David Lau

David Lau
Yedidya.lau · CC0 · source
Name	David Lau
Birth date	1966
Birth place	Petah Tikva
Nationality	Israeli
Occupation	Rabbi
Known for	Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel

David Lau David Lau (born 1966) is an Israeli Orthodox rabbi who serves as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel. He is noted for leadership within Haredi Judaism, involvement with Israel's religious institutions, and published halakhic responsa. His tenure has intersected with Israeli politics, Zionist organizations, and international rabbinic networks.

Early life and education

Born in Petah Tikva to a prominent rabbinic family, he is the son of a leading rabbi associated with Bnei Brak and Jerusalem rabbinical circles. He studied at major yeshivot including Ponovezh Yeshiva, where he trained under prominent rabbis connected to Haredi and Lithuanian Torah traditions. His early formation involved close contact with figures from Agudat Yisrael and scholarly ties to institutions in Tel Aviv and Beit Shemesh.

Rabbinic career and positions

He served in rabbinic judicial roles, including positions on rabbinical courts linked to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and councils associated with Religious Zionism and Haredi leadership. He held posts as a dayan and later as a senior rabbinic judge adjudicating matters before panels comprising rabbis from communities such as Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Haifa, and Ashdod. He was active in rabbinic associations connected to organizations like Knesset committees on religious affairs and advisory bodies aligned with institutions including World Jewish Congress-linked forums.

Tenure as Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel

Elected Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi in a process involving the Chief Rabbinate of Israel electors, his term placed him alongside the Sephardi Chief Rabbi in a dual-leadership model reflecting structures dating to the British Mandate for Palestine era. During his time in office he engaged with ministries such as the Ministry of Religious Services, coordinated on issues with municipal authorities in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and met foreign delegations from countries including United States, United Kingdom, and France. His role required interaction with landmark institutions like the Rabbinical Court of Israel and participation in national ceremonies alongside leaders from Knesset and the President of Israel.

Religious rulings and writings

He has issued halakhic rulings on topics ranging from personal status adjudication to kashrut and lifecycle events, publishing responsa and endorsements in rabbinic journals and pamphlets circulated through networks connected to Yeshiva University-adjacent publications and Haredi presses in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem. His written output interacts with precedents set by prewar European rabbis and contemporary poskim associated with Ponovezh Yeshiva, Lakewood Yeshiva (Beth Medrash Govoha), and rabbis influenced by rulings from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. He has also contributed to discussions on state-related halakhic issues debated in forums involving Knesset committees and legal scholars from Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Public controversies and criticism

His positions have at times provoked criticism from secular politicians, religious pluralist organizations, and liberal Jewish movements such as Reform Judaism and Conservative Judaism. Controversies included disputes over conversion standards alongside bodies affiliated with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, debates on military chaplaincy involving the Israel Defense Forces, and clashes with municipal authorities in cities like Tel Aviv over public observance and kashrut supervision. Internationally, responses from diaspora institutions including the Jewish Agency for Israel and umbrella organizations such as the World Zionist Organization have reflected tensions over policy and outreach.

Personal life and legacy

He is married with children and maintains family ties to other rabbis and communal leaders in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem; his family connections link him to rabbinic networks across Israeli and diaspora communities in the United States and United Kingdom. His legacy is framed by continuity with Ashkenazi halakhic tradition, institutional stewardship of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and a body of rulings and public interventions that continue to influence debates among diverse Jewish movements and Israeli institutions.

Category:Israeli rabbis Category:Chief rabbis of Israel