IDF Veteran Rabbi Yehuda Amital Remembered on Anniversary of His Passing

Today marks the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Yehuda Amital, founder and head of the Har Etzion Yeshiva and a pioneering figure in the Religious Zionist movement. Born in Romania and a Holocaust survivor, Amital immigrated to Israel in 1944, fought in the War of Independence, and helped establish the influential Har Etzion Yeshiva in Alon Shvut. Over decades, he educated thousands of students, including rabbis, educators, and public figures.

Rabbi Amital was known for his willingness to express controversial political views within Religious Zionism, often standing firm even as a minority voice. One of his most famous teachings was the "crying baby" story, emphasizing that Torah study must be accompanied by human sensitivity and responsibility to others' suffering.

On this anniversary, his student Rabbi Oren Duvdevani shared a heartfelt tribute, recalling how Amital brought Torah teachings into real life and taught that Jewish law is rooted in listening to individual human stories. Duvdevani described the lasting impact of Amital's guidance and his personal sense of loss.

Beyond his leadership at Har Etzion, Amital co-founded the Mimad movement and served as a minister without portfolio in Shimon Peres's government after Yitzhak Rabin's assassination, aiming to heal societal divisions. His students continue to regard him as a figure who combined deep Torah commitment, love for Israel, public responsibility, and human compassion, making him a central figure in modern Religious Zionism.