Rabbi David Lau

Hanukkah candles lit in Polish Parliament

Polish, Israeli officials and dignitaries unit to celebrate Hanukkah and reinforce their commitment to battle against anti-Semitism.

Hundreds light Hanukkah candles at Cave of the Patriarchs

Israel's Chief Rabbi participated in the lighting of Hanukkah candles along with dedication of Torah in memory of Lt. David Golovensitz.

'Hanukkah - The spiritual independence day of the Jewish people'

Outgoing Police Commissioner, Chief Rabbi David Lau light first candle of Hanukkah at the Western Wall.

Netanyahu's response to Chief Rabbis

PM: Place of Pittsburgh massacre chosen because it is a synagogue after Chief Rabbis refuse to call Conservative congregation a synagogue.

Attorney General halts appointment of rabbinical judges

A-G Mandelblit halts promotion of chief rabbis' relatives after management of the rabbinical court fails to meet Justice Ministry's demands.

Chief Rabbi calls Disengagement 'disgrace to State of Israel'

Chief Rabbi David Lau visits Gush Katif Museum, laments the thousands who lost everything they had built.

Chief rabbi opposes new Western Wall plan

Chief Rabbi Lau calls for government to oppose new plan, avoid implementing any plan not approved by Chief Rabbinate.

Terror attack survivor donates Torah scroll to hospital

Man wounded in terrorist attack donates Torah scroll to the synagogue at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera.

Outrage after satirical TV show mocks tefillin

Satirical show “Eretz Nehederet” airs sketch in which actor wears tefillin on his head.

Rabbi Lau: Do not remove your kippah

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel criticizes suggestion German Jews should not wear kippahs to avoid being attacked.

Chief Rabbi of Israel backs deportation of African infiltrators

'We must help refugees - but the infiltrators are job-seekers, not refugees,' says Rabbi Lau. 'Help your own poor first.'

Chief Rabbi: An act of desecration which harmed the synagogue

Rabbi David Lau condemns leftist protesters who interrupted Attorney General while he was reciting Kaddish in memory of his mother.

Chief rabbis celebrate Hanukkah with disabled children

Israel's chief rabbis and the most severely wounded soldier from 2014's Protective Edge celebrate Hanukkah together at center for disabled.

Chief Rabbi of Israel visits victim of bus station attack

Chief Rabbi David Lau visits 46-year-old terror-stabbing victim in Jerusalem hospital.

Chief rabbi: No one has the right to yell at soldiers

Chief Rabbi David Lau says attacks on IDF soldiers 'not Torah way,' redemption will come when we love each other, speak instead of yell.

Chief Rabbi regrets Rabbi Yehoshua Fass blacklist inclusion

'The Chief Rabbi very much values all your endeavors, and has instructed all those involved in this matter to act accordingly.'

Chief Rabbi: Heads will roll over leaking of rabbinic blacklist

Rabbi David Lau promises consequences for senior rabbinate official who publicized list of 160 'blacklisted' Diaspora rabbis

Rabbi Lau: Marginal groups attempting to cause fights over Kotel

Chief Rabbi says Western Wall is a place of prayer for all Jews and non-Jews. All must be respectful at holy site.

'Cheesecake is nice - but that's not the essence of the holiday'

Chief Rabbi's special message before Shavuot: 'Main thing is to sit with the kids, learn, and remember - the Torah belongs to all of us.'

'Amona evacuees living in shocking conditions'

Chief Rabbi discusses his visit with former residents of Amona, says the overcrowding is 'unimaginable.'

Chief Rabbi Lau: Ivanka Trump conversion legitimate

In letter, Chief Rabbi Lau expresses opinion that conversion of Ivanka Trump by Rabbi Haskel Lookstein should be recognized in Israel.

Chief Rabbi responds to Abbas' incitement

Rabbi David Lau rejects PA Chairman’s claim that Israeli rabbis called to poison Palestinian water.

High Court rules private kashrut is illegal

Judges accept Chief Rabbinate's position over attorney general; Chief Rabbi Lau: 'fictitious alternative kashrut certificates avoided.'

Arutz Sheva exclusive

Chief Rabbi calls world Jews home for Passover

Rabbi Lau in special message to Arutz Sheva readers: 'To those who can't but want to, and those who can but don't want to, Israel awaits.'

Chief Rabbi appeals to release Meir Ettinger for son's brit

Responding to letter by Jewish administrative detainee's wife, Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi David Lau appeals to Israel Prison Service.

Attorney General: Mikveh law is unconstitutional

Avichai Mandelblit says bill violates individuals' freedom of religion, Chief Ashkenazic Rabbi discusses modesty and privacy issues.

Looking for new agreement with Reform

Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, Chief Rabbi David Lau discuss how to best oppose moves to officially recognize Reform, change Kotel status.

Exclusive

Exposed: Deri's attempt to seize the Chief Rabbinate

Arutz Sheva has learned Shas head Deri is trying to pick next Chief Rabbinate director, against position of Chief Rabbi Lau and protocol.

Meeting between Netanyahu and chief rabbis canceled

Scheduled meeting on allocation of a non-Orthodox prayer space at the Kotel abruptly canceled.

Reform Kotel clash reaches a climax

Chief Rabbis to meet PM demanding he cancel new prayer space and recognition of Reform, as Minister Ariel skips gov't meeting in protest.

Muslim leaders in Israel condemn synagogue arson

Head of Muslim leaders in Israel calls Chief Rabbi to denounce 'disaster' and express hope arsonists will be found and prosecuted.

Chief Rabbi goes to strengthen Hevron

Rabbi Lau meets with Cave of Machpelah heads to discuss ways to boost hold over the ancient site, strengthens Hevron/Kiryat Arba Jews.

Hotel Synagogue turns into a massage parlor

Offering free massages to marathon runners during last Friday's race, Leonardo Hotel mistakenly turns its Synagogue into a massage parlor.

Outrage over video showing celebration of Duma arson

Chief Rabbi, politicians denounce video in which extremists celebrate Duma arson. "This isn't Judaism," says Rabbi Lau.

Chief Rabbi Lau: Temple Mount is not a place for tours

Rabbi David Lau explains why he thinks Jews should refrain from ascending to the Mount, and opines about the Women of the Wall.

Chief Rabbi slams Bennett for Conservative school visit

Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi David Lau criticizes Jewish Home head for 'recognizing a path that distances Jews from the Jewish people.'

Watch: Chief Rabbi at Kotel Hanukkah lighting

'Here we want to build up the walls,' says Rabbi Lau, recalling how a handful of Jews defeated myriads 'bringing in a foreign outlook.'

Arabs Who Spat At, Kicked Terror Victim to be Prosecuted

Arab passersby laughed at, kicked, and hit Adelle Banita-Bennett, as she ran for her life with stab wounds, and as her husband lay dead.

Arab Witnesses Laughed, Spat at Wounded Terror Victim

Widow of Aharon Banita-Bennett described the savagery of Arab passersby, who laughed as she fought death.

Chief Rabbi: Who Will Bless the Orphans on Shabbat?

Rabbi Lau takes part in funeral, emphasizing connection to the land and quoting Psalms in a call for redemption.

Chief Rabbi Lau: The Entire Nation is Crying

'Despite the awful pain we will continue to pray to merit soon the redemption of the people of Israel,' Chief Rabbi Lau says after murder.

Chief Rabbis Urge Religious Leaders to Condemn Violence

Rabbis David Lau, Yitzhak Yosef warn interfaith leaders they expect all faiths to uphold right to worship at holy sites, i.e. Temple Mount.

Watch: An Emotional Meeting on Kibbutz Beit Hashita

Chief Rabbi visits Kibbutz Beit Hashita and meets Hanoch Albleck, singer of legendary 'Unetane Tokef.'

Chief Rabbi Upset by Sabbath Cinema in Jerusalem

Chief Ashkenazic Rabbi says Sabbath is being violated in Ashdod and elsewhere in Israel.

Watch: Chief Rabbi Lau Gets Hero's Welcome in Samaria

Chief Ashkenazic Rabbi greeted with song and dance at hesder IDF yeshivas, gives strengthening speeches ahead of High Holy Days.

What Does it Take to Become a Mohel?

Chief Rabbi David Lau convenes special refresher course for mohelim from across Israel, tells parents to only use mohel with valid license.

Chief Rabbi: Expect Huge Cost Hikes on Meat Soon

Israel could face a major meat shortage for Rosh Hashana due to dispute over honest slaughtering supervision.

Rabbi Lau: Church Arson 'Completely At Odds' with Jewish Values

Sweeping condemnation as police arrest 16 residents of Samaria Thursday afternoon in connection with the fire at a Galilee church.

Chief Rabbi: Rabbi Riskin Won't Be Fired

Rabbi Lau bemoans media reports taking Efrat chief rabbi's tenure extension talk 'out of proportion,' says no 'political' motive as claimed.

Chief Rabbinate Refuses to Change Temple Mount Sign

Rabbinate refuses to change sign claiming ascending Mount is 'forbidden under Jewish Law,' despite support from major rabbis.

Weinstein to Rabbi Lau: I Hope You're Not Mad at Me

After denying Chief Rabbi outside representation in kashrut fraud case, Attorney General provides semi-apology to Rabbi Lau.

High Court Rebukes Attorney General over Kashrut Saga

Angered Weinstein refused Rabbinate's request for external representation, High Court orders delay in proceedings for Rabbinate to consult.

Ashdod Shopping Center Will Continue Shabbat Operations: Owners

Religious groups in Ashdod are planning a mass protest later this week against a shopping center that has begun operating on Shabbat.

Rabbi Lau: Beware AG's 'Fake Rabbi Kashrut' Proposal

A proposal by the Attorney General could cause grievous damage to kosher consumers, Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi David Lau said.

Chief Rabbi Lau: Next Year on the Temple Mount

At mass priestly blessing, chief rabbis add their blessings to Jewish people; 'Next year may we be blessed up at top of the Mount.'

On Passover Eve, Chief Rabbi Calls for Jewish Unity

Chief Rabbi David Lau calls on Netanyahu to bridge the religious, communal differences between Israelis ahead of holiday, new Knesset.

Watch: Israel's Chametz Has Been Sold

Netanyahu sells leavened goods to a non-Jew ahead of Passover, after intervention by Chief Rabbi Lau.

Chief Rabbi Lau Ensures Highway Building Observes Shemittah

Rabbi Lau heads down to the field to plan Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway work and make sure it doesn't breach agricultural sabbatical.

Chief Rabbi Lau to Netanyahu: Don't Harm Judaism Like Last Govt.

Chief rabbi congratulates Netanyahu, urges him to form government to 'unify people, honor tradition' unlike the outgoing coalition.

Rivlin: Our Roots are Deeply Planted in Hevron

At inauguration of visitor's center in Hevron Museum, President Reuven Rivlin highlights Jewish people's connection to the ancient city.