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From: yossi@ahuta.UUCP (j.friedman)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Conversions and who is a *
Message-ID: <451@ahuta.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 12-Feb-85 16:17:15 EST
Article-I.D.: ahuta.451
Posted: Tue Feb 12 16:17:15 1985
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Susan Slusky posits:
>The discussion about conversion seems to shift ground pretty frequently
>aroud here. Here in the old debating thesis style are the three resolutions
>I've noticed being debated.
>...
>2. BE IT RESOLVED THAT all conversions to Judaism be performed as in 1. and
>be supervised by an Orthodox rabbi. (This gets into the Joe Abeles question
>of who is a rabbi.)

The question should not be simply "who is a rabbi?"  It should be
"since these 'rabbis' do not agree with the Talmudic interpertation
of Halachah, how can the Orthodox abide by their actions?"

From other postings, I see that some people think there is a
personal, possibly vindinctive, confrontation between the Orthodox
and Reform, Conservatives, etc.  It is important to realize that there
is a definite difference of opinion and this leads to the split, not
just hatred on the part of the Orthodox.  Whether someone is considered
a rabbi or not is irrelevant, rather if he believes in the Orthodox
tradition and can be trusted is the question.

The rabbi has no special "powers" in the Orthodox view.  He is just a
learned man who is looked upon as a spiritual leader.  Any Jew can do
all the things a rabbi does.  However, since the rabbi is respected
(and has gone through the ordination process), he is the one trusted
to perform correctly all his duties.  Since a Reform rabbi will not
abide by the Orthodox tradition in a conversion, his supervision of
one will not be accepted.

Joe Friedman
AT&T-IS Lincroft
ahuta!yossi