Religious Services Minister defends Rosh Yeshiva

Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana has spoken out in defense of Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Bracha, who has recently become the subject of severe public criticism.

'We have recently seen what happens when people disregard our Sages and the desecration of God's name loses all stigma. A group of people who cannot accept opposing opinions is trying to ban everyone who doesn't agree with them." said Kahana.

"Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, one of the authorities of our generation, whose books on Jewish law have sold one million copies and illuminate every house with Torah, has been targeted with the kind of defamatory signs more common to Meah She'arim. Rabbis who defend him are denounced. This is a conflict with no Heavenly purpose, and will amount to nothing."

Minister Kahana added: "I call on the religious public that holds our Jewish identity be dear to unite. We will vanquish the divisiveness that has destroyed two Jewish kingdoms, make amends, and God's name will be sanctified through our actions."