Israel Prize, 5752

The Israel Prize Committee for 5752, in the field of Jewish Studies, has decided to select the eminent Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli shlita, senior member of the Council of the Chief Rabbinate, member of the Supreme Rabbinical Court, head of Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva, and President of the Eretz Hemdah Institute, as the recipient of the Israel Prize in Jewish Studies for 5752.

This distinguished and veteran rabbi occupies an honored place among the foremost Torah scholars and halachic authorities in Israel. His mastery of the written Torah is reflected in his outstanding books, while his influence and guidance in the Oral Torah are widely felt through his rulings and lectures. The scope of his spiritual and scholarly work is exceptionally broad.

As the first rabbi of the religious moshav Kfar HaRoeh, he specialized in the mitzvot dependent upon the Land of Israel, and some of the fruits of his study and rulings appear in his book Eretz Hemdah. Following the establishment of the State of Israel, he examined and clarified in depth a wide range of halachic questions arising in a modern state, including Shabbat, military service, kashrut and security, law, family matters, medicine, and other fields. These issues are explained in detail in his book Amud HaYemini.

He also edited the collections HaTorah VeHaMedinah and Barkai, bringing together discussions of pressing contemporary questions. His extensive knowledge also led him into the field of biblical interpretation, and he serves as a senior member of the editorial board of Da’at Mikra.

His oral Torah teaching began with clear Talmud lessons for those who set aside regular time for Torah study in Kfar HaRoeh, and for the first students of the first Bnei Akiva yeshiva, which he helped establish. It continued with lectures on Jewish thought at Midrashiyat Noam in Pardes Hanna, which gave rise to his important book Perakim BeMachshevet Yisrael, as well as with his addresses at rabbinic conferences.

The crowning achievement of his teaching is found in his weekly lectures at Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva in Jerusalem and in his guidance of the scholars studying at the Eretz Hemdah Institute, which was founded under his presidency.

His halachic activity likewise developed across a wide range of fields. It began with everyday questions of what is permitted and prohibited, addressed in his role as the halachic authority of his community, and continued with questions concerning the Jewish people and the State of Israel, as well as with judicial rulings issued during his service on the Supreme Rabbinical Court.

It is especially worthy of note that all these achievements bear the imprint of a noble and virtuous personality. His is a gracious rabbinic presence that contributes greatly to the love of the Jewish people and the Land of Israel, responds to the needs of both individuals and the public, and has raised many students in Torah.

It is our privilege to recommend wholeheartedly that the Israel Prize be awarded to this great Torah scholar, the eminent Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli shlita.

The Judges:

Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Neria  Rabbi Yosef Kapach  Prof. Tzvi A. Steinfeld