MK Eitam Congratulates IDF Chief-of-Staff on Chief Rabbi Appointment
Full Text;
MK Effi Eitam (National Union – NRP) has congratulated IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.Gen. Dan Halutz on his selection of Avichai Ronsky, head of the yeshiva in the Samarian community of Itamar, as the next Chief Rabbi of the IDF.
Eitam said, “Ronsky was a commander in the IDF and knows first hand the challenges the army faces in the battlefield.”
Commentary;
Ronsky, 54, a resident of Itamar, is the author of three books of responsa on halachic issues pertinent to the religious soldier. He has a lenient halachic position regarding allowing the desecration of the Shabbat for military needs. This position, which has been criticized by other rabbis, may make him more attractive to IDF commanders who want a minimum of religious restrictions on their soldiers.
“Rabbi Ronsky was adamantly against refusal of orders during the Disengagement and expulsion of the Jews from Gush Katif and Northern Shomron last summer.”