Rabbi David Lau

Chief Rabbi composes Passover prayer for release of hostages

The new prayer, to be recited at the Seder before the recital of 'Vehi Sheamda,' beseeches G-d for the release of the hostages and asks for unity.

Chief Rabbi to yeshiva students:

'Increase your studies during vacation'

Ahead of the Passover vacation, Rabbi David Lau called on students to strengthen the Torah, especially at a time when the soldiers are sacrificing their lives on the battlefield.

'No contradiction'

Rabbi Lau implicitly responds to Rabbi Yosef

Rabbi David Lau says 'The people of Israel, the Torah of Israel, the Land of Israel, come from the same place' at soldier's funeral after Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef threatens haredim will leave Israel over draft law.

Chief Rabbi Lau calls on Pope to retract Israel-Hamas comparison

Israel's Chief Rabbi David Lau addresses letter to Pope Francis after Pope accuses Israel of engaging in terrorism just like Hamas.

Chief Rabbi visits front line, dedicates artillery shell

Rabbi David Lau visited artillery battalions on the Gaza border, spoke with the soldiers, and blessed them.

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Siren goes off during Chief Rabbi's lesson

Siren goes off in Kfar Chabad, located in central Israel, during Rabbi David Lau's lesson.

Chief rabbi weighs in:

Should we pray for rain if it affects Gaza incursion?

Rabbi David Lau responds to query by IDF soldiers asking whether to pray for rain if it may disrupt a ground operation in Gaza.

Chief Rabbi to President:

'There are many who are afraid to express an opinion of peace'

President Herzog visited the Sukkah of Rabbi David Lau, who praised the president for his efforts to bring reach a national consensus.

Chief Rabbis support Rabbi Amar against Supreme Court

Supreme Court demands state explain why Rabbi Shlomo Amar should not stand trial after speaking his opinion on several communities.

TA Rabbinical Court siege:

'The head of the court was snuck out the back door'

The Chief Rabbi's bureau chief describes the feelings as hundreds of protesters surrounded the court, trapping judges and litigants.

Watch: Protesters blockade rabbinical court building in Tel Aviv

Legal reform protesters burst into the offices of the Rabbinical Court in Tel Aviv. The chief rabbi reacted angrily.

In letters to Swedish leaders:

Israel's chief rabbis condemn intent to burn Jewish Bible

Israel's Chief Rabbi Lau pens letter to Swedish PM Kristersson: 'Freedom of expression does not permit everything.'

Israel’s chief Ashkenazi rabbi makes historic visit to Taiwan

Rabbi David Lau visits Taiwan in milestone moment for the country’s Jewish community

New:

Rabbinic courts to introduce 'judges on-call'

The judges on-call will handle urgent requests regarding stay-of-exit orders, attachment orders, and restraining orders.

Chief Rabbi visits Homesh

Rabbi David Lau spoke with students, gave a lecture, and toured the outpost, which is illegal according to the Disengagement Law.

Rabbi Lau on Rabbi Druckman:

'For 90 years he educated and brought Jews closer to God'

Israel's Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Rabbi David Lau, eulogizes Rabbi Chaim Druckman, who passed away at the age of 90.

Chief Rabbi: Rabbi Druckman saw me and said 'Rabbi Lau'

Chief Rabbi of Israel lights Hanukkah candles at INN office, describes visit with leading religious Zionist rabbi.

Chief Rabbi: Birth mother is the mother in surrogacy cases

Rabbi David Lau rules in cases of In Vitro Fertilization the woman who carried the child is considered the mother according to the halakha.

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Chief Rabbi hosts President Herzog in his sukkah

The Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau, hosted President Isaac Herzog in his sukkah with a delegation from the Echad l’Echad Foundation.

Rabbi Zvi Rimon appointed as Chief Rabbi of Gush Etzion

Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau, on Rabbi Zvi Rimon: He is a pearl amongst you.

On Jerusalem Day: Songs for the recovery of Chief Rabbi's wife

At Jerusalem Day event, singer Avraham Fried dedicates song to recovery of Rebbetzin Tzippora Lau, wife of Chief Rabbi David Lau.

Chief Rabbi: Obey instructions at Meron

Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau says following last year's deadly disaster, visitors to Meron should obey all security instructions.

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Thousands attend Independence Day prayer at the Western Wall

Thousands marked Independence Day with a festive evening prayer at the Western Wall with the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau.

Public asked to pray for recovery of Chief Rabbi's wife

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau asks public to pray for the recovery of his wife Rebbetzin Feiga Lau.

Converts threaten to demonstrate against Chief Rabbinate

Converts to Judaism write to Chief Rabbi Lau after he refuses to sign conversion certificates in fight against government conversion reform.

Israel's Chief Rabbi Lau visits Ukrainian refugees in Moldova

Chief Rabbi David Lau visits refugees and humanitarian volunteers in Moldova, accompanies 150 Ukrainian refugees back to Israel.

Chief Rabbi pays surprise visit to conversion court

Rabbi David Lau visits Kiryat Gat conversion court in light of attempts to pass conversion reforms.

Israeli chief rabbi visits UAE

Chief Rabbi of Israel invited by Rabbi of the UAE to meet with the growing Jewish community throughout the Emirates.

Chief Rabbi Lau: The Knesset won't decide who is a Jew

"A Jew is someone who commits to Torah observance, regardless of any legislation the Knesset may pass."

Liberman warns Chief Rabbi of consequences for "blackmail"

Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman says Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau could be removed from office over conversion letter.

Chief rabbi responds to haredi author's suicide

'Indecent acts must be uprooted and eradicated completely - complain to the relevant authorities,' Chief Rabbi Lau says.

Chief rabbis pen letter against kashrut reforms

Rabbis David Lau and Yitzhak Yosef call proposed kashrut reforms an attempt to destroy Jewishness of State of Israel.

Chief rabbi wants exhumation of missionary who posed as haredi

Rabbi David Lau pushing for removal of remains of Christian missionary who posed as a haredi Jew from Jerusalem cemetery.

Chief Rabbis lead protest against kashrut reforms

Rabbis from all over Israel gather to protest against reforms they say would 'destroy' kashrut system in Israel.

Chief Rabbi Lau opposes kashrut reforms

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi writes to Religious Affairs Minister: 'Those behind reforms are the ones who try to destroy State's Jewish character.'

First publication: Chief Rabbi's deal with Minister Kahana

Rabbi David Lau will continue to serve as a judge after his term ends in exchange for not opposing kashrut reforms.

'We are not meeting the obligation to bring our boys home'

Rabbi David Lau at seminar in memory of Hadar Goldin: I can't look his father in the eye.

Chief Rabbi calls for changes at Meron

Rabbi David Lau says state must act to impose 'order' at religious site where 45 were killed last week.

Chief rabbi urges: Come to Meron early, leave for home early

Rabbi David Lau, Chief Rabbi of Israel, calls on public to leave Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's gravesite early on Friday.

Chief Rabbi Lau to Halimi family: Sarah was murdered twice

Israeli Chief Rabbi writes to family of woman killed in France after murderer not tried. 'All who pity the cruel end up cruel to the just.'

Rabbinical court judge suspended after refusing COVID vaccine

Chief Rabbi of Israel suspends judge from rabbinate conversion court after judge refused to get COVID vaccination.

Live: Global day of prayer for COVID pandemic

Chief Rabbi David Lau prays at Rachel's Tomb for end to pandemic amidst high morbidity numbers.

Chief Rabbi Lau calls for fast day over COVID crisis

Rabbi David Lau calls for worldwide day of fasting and prayer on Thursday in response to growing number of COVID-19 cases.

Vaccines on Shabbat? This is the position of the Chief Rabbi

Chief Rabbi says permission to vaccinate in Shabbat will be considered when vaccinations are given in all hours of the day during the week.

Rabbi Lau condemns desecration of Holy Ark in Homesh

Israel Chief Rabbi David Lau to Defense Minister Gantz after evacuation of yeshiva in Homesh: 'Difficult sights unfitting for Jewish state.'

Chief Rabbi: Allow marriages under health guidelines

Rabbi David Lau writes to PM, Health Minister on behalf of couples who cannot get married under current lockdown.

'The people won't accept closing synagogues on Yom Kippur'

Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau warns Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israelis will not obey orders to close synagogues during Yom Kippur.

Time to fortify the Rabbanut

The Chief Rabbinate of Israel can help be a guiding light and hand. It is precisely the centralized authority we all need and seek. Opinion.

Chief Rabbi of Israel: If you have the coronavirus, don't fast

Rabbi David Lau urges coronavirus patients and those who may be infected not to fast during Tisha B'Av.

'Situation during holidays depends on keeping guidelines today'

Israeli Chief Rabbi David Lau talks about coronavirus restrictions, upcoming fast days, and whether synagogues will be open during holidays.

Official:

Fewer than 3,000 active coronavirus patients in Israel

38 patients in serious condition. To date, 13,435 Israelis recovered from coronavirus.

Chief Rabbi: Better to pray alone than without precautions

Rabbi David Lau warns all who pray in a minyan must obey Health Ministry instructions to the letter or be guilty of endangering lives.

Chief Rabbi calls for fast day on Wednesday

Rabbi David Lau calls on Jews to fast or take it upon themselves not to speak on erev Rosh Chodesh Nisan in response to coronavirus.

Chief Rabbi: They attack Beit Din while falsifying facts

Rabbi David Lau attacks politicians taking advantage of election period to confront rabbinical courts.

'You took the Qassam and turned it into a source of light'

Knesset Speaker, Chief Rabbi take part in Hanukkah event at Sderot Hesder Yeshiva.

Israeli chief rabbi: We must do all we can to help the Kurds

Rabbi David Lau tells President Rivlin: "It is our moral duty to act immediately, before it is too late."

Alleged get-refuser: 'Fake news'

'No one in Rabbinate contacted me; Rabbi Lau is my wife's relative.' Chief Rabbi Lau's Office: 'We'll continue to fight get refusal.'

Chief Rabbi of Israel visits Chabad of Poway

Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi David Lau 'moved' by Seeach Sod rep's message to Chabad of Poway.

PM promises Rabbi Lau: Tomb of the Patriarchs will be accessible

Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hevron to be made wheelchair accessible in the coming months, PM promises Chief Rabbi.

Chief Rabbi says some Religious Zionist groups hurting Rabbinate

Rabbi Dovid Lau says that liberal Religious Zionist organizations 'using resources to harm the Rabbinate and distance it from the public'.