Chief rabbi

Former Jerusalem chief rabbi Aryeh Stern dies at 81

Former Jerusalem chief Rabbi Aryeh Stern, known for promoting unity and religious Zionism, died at age 81, drawing tributes from Israeli leaders.

Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Aryeh Stern
People walk past a projection depicting Israeli and US flags on the walls of Jerusalem's Old City on Oct. 22, 2025.

Rabbinic diplomacy between Israel and US explored in new exhibition

 Rabbi Kalman Bar

Chief rabbi calls for protection of mosques, churches and synagogues after attacks

Passengers seen at the Ben-Gurion Airport train station, August 17, 2025

Israel’s chief rabbis protest planned Shabbat public transportation


Two rabbis too many? A look at Israel's confusing chief rabbi system

Throughout the Jewish world, Israel stands out by having two chief rabbis. The ‘Magazine’ looks at why – and asks if this model should continue

 Israel's chief rabbis seen as a playing card in this AI-made illustration

Grapevine May 10, 2024: Chief rabbi elections imminent

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 Then chief rabbi Israel Meir Lau takes part in the Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem in 2022.

Sephardi chief rabbi: Success of air defense is due to yeshivas, not the IDF

The Sephardi chief rabbi complained about hesder yeshiva leaders who had criticized his comments about the IDF.

 Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef sells the hametz (leavened food) of the State of Israel to Arab Israeli Mr Jaber before the upcoming Passover holiday in Jerusalem, April 21, 2024.

Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yosef's words are an insult to IDF soldiers risking their lives - editorial

The threat of a mass departure by the haredim may not be an empty threat and it should not be acceptable.

 EPHARDI CHIEF Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef was busy insulting more than half of Israel, declaring that when a person eats non-kosher food ‘his brain becomes stupid,’ the writer notes

The Chief Rabbi's comments: Tone deaf and damaging - comment

Today, there is a strong sense that if people want to leave, they should go -- no one is keeping them here. 

 Israel's Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef speaks during a ceremony of the Israeli police for the Jewish new year at the National Headquarters of the Israel Police in Jerusalem on September 22, 2022.

Israeli government officials slam chief rabbi's threat of haredi exodus

Yair Lapid lambasted the chief rabbi’s remarks on Sunday, stating, “Rabbi Yosef's words are an insult and disgrace to the IDF soldiers who risk their lives to defend the country."

 Israel's Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef speaks during the funeral procession of Rabbi Elimelech Wasserman, a senior judge in the Rabbinical Court, in Jerusalem. Rabbi Wasserman was killed in a terror attack earlier today. November 30, 2023.

Sperm from 91 fallen soldiers retrieved, bill to allow use awaiting Knesset approval

The Knesset's health committee discussed the law on using the sperm of a deceased person, with Wednesday being the 12th session on this topic.

 A doctor extracts semen specimen, at the embryologic laboratory of the assisted reproductive centre, at the Beijing Perfect Family Hospital, which specialises in fertility treatments, in Beijing, China April 6, 2023

Rabbi Sacks’s daughter in an emotional video: 'Despair is not a Jewish emotion'

In a heartfelt address, Sacks reflected on the recent terrorist attacks in Israel and pondered what her father would have said about the ongoing challenges.

Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: 'His output was astonishing and we were the beneficiaries.'

Russian Chief Rabbi Lazar addresses Putin: 'No peace with terrorists'

Recalling the 80th anniversary of the Sobibor Nazi extermination camp uprising, Rabbi Lazar stressed the importance of resisting evil without compromise.

Russian Chief Rabbi Lazar addresses Putin: "No peace with terrorists"

Israel's chief rabbi: Secular Jews have lower intelligence, are jealous of haredim

"They do not find satisfaction in life; everything is driven by the desires of this world," Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef said.

 Israel's Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef speaks during a ceremony of the Israeli police for the Jewish new year at the National Headquarters of the Israel Police in Jerusalem on September 22, 2022.