Modi'in Rabbi Yaakov Chikotai Calls for Unity and Reflection on Tisha B'Av

Rabbi Yaakov Chikotai, the chief rabbi of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut and son-in-law of the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, urges Israelis to use Tisha B'Av as a day of introspection, unity, and Torah study. Speaking in an interview with KAN Heritage, he emphasized that the destruction of the First Temple was primarily due to abandoning the Torah, which led to moral decay and severe sins. The destruction of the Second Temple, he explained, was caused by baseless hatred, a manifestation of pride that drove away the divine presence (Shekhinah).

Rabbi Chikotai highlighted the importance of unity within the Jewish people as a prerequisite for the Shekhinah's return and ultimate redemption. He cited the era of King Ahab as an example where, despite idolatry, the absence of internal strife and slander led to military victories. Reflecting on the period before the October 7 attacks, he acknowledged the existing divisions and the need for collective soul-searching. However, he also noted a recent spiritual awakening marked by increased interest in religious practices such as donning tefillin, wearing tzitzit, attending synagogues, and immersing in mikvahs.

Although traditional Torah study is restricted on Tisha B'Av, Rabbi Chikotai recommended studying permitted texts related to destruction and mourning, including the Book of Lamentations, Job, Jeremiah, and the tractate Gittin. He stressed that without sincere reflection on this day, its significance is lost. He shared personal memories of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, who would spend hours on Tisha B'Av reading these texts with tears, repeatedly emphasizing the need for Jewish unity, especially during the month of Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance. Rabbi Chikotai concluded with a prayer for complete redemption and the unification of the Jewish people around the Land of Israel, Torah, and holiness.