Rabbi Dov Lior and his Family Background

B”H

Last Friday, the secular Israeli newspaper “Yediot Acharonot” published an interview with Mottke Leinwand, the secular older brother of the Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Arba (near Hebron), Rabbi Dov Lior. As we know, Rabbi Lior was arrested by the Israeli police a few days ago and later on released. One may agree to Rabbi Yitzchak Shapira's book "Torat HaMelech" or reject it. However, the majority of the religious population says that this is not a concern of a secular court but of a Beit Din. It is regarding Halacha and has nothing to do with any worldly law system.

Although Wikipedia states that Rabbi Lior's original name is “Leibland”, the newspaper “Yediot Acharonot” calls his former family name LEINWAND. Mottke, the secular brother of Rabbi Dov Lior living in northern Israel, gave an interview and basically said that his brother is right regarding Israeli politics. Rabbi Lior may sometimes use some harsh words and statements but there is nothing worng with his ideas.

Dov grew up with three brothers. His father was a Polish Belzer Chassid and the sons were educated in a chassidic Cheder. Then the Germans occupied Poland and the Leinwand family was suffering from the Nazi Holocaust. After the war, Dov Lior moved to Israel and changed his family name. Due to what his brother Mottke witnessed during the war, he was unable to continue believing that there is a G - d. 

Despite their different lifestyles, the two brothers are still very close to each other and respect their opinions on Judaism.