Orthodox See Separation of Religion and State in Ben-gurion Proposal

Hints of a possible Cabinet crisis, linked to the continued deadlock on election of new Chief Rabbis, developed today in the open opposition of Religious party Cabinet members to Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion’s proposal for a “separation of religion and state” in Israel.

The Prime Minister was reported to have declared at the Cabinet meeting that the rabbinical courts should be separated from the Chief Rabbinate. He was reported to feel that rabbinical court judges and officials should continue to be state officials since, under Israeli law, the rabbinical courts have authority over marriage and divorce and some inheritance regulations.

However, the Prime Minister argued; the rabbinate, dealing with purely religious matters, should cease to have official status and should have authority only over those believing Jews who wanted to recognize the rabbinate’s rule in matters of Jewish religious law.

This proposal was interpreted by Religious party members of the Cabinet as tantamount to a separation of religion and state and they warned that its implementation would have “grave consequences” for Israel’s national life.

LEGAL VALIDITY OF CHIEF RABBINATE COUNCIL’S ACTION QUESTIONED

Meanwhile, the outgoing Chief Rabbinate Council decided last night that Israeli rabbis will not convert to Judaism anyone from abroad without prior consultation with the rabbinate in the place of the applicant’s prior residence.

The decision raised again the issue of the legal validity of actions by the Chief Rabbinate Council since its tenure expired several weeks ago in the dispute between religious factions in Israel over the election of new Chief Rabbis.

The Council also asked the Ministry of Finance to exempt electric shavers from any customs or other duties because they are needed by all orthodox Jews who, for religious reasons, do not use razor blades.