Difference between revisions of "Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva"
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'''Od Yosef Chai''' (Hebrew: עוד יוסף חי, "Joseph still lives") is a hardline religious Zionist yeshiva located in the [[West Bank]] settlement of [[Yitzhar]].<ref name="JGive">JGive, [https://www.jgive.com/new/en/ils/charity-organizations/1535 Yeshivat Od Yosef Chai] ''JGive'', accessed June 2026.</ref><ref name="TOI2023">Times of Israel, [https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/shift-shake-jewish-terrorism-from-hills-to-the-big-apple-skyscrapers/ Shift & Shake: Jewish Terrorism] ''Times of Israel'', 27 September 2023.</ref> | '''Od Yosef Chai''' (Hebrew: עוד יוסף חי, "Joseph still lives") is a hardline religious Zionist yeshiva located in the [[West Bank]] settlement of [[Yitzhar]].<ref name="JGive">JGive, [https://www.jgive.com/new/en/ils/charity-organizations/1535 Yeshivat Od Yosef Chai] ''JGive'', accessed June 2026.</ref><ref name="TOI2023">Times of Israel, [https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/shift-shake-jewish-terrorism-from-hills-to-the-big-apple-skyscrapers/ Shift & Shake: Jewish Terrorism] ''Times of Israel'', 27 September 2023.</ref> | ||
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The yeshiva promotes a blend of Hasidic philosophy, Kabbalah, and hardline religious Zionism. Critics accuse it of fostering Jewish supremacism through interpretations distinguishing between Jewish and non-Jewish souls and permitting violence in certain contexts.<ref name="TOI2023" /><ref name="Forward2016" /> | The yeshiva promotes a blend of Hasidic philosophy, Kabbalah, and hardline religious Zionism. Critics accuse it of fostering Jewish supremacism through interpretations distinguishing between Jewish and non-Jewish souls and permitting violence in certain contexts.<ref name="TOI2023" /><ref name="Forward2016" /> | ||
| − | In 2009, rabbis associated with the yeshiva published ''Torat HaMelech'' (''The King's Torah''), which argued that the prohibition on murder applies primarily to Jews and outlined scenarios where killing non-Jews, including civilians and children, could be permissible if they pose a threat.<ref name="Haaretz2010" /><ref name="972Mag" /> | + | In 2009, rabbis associated with the yeshiva published ''[[Torat HaMelech]]'' (''[[The King's Torah]]''), which argued that the prohibition on murder applies primarily to Jews and outlined scenarios where killing non-Jews, including civilians and children, could be permissible if they pose a threat.<ref name="Haaretz2010" /><ref name="972Mag" /> |
The book drew widespread condemnation, led to investigations for incitement, and prompted funding cuts from Israeli ministries.<ref name="TOI2023" /> | The book drew widespread condemnation, led to investigations for incitement, and prompted funding cuts from Israeli ministries.<ref name="TOI2023" /> | ||
Latest revision as of 09:56, 14 June 2026
Hardline religious Zionist yeshiva in Yitzhar settlement, known for controversial teachings and links to settler extremism
| Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva | |
|---|---|
| Type | Yeshiva |
| Logo | |
| Founded | |
| Founder(s) | Romem Aldubi |
| Dissolved | |
| Registration ID | |
| Status | |
| Headquarters | Yitzhar, West Bank |
| Location | West Bank |
| Area served | |
| Services | |
| Registration | |
| Key people | Yitzchak Ginsburgh (spiritual leader and president) Yitzhak Shapira (former head) Yosef Elitzur |
| Website | odyoesfchai.org |
| Remarks | |
Od Yosef Chai (Hebrew: עוד יוסף חי, "Joseph still lives") is a hardline religious Zionist yeshiva located in the West Bank settlement of Yitzhar.[1][2]
It is known for its radical interpretations of Jewish law, Kabbalistic teachings, and associations with settler violence, including "price tag" attacks linked to the Hilltop Youth.[3]
History
The yeshiva was founded in 1982 (5742) by Romem Aldubi and associates at Joseph's Tomb in Nablus (Shechem).[1]
It operated there until the Second Intifada, when the IDF withdrew from the site in 2000. The yeshiva then relocated to the settlement of Yitzhar, where it expanded to include a high school, yeshiva gedolah, kollel, and publishing activities.[1][2]
Leadership
Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh, an American-born rabbi affiliated with Chabad-Lubavitch, serves as the spiritual leader and president. He has headed or influenced the institution since the late 1980s.[2][4]
Other key figures include Rabbis Yitzhak Shapira and Yosef Elitzur, who served as heads and authored controversial texts.[5]
Teachings and Controversies
The yeshiva promotes a blend of Hasidic philosophy, Kabbalah, and hardline religious Zionism. Critics accuse it of fostering Jewish supremacism through interpretations distinguishing between Jewish and non-Jewish souls and permitting violence in certain contexts.[2][4]
In 2009, rabbis associated with the yeshiva published Torat HaMelech (The King's Torah), which argued that the prohibition on murder applies primarily to Jews and outlined scenarios where killing non-Jews, including civilians and children, could be permissible if they pose a threat.[5][3]
The book drew widespread condemnation, led to investigations for incitement, and prompted funding cuts from Israeli ministries.[2]
Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh has faced multiple detentions and accusations of incitement, including for statements describing Arabs as a "cancer" and endorsing related texts.[4]
Links to Chabad
While not formally part of the Chabad-Lubavitch network, Yitzchak Ginsburgh has deep ties to the movement. He studied in Chabad institutions, developed a relationship with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and incorporates Chassidut and Kabbalah into teachings at the yeshiva. Chabad students have attended classes there.[4][2]
Connections to Hilltop Youth and Price Tag Attacks
Od Yosef Chai is widely regarded as an ideological incubator for the Hilltop Youth, a radical settler movement known for unauthorised outposts and "price tag" attacks—retaliatory violence against Palestinians and Israeli forces, including arson, vandalism, and killings.[3][6]
Students and alumni have been implicated in such attacks. Israeli security services have linked the yeshiva's teachings to encouragement of violence, leading to raids, funding suspensions, and temporary seizures.[3][2]
See also
- Yitzchak Ginsburgh
- The King's Torah
- Hilltop Youth
- Price tag attack policy
- Chabad-Lubavitch
- Jewish extremism in Israel
External links
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 JGive, Yeshivat Od Yosef Chai JGive, accessed June 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Times of Israel, Shift & Shake: Jewish Terrorism Times of Israel, 27 September 2023.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 +972 Magazine, How one hilltop became an incubator for Israeli settler violence +972 Magazine, 2 January 2020.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Forward, The Kabbalist Who Would Be King Forward, 14 October 2016.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Haaretz, The King's Torah: A Rabbinic Text or a Call to Terror? Haaretz, 22 January 2010.
- ↑ BBC, 'Price-tag' tactics of West Bank Jewish settlers BBC, 17 September 2012.