During a meeting that took place at the headquarters of Hevrat Pinto Argentina, in the Balvanera neighborhood, the president-elect, Javier Milei, was blessed by the rabbi David Hanania Pinto during the celebration of the Havdalah ceremony last Saturday evening.

The rabbi’s blessing was highlighted by his words in English addressed to Milei: “I celebrate this beautiful country, Argentina, and I ask God to protect the Argentine nation so that go back to how it was before. I am sure that with the help of God you will help the Nation and, together with the Argentine people, you will succeed. » Milei replied gratefully: “Thank you, thank you, rabbi. »

During the ceremony, Rabbi David Hanania Pinto also addressed Karina Mileïsister of the new president, expressing: “We pray to God so that you protect him in everything he needs“The footage captured the moment, showing Milei in a black kip, sitting next to the rabbi and his sister Karina, a key figure in his campaign, to his left.

This meeting does not mark the first interaction between Milei and Rabbi Pinto; They had already held a meeting at the end of March this year, during which the famous rabbi advised and blessed Milei for his presidency.

Who is David Hanania Pinto

David Hanania Pinto, French rabbi of Moroccan origin, is known for having directed seventeen centers and around a hundred Jewish schools in various regions of the world, notably in France, the United States, Canada, Argentina, Mexico , in Israel, Brazil and England, among others. others. .

Pinto’s connection to rabbinic tradition and its lineage of prominent rabbis is reflected in his ancestry, with his great-grandfather being a revered spiritual leader. His father and grandfather, also rabbis, are considered “miracle workers”. Pinto is recognized as one of the most popular mystical rabbis in Israel and the United States, traveling regularly between these two countries.

Chaim Levinson, journalist at Haaretz, points out in an article that “with the rise in prestige of the Sephardic rabbinical dynasties, Pinto built his stature as leader of a Franco-Israeli sect which bases its strength on the waves of Jewish immigration from France to Israel. » Levinson points to Pinto’s presence in New York, where he runs a study center called Hevrat Pinto, located on the city’s Upper West Side.

As Javier Milei prepares to assume the presidency on December 10, he is scheduled to travel to the United States before his inauguration to visit the grave of the “Lubavitch Rebbe,” an influential rabbi from the last century.

Milei and Judaism

Despite her Catholic background, Milei has discussed the possibility of converting to Judaism. In a July interview, he expressed his dilemma regarding religious commitments: “If I’m president, what should I do on Shabbat? Are you going to disconnect from the land of the first star of Friday to the first star of Saturday?

Additionally, the inclusion of Jewish symbols in his campaign caused controversy. At the campaign’s close, a projected image showed a figure wearing a tallit, blowing a shofar. This use of religious symbols has raised questions from leaders and intellectuals of the Jewish community.

The response of Daniel Berliner, director of the Jewish Press Agencywas clear in remembering that acts of faith are private. And the Argentinian judo appeal released a statement questioning Milei’s use of Jewish symbols. In this context, a petition was signed expressing concern over Milei’s “expressions of hatred”. The document emphasized that the candidate had discriminatory statements contrary to diversity, equality and democratic coexistence.

The signatories emphasize that Jewish ethics are linked to equality and social justice, values ​​that Milei called “aberrant.” In this context, the letter indicated that The Judaism represented by the community is the opposite of Milei and his political project.

At the time, figures such as JUlia Zenko, Tamara Tenembaum, Cecilia Roth, Ricardo Forster and infectious disease specialist Pedro Cahn, among other things, they expressed disagreement with the appropriation of Jewish symbols for political purposes and stated: “MILEI DOES NOT REPRESENT US.”