Chief Rabbi David Yosef Criticizes Supreme Court, Citing 'Laws of Sodom'
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef strongly criticized the Supreme Court of Israel, comparing its rulings to the "laws of Sodom" and accusing it of undermining Jewish tradition. He specifically condemned the court's opposition to gender separation and its stance on same-sex marriage. Rabbi Yosef has previously voiced strong opposition to Supreme Court decisions impacting rabbinical authority and religious practices. His recent remarks have drawn scrutiny, with a public complaints commissioner deeming them inappropriate for a senior judicial figure.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Chief Rabbi David Yosef accused the Supreme Court of promoting "laws of Sodom" and undermining Jewish tradition.
- He criticized the court's opposition to gender separation in public spaces and the military.
- Rabbi Yosef also condemned the court's stance on same-sex marriage, calling it regressive.
- This is not the first time the Chief Rabbi has publicly criticized the Supreme Court.
- A previous criticism led to a ruling that his remarks were inappropriate for a senior judicial official.
Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef, who also serves as president of the Grand Rabbinical Court, delivered a strong critique of the Supreme Court of Israel on Saturday night, accusing its justices of reverting to "Sodom" and promoting laws and regulations akin to the "laws of Sodom." Speaking during his weekly Torah lesson, Rabbi Yosef addressed issues of gender separation for modesty and the recognition of same-sex marriage. Referencing the biblical story of Sodom's destruction due to its inhabitants' sins, he stated that contemporary society should learn from this narrative, pointing to the Supreme Court's rulings. He specifically criticized the court's stance against gender separation in public spaces, which he argued is based on halachic and modesty grounds. Rabbi Yosef noted that the court labels efforts for separation as "exclusion of women," expressing disbelief and questioning if sitting separately in synagogues would be next to be prohibited. He asserted that the court views such separation as demeaning to women, citing its opposition to gender separation in the military, even when religious soldiers request it. The Rabbi contrasted the court's view with what he considers fundamental Jewish principles of modesty, stating that the court's decisions often contradict both Jewish law and logic.
Rabbi Yosef then shifted to the topic of same-sex marriage, contrasting societal views from 50 years ago with the present. He argued that the Supreme Court is attempting to erase Jewish tradition and create what it deems "progressive" laws, which he characterized as regressive, leading back to "Sodom." He contrasted these with the laws of the Torah, which he described as embodying logic, conscience, and love for humanity.
This is not the first time Rabbi Yosef has publicly criticized the Supreme Court. Previously, he condemned rulings that opened rabbinical exams to women and removed the rabbinical courts' authority over child support payments for divorced parents, accusing the court of disrespecting the rabbinate. In April, during Operation "Iron Swords," he criticized a Supreme Court decision made on Shabbat regarding the number of protesters at anti-government demonstrations, calling the justices "abandoned" and "enemies of Judaism." The Commissioner for Public Complaints against Judges previously ruled that Rabbi Yosef's remarks in that instance exceeded legitimate criticism and were inappropriate for a senior judicial official.