The death of five soldiers, four of whom were from the IDF’s Netzah Yehuda Battalion, in Beit Hanun on Monday was caused by a “neglect of Torah study,” former Sephardi chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef wrote in an open letter.
“We are to blame,” Yosef wrote, adding that “weakness in Torah study leads to disasters, such as the terrible tragedy of the soldiers’ deaths in battle.”
“To the precious Torah scholars of the yeshivas, may God bless them. I come here with an urgent call to strengthen and be strengthened in Torah study, especially in these days, the end of summer, when there is concern for laxity,” the former chief rabbi wrote.
Many yeshivas take a summer break referred to as bein hazmanim (between the times), when official studies are suspended and students typically leave the yeshiva setting.
“We received with great sorrow the bad news about the fall of the precious soldiers, may their memory be for a blessing, who gave their lives for the people of Israel. Our responsibility as Torah Jews is immeasurable,” Yosef continued.
He also called for “soul-searching” and sent his condolences to the families of the five fallen soldiers.
Netzah Yehuda is a battalion comprised primarily of Orthodox and haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men who choose to complete their military service in an environment that is predominantly among their peers.
Yosef served as Sephardi chief rabbi, also known by the honorific Rishon LeZion, from 2013 until June 2024. He is the sixth son of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the founding spiritual leader of the Shas political party, who was born in Baghdad and also served as Sephardi chief rabbi from 1973 to 1983.
Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef succeeded his father as spiritual leader of Shas upon his death in 2013.
Additionally, he was succeeded as Sephardi chief rabbi by his younger brother, David Yosef, who currently holds the role.
The army began summoning all 54,000 remaining eligible haredim for IDF service on Sunday, launching the largest-ever coordinated mass recruitment effort in that sector, a campaign that will continue through July.
Police open investigation into journalist who expressed joy at death of IDF soldiers
Israel Police are also investigating a journalist for expressing joy over the death of the five IDF soldiers in Beit Hanun, police confirmed on Tuesday. Haredi left-wing journalist Israel Frey was arrested on Wednesday, police later confirmed.
“The world is a better place this morning, without five young men who participated in one of the most brutal crimes against humanity,” Frey wrote in a post on X/Twitter on Tuesday.
“Only in Israel can you both ‘oppose’ the war and ‘be shocked’ by what we are doing in Gaza, and also, in the same breath, send heartfelt condolences to those who actually carried out the atrocities.
“It’s very simple: Your leniency toward the criminals is indifference toward the crime. And the condolences are the legitimization and fuel for the continuation of the atrocities. Choose a side,” Frey added in a second post.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.