Senior Rabbi Backs Ben-Gvir Amid Haredi Criticism Over Temple Mount Visits
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Senior Rabbi Dov Lior has sent a rare letter of support to Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir amidst criticism from Haredi rabbis over Jewish visits to the Temple Mount. Rabbi Lior praised Ben-Gvir's efforts to expand Jewish worship rights at the holy site. The support comes as prayer and bowing by Jews have become more open at the Temple Mount, a change opposed by some Haredi leaders who cite religious prohibitions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Senior Rabbi Dov Lior supports Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir amid criticism over Temple Mount visits.
- Rabbi Lior praised Ben-Gvir's efforts to improve conditions for Jewish entry to the Temple Mount.
- Haredi rabbis have strongly criticized Ben-Gvir, deeming Temple Mount visits forbidden by Jewish law.
- Jewish prayer and bowing have reportedly become more open at the Temple Mount under Ben-Gvir.
- Criticism from Haredi rabbis may stem from voter shifts to Ben-Gvir's party.
Rabbi Dov Lior, a prominent figure in the Religious Zionist community and former Rabbi of Kiryat Arba-Hebron, has issued a rare letter of support for Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir. The backing comes in response to attacks from Haredi rabbis who have criticized Ben-Gvir's visits to the Temple Mount.
In his letter, Rabbi Lior praised Ben-Gvir for his "energetic work to improve the conditions for Jewish entry to the Temple Mount, ascending with holiness and purity only to the permitted areas according to all halachic rules." He also offered personal encouragement, urging the minister "not to fear or be dismayed by all who try to weaken your spirit."
Rabbi Lior's support arrives amid significant changes at the Temple Mount during Ben-Gvir's tenure. Jews are now reportedly praying and bowing openly at the site, with police no longer enforcing the previous prohibition as strictly. This shift is attributed to Ben-Gvir's policy aimed at expanding Jewish freedom of worship.
However, these changes have drawn sharp criticism from Haredi rabbis, who maintain that ascending the Temple Mount is forbidden by Jewish law. Rabbis from Shas and United Torah Judaism have recently intensified their criticism of Ben-Gvir on this issue, possibly due to concerns about voters shifting from Haredi parties to Ben-Gvir's right-wing, religious-traditional party. For instance, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef stated, "I call on you: do not be tempted to vote for unworthy people. Whoever has no fear of heaven and whoever ascends the Temple Mount, it is forbidden by halakha to vote for him. One must vote only for those who fear heaven and walk in the way of the Torah, like the representatives of Shas and led by Rabbi Aryeh Deri."
Rabbi Lior's endorsement provides significant backing for Ben-Gvir on the Temple Mount issue.
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