How a Rabbi Speaks

Here's how. Interview with the Yona Metzger, the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: What is Abraham's function in the Bible?

Metzger: The great Jewish philosopher Maimonides explained this very impressively. God created various objects in heaven. The sun, for example, or the moon and the stars -- they are all high above us. This was understood to mean that God wanted us to respect them more than the things which were created on Earth. Gradually things went wrong. Instead of praying directly to God, the people turned the objects into targets of their prayers.

This is impressive?! I stand blinded by the darkness of Faith.

There's more:

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Do you believe that religious people are better equipped to bring peace to the world?

Metzger: Definitely. My dream is to create a United Religious Nations -- just as there is the United Nations in New York. The diplomats did not succeed in bringing peace to the world. They need help. And this can come through religious language. Because a Muslim does not respect a person who is secular; he will only have respect if you are religious. This Religious United Nations would also include Hindus and Buddists. We religious people speak the same language.

I would laugh if this was a joke. The Rabbi's level of incomprehension is as great as his religious certitude. If peace comes to middle east, it will not be because of men like these, but despite of them.