Yaakov Ariel (Hebrew: יעקב אריאל) is the former chief rabbi of the city of Ramat Gan, Israel,[1] and one of the leading rabbis of the religious Zionist movement.

He also served as the rabbi of Kfar Maimon for about 25 years.

[2] Born in Jerusalem, Rabbi Ariel learned at the Yeshivat Kfar HaRoeh, Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh, Midrashiat Noam in Pardes Hana, and Mercaz HaRav in Jerusalem.

At Mercaz HaRav, he was one of the most important students of Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda HaCohen Kook.

In 2003, Ariel was a leading candidate for the Israeli Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, but lost due to opposition from the ultra-Orthodox.