Israeli religious authorities have uncovered an organized effort by Christian missionary groups to infiltrate ultra-Orthodox yeshivas by posing as Orthodox Jewish scholars, as reported by Haredi news site Kikar HaShabbat.
The operation came to light after rabbis at a prestigious Jerusalem yeshiva noticed students raising unusual theological questions following study sessions with visiting "scholars." These visitors, who had carefully mimicked Orthodox dress and mannerisms, were later exposed as Christian missionaries attempting to sow religious doubts among students.
"These individuals gained access by presenting themselves as typical kollel scholars," said a senior yeshiva staff member who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation. "They participated in study sessions and built trust before gradually introducing ideas meant to undermine students' faith."
The anti-missionary organization Lev Shomea has identified this as part of a broader network operating beyond traditional Orthodox centers like Jerusalem and Bnei Brak. The group has obtained photographs of the suspects but declined to comment further, citing an ongoing investigation by senior rabbinical authorities.
According to multiple accounts received by Kikar HaShabbat, this follows the pattern of missionaries now employing more sophisticated tactics, approaching not only struggling students but also those considered well-grounded in their faith. Their strategy appears focused on cultivating religious doubts through seemingly innocent theological discussions, with the end goal of conversion, and this new method of deep infiltration has proven more difficult to detect and counter.
The revelations come at a particularly tense time for the ultra-Orthodox community, which is already facing pressure over military service exemptions for yeshiva students.
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