Rabbi Yuval Hacohen Asherov is not a professionally trained doctor and is not authorized to give medical advice, but presents himself as a “medical man” because he casts doubt on the recommendations of health experts – even when e to matters of life and death.
Many doctors have rejected his claims and the Ministry of Health, which is trying to remove his videos, has issued a warning about their content.
Rabbi Yuval Hacohen Asherov
Asherov’s videos begin with a disclaimer that “the information provided here does not replace traditional medical advice and the law must be respected,” but the rabbi’s opposition to the coronavirus vaccination campaign and his warnings that the people of Israel have been dangerous online “guinea pigs”.
Asherov has been working on another Kabbalist medicine for three decades. He often refines his analysis in medical terms and picks up official papers, saying “you have to read the numbers” – while showcasing his work as a goal.
“I will not design anything out of thin air,” he says in a video entitled “In the mystery of things,” urging the public to “wake up” and examine the veracity of the information. which official stores offer.
Even before the pandemic, the rabbi was known for its resistance to vaccination. Now he has raised efforts, saying: “Why do you have to hurry and get vaccinated? There is no need to hurry.”
In the last few weeks, Asherov has posted several “speeches” online, discussing what he calls the dangers of vaccination. The videos have hundreds of thousands of views.
In one of those videos, Asherov says that the coronavirus is the seasonal flu and that medical experts are lying.
“It is very difficult for me to understand how this is a new disease,” he says. “They changed their name from flu to coronavirus, and they caused a lot of fear from doctors and doctors. media. ”
Israel has led the world in coronavirus vaccines, with almost everyone over 60 eligible for the vaccine receiving at least the first dose. He has now extended the campaign to everyone over 16, aiming to give the vaccine to the whole population by March.
A woman is being vaccinated for coronavirus at a clinic in Netanya
(Photo: HMO Clalit)
Asherov focuses on the alleged side effects of non-vaccine.
“This type of vaccine is the equivalent of genetic engineering,” he says without evidence.
“This kind of thing could reveal a number of issues. Risks that I bring to you from doctors: autoimmune diseases that can affect much of the population and make them sterile.”
There is no medical evidence to support these claims, which have been proven false by experts and government agencies both in Israel and around the world.
Nevertheless, Asherov continues to proselytize his false teaching about the vaccines.
In his latest video, the rabbi reports an antibody-dependent boost (ADE), a very rare side effect where antibodies formed as a result of an attack attack the body at a later stage.
“If this side effect occurs, anyone who is vaccinated is at risk,” he says, again without confirmation.
“They tried these three types of animals: cats, mice and monkeys. The monkeys responded well to the vaccine, with their antibodies rising. But after five to seven months they started getting serious lung diseases. and swelling, and they all die. “
Again, there is no evidence to support this claim.
Asherov then contradicts each other, saying “very little animal vaccination has been done and the information is spotty.”
The start of one of Asherov’s videos asks if she should get the coronavirus vaccine
“Good night rabbi, I want to consult,” said one of the comments on the video.
“As for the coronavirus vaccine, I have been receiving dialysis treatment for the past six months and I do not want to be vaccinated, but the hospital and my family are under pressure from me. What can I do it? “
A response to the comment by rabbi staff states: “The rabbi’s opinion is not to get vaccinated. The final decision is yours.”
Asherov’s theories seem to have been accepted even by a number of Israeli celebrities.
In an interview with Israeli public broadcaster Kan, Israeli actress and comedian Orna Banai said she would not be vaccinated against the virus. She said the pathogen is just the “regular flu” and that “unfortunately, many people die from the flu.”
After challenging the views of experts on the issue, Banai replied: “People like Rabbi Yuval Asherov, who is certainly a very knowledgeable man in medicine, say that it is just the flu. It is a virus. “
Banai is just one in a series of celebrities who have taken part in the rabbi’s speeches about health and diet, with Asherov even getting the moniker of “rabbi to the stars.”
Orna Banai believes Asherov’s unsubstantiated claims about coronavirus
Some of his former fans have testified that their situation worsened as a result of his advice.
“A member of my family was hospitalized for being obese because of the advice he gave her,” one critic wrote online.
Einav Shimron, deputy director-general at the Ministry of Health’s Department of Information and International Relations, says the ministry is working with the authorities to “remove his information.”
She says the ministry is on the verge of launching an intelligence-led website where “Asherov’s claims will certainly be rejected.”
“It’s hard to work out the damage that those videos did,” Shimron says.
A spokesman for Asherov said the rabbi has a Bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy from Tel Aviv University and studied acupuncture at an educational facility in Boston.
“The rabbi has many years of experience in successfully treating thousands of patients for various diseases using natural medicine,” the statement said.
“The rabbi does not present himself as a doctor. However, he spends most of his life reading medical research, studying and discovering life-saving treatments. His words represents his rich professional opinion and experience and does not replace medical advice. ”