Jerusalem – Religious Zionism leader Rabbi Shlomo Aviner argued that Akiva and Anael Shmuli’s participation in popular reality TV show The Amazing Race 2 goes against Jewish values and may be considered a violation of Jewish law since the couple had to travel abroad. Furthermore, the rabbi refused to see the fact that the couple’s relationship was inspiring to others. Yet there are those who disagree.
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A couple of religious educators turned to Rabbi Yuval Sherlo to hear his opinion on the show. “There is no doubt that in light of the show, secular society in Israel now has a great deal of respect for ‘The Jewish Home’ and believes that a relationship within that home is healthy, full of love and trust – all due to the much discussed couple who even in moments of hardship live in amazing cooperation and admirable coherence.
“Yet the question that must be raised is – is this the sanctification of Hashem? Or is it just something nice? Or, is it even possible that this is a profanity of his name? And one final question: Is this a way to influence the Israeli nation?”
Something atypical does not equal anti-halacha on its own volition. If they cause a chilul Hashem (which I understand is not the case) or they violate shabbos or kashrus etc… then THAT would be anti-halacha. Rabbis have to stop looking for the “aveira” in everything. They should focus on the citizens of Israel who do not travel abroad, but stand outside in public, donning holocaust clothing, embarrassing Jews around the world instead of a couple playing a game on a television program conducting themselves with the utmost dignity.
I’m surprised the rabbi didn’t scold them for smiling on camera and holding hands. That is usually the first “scandalous” behavior rabbis point out. But it’s good to know that traveling abroad “might” be an aveira now. I’m sure millions of Israelis and Jews will take that message very seriously and will find that type of lifestyle amazing. . .
If these two showed a loving home and the powerful relationship between a loving husband and wife, good for them! I think that sometimes we Orthodox miss the forest for the trees. We become too immersed in details and loose site of the big picture. Rather than condemning this couple, we should be celebrating their love and inspiring behavior! Kol Hakavod to them!
Newsflash: this is stale news, we are in the 20th season of the show Amazing Race, this article is talking about season 2.
You can participate in a show like This anytime you want. You wont be much different in status from Schmuley Boteach. If there is a consequence such as a curse that may accompany your “success” watch and wait. I would personally not be interested, but we all have our fates and our futures. So I would not think that it is a common disgrace for a jew, unless the jew makes it a disgrace.
Glad to see all the important issues facing klal yisroel have been solved and rabbonim have time to deal with this stuff. I’ll sleep better tonight knowing this is the
It seems like Rabbi Aviner is more of a SURVIVOR fan and that is why he doesn’t like Amazing Race.
Leaving the land of Israel.- I know that the talmud states that one can leave Israel for Parnasa, for marriage, and for Torah study. Leaving Israel to see family is also permitted because it falls under the category of Kibud Av Ve’em.
Rambam says, “A person should always live in the Land of Israel… If a person leaves [the Land of Israel] to go to the Diaspora, it is as if he worshiped idols.” This suggests that by leaving the Land, one is turning away from the Divine Presence (Shechinah) which rests there, i.e., one is rejecting the holiness of the Land. However, the fact that Rambam quotes the verse, “for they have driven me this day from abiding with the inheritance of G‑d,” suggests that we are speaking here of chosenness .
This does not mean that one cannot leave for other reasons – however it food for thought.