Ex-Sephardi chief rabbi slams Tel Aviv rabbi as ‘heretic’ after he calls for haredi IDF enlistment
Captain Amitay Zvi Granot, son of Rabbi Tamir Granot, was killed in an incident on the Lebanese border while fighting Hezbollah, shortly after Hamas’s attack on October 7.
Yitzhak Yosef, Israel’s former Sephardic chief rabbi and Sha’s spiritual leader, harshly criticized Rabbi Tamir Granot, head of Yeshivat Orot Shaul in southern Tel Aviv, during a Kol Hai radio broadcast on Sunday after Granot advocated for the inclusion of the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) sector in the IDF.
Granot’s son, Captain Amitay Zvi Granot, was killed in an incident on the Lebanese border while fighting Hezbollah shortly after Hamas’ attack on October 7. Yosef claimed that Rabbi Granot was among several yeshiva leaders who attacked him on television.
“Aren’t you afraid of dishonoring the Torah scholars?” Yosef asked him.
Yosef continued, alluding to Granot: “I think if they come to join the minyan among them, we will not accept them. They are infidels. Not all of them.”
Granot had previously condemned Yosef during his time as chief rabbi after Yosef threatened to leave Israel if authorities forced Haredi Yeshiva students to enlist in the military.
Haredim protest against IDF recruitment in front of Tel Hashomer recruitment base, April 28, 2025. (Source: AVSHALOM SASSONI)
“You must ask for forgiveness from my wife, from her tears, and go up to Mount Herzl and ask for forgiveness from Yeshiva student and combat soldier Amitay, from all the righteous, holy and pure Torah scholars who chose to fight, as well as from those who were not Torah scholars but gave their lives.” Granot said at the time:.
“Going abroad to avoid fighting a command war, a situation that threatens national life?! Dear rabbi, are we in Russia? Is the army the Tsar’s army?” Ynet quoted his words.
Discussions on ethical issues are welcomed, insults and humiliations are prohibited
President Tzohar Rabbinical OrganizationIn response to the exchange, Rabbi David Stav said discussions on ethical issues were welcome, but “insults and humiliation are prohibited.”
“Torah discourse should be based on humility, mutual respect, and responsibility to God’s word, not personal attacks. Is anyone who disagrees with you no longer a rabbi? No one can claim a monopoly on Torah and halacha.” he continued, adding that the Torah was given to all of Israel and that all who devote themselves to it deserve respect and constructive discourse despite disagreement.
According to Ynet, Rabbi Stav continued: “When a rabbi in Israel chooses insulting and derogatory language towards another Torah scholar, and especially a person who is a grieving father, this constitutes a violent desecration of God’s name and undermines the dignity of the Torah.”
