Israel’s two Chief Rabbis have agreed to modify the symbolic conversion rituals required of Ethiopian Jews immigrating to Israel. The Chief Rabbis decreed that from now on, Ethiopian males entering Israel will not have to submit to symbolic circumcision but must immerse themselves in a mikve (ritual bath) to erase any doubt that they are authentic Jews. But, Rahamin Elazar, head of the Public Council for Ethiopian Jews, welcomed the move but said “This demand is still a humiliating act.”
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