Jerusalem – Rav Amsalem Pens Editorial: I Was Right, And I Forgive

Jerusalem – In an editorial that appears in Israeli news service Kikar Hashabbat, R’ Chaim Amsalem not only defended his plan to ease the conversion of Israeli soldiers who are descendants of Jewish immigrants but also criticized the Shas party for its actions in this controversial matter.

R’ Amsalem questioned those who lambasted him for what they call his leniency in allowing the conversion of those who come from known Jewish families, saying that Harav Ovadia Yosef already allowed for these types of conversions years ago and blasted Shas for their inaction in this matter leaving the soliders in question in a state of confusion and embarrassment.

Both R’ Yosef and Chief Rabbi Shlomah Amar spoke out this week on this matter and both expressed views that were in conjunction with Amsalem’s.

Amsalem criticized both Israeli newspaper Yated Neeman and the ubiquitous signs that line the streets of Jerusalem for their brazen attacks not only against him but also against R’ Ovadia Yosef for supporting his plan, also mentioning earlier signs that called Chief Rabbi Amar an apikores for buying into “Amsalem’s policies”.

Explaining that R’ Yosef’s earlier rulings on these conversions were even more lenient than his own, Amsalem said that in a meeting with R’ Yosef in this matter several years ago, R’ Yosef and his council supported his solution to this problem, which he outlined both in the meeting and in a follow up letter the next day. According to Amsalem mistruths continue to abound, saying that he permits the conversion of those who have no interest in observing mitzvos and that enlisting in the army is reason enough to allow conversion.

While Amsalem seems accustomed to being attacked by the Israeli media he expressed outrage that the media would attack leading rabbinical leaders.

“On my honor, I can forgive,” writes Amsalem. “But what about the honor of R’ Yosef? ”