Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Criticizes Rabbi Dov Lior Over Temple Mount Ascents

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef has sharply criticized Rabbi Dov Lior regarding ascents to the Temple Mount, stating that many prominent rabbis opposed such visits. "All the great rabbis of the generation said not to enter the Temple Mount. What audacity is this?" Yosef declared, adding that he had spoken several times about Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ascending the site.

Yosef listed several prominent rabbis who, according to him, opposed ascents to the Temple Mount, including Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, Rabbi Elazar Shach, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul, and Rabbi Moshe Feinstein.

He then addressed Ben-Gvir and his rabbi, Dov Lior, questioning Lior's authority and knowledge. "What is the strength of your rabbi? What rabbi does he have? His rabbi is from Hebron. I know his books, he doesn't reach the ankles of all the rabbis I mentioned. With all due respect."

Yosef urged against naivety, quoting Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz (the Chazon Ish) on the importance of identifying "true Torah leaders." He further questioned why individuals would speak about "second and third-tier rabbis," asserting that while laypeople should refrain from speaking, rabbis are permitted to do so.

Concluding his remarks, Rabbi Yosef reiterated his criticism of rabbis who permit ascents to the Temple Mount, stating, "All the rabbis who permit do not reach the ankles of all the great rabbis of the generation who forbade it, and this is out of their audacity."