Shas Chairman Deri Recounts Dramatic Election of Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Shas Chairman Arieh Deri recounted the dramatic 2013 election of Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef as Sephardic Chief Rabbi, which occurred while Rabbi Ovadia Yosef was critically ill. Deri described bringing voters to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's bedside and his subsequent prayers and tears of joy upon his son's victory. He also detailed Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's insistence on attending his son's investiture ceremony despite severe health issues.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Shas Chairman Arieh Deri revealed details of the 2013 election of Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef as Sephardic Chief Rabbi.
- The election occurred while Rabbi Ovadia Yosef was critically ill and in severe pain.
- Voters were brought to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's bedside to secure his son's election.
- Rabbi Ovadia Yosef prayed intensely and wept tears of joy upon hearing of his son's victory.
- Despite doctors' orders, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef attended his son's investiture ceremony.
Shas Chairman Arieh Deri has shared a rare account of the dramatic events surrounding the election of Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef as the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel in Tammuz 5773 (July 2013). The election took place while Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the spiritual leader of Shas, was gravely ill and suffering from severe back pain, requiring a specialist from France.
Deri described how, with Shas in political opposition and the Ministry of Religious Services controlled by others, they brought members of the electoral body to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's bedside. The ailing Rabbi, enduring immense pain, personally pleaded with each voter, a scene Deri recalled as deeply moving and tense, with fears of losing the election still present.
On election day, Ashdod Mayor Dr. Yechiel Lasri, a physician, arrived at Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's home and was visibly shocked by his condition. Lasri cast his vote just minutes before the polls closed, becoming the final voter.
Following the vote count, a distraught Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, fearing embarrassment, prayed intensely. Upon hearing of his son Yitzchak's victory, he wept tears of gratitude. Deri recounted personally informing Rabbi Ovadia Yosef of the win and witnessing his profound joy.
Deri also detailed the ceremony for Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef's investiture as Rishon LeZion. Despite doctors forbidding travel due to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's critical state, the elder Rabbi insisted on attending the ceremony at the historic 'Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakai' synagogue in Jerusalem's Old City. Deri took responsibility for arranging the transport, and Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, with trembling hands, placed the ceremonial cap on his son's head.
On the return journey, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef expressed his contentment, telling Deri, "It was worth it, the happiest of men!" Deri described this moment as the most emotional, cherishing the memory of his spiritual leader's smile.
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