BREAKING: Chief Sephardi Rabbi of Israel visits the UAE in Historic First

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef was received warmly in this country largely governed according to Sharia Law

By Nosson Shulman: Licensed Tour Guide of VIP Israel Tours & Authentic Virtual Tours (click here to check out his free trailer videos)

History was made late last week, when Rav Yitzhak Yosef became the first sitting Israel Chief Rabbi ever to visit an Arab state in an official capacity!  He arrived Thursday for a three-day, whirlwind tour where he prayed with the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Jewish communities, inaugurated a new Jewish nursery school, met with senior members of the Royal family and government, and broke ground on a Mikveh (Jewish ritual bath).

This is a significant development in a country which historically has heavily regulated displays of any non-Islamic religious activity in public.  Until very recently, there was no official Jewish community.  A tiny underground community made up of Jewish businessmen did exist, though it kept a low profile for legal and safety reasons, meeting to pray in a non-descript room.  Of course, wearing clothing identifying oneself as a Jew, like a kippah, was unthinkable.

Today, the Jewish communities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the two most prosperous of the 7 emirates (Kingdoms) which make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are openly flourishing; all with the encouragement of the Royal families.  Indeed, the UAE is the only Muslim country in the world with a growing Jewish community.  There are several functioning synagogues, an Orthodox Jewish day school and a couple of Kosher restaurants, including one recently opened in the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building and main symbol of Dubai’s economic powers.  Last week on Chanukah the previously unimaginable happened, when a public lighting ceremony was allowed to take place at the Burj.  Rabbi Levi Duchman, Rav of the UAE, lit the candles on a giant, 12-foot menorah according to Jewish custom with hundreds of Muslim and Jewish onlookers attending the celebrations.

This peace deal, announced by President Trump in August, is Israel’s third with an Arab nation, the first two being Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.  However, the first two agreements were peace between governments, not between peoples.  In fact, Anti-Semitism still exists in these two countries and the majority of its citizens favor leaving the treaties.  When visiting, it is recommended that Jewish and Israeli visitors conceal their identity.  However, this new peace deal is the first one that is not limited to only being between their governments, but also a warm relationship between their citizens!  Both Israelis and Emiratis are investing big money in one another’s countries, and it is believed that after the pandemic, trade will involve billions of dollars.

Chief Sephardi Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef thanked Sheikh Al Nahayan, Emir (King) of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE, for his contribution to world peace and tolerance of his Jewish subjects.  The Emir responded, “You have no need to thank us, as we are all family, and family members don’t need to thank one another.”  The UAE Minister of Religious affairs also added, “We greatly admire the fact that you have come here to visit us, and we have great admiration for religious figures.  Your visit here is an historic occasion, and we are delighted that we have merited to host you, and that we can now raise the status of Jewish life here in our country.”  The Rabbi concluded with a blessing for the Royal family and their citizens.

This is what true Peace is supposed to look like!  Hopefully, the UAE model of tolerance and goodwill towards Israel will serve as an example to Israel’s neighbors that they have a lot more to gain by making peace with the world’s only Jewish State.

Nosson Shulman is a journalist and Licensed Tour Guide in Israel specializing in Biblical tours. To allow tourists to experience Israel during the Corona era, he created the new hit Israel tour video series which brings Israel to the home of viewers by simulating actual tours. To check out his free sneak preview tour videos, click here.