2004 Attempt To Revive The Sanhedrin - The Current Attempted Sanhedrin's Actions

The Current Attempted Sanhedrin's Actions

A great deal of discussion on the Sanhedrin forum appears to indicate that the new Sanhedrin is currently taken up with philosophical discussions about the theory of Jewish Law. The point is repeatedly made that the Sanhedrin "must solve many complex halakhic issues" before it can begin to make any statement or decision in terms of Jewish law. It claims its projects are "coordinated in complete consultation with the Gedolei Hador (leading halachic authorities of the generation) as well as with the Israeli Government Authorities, academics and professionals.... The Sanhedrin Initiative seeks to empower Jews to perform national mitzvot that thanks to technological advances and/or sociological developments are currently or imminently in the realm of the possible. The Initiative is staffed by accomplished scholars and academics striving to promote dignified Jewish freedom of religious expression which is consistent with the values of Western democracy. The Sanhedrin Initiative adheres to the criteria of halakha (Jewish law), expertise, amenity and peace in... all its... projects." The Hebrew version adds that it "has no connection with extremist groups, right wing political parties, or those who disregard Jewish law." Events as portrayed by the media, however, have not always fit this picture:

• The new Sanhedrin formed a committee to collect opinions as to the exact location of the Temple on Temple Mount.
• Some of its members ascended to a portion of the Temple mount that was added by Herod and is considered permitted to Jews according to some opinions.
• This visit culminated in a declaration that the "Jewish people should begin collecting supplies for the rebuilding of the Temple".
• They have announced ties with various academic scholars and institutions.
• They issued religious rulings on the formulation of the Rachem prayer for Tisha B'Av services, the kashrut of pheasant and quail, and the proper formulation of the Birkat HaMazon (grace after meals).
• There was dialogue with the Ministry of Education over "the Bible and Scriptures curriculum".
• They support Jewish settlement of the West Bank and opposed the Gaza withdrawal.
• An Israeli court allowed a defendant to consult a ruling from a subordinate court of the Sanhedrin.
• Since February 2006, the nascent Sanhedrin has been represented on the Internet by the 'Friends of the Sanhedrin'.
• They supported religious and right wing parties in the 2006 Israeli Elections.
• During the Lebanon War they offered extensive opinions in the area of war and military policy.
• They opposed the Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem in September 2006 (which was canceled), declaring participation in the security operations for the parade a criminal act.
• They issued repeated calls for soldiers and policemen to disobey orders that the nascent Sanhedrin regards as contrary to Jewish law.
• They blew the shofar on Rosh Hashanah in September 2006, which fell on a Shabbat. This was essentially a claim to the rights and authority of a true Sanhedrin.
• Summoned an IDF officer who issued restraining orders for several residents of the West Bank to appear before the nascent Sanhedrin. This resulted in a Police investigation of the Rabbis who issued the summons. However the reaction of the new Sanhedrin was defiant.
• Their annual public conference in 2007 included calls for the public to support a government based on Jewish Law.
• For Passover 2007, they led a drive to offer the passover sacrifice on the Temple Mount.
• In May 2007, they launched a diplomatic peace initiative aimed at averting a conflict between Israel and Iran, and resolving the issue of the Temple Mount.
• In August 2007, At the request of the Falun Gong, the new Sanhedrin was to deliberate persecution of the movement by Chinese regime.
• In October 2007, several members of the new Sanhedrin ascended to the Temple Mount and began saying short prayers on the mount, with the apparent support of the Israeli government.
• In January 2008, they wrote a letter to U.S. President George W. Bush during his visit to Israel requesting that he not divide Jerusalem. The letter was delivered by former Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu.