Torat Hamelekh - Revision history

David: /* See also */

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David at 09:59, 14 June 2026

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David at 09:59, 14 June 2026

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David at 09:58, 14 June 2026

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David: /* Controversy and legal proceedings */

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Controversy and legal proceedings

David: /* Connection to Chabad */

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Connection to Chabad

David: /* Controversy and legal proceedings */

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Controversy and legal proceedings

David: /* Controversy and legal proceedings */

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Controversy and legal proceedings

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David: /* Content and key rulings */

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Content and key rulings

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 [[Yitzhak Shapira]]
 [[Yitzchak Ginsburgh]]
-[[Od Yosef Chai yeshiva]]
+[[Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva]]
 [[Hilltop Youth]]
 == External links ==

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 }}
 {{Chabad sidebar}}
-'''Torat HaMelech''' (Hebrew: '''תורת המלך''', ''[[The King's Torah]]'' or ''The Law of the King'') is a controversial 2009 halakhic (Jewish legal) book written by Rabbi [[Yitzhak Shapira]], head of the Od Yosef Chai yeshiva in the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar, and co-authored by Rabbi [[Yosef Elitzur]].<ref name="HaaretzTorat">Haaretz, [https://www.haaretz.com/2010-07-26/ty-article/rabbi-arrested-over-book-that-permits-killing-non-jews/0000017f-e116-d568-ad7f-f37f52d90000 Rabbi arrested over book that permits killing non-Jews] ''haaretz.com'', 26 July 2010.</ref> The book discusses Jewish law regarding the permissibility of killing non-Jews in wartime or when they are perceived as a threat to Jews, including rulings on civilians, children, and the distinction between Jewish and gentile blood.<ref name="ToratHamelekh">Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torat_Hamelekh Torat Hamelekh] ''en.wikipedia.org'', accessed February 26, 2026.</ref>
+'''Torat HaMelech''' (Hebrew: '''תורת המלך''', ''[[The King's Torah]]'' or ''The Law of the King'') is a controversial 2009 halakhic (Jewish legal) book written by Rabbi [[Yitzhak Shapira]], head of the [[Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva]] in the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar, and co-authored by Rabbi [[Yosef Elitzur]].<ref name="HaaretzTorat">Haaretz, [https://www.haaretz.com/2010-07-26/ty-article/rabbi-arrested-over-book-that-permits-killing-non-jews/0000017f-e116-d568-ad7f-f37f52d90000 Rabbi arrested over book that permits killing non-Jews] ''haaretz.com'', 26 July 2010.</ref> The book discusses Jewish law regarding the permissibility of killing non-Jews in wartime or when they are perceived as a threat to Jews, including rulings on civilians, children, and the distinction between Jewish and gentile blood.<ref name="ToratHamelekh">Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torat_Hamelekh Torat Hamelekh] ''en.wikipedia.org'', accessed February 26, 2026.</ref>
 The book was published privately by the Od Yosef Chai yeshiva and quickly became one of the most controversial rabbinic texts in modern Israeli history, drawing widespread condemnation from mainstream Jewish leaders, Israeli politicians, and human rights groups for what many described as incitement to racism and violence.<ref name="JPostTorat">The Jerusalem Post, [https://www.jpost.com/national-news/a-g-torat-hamelech-authors-will-not-be-indicted/article-271729 A-G: 'Torat Hamelekh' authors will not be indicted] ''jpost.com'', 28 May 2012.</ref>

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 }}
+{{Chabad sidebar}}
 '''Torat HaMelech''' (Hebrew: '''תורת המלך''', ''[[The King's Torah]]'' or ''The Law of the King'') is a controversial 2009 halakhic (Jewish legal) book written by Rabbi [[Yitzhak Shapira]], head of the Od Yosef Chai yeshiva in the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar, and co-authored by Rabbi [[Yosef Elitzur]].<ref name="HaaretzTorat">Haaretz, [https://www.haaretz.com/2010-07-26/ty-article/rabbi-arrested-over-book-that-permits-killing-non-jews/0000017f-e116-d568-ad7f-f37f52d90000 Rabbi arrested over book that permits killing non-Jews] ''haaretz.com'', 26 July 2010.</ref> The book discusses Jewish law regarding the permissibility of killing non-Jews in wartime or when they are perceived as a threat to Jews, including rulings on civilians, children, and the distinction between Jewish and gentile blood.<ref name="ToratHamelekh">Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torat_Hamelekh Torat Hamelekh] ''en.wikipedia.org'', accessed February 26, 2026.</ref>

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 }}
-'''Torat HaMelech''' (Hebrew: '''תורת המלך''', ''The King's Torah'' or ''The Law of the King'') is a controversial 2009 halakhic (Jewish legal) book written by Rabbi [[Yitzhak Shapira]], head of the Od Yosef Chai yeshiva in the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar, and co-authored by Rabbi [[Yosef Elitzur]].<ref name="HaaretzTorat">Haaretz, [https://www.haaretz.com/2010-07-26/ty-article/rabbi-arrested-over-book-that-permits-killing-non-jews/0000017f-e116-d568-ad7f-f37f52d90000 Rabbi arrested over book that permits killing non-Jews] ''haaretz.com'', 26 July 2010.</ref> The book discusses Jewish law regarding the permissibility of killing non-Jews in wartime or when they are perceived as a threat to Jews, including rulings on civilians, children, and the distinction between Jewish and gentile blood.<ref name="ToratHamelekh">Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torat_Hamelekh Torat Hamelekh] ''en.wikipedia.org'', accessed February 26, 2026.</ref>
+'''Torat HaMelech''' (Hebrew: '''תורת המלך''', ''[[The King's Torah]]'' or ''The Law of the King'') is a controversial 2009 halakhic (Jewish legal) book written by Rabbi [[Yitzhak Shapira]], head of the Od Yosef Chai yeshiva in the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar, and co-authored by Rabbi [[Yosef Elitzur]].<ref name="HaaretzTorat">Haaretz, [https://www.haaretz.com/2010-07-26/ty-article/rabbi-arrested-over-book-that-permits-killing-non-jews/0000017f-e116-d568-ad7f-f37f52d90000 Rabbi arrested over book that permits killing non-Jews] ''haaretz.com'', 26 July 2010.</ref> The book discusses Jewish law regarding the permissibility of killing non-Jews in wartime or when they are perceived as a threat to Jews, including rulings on civilians, children, and the distinction between Jewish and gentile blood.<ref name="ToratHamelekh">Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torat_Hamelekh Torat Hamelekh] ''en.wikipedia.org'', accessed February 26, 2026.</ref>
 The book was published privately by the Od Yosef Chai yeshiva and quickly became one of the most controversial rabbinic texts in modern Israeli history, drawing widespread condemnation from mainstream Jewish leaders, Israeli politicians, and human rights groups for what many described as incitement to racism and violence.<ref name="JPostTorat">The Jerusalem Post, [https://www.jpost.com/national-news/a-g-torat-hamelech-authors-will-not-be-indicted/article-271729 A-G: 'Torat Hamelekh' authors will not be indicted] ''jpost.com'', 28 May 2012.</ref>

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:07, 26 February 2026
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	The authors repeatedly stress that these rulings apply only in situations of actual or potential war, but critics argue the language is broad enough to justify violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories.<ref name="972magTorat">+972 Magazine, [https://www.972mag.com/yitzhar-hilltop-settler-violence/ How one hilltop became an incubator for Israeli settler violence] ''972mag.com'', 2020.</ref>		The authors repeatedly stress that these rulings apply only in situations of actual or potential war, but critics argue the language is broad enough to justify violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories.<ref name="972magTorat">+972 Magazine, [https://www.972mag.com/yitzhar-hilltop-settler-violence/ How one hilltop became an incubator for Israeli settler violence] ''972mag.com'', 2020.</ref>

−	~~== Controversy and legal proceedings ==~~
−
−	The book sparked immediate outrage upon publication in 2009. Israeli Attorney General [[Yehuda Weinstein]] opened an investigation into incitement to racism and violence. In July 2010, Rabbi [[Yitzhak Shapira]] was arrested and questioned for several hours.<ref name="Ynet2010">Ynet, [https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3925115,00.html Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira suspected of incitement against non-Jews] ''ynetnews.com'', 26 July 2010.</ref> The investigation was eventually closed in May 2012 without indictment due to insufficient evidence of criminal intent.<ref name="JPostTorat"/>
−
−	Co-author Rabbi [[Yosef Elitzur]] was later convicted on separate incitement charges related to other writings.<ref name="ToratHamelekh">Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torat_Hamelekh Torat Hamelekh] ''en.wikipedia.org'', accessed February 26, 2026.</ref>
	== Controversy and legal proceedings ==		== Controversy and legal proceedings ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:07, 26 February 2026
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	Chabad.org and official Chabad spokespeople have not issued a formal institutional condemnation.		Chabad.org and official Chabad spokespeople have not issued a formal institutional condemnation.

−	~~== Connection to Chabad ==~~

	Rabbi [[Yitzhak Shapira]] is a disciple of Rabbi [[Yitzchak Ginsburgh]], a prominent Chabad-affiliated rabbi based in Kfar Chabad whose mystical teachings form the ideological foundation of much of the book. Ginsburgh publicly defended ''Torat HaMelech'' and wrote a glowing approbation for it.<ref name="PowerbaseShapira" /> However, Shapira is not an official Chabad emissary (shaliach) and does not run an official Chabad institution. Mainstream Chabad organisations have not issued an official institutional condemnation of the book, but individual Chabad rabbis and publications have criticised its extremism.		Rabbi [[Yitzhak Shapira]] is a disciple of Rabbi [[Yitzchak Ginsburgh]], a prominent Chabad-affiliated rabbi based in Kfar Chabad whose mystical teachings form the ideological foundation of much of the book. Ginsburgh publicly defended ''Torat HaMelech'' and wrote a glowing approbation for it.<ref name="PowerbaseShapira" /> However, Shapira is not an official Chabad emissary (shaliach) and does not run an official Chabad institution. Mainstream Chabad organisations have not issued an official institutional condemnation of the book, but individual Chabad rabbis and publications have criticised its extremism.

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 Co-author Rabbi [[Yosef Elitzur]] was later convicted on separate incitement charges related to other writings<ref>https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2021-02-03/ty-article/.premium/rabbi-from-israeli-settlement-convicted-of-inciting-to-violence-and-encouraging-hate/0000017f-e0a8-d804-ad7f-f1fa4cf80000</ref>
-The book was condemned by a wide range of Israeli figures and organisations. The [[Anti-Defamation League]] called for rabbis and Orthodox leaders to condemn the book as a "blueprint for killing non-Jews" in a January 2010 press release, stating: "The book is a blueprint for killing non-Jews. It is a shocking and dangerous document that has no place in Jewish tradition."<ref name="ADL2010"/>
+The book was condemned by a few Zionist organisations. The [[Anti-Defamation League]] called for rabbis and Orthodox leaders to condemn the book as a "blueprint for killing non-Jews" in a January 2010 press release, stating: "The book is a blueprint for killing non-Jews. It is a shocking and dangerous document that has no place in Jewish tradition."<ref name="ADL2010">Anti-Defamation League, [https://web.archive.org/web/20250130171942/https://www.adl.org/resources/press-release/adl-urges-rabbis-orthodox-leaders-condemn-blueprint-killing-non-jews ADL Urges Rabbis, Orthodox Leaders To Condemn "Blueprint For Killing Non-Jews"] ''adl.org'', 27 January 2010.</ref>
 === Chabad and Torat HaMelech ===

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 The book ''Torat HaMelech'' (''The King's Torah'') sparked immediate outrage upon publication in 2009. Israeli Attorney General [[Yehuda Weinstein]] opened an investigation into incitement to racism and violence. In July 2010, Rabbi [[Yitzhak Shapira]] was arrested and questioned for several hours.<ref name="Ynet2010">Ynet, [https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3925115,00.html Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira suspected of incitement against non-Jews] ''ynetnews.com'', 26 July 2010.</ref> The investigation was eventually closed in May 2012 without indictment due to insufficient evidence of criminal intent.<ref name="JPostTorat"/>
-Co-author Rabbi [[Yosef Elitzur]] was later convicted on separate incitement charges related to other writings.<ref name="JPostElitzur2018">The Jerusalem Post, [https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/rabbi-convicted-of-incitement-for-writing-against-arabs-590123 Rabbi convicted of incitement for writing against Arabs] ''jpost.com'', 23 October 2018.</ref><ref name="TimesIsraelElitzur2018">The Times of Israel, [https://www.timesofisrael.com/rabbi-convicted-of-incitement-for-anti-arab-writing/ Rabbi convicted of incitement for anti-Arab writing] ''timesofisrael.com'', 23 October 2018.</ref>
+Co-author Rabbi [[Yosef Elitzur]] was later convicted on separate incitement charges related to other writings<ref>https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2021-02-03/ty-article/.premium/rabbi-from-israeli-settlement-convicted-of-inciting-to-violence-and-encouraging-hate/0000017f-e0a8-d804-ad7f-f1fa4cf80000</ref>
 The book was condemned by a wide range of Israeli figures and organisations. The [[Anti-Defamation League]] called for rabbis and Orthodox leaders to condemn the book as a "blueprint for killing non-Jews" in a January 2010 press release, stating: "The book is a blueprint for killing non-Jews. It is a shocking and dangerous document that has no place in Jewish tradition."<ref name="ADL2010"/>

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 == Controversy and legal proceedings ==
-The book sparked immediate outrage upon publication in 2009. Israeli Attorney General [[Yehuda Weinstein]] opened an investigation into incitement to racism and violence. In July 2010, Rabbi [[Yitzhak Shapira]] was arrested and questioned for several hours.<ref name="Ynet2010">Ynet, [https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3925115,00.html Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira suspected of incitement against non-Jews] ''ynetnews.com'', 26 July 2010.</ref> The investigation was eventually closed in May 2012 without indictment due to insufficient evidence of criminal intent.<ref name="JPost2012">The Jerusalem Post, [https://www.jpost.com/national-news/a-g-torat-hamelekh-authors-will-not-be-indicted/article-271729 A-G: 'Torat Hamelekh' authors will not be indicted] ''jpost.com'', 28 May 2012.</ref>
+The book sparked immediate outrage upon publication in 2009. Israeli Attorney General [[Yehuda Weinstein]] opened an investigation into incitement to racism and violence. In July 2010, Rabbi [[Yitzhak Shapira]] was arrested and questioned for several hours.<ref name="Ynet2010">Ynet, [https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3925115,00.html Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira suspected of incitement against non-Jews] ''ynetnews.com'', 26 July 2010.</ref> The investigation was eventually closed in May 2012 without indictment due to insufficient evidence of criminal intent.<ref name="JPostTorat"/>
 Co-author Rabbi [[Yosef Elitzur]] was later convicted on separate incitement charges related to other writings.<ref name="ToratHamelekh">Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torat_Hamelekh Torat Hamelekh] ''en.wikipedia.org'', accessed February 26, 2026.</ref>
 == Controversy and legal proceedings ==
-The book ''Torat HaMelech'' (''The King's Torah'') sparked immediate outrage upon publication in 2009. Israeli Attorney General [[Yehuda Weinstein]] opened an investigation into incitement to racism and violence. In July 2010, Rabbi [[Yitzhak Shapira]] was arrested and questioned for several hours.<ref name="Ynet2010">Ynet, [https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3925115,00.html Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira suspected of incitement against non-Jews] ''ynetnews.com'', 26 July 2010.</ref> The investigation was eventually closed in May 2012 without indictment due to insufficient evidence of criminal intent.<ref name="JPost2012">The Jerusalem Post, [https://www.jpost.com/national-news/a-g-torat-hamelekh-authors-will-not-be-indicted/article-271729 A-G: 'Torat Hamelekh' authors will not be indicted] ''jpost.com'', 28 May 2012.</ref>
+The book ''Torat HaMelech'' (''The King's Torah'') sparked immediate outrage upon publication in 2009. Israeli Attorney General [[Yehuda Weinstein]] opened an investigation into incitement to racism and violence. In July 2010, Rabbi [[Yitzhak Shapira]] was arrested and questioned for several hours.<ref name="Ynet2010">Ynet, [https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3925115,00.html Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira suspected of incitement against non-Jews] ''ynetnews.com'', 26 July 2010.</ref> The investigation was eventually closed in May 2012 without indictment due to insufficient evidence of criminal intent.<ref name="JPostTorat"/>
 Co-author Rabbi [[Yosef Elitzur]] was later convicted on separate incitement charges related to other writings.<ref name="JPostElitzur2018">The Jerusalem Post, [https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/rabbi-convicted-of-incitement-for-writing-against-arabs-590123 Rabbi convicted of incitement for writing against Arabs] ''jpost.com'', 23 October 2018.</ref><ref name="TimesIsraelElitzur2018">The Times of Israel, [https://www.timesofisrael.com/rabbi-convicted-of-incitement-for-anti-arab-writing/ Rabbi convicted of incitement for anti-Arab writing] ''timesofisrael.com'', 23 October 2018.</ref>

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 * On the distinction between Jewish and gentile blood: The book argues that in certain wartime contexts, Jewish blood has greater sanctity, and the rules governing the killing of non-Jews differ fundamentally from those governing Jews.<ref name="JewishCurrents">Jewish Currents, [https://jewishcurrents.org/the-kings-torah-preemptive-murder-of-non-jews The King's Torah: Preemptive Murder of Non-Jews] ''jewishcurrents.org'', 25 July 2017.</ref>
-The authors repeatedly stress that these rulings apply only in situations of actual or potential war, but critics argue the language is broad enough to justify violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories.<ref name="972magTorat">+972 Magazine, [https://www.972mag.com/the-kings-torah-and-the-sanctity-of-jewish-blood The King's Torah and the Sanctity of Jewish Blood] ''972mag.com'', 2010.</ref>
+The authors repeatedly stress that these rulings apply only in situations of actual or potential war, but critics argue the language is broad enough to justify violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories.<ref name="972magTorat">+972 Magazine, [https://www.972mag.com/yitzhar-hilltop-settler-violence/ How one hilltop became an incubator for Israeli settler violence] ''972mag.com'', 2020.</ref>
 == Controversy and legal proceedings ==