israels Sephardic Chief rabbi Issues Stark Warning Amid Measles outbreak
Jerusalem – Rabbi David Yosef, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel and Rishon LeZion, has delivered a forceful condemnation of parents who choose not to vaccinate their children, particularly in light of the recent measles epidemic spreading through Jerusalem and other Israeli cities. Rabbi Yosef stated unequivocally,”Parents who do not vaccinate their children-I cannot call them Torah-observant. If, heaven forbid, something happens to their child, these parents should live with the guilt their entire lives because they killed their own child! The blood will be on their hands. There is no doubt about this matter.”
The Rabbi also directly refuted religious objections to vaccination, asserting, “Anyone who claims, in the name of religion or Torah, that it is forbidden to vaccinate, not only misuses the Torah, but is entirely lying! The opposite of the truth. The holy Torah instructs us to follow the guidance of doctors, and if medicine says to vaccinate, then it must be done.”
Rabbi Yosef highlighted his long-standing support for vaccination efforts, recalling his public vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic as a demonstration for the community. He emphasized the proven effectiveness of public health measures, stating, “Blessed be God, today no one disputes that isolation and vaccination guidelines literally saved lives,” and referencing historical precedents like strict isolation protocols followed during past epidemics, such as one in Turkey.
The Chief Rabbi also expressed concern over the influence of certain religious leaders who discourage conventional medical treatment.He recounted a decades-old incident in beit Shemesh involving a child diagnosed with leg cancer whose parents were initially dissuaded from seeking medical care by a respected rabbi who promised a miraculous healing. Rabbi Yosef described confronting the rabbi, stating, “I went to Beit Shemesh, shouted at him that he was a murderer spilling blood. Who allowed him to prevent life-saving medical treatment for a Jewish child?! I ordered him to instantly contact the parents and the medical team to take the child to the hospital.” The child ultimately received treatment and survived, and now has a family.
Rabbi Yosef further cautioned against relying solely on alternative therapies, stating, “It is indeed fine for people to use natural remedies and various alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, but under no circumstances should this replace conventional medicine! Heaven forbid!” He shared a personal experiance of witnessing a tragic outcome resulting from this approach, recounting the death of an acquaintance who refused hospital treatment in favor of natural medicine, despite Rabbi Yosef’s attempts to persuade him or else.