Ahead of Knesset Member Avi Maoz‘s intention to propose a new bill tomorrow to amend “Mihu Yehudi”,  Harav Yitzchak Yehuda Yeruslavsky of Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad appealed to him, stating that cosmetic and uncoordinated amendments would only harm the desired end result.

This follows a previous letter from Rabbi Yeruslavsky last week to Knesset members to support the original bill proposed by MK Avi Maoz, as reported by Anash.org.

The original legislation, proposed by MK Avi Maoz, sought to ensure that registration as Jewish in Israel’s population registry would only recognize conversions performed according to Halacha – as the Rebbe pleaded for decades – and not those conducted by Reform or Conservative movements, as the Supreme Court currently requires.

The original letter by Rabbi Yeruslavsky to Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, among others, stated:

“This matter was deeply in the heart of the Rebbe of Lubavitch, who for many years spoke endlessly about amending the law. Certainly, correcting this matter will strengthen spiritual matters in our holy land and will bring continued blessing and success in all Jewish affairs.”

“I respectfully request that you support the population registry bill presented by MK Avi Maoz,” he added.

Ultimately, the bill failed in its preliminary reading. In the vote, 60 MKs opposed the bill, while only 15 supported it – primarily members of Yahadus HaTorah and Shas. 

Likud and right-wing MKs from Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism, including key figures who had publicly endorsed the legislation just a month ago, abstained.

Coalition sources and Otzma Yehudit claimed, “MK Maoz is not genuinely interested in passing the bill; he is seeking a cynical political maneuver. When a bill is raised for a vote and fails, its next vote is automatically postponed by six months. This is exactly what Maoz is doing – trying to gain politically, but in fact harming the chances of the bill passing.”

They added, “Maoz’s approach is completely contrary to the instructions of the Chabad rabbonim, who directed that the bill should only be promoted when there is a clear majority to pass it. Unfortunately, it seems his goal is to destabilize the coalition and undermine the stability of the right-wing government.”

Now that it has become clear that raising specific and cosmetic amendments to the Law of Return – which are not coordinated with the government and do not provide a real response to the question of “Mihu Yehudi” – causes real damage, Harav Yeruslavsky has turned to MK Avi Maoz with a request to hold back so as not to cause more harm.

He emphasizes that “the falling of such proposals strengthens the opponents and harms the ability to promote a fundamental and responsible correction in the future,” explaining that the bill, several days prior, did not bring a real solution and weakened the entire struggle.

According to Harav Yeruslavsky, the issue of “Mihu Yehudi” is a fateful issue for all of Klal Yisroel, which the Rebbe fought for, and it requires a comprehensive, coordinated move with real feasibility – and not a series of partial amendments that do not solve the problem from its foundation.