Moderate Zionist Orthodox Chief Rabbi Candidate Physically Attacked By Haredim At Kotel Rabbi’s Daughter’s Wedding
One day after Sefardi haredi leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosf launched a vicious
verbal attack against him, calling him an "evil man" and cursing him,
moderate Zionist Orthodox Rabbi David Stav was reportedly physically
attacked by a group of haredi yeshiva students.
Rabbi David Stav
Moderate Zionist Orthodox Chief Rabbi Candidate Physically Attacked By Haredim At Kotel Rabbi’s Daughter’s Wedding
Shmarya Rosenberg • Failedmessiah.com
One day after Sefardi haredi leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosf launched a vicious verbal attack against him, calling him an "evil man" and cursing him, moderate Zionist Orthodox Rabbi David Stav was reportedly physically attacked by a group of haredi yeshiva students.
Stav, who is a candidate for Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Israel, was at the wedding of the daughter of the haredi rabbi of the Kotel, Shmuel Rabinowitch, in Bnei Brak when he was attacked.
When Stav arrived at the wedding and joined the dancing, yeshiva students began to push him and tried to make him trip and fall. At the same time, Sefardi haredi Shas Party Member of Knesset Ariel Atias walked away from the dancing in protest of Stav’s presence – not of the violence.
The harassment and violence grew, forcing Stav to leave. As he left, dozens of haredim shouted curses at him, including calling him a “rasha” (wicked) and a “shikutz” (vermin).
It appears that none of the haredi leaders at the wedding – including Rabinowitch – made serious attempts to protect Stav or stop the violence against him.
Related Post: Sefardi Haredi Leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Calls Ashkenazi Zionist Orthodox Candidate For Chief Rabbi An "Evil Man," Curses Him.
If God forbid there is a civil war in Israel, Modern Orthodox should find common cause with non-Orthodox. The Ultra-Orthodox (chareidi, hassidic) world views MO as "evil" and goyim.
Posted by: Yochanan Lavie | June 17, 2013 at 07:28 AM
David @ 7:30 AM:
How dare you minimize the significance of such conduct? Pushing a dancer at a wedding? It would only be a real attack if they had stabbed him?
The saddest thing here is that you are too stupid to be ashamed of yourself.
Posted by: Mark H. Jay | June 17, 2013 at 08:21 AM
Pakistan in the 80's used to be a progressive Islamic country. Now it's a hotbed of murderous radicalism. Within 20 years, Israel will be the same.
Posted by: RWisler | June 17, 2013 at 10:26 AM
Savages. Pure and simple. Just savages. Those people are an embarrassment to the millions of Jews who lead productive and law-abiding lives. Savages.
Posted by: Robert J. Barron, Attorney-at-Law | June 17, 2013 at 11:05 AM
Will Rabbi Stav's conversion lessons be the same as the Ashdod rabbis?
If Rav Stav attended the chasunah, the bride and groom wanted him there to make them samayach. Not only did the bochurim do an aveirah against the rabbi, they did an even greater one against the choson and kallah. However, the chareidim have their new Torah, so it was more important to bring injury to Rabbi Stav.
Posted by: Bas Melech | June 17, 2013 at 01:38 PM
Bas Melech -
good point.
Posted by: ah-pee-chorus | June 17, 2013 at 01:52 PM
"Savages. Pure and simple. Just savages. Those people are an embarrassment to the millions of Jews who lead productive and law-abiding lives. Savages."
I agree with you every time you say it. Israel's support of these people is the chief reason I refuse to go there.
Posted by: Jeff | June 17, 2013 at 08:02 PM
How have they not learned the lesson of kamtza and bar kamtza?
Posted by: Seraphya Berrin | June 17, 2013 at 08:58 PM
Some of this is caused by the ranting and raving of the leaders.
Posted by: Hal | June 18, 2013 at 08:03 AM