Top Rabbi Forbids Support for Parties Advocating Temple Mount Visits
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef has ruled that it is forbidden by Jewish law to support political parties that advocate for visits to the Temple Mount. He stated that such advocacy leads the public to violate a severe prohibition and warned against politicians exploiting religious issues. The ruling prohibits lending support or recognition to these groups.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef ruled it is forbidden by Jewish law to support parties advocating Temple Mount visits.
- He warned that supporting such parties is akin to transgressing the severe prohibition of " karet".
- Rabbi Yosef criticized public figures promoting Temple Mount visits as misleading the public.
- He emphasized that all previous rabbinic leaders have forbidden ascending the Temple Mount.
- The ruling prohibits lending support or recognition to groups desecrating holy sites.
Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel and Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, has issued a strong halachic ruling prohibiting support for political parties that advocate for ascending the Temple Mount. In a handwritten letter, Rabbi Yosef declared it forbidden by Jewish law to back any party whose platform includes facilitating visits to the holy site.
Rabbi Yosef expressed severe criticism of public figures who identify as "nationalists" and, by promoting visits to the Temple Mount, lead the public into violating a severe prohibition, " karet," which carries a spiritual death penalty. He emphasized that all previous generations of rabbinic leaders have unanimously forbidden ascending the Temple Mount due to the gravity of this prohibition.
The rabbi further clarified the practical and halachic consequences of supporting such political factions. He stated unequivocally that anyone who supports a party whose members ascend the Temple Mount, or encourages such visits, is considered to be transgressing the prohibition of " karet" themselves. Therefore, he concluded, it is forbidden by Jewish law to provide political backing to these parties.
Rabbi Yosef also warned against politicians exploiting sensitive halachic matters for public gain. He stressed that it is impermissible to lend support or recognition to individuals or groups who desecrate holy sites and mislead the public.
