Yitzhak Yosef

IDF soldiers killed due to yeshivas 'neglecting Torah study', former chief rabbi claims

Yitzhak Yosef condoled the families of the five soldiers killed in Gaza's Beit Hanun in an open letter, calling for increased Torah study, implicitly denouncing haredi draft attempts.

 Shas spiritual leader and former Sephardic chief rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, seen during a weekly lecture at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, June 07, 2025; illustrative.
 Head of Shas party Aryeh Deri and Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef visit at the scene of suspected arson and vandalism at a Jerusalem synagogue which is often frequented by Rabbi Yosef, June 8, 2025.

Israel Police arrest suspect in arson attack on Jerusalem synagogue

 Head of Shas Aryeh Deri and spiritual leader of Shas Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef arrive at the scene of suspected arson and vandalism at a Jerusalem synagogue which is often frequented by Rabbi Yosef, June 08, 2025.

Arson attack highlights IDF draft law, calls for unity

 Image showing the damage caused by a fire at a Jerusalem synagogue in the Sanhedria neighbourhood on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

Police probe as Jerusalem synagogue blaze deemed 'unequivocally' arson, cross sprayed on door


Likud MK initiates process to impeach MK Ayman Odeh

“His [Edelstein’s] soul is an abomination, he was a Prisoner of Zion and came to the land [of Israel], it is too bad he came, he should have remained there," Yosef said.

Likud MK Yuli Edelstein attends a a plenum session in the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025

Lapid, Shas ultra-Orthodox leader, discuss future political cooperation

“Our parents in heaven, listening to this conversation, must be proud," Lapid said in response to Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.

 Yair Lapid speaking at a faction meeting, January 13, 2025.

Rabbi Yosef claims gay Knesset speaker blocking ultra-Orthodox draft law - report

The spiritual leader of Shas attributes the government's failure to pass ultra-Orthodox military exemptions to Amir Ohana's role as Knesset speaker, while his office denies he made such statements.

 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.

'Throw them in the toilet': Yitzhak Yosef urges students to 'tear up' draft orders

"What do we have without our Torah? Why did we come here—to become secular? If a draft notice arrives, tear it up. Do you have a toilet at home? Flush it down,” Yosef said.

 Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef during a shaharit prayer in the northern Israeli city of Tzfat, September 17, 2024.

Haredim unwilling to draft are the new Zealots in Israel - opinion

Sadly, the response from the haredi rabbis is not the maturity and taking of responsibility. Rather, to consider any viewpoint other than their own, which h

 Ultra-orthodox Jews protest against being drafted into the IDF.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef calls on gov't to agree to hostage deal, says its a Jewish commandment

In addition to calling for a hostage deal, Rabbi Yosef said that it is permissible to release terrorists who committed criminal acts as part of the deal. 

 Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef speaks during the funeral of  Yehuda Deri, the chief rabbi of Beersheba in Jerusalem on July 9, 2024.

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

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.

Netanyahu is living in a delusional fantasy - opinion

The tragedy is that ultimately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lied to himself. Netanyahu, the conservative political realist, has entered into a phase of delusional fantasy.

 PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu meets with US President Joe Biden in Tel Aviv in October.

Protesters present Sephardi chief rabbi with 'Dividing Israel' award

Anti-government protests will continue in Jerusalem on Tuesday for a third day since demonstrations in the capital began on Sunday.

 Protesters march toward Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's office. April 2, 2024

Editor's Notes: Talk to haredim, not their leaders, about enlistment

Unlike traditional approaches that often focus on negotiations with haredi leaders, speaking directly to community members requires a nuanced understanding of their values, concerns, and aspirations.

 Ultra-Orthodox men line up at an IDF draft office to process their exemptions from mandatory military service.