High School Student Matan Yehoshua Wins National Halacha Championship in Jerusalem

Matan Yehoshua, a high school student from Katzir, was crowned the national Halacha champion for the year 5786 (2025-2026) in a competition organized by the Israeli youth movement "Or Israeli." The final event took place last night at the Jerusalem Cultural Center, featuring six top students from secular state high schools who competed in a public final focused on the laws of honoring parents.

The finalists, selected from an earlier qualifying round, included Dvir Lebanon and Shoham Aik from Nesher High School, Gal Hefetz from Or High School, Neria Magor from Shacham High School, Matan Yehoshua from Katzir High School, and Maor Aviad from the traditional Braunshweig High School. They answered complex halachic questions and practical dilemmas before a panel of rabbis, including Chief Rabbi David Yosef, Rabbi Lior Yaakov, and Rabbi Michael Yona.

Chief Rabbi David Yosef praised the contestants for their impressive knowledge and preparation, expressing admiration for the educational work of Rabbi Yitzhak David Grossman, president of Or Israeli. Rabbi Yosef also shared a moving tribute to his late father, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, who highly valued Rabbi Grossman's efforts in religious outreach. The event marked the fifth consecutive year of this program, which aims to connect secular and traditional youth with Jewish tradition through in-depth annual study, this year focusing on the laws of honoring parents.

At the conclusion, certificates and prizes were awarded to the outstanding participants. Rabbi Grossman expressed deep appreciation for the dedication of the youth, instructors, and city rabbis who contributed to the success of the competition and the educational initiative.