- June 25, 2026
- 3:24 pm
- Ukraine, Video
In the new episode of the project “Frank Answers of the Rabbi“, the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Asman continued to answer viewers’ questions. The video was released on the YouTube channel Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Azman and became the second part of a large conversation about faith, war, Ukraine, Israel, the Jewish community, anti-Semitism, and historical memory. The video was published on June 19, 2026, and in YouTube’s open data, it is presented as the episode “Frank Answers of the Rabbi: Ukraine and Israel, Jews in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the regime in Ukraine | Part 2”.
For the Israeli audience, this episode is important not only as a religious conversation. It is essentially the public position of one of Ukraine’s most famous Jewish leaders on issues that often become the subject of Russian propaganda: is there a “Nazi regime” in Ukraine, do Jews serve in the Ukrainian army, why does Israel fight against the Iranian threat, how are Ukraine and Israel connected, and why are anti-Semitic myths once again used as a tool of information warfare. The basis of the material is the transcription of the video, passed on for editorial work by NANovosti.
What is this video about
Moshe Asman begins the episode by explaining that he continues to answer viewers’ questions in sequence because there are so many. He says that people are interested in hearing honest answers to complex topics, and words that come from the heart can enter another heart.
The main feature of the video is the direct format. The Rabbi reads questions, among which there are thanks, religious topics, historical disputes, accusations, anti-Semitic attacks, and questions about the war. He responds calmly but firmly to many provocative formulations, especially when it comes to anti-Semitism, Russian propaganda, and accusations against Ukraine.
Who is speaking
The main speaker is Moshe Asman, the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine, head of the Jewish community, associated with the Kyiv synagogue and humanitarian aid during the full-scale war. In the video, he speaks in the first person: as a religious leader, as a person who remains in Ukraine, as the father of a son, Matityahu, who died on the front, and as a representative of the Jewish community that helps Ukraine during the war.
Who asks questions
Questions are asked by channel viewers. Among them are Ukrainians, Jews, Christians, people interested in Judaism, as well as commentators with openly anti-Semitic or provocative theses. Asman specifically emphasizes that he answers everyone, even those who write unpleasant or erroneous things, because he considers it important to convey the truth.
Main theses of the episode
Israel was not created by the “Order of Jesuits”
One of the first questions concerns the myth that Israel was allegedly created by Jesuits. Asman responds that this is completely incorrect. He reminds that Jewish history in the Holy Land began thousands of years before modern political myths: there were King David, King Solomon, the Kingdom of Israel, the Jerusalem Temple, and a constant Jewish presence on this land.
Brief meaning: the Rabbi rejects the conspiratorial version and returns the conversation to the historical context of the Jewish people.
Jews serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine not as a separate “Jewish unit”, but in different parts of the army
To the question of why there is no separate Jewish battalion in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Asman responds that it is not necessary. According to him, thousands of Jews—citizens of Ukraine—serve in different units, in different directions, receive awards, get injured, become disabled, and die defending Ukraine.
A particularly important point is personal testimony. Asman talks about his son Matityahu, who died in the war and was awarded the Order of Courage. Through this story, the topic ceases to be abstract: it is about real people and families.
Brief meaning: Jews in Ukraine are not standing aside from the war but are part of the Ukrainian resistance.
Conversion to Judaism in Ukraine during the war is a complex issue
One of the viewers asks if it is possible to undergo conversion to Judaism in Ukraine. Asman explains that there is no missionary work in Judaism, and the process itself is very serious and not easy. A person must prove the sincerity of their intention. During the war, this is especially difficult, so the Rabbi says that this issue can be revisited after the establishment of a just peace.
Brief meaning: Judaism does not seek to convert people to its faith, and conversion requires a deep choice and serious preparation.
Zelensky was chosen by the Ukrainian people
To the question accusing Volodymyr Zelensky and “Jews in high positions”, Asman responds that the President of Ukraine was elected by the Ukrainian people—citizens of different nationalities. He emphasizes that he does not appoint government positions and is not responsible for Ukraine’s personnel policy.
At the same time, he says that Zelensky’s merit is that at the beginning of the full-scale war, he did not flee and did not leave the country. According to Asman, what matters is not the nationality of the official, but professionalism, honesty, love for Ukraine, and proper performance of duties.
Brief meaning: the attempt to reduce Ukrainian power to the Jewish origin of certain people is manipulation and an anti-Semitic technique.
There is no “Nazi regime” in Ukraine
One of the most important blocks of the video is the response to the assertion of an alleged “Nazi regime” in Ukraine. Asman says directly: there is no Nazi regime in Ukraine. Ukraine is a free state that fights against occupiers who came to kill people.
He calls the thesis of a “Nazi regime” a Russian narrative and urges not to repeat it. According to him, Ukraine today fights for freedom and protects not only itself but also the free world.
Brief meaning: the Rabbi firmly rejects one of the central myths of Russian propaganda.
Why Israel attacked Iran
Answering the question about Israel’s actions against Iran, Asman says that Iran openly declared its intention to destroy the people of Israel. He compares such rhetoric to the ideology of the Nazis, who destroyed Jews just because they were Jews.
In this context, he uses the principle “never again”. According to his logic, after the Holocaust, the Jewish people cannot allow a state that openly threatens the destruction of Israel to calmly prepare such a threat.
Brief meaning: for Asman, Israel’s fight against the Iranian threat is a matter of the survival of the Jewish people.
Non-Jews can come to the synagogue
To the question of why non-Jews are allegedly not allowed to enter the synagogue, Asman responds that this is not true. According to him, people of different nationalities come to the central synagogue every day. They are not expelled; they are welcome.
He clarifies that the prayer practice within Judaism is related to those who observe Judaism, but the very visit to the synagogue for non-Jews is possible. If someone was not allowed into a specific synagogue, he suggests writing to him to resolve the situation.
Brief meaning: the synagogue is not a closed space of hatred or isolation, and the myth of a ban for non-Jews is refuted by the Rabbi.
Why the Rabbi stays in Ukraine
Some questions are openly xenophobic: some commentators ask why Asman is in Ukraine and why he does not “go home”. The Rabbi responds that Ukraine has also become a place of service for him, where he helps people during a terrible war.
He says that he went to Israel, but many Ukrainians wrote to him: come back, we need you. So he returned. For him, staying in Ukraine is an opportunity to save people, help, pray, do good deeds, and support those who are experiencing the war.
Brief meaning: Asman sees his mission in Ukraine not as a political gesture, but as a human and religious service.
The case of Ivan Demjanjuk
The video raises the issue of Ivan Demjanjuk and the possibility of reburial of his remains in Ukraine. Asman briefly reminds that Demjanjuk was accused of involvement in Nazi crimes, particularly the story of a concentration camp guard known as “Ivan the Terrible”. He says the case was complex, the trial in Israel caused a great resonance, and the final legal conclusions were the subject of disputes.
Brief meaning: the Rabbi does not turn the topic into a slogan but reminds of the gravity of the accusations and the memory of the Holocaust victims.
Judaism is older than Christianity
To the question about the relationship between Judaism and Christianity, Asman explains that Christianity emerged much later. He reminds of the First and Second Jerusalem Temples, King Solomon, the ancient history of Israel, and the emergence of Christianity already in the period of the end of the Second Temple and after its destruction.
Brief meaning: Christianity historically arose within the Jewish religious context, but Judaism as a tradition is significantly older.
When will the war end
To the question of when the war in Ukraine will end, Asman responds that he is not a prophet and does not know the exact date. He says he prays, does good deeds, meets with people around the world, and tries to bring the end of the war and a just peace closer.
Brief meaning: the Rabbi does not give false predictions but speaks of personal responsibility—prayer, help, and actions.
Historical figures: Khmelnytsky, Petliura, Bandera, Shukhevych
One of the questions concerns the attitude towards Ukrainian historical figures. Asman responds that each person should be treated separately. If someone really killed Jews or innocent people, there can be no tolerance for this. But if someone was labeled by Soviet propaganda, this needs to be studied separately.
He suggests holding public hearings with specialists from Ukraine, Israel, and other countries after the war and victory, so that there is an honest professional conversation about each controversial figure.
Brief meaning: Asman opposes blind heroization but also against Soviet labels without analysis.
Anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism
To the question about “ideological anti-Zionists” among Jews, the Rabbi explains that the word “Zionism” is associated with Zion and the historical aspiration of Jews to return to their land. He acknowledges that in the past there were religious disputes around the creation of the state of Israel, especially due to the anti-religiousness of some founders.
But today, according to him, Israel is a home and refuge for Jews from all over the world, including those who escaped the Holocaust, pogroms, and expulsions. Therefore, he evaluates modern religious groups that oppose Israel and actually find themselves alongside anti-Semitic forces very negatively.
Brief meaning: in today’s conditions, anti-Zionism often becomes a cover for anti-Semitism.
Torah and the Old Testament
To the question of whether the Christian Old Testament is part of the Torah or if they are different texts, Asman explains that in Judaism, the concept of Tanakh is used: Torah, Prophets, and Writings. The Christian Old Testament, according to him, is a translation and religious use of these texts in the Christian tradition.
Brief meaning: the Torah is the Five Books of Moses, Tanakh is broader, and the Old Testament is the Christian name and translation of the corresponding Jewish sacred texts.
Ukraine and Israel against one “axis of evil”
One of the central political theses of the episode is the idea that Ukraine and Israel are fighting interconnected threats. Asman speaks of an “axis of evil”, which includes Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, Russia, North Korea, and other forces.
He reminds that Hamas representatives traveled to Moscow, where they were received, and concludes: Ukraine and Israel should be closer because they can give a lot to each other. He says that this is exactly what he is doing—explaining in Israel why Ukraine is fighting the same system of threats that Israel faces, and explaining in Ukraine why the connection with Israel is important.
Brief meaning: for the Israeli audience, this is one of the main theses of the episode—Ukraine and Israel are not in different realities, their threats intersect.
Russian propaganda and information injections
At the end of the video, Asman answers the question of why Ukrainian society sometimes picks up anti-Semitic, xenophobic, and other manipulative narratives. He says that there is an information war, and many injections come from outside, particularly from Russia.
According to him, people under stress are more susceptible to fear and hatred. Therefore, he urges critical thinking, not to believe every message in the media, and to understand that the task of such injections is to quarrel Ukraine with Israel, America, and other allies.
Brief meaning: anti-Semitism and anti-Israel campaigns in Ukraine may not just be a domestic phenomenon but part of an external information attack.
Who is an anti-Semite
To the direct question of who is called an anti-Semite, Asman answers simply: an anti-Semite is someone who hates Jews and tries to harm them.
Brief meaning: the Rabbi does not complicate the definition but returns it to the essence—hatred and harm against Jews.
Messiah and a just world
In the religious part of the episode, Asman talks about the coming of the Messiah. He explains that the Messiah must be a descendant of King David, and his coming is associated not only with miracles but primarily with the establishment of a just world. He talks about the end of wars, the fall of villainous regimes, and a future where people do not cause each other pain.
Brief meaning: for the Rabbi, the theme of the Messiah is not about fantasy but about hope for the end of wars and the restoration of justice.
Why this is important for Israel and Ukraine
This episode is important because Moshe Asman connects several topics that are often discussed separately: the war in Ukraine, Israel’s security, anti-Semitism, the Iranian threat, Russian propaganda, historical memory, and the role of the Jewish community.
For Israel, there is a clear signal: Ukraine is not a foreign story. Jews live in Ukraine, Jews serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Jews die for Ukraine, and Russian aggression is connected with the same anti-Western and anti-Semitic forces that threaten Israel.
For Ukraine, this episode is important as a response to internal and external manipulations. Asman says that the Ukrainian people should not pick up foreign anti-Semitic narratives because they work against Ukraine itself. When Ukrainians are tried to be set against Israel, Jews, America, or Western allies, it may be part of a strategy aimed at weakening Ukraine.
Conclusions
Moshe Asman’s video is not just religious answers to subscribers’ questions. It is a conversation about how not to lose moral guidelines during the war.
The Chief Rabbi of Ukraine in this episode speaks especially clearly about three things.
First: Ukraine is not a “Nazi regime” but fights against aggression and for freedom.
Second: Jews in Ukraine are not standing aside—they serve, help, die, heal, save, and support the country.
Third: Ukraine and Israel should better understand each other because both countries face threats associated with the same logic of hatred, terror, and destruction.
For NANovosti, this episode is important as material about the connection between Ukraine and Israel through living human stories, through the memory of the Holocaust, through the fight against anti-Semitism, and through the understanding that the information war today is no less than the war on the front.
