A forceful public letter was released today by the Chief Rav of Israel, Rishon LeTzion Rav David Yosef, addressing the frightening rise of domestic abuse and urging Klal Yisroel to eradicate this destructive behavior from our midst.

In strong language, the Chief Rav wrote that any form of assault within the home is a grave aveirah that runs counter to the very foundations of Torah life. He stressed that batei din are obligated to deal with such cases immediately and without leniency.

Rav Yosef lamented that "Sadly, we sometimes hear about severe cases of fighting and violence within families, even to the point of raising hands. Such acts are like those of the gentiles, devoid of manners and values, who have lost all human dignity. Our holy Torah calls such a person: 'a wicked man.'" He described these episodes as foreign to a Jewish home and contrary to every value embedded in halachah.

He invoked the powerful warnings of his father, Rav Ovadia Yosef zt"l, who repeatedly denounced anyone who dares strike his wife. As he wrote, "As is known, my revered father, Rav Ovadia Yosef zt"l, warned many times and said sharp and precise words against the 'wicked' man who dares to raise his hands, especially against his wife, the queen of his home. 'Cut off the hand of anyone who raises a hand against his wife. This is a serious sin, this is the act of gentiles, not the act of a Jew.'"

The Chief Rav made clear that the psak in batei din is unequivocal: "Any manifestation of violence, of any kind, is handled immediately, with great severity and seriousness by the esteemed judges." He stressed that there is no tolerance or delay when dealing with such behavior.

Turning to the rabbanim and leaders in the field, Rav Yosef urged them to take an active role in helping victims and guiding them toward proper support. He wrote, "From here, I call on all community rabbis and public leaders in their respective areas, to stand by the victims, guide and direct them, and at times even immediately involve treatment agencies and law enforcement authorities, and to eradicate this scourge from among us, as it is a matter of life and death."

Rav Yosef closed his powerful letter with an appeal to every member of Klal Yisroel: "To all our brothers and sisters, all the children of Israel, I send this call with affection: honor and cherish your wives. The woman is the crown of the home; she is the blessing of the home. Woe to the soul of anyone who does not know how to respect the honor of his wife, as this is one of the foundations of our Judaism."