Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau Shlita, who is also a former Chief Rabbi of Israel, has announced he is stepping down as he reaches the age of ‘gevura’, 80. The announcement brings an end to decades of service in the state’s Chief Rabbinate, recognized as one of the most well-known, liked and respected rabbinical figures in the nation.

Rav Lau became a poster child for the miraculous survival of the Nazi atrocities as just a boy. Coming from a prestigious rabbinical family, he arrived in Israel with older brother Naphtali in 1945. Rav Lau credits his late older brother for his survival and rebuilding himself. He learned in Kol Torah under Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ZT”L, as well as in Ponevezh. He was given semicha in 1961 and continued on the derech of his ancestors. During a visit with the Lubavitcher Rebbe ZT”L, the rebbe told Rabbi Lau that one day he would become rav of all of Israel, later elected as the nation’s Chief Rabbi.

Rav Lau is also a recipient of the prestigious Israel Prize, as well as Executive Director of Yad Vashem. Some of the posts he held in the past include Rav of Northern Tel Aviv, Rav of Netanya, and twice served as Rav of Tel Aviv and member of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Council.

This opens the door for the race for Rav of Tel Aviv/Yaffo, which may lead to the chareidi political parties backing one candidate or another, Ashkenazi or Sephardi.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)