Professor Avi Shagi, Leading Jewish Studies Scholar, Passes Away at 72

Professor Avi Shagi, a prominent figure in Jewish studies and philosophy, died this morning at the age of 72. He was an emeritus professor in the philosophy department at Bar-Ilan University and a senior fellow at the Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. Over his career, Shagi authored dozens of books addressing fundamental questions of Jewish identity, Israeli identity, and human existence.

Shagi was influential in promoting the view that Jewish law and tradition accommodate universal moral considerations. He also emphasized the concept of Jewish tradition as a "culture of dispute," one that encourages debate and can hold diverse opinions without necessarily resolving them. His philosophical and religious insights were reflected in his involvement in drafting the Israeli Defense Forces' ethical code in 2000, where he opposed framing "victory" as a core value detached from the defense of Israeli citizens. He argued that such rhetoric risks moral blindness and contradicts Jewish tradition.

His early and impactful work, including the book "Judaism: Between Religion and Morality," argued for the autonomy of natural morality and human reason independent of divine command. Shagi’s ideas influenced mainstream rabbinic thought, including figures whose works are studied in ultra-Orthodox yeshivas.

Dr. Tomer Persico praised Shagi’s philosophy as centered on deep trust in humanity and the call for individuals, secular or religious, to take responsibility for their moral and spiritual world without relying on metaphysical certainty or external authority. Opposition leader Yair Lapid also mourned Shagi on social media, recalling their close relationship and Shagi’s impact on his Jewish and universal values. Lapid’s academic connection to Shagi, including a controversial doctoral supervision at Bar-Ilan University despite Lapid lacking a bachelor’s degree, was noted as a subject of public debate.

Shagi’s death marks the loss of a major intellectual voice in contemporary Jewish thought, whose work bridged tradition, philosophy, and ethics.