President Herzog Visits Chief Rabbis for Holiday Greetings

President Isaac Herzog continued a yearly tradition by visiting Israel's two Chief Rabbis during the intermediate days of the Sukkot holiday. On Sunday, he met with Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef, the First to Zion, at his home. The two discussed the legacy of the Chief Rabbinate and the intergenerational connection between their families, recalling President Herzog's grandfather, Rabbi Isaac Halevi Herzog, and Rabbi Yosef's father, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, both former Chief Rabbis. A central theme of their conversation was the need to strengthen national unity and bridge divides among the Israeli people. Rabbi Yosef presented the President with his newly published books and they shared a holiday toast.

Later, President Herzog visited Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi and President of the Chief Rabbinate Council, Kalman Meir Bar, in his sukkah. Rabbi Bar emphasized the importance of fostering unity and respectful discourse, especially during the current election period and charged public discourse. He appealed to the President to be a leading voice for unity, stating, "When the swords are being sharpened very much, that the President be the big mouth and the speaker of unity. That we see the good, that we speak about the positive, and remember that we are all brothers."

Rabbi Bar referenced a verse from Deuteronomy, explaining that despite individual differences, all Jews are children of God and should love one another, citing the example of over two million people visiting the Western Wall during the Selichot period as evidence of shared identity across religious observance. He urged the President to promote positivity and unity amidst heightened political tensions.