A stay of execution

A stay of execution is no victory. It is up to all of us to keep the pressure on. This bill must die. And if you are curious why:

"The bill's controversial third clause states that anyone who “entered” Israel as a non-Jew (and did not have a father, grandparents or spouse who was Jewish and therefore was not eligible for Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return) and converted to Judaism at some later date, whether in Israel or abroad, would not be eligible for automatic citizenship."

So if someone went to Israel, fell in love with Judaism and decided to convert, but happens to believe that Halacha dictates an equality of the sexes in Synagogues and so converts Conservative - they are going to be DENIED Israeli citizenship.

And if any Orthodox people think this is not their argument, the same is true for their converts as well. Any convert will be scrutinized, and I can assure you that Modern Orthodox conversions will be declared null as well.

Hell, the chief rabbinate could just decide not to recognize the conversion of anyone outside of Israel who had had the poor judgment to visit Israel as a Gentile.

Folks this bill speaks to a deeper flaw in modern Israel. The power of the chief rabbinate must be abolished altogether. Judaism of all types should be recognized without state coercion. Power has corrupted the Haredi/Dati Israeli rabbinate - it needs to end. Separate our beautiful faith from the trappings of the state...and watch it flourish.