Ben-Gvir Declines to Criticize Rabbis Amidst Temple Mount Controversy
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
The Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, criticized Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir for ascending the Temple Mount, calling it a defiance of rabbinical authority. Ben-Gvir responded by stating he respects rabbis and will not comment on them, distinguishing them from politicians. He maintained that political disagreements should be handled with elected officials, not religious leaders.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef criticized Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for ascending the Temple Mount.
- Rabbi Yosef stated that voting for those who ascend the Temple Mount is forbidden.
- Ben-Gvir responded that he respects rabbis and will not speak about them.
- Ben-Gvir differentiated between rabbis and elected officials in political discourse.
- The criticism focused on Ben-Gvir's defiance of rabbinical rulings regarding the Temple Mount.
The Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, has repeatedly criticized Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, stating that people should not vote for those who ascend to the Temple Mount. Rabbi Yosef asserted that some individuals use slogans to attract young people but achieve nothing concrete, warning against ascending the Temple Mount. He specifically condemned Ben-Gvir's recent visit to the site, calling it a defiance of "all the great rabbis of Israel from all circles" and questioning how one could empower someone who openly violates religious rulings and disrespects rabbinical leaders.
Responding to the criticism on Tuesday, Ben-Gvir stated on Kol Barama radio that he adheres to a personal rule of not speaking about rabbis. "Whatever they say about me, I respect rabbis. I take rabbis out of this story; they are not politicians," Ben-Gvir declared. He emphasized his refusal to comment on Rabbi Yosef or any other rabbi, regardless of what is said about him. Ben-Gvir differentiated between rabbis and elected officials, expressing his view that political disputes should be managed with politicians while maintaining respect for the "great rabbis of Israel."
