Karlin Rebbe Condemns Violent Extremists Who Attacked Him in Mea Shearim

The Karlin Rebbe, Rabbi Baruch Meir Yaakov Shochet, condemned violent extremists who attempted to attack him in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening after he attended a "Sheva Brachot" celebration for a family member at the Karlin Hasidic synagogue. As he exited, dozens of ultra-Orthodox extremists blocked his way, shouted insults including "murderer," pushed him, and threw objects. The attackers opposed the Rebbe's support for the enlistment of some of his Hasidim into IDF frameworks tailored for Haredim, a stance that marks a significant shift from the community's traditionally strict opposition to state institutions.

The Rebbe thanked his followers for preventing the situation from escalating and praised their dedication to protecting his honor. However, he warned against responding with violence, emphasizing that "violence is not the way of the Torah" and called for resolving the issue without physical confrontations, especially during the month of Elul, a time of repentance.

This is not the first time the Karlin Rebbe has faced hostility in Mea Shearim due to his pro-enlistment position. In previous years, he was attacked on similar grounds, including an incident involving tear gas. Another rabbi present at the event was also assaulted by extremists who hurled harsh verbal abuse. The Karlin community has notably shifted under the current leadership toward encouraging military service, employment, and education among its members, contrasting with its historically rigid stance against the state and its institutions. The Rebbe now primarily operates in Givat Ze'ev and rarely visits the Mea Shearim synagogue, reflecting ongoing tensions within the ultra-Orthodox sector.