Celebrity Guru, TikTok Sensation: Who Is the "Yanuka"
Every week, thousands gather in Rishon LeZion to hear the words of Rabbi Shlomo Yehuda Be’eri, known as the "Yanuka." At just 37, this rabbi has become a central figure in the religious community, boasting impressive social media popularity and personal connections with celebrities.
Twitter
Tens of thousands of revelers at Belgium's iconic Tomorrowland festival were treated to an unexpected dose of Hebrew holiness. Amid the pulsating electronic beats, the voice of Rabbi Shlomo Yehuda Be’eri, affectionately known as the "Yanuka" of Rishon LeZion, echoed through the massive speakers, delivering words of profound faith: “Believe and you will succeed. The power of music can repair a person’s soul. A simple melody can bring purity, completely cleansing a person. It enters the soul when played for the sake of heaven. That’s the strength of a melody, it enters the chambers of the soul, cleanses, and rebuilds a person anew.”
This interlude came courtesy of Israeli DJ duo Vini Vici (Matan Kadosh and Aviram Saharai), global stars in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene and devoted admirers of the rabbi. Performing for a diverse crowd from around the world, they wove the Yanuka's melody into their set. “Everyone went wild; it was an insane experience, especially in these crazy times,” Kadosh said. “There were no antisemitic reactions at all. The melody was coordinated with the rabbi, and when we spoke to him after the show, he was deeply moved, saying we made a huge kiddush Hashem that we can’t even fully grasp.”
A Divine Encounter: How Vini Vici Connected with the Yanuka
The collaboration stemmed from a personal spiritual quest. Six months ago, Kadosh confided in a friend about his inner doubts and journey toward deeper emunah (faith). The friend insisted: Meet the Yanuka. Despite a crowd of 500 at the rabbi's synagogue, Kadosh waited patiently.
As Kadosh approached with a prepared letter unrelated to music, the Yanuka astounded him by asking, “Do you use Logic?” referring to the professional music editing software rarely used in Israel.This sparked an immediate bond over their shared love of music. “The rabbi said, ‘Finding someone who uses Logic is like finding water in the desert,’” Kadosh recalled. The Yanuka revealed his own talents as a pianist and composer, inviting the duo to his studio. There, he played original melodies created on Logic, even surprising them with a rendition of “Forever Young”, the very track Vini Vici planned for their Tomorrowland opener.
Together, they decided to incorporate his words, turning a festival set into a vessel for divine inspiration.
Who Is the Yanuka? A Prodigy's Rise in the Jewish World
At just 37, Rabbi Shlomo Yehuda Be’eri, born Shai Tzubari in Holon, has become one of the most magnetic figures in contemporary Jewish life, drawing thousands weekly without affiliation to any specific chassidic or litvish stream. From humble beginnings as the eldest of three in a family where his father worked for El Al and his mother was a homemaker, young Shai moved between Israel and Spain, immersing himself in piano, Torah study, and fervent tefillah (prayer).
By age 14, he was a fixture in a Holon shul, refusing to leave even at closing time. Older rabbis recognized his prodigious talents, dubbing him “Yanuka” after the Zohar's term for a wondrous child with extraordinary spiritual gifts.By 16, his reputation as an ilui (genius) spread, attracting students for lessons. At 18, hundreds flocked to his teachings across cities like Netanya and Jerusalem.
Despite early persecution, some rabbis labeled him a “demon” and sabotaged potential shidduchim (matches), he persevered, marrying Adel Be’eri (who also teaches Torah) and fathering four children. After a period of seclusion, he reemerged a decade ago, his following exploding.
Today, his Rishon LeZion beit midrash overflows every Monday with men from all walk, chassidim, litvaks, Chabad, Breslov, even secular seekers, waiting hours for a blessing. “It’s like a potential Meron disaster,” one student described the crowds. Prominent visitors include musicians Amir Benayoun and Ofer Levi, celebrities like Eden Harel and Oded Menashe, and athletes such as Rami Gershon. Politicians from Likud, Shas, and beyond seek his brachot (blessings), though he steadfastly avoids politics.
Miracles and Mysticism: The Yanuka's Enduring Appeal
Admirers attribute his magnetism to a rare blend: encyclopedic Torah knowledge, humility, and reported miracles. Stories abound on his YouTube and TikTok channels (managed by aides, he doesn't owns a phone): cancer healings, vanishing tumors, and life-changing brachot. One man, Oshri Cohen, credits the rabbi with curing his abdominal cancer after failed treatments. Another father recounts his son's swollen lymph nodes disappearing post-blessing, baffling doctors.
Critics, however, question the hype. Some decry his online presence as “idolatry." Others see it as exploiting spiritual vulnerability in turbulent times. Yet, supporters counter that his authenticity, refusing payments, shunning politics, and focusing on pure Torah, sets him apart. “A soul like this comes once in a thousand years,” a disciple insists.