Overview
- Broadcast cameras showed Eyal Zionov in the Sephardic chief rabbi’s robe during the Mount Herzl torch-lighting on Tuesday, leading many to think he was the Rishon LeZion.
- He entered the state event with a regular invitation, and officials now question how he ended up seated near senior leaders.
- Attendees who believed he was the chief rabbi approached him for blessings during the ceremony.
- A visit to the Temple Mount last week caused Shin Bet to call the real chief rabbi’s office after mistaking Zionov for him, according to N12.
- The Chief Rabbinate says it is exploring responses, though Israeli legal precedent on personal dress makes action against such impersonation unlikely.