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JUDAISM stands on the threshold—perhaps beyond the threshold—of a fundamental transformation. If we are to return to the status quo ante of 1993, we must first take steps that would have seemed self-evident in that so recent but so distant past. For purposes of clarity and impact, I will present my position in language appropriate for definitive rulings. No one realizes more clearly than I that I do not have the standing to issue such rulings.
The most important principle is that no messianist should be treated as an Orthodox rabbi or functionary in good standing. No such person should be permitted to head or even serve on a rabbinical court. Every Jew must categorically refuse to appear before a court headed by a messianist even if legitimate rabbis only are hearing this particular case. If there is no other rabbinical court in that city, one must insist on an ad hoc tribunal of three rabbis or on a trip to the nearest city with an acceptable court. This means that no one may appear before the court of Crown Heights or of the city of Montreal or the one presided over by Rabbi Gedalyah Axelrod in Haifa. Other rabbinical courts should interact with these courts or recognize their decisions only in cases of extreme emergency such as jeopardy to someone's eligibility to marry. If a messianist does not head the court but merely serves on it, I might agree under sufficient duress to appear before a kosher panel of that court, though I would make every effort to avoid this.
No messianist should serve as a communal or synagogue rabbi. Anyone with the authority to remove such a rabbi is obligated to do so. A resident of that community should not recognize its rabbi as his or her religious authority in any respect. An organization like the National Council of Young Israel must immediately expel a synagogue that refuses to dismiss a messianist rabbi. One must pray in private rather than attend a synagogue in which the standard messianist formula is recited.
No messianist should be appointed as Jewish Studies principal or teacher in an Orthodox yeshiva.
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