Chabad Welcomes New Chief Rabbis at High-Profile Reception

Israel’s freshly elected Chief Rabbis, Sefardi Rabbi David Yosef and Ashkenazi Rabbi Kalman Bar, attended a distinguished reception event in 770 of Kfar Chabad together with Chabad Rabbonim and heads of mosdos. The Chief Rabbis spoke of their connection to Chabad and their desire to collaborate with shluchim worldwide.

By Anash.org reporter

A historic gathering took place on Monday night in 770 of Kfar Chabad, bringing together the newly elected Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rav David Yosef and Rav Kalman Bar, together with rabbonim of Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad.

The Chief Rabbis were welcomed by the members of the Beis Din: Rav Yitzchak Yehuda Yaroslavsky of Nachlas Har Chabad, Rav Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky of Rechovot, Rav Meir Ashkenazi of Kfar Chabad, Rav Mordechai Bistritzky of Tzfas, Rav Yochanan Gurary of Holon, Rav Yisroel Yosef Hendel of Migdal HaEmek, Rav Yosef Yitzchak Volosov of Ramat Yishai, Rav Shneur Zalman Yaroslavsky of Elad, Rav Yaakov Moshe Mendelson of Arad, Rav Chaim Kizhner of Emanuel, and Rav Yaakov Shwica of Kfar Chabad.

The gathering was organized by Agudas Chasidei Chabad, led by Rav Yosef Yitzchak Aronov, and was attended by the Rebbe’s shluchim, members of Tzeirei Chabad’s leadership, and distinguished community activists.

The event began with the screening of a video of the Rebbe. The first segment focused on the Rebbe’s special relationship with students who collected chiddushei Torah, which later became the “Haoros HaTemimim v’Anash” kovtzim. The second segment showed rare and moving footage from yechidus with former Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rav Mordechai Eliyahu and Rav Avrohom Shapira.

Opening the program, Rav Gluckowsky spoke of the Rebbe’s warm and special relationship with Israel’s Chief Rabbis and the great importance he placed on their role in uniting all segments of the nation. He also shared how the Rebbe instructed the rabbonim to issue joint psakim about Moshiach’s coming. On behalf of the Beis Din members, he wished the Chief Rabbis hatzlacha in bringing Torah views to the people and blessed them to stand strong in magnifying and glorifying the Torah.

Rav Ashkenazi, the rov of Kfar Chabad, then gave a special address about the Rebbe’s great honor for rabbonim, and the common ground between the Chief Rabbis and the Rebbe’s shluchim, who are devoted to serving the Jewish people. He discussed the essence of bris milah, akeidas Yitzchak, and their contemporary message for Israel’s rabbonim. Rav Gurary followed with words of bracha for the rabbonim’s success in their important mission.

After a brief musical interlude featuring uplifting Chabad nigunim, the event reached its centerpiece: addressed by the newly appointed Chief Rabbis.

In his opening speech, Rishon LeZion Rabbi Yosef spoke at length about Abraham’s Slichus, calling him “the world’s first Chabadnik.” He discussed the powerful impact of Shlichus on every individual. “I think the only one in recent generations who promoted the idea that even non-Jews should believe in Hashem was the Rebbe, who strongly encouraged the Sheva Mitzvos Bnei Noach,” said Rabbi Yosef. He spoke about the thousands of Chabad Houses operating worldwide, bringing countless Yidden closer to Hashem.

The Rishon LeZion discussed the challenges he faced in his election to the Chief Rabbinate and shared that his main motivation throughout was the potential for great influence in outreach work. “I’m here tonight at my seventh stop since the morning,” he revealed, sharing insights into the demanding rabbinical work that spans all hours.

Rabbi Yosef told the rabbonim about his collaborative work with Rabbi Bar in outreach efforts and the impact of their partnership. “With all our responsibilities, we know that shlichus is our central mission,” he said.

Towards the end of his speech, Rav Yosef announced that henceforth all new mikvaos built throughout Eretz Yisroel would follow the “Bor Al Gabei Bor” method of the Rebbe Rashab. “My father ruled this way in his seforim, and I, boruch Hashem, played a significant role in this matter,” he revealed.

Rabbi Bar spoke next, opening with the story of his first meeting with Rav Yosef on their first day in office. “I told the Rav that we are true Chabadniks, true shluchim,” said Rav Bar. “Shluchim don’t see themselves, only their shlichus! We’re both joining the team of shluchim.”

Rabbi Bar, a longtime friend of Chabad, shared his special personal kesher with the Rebbe’s shluchim and his desire to deepen ties with shluchim worldwide to enhance the Chief Rabbinate’s work in verifying Jewish status and other matters.

The Chief Rabbi described his experiences from the Yud Tes Kislev farbrengens in Kfar Chabad and spoke about the inspiration he gets in his rabbinic work from the Rebbe’s shluchim. 

“We will work together with renewed strength. The people thirst to hear messages delivered pleasantly, and we will develop this into practical actions, until together, G-d willing, we will illuminate the world with the light of the geulah.”

Photos: Meir Alfasi