Rabbi Zion Cohen Recounts Life-Changing Encounter with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Rabbi Zion Cohen of Or Yehuda recounted a childhood meeting with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef that inspired him to become a rabbi. Attending a lecture in Sderot as a fourth-grader, Cohen was moved by a story and a lesson on spiritual and material focus. He vowed to become a rabbi, a goal he achieved, serving in Sha'ar HaNegev and Or Yehuda. Cohen credits Rabbi Yosef with profoundly influencing his life and spreading Torah and love for Israel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Zion Cohen of Or Yehuda shared a childhood encounter with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef that changed his life.
- As a fourth-grader in Sderot, Cohen attended a lecture by Rabbi Yosef that deeply impacted him.
- A story about the Tzemach Tzedek and a lesson on spiritual and material focus inspired Cohen.
- Cohen vowed to become a rabbi, a path he later pursued and achieved.
- He credited Rabbi Yosef with influencing his rabbinical career and spreading Torah.
Rabbi Zion Cohen, the Chief Rabbi of Or Yehuda, has shared a deeply personal story from his childhood in Sderot, detailing a pivotal encounter with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef that profoundly altered his life's trajectory. The recollection comes ahead of the anniversary of Rabbi Yosef's passing on the 3rd of Cheshvan.
Cohen, then a fourth-grader, attended a lecture by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, who was then the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Yafo. Although he didn't fully grasp the halachic intricacies of the lecture, a story told by Rabbi Yosef about the "Tzemach Tzedek" resonated deeply with him. The story described a competition where the Tzemach Tzedek, as a child, succeeded in hitting a bell when all other students failed, by focusing solely on his goal.
Rabbi Yosef used this anecdote to impart a lesson: "In heavenly matters, always look up to those superior to you to foster spiritual growth, but in earthly matters, focus on what you have, not what you lack." This message profoundly impacted young Cohen.
Inspired by Rabbi Yosef's words and the story, Cohen declared to his grandfather that he would become the rabbi of Sderot and preach from the same platform. This childhood ambition was realized as Cohen grew in his Torah studies and pursued a rabbinical career, eventually serving as rabbi for the Sha'ar HaNegev region and later as Chief Rabbi of Or Yehuda.
Rabbi Cohen expressed immense gratitude to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, crediting him with significant influence on his rabbinical path and for instilling in him a deep love for the Jewish people and Torah. He emphasized Rabbi Yosef's widespread impact through his books, teachings, and dedication to public outreach and love for Israel.
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