Rabbi Chalioua Exposes the Tefillin Scandal: "I Begged, I Cried, They Didn't Listen"

Anyone who saw the distressing images of Rabbi Moshe Chalioua at Amman airport, as officials cut his tefillin straps, couldn't remain indifferent.

Although the incident occurred last week, our conversation with Rabbi Chalioua this week makes it clear he still hasn't recovered. However, his focus remains firmly on the future. As the rabbi of the Sephardic community in Dubai, he is currently preparing for the Purim feast and is deeply involved with the growing Jewish community in Dubai, which develops daily and has many needs requiring attention.

"I Cried and Begged, It Didn't Help"

As expected, Rabbi Chalioua often travels the Israel-Dubai route. Last week, he tried to make a shortcut via a connection at Amman airport, where trouble began.

"I was on my way from Israel to Dubai," he recounts, "when I boarded the plane, there was no problem, but when I arrived at Amman airport to catch my flight to Dubai, the staff asked to open my bag, pulled out my two sets of tefillin – Rashi's and Rabbeinu Tam's, opened the straps, and questioned their purpose. I calmly explained that Jews put on tefillin daily and detailed how they are placed over the heart and arm to focus our hearts and minds on serving Hashem. When I finished, they called the head of staff who announced it was impossible to allow the tefillin onboard since the straps resembled ropes, which are prohibited due to security threats.

"It sounded absurd, I continued to plead, beg, and even cried, but it didn't help. Ultimately, I realized my only choice was to suggest the horrible yet practical option of cutting the tefillin straps and leaving them at the airport while taking the tefillin boxes to prevent the scrolls from remaining at a Muslim airport. But even this wasn't allowed, at which point I recognized it as pure anti-Semitism, targeting me as a Jew and my sacred belongings."

Rabbi Chalioua states that ultimately he left the tefillin behind, proceeded to the terminal, and met the security director, who insisted on sticking to regulations but permitted cutting the tefillin straps. "Watching the officials cut the straps, images of Jews before the Holocaust flooded my mind, the comparison was inevitable," he says painfully.

However, Rabbi Chalioua notes that once his story spread, he received heartwarming responses from Jews worldwide. "Jews reached out offering to fund new tefillin, someone abroad wanted to pay for my next flight, and many just wanted to show support and tell me they're with me. It was deeply moving."

Rabbi Moshe Chalioua the community rabbi, with the Torah scroll donated to Sheikh Zayd, ruler of the UAE

A Mission in a Muslim Country

Rabbi Chalioua was born in England and spent most of his life in education. About a decade ago, he immigrated to Israel with his family, intending to settle in the Holy Land, but Hashem had different plans.

"About a year and a half ago, I was approached by Rabbi David Pinto's organization in Ra'anana," he says, "The organization supports many French Sephardim, and after the Abraham Accords were signed, a large group moved for work to Dubai, mainly in banking and finance. Another group of Jews from various countries work in Dubai, many are Sephardi, and despite not consistently observing all mitzvot, they value their connection to Judaism. This led Rabbi Rafael Pinto, son of Rabbi David, to establish a community, and I was asked to serve as the community rabbi."

Within months, Rabbi Chalioua found himself arriving in Dubai and taking responsibility for the newly formed 'Or David' community.

How is a Jewish community operated within a Muslim country?

"While Dubai is Muslim, security here is excellent, and I feel safer than I did in England, certainly more so than in France. The government protects us carefully, as we're only an hour's flight from Iran. I meet government representatives every six weeks to share our experiences and any special requests. To safeguard us, a few regulations applying only to Jews exist. Notably, public prayers outside a synagogue are illegal, and synagogues can only be established with special permission, usually within a hotel intended officially for tourists. They don't want synagogues integrated into the state."

Or David Talmud Torah Pinto Association in Dubai

The 'Or David' community now resides in a well-kept villa. "We regularly conduct Torah lessons, hold *Shabbat* and holiday meals, and ensure kosher food," Rabbi Chalioua elaborates, "We strive to make Judaism accessible to the Sephardim residing here. Tourists from around the globe visit to experience the atmosphere, but initially, this isn’t a touristic endeavor but one for the locals."

"My aspiration is to meet all Jewish needs," he clarifies, "I operate from love and a strong sense of mission. We don't impose anything but support those in need. If someone needs mezuzahs, we provide them; if assistance for bar mitzvah preparations is needed, we offer help. Surprisingly, we’ve also been asked occasionally to provide food and shelter. Though Dubai is seen as a place for the rich, some face significant hardship, and we genuinely try to help as much as possible."

A Community with Vision

How many families comprise the Sephardic community?

"Currently, our list holds at least 50 families, but it's clear there are many more, with numbers rising daily. The knowledge that a serious Sephardic community exists here motivates people to choose residence in Dubai. Lately, kosher certification attracts many Jews, as we provide strictly kosher food, and there are high-standard kosher restaurants. Recently, a 'Rimon' supermarket opened, which is strictly kosher."

Or David Pinto Association Sukkot in Dubai

Can you say you're not lacking anything?

"Almost nothing," Rabbi Chalioua clarifies, "Those coming individually for business truly have all they need, but families with children avoid living here due to a lack of Jewish institutions for all ages. Currently, there's a Chabad kindergarten for up to age five, and a Torah study on Fridays with nearly 20 students. We intend to add more midweek courses soon. However, the lack of Jewish institutions is still a barrier; I personally know families refraining from moving to Dubai for this reason. It's also why I'm here alone while my wife and children live in Israel, eagerly anticipating further community expansion and the establishment of more synagogues and Jewish educational facilities."

Is there a chance of this coming true?

"I'm unsure. Although Dubai highly respects Israel, their strong relationship is primarily commercial. Ultimately, as a Muslim country, they have no intentions of opening to another religion. Yet, if it does happen, thousands of Jewish families would relocate here, driven by economic and educational reasons. Dubai is among the few places globally ensuring youth safety. No unsupervised kids roaming the streets; the government monitors it strictly. But until it happens, our community continues growing, albeit slowly and steadily."

What are your Purim plans?

"For Purim, singer Itzik Shwiki will join us from Israel to uplift the community. We’ll have a Megillah reading and a large feast. So far, 50 people confirmed attendance, but we expect more. Simultaneously, we're planning for Passover, anticipating about 100 participants, noting our celebration of two festival days. We feel like one big family, joyous during our holiday gatherings."

Are you worried about continuing Dubai activities after the tefillin incident?

"Not at all. It's crucial to clarify that Dubai is entirely different from Amman. We're remarkably well-protected here, and such an incident wouldn’t happen in the UAE. I believe surrounding Muslim countries should learn from Dubai, and until they do, I won't travel through places like Amman again. I’ve learned my lesson."