In an unecedented decision, the High Rabbinical Court of Israel has declared invalid all conversions performced since 1999 by Rabbi Haim Drukman, the head of the Conveersion Authority. The issue arose when the Ashdod’s Regional Rabbinical Court, declared invalid a conversion by a woman, a decison supported by the High Rabinnical Court. They also said it was possible to retroactively cancel the conversion of someone who does not observe the Sabbath. The Court also ruled the woman and her children must be added to the list of people who cannot marry under Jewish law. Out of extra caution, her husband was also added to the list of illegal marriages despite the fact he was born a Jew.
This decision raises issues about the Jewish status of thousands of people who were allowed to convert and marry in a Jewish ceremony. The Court expressed concern the woman in question did not observe the Sabbath. Perphaps, this will necessitate creation of a Sabbath police which goes around checking on which Jews do or don’t observe the Sabbath.
I wonder if those who rant and rave about Muslim clerics imposing sharia law upon their nations have anything to say about this latest episode of clerical interference in the lives of people.
