Israel's Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi David Lau indirectly criticized his Sephardic counterpart, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, for suggesting a potential mass departure of haredi Jews if forced to join the IDF. Lau expressed support for IDF soldiers at the funeral of Captain Daniel Peretz, emphasizing their dedication to protecting Israel, Torah, and the land. Yosef's controversial remarks on Torah study's critical role and potential exodus sparked widespread criticism, with religious and political figures condemning any statements encouraging avoidance of IDF service.
Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef of Israel has threatened a mass exodus if Haredim are forced into military service, emphasizing the critical role of Torah study in Israel's success and survival. His remarks have sparked controversy and drawn responses from various religious and political figures, with some condemning the threat and emphasizing the importance of defending the nation through military service.
Britain's chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, will attend the coronation of King Charles III along with other faith leaders. Mirvis will spend the night at St. James's Palace to avoid breaking the Jewish Sabbath and will walk to Westminster Abbey for the coronation service. After the Christian service, the chief rabbi will join other religious leaders in making a spoken declaration towards the newly crowned monarch. The service will be overwhelmingly Christian, but Charles has a long interest in bridging religious divides and has spoken about acting as "defender of faith" in general.
Britain's Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, will walk to King Charles III's coronation, in keeping with Shabbat laws as the ceremony takes place on a Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath and day of rest. Mirvis' role in the ceremony marks the first time that faith leaders from all of Britain's major religions will be included in a coronation, which has traditionally been a solely Christian service. The Chief Rabbi praised Charles' "wonderful sensitivity" and inclusion of other faiths.
President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal will represent Israel at the coronation of King Charles III in London on Saturday. They will stay near Westminster Abbey so that they can walk to the ceremony without violating Shabbat. Britain’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and his wife, Valerie, will stay at Clarence House, the residence of King Charles III, the night before the coronation, to allow them to attend the ceremony that will also see the queen consort, Camilla, crowned. The coronation will include religious leaders representing the Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh traditions, and female bishops for the first time.
The UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis will participate in King Charles III's coronation ceremony, which will have Jewish elements to it. Mirvis explained the halachic issues for Jews at the coronation, including entering a church and participating in events that include the use of microphones, live music, or electronic devices on Shabbat. Buckingham Palace has arranged for Mirvis to walk along the same route as the then-chief rabbi did in 1902, and to ride on one of the royal horses and carts for him to be part of the parade. Mirvis and his wife will be staying in St. James’ Palace, and the palace is providing a kosher caterer for their food over Shabbat and looking after every small detail.
King Charles has been praised for his inclusive gesture of inviting Britain's Chief Rabbi and his wife to stay with him and Queen Consort Camilla the night before his coronation, so that the Rabbi can still attend while observing Shabbat. This is not the first time Charles has shown consideration for other people's religious needs, having previously rescheduled a meeting with world leaders so the Chief Rabbi could attend.
