Beth Din reinforces prohibition on rabbis attending Limmud

TALI FEINBERG

Following the request, the dayanim (judges) of the Beth Din met the leadership of Limmud to learn what it stands for, as many did not know anything about the organisation. But, in spite of a productive meeting, the policy remained unchanged.

“After much deliberation, the conclusion of the Beth Din is a complete endorsement of the policy of the Rabbinical Association for its rabbis to neither attend nor teach at Limmud because of the latter’s promotion of values which are contrary to the Torah’s philosophy and principles,” the Beth Din told the SA Jewish Report on Tuesday.

This is in spite of the fact that “Limmud South Africa is strictly kosher under the Beth Din, and shomrei Shabbos [Shabbat observant] in public spaces, and 90% of people who attend it across South Africa are orthodox-affiliated. In Johannesburg, 35% are shomrei Shabbat,” according to Limmud South Africa chairperson Adina Roth.

Many international orthodox rabbis and rebbetzins attend Limmud in this country. South Africa is the only place worldwide where there is a ban on local orthodox rabbis attending.

When asked what the Beth Din meant by Limmud not promoting Torah philosophy and principles, the organisation responded, “The Beth Din’s mandate is to uphold halacha and Torah values within the community. Underpinning everything we do is the fundamental belief in G-d and the divine origin of the Torah.

“On questioning the Limmud team, we were told that these core beliefs are not a prerequisite for educators, nor is it a prerequisite for content that is delivered at the conference.

“As a result of this Limmud policy decision, the Beth Din is unable to approve or verify this conference, and endorses the policy of the South African Rabbinical Association. If Limmud would change this policy decision, the Beth Din would certainly reconsider its position.”

In response, Roth explained that across the world, Limmud is guided by a set of values which are grounded in Jewish ideas. “There are a range of presenters, and there are always orthodox presenters, including orthodox rabbis, at Limmud. All our learning is conducted with the intention of learning more deeply about Jewish history, culture, religion, and text. Limmud is a space where orthodox and observant people feel very comfortable.”

The Beth Din said the policy extended to rebbetzins (the wives of rabbis). “The grounds for the Beth Din endorsing the existing rabbinic policy are as applicable to rebbetzins as they are to rabbis. Any suggestion that a difference should exist undermines the undeniable and invaluable religious standing and leadership role which our rebbetzins rightly hold and fulfil, with tireless dedication to Torah values and principles.”

Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein said the long-standing policy of the South African rabbinate not to attend Limmud was a joint decision made by himself and the Rabbinical Association.

Rabbi Yossi Chaikin, who heads up the Rabbinical Association, said the policy dated back about ten years. “As is the case with many old policies, these are reviewed from time to time to see if they are relevant in the current context.”

The SA Jewish Report heard from an anonymous source that the Beth Din was considering imposing a psak on the matter – a halachic ruling that would make this policy official Jewish law in South Africa. It is still unclear if the endorsement of the policy by the Beth Din is officially a psak.

Though the SA Jewish Report asked for more explanation for how the Beth Din had arrived at its conclusion, the dayanim declined to offer it.

Limmud is a Jewish festival of learning that originated in the United Kingdom and now holds more than 80 events worldwide. It allows anyone interested in Judaism to attend and present. In South Africa for 13 years, 2 000 people attended Limmud events across the country in 2018.

In these 13 years, the Beth Din has never before asked to meet Limmud, so when its dayanim requested a meeting with Limmud’s leadership, the organisation saw it as a positive step possibly resulting in the relaxing of the policy on rabbis’ attendance. “We were open to meeting, and always will be,” said Roth.

In the meeting, Roth said she and her team explained Limmud’s strict policies on Shabbat and kashrut, and that there was strong orthodox attendance at Limmud events globally, both in terms of participants and presenters. In fact, in England, it is attended by the chief rabbi, Beth Din dayanim, Chabad rabbis, and other orthodox rabbis.

“In South Africa, the demographics of our community are similar to the demographics of those who attend Limmud. Ninety percent of our participants are orthodox-affiliated,” said Roth. “Although local rabbis do not attend, we bring in orthodox rabbis and teachers from overseas. Both shomrei Shabbos people and unobservant people say that Limmud is the best Shabbos of their year. For those who don’t keep Shabbat, it becomes one of the times when they do,” said Roth.

“In terms of how we put our programme together, we are guided by Limmud’s values. This includes diversity, as well as the idea that everybody should learn, and anyone can teach. We encourage people to empower themselves and rise to the challenge of learning and teaching.

“On the same note, we never force anyone to listen to someone they don’t want to hear. It’s all about making empowered choices. There are eight sessions per time slot, and everyone’s biography is available, so you know what you are going to hear and can make an informed decision,” said Roth.

“Limmud trusts in people’s ability to make adult choices about their Jewish lives. They can hear something and disagree with it, or choose not to go to a particular session if they don’t want to. We encourage debate, and no one is put on a pedestal. Another value of Limmud is having an ‘argument for the sake of heaven’. We focus on education and not polemics, and do not take sides,” she said.

In an environment in which many youth feel alienated, Limmud is one of the spaces that attracts young Jews. “Last year, we had an equal number of 20 to 40-year-olds as 60 and up! That’s unheard of in any other local Jewish community space. This is a 48-hour weekend of intensive Jewish learning from 08:00 to 01:00 every day. With the statistics showing increased disengagement with Judaism, we are proud that Limmud is successfully promoting engagement with Jewish learning and Jewish values, and drawing on people from a range of ages and Jewish backgrounds,” Roth said.

She wondered what the basis was for excluding members of the Jewish community from participating and presenting at a Jewish event. “Surely Jewish values such as ahavat chinam (unconditional love for one another) is something all of us should welcome? Limmud SA welcomes people of all backgrounds to learn and build community in a respectful manner. We do not endorse any stream or denomination, rather we provide an inclusive platform to expand Jewish horizons and enhance Jewish life in South Africa.”

She said Limmud’s doors were always open. “We hope to continue conversations with all parties involved, and find a way through this impasse. We respect the decision to not attend just as we respect all those who elect to attend Limmud.”