There has been a lot of criticism of Minister Ben Gvir's ascent to Har Habayit this morning, most of it expected and standard, run of the mill boilerplate criticism - from the religious end to political to diplomatic, etc.
One piece of criticism seems unique to me. That if Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef
Rav Yosef's criticism included a bit, in addition to the boilerplate stuff about it being prohibited, that as a Minister representing the State of Israel he is obligated to act in accordance with the instructions of the Rabbanut that prohibits ascent to Har Habayit.
That is an interesiting point to make. Forgetting what any person or rabbi might hold about goign to Har Habayit, the Rabbanut's position is clear that it is prohibited and then a member of the government and a representative of that government has to do what the Rabbanut says.
Can secular Ministers be told they must keep Shabbos because the Rabbanut says watching television and driving your car on Shabbos is prohibited? Do they all have to eat kosher because the Rabbanut says shrimp is not kosher?
As a minister is Ben Gvir or anyone else obligated to follow the Rabbanut, whether he agrees with them or not? What about Members of Knesset and Deputy Ministers?
Interesting to consider.
------------------------------------------------------
Reach thousands of readers with your ad by advertising on Life in Israel
------------------------------------------------------