Moshe Nimni Reveals Rare Stories About Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri and Shas Origins

Moshe Nimni, a close associate of the renowned Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri and a founding figure behind the Shas political movement, shared rare personal, spiritual, and political stories in a detailed interview with Yossi Ben Ater on the podcast "Yossi Shel Podcast." Nimni revealed that even after Rabbi Kaduri's passing, he continues to communicate with him spiritually, claiming to hear Kaduri's answers from the walls during late-night conversations.

Nimni recounted how the tragic death of his father in a tire inflation accident changed his life trajectory, leading him to public activism. He described the founding of Shas in Jerusalem, sparked by then-Mayor Teddy Kollek's insistence that political power was necessary to secure even a synagogue plot. This led to the creation of the "Association of Sephardic Torah Guardians," which became a foundational element of Shas.

He disclosed behind-the-scenes details about the involvement of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in politics, noting that initially Rabbi Yaakov Yosef was the leading candidate to head the Shas list. Nimni also discussed his role as chairman of the Jerusalem Religious Council, where he fought to include Rabbi Ovadia's kosher certification in local hotels.

Among the more unusual anecdotes, Nimni shared that Rabbi Kaduri had written a note predicting harm to a public figure who had wronged Nimni, and that the figure suffered a heart attack shortly after. He also described the creation of a large independent Hakafot Shniyot (Simchat Torah celebrations) event for Mizrahi Jews, which grew to attract around 100,000 participants annually.

Nimni highlighted his role in organizing major Shas events and founding the "Beit Yisrael" radio station, aiming to create a Haredi music channel. He criticized some Shas representatives for neglecting Rabbi Kaduri's legacy, noting the lack of proper funding for his memorial events and the absence of a street named after him in Jerusalem.

He also shared personal stories about Rabbi Kaduri's private life, including his care for his younger wife, his smoking habits, and his unique spiritual practices such as talking with angels and preparing tea for the prophet Elijah. Nimni revealed that despite pressure from singer Madonna to meet Rabbi Kaduri, the rabbi refused because the request came through a Kabbalah center rather than directly.

The interview sheds light on the spiritual and political foundations of Shas, Rabbi Kaduri's personality, and Nimni's pivotal role in the movement's early years.