Israel Asheknazi Chief Rabbi Rav Kalman Ber, has issued a sharply worded public letter denouncing the extremists who took part in the violent demonstration outside the residence of Deputy Supreme Court President Justice Noam Sohlberg, declaring that such conduct stands in direct opposition to Torah principles.
In his official statement, Rav Ber expressed profound distress over the recent incidents of violence and property damage, emphasizing that these actions cannot be justified in the name of religious or ideological causes. He stressed that the behavior displayed by the protesters represents a distortion of authentic Torah values.
“Lately, we have seen phenomena of violence and vandalism in public and private spaces. The problem is rooted in the fact that certain values are given precedence over others. ‘The freedom to protest’ can not permit harm to others. This policy leads to bad results. A situation has formed where everyone can hide under the cloak of ‘freedom’ and allow themselves, because they think they’re correct, to express their opinion and position while harming others,” Rabbi Ber wrote.
The Chief Rabbi went on to stress that the Torah’s ethical teachings form the foundation of civilized society and are not subject to shifting public sentiment or changing social trends.
He added that “the values of Israel’s Torah are the cornerstone of human existence. They do not change with the atmosphere or people’s moods.”
Rav Ber further explained that even when people believe they are fighting for important and holy causes, they are not granted permission to harm others in the process. He pointed to the teachings of Shlomo Hamelech as guidance for handling disputes with patience and restraint rather than aggression.
According to Rav Ber, “Even a struggle for sacred values does not permit harming others. King Solomon, the wisest of all men, warned against this when he said, ‘A hot-tempered man provokes a quarrel; A patient person calms strife.’ (Mishlei 15). The way in which an argument and a struggle should be conducted must be with forbearance, and only in this way can a quarrel be settled.”
Calling for an immediate reduction in tensions, the Chief Rabbi urged members of the public not to allow personal pain or grievances to lead them into confrontations that violate Torah standards. He stressed that honoring the Torah requires conduct that elevates its reputation rather than causing a chilul Hashem.
The Chief Rabbi called to calm tensions. “We call on everyone from a pained heart not to provoke a quarrel, even if something hurts you, be careful not to violate your honor, and to return the favor. To honor the Torah, fight in a manner that does not desecrate the name of Heaven. And there is no permit, G-d forbid, to lift a hand against someone or harm their property or prevent them from reaching their destination.”
In concluding his remarks, Rav Ber also directed criticism toward those who deliberately seek to deepen divisions within the Jewish people. He urged all sides to focus on unity, avoid needless conflict, and embrace the Torah’s path of peace and mutual respect.
“This is also an opportunity to call on all those troublemakers who try with all their might to split and divide G-d’s nation, avoid disputes and division! We must find what connects everyone and stop the debate and quarrel. We must go in the path of the Torah whose ‘ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths, peaceful,” Rav Ber concluded.
{Matzav.com}
