Rabbi David Stav Reveals Why Rabbi Tzohar Barred Him From His Classes

Rabbi David Stav recounted in an interview with Kobi Nachshoni on Channel Mishav an incident from the First Lebanon War period involving a controversial concert performance of Handel's "Messiah" at Binyanei HaUma. Stav explained that dozens of students from Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva, whom he identified as followers of Rabbi Tzohar, attended the concert and threw eggs during the performance. The protest was based on claims that the piece was a Christian composition with missionary intent, as it is traditionally played in churches and centers on Jesus the Messiah.

When asked by Rabbi Menachem Borshtin to respond on behalf of the yeshiva, Stav expressed his disagreement with the egg-throwing tactic, stating it was not the yeshiva's way to disrupt concerts, especially during wartime. He emphasized that peaceful protest was acceptable but not throwing eggs at attendees. Within the yeshiva, Rabbi Avrum supported Stav's stance, noting that the yeshiva head was Rabbi Avrum and that the call to throw eggs contradicted the head's position.

Regarding Rabbi Tzohar, Stav said that although he was a senior and important yeshiva member who called for the egg-throwing or at least a protest, Tzohar later forbade him from attending his classes. Stav expressed that he had greatly enjoyed attending those lessons at Tzohar's home before the ban.