David Bar-Hayim
Encyclopedia
David Bar-Hayim is an Israeli rabbi
who heads the Machon Shilo (Shiloh Institute) in Jerusalem, Israel.
, Australia
. He studied at the Merkaz Harav Kook yeshiva
in Jerusalem for 10 years. He now lectures in the greater Jerusalem area and publishes articles in English and Hebrew on various web sites. Although an Orthodox
rabbi, Bar-Hayim prefers the term "Halakhic Judaism", explaining that "Orthodox Judaism is flawed as it was by definition a response to the rise of Reform Judaism in the early 19th century. Responding to the Reform movement’s complete disregard for traditional practice and established religious jurisprudence, the new and reactionary “Orthodox Judaism” (a previously unknown term) adopted an extreme and opposite approach, viz. that the Ashkenazi Jewish practice which had evolved in Europe until that time should be enshrined, denying the possibility of any change whatever, even where such change is mandated by the Torah itself."
" which is based upon the Jerusalem Talmud.
He has proposed the re-establishment of Minhagei Eretz Yisrael, religious customs and practices that reflect those of the pre-exile Jewish communities in Israel, rather than those of Babylon or Europe.
on Passover
.
and gives more weight to rulings contained therein.
He has proposed that when the first day of Sukkot
falls on Shabbat
, Israeli Jews should follow the Mishna and Talmud Yerushalmi's ruling and perform the lulav
ritual.
He states that one should say Hallel on Israeli Independence Day.
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
who heads the Machon Shilo (Shiloh Institute) in Jerusalem, Israel.
Biography
Rabbi Bar-Hayim was born David Mandel 24 February 1960 in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. He studied at the Merkaz Harav Kook yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
in Jerusalem for 10 years. He now lectures in the greater Jerusalem area and publishes articles in English and Hebrew on various web sites. Although an Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
rabbi, Bar-Hayim prefers the term "Halakhic Judaism", explaining that "Orthodox Judaism is flawed as it was by definition a response to the rise of Reform Judaism in the early 19th century. Responding to the Reform movement’s complete disregard for traditional practice and established religious jurisprudence, the new and reactionary “Orthodox Judaism” (a previously unknown term) adopted an extreme and opposite approach, viz. that the Ashkenazi Jewish practice which had evolved in Europe until that time should be enshrined, denying the possibility of any change whatever, even where such change is mandated by the Torah itself."
Eretz Yisrael
He has revived the ancient nusach tefillah of ancient Israel, " Nusach Eretz YisraelNusach
Nusach is a concept in Judaism that has two distinct meanings. One is the style of a prayer service ; another is the melody of the service depending on when the service is being conducted.-Meaning of term:Nusach primarily means "text" or "version", in...
" which is based upon the Jerusalem Talmud.
He has proposed the re-establishment of Minhagei Eretz Yisrael, religious customs and practices that reflect those of the pre-exile Jewish communities in Israel, rather than those of Babylon or Europe.
Kitniyot
In 2007 Rabbi Bar Hayim has ruled that Jews in Israel, regardless of their origin, may eat kitniyotKitniyot
Kitniyot, qit'niyyoth are a category of foods which are defined by Jewish law and tradition that Ashkenazi Jews avoid eating during the Biblical festival of Passover....
on Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
.
Other Halachic Positions
He has argued for the return of the primacy of the Jerusalem TalmudJerusalem Talmud
The Jerusalem Talmud, talmud meaning "instruction", "learning", , is a collection of Rabbinic notes on the 2nd-century Mishnah which was compiled in the Land of Israel during the 4th-5th century. The voluminous text is also known as the Palestinian Talmud or Talmud de-Eretz Yisrael...
and gives more weight to rulings contained therein.
He has proposed that when the first day of Sukkot
Sukkot
Sukkot is a Biblical holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei . It is one of the three biblically mandated festivals Shalosh regalim on which Hebrews were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.The holiday lasts seven days...
falls on Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
, Israeli Jews should follow the Mishna and Talmud Yerushalmi's ruling and perform the lulav
Lulav
The Lulav is a closed frond of the date palm tree. It is one of the arba'ah minim used in the morning prayer services during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot...
ritual.
He states that one should say Hallel on Israeli Independence Day.