Prominent Rabbi Criticizes Secular Israelis as 'Deserters'

Thousands of attendees, including rabbis, judges, and public figures, gathered in Bnei Brak this past Sunday for the traditional "Receiving the Face of the Rabbi" ceremony and Sukkot festivities, led by Rabbi Yitzhak Ratzabi, a leading halachic authority and head of the 'Po'alot Tzedek' rabbinical court. The event, which also included a "Simchat Beit Hashoeva" celebration, featured prayers and recitations by approximately 200 children from the Yemenite community.

During his central address, Rabbi Ratzabi spoke about the difficult situation faced by "Torah scholars" who he described as being "persecuted." He contrasted this with those who do not observe Torah and commandments, whom he labeled as the "true deserters" and those "fleeing from God's word," referencing the Haftarah reading from the Book of Jonah during Yom Kippur.

The rabbi also discussed the importance of joy during the Sukkot holiday and the subsequent "Simchat Torah" celebration, before taking questions from the audience on contemporary issues. Several other prominent rabbis and community leaders also delivered speeches during the event, which was attended by dozens of rabbis from Yemenite communities across Israel, as well as local Bnei Brak officials.

The event highlighted the strong community ties and religious observance within the Yemenite Jewish community and among other Orthodox groups in Bnei Brak.