Rabbi Eliezer Weiss Reflects on 50 Years of Service, Inter-faith Dialogue, and Kashrut
Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weiss, a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, shared reflections on his extensive career in an interview with Arutz 7, tracing his journey from childhood in Manchester to his rabbinical service in Moshav Kfar HaRif and his current role. He discussed the complexities of kashrut supervision, particularly for imported goods, emphasizing that identical-looking products may not share the same certification due to differing production methods. Rabbi Weiss also voiced strong criticism of the former Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana's kashrut reform, arguing it undermined proper oversight and turned kashrut into a business.
Weiss highlighted the ongoing discussion around "Chalav Yisrael" (milk supervised from milking to bottling by Jews) and the need to re-evaluate past assumptions in light of industrial and medical changes. He also addressed the challenges of overseeing the vast meat market, stressing the high standards of kashrut in Israel compared to abroad, while also noting a shortage of qualified professionals in slaughter and post-slaughter inspection.
Beyond kashrut, Rabbi Weiss chairs the Chief Rabbinate's inter-faith committee, fostering dialogue with entities like the Vatican and the Anglican Church on shared societal issues, including the dangers of artificial intelligence, which he likened to the Golem of Prague. He stressed the importance of respectful dialogue but drew firm lines, stating that joint prayer or the use of religious symbols is unacceptable, emphasizing the unique nature of Jewish prayer.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Rabbi Weiss recounted his move from Manchester to Israel after the Six-Day War, his studies at Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav, and his 32 years as rabbi of Kfar HaRif. He spoke of the profound influence of rabbis like Tzvi Yehuda Kook and Avraham Shapira, and his belief that despite current challenges, this is a remarkably good era for the Jewish people in their land. He concluded by advocating for compromise in disputes, stating, "Do not quarrel. Always concede."
