Yitzhak Shapira
Israeli rabbi, head of Od Yosef Chai yeshiva and co-author of Torat HaMelech
| Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira | |
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| Born | Israel |
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| Nationality | Israeli |
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| Occupation | Rabbi, yeshiva head, author |
| Known for | Head of Od Yosef Chai yeshiva; co-author of Torat HaMelech; spiritual mentor to Hilltop Youth |
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| Website | |
Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira is an Israeli Orthodox rabbi, head of the Od Yosef Chai yeshiva in the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar, and co-author of the controversial 2009 book Torat HaMelech (The King's Torah).[1] He is widely regarded as a spiritual mentor to segments of the Hilltop Youth, the radical settler movement known for establishing unauthorized outposts and, in some cases, acts of violence against Palestinians.[2] Shapira has been described as a disciple of Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh, the controversial Chabad-affiliated rabbi based in Kfar Chabad, whose ideas heavily influenced Torat HaMelech.[3]
Shapira studied in religious-Zionist yeshivot, including Merkaz Harav, before becoming head of Od Yosef Chai in Yitzhar, a settlement known for its hardline ideology.[4] The yeshiva has been a focal point for radical settler activity and has faced multiple closures or funding cuts by Israeli authorities due to incitement concerns.[2]
Torat HaMelech and legal issues
In 2009, Shapira co-authored Torat HaMelech with Rabbi Yosef Elitzur. The book discusses halakhic (Jewish legal) rulings on when it is permissible to kill non-Jews in wartime or when they pose a threat to Jews, including statements that non-Jews are "uncompassionate by nature" and that killing gentile babies or children may be justified if they are likely to grow up to harm Jews.[1][5]
The book sparked widespread outrage. In July 2010, Shapira was arrested by Israeli police on suspicion of incitement to racism and violence.[6] The investigation was closed in May 2012 without indictment due to insufficient evidence of intent to incite.[7] Co-author Yosef Elitzur was later convicted of incitement for other writings.[1]
Relationship with Chabad
Shapira is a disciple of Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh, a Chabad-affiliated rabbi living in Kfar Chabad who endorsed Torat HaMelech and whose mystical teachings heavily influenced the book.[3][8] However, Shapira is not an official Chabad emissary (shaliach) or part of mainstream Chabad institutions. Mainstream Chabad leadership and spokespeople have allegedly distanced themselves from Shapira and the book, viewing its content as incompatible with core Chabad teachings on Ahavat Yisrael (love for every Jew) and ethical conduct.[9] Chabad has not issued an official institutional condemnation, but individual Chabad rabbis and publications have criticized the book's extremism.
Hilltop Youth
Shapira and his yeshiva in Yitzhar have served as a spiritual and ideological hub for segments of the Hilltop Youth, the radical settler youth movement known for establishing illegal outposts and occasional violence against Palestinians and Israeli security forces.[2] The yeshiva has been described as an "incubator" for extremist ideology, with students and graduates frequently involved in "price tag" attacks.[2]
See also
Torat HaMelech Yitzchak Ginsburgh Od Yosef Chai yeshiva Hilltop Youth
External links
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Wikipedia, Torat Hamelekh en.wikipedia.org, accessed February 26, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 +972 Magazine, How one hilltop became an incubator for Israeli settler violence 972mag.com, 2 January 2020.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Powerbase, Yitzhak Shapira powerbase.info, accessed February 26, 2026.
- ↑ The Jerusalem Post, Shapira's distinction between Jewish, gentile blood jpost.com, 28 January 2010.
- ↑ Jewish Currents, The King's Torah: Preemptive Murder of Non-Jews jewishcurrents.org, 25 July 2017.
- ↑ Ynet, Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira suspected of incitement against non-Jews ynetnews.com, 26 July 2010.
- ↑ The Jerusalem Post, A-G: 'Torat Hamelech' authors will not be indicted jpost.com, 28 May 2012.
- ↑ Wikipedia, Yitzchak Ginsburgh en.wikipedia.org, accessed February 26, 2026.
- ↑ Anti-Defamation League, ADL Urges Rabbis, Orthodox Leaders To Condemn "Blueprint For Killing Non-Jews" adl.org, 27 January 2010.