Mihu Yehudi, Who is a Jew?:
The Law of Return in Israel Then and Now
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
In a 5730-1970 Purim fabrengen the Rebbe spoke about how the Israeli Parliament passed the law of return giving the right for any and every Jew to return to Eretz Yisroel and become an Israeli citizen. They defined a Jew as someone born to a Jewish mother or converted to Judaism. When they referenced conversion they omitted the word, ‘k’Halacha, according to Jewish law’.
On this occasion and on many others in the years to follow the Rebbe demanded that the law be amended to include the word ‘k’Halacha’. The Rebbe called upon the religious parties to leave the coalition if this amendment was not made to the law. It was clear from the Rebbe’s words that this was an issue of essential importance for the Jewish people and something of the highest priority. It was also clear that this issue was of great concern and deeply painful for the Rebbe.
The Rebbe went on to say that leaving this law without amendment created a loophole for anyone to come based on any standard and claim to be Jewish. Further this precedent would be detrimental to Jews all over the world. The Rebbe brought the example of someone going to a dentist to have a cavity filled. Anyone would certainly verify that the dentist is legitimately trained and educated. So too with conversion. Conversion changes the neshama to become Jewish. It needs to be done by an individual who is trained and dedicated to Halacha.
This began a multi decade struggle that the Rebbe waged on behalf of the Jewish people to change the law of return, referred to as Mihu Yehudi.There were many at the time who didn’t understand the Rebbe’s concern. Even the ultra religious parties didn’t see this as an item that should be on top of their agenda. They wouldn’t agree to refuse to be part of a government of either the Likud or Labor Party without that ultimatum. They only said that at the proper time they would deal with it. Well, that time never came.This week the Supreme Court of Israel ruled that any type of conversion, reform conservative or otherwise must be accepted. Everything is by Divine Providence. This week we read about the Golden Calf. What happened in the Supreme Court of Israel is the result of the modern day Golden Calf. All the decisions that led to this tragedy revolve around gold (money or political power).
The Rebbe was saying that this was their opinion 50 years ago and they were accepting any type of conversion, they just weren’t saying it out loud. Now 51 years later they’re saying it out loud without any shame.
The Rebbe saw where all of this was leading and what the effects would be long-term to Jewish identity and the integrity of the Jewish people. The Rebbe did all everything possible to stop the damage that this would cause in its tracks before it got out of hand. It breaks the heart when we think about what has happened and the decades-long efforts of the Rebbe and where we are today. The Rebbe said “az es tout vey men shreit, when something is painful it’s natural to cry out”.There are two important lessons that this teaches us. First, whenever the Rebbe said something it was with the clarity of all the future impact in mind. The Rebbe said many times that if the law wasn’t amended it would be a “bechiah l’doros, a lasting tragedy”. (We saw this same clarity with the Camp David Accords in the land for peace deal).Secondly when we have an opportunity to accomplish something even if it’s hard or uncomfortable or requires that we take a stand we should not push for tomorrow thinking that there will be a better or easier time to get it done. Just like we see now with the amendment of Mihu Yehudi in 1970 1974, 1977 etc. that better moment never happened.
Looking back, regardless of the fact that it was uncomfortable or difficult, that was the right time to change the law. Now once the Supreme Court of Israel has passed this law it will be incomparably more difficult to change. Then was the right time, just as the Rebbe said.
We cannot rely on the polished words of politicians or people who promise but do not deliver. The Rebbe gave us the mandate from the beginning of the Rebbe’s nesius 70 years ago, that we are the seventh generation and our job is to bring the revelation of Hashem into this world. May we fulfill our mandate and merit true and lasting leadership with the coming of Moshiach now.
A Good Shabbos