BS"D

This is to state my unequivocal objection to the use of my name in any way in association with the Conference on the Noahide Code and Contemporary Social Problems at Cardozo Law School for March 15, 2000. My name has appeared on recent posters for this Conference.

Of the Conference speakers, four are "Consulting Torah Scholars" of the Root and Branch Association, an ecumenical organization consisting of Catholic Priests and Nuns, Protestant Ministers, practicing Muslims and Rabbis. It is contrary to Halacha to be a member of or affiliated in any way with any such organization. The four speakers are Rabbis Katz, Schwartz and Professors Lichtenstein and Rakover.

The Root and Branch Association, according to information, as of February 17, 2000, on its WEB site, post articles promoting the exploration of the values and views of the various world religions and which specifically contradicts the Torah mandated role of Judaism as the only true religion for all of mankind, either as Jews or as Bnai Noach.

In addition to Catholics, etc., the Root and Branch Association has a fair representation of currently active Communists from Communist China and the Soviet Union.

Therefore, it is forbidden to be a member of the Root and Branch Association. Despite the presentation of this evidence, HaRav Yoel Schwartz refused to condemn the organization of which he is a member and to which he has given a haskama. In addition, materials written by Rav Schwartz and which Rav Schwartz promoted to this writer and asked this writer to distribute, specifically refer non-Jews to the Root and Branch Association for more information!

In an email from Conference organizer Noah Potter to Root and Branch Association head Aryeh Gallen, Potter admits that the Root and Branch Association has "actually played some part in the organization of this event."

Therefore, it is clearly forbidden to participate in such a conference and to use my name in any way with the conference is absolutely dishonest.

The only halachic approach to Sheva Mitzvos, is that every single human being is required to observe the Sheva Mitzvos in all their hundreds of ramifications in totality. There is no room for dialogue with other religions, for the 'purification of Christianity' or lost-ten-tribes theology. These falsehoods, promoted by the Root and Branch Association and others, including the leadership of the Noachide groups in Tennessee, are destructive anti-Torah viewpoints. The Rambam writes that the time will come when Christians and Muslims will realize that their religions are false, and fault their forefathers for teaching it to them. They will accept the One G-d of the Jewish people, and all other religions, in any form or variation, will be abolished in their entirety. The time for this is now, and all other approaches only are intended to delay the revelation of the absolute Truth of Torah in the entire world.

My only regret is that I did not make this objection earlier so that those who went to this Conference would have been able to choose knowing the facts.