Who was Rabbi Amos Guetta zt"l? The Life Story of the Kabbalist from Netanya
Who was Rabbi Amos Guetta zt"l? Rabbi Amos Guetta was one of the greatest Kabbalists of our generation, a hidden tzaddik and a worker of miracles. He served as the Rosh Yeshiva of "Rabbi Yitzchak Chai Taib" in Netanya and as the Chief Rabbi of Libyan Jewry. For decades, he was a guiding light for thousands who flocked to his door seeking blessings, counsel, and salvation. He was renowned for his immense dedication to bringing distant souls closer to Hashem. On Wednesday, the 16th of Tammuz 5786 (July 1, 2026), he was tragically stabbed to death inside his study hall (beis midrash) in Netanya at the age of 75. In this article, we will explore his life story, his path in Torah, his miracles, and his deep connection with Rabbi Berland shlit"a.
Rabbi Amos Guetta was born in Libya on the 19th of Adar II, 5711 (1951). In his youth, he made Aliyah to the Land of Israel and settled in Netanya. He initially lived in the "Shikun Sela" neighborhood (known today as Neot Herzl), then moved to "Shikun Vatikim" (Neot Ganim), and finally established his permanent home in Neot Herzl, adjacent to his beis midrash.
Few know that in his younger years, Rabbi Guetta worked as a mailman and even studied medicine for about four years. However, at a certain point, he left everything behind and devoted himself entirely to Torah and the service of Hashem. He studied at the "Ohr HaTorah" Kollel in Netanya under the Gaon Rabbi Shimon Gabai. For years, he traveled daily to Moshav Porat to learn in a chavrusa (study partnership) with "The Rav from Porat," the Gaon Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Yitzchaki zt"l. He was also closely connected to the Gaon Rabbi Tzion Boaron, one of the leading judges of the Great Rabbinical Court.
Rabbi Guetta founded and led the "Rabbi Yitzchak Chai Taib" beis midrash and yeshiva in Netanya. It was named after the renowned Tunisian Kabbalist, Rabbi Yitzchak Chai Taib zt"l (famous for the phrase "Rabbi Chai Taib is not dead"), author of the sefer Chelev Chitim. Alongside the yeshiva, he ran a kollel for married students. The building on Shimon Bar Yochai Street in the Neot Herzl neighborhood was open almost around the clock. It served as a warm home for every brokenhearted soul, offering nourishment, shelter, Torah, and prayer.
Rabbi Amos Guetta was known as one of the greatest Kabbalists of our generation and a worker of miracles, and it was said that he possessed Ruach HaKodesh (Divine Inspiration). Many recounted miraculous salvations that came about in the merit of his blessings and through a Pidyon Nefesh performed by him. One story tells of a young Torah scholar who came to him drowning in heavy debt. Before the man even opened his mouth, the Rav closed his eyes and told him to travel to the tziyon (gravesite) of the tzaddik in Yavniel to recite Tehillim. The very next day, the man experienced a miraculous salvation, receiving a large sum of money that covered all his debts. There are countless other stories of childless couples who were blessed with children and many others who found salvation through his counsel and blessings.
Above all, Rabbi Guetta was known for his dedication to bringing distant souls closer to Hashem and his profound Ahavas Yisrael (love for fellow Jews). He took baalei teshuvah (returnees to Judaism), at-risk youth, and even individuals with difficult pasts and outcasts whom no one else wanted, under his wing. With pleasantness and grace, he drew them back into the embrace of Judaism. In his personal conduct, he wore tefillin throughout the entire day, acted with extreme humility, avoided being photographed for years, undertook fasts of speech, and engaged abundantly in acts of loving-kindness and charity.
Rabbi Guetta served as the Chief Rabbi and spiritual authority for Libyan Jewry in Israel and around the world. He worked tirelessly to preserve the community's customs and the Torah teachings of the Libyan sages. Among other things, he instituted the recitation of the Ten Commandments in Judeo-Arabic within his community, following the Libyan Jewish tradition, and strictly upheld special customs during the taking out of the Torah scroll.
The bond between Rabbi Amos Guetta and Rabbi Berland shlit"a was one of deep mutual reverence. Rabbi Berland shlit"a testified about Rabbi Guetta that anyone who wishes to see what a Tanna from previous generations looked like should go and look at Rabbi Amos Guetta. Conversely, Rabbi Guetta was one of the greatest supporters of Rabbi Berland shlit"a. He revealed that the persecutions and suffering the Rav endures are taken upon himself willingly, in order to nullify harsh decrees from the Jewish people. We expanded on this in the article A Revelation from the Work of the Hidden Tzaddikim: The Kabbalist Rabbi Amos Guetta on Rabbi Berland shlit"a.
Rabbi Guetta is survived by his wife, Rabbanit Chaviva, two sons, and two daughters. His eldest son, Rabbi Moshe Guetta, served as his gabbai (attendant) and loyal right hand. A younger son tragically passed away in a car accident shortly after his Bar Mitzvah, and the Rav accepted the Divine decree with love and silence.
On Wednesday, the 16th of Tammuz 5786 (July 1, 2026), Rabbi Amos Guetta was stabbed to death inside his beis midrash on Shimon Bar Yochai Street in Netanya, at the age of 75. The news shocked the entire Jewish world. We have compiled the full story and the reactions of the Rabbis in the article Baruch Dayan HaEmes: The Kabbalist Rabbi Amos Guetta zt"l Murdered in Netanya.
A Kabbalist and tzaddik from Netanya, Rosh Yeshiva of "Rabbi Yitzchak Chai Taib," and the Chief Rabbi of Libyan Jewry. He was known as a worker of miracles who brought distant souls closer to Hashem. He was murdered in his beis midrash on the 16th of Tammuz 5786.
He was stabbed to death in his beis midrash on Shimon Bar Yochai Street in Netanya on Wednesday, the 16th of Tammuz 5786 (July 1, 2026), at the age of 75, by a mentally unstable individual.
He was 75 years old. He was born in Libya on the 19th of Adar II, 5711 (1951).
On Shimon Bar Yochai Street, in the Neot Herzl neighborhood of Netanya.
It was named after the Tunisian Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Chai Taib ("Rabbi Chai Taib is not dead"), author of the sefer Chelev Chitim.
Rabbi Shimon Gabai (of the "Ohr HaTorah" Kollel in Netanya) and Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Yitzchaki, "The Rav from Porat." He was also closely connected to the Gaon Rabbi Tzion Boaron.
Spreading Torah, Kabbalah, bringing baalei teshuvah and at-risk youth closer to Hashem, and preserving the customs of Libyan Jewry.
Deep mutual reverence: Rabbi Berland shlit"a said that anyone who wants to see what a Tanna looks like should go and see Rabbi Amos Guetta. In turn, Rabbi Guetta was one of the greatest supporters of Rabbi Berland shlit"a.
May his memory be a blessing. May his soul be bound in the bond of life.
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