Chief Rabbi Slams Court Ban on Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Memorial Event

The Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, has vehemently criticized a High Court of Justice decision, supported by the Attorney General, that prohibits the traditional memorial event for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a revered spiritual leader. Rabbi Yosef urged the public to disregard the ruling, which he described as "strange and discriminatory," declaring, "We don't need to consider them! I call to hold a thousand memorial events for Maran throughout the country!"

He expressed deep pain over what he termed "outrageous discrimination" and a "biased decision," contrasting it with other memorial events for public figures that proceed without interference. "Why don't they prohibit Rabin's memorial? He was a political figure. Maran was a giant of the Torah. We don't need to consider them, we will hold memorial events in every city and every settlement. Everyone loved Maran. No decision will erase the people's love for him. 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper,'" Rabbi Yosef stated, quoting scripture.

The Chief Rabbi emphasized Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's unparalleled status as a spiritual leader who established Torah and leadership for the Jewish people, asserting that the public would not remain silent in the face of this affront to his honor and the traditional memorial.

Alongside his strong call to proceed with the events despite the legal prohibition, Rabbi Yosef made a personal appeal to the public: "Send me your names and I will pray for you at Maran's grave."