Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's Compassion and Influence Highlighted in Anecdotes
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Rabbi Shai Yaakovitz shared anecdotes about the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, highlighting his unique personality and deep empathy. Yosef once advised a scholar on becoming a judge and recounted crying with a couple who had waited 13 years for a child, attributing their eventual birth to the power of shared tears. He also inspired a young boy to study Torah and prophesied greatness for another child named Moshe.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's deep empathy was shown when he cried with a couple who had waited 13 years for a child.
- Rabbi Shai Yaakovitz shared stories of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's influence and unique personality.
- Yosef encouraged a young boy to become a great scholar and rabbi through dedicated study.
- Rabbi Yosef insisted a child be named Moshe, prophesying he would become a great scholar.
- The Chazon Ish and Rabbi Ezra Attia offered differing advice to a scholar considering becoming a judge.
Rabbi Shai Yaakovitz, the rabbi of Naveh Tzuf, shared personal stories illustrating the profound character of the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a revered figure in Sephardic Jewry. Yaakovitz described Yosef as a unique and admirable individual, even if one didn't always agree with him.
One anecdote recounted Yosef's advice to a scholar considering a position as a judge. Initially, the scholar received counsel from the Chazon Ish, who suggested he remain focused on Torah study unless financial need dictated otherwise. However, Rabbi Ezra Attia, Yosef's own teacher, disagreed, believing the scholar was destined to serve as a judge for the Jewish people regardless of financial necessity. Yosef reportedly conveyed this differing opinion.
Rabbi Yaakovitz also emphasized Rabbi Yosef's deep empathy. He shared a story Yosef told about a circumcision ceremony where he served as the "sandak" (godfather). The child's father revealed they had waited 13 years for a child until receiving Rabbi Yosef's blessing. Yosef, recounting this, attributed the "salvation" not to his own power but to the shared tears with the couple, stating, "I will tell you one thing. When he came to me and told me they had no children for thirteen years, I cried with him together. We simply cried together, and tears have power."
Further illustrating Yosef's impact, Yaakovitz described how Yosef encouraged a pre-Bar Mitzvah boy, pointing to stacks of books and urging him to study diligently, predicting he would become a great rabbi. In another instance, at a circumcision, Rabbi Yosef insisted the child be named Moshe, prophesying he would author a book titled "Vayedaber Moshe" and become a significant figure. The mohel later confirmed the child grew into a great scholar.
Mentioned
