Yihye Qafih

Rabbi Yihye Qafih, born in 1913 in Yemen and died in 1982 in Israel, was a prominent Yemenite rabbi and a leading figure in the Dor Deah movement within Yemenite Jewry, which opposed the widespread mystical practices introduced by the Kabbalistic tradition, advocating instead for a return to the rationalist approach of Maimonides.

Rabbi Qafih was known for his deep knowledge of Jewish law and his commitment to the teachings of Maimonides, often engaging in public debates and writings that argued against the mystical interpretations of Judaism. He was a prolific writer, with his works focusing on clarifying the rationalist Jewish philosophy and law.

After immigrating to Israel, Rabbi Qafih continued to teach and promote the Maimonidean approach. He founded a yeshiva in Jerusalem that focused on the study of Maimonides' works, and his teachings have had a lasting impact on the approach to Jewish study and practice among his followers and beyond.

Books

Letters on Kabbalah: Correspondences Between Two Schools of Jewish Thought