Rabbi Amos Guetta Killed in Stabbing at His Beit Midrash in Netanya

Rabbi Amos Guetta zt"l, a revered kabbalist, was murdered this morning (Wednesday) by an assailant who arrived at the synagogue and stabbed him to death in the city of Netanya. Emergency forces evacuated the rabbi to the hospital in critical condition, but doctors were forced to pronounce him dead.

From the police it was stated that, following an extensive manhunt, the murder suspect, a city resident in his 20s, was arrested and taken in for questioning. It was also reported that the suspect had regularly visited the rabbi’s yeshiva, and that the rabbi was known as a man of kindness who had worked for many years on behalf of those in need.

Police said: "Officers from the Sharon District have now opened an investigation into the circumstances of a violent incident at a yeshiva in the city of Netanya, during which a man in his 70s, a city resident, was stabbed. According to medical officials, the victim was evacuated in critical condition to the hospital, where his death was pronounced. Officers from the Netanya station, together with forensic investigators, are collecting findings and evidence at the scene, alongside searches and a manhunt for the suspect in the act. The background to the incident is criminal, and the circumstances of the case are under investigation".

After news of the devastating tragedy became known, the Shas movement published a mourning statement, which said: "We are shocked to the depths of our souls upon hearing the bitter news of the sudden passing of the great righteous sage and kabbalist Rabbi Amos Guetta zt"l, who for decades spread Torah and worked tirelessly to bring Jews closer through gentle and gracious ways, in the city of Netanya in particular, together with his friend Rabbi Shimon Gabai zt"l, and among Libyan Jewry in general. The deceased zt"l was detached from worldly matters, devoted himself completely in the tent of Torah, possessed tremendous mastery of both the revealed and hidden dimensions of Torah, and raised many students despite his suffering and pain. He always welcomed every Jew with a warm countenance, and from the day the Shas movement was founded, he stood by its side with support and encouragement for spreading Torah and Judaism among all of *Klal Yisrael*. Our sincere condolences to his family, his students, and all who learned from him. *Hamakom yenachem etchem b’toch she’ar aveilei Tzion v’Yerushalayim*, and may the remaining camp be spared".

Israel’s Chief Rabbi and President of the Chief Rabbinate Council, Rabbi Kalman Meir Bar, said: "Together with all the House of Israel, including his thousands of students and those who learned from him, I mourn bitterly and with a torn heart the shocking passing of the righteous kabbalist Rabbi Amos Guetta ztuk"l. ​Rabbi Amos ztuk"l was a uniquely exemplary figure in the city of Netanya. Over decades of spiritual leadership, he served as a beacon and central pillar for the city’s many residents, who streamed to his door day after day seeking blessing, counsel, wisdom, and sound guidance. He merited to unite the plain meaning and the hidden meaning, and to combine extraordinary and far-reaching mastery of Torah’s mysteries together with tremendous acts of kindness and fiery, awe-inspiring service of Hashem. ​May it be Hashem’s will that the Master of Consolation heal this great and terrible fracture with which we have been broken, send relief and comfort to his family and students, and may we soon merit to see the consolation of Zion and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and may violence no longer be heard in our land, nor devastation and destruction within our borders".

The time of Rabbi Amos Guetta zt"l’s funeral will be published later.