Chief Rabbi Warns Against Supporting Temple Mount Ascents
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef issued a severe warning against supporting political candidates who encourage ascents to the Temple Mount. He stated that all previous rabbinic authorities have forbidden such ascents due to the risk of "karet." The Rabbi declared that voting for parties promoting these ascents is forbidden by Halakha and likened it to personally transgressing the prohibition.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef warned against supporting politicians who encourage Temple Mount ascents.
- Rabbi Yosef cited the severe prohibition of ascending the Temple Mount due to the risk of "karet."
- He condemned public figures promoting ascents under the guise of nationalism.
- Voting for parties that advocate for Temple Mount ascents is forbidden by Halakha, he stated.
- Supporting such parties is akin to personally transgressing the prohibition, according to the Rabbi.
Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Yitzhak Yosef, has issued a strong warning against supporting political candidates who encourage ascents to the Temple Mount. In a letter dated October 27, 2026, Rabbi Yosef emphasized the severe prohibition of ascending the Temple Mount, citing that all previous generations of rabbis have forbidden it due to the risk of "karet," a severe spiritual punishment.
He expressed sharp protest against public figures and politicians who promote and sanctify ascents to the site under the guise of nationalism and sovereignty. Rabbi Yosef stated that there is no justification for endangering the public with such grave prohibitions for political aims. He specifically warned against supporting parties and representatives that advocate for these ascents, declaring that voting for such parties is forbidden and carries the weight of the "karet" prohibition.
The Chief Rabbi referenced his late father, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, who stated that supporting parties that promote religious institutions like Torah study centers, ritual baths, synagogues, and yeshivas allows one to partake in their good deeds. Conversely, Rabbi Yosef concluded that supporting parties that encourage ascents to the Temple Mount is akin to personally transgressing the "karet" prohibition, and is therefore forbidden by Halakha (Jewish law).
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