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Rabbi's 'don't vote Corbyn' message will only stoke Jewish fears

Rabbi Romain broke ethical and professional guidelines

November 4, 2019 12:56
Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn
2 min read

Rabbi Jonathan Romain’s decision to write to his community urging them to vote in the forthcoming election for “whichever party is most likely to defeat Labour” in their constituency crosses a red line in the professional and ethical guidelines of UK rabbinic practice.

These codes of conduct and practice in relation to politics are unwritten - but have been well understood for generations. 

Of course, rabbis of all denominations will have views on, as well as speak and write about, political issues. How could it be otherwise when the Torah’s vision is filled with concern for the poor and the marginalised in society, care for the outsider, love of the stranger, questions of social justice and how to look after one’s fields and animals and trees?

Jewish ethical principles that affect the way in which the social, legal, economic and environmental policies of a country are arranged are themes that rabbis will think and preach about. But the red line that my friend and colleague has crossed is not to do with politics but party politics.