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
6 Comments
This is concerning. I understand the B’nai Noah is becoming stronger & stronger, leaving itself open to many different translations, understandings, & teachers. This is sad, as the “movement, faith, belief” is very real, rooted all the way back to Noah, open to the entire world. I am new to this, & very devoted. I do not want to convert, have no desire to be Jewish, but believe Hashem wants me to grow as close to Him as possible. I am open to instructions, read The Torah & The Tanach, observe The Shabbat the best i can & following the Jewish holidays. I follow B’nai Noah teacher Rod Bryant & Rabbi Tovia Singer & am anxious to hear their comments on this situation. I thank you for bringing it to my attention. Thanks to my friend Jim Long for posting it.
B”H, this is out in the open now for the whole world to see. I hope and pray this will help redirect non-Jews on their path towards Hashem, and away from falsehoods and misinformation.
I’m aghast that there are rabbis who twist the Noahide laws and generate such fallacy and strife. As an American born Israeli Jew, I welcome and appreciate all Gentiles who seek Hashem and fellowship with us, and I applaud all who take the Noahide path.
Mr. Jacob Scharff, is it possible for you to clarify what exactly the rabbis David Katz and Chaim Clorfene are teaching that distorts the way Bnei Noach?
The Noahide Movement is directed at the non-Jewish world population.
Although some of our Noahide community brothers and sisters have decided to seek admission into the Jewish Faith, generally speaking, to the best of my knowledge, most of us choose to remain Noahides.
Many Jews, Noahides (and even Christians), believe that the Messiah’s coming is fast approaching, based upon all that is happening in the world around us. The way things are going, it’s possible the Messiah might already be amongst us.
The Tanach speaks of the occurance of when Jews outside of Israel will “feel an urge” (my words, not the prophets) to return to their homeland Israel, and non-Jews will seek a much closer association with their Jewish brothers and sisters… holding on to their coat-tails”, so to speak.
That’s my non-Jewish, Noahide opinion on the matter.
Shalom
Donald MacLeod
If you are Ger Toshav and follow David Katz, or Mike Mattiage aka Ger Gravy’s cult on facebook I beg you to remove yourself from them. They are teaching that Get Toshav are not legal today, they are twisting and confusing another type of Ger that is extinct today due to no Sanhedrin and Temple. They are not informed that there are 5 different Ger mentioned in Halakah.
This cult is pushing ideas that Jews can marry Ger, they can not!
They are pushing ideas that Christians and pagans are Ger Toshav! They are not!
They are twisting and lying about commentary claiming sages allow for Christians to be official Ger Toshav.