Rabbi Pinto: Morocco Safer for Jews Than US and Europe, Thanks to King’s Leadership

"The situation of Jews in Morocco is better than in New York and Europe, thanks to the leadership of King Mohammed VI and the security efforts," said Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto during a spiritual trip to Morocco, quoted by I24. He arrived in the kingdom at the end of last week after celebrating the Purim holiday with thousands of his students in Manhattan. Today, some 3,000 Jews - the largest Jewish population in North Africa - live in Morocco, compared to a quarter of a million previously. In 2020, Moroccan Jews and Jews of Moroccan descent represent about 1 million out of Israel’s 9.1 million inhabitants.

During his trip to Morocco, the Israeli-Moroccan rabbi visited the seaside town of Essaouira, where the late tsadik Rabbi Chaim Pinto, who died in 1845, is buried. He took the opportunity to recite a special prayer for the peace of all the Jews in the world. "We all pray that peace will soon come to the land of Israel and throughout the world," said Rabbi Pinto. And he added: "I hope we will soon have the chance to witness the end of strict justice as well as the spread of grace and mercy in the world."

After Morocco, Rabbi Pinto flew to Poland as part of his worldwide spiritual tour.