With wisdom rooted in Torah, rare insight into technology, and a surprising connection between religion, blockchain, and AI — Rabbi Yaakov Shriki is quietly becoming one of the most intriguing figures in Israel today.
In the southern Israeli town of Netivot, where the rhythms of tradition beat strong and steady, a quiet force of leadership has been rising — not with fanfare, but with depth. Rabbi Yaakov Shriki, just 38 years old, walks the line between the ancient and the emerging, bringing Torah wisdom, ethical clarity, and even financial foresight to a growing circle of students, followers, and professionals in Israel and beyond.
Locals have begun calling him “The Lighthouse from Netivot” — not because of public speeches or social media, but because of the way he stands: tall, rooted, and quietly illuminating the path for others.
A Rabbi of the Present, Not Just the Past
Over the past decade, Rabbi Shriki has built a modest institution for Torah study and personal growth in Netivot. Unlike more established figures with thousands of students, his following is still emerging — but growing fast, driven by the sense that his voice speaks not only to the soul, but to the times.
Holiday after holiday, Rabbi Shriki mobilizes support for families in need — arranging food packages, visiting homes, and ensuring no one is left behind. “He does everything without noise,” one community member says. “But if you pay attention, you’ll see his fingerprints on hundreds of acts of kindness.”
A Spiritual Take on Technology
What sets Rabbi Shriki apart is not only his deep knowledge of Torah, but his rare ability to see spiritual meaning in modern systems — especially in technology. He has spoken privately and passionately about blockchain not as just a financial tool, but as a moral structure.
> “The block contains the data,” he explains. “And data is power. But the chain — the chain is the people. It’s their agreement to preserve something meaningful together.”
To Shriki, blockchain mirrors the values of a healthy society: voluntary consensus, shared purpose, and trust built not through control but through alignment.
> “When people choose to align around shared values,” he says, “they create something stronger than any authority — they build real trust.”
It’s a message he’s shared not only in the beit midrash, but in quiet conversations with tech founders, entrepreneurs, and even politicians — some of whom now call him not just their rabbi, but their advisor.
The Quiet NVIDIA Prediction That Paid Off Big
Years before most of the world had heard of OpenAI, Rabbi Shriki saw something deeper unfolding.
In a quiet conversation with one of his close followers — a well-known Israeli businessman — he made a bold suggestion: “Don’t look at the companies building the intelligence. Look at the ones building the infrastructure.”
The company he named? NVIDIA. The investor followed the advice, and the results were extraordinary.
This wasn’t the first time Rabbi Shriki had offered insight like this. Years earlier, he had quietly urged people in his circle to explore Bitcoin, speaking not from hype, but from principle. “There is something here about freedom, responsibility, and ownership,” he had said. “This will change things.”
Despite the accuracy of his predictions, Rabbi Shriki has never profited from this knowledge. He doesn’t charge for advice, and he discourages being called an “investor.” He sees his role as something else.
> “My job is to help others succeed,” he says. “Their job is to help those who didn’t have that same opportunity.”
Deep Roots, Wide Reach
Though his presence remains local, his reach is global. Over the years, Rabbi Shriki has developed quiet but meaningful relationships with influential figures in the business and political worlds — in Israel, the United States, Italy, the UAE, Russia, and more. He does not advertise these connections, nor does he drop names.
> “If someone gives you their trust,” he says, “you guard it with everything.”
Alongside his rabbinic work, Rabbi Shriki is also a trained student of alternative medicine. His understanding of the body, mind, and spirit allows him to counsel people holistically — whether they're struggling with anxiety, illness, or personal crisis.
Family First
Despite his growing influence, Rabbi Shriki speaks most proudly of his home. He is married, with three children, and often pauses to emphasize the role his wife plays in every aspect of his life. “She is my partner in everything,” he says. “She gives me strength and clarity.”
Those close to him say it’s not uncommon to see the rabbi sitting on the floor with one of his children on a Friday afternoon, reading books before Shabbat. In a world of rush and ego, he remains steady — like a lighthouse.
A New Kind of Leadership
Rabbi Yaakov Shriki doesn’t ask to be followed. He doesn’t sell books or seek applause. But people follow him anyway — drawn to the combination of spiritual depth, worldly insight, and quiet, unwavering values.
In a time when public figures rise fast and fall faster, the Lighthouse from Netivot stands tall — guiding not with sound, but with light.
This article was written in cooperation with Tom White