9:41 PM
Gil Student
R. Ovadiah Yosef, Yabi'a Omer, vol. 8 Even Ha-Ezer no. 11 sec. 2
I will not fear [to comment on] what I saw from R. Yitzhak Isaav Halevy Herzog zt"l... who wrote to question the Jewishness of the Falashas... I was very surprised to see that he disputed the words of great scholars who determined with certainty, without question, that they are from the tribe of Dan. [He questioned] based on the words of researchers who question the Jewishness [of the Ethiopians]. Who should be set aside for whom?
R. Moshe Feinstein, Iggeros Moshe, Yoreh De'ah 4:41
There is no reason to be concerned that we are teaching Torah to doubtful Jews... since because they might be Jewish, and there is a reason for this [teaching them], it seems that the prohibition does not apply... However, be careful not to state a false halakhah which in itself is prohibited. Do not tell them that we consider them definite Jews (she-al tagidu she-anu ken mahashivim osam ki-yehudim vada'im). Rather, tell them that we are unsure of their Jewishness but we are prepared to educate them in the Torah of God and His commandments.
Until they convert, do not consider them in practice to be definite Jews, even regarding counting them for a minyan or calling them to the Torah. Do not embarass them but do not flatter them. However, out of stricture they are still obligated to observe the commandments, since they might be Jewish.
(le-havdil bein... - regarding the source)
Ha'aretz, Sunday, April 4, 1999
...He also reiterated that the Ethiopians are not being singled out, since Chabad policy applies to anyone whose Jewishness is in question...
Rabbi Yeruslavski, the leader of Chabad in Kiryat Malachi, says that the policy of not accepting Ethiopian children is an internal matter and has nothing to do with racism. "We have principles. We also did not accept children from the [former Soviet Union] if there is any doubt to their Jewishness," the Chabad rabbi said.
