Top Rabbi Slams Minister Ben-Gvir Over Temple Mount Visit

The Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, has sharply criticized National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for ascending the Temple Mount, an act that contravened the stance of the Chief Rabbinate and prominent rabbis. Rabbi Yosef expressed concern over Ben-Gvir's influence on young people, warning against supporting political figures who disregard rabbinical directives.

"Some people speak and attract young people with all sorts of slogans, but in practice, what do they do? Nothing. Just talk, talk, and the young people get excited," Rabbi Yosef stated. He directly addressed Ben-Gvir's visit to the Temple Mount, noting, "I warned several times that one must not ascend the Temple Mount. I said this on Saturday night during a lesson in Yitzed, and the very next day, that Ben-Gvir ascended the Temple Mount, against the opinion of all the great rabbis of Israel from all circles."

Rabbi Yosef intensified his criticism, questioning how one could empower "such a person who flagrantly violates, with pride and contempt, belittles all the great rabbis of Israel and ascends the Temple Mount like this? Heaven forbid, one should not lend a hand to such a person."

In addition to his critique of Ben-Gvir, Rabbi Yosef also discussed the role of the Shas party in preserving tradition in Israel. He asserted that Shas is the only movement capable of safeguarding tradition in the country, recalling his father's words that likened the party to the mezuzah of the state.