Shas's Council of Sages Intervenes in Dispute Over Rabbi Tzedakah's Letter
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Five members of Shas's Council of Torah Sages visited Rabbi Moshe Tzedakah to persuade him to change his position after signing a letter opposing the party. The letter prohibits voting for Shas due to its willingness to draft yeshiva students not actively studying. Rabbi Tzedakah's signature is a significant challenge for Shas leadership during the election campaign.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Five Shas Council of Torah Sages members visited Rabbi Moshe Tzedakah to alter his stance.
- Rabbi Tzedakah signed a letter opposing Shas over its policy on drafting yeshiva students.
- The letter prohibits voting for Shas, impacting the party during elections.
- Rabbi Tzedakah is a highly influential Sephardic rabbinical authority.
- Kabbalist Rabbi Bneiahu Shmueli influenced Rabbi Tzedakah's decision.
Five out of seven members of the Council of Torah Sages for the Shas party visited the home of Rabbi Moshe Tzedakah on Tuesday evening in an effort to change his stance following his signing of a letter opposing the party. Among those who visited Rabbi Tzedakah, a senior Sephardic yeshiva dean and head of the Porat Yosef Yeshiva in Jerusalem, were the President of the Council of Torah Sages Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, senior council member Rabbi Moshe Maya, Rabbi Avraham Salim, Rabbi Yehuda Cohen, and Rabbi Shmuel Betzalel.
The dispute stems from a letter Rabbi Tzedakah was expected to sign, which prohibits voting for Shas. The reason cited is the party's willingness to draft yeshiva students who are not actively studying. Rabbi Tzedakah's decision to sign the letter reportedly followed efforts by Kabbalist Rabbi Bneiahu Shmueli, who is considered close to Rabbi Tzedakah.
This development is considered dramatic for Shas, given Rabbi Tzedakah's standing as one of the preeminent Sephardic rabbis and an influential figure in the Sephardic yeshiva world. His signature on the letter, during an election campaign, presents Shas leadership with a particularly sensitive rabbinical and political challenge.
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