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Religion See other Religion Articles Title: Orthodox group says rabbi violating rules by participating in National Prayer Service (more "tolerance") The main Modern Orthodox rabbinical association says that one of its most prominent members has violated the organization’s rules by participating in the National Prayer Service the morning after Barack Obama's inaugural. The Rabbinical Council of America told JTA that Rabbi Haskel Lookstien, religious leader of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, broke the organization's rules by participating in the service, which was held at the National Cathedral Wednesday morning. “The long-standing policy of the Rabbinical Council of America, in accordance with Jewish law, is that participation in a prayer service held in the sanctuary of a church is prohibited," the RCA said in a statement. "Any member of the RCA who attends such a service does so in contravention of this policy and should not be perceived as representing the organization in any capacity." The RCA said that Lookstein’s participation was problematic both because the service was held in the sanctuary of a church – which Orthodox Jews are prohibited from entering -- and because it was a interfaith prayer service, which the RCA discourages for fear that such participation could allow missionaries to legitimize their argument that Jews can indeed embrace Jesus. “To go into a cathedral, in this case an Episcopalian Cathedral in the main sanctuary, is certainly by most accounts not appropriate. If one wants to visit the Sistine Chapel to view the art of Michelangelo, it is problematic,” the executive director of the RCA, Rabbi Basil Herring, told JTA. “There is no political perspective here that says you should not do it because it is politically sensitive. Of course it is a purely religious question.” Herring was adamant that the RCA was not taking a political stance, noting that the organization sent a letter to President Obama congratulating him, and expressing confidence that "with the help of God, you will build on the respect and good will that you have earned to lead a united country in a successful confrontation with the daunting challenges that we face both within and without." The RCA has been in conversation with Lookstein, but at this point is not seeking to sanction him, a source familiar with the situation said.. But, the source added, any member of the RCA can suggest that another member be brought before a disciplinary board for violation of rules -- and it is not clear yet if another member intends to do so. Lookstein joined six representatives of various religious communities, including Rabbi Jerome Epstein, the executive vice-president of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, in receiting portions of a non-denominational responsive prayer. The other four religious representatives to read part of the prayer were Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America; Rev. Jim Wallis, president of Sojourners; Uma Mysorekar, president of the Hindu Temple Society of North America; Rev. Suzan Johnson-Cook, senior pastor of the Bronx Christian Fellowship, New York City; Rev. Carol Wade of the Washington National Cathedral, and Kirbyjon Caldwell, senior pastor of the Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston. Earlier in the program, Rabbi David Saperstein, the Reform movement's top representative in Washington, was to recite Psalm 121. The service featured also several other clergymen.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 2.
#1. To: bluegrass (#0)
This is a tolerant position. Approval is not tolerance. Tolerance is disapproval without punishment.
"The RCA has been in conversation with Lookstein, but at this point is not seeking to sanction him, a source familiar with the situation said.. But, the source added, any member of the RCA can suggest that another member be brought before a disciplinary board for violation of rules -- and it is not clear yet if another member intends to do so."
#3. To: bluegrass (#2)
OTOH, Rabbi Haskel is an adult.
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