A couple months ago rabbinical student Daniel Kirzane wrote a post related to his student senior sermon. His topic was a discussion about the current position of the HUC-JIR regarding applicants to its rabbinical school who are married to or involved with a non-Jew. As Brandon Bernstein puts it:
Currently, applicants to HUC-JIR (the Reform Movement’s seminary) are not held to any standards of theological belief, ritual observance, or life choices, except for one: an agreement not to be “engaged, married, or partnered/committed to a person not Jewish by birth or conversion.” This policy is therefore crucial for its significant symbolic value—it is the one and only commitment to living a Jewish life expected by HUC of future Reform rabbis, cantors, educators, and communal workers. (Reform Judaism Online – Spring 2013)
I agree with Brandon, if HUC-JIR removes the rule that a future rabbinical student cannot be “engaged, married, or partnered/committed to” a non-Jew then what other rules should also be removed? Why not permit a rabbinical student applicant to believe the messiah has already arrived? Even though I consider myself non-denominational I do believe that there needs to be some set standards for future rabbis.
I understand that there are Jews who fall in love with non-Jews. This is simply a fact of life and we need to realize this fact. However, if a potential rabbinical student is serious about his/her Judaism then shouldn’t the individual also be serious about being intermarried (or involved with) a non-Jew? Are we not told in the Torah not to intermarry? If so, then how can someone supposedly serious enough to attend rabbinical school argue that intermarriage is okay? Yes, I realize that Daniel is a Reform Jew but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he – even according to Reform Judaism beliefs – can rightfully ignore Torah law when it is advantageous.
I am not saying that intermarried people should be ignored or thrown out of the synagogues. I believe that it is our responsibility to win over the non-Jew so he/she will convert. We absolutely cannot run-off the Jew in these intermarried relationships but we cannot go on simply ignoring the situation. Any future rabbi must be aware of, and sympathetic to, intermarried couples but this does not mean there must be an indication of acceptance.
Rabbinical schools must have set standards for potential students. HUC-JIR has a position which means that a potential rabbinical student cannot be “engaged, married, or partnered/committed to” a non-Jew. I personally applaud this rule. This is a Torah-based rule that should not be changed. If a person is truly committed to Judaism – enough to become a rabbi – then he/she should be serious enough to not be intermarried. If the person is already intermarried then bringing the non-Jewish spouse/partner to Judaism should be a primary goal. If this can be accomplished then he/she can attend rabbinical school at a later time.
I applaud HUC-JIR for their stand and I hope they stand strong against the forces pushing them to give up their stand.