ISRAEL
The Jerusalem Post
By ISI LEIBLER
01/01/2014
Rabbi Chaim Druckman, one of the most prominent rabbis of the national-religious movement, has responded to Rabbi Mordechai Elon’s conviction for indecent assault by force against a minor by employing him as a teacher in the Or Etzion Yeshiva where Druckman serves as the rosh yeshiva. This has sent shockwaves through the religious-Zionist community, and also poses a serious challenge to the Bayit Yehudi political party.
Naftali Bennett, the head of Bayit Yehudi, ran on a platform which highlighted religious reform. A charismatic personality, he communicates well with secular Israelis and has even succeeded in projecting himself as a trendy liberal. But until now, due either to inability or unwillingness, he has failed to confront the tough issues of religious reform.
Bayit Yehudi cannot remain on the sidelines in relation to such a fundamental issue as sexual misconduct within the rabbinic community. If it does not respond appropriately to this latest imbroglio, it will contribute to its own demise.
It is not my intention to provide a detailed analysis of the tragic Elon issue. Rabbi Elon was one of the leading and most charismatic rabbis within the religious- Zionist movement. His weekly Torah television presentations were widely popular. He was at one time head of the renowned Yeshivat Hakotel, headed the Horev School and was considered a candidate for chief rabbi. To this day he retains numerous followers who insist on his innocence.
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