Rabbi Gideon Ben Moshe Recounts 30 Years of Close Encounters with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef

Rabbi Gideon Ben Moshe, a prominent halachic authority, shared intimate details of his 30-year relationship with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, recalling his profound reverence for the late Sephardic leader. Ben Moshe described his own trembling when entering Rabbi Yosef's presence, comparing it to standing before the ancient sage Hida, emphasizing that few truly grasped Rabbi Yosef's stature. He noted Rabbi Yosef's immense intellectual capacity, capable of producing extensive halachic works without modern computer databases, and his meticulous approach to understanding even technical matters before issuing rulings.

Ben Moshe recounted specific instances illustrating Rabbi Yosef's deep engagement with his followers and his dedication to halacha. One story involved a distressed woman who, after receiving a blessing from Rabbi Yosef, committed to a life of religious observance, a transformation Ben Moshe attributed to Rabbi Yosef's heartfelt blessing rather than direct instruction. Another involved Rabbi Yosef's detailed inquiry into the workings of a dishwasher, requiring the disassembly of the appliance by technicians to satisfy his halachic curiosity, ultimately leading to a ruling in his "Yabia Omer" responsa.

The digest also touched upon Rabbi Yosef's impact on Sephardic kashrut standards, asserting that he elevated them by adhering strictly to the Beit Yosef's rulings on issues like "basar chalak" (meat from a non-stunned animal) and "bishul akum" (food cooked by a non-Jew). Ben Moshe clarified that when Rabbi Yosef diverged from the rulings of Rabbi Ben Ish Hai, he was following the Shulchan Aruch and the Jerusalem custom, not disrespecting his predecessor. He also highlighted Rabbi Yosef's deep respect for other Torah scholars, including Rabbi Ben-Zion Abba Shaul, with whom he shared a close friendship despite halachic disagreements.

Rabbi Ben Moshe further described Rabbi Yosef's intense focus, often appearing oblivious to his surroundings when engrossed in study or writing, even when important figures or his wife waited for him. He recalled Rabbi Yosef's deep concern for Torah scholars facing persecution, urging prayer and personal diligence in study as the best response. The digest concluded with Ben Moshe's memory of visiting Rabbi Yosef in intensive care after a heart attack, where the ailing leader humbly requested prayers from the public.