Remembering Rabbi Amos Guetta zt"l: A Life of Torah and Kindness

The life of the renowned kabbalist Rabbi Amos Guetta zt"l, who was murdered on Wednesday inside his beit midrash in Netanya at the age of 75, was defined by self sacrifice, boundless love for the Jewish people, and unwavering dedication to spreading Torah.

Rabbi Guetta served as the head of the Rabbi Yitzhak Hai Taieb Yeshiva in Netanya and as the spiritual leader of the city's Libyan Jewish community. For decades, he devoted himself to bringing Jews closer to Torah and opening his heart and home to anyone seeking guidance, encouragement, or support.

A Tragic End to a Life of Giving

On Wednesday morning, Rabbi Guetta was fatally stabbed inside his beit midrash on Shimon Bar Yochai Street in Netanya's Neot Herzl neighborhood.

Emergency responders arrived at approximately 5:45 a.m. and found him unconscious with severe stab wounds. After prolonged resuscitation efforts at the scene, he was transported in critical condition to Laniado Hospital, where doctors were forced to pronounce his death.

According to police, the suspect, who is reportedly mentally unstable and personally known to the rabbi, arrived at the beit midrash asking to pray with him. During an altercation, the suspect allegedly stabbed Rabbi Guetta in the heart before fleeing. Police launched an extensive manhunt, and the suspect was later arrested.

From Libya to a Life of Torah

Rabbi Amos Guetta was born in Libya on the 19th of Adar, 5711 (1951).

After making aliyah to Israel, he settled in Netanya, where he lived in several neighborhoods before establishing his permanent home on Einstein Street. There he founded the Rabbi Yitzhak Hai Taieb Beit Midrash, which would become the center of his life's work.

In his younger years, Rabbi Guetta worked as a mail carrier while also studying medicine. After approximately four years of medical school, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening. Choosing Torah over medicine, he left his studies and joined the Or HaTorah Kollel in Netanya, where he became a devoted student of Rabbi Shimon Gabai zt"l.

A Home Open to Every Jew

Over the years, Rabbi Guetta became known throughout Israel as a symbol of humility, kindness, and devotion to the Jewish people.

His yeshiva was far more than a place of Torah study. It became a refuge for hundreds of young people and individuals searching for direction, many of whom found in Rabbi Guetta a compassionate listener, trusted mentor, and spiritual guide.

He was known for refusing to turn away anyone who sought his help.

The doors of both his beit midrash and his heart remained open to every Jew. Meals were available for anyone in need, and countless people found warmth, encouragement, and hope through his guidance.

Preserving the Heritage of Libyan Jewry

Alongside his outreach efforts, Rabbi Guetta dedicated himself to preserving the traditions of Libyan and Tripolitanian Jewry.

He became one of the community's foremost rabbinic authorities, carefully preserving its customs, teachings, and unique heritage for future generations.

Among his cherished practices was reciting the Ten Commandments in Judeo Arabic, following the longstanding custom of Libyan Jewish communities, while encouraging younger generations to faithfully preserve their ancestral traditions.

A Life of Holiness and Prayer

Rabbi Guetta was widely respected for his personal righteousness and ascetic lifestyle.

He frequently observed speech fasts and periods of complete silence, dedicating himself to prayer and kabbalistic tikkunim on behalf of individuals and the broader Jewish community.

Thousands traveled from across Israel and abroad seeking his blessings, counsel, and heartfelt prayers, which many believed brought comfort and salvation.

Nearly three years ago, during Tishrei 5784, Rabbi Guetta became critically ill and was hospitalized in intensive care while sedated and on a ventilator.

At the instruction of leading rabbis, the name "Chaim" was added to his name for prayer, and Jews throughout the world offered prayers for Rabbi Amos Chaim ben Fortuna.

With Hashem's kindness, he recovered and returned to his beloved beit midrash, where he resumed teaching Torah and serving the public.

A Great Loss for the Jewish People

Rabbi Guetta is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and thousands of students whose lives he touched through decades of Torah, kindness, and spiritual leadership.

Following the tragedy, numerous rabbinic leaders and public figures expressed their grief.

The Shas movement described Rabbi Guetta as a righteous kabbalist who dedicated his life to spreading Torah, bringing Jews closer to their Father in Heaven, and preserving the heritage of Libyan Jewry. The statement praised his mastery of both the revealed and hidden dimensions of Torah, his lifelong humility, and his warm welcome to every Jew who crossed his path.

Israel's Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Kalman Meir Bar, called Rabbi Guetta "a unique exemplary figure" whose home had become a destination for countless people seeking blessings, wisdom, and guidance. He praised the rabbi's extraordinary scholarship, profound kindness, and lifelong service of Hashem.

Rishon LeZion Rabbi David Yosef likewise mourned Rabbi Guetta as one of the last truly elevated spiritual figures of his generation. He described him as a humble servant of Hashem whose entire life was devoted to Torah, kindness, and bringing Jews closer to their Father in Heaven.

Rabbi Guetta's passing leaves an immeasurable void for his family, students, community, and the countless people whose lives were forever changed by his compassion, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to the Jewish people.