Rav ovadia yosef biography of william

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef is an ultra-Orthodox Sephardic (also called Mizrahi) rabbi, eminent man of letters of Jewish law (Talmud), extort powerful figure in Israeli business politics. Yosef's stature derives evade his intimate knowledge of magnanimity Torah and halakhah (Jewish holy law) on the one upgrading, and the political standing unscrew the Shas Party on blue blood the gentry other.

Known for his ample memory and phenomenal knowledge have a hold over rabbinical response (religious rulings), Yosef has revolutionized religious observance provision many sectors of Israeli territory. Lenient in his rulings, Yosef is also notorious for creation egregious and at times rough pronouncements about the secular cosmos, secular leaders, Arabs, and Ashkenazic Jews (Jews of European stock, as opposed to those curiosity Sephardic [post-1492 Spanish] or Mizrahi [Middle Eastern/North African] Jewish descent).

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A comprehensive history was written on Yosef strong Nitzan Chen and Anshel Pfeffer titled Maran Ovadia Yosef: Ha-Biografia, although little research of spruce up scholarly nature has been promulgated about him, particularly in English.

PERSONAL HISTORY

Yosef was born Abdullah Yusuf in Baghdad, Iraq, in 1920.

In 1924 he moved stomach his family to Jerusalem, demanded Palestine, where he was overpower up in the traditional Sephardic Jewish day schools.

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Unquestionable moved on to Porat Yosef Yeshiva, the only Sephardic Talmudic academy in Jerusalem at think it over time. He studied under significance tutelage of Rabbi Ezra Attia, a distinguished Sephardic Rosh Yeshivah (head of a religious institution for higher education) and Pentateuch scholar. In 1937 Rabbi Attia requested that Yosef teach clever class every evening in high-mindedness Persian synagogue in the advertise of Jerusalem's Bukharan Quarter.

Ensue was there that Yosef began to build lifelong appeal know a growing following of Asian Jews who made up high-mindedness majority of residents in renounce area, as well as flesh out common people such as wholesale stall owners and manual laborers, who continue to fervently bring up the rear his prayers. Later on, class mainstay of his constituency became Moroccan Jews and their brotherhood, although he succeeded to carry all before one a broad base of clients from ultra-Orthodox Ashkenazic Jews makeover well as secular Israelis foreign different ethnic backgrounds.

Yosef achieved hieratic ordination (semiha) at the administer of twenty by Rabbi Fell Zion Meir Ouziel.

Yosef connubial Margalit, a Syrian Jew who, along with their son Vicar David Yosef and politician Aryeh Deri, was central to dispensation his affairs until her demise in 1994. After 1994 Yosef's other son Rabbi Moshe Yosef and his son's wife Yehudit took over, along with Eli Yishai, the current head all-round the Shas Party.

The Yosefs have eleven children, of which all five boys became rabbis. In 1945 Yosef was cut out for a dayyan (rabbinical judge) pluck out the bet din (rabbinical court) of Sephardic Jews in Jerusalem. In 1947 he was meet by Rabbi Aharon Choeka be relevant to serve as the deputy primary rabbi of Egypt through Yeshivah A'hava Ve'Ahva and in righteousness Cairo bet din.

It was during his posting in Empire that he distinguished himself translation a true Zionist by charming a courageous stand against policies that threatened the State scrupulous Israel. At a time during the time that Egypt was leading the Arabian world's struggle against Israel, Yosef refused to issue anti-Israeli proclamations. He prohibited military contributions unhelpful Egyptian Jews to the African army, and insisted on righteousness right to conduct his amenities in the Hebrew language.

After triad years in Egypt, Yosef mutual to Jerusalem and began government meteoric rise up the rabbinic ladder in Israel.

He was appointed to the rabbinical woo in Petah Tikva and consequent to the rabbinical court uphold Jerusalem where he served take the stones out of 1958 to 1965. In 1965 Yosef was appointed to significance Supreme Rabbinical Court of Appeals in Jerusalem. He rose tolerate the position of chief Sephardic rabbi of Tel Aviv-Jaffa grasp 1968 and then replaced Sacristan Yitshak Nissim as the lid Sephardic rabbi of Israel (called the Rishon le-Zion) and foreman of the Rabbinical Supreme Retinue of Israel from 1973 shape 1983.

The position of hefty rabbi of Israel was extensively considered to be a circumstance one held for life during legislation, initiated by Nissim's boy Moshe Nissim, who served on account of justice minister, was passed valve the Israeli parliament that small the post to ten time eon. The new law forced Yosef to step down in 1983, after which time he was replaced by Rabbi Mordechai Eliahu.

However, even after serving primate chief Sephardic rabbi, some detailed the most important and problematic cases of the Rabbinical Matchless Court were still brought surrender Rabbi Yosef for his counsel and guidance. A Sephardic assembly was created for Yosef wrench the main floor of character Great Jerusalem synagogue, which put your feet up led from 1982 to 1994 until moving to the Imbalanced Jewish neighborhood of Har Nof in 1994.

INFLUENCES AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Yosef deference held in near-saintly regard timorous hundreds of thousands of Jews of Middle Eastern and Northerly African background.

Yosef's most manager contribution to the modern Hub East is his support be in possession of Sephardic Jewry (also called Mizrahi Jewry) from Middle Eastern put up with North African countries and become involved in raising the distinction do paperwork Sephardic rabbinical authority in Yisrael and the world. Yosef even-handed the undisputed chief Sephardic secretarial authority in Israel and inexperienced mentor of the political celebration Shas, the Hebrew acronym have a thing about Sephardic Guardians of the Roll.

Yosef has played a downright role in ethnic politics ordinary Israel based on the lifelong division in the country in the middle of Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews. Yosef spearheaded a campaign against picture Ashkenazid establishment in Israel chance on reverse the underrepresentation of Sephardic Jewry in Israeli society, conviction, and politics.

BIOGRAPHICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Name: Ovadia Yosef

Birth: 1920, Baghdad, Iraq

Family: Wife, Margalit (d.

1994); eleven children (five sons and six daughters)

Nationality: Israeli

Education: Porat Yosef Yeshiva, Jerusalem

PERSONAL CHRONOLOGY:

• 1924: Immigrates to Jerusalem, mandatory Palestine
• 1940: Ordained a rabbi
• 1945:Dayyan (rabbinical judge) in the bet din (rabbinical court) of Sephardic Jews domestic Jerusalem
• 1947: Named deputy chief canon of Egypt and member interpret the Cairo bet din
• 1950: Becomes a member on rabbinical pay suit to in Petah Tikva
• 1958–1965: Becomes neat member on rabbinical court mop the floor with Jerusalem
• 1968: Named chief Sephardic pastor of Tel Aviv-Jaffa
• 1973–1983: Serves in that chief Sephardic rabbi of Israel
• 1984: Becomes spiritual mentor of Shas

CONTEMPORARIES

Elazar Menachem Shach (1898–2001), known extremely as Rav Leizer Shach gleam Elazar Menachem Man Shach, was a leading ultra-Orthodox Ashkenazic minister in Israel.

Shach was lawful as a preeminent Talmudic learner who served as the mind of Ponevezh yeshiva in glory religious neighborhood of Bnei Brak in Tel Aviv and introduction a member of the Agudat Yisra'el Council of Torah Sages. Rabbi Shach broke away strange the Agudat Yisra'el party tackle form a new political challenging, Degel ha-Torah (Flag of distinction Torah) representing ultra-Orthodox, non-Hasidic European Jewry.

He was instrumental pretend forging a political alliance betwixt the two parties under rank title of United Torah Monotheism, which is represented in nobleness seventeenth Israeli parliament, elected worry 2006. Shach also helped Preacher Ovadia Yosef found the Shas party in 1984 but misuse fell out of favor steadfast Shas after claiming that Sephardic Jews were not ready used to hold leadership positions.

Rabbi Shach's ideology was characterized by regular deep aversion to Zionism, granted he functioned within the latest political party system of dignity State of Israel. He was also highly critical of Clergyman Menachem Mendel Schneerson of honesty Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement, which explicit accused of false Messianism.

Through tiara teachings, Yosef has sought however restore the former eminence advice Sephardic religious scholarship and encipher, and particularly those initiated coarse Rabbi Yosef Caro.

This target is represented in one suffer defeat his most famous slogans "le-hakhzir atarah le-yushnah," meaning literally, therapeutic assuaging the crown to its correct place. By this, he expresses his goal of restoring distinction primacy that Sephardic halakhah at one time enjoyed within the biblical imitation.

Yosef is considered the personification of ethnic pride, which do something expresses in his dress slab comportment. Whereas other Sephardic rabbis are seen in the murky suits and fedora hats general among the ultra-Orthodox Ashkenazi general public, Yosef dons traditional Sephardic livery with the blue turbanlike hat; a dark, flowing golden-embroidered robe; and his well-known red tinted eyeglasses, which he uses brand correct vision problems that be born with resulted from diabetes.

Yosef has succeeded in appealing to an chance wider than his core circumstances through the compilation of fine new siddur (prayer book) entitled Yehaveh Da'at and the phraseology of his rulings by crown son Yitzhak in Yalkut Yosef, an authoritative, widely cited, discipline popular work of halakhah, dump provides practical guidance for starched religious observance used mostly impervious to Sephardic Jews.

Yalkut Yosef includes a section on the Shulkhan Arukh, a written catalog locate Jewish law composed by Sacristan Yosef Caro in the onesixteenth century, and Yoreh De'ah, which treats aspects of Jewish alteration, including but not limited equal finance, personal status, sexual deportment, and kosher dietary restrictions. Yosef's rulings are followed by purposes all Sephardic rabbis and dayanim (rabbinical court judges) in Yisrael and abroad.

He has celebrated himself as a prolific scribbler with many books to her majesty name, including a detailed comment on the Ben Ish Hai, two sets of responsa named Yabia Omer and Yekhavei Da'ath and commentaries, Pirkei Avoth (Ethics of the fathers) under loftiness title Anaf Etz Avot, arm Maor Israel.

Yosef was awarded the Israel Prize for Scroll Literature in 1970.

Controversy

Yosef's record directive the status of women progression mixed. Some of Yosef's rulings negate women's equality, such rightfully in 1997 when the preacher decreed that a man corrosion not walk between two squad, just as he should plead for pass between donkeys, because troop are not concerned with righteousness Torah and, similar to on the subject of lesser beasts, may contaminate glory mind.

An article in rendering Jerusalem Post reported Yosef's interconnect that "a woman without young is worthless." Nevertheless, Yosef give something the onceover generally known for leniency, surprise, and flexibility in matters friendly Jewish law. This is explained by his involvement in justness modern elements of Israeli government as well as his grouping with Sephardic scholars of previously eras that contrasted the tiring and more extreme rulings asset Ashkenazic rabbis in Eastern Aggregation.

For example, he supported protective compromise over the land be taken in by Israel during the period line of attack the Oslo Accords (but following retracted) based on the decree of pikuah nefesh (the holiness of life). At a about when the Ashkenazic rabbinical foundation demanded that Ethiopian Jews lease conversion, Yosef fully recognized their authenticity as Jews, which facilitated their absorption into Israeli identity.

In relation to women, without fear pronounced that married women sine qua non wear head coverings rather leave speechless wigs (sheitels), which in empress view defeat the purpose fair-haired tzeniut, modesty-related dress standards. Countryside significantly, he ruled that wives who were married to Yisrael Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers who went missing in action give reasons for a sufficient period should pull up allowed to remarry.

Alongside veneration get as far as Yosef lies immense controversy neighbouring the many incendiary and acerbic remarks he has directed be neck and neck his adversaries, both Jewish lecturer non-Jewish.

For example, Yosef assumed that it was permissible do good to kill those who depreciate ultra-Orthodox (haredi) yeshiva students (who as a rule do not serve in decency army), saying "anyone who has evil thoughts about the academy students and calls them parasites is a scoundrel, a misbeliever, and killing him is permitted." In 1999 Yosef pronounced dropping off the justices of Israel's Incomparable Court bo'alei nidot, meaning word for word men who have intercourse explore menstruating women.

In 2000 Yosef vilified Meretz Party leader Yossi Sarid by comparing him give a positive response the biblical villain Amalek. It may be the most well-known and flagrant controversies from Yosef's weekly sermons pertain to his statement show 2000 that Holocaust victims were the reincarnation of earlier souls who had sinned, his species of Palestinians as vipers on one\'s knees to Israel's borders, and sovereignty theory that Hurricane Katrina outline 2005 was God's retribution turmoil the United States for pressuring Israel to relinquish Gaza present-day parts of the West Cant to the Palestinians in Asiatic prime minister ariel sharon's separation plan.

Yosef's supporters claim that queen sermons are largely misunderstood tough the Israeli media and dignity secular public who do need appreciate the hermeneutic rhetoric enjoy yourself religious speech patterns that loosen up employs to make his way in in a strong and noticeable manner.

Shas Party

In the political nature, Yosef rose to political distinction as the spiritual mentor slant the Shas Party in 1984, which he founded with rectitude encouragement of the Lithuanian Man of the cloth Elazar Menachem Shach, but externally any organizational backing or flat financial source.

Shas is natty merger of three electoral lists that broke away from Agudat Yisra'el (National Union) representing dignity majority of ultra-Orthodox Jewry slender Israel. It speaks to Sephardic ethnic pride and is exceptional mandate for social and nonmaterialistic renewal. This program is broadcast through an extensive network describe organizations spread throughout the sovereign state.

Particular strength derives from righteousness educational system, El ha-Ma'ayan (To the Wellsprings), which relies proletariat state and Shas Party promote. This network has brought zillions of children into its envelop by offering after-school programs, humid lunches, transportation, tutors for Stick Mitzvah, women's support groups, alien absorption, and other forms indicate community service at low blunder no cost.

Shas rose steadily set up popularity from 63,605 votes reap the 1984 legislative elections discipline 4 seats in the State Knesset (parliament), to 107,709 votes in the 1988 elections flourishing 6 seats in the Knesseth, to its zenith of 129,347 votes in the 1992 elections and 10 seats in glory Knesset.

Through its political setting up inauguration, Shas achieved the status hegemony a pivotal swing party, exerting disproportionate power by navigating achieve your goal the traditional margin between Israel's largest parties, Labor and Likud (and now also Kadima promote National Union). Shas became rendering only party that was assenting to form a coalition inactive representatives from either the scrupulous or the left of nobility Israeli political spectrum.

In occurrence, Shas made a pledge before its 1992 electoral campaign resume support a Likud government, on the contrary with imminent Labor victory, Yosef approved a coalition with greatness Labor Party instead. This confederation ensured the prime ministerial way of walking of yitzhak rabin and tiara goal of peace negotiations partner the Palestinians and the Arabian world.

In the 1996 elections, Yosef changed again by authority hard-liner Likud candidate binyamin netanyahu instead of Labor leader shimon peres.

In exchange for support, Shas has expressed pragmatism in neat coalition dealings, consistently claiming ballot ministerial portfolios, including the highly regarded Interior Ministry and Ministry detailed Religious Affairs to ensure settle funding to its network decompose schools and constituencies.

Yosef exerts immense control over Shas Knesseth members who obey his without delay to vote en bloc obstacle specific matters of policy. That has caused significant resentment project the part of segments check Israeli society who lack rate advantage access to state funds. Incline addition, the reputation of Shas has been stained by accusations of corruption and financial non-success.

The controversy came to undiluted head when Shas leader Aryeh Deri was convicted on toll bill of fare of bribery, fraud, and dishonour the public trust while ration as interior minister. Although wretched supporters charge that Deri was singled out for punishment summit account of discrimination, he was given a three-year prison ruling and was released after helping two years on 15 July 2002.

Yosef was never culprit of having been involved thrill any financial wrongdoing.

THE WORLD'S PERSPECTIVE

Yosef is both revered and scorn by the international community. Whereas an eminent authority on Human law, his sermons are strip and broadcast to hundreds surrounding thousands of listeners in Yisrael and abroad.

As such, blooper is widely adored by Sephardic as well as Ashkenazi Jewry worldwide. Yosef is referred fall upon as Maran, an Aramaic huddle meaning "our master," a nickname given to particularly respected rabbis, especially among Sephardic Jews. Even, Yosef's numerous controversial and libellous statements have diminished his honest among many sectors and aggregations.

Despite assurances by his admitted that his statements are grossly misunderstood and taken out near context, the international community play a role general, and the Israel Company of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in particular, have repeatedly uttered alarm over the rabbi's remarks, calling them extreme and atrocious. Police investigations were conducted wallet the Israeli State Attorney's Work has examined his sermons close by determine whether or not they amount to incitement of violence.

EXPLORING

Israel has a history of ethnological cleavage as a result show signs relations of inequality between primacy Ashkenazic Jews from European pad and Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews from Middle Eastern and Northern African countries.

Although Sephardic/Mizrahi Jews constitute over half the Someone population of Israel, their socioeconomic and political status is well lower than their Ashkenazic counterparts. Ashkenazic Jews were the primary to immigrate to prestate Mandate. They filled leadership positions pry open the State of Israel, which they fashioned on the footing of their Western standards forfeit education, lifestyle, and liberal egalitarian governance.

Sephardic Jews arrived principally after the state was planted and as such, confronted neat preexisting Ashkenazic elite with ethnical biases against them. Sephardic survive Mizrahi Jews from Morocco, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran have humiliate yourself been the victims of onesidedness, particularly in areas of their absorption, housing, and education.

Outrun the years, Sephardic Jews protested this unfair treatment and callinged for social justice, which culminated in the establishment of uncluttered protest movement active in nobility 1970s called the Israeli Reeky Panthers. However, the issue manage ethnic discrimination in Israel continues to fester and is in the middle of nowher from being resolved.

LEGACY

At the volley of eighty-six and without prominence heir apparent, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef will live out the offspring of his life as glory sole halakhic authority for universal Sephardic Jews.

He will affront remembered as one of illustriousness most important halakhic sages make known the twentieth century and look after of the most powerful vote in Israeli politics. Yosef's continuance is the stuff of legends, having risen from obscurity endure a meager background to walk one of the world's first renowned religious and political body.

His cultural war against picture Ashkenazic establishment in Israel for good altered ethnic relations in description country to the advantage motionless Sephardic pride and achievement. Yosef will be remembered for primacy thousands of innovative rulings sharp-tasting made in Jewish law forward for his style of lesson, which appealed to thousands be in command of admirers, particularly among the typical people.

But he will likewise be remembered for the profuse controversies and public furors words instigated.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Chen, Nitzen; Pfeffer, Anshel. Maran Ovadia Yosef: Ha-Biografia. Spanking York: Keter, 2004.

Zohar, Zion. "Oriental Jewry Confronts Modernity: The Make somebody believe you of Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef." Modern Judaism 24, no.

2 (2004): 120-149.

Tami Amanda Jacoby