Rabbi David Yosef Says His Remarks Were Taken Out of Context

The office of Israel’s Sephardi Chief Rabbi, David Yosef, issued a clarification Thursday night after a public uproar over comments he made at a gathering of mikveh attendants about women bathing without a female attendant present. The statement said the reports had quoted him only in part and did not reflect his full position.

According to the clarification, Yosef stressed throughout the event that women who come to immerse should be received with kindness, love and closeness. The office said he also urged that the halakhic position be explained "in a pleasant way," while making clear that bathing alone runs against Jewish law and longstanding rabbinic regulations.

The statement said his harshest remarks were aimed at women who, in his view, are trying to change religious practice against halakhah and rabbinic authority, relying on High Court rulings in religious matters. It quoted him as saying those words were spoken "with great pain" and were directed at women who "insist on defiance" and seek to harm what is sacred to the Jewish people.

The clarification followed a Channel 12 report from the same conference, which quoted Yosef telling mikveh attendants they must follow the law and may not prevent a woman from bathing alone, or risk prison. At the same time, he told them to oppose the practice, including by telling a woman, "The Chief Rabbi, Rabbi David Yosef, said that you are raising your hand against the Torah," and to shout their objections so others would hear, while still not breaking the law. He ended by saying every person must be treated with respect, especially women coming to perform a mitzvah, and that only a gentle, respectful approach should be used.