Abraham Shapira (b. 1935 -)

Former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel

Chief Rabbi Abraham Shapira, Head of Mercaz Harav Yeshiva, is one of the most prominent Torah scholars of this generation.

He combines the singular ability of a Rosh Yeshiva, with the authority of a scholar who is frequently consulted on the most difficult issues the Jewish world is confronted with today: questions of status - especially among the new immigrants - marriage and divorce, kashrut and Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Shapira is well-known to all his students as one whose heart is always open to them.

Rabbi Shapira served in Rabbinical Courts for over 40 years. He was head of the Rabbinical Court in Jerusalem, a member of the Supreme Rabbinical Court and finally its President. From 1983-1993, he served as elected Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel.

Rabbi Shapira is also identified as a spiritual leader of the National Religious Party and has been at the forefront of its pro-settlement policy. After stepping down from the Chief Rabbinate, he devoted considerable attention to opposition to the Oslo Process, which brought into public question the differences between political positions and religious rulings, when they emanate from a religious leader.