The settlement rabbis publish a scathing letter, following a conference on "Preparing for the Sabbatical Year.".
The conference was organized by the Ministry of Religious Services - and the rabbis claim: "The conference was conducted in a dictatorial manner that was reminiscent of the style of 'Mother Russia.' No permission was given to speak, and no questions were allowed, 'except for a question that lasted only about a minute, to Rabbi Yosef Shleus, which was immediately stopped out of fear that he would demand a different position.".
The conference dealt with two topics: preparing for the year of sabbath, and 'approving standards for settlement rabbis.' The Ministry of Religious Affairs sent a circular from the Director General, demanding changes to the employment details of the rabbis, such as the obligation to report hours, and a place of residence at the place of ministry, and the conference was supposed to deal with these matters. In practice, the rabbis claim, the conference was not planned or organized in cooperation with the organization of settlement rabbis, but rather the opposite - against it.
Rabbi Yosef Shloush, the regional rabbi of South Sharon, who heads the committee of the National Organization of Rabbis in Settlement, adds: "As in the 'Director General's Circular', which is nothing but instructions and forceful obligations, and a detailed and humiliating report, so is his action at the Rabbinical Conference - there is only one clear and simple position. The invitation to 'Approval of Standards' also mentioned a 'car parade.'".
The rabbis also complain about a "deliberately misleading" letter that was sent "hastily by mail 24" and contained a directive on the need to report hours according to the new regulations, despite the court's decision that issued an interim order, stating that until a new hearing, no report should be submitted, which constitutes contempt of court.
Rabbi Shlush tells Haredim 10 that the organization has filed a petition with the court, and in about a month a hearing will be held, "and with God's help we will prevail.".
The Ministry of Religious Services responded: "For the first time, after many years of stagnation, dozens of rabbis will be appointed in the settlement, in light of compliance with the request of the Ministries of Finance and Justice that the rabbis report their working hours.
""Another legitimate requirement is that the rabbis live in the locality in which they serve. Our investigation shows that, unfortunately, a small number do not meet this condition. Apart from a few rabbis who even went to court, most rabbis supported and continue to support the important move. As for the claims about a conference that was run in a dictatorial manner, this is simply not true. Rabbi Shleushe took the microphone and asked his question and received an answer from the director general of the ministry for all to see.".
In a conversation with 'Haredim 10', a senior official in the Ministry of Religious Affairs reveals that the rabbis' letter achieved its goal, and "the next director general's circular will be softer and friendlier.".
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