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Feature

Influential Israeli rabbi’s rebellion highlights threat to public health

TJI Pick
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Published: 2 February 2021

Last updated: 4 March 2024

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky’s remarks defying government restrictions made the front page of the New York Times and was ridiculed in a TV satire spoof, angering supporters

Satirical portrayal of top rabbi sparks outrage, debate over freedom of speech (Times of Israel)
Amid conflict with Haredi community over lockdown violations, critics call ‘Eretz Nehederet’ skit of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky ‘disrespectful and offensive’; others see it as brave

He Is Israel’s ‘Prince of Torah.’ But to Some, He Is the King of Covid. (NYT)
Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky is the spiritual authority for hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews. But his pronouncements on the virus have made him a villain to many

Israeli TV show’s Covid-19 parody: Chaim Kanievsky, top haredi rabbi, is really running the country (JTA)

For Israel's sake, Haredi parties must be kept out power (Ynet)
BEN-DROR YEMINI: The recent violence is but the tip of the iceberg as the ultra-Orthodox community that is poor, uneducated and accustomed to handouts will lead the country to economic ruin if there is no change to the way politicians kowtow to its leader

Health chief: Lockdown is reducing infections ‘but at slow, disappointing rate’ (Times of Israel)
Official says ‘irresponsible personal contact’ must stop if pandemic is to be beaten

JONATHAN FREEDLAND: Plenty of Charedim are furious at the Covid rulebreakers (Jewish Chronicle)

Haredi Jews in London hold illegal weddings regularly, Jewish newspaper reveals (JTA)

Photo: Ultra-Orthodox men attend the funeral of late Rabbi Yitzchok Sheiner, in Jerusalem, January 31 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
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