Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's Daughters Criticize Shas Leadership, Say Party Deviated From His Path

The daughters of the late Sephardic Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Rivka Chikotai and Adina Bar Shalom, have sharply criticized the current leadership of the Shas party, alleging it has strayed from their father's legacy and teachings. In an interview with Channel 12, they stated that Shas is not following their father's path and is failing to uphold his heritage.

The interview comes amid a controversy over state funding for an upcoming memorial event for Rabbi Yosef. The Attorney General's office decided against subsidizing the event with public funds due to its proximity to elections and concerns it could be used as a political rally. Chikotai clarified that this decision does not prevent the family from holding the memorial, only from using state money. She suggested the issue could have been avoided if Shas had ceded control of the event to a family member, such as her brother Rabbi David Yosef.

Chikotai also described difficulties the sisters face when visiting their father's grave, citing instances where they were prevented from approaching due to their gender. She contrasted this with their upbringing, where she said boys and girls were treated equally. Bar Shalom noted a shift in Shas after her father's passing, claiming the party now prioritizes religious observance over human connection and has adopted characteristics from Ashkenazi and Hasidic traditions.

Both daughters asserted that Rabbi Yosef would have supported the enlistment of Haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) into the army, particularly in times of war. They recalled his encouragement of their children to attend Hesder Yeshivas, which combine religious study with military service. Chikotai stated that if her father were alive today, he would send young men to fight, and Bar Shalom added that he believed in fighting for national security, referencing his writings on the matter.

Regarding Aryeh Deri, the spiritual leader of Shas, Bar Shalom stated she has no contact with him. She explained that she stopped greeting him after he closed a college founded by her father. Bar Shalom also revealed that her mother and father both considered Deri a "hypocrite" and a "liar."

When asked why they decided to speak out after years of silence, Chikotai said, "They drove us crazy. We exploded." She also mentioned that many people tell her they know the current Shas leadership is not good but vote for the party out of respect for her father, a sentiment she believes he would not have supported.