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{{Infobox Jewish leader |
{{Infobox Jewish leader |
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|honorific-prefix = Rabbi |
|honorific-prefix = Rabbi |
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|name = Yosef Mizrachi |
|name = Yosef Mizrachi |
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|native-name = |
|native-name = |
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|native-name-lang = |
|native-name-lang = |
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|honorific-suffix = |
|honorific-suffix = |
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|title = |
|title = |
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|image = |
|image = |
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|caption = |
|caption = |
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|synagogue = |
|synagogue = |
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|synagogueposition = |
|synagogueposition = |
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|yeshiva = |
|yeshiva = |
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|yeshivaposition = |
|yeshivaposition = |
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|organisation = |
|organisation = |
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|organisationposition = |
|organisationposition = |
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|began = |
|began = |
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|ended = |
|ended = |
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|main_work = |
|main_work = |
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|predecessor = |
|predecessor = |
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|successor = |
|successor = |
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|rabbi = |
|rabbi = |
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|rebbe = |
|rebbe = |
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|kohan = |
|kohan = |
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|hazzan = |
|hazzan = |
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|rank = |
|rank = |
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|other_post = |
|other_post = |
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<!---------- Personal details ----------> |
<!---------- Personal details ----------> |
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|birth_name = |
|birth_name = |
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|birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1968}} |
|birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1968}} |
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|birth_place = [[Israel]] |
|birth_place = [[Israel]] |
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|death_date = |
|death_date = |
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|death_place = |
|death_place = |
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|yahrtzeit = |
|yahrtzeit = |
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|buried = |
|buried = |
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|burial_place = |
|burial_place = |
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|nationality = <!-- use only when necessary per [[WP:INFONAT]] --> |
|nationality = <!-- use only when necessary per [[WP:INFONAT]] --> |
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|denomination = [[Haredi Judaism|Haredi]] |
|denomination = [[Haredi Judaism|Haredi]] |
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|residence = [[Monsey, New York]] |
|residence = [[Monsey, New York]] |
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|dynasty = |
|dynasty = |
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|parents = |
|parents = |
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|father = |
|father = |
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|mother = |
|mother = |
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|spouse = |
|spouse = |
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|children = |
|children = |
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|occupation = Public speaker |
|occupation = Public speaker |
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|profession = |
|profession = |
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|alma_mater = |
|alma_mater = |
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|semicha = |
|semicha = |
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|signature = |
|signature = |
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|website = {{URL|https://www.divineinformation.com/}} |
|website = {{URL|https://www.divineinformation.com/}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Yosef Mizrachi''' ({{lang-he| |
'''Yosef Mizrachi''' ({{lang-he|יוסף מזרחי}}; born 1968) is a [[Haredi Judaism|Haredi]] rabbi<ref name="JP">{{Cite news|first1=Jeremy|last1=Sharon|title = Rabbi Apologizes for Challenging Number of Jews Killed in Holocaust|url = http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Rabbi-apologizes-for-challenging-number-of-Jews-killed-in-Holocaust-439373|date=4 January 2016|website = The Jerusalem Post |access-date =12 May 2022}}</ref> and [[public speaker]].<ref name="jc-holocaust" /><ref name=":1">{{cite news |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/rabbi-yosef-mizrachi-barred-from-entering-uk-speaking-tour-1.481474 |title=Controversial US rabbi Yosef Mizrachi 'barred from entering UK' |first=Ben |last=Weich |date=March 13, 2019 |publisher=The Jewish Chronicle}}</ref> Considered by many to be a leading [[Orthodox Judaism outreach|Orthodox Jewish outreach]] rabbi,<ref name="War">{{cite web |last1=Rosenberg |first1=David |title=War of the 'Kiruv' Rabbis Escalates |url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/210702 |website=Israel National News |publisher=Arutz Sheva Media Group |access-date=23 July 2023}}</ref> Mizrachi's outspokenness on certain issues has led to his widespread denunciation and characterization as misguided by leading [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox Jewish]] authorities.<ref name="deplatform">{{cite news |last1=Chizhik-Goldschmidt |first1=Avital |title=Alarmed By 'Death Threat' Video, Orthodox Jews Try To De-platform Fiery 'Folk Preachers' |url=https://forward.com/news/451636/mizrachi-reuven-death-threats/ |access-date=4 August 2020 |publisher=Forward |date=29 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="Holds">{{cite news |last1=Boteach |first1=Shmuley |title=No Holds Barred: Does God Watch When Jews Die? |url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/no-holds-barred-does-god-watch-when-jews-die-439387 |access-date=28 February 2022 |work=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com}}</ref> |
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|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/rabbi-yosef-mizrachi-barred-from-entering-uk-speaking-tour1.481474 |title=Controversial US rabbi Yosef Mizrachi 'barred from entering UK' |first=Ben |
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|last=Weich |date=March 13, 2019 |publisher=The Jewish Chronicle}}</ref> Considered by |
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many to be a leading [[Orthodox Judaism outreach|Orthodox Jewish outreach]] rabbi,<ref name="War">{{cite web |last1=Rosenberg |first1=David |title=War of the 'Kiruv' Rabbis escalates |url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/210702 |access-date=23 July 2023 |website=Israel National News |publisher=Arutz Sheva Media Group}}</ref> Mizrachi's |
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outspokenness on certain issues has led to his widespread denunciation and characterization |
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as misguided by leading [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox Jewish]] authorities.<ref name="deplatform">{{cite news |last1=Chizhik-Goldschmidt |first1=Avital |date=July 29, 2020 |title=Alarmed By 'Death Threat' Video, Orthodox Jews Try To De-platform Fiery 'Folk Preachers' |url=https://forward.com/news/451636/mizrachi-reuven-death-threats/ |access-date=August 4, 2020 |publisher=Forward}}</ref><ref name="Holds">{{cite news |
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|last1=Boteach |first1=Shmuley |title=No Holds Barred: Does God Watch When Jews Die? |
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|url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/no-holds-barred-does-god-watch-when-jews-die-439387 |
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|access-date=28 February 2022 |work=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com}}</ref> |
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== Biography == |
== Biography == |
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Yosef Mizrachi was born in [[Israel]]. His father was Moroccan and his mother was Persian. As a young man, he performed military service in the [[Israel Defense Forces]], later moving to New York in his 20s to pursue a career in the financial sector.<ref name="deplatform">{{cite news |last1=Chizhik-Goldschmidt |first1=Avital |title=Alarmed By 'Death Threat' Video, Orthodox Jews Try To De-platform Fiery 'Folk Preachers' |url=https://forward.com/news/451636/mizrachi-reuven-death-threats/ |access-date=4 August 2020 |publisher=Forward |date=29 July 2020}}</ref> In 1997, he began learning and later teaching [[Torah]] at the Ohr Yeshiva in [[Monsey, New York]], and later producing kiruv ([[Orthodox Judaism outreach]]) videos<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wootliff |first1=Raoul |title=NY rabbi: ‘Not even 1 million’ Jews killed in Holocaust |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ny-rabbi-not-even-1-million-jews-killed-in-holocaust/ |publisher=The Times of Israel |access-date=23 July 2023}}</ref> that began appearing online in 2004.<ref name="deplatform">{{cite news |last1=Chizhik-Goldschmidt |first1=Avital |title=Alarmed By 'Death Threat' Video, Orthodox Jews Try To De-platform Fiery 'Folk Preachers' |url=https://forward.com/news/451636/mizrachi-reuven-death-threats/ |access-date=4 August 2020 |publisher=Forward |date=29 July 2020}}</ref> He is one of the rabbis who revolutionized the use of [[social media]] for Orthodox Jewish outreach, aimed especially at non-religious audiences.<ref name="War"/> He often draws hundreds of attendees to his lectures in Israel.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rudomin |first=Yitschak |title=The Baal Teshuva Movement is Alive |url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/365301 |publisher=Israel National News|date=2 January 2023|access-date=14 May 2024}}</ref> Over the years, Mizrachi's efforts have been endorsed by leading Israeli rabbis such as [[Shlomo Amar]], [[Reuven Elbaz]], and [[Yitzhak Yosef]], who estimated the number of people Mizrachi has influenced to return to Judaism to be in the "tens of thousands".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mizrachi |first1=Yosef |title=Preparation for Eternal Life - The Truth of the Holy Torah, Judaism, Ethics and Repentance Hardcover |date=5 December 2019 |publisher=HaKeter Institute |pages=3-5}}</ref>{{bsn|date=October 2023}} |
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=== Early life and education === |
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Yosef Mizrachi was born in [[Israel]]. His father was Moroccan and his mother was Persian. |
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Mizrachi is a resident of Monsey, New York.<ref>[https://divineinformation.com/about-rabbi-mizrachi/ "About"] ''divineinformation.com''. Retrieved 14 May 2024.</ref> |
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During his youth, he attended a secular high school in [[Bat Yam]]. As a young man, he |
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performed military service in the [[Israeli Air Force]], later moving to New York in his 20s to |
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pursue a career in the financial sector.<ref>[https://torahanytime.com/speakers/111 Torah Any |
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Time]</ref><ref name="deplatform"/> After initially securing work in America as a |
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cashier in a bagel shop, Mizrachi demonstrated mathematical ability, and later secured a |
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position in [[Financial District, Manhattan|Manhattan's Financial District]], where he embarked |
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upon a career in the corporate sector.<ref name="JewishPress">[https://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/interviews-and-profiles/the-saga-ofrabbi-yosef-mizrachi/2017/05/26/ The Saga Of Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi], Jewish Press</ref> |
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Mizrachi later decided to dedicate his life to religious study and teaching. Mizrachi then moved |
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to Monsey, New York, where he immersed himself in religious education and [[Orthodox Jewish outreach|Orthodox Jewish |
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outreach]]. |
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=== Career === |
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In 1997, he began learning and later teaching [[Torah]] at the Ohr Yeshiva in [[Monsey, New York|Monsey, New |
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York]], and later producing [[kiruv]] videos that began appearing online in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |
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|last1=Wootliff |first1=Raoul |title=NY rabbi: ‘Not even 1 million’ Jews killed in Holocaust |
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|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ny-rabbi-not-even-1-million-jews-killed-in-holocaust/ |
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|publisher=The Times of Israel |access-date=23 July 2023}}</ref><ref name="deplatform"/> In 2002, Mizrachi co-produced a 72-minute |
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film ''Divine Information'' with director Yuval Ovadia released in the United States. The non-profit |
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production was made available in several languages. Over a million CD copies have since been |
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distributed.<ref name="JewishPress"/><ref |
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name="JewishPress2">[https://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/interviews-and-profiles/a-bigger-a |
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nd-better-dream/2015/09/27/ A Bigger And Better Dream], Jewish Press</ref> Considered by |
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many to be a leading Orthodox Jewish outreach rabbi, he is one of the rabbis who spearheaded |
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the use of social media for Orthodox Jewish outreach, aimed especially at non-religious |
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audiences.<ref name="War"/> |
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Mizrachi was also the first rabbi to give lectures on TorahAnytime.com, today the largest library |
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of originally recorded Torah videos in the world.<ref |
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name="JewishPress"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Rosenbaum |first1=Baila |title=No Better Time |
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|url=https://mishpacha.com/no-better-time/ |publisher=Mispacha}}</ref> In his early career in |
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2002, a wealthy Jewish philanthropist began to produce and distribute thousands of CDs and |
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DVDs at no charge of Mizrachi's most famous lectures: ''Torah and Science'', ''Life After Death'', |
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''The Debate: Christianity vs. Judaism'', and more. Two years later, in 2004, Mizrachi launched |
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the website DivineInformation.com, featuring his lectures.<ref name="JewishPress"/> |
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Subsequently he became one of the rabbis who revolutionized the use of [[social media]] for |
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Orthodox Jewish outreach, aimed especially at non-religious audiences.<ref name="War" />He |
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often draws hundreds of attendees to his lectures in Israel.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rudomin |first=Yitschak |date=January 2, 2023 |title=The Baal Teshuva Movement is Alive |url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/365301 |access-date=14 May 2024 |publisher=Israel National News}}</ref> Over the years, Mizrachi's efforts have been |
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endorsed by leading Israeli rabbis such as [[Shlomo Amar]], [[Reuven Elbaz]], and [[Yitzhak Yosef|Yitzhak |
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Yosef,]] who estimated the number of people Mizrachi has influenced to return to Judaism to be |
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in the "tens of thousands".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mizrachi |first1=Yosef |title=Preparation for Eternal Life - The Truth of the Holy Torah, Judaism, Ethics and Repentance |date=December 5, 2019 |publisher=HaKeter Institute |pages=3-5}}</ref>{{bsn|date=October 2023}} |
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Mizrachi is a resident of Monsey, New |
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York.<ref>[https://divineinformation.com/about-rabbi-mizrachi/ "About"] ''divineinformation.com''. |
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Retrieved 14 May 2024.</ref> |
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=== Controversies and condemnation=== |
=== Controversies and condemnation=== |
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In early 2014, before a lecture tour in [[London]], concern was expressed about statements by Mizrachi in his previous lectures relating to the behaviour of secular and religious Jews during [[the Holocaust]] suggesting that [[Down syndrome]] and [[autism]] are "punishments for sins committed in a previous life" and among others. Mizrachi responded saying he was taken out of context and he would never disrespect people with disabilities. As a result, at least one of his planned lectures in London was initially cancelled.<ref name="jc">{{cite news |last1=Rocker |first1=Simon |title=Synagogue cancels talk by 'Down's Syndrome is a punishment' rabbi |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/synagogue-cancels-talk-by-down-s-syndrome-is-a-punishment-rabbi-1.52154 |access-date=4 August 2020 |publisher=The Jewish Chronicle |date=24 January 2014}}</ref> After hearing a false report that the October 2018 [[Pittsburgh synagogue shooting]] took place during a {{transliteration|he|[[bris]]}} ceremony for the son of a gay couple, Mizrachi blamed the shooting on the allegedly sinful behavior of the congregation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vosizneias.com/309232/2018/11/05/pittsburgh-pa-fake-news-says-tree-of-life-rabbi-addressing-rumors-of-gay-bris-during-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre/ |title=VIN Exclusive: Fake News, Says Tree Of Life Rabbi, Addressing Rumors Of Gay Bris During Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre |date=November 5, 2018 |publisher=VIN News }}</ref> |
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In early 2014, before a lecture tour in [[London]], concern was expressed about statements by |
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Mizrachi in his previous lectures relating to the behaviour of secular and religious Jews during |
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Mizrachi has claimed that Jews helped bring about the Holocaust by assimilating.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Reporter|first=Jewish News|title=Controversial rabbi says 'hot hair-blower' into throat can cure virus|url=https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/controversial-rabbi-hot-hair-blower-into-throat-can-cure-virus/|access-date=2021-05-26|website=jewishnews.timesofisrael.com|language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2015, in one of his lectures, Mizrachi claimed that it is possible that only one million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust as opposed to the well accepted figure of 6 million, since many of them were not Jewish according to Jewish law which requires a person's mother to be Jewish.<ref name="JP"/><ref name="JP2" /> He was criticized by academics and Jewish leaders including [[Efraim Zuroff]], director of the [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]], who said that he "made up history to suit an agenda."<ref name="JP2">{{Cite news|title = Orthodox rabbi: Only one million Jews killed in Holocaust|url = http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Orthodox-rabbi-Only-one-million-Jews-killed-in-Holocaust-438890|newspaper = The Jerusalem Post | Jpost.com |access-date = 2015-12-31}}</ref> Later Mizrachi issued an apology.<ref name="JP" /> |
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[[the Holocaust]] suggesting that [[Down syndrome]] and [[autism]] are "punishments for sins |
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committed in a previous life" and among others. Mizrachi responded saying he was taken out of |
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In April 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Mizrachi claimed that blowing hot air from a hair dryer into the throat was a cure for coronavirus. He recommended this treatment five times a day for two days for confirmed cases, and twice a day for suspected cases.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2">{{cite news |last1=Judah |first1=Jacob |title=Controversial Sephardi rabbi claims blowing hair dryers in mouth can kill coronavirus |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/us/controversial-sephardi-rabbi-claims-putting-hair-dryers-in-mouth-can-kill-coronavirus-1.499302 |access-date=4 August 2020 |publisher=The Jewish Chronicle |date=29 April 2020}}</ref> |
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context and he would never disrespect people with disabilities. As a result, at least one of his |
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planned lectures in London was initially cancelled.<ref name="jc">{{cite news |last1=Rocker |first1=Simon |date=January 24, 2014 |title=Synagogue cancels talk by 'Down's Syndrome is a punishment' rabbi |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/synagogue-cancels-talk-by-down-s-syndrome-is-a-punishment-rabbi-1.52154 |access-date=4 August 2020 |publisher=The Jewish Chronicle}}</ref> After hearing a false report that the October 2018 [[Pittsburgh synagogue shooting|Pittsburgh synagogue |
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In 2016, UK Chief Rabbi [[Ephraim Mirvis]] spoke out against the plans of this "Jewish hate preacher" to visit Britain.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kolirin |first1=Lianne |title=Rabble-rousing rabbi is not welcome here, say Jews |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rabble-rousing-rabbi-is-not-welcome-here-say-jews-p6p8t9c8t |access-date=4 August 2020 |work=The Times |date=9 September 2016}}</ref> Mizrachi has been barred from entering the UK by the [[Home Office]].<ref name=":1" /> In December, 16 prominent US rabbis issued an open letter about Mizrachi, saying that he "reduce[s] complex issues to simplistic and misleading sound bites," and that his assertions are "objectionable, and even dangerous."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-1.757552|title=U.S. Orthodox Leaders: Rabbi Who Said Fewer Than 1 Million Jews Died in Holocaust Is 'Dangerous'|first=Avital|last=Chizhik-Goldschmidt|date=8 December 2016|newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref> The letter continued that institutions should be more "discerning" with the guests they invite. |
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shooting]] took place during a {{transliteration|he|[[bris]]}} ceremony for the son of a gay couple, |
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Mizrachi blamed the shooting on the allegedly sinful behavior of the congregation.<ref>{{cite |
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In March 2019, a planned visit by Mizrachi to the UK was canceled following reports that the Home Office was considering a ban on account of his track record of spreading hatred and extremism.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rosenberg |first1=David |title=Israeli-American rabbi barred from entering UK |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/260369 |work=Israel National News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Weich |first1=Ben |title=Controversial Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi says he did not to fly to Britain for speaking tour over 'risk' of being refused entry |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/rabbi-yosef-mizrachi-uk-speaking-tour-chose-not-to-risk-entering-uk-home-office-1.481504 |work=www.thejc.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Sick kids have sinned' rabbi banned from UK |url=https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/sick-kids-have-sinned-rabbi-banned-from-uk/ |work=jewishnews.timesofisrael.com}}</ref> Mizrachi went on to blame Mirvis - referring to him as "the number one most wicked person in the whole world", along with senior Sephardi rabbi [[Joseph Dweck]], claiming that they are "the two friends, gay lovers, who do everything they can to promote homosexuality and destroy the Jewish nation from inside, destroy the Jewish community in England... he's going to bring a Holocaust on the Jews in England."<ref name="jc-holocaust">{{cite news |last1=Doherty |first1=Rosa |title=Rabbi Mizrachi: Chief Rabbi is 'going to bring a Holocaust on the Jews in England' |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/rabbi-mizrachi-chief-rabbi-is-going-to-bring-a-holocaust-on-the-jews-in-england-1.481840 |work=www.thejc.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rabbi Mizrachi says Chief Rabbi a 'cancer' who'll 'bring a Holocaust on UK Jews' |url=https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/rabbi-mizrachi-says-chief-rabbi-a-cancer-wholl-bring-a-holocaust-on-uk-jews/ |work=jewishnews.timesofisrael.com}}</ref> |
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news |
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|url=https://www.vosizneias.com/309232/2018/11/05/pittsburgh-pa-fake-news-says-tree-of-life-ra |
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In July 2020, a video from Mizrachi calling 14 prominent rabbis infidels was removed from social media platforms and prompted calls to have his videos removed more broadly from Jewish sites such as Torah Anytime for fear that it will incite violence. [[Natan Slifkin]], one of the rabbis threatened in the video said, "We need to protest this hateful, potentially violence-inciting rhetoric."<ref name="deplatform"/> |
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bbi-addressing-rumors-of-gay-bris-during-pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre/ |title=VIN Exclusive: |
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Fake News, Says Tree Of Life Rabbi, Addressing Rumors Of Gay Bris During Pittsburgh |
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Synagogue Massacre |date=November 5, 2018 |publisher=VIN News }}</ref> |
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Mizrachi has claimed that Jews helped bring about the Holocaust by assimilating.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Jewish News |title=Controversial rabbi says 'hothair-blower' into throat can cure virus |url=https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/controversial-rabbi-hot-hair-blower-into-throat-can-cure-virus/ |access-date=2021-05-26 |website=jewishnews.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}} |
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</ref> In December 2015, in one of his lectures, Mizrachi claimed that it is possible that only one |
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million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust as opposed to the well accepted figure of 6 million, |
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since many of them were not Jewish according to Jewish law which requires a person's mother |
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to be Jewish.<ref name="JP"/><ref name="JP2" /> He was criticized by academics and Jewish |
|||
leaders including [[Efraim Zuroff]], director of the [[Simon Wiesenthal Center]], who said that he |
|||
"made up history to suit an agenda."<ref name="JP2">{{Cite news |title=Orthodox rabbi: Only one million Jews killed in Holocaust |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Orthodox-rabbi-Only-one-million-Jews-killed-in-Holocaust-438890 |access-date=2015-12-31 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post | Jpost.com}}</ref> |
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Later Mizrachi issued an apology.<ref name="JP" /> |
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In April 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Mizrachi claimed that blowing hot air from a |
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hair dryer into the throat was a cure for coronavirus. He recommended this treatment five times |
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a day for two days for confirmed cases, and twice a day for suspected cases.<ref name=":3" |
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/><ref name=":2">{{cite news |last1=Judah |first1=Jacob |date=29 April 2020 |title=Controversial Sephardi rabbi claims blowing hair dryers in mouth can kill coronavirus |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/us/controversial-sephardi-rabbi-claims-putting-hair-dryers-in-mouth-can-kill-coronavirus-1.499302 |access-date=4 August 2020 |publisher=The Jewish Chronicle}}</ref> |
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In 2016, UK Chief Rabbi [[Ephraim Mirvis]] spoke out against the plans of this "Jewish hate |
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preacher" to visit Britain.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kolirin |first1=Lianne |date=9 September 2016 |title=Rabble-rousing rabbi is not welcome here, say Jews |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rabble-rousing-rabbi-is-not-welcome-here-say-jews-p6p8t9c8t |access-date=4 August 2020 |work=The Times}}</ref> Mizrachi |
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has been barred from entering the UK by the [[Home Office]].<ref name=":1" /> In December, 16 |
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prominent US rabbis issued an open letter about Mizrachi, saying that he "reduce[s] complex |
|||
issues to simplistic and misleading sound bites," and that his assertions are "objectionable, and |
|||
even dangerous."<ref>{{cite |
|||
news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-1.757552|title=U.S. Orthodox Leaders: |
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Rabbi Who Said Fewer Than 1 Million Jews Died in Holocaust Is |
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'Dangerous'|first=Avital|last=Chizhik-Goldschmidt|date=8 December |
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2016|newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref> The letter continued that institutions should be more |
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"discerning" with the guests they invite. |
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In March 2019, a planned visit by Mizrachi to the UK was canceled following reports that the |
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Home Office was considering a ban on account of his track record of spreading hatred and |
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extremism.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rosenberg |first1=David |title=Israeli-American rabbi barred from entering UK |url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/260369 |work=Israel National News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Weich |first1=Ben |title=Controversial Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi says he did not to fly to Britain for speaking tour over 'risk' of being refused entry |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/rabbi-yosef-mizrachi-uk-speaking-tour-chose-not-to-risk-entering-uk-home-office-1.481504 |work=www.thejc.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Sick kids have sinned' rabbi banned from UK |url=https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/sick-kids-have-sinned-rabbi-banned-from-uk/ |work=jewishnews.timesofisrael.com}}</ref> Mizrachi went on to blame Mirvis - referring to him |
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as "the number one most wicked person in the whole world", along with senior Sephardi rabbi |
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[[Joseph Dweck]], claiming that they are "the two friends, gay lovers, who do everything they |
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can to promote homosexuality and destroy the Jewish nation from inside, destroy the Jewish |
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community in England... he's going to bring a Holocaust on the Jews in England."<ref name="jc-holocaust">{{cite news |last1=Doherty |first1=Rosa |title=Rabbi Mizrachi: Chief Rabbi is 'going to bring a Holocaust on the Jews in England' |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/rabbi-mizrachi-chief-rabbi-is-going-to-bring-a-holocaust-on-the-jews-in-england-gp8be1hd |work=www.thejc.com}}</ref><ref name="deplatform"/> |
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== Works == |
== Works == |
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{{cite book |last1=Mizrachi |first1=Yosef |title=Preparation for Eternal Life - The Truth of the Holy Torah, Judaism, Ethics and Repentance |date=2019 |publisher=HaKeter Institute}} |
*{{cite book |last1=Mizrachi |first1=Yosef |title=Preparation for Eternal Life - The Truth of the Holy Torah, Judaism, Ethics and Repentance Hardcover |date=2019 |publisher=HaKeter Institute}} |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Reflist|2}} |
{{Reflist|2}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* {{Official website|http://www.divineinformation.com/}} |
* {{Official website|http://www.divineinformation.com/}} |
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* [https://www.youtube.com/@RabbiYosefMizrachi YouTube channel] |
* [https://www.youtube.com/@RabbiYosefMizrachi YouTube channel] |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mizrachi, Yosef}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mizrachi, Yosef}} |
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[[Category:1968 births]] |
[[Category:1968 births]] |
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Rabbi
Yosef Mizrachi
| |
|---|---|
| Personal | |
| Born | 1968 (age 55–56) |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Denomination | Haredi |
| Occupation | Public speaker |
| Website | www |
| Residence | Monsey, New York |
Yosef Mizrachi (Hebrew: יוסף מזרחי; born 1968) is a Haredi rabbi[1] and public speaker.[2][3] Considered by many to be a leading Orthodox Jewish outreach rabbi,[4] Mizrachi's outspokenness on certain issues has led to his widespread denunciation and characterization as misguided by leading Orthodox Jewish authorities.[5][6]
Yosef Mizrachi was born in Israel. His father was Moroccan and his mother was Persian. As a young man, he performed military service in the Israel Defense Forces, later moving to New York in his 20s to pursue a career in the financial sector.[5] In 1997, he began learning and later teaching Torah at the Ohr Yeshiva in Monsey, New York, and later producing kiruv (Orthodox Judaism outreach) videos[7] that began appearing online in 2004.[5] He is one of the rabbis who revolutionized the use of social media for Orthodox Jewish outreach, aimed especially at non-religious audiences.[4] He often draws hundreds of attendees to his lectures in Israel.[8] Over the years, Mizrachi's efforts have been endorsed by leading Israeli rabbis such as Shlomo Amar, Reuven Elbaz, and Yitzhak Yosef, who estimated the number of people Mizrachi has influenced to return to Judaism to be in the "tens of thousands".[9][better source needed]
Mizrachi is a resident of Monsey, New York.[10]
In early 2014, before a lecture tour in London, concern was expressed about statements by Mizrachi in his previous lectures relating to the behaviour of secular and religious Jews during the Holocaust suggesting that Down syndrome and autism are "punishments for sins committed in a previous life" and among others. Mizrachi responded saying he was taken out of context and he would never disrespect people with disabilities. As a result, at least one of his planned lectures in London was initially cancelled.[11] After hearing a false report that the October 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting took place during a bris ceremony for the son of a gay couple, Mizrachi blamed the shooting on the allegedly sinful behavior of the congregation.[12]
Mizrachi has claimed that Jews helped bring about the Holocaust by assimilating.[13] In December 2015, in one of his lectures, Mizrachi claimed that it is possible that only one million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust as opposed to the well accepted figure of 6 million, since many of them were not Jewish according to Jewish law which requires a person's mother to be Jewish.[1][14] He was criticized by academics and Jewish leaders including Efraim Zuroff, director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, who said that he "made up history to suit an agenda."[14] Later Mizrachi issued an apology.[1]
In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mizrachi claimed that blowing hot air from a hair dryer into the throat was a cure for coronavirus. He recommended this treatment five times a day for two days for confirmed cases, and twice a day for suspected cases.[13][15]
In 2016, UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis spoke out against the plans of this "Jewish hate preacher" to visit Britain.[16] Mizrachi has been barred from entering the UK by the Home Office.[3] In December, 16 prominent US rabbis issued an open letter about Mizrachi, saying that he "reduce[s] complex issues to simplistic and misleading sound bites," and that his assertions are "objectionable, and even dangerous."[17] The letter continued that institutions should be more "discerning" with the guests they invite.
In March 2019, a planned visit by Mizrachi to the UK was canceled following reports that the Home Office was considering a ban on account of his track record of spreading hatred and extremism.[18][19][20] Mizrachi went on to blame Mirvis - referring to him as "the number one most wicked person in the whole world", along with senior Sephardi rabbi Joseph Dweck, claiming that they are "the two friends, gay lovers, who do everything they can to promote homosexuality and destroy the Jewish nation from inside, destroy the Jewish community in England... he's going to bring a Holocaust on the Jews in England."[2][21]
In July 2020, a video from Mizrachi calling 14 prominent rabbis infidels was removed from social media platforms and prompted calls to have his videos removed more broadly from Jewish sites such as Torah Anytime for fear that it will incite violence. Natan Slifkin, one of the rabbis threatened in the video said, "We need to protest this hateful, potentially violence-inciting rhetoric."[5]
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