Rabbi Metzger and Halloran meet in Queens

New York City Council member Dan Halloran and Rabbi Yona Metzger, Israel’s Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi, met with rabbis and local activists to discuss Israel, circumcision, and other issues at a Queens parlor meeting Tuesday night.

Metzger listened attentively, and commented in accented English, as Halloran animatedly discussed his recent trip to Israel, specifically Judea and Samaria, with some explanations by host Dr. Joseph Frager.

In an hour and a half, free-wheeling conversation, Jonathan Pollard was mentioned with Dr. Frager pressing the case as a humanitarian issue and mentions of Metzger’s composition of a prayer to be recited daily for Pollard. Other topics discussed included the expulsion of Gush Katif, how an area called “cursed” by the Arabs, bloomed under Jewish tillage and became “blessed” only to be destroyed, the lack of a partner for Israel to discuss peace with, the bombs from Gaza into Sderot, and Halloran’s stated incomprehension of how and why Jews cannot live where they choose in Israel. Halloran noted that when the English sat down to discuss peace with Northern Ireland, the Irish had to lay down their weapons first. In contrast, he said, Israel armed the PLO and has no conditions, and no partner, for talking peace.

“I wasn’t there to have a nice time,” stressed Halloran, noting that his trip to Israel was a “fact-finding mission.” Speaking of the presidential election, he said that the “three issues central to the race are the economy, the economy, the economy.” He also said, “I don’t believe anybody should be pulled out of where they live. Race and religion shouldn’t affect anything in my life. Political correctness has infected the country.” He noted the importance of Israel as an ally, with Israel’s intelligence working with the NYPD to prevent 17 attacks by Islamic extremists since 9/11. “The U.S. has an obligation to our allies,” he stated. He predicted that the Obama campaign will “pull Pollard out of the hat” around October 15th.

Halloran also said that he backs the right of “metzitza bapeh” because regulating it is a “slippery slope that could lead to banning.” He finds it “terrifying, regulating religious practices” and suggested that the “Department of Health give guidelines.” Rabbi Metzger noted that, for thirty years, mohelim in Israel have had to be certified to practice by a panel of rabbis, mohelim and doctors and have to be trained in first aid and health regarding circumcision. He pointed out that he was invited to Germany to discuss the issue in the wake of one city’s attempt to prohibit circumcision there.

Rabbi Metzger stressed the importance of Jerusalem to Israel and Judaism. “All over the Jewish world we pray facing Jerusalem. The Moslems turn their backs to Jerusalem and face Mecca. Take your holy place and leave us one holy city. Jerusalem is the capital city for Israel forever.”

Metzger recounted his service in the IDF as a tank commander during the confusion of the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Years later, he said that Russian generals who helped the Syrians in 1973 visited Metzger’s synagogue and asked how the Israelis got the Arabs’ battle plans, thwarting their every move. Metzger then confirmed with Halloran that West Point doesn’t teach Israeli military battles. Halloran concurred and Metzger added, “Because they are Divine.”

Halloran mentioned the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, and Metzger confirmed that their numbers are decreasing everywhere but Israel, where they are increasing. Metzger also voiced concern for the United States’ turning its back on Mubarak, that it “sends a bad message to the Moslems.”

When asked about the eviction of 300 Jews from Migron, and the pending destruction of their mikveh and synagogue, he said, “I don’t know anything about it” and that the synagogue can be moved so it won’t be destroyed and that he ”can’t do anything, the High Court decided and it’s a democracy.”

Metzger came to the U.S. to speak at the 14th annual Siyum HaShas of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, the Igud Horabbonim, September 5th in the evening at The Sephardic Home in Brooklyn.