Jerusalem – Israel’s Magen David Adom has succumbed to pressure by ultra-Orthodox groups and decided to set up a rabbinical committee to dictate religious guidelines – including gender relations – for volunteers in the rescue service.
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The committee, which was established under pressure from the Haredi community, as well as growing criticism from the religious Zionist movement, will be headed by Shmuel Eliyahu, the Chief Rabbi of Safed, as well as by a posek (a Jewish legal scholar) from the religious Zionists.
Most of the pressure is in the Jerusalem district, where there are many ultra-Orthodox workers, as well as many female volunteers in national service. More than 2,500 ultra-Orthodox people volunteer in MDA and other rescue services.
The committee, which began functioning several weeks ago, provides MDA with instructions regarding relations between sexes, information on science-related matters as well as other relevant issues.
“The committee, which began functioning several weeks ago, provides MDA with instructions regarding relations between sexes, information on science-related matters as well as other relevant issues”
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Why is such a committtee necessary? The MDA has been operating sucessfully througout EY for several decades. There is NO evidence whatsover of inappropriate “sexual relations” or any other issues that the Chaeidim seek to insert themselves into. The MDA is one of the few cases of frum and non-frum Isrealis working side-by-side without friction yet this Committee seems to be based on the assumption there are problems that must be addressed.
“information on science-related matters”
So rabbanim are now going to tell doctors how to go about their professional business, are they?
What a cockamamey setup!
I worry that these “instructions”will be aimed primarily, or only, at the women [men don’t seem to have too many problems…if it weren’t for those women who lead us astray].
I also wonder what “science-related” direction they could give. Halacha, “medical halacha,” shmirat Shabbos, etc.
Mda saved my sons life this past shabbos. In my book, they can do no wrong.
This came about because of recent events that happen between a volunteer from Modiin and EMT from kiryat sefer