Leading Rabbis Unite To Denounce Pseudo-“Ger” Movement

In an unprecendented move, a group of Rabbis widely recognized as leading scholars in the Noahide world have united to release a public letter denouncing the teachings of Rabbis David Katz and Chaim Clorfene, and the pseudo-“Ger” movement that has grown from their teachings. My own teacher and mentor, Rabbi Michael Bar-Ron, is among those who have signed this letter.

The letter is available below.

It’s important to note that this letter was not issued lightly. They first spent several years attempting to correct Rabbis Katz and Clorfene privately, but to no avail. Only then did they deem it necessary to make such a public denouncement, as a warning to those who might be misled by the false teachings of this cult-like group.

Anyone familiar with the Orthodox Jewish world will recognize that for these Rabbis, from vastly different traditions and streams of Jewish thought, to come together in this manner is extraordinary. This underscores the importance of their warning.

As they state in the letter, “Although David Katz’s teachings contain some truth, they are mixed with complicated, difficult distortions, and tainted with egotism and hostile rhetoric. Rather than working to strengthen the bridges built over decades of work by numerous rabbis and teachers – bridges between noble non-Jewish souls and the Torah community – Rabbis Katz and Clorfene have chosen to burn those bridges with hostile and divisive rhetoric. As such, the teachings of these two men have become ‘a stumbling block before the blind.’ Therefore, we strongly urge every G-d fearing person and lover of Torah truth to distance him or herself from the pseudo-‘Ger’ movement, David Katz and Chaim Clorfene, and their teachings.”

The letter is signed by Rabbi Moshe Weiner, Rabbi Chaim Richman, Rabbi Avraham Sutton, Rabbi Avraham Chaim Bloomenstiel, Rabbi Michael Shelomo Bar-Ron, Rabbi Chaim Coffman, Rabbi Moshe Perets, and Rabbi Moshe Shulman. The letter is accompanied by a similar denouncement issued by Rabbi Yoel Schwartz, and an additional open letter from Rabbis Shulman and Weiner.

Here at Being Noahide, as much as it pains us to see that these measures were necessary, we are heartened to see this group of esteemed Rabbis standing together in defense of the authentic Torah tradition for Bnei Noach.

We strongly urge anyone who has been taken in by these false teachings, or who is confused about this controversy to seek out proper Rabbinic guidance. Each of the Rabbis who have signed this letter are involved in programs that provide excellent, halakhically-sound education for Noahides (both online and in person), and (from our own interactions) are both approachable and available to offer guidance to honest seekers of truth.

We’d love to hear what you think. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Here are the letters in full:
1. Final Joint Statement Denouncing Psuedo-Ger
2. Rabbi Schwartz on David Katz
3. Open Letter from Rabbi Moshe Weiner