Rabbi Rami Barchiyahu was sworn in this week as the new Chief Rabbi of Israel Police.

Rabbi Barchiyahu selected for the post two months ago by the vaad headed Deputy Chief Zohar Dvir.

The rav is a graduate of the Birchat Moshe Hesder Yeshiva in Maale Adumim where he was a talmid of HaGaon HaRav Nachum Rabinowitz Shlita. He also serves as a dayan in a monetary beis din with Rabbi Michael Hershkowitz, Rabbi Yaakov Sharabi, Rosh Yeshivat Nachlat Yisrael, Rabbi Chaim Tzafri and Rabbi Kupfeld. He is also a member of the Tzohar Rabbonim Rabbinical Council.

In the military, he served as a combat soldier in the 188th Brigade. He headed the project ״מאמינים במשטרה״ to bring in new talent to the police department.

The rav grew up in the Bucharim area of Yerushalayim. He was very influenced by Sephardi poskim, especially HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L.

Chareidi politicians are displeased with the choice, explaining and after the splendid work done by his predecessor Rabbi Gafne, they feel the appointment of a dati leumi rav is a slap in the face to the chareidi tzibur. Needless to say Rabbi Barchiyahu’s affiliation with Tzohar Rabbonim does not endear him with chareidi elected officials.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)