Introduction

9 Kislev 5768

In 5765 (2005), the investigations into Shlomo Aviner's instruction on Niddah cumulated in the ruling by a Rabbinic Council convened by Rishon LeTzion HaRav Mordekhai Eliyahu SHLIT"A that

Shlomo Aviner is forbidden to rule on this and related issues.

This Rabbinical Council was comprised of:

Rabbi Ya'acov Yosef SHLIT”A
Rabbi, Giv'at Moshe, Jerusalem, Hazon Ya'acov Foundation

Rabbi Dov Lior, SHLIT”A
Rabbi of Qiriyath Arba-Hevron

Rabbi Mordekhai Eliyahu SHLIT”A
Rishon leTzion
Former Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Israel

Rabbi Zalman Nehemiyah Goldberg, SHLIT”A
Member, High Rabbinical Court

Rabbi Avraham Elqanah Kahane Shapira ZTZ"L
Rosh Yeshivah, Merkaz HaRav, Former Ashkinazi Chief Rabbi of Israel

Since then, many other respected rabbis have added their names to the list of halachic scholars instructing the public to refrain from turning to Shlomo Aviner, regarding various issues. These rabbis include, but are not limited to:


Rabbi Shlomo Fisher, SHLIT”A
Dayan, High Rabbinical Court of Jerusalem

Rabbi Nissim Karlitz, SHLIT”A
B'nei Braq

The aim of this blog is to bring forth such documents and evidence, and make it more accessible to the English-speaking public.

This blog also intends to investigate such confounding questions as:

1. How is it that so many Jews in the Binyamin Region are sill unaware of these Rabbinic rulings, even though the Binyamin Religious Council was specifically instructed to publicize the original ruling of 5765?

2. How is it that those Jews who are aware of the various rulings against Shlomo Aviner side with him, instead of following the dictates of the greatest rabbis of our generation?

3. How is it that so Jews seem to believe that rulings of Rabbinial Courts are nothing more than Lashon HaRa (forbidden speech), when in fact the halacha says exactly the opposite?

For clarity, the dates of each blog post match the dates of the letters and documents, or the approximate date of their release, in order to keep to the time line of the various investigations and rulings.

Letter To Binyamin Religious Council, Tammuz 5765

The following is a translation of the ruling of the Rabbinical Council comprised of the rabbis listed. The Hebrew version may be viewed at Aviner.net.

The Words of the Rabbanim HaGa'onim

Rabbi Ya'acov Yosef SHLiT”A
Rabbi, Giv'at Moshe, Jerusalem, Hazon Ya'acov Foundation

Rabbi Dov Lior, SHLIT”A
Rabbi of Qiriyath Arba-Hevron

Rabbi Mordekhai Eliyahu SHLIT”A
Rishon leTzion, Former Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Israel

Rabbi Zalman Nehemiyah Goldberg, SHLIT”A
Member, High Rabbinical Court

Rabbi Avraham Elqanah Kahane Shapira SHILT”A
Rosh Yeshivah, Merkaz HaRav, Former Ashkinazi Chief Rabbi of Israel

(Listed according to the order of signatures)

To: Mateh Binyamin Religious Council
B”H 22 Tammuz 5765

We, the members of the Rabbinical Council appointed by the honorable “Rishon leTzion” Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, Shilt”a, to check the complaints and the concerning the rulings of Rabbi Shlomo Aviner on issues of family purity. After reviewing much testimony, both verbal and written, and in the absence of cooperation from the side of Rabbi Aviner (who did not come to the despite our requests), we announce that in light of the data which is in our possession, we are convinced that there are things he teaches which are not according to Jewish Law, and there are things which are which appear to the public as permitting the forbidden” (Yoreh De'ah 242:10).

And thus, we have arrived at the conclusion that it is forbidden for Rabbi Shlomo Aviner to provide instruction of Jewish Law on topics of marital relations (menstruation, stains, appearances, the prohibition of a woman to her husband, and those related issues).

We request that the Religious Council bring these things to the attention of the public, primarily in Bet-El and the surrounding area, and to announce that one should not turn to him for these questions.

Sincerely,

Ya'acov Yosef

Dov Lior

*********************

B”H Surely I have seen the written and signed above, and I join it.

Mordechai Eliyahu

*********************

Trustworthy are the words of Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, SHILT”A, and I share in his opinion.

Zalman Nehemiyah Goldberg

*********************

To the Council of Rabbis
Peace and Blessing

Surely I have seen the letter of the honorable council: Rabbi D. Lior, Rabbi Y. Yosef, with the addition of signatures from the Rishon leTzion Rabbi M. Eliyahu and Rabbi Z. N. Goldberg, and it is self-evident.

Sincerely,
Avraham Shapira