There is an interesting story in the Jerusalem Post. Apparently the two chief rabbis of the State of Israel have scheduled to meet with the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams (The Church of England). The purpose of the visit I suppose is to try and improve relations with this group which had announced divestiture with firms doing business with Israel while it still “illegally” occupied the West Bank. I do not want to get into the issue of the immorality of the decision by the Anglican church. Suffice it to say that it has been condemned by former archbishop, George Carey, who said in response that he "ashamed to be an Anglican and that the decsion was overturned in March by the Church's Ethical Investment Advisory Group who voted unanimously against the decision.
My purpose here is to point out the nature of the visit as understood by Anglicans. From the article:
“It is also hoped it will lead to better understanding and a strengthening of interfaith relationships in the Middle East and beyond.”
“The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) also welcomed the meeting. A spokesman for the interfaith organization said: "We commend the Church of England and His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury for their initiative and foresight in bringing this meeting to fruition.”
"CCJ acknowledges the determination of the Archbishop and Lambeth Palace to further positive Jewish-Christian relations, bringing about a process for the ongoing improvement in understanding and dialogue.
"For 65 years, CCJ has been privileged to work with both traditions and can testify to the enrichment of all as a result.
"The meeting is a historic milestone that acknowledges the contribution of the Jewish faith to the economic, cultural and educational life of the UK as well as to Christianity's understanding of its Jewish roots. The meeting will affirm the centrality of future dialogue in a world of conflict and political tension."
“…and may this visit strengthen the bond of interfaith fellowship and celebration of the common Biblical, theological and moral heritage we share with the Jewish people,"
It should be noted that Rav Metzger is the hand chosen Ashkenazi Cheif Rabbi by Rav Elyashiv. It should further be pointed out that the feeling is mutual… that is, that Rav Metzger considers Rav Elyashiv to be his mentor.
This is quite astounding. It suggests that perceptions of interfaith dialogue which is anathematic to Torah is not an impediment to having a public meeting with members of a faith which if practiced by Jews is deemed to be Avodah Zara. Rav Elyashiv seems to approve of it. It doesn’t matter if that interfaith dialogue is not the goal of rabbis Metzger and Amar.
The argument made by the rabbinic leadership against Rabbi Yosef Reinman when he stood on the same podium with a Reform rabbi was that merely standing on the same podium with him is Assur because of tacit endorsement. And in that case it was clearly stated by both sides that Orthodoxy does not accept trhe views of Reform as legitimate. There was never an iota of interfaith dialogue hinted at. Yet here in the case of the meeting with leaders of the Anglican Church that it is precisely how they seem to view it.
Some people have argued that it is OK to meet with Christian leaders as opposed to heretical Jewish ones. It is not the same as meeting with Reform rabbis. The difference, they say, is that no one will mistake Jewish leaders of endorsing Christian views. People will, however, think Jewish leaders are endorsing Reform rabbis in a similar public circumstance since they are Jewish rabbis too. One might further argue that in the context of joining in areas of common concern in the public arena: such condemning the homosexual pride parade in Jerusalem… that joining together with Chrsitans is OK.
But what is happeneing here isn’t a joint condemnation of an event. The Anglicans see this as some sort of religious dialogue. Some people may come to see this as some sort of endorsement of Christianity as a brother religion.
Or… maybe I’m wrong. Maybe interfaith dialogue with Christians is not Assur after all. Maybe Rav Elyashiv Paskins that it’s OK to participate with Christians in an interfaith dialogue? Maybe Rav Elyashiv thinks it is a good idea to explore what Judaism and Christianity have I common.
And maybe there is such a thing as the tooth fairy.
