HaRav Amos Guetta ZT”L, a well-known mekubal, was R”L stabbed to death in Netanya today (Wednesday) by a talmid inside the beis medrash where he taught on Rechov Shimon Bar Yochai. HaRav Guetta HY”D was 75 years old.
The suspect was reportedly close to HaRav Guetta ZT”L, and is mentally unstable. He had reportedly demanded to daven with HaRav Guetta and then stabbed him after a heated conflict.
Police are at the scene searching for evidence, and a manhunt for the suspect is underway.
HaRav Guetta was born in Libya in 1951, on 19 Adar Sheini. He immigrated to Eretz Yisrael with his family as a child, and they settled in Netanya.
He started off working as a postal carrier and studying medicine, but ultimately devoted his life to Torah.
He learned at Kollel Or HaTorah in Netanya under HaRav Shimon Gabai, and later made daily commutes to Moshav Porat to learn b’chavrusa with HaRav Avraham Mordechai Yitzchaki.
HaRav Guetta went on to create his own yeshiva, which he named after the renowned mekubal HaRav Yitzchak Chai Taieb ZT”L.
Over time, his influence extended far beyond Netanya, as he became known for drawing thousands of Yidden closer to Yiddishkeit through his warmth and his shiurim.
During COVID, when many batei medrashim were shut, he relocated temporarily with a group of close talmidim to Tiveria.
HaRav Guetta ZT”L kept on inspiring thousands despite enduring tremendous personal tragedy, including the loss of his young son in a car accident shortly after he had his bar mitzvah.
HaRav Guetta ZT”L is survived by two sons and two daughters. His oldest son, HaRav Moshe Guetta, was closely involved with him for many years in his work.
