Chief Rabbi of Ramat Gan, HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Ariel Shlita, has announced he plans to step down. The rav made the announcement on motzei Shabbos. Rabbi Ariel is among the leading rabbonim and poskim in the dati leumi community today. He will B’ezras Hashem celebrate his 80th birthday in the coming weeks.
The rav began serving as the city’s rabbi in 1990. He was hoping to become a candidate in the race for Chief Rabbi of Israel in 2013, which prompted legislation in Knesset to raise the age to over 70, since the rav was already passed that age. However, the legislation did not get him elected as one of the Chief Rabbis of Israel.
Without explaining just what it means, Rav Ariel said he will continue being responsible for the city’s kashrus.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
He always confused me. On the one hand, he’s dati leumi, so must be an am ha’aretz or otherwise a mumar lte’avone. At the same time, he has a very black hat and very long white beard, so he must be a very big gadol, probably a huge talmid chochom. I’m just confused.
Here is another one of those articles that send confusing messages.
For the record, he is most definitely not an am ha’aretz and certainly not a “mumar lte’avone.” But, his hashkafos on the state, etc. do not reflect the opinion of gedolei Yisroel. These hashkakos find expression in many public matters and political decisions.
BTW, underneath his Homberg resides a knitted kippa. I’ve never figured out why he, and some others, like to dress up like Chareidi rabbonim. Because if you ask them, they will surely tell you that they are not Chareidi. So why the costume?
M: you have your work cut out for you. there are about 500,000 DL living who you have to ask mechilah over the next few days.
american-yerushalmi: He is a gadol be’Yisroel; he does not have to accept other opinions.
I guess if the eminent doctor has faherred him and determined that he’s a gadol, well, end of discussion.