Tikvah Hesder Yeshivah, and mamlakhti (undying State-loyalist) extraordinaire Rabbi Yuval Cherlow:

YWN: Rav Sherlow On Addressing Intermarriage In USA
December 12, 2012

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow

The rabbi warned of the many Jews who identify as Jews but are not halachically yidden, explaining some have not undergone any conversion, but nevertheless view themselves as Jews.

He feels “one step must be a separation between the halacha and policies of the State of Israel, true recognition (not halacha) for the different streams, and their conversions”. The rabbi explained he is quite aware of the argument of the other side, but he is playing the devil’s advocate in contemplating how this serious issue can and may be addressed. (cont.)

OK. So, it is not entirely clear from this snippet, but for me, it definitely raises a red flag.

I am not sure which is more disturbing, Lapid's desire to open the flood gates to two additional ways to attack the Torah, or The Jewish Press's acceptance of this view so "matter of fact-ly." I am certain, that when pressed on this matter, The Jewish Press will simply claim that it was only functioning as "an objective news source," or some other convenient excuse.

It is just one more reason for me to continue to call The Jewish Press, The Non-Jewish Press.