Not everyone in Shas is pleased with an idea which is gaining momentum, with supporters of the former party leader, Rabbi Aryeh Deri, calling to appoint him as the party present, immediately, before the February 10th general elections.
Last week, a number of rabbonim and askanim visited Rabbi Shalom Cohen Shlita, a member of Shas’ Council of Torah Sages, suggesting that Deri be appointed as the party’s present, a move to orchestra his reentry into the political arena.
The rabbonim explained that Deri will bring votes and appointing him now will assist the party in election, adding that in eight months, when his moral turpitude clause has elapsed, he can be appointed to a senior administrative post in the party. One of the rabbonim pushing heavily for the move is Rav David Yosef, a son of Rav Ovadia Shlita.
Rav Shalom has decided not to respond and it appears he is placing the decision in the lap of Rav Ovadia.
Yishai aides were fuming at the concept, telling the media the Rav is opposed to the move. Deri aides on the other hand report the Rav has yet to decide.
Rav David Yosef, who is currently not in the country, stated “I love Deri with all my heart and I am certain anything he is involved in will succeed.”
Shas officials refused an official comment. Deri stated he personally is unaware of the ongoing process.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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7 Responses
While Shas politicians sometimes sound like politicians, they end up letter their Rav decide. They are basically arguing over how to ask the shailoh, which is what a frum political party should do.
Why this is important, is that Shas competes for a broader range of votes than the Asheknazi Hareidim. Indeed, if Shas led a union of the various Shomer Shabbos parties (who generally agree on economics, but not on foreign or military issues), it would have enough seats to switch from being a small party that “bids” to be a junior partner, to becoming the senior party that gets to pick a smaller party and run the country. If you are hoping for a peaceful transition to a Jewish state in Eretz Yisrael in the near future, Shas is probably the best bet.
akuperma,
Were hoping for a peaceful transition away from the tziyonim and towards Moshiach.
Meshiach is preceeded by Hevlei Meshiach. I’ld much prefer a peaceful transition in Olam HaZeh.
Great comment #4 – but the gedolei yisroel disagreee…
Mr. Editor,
Please change “party present” to “party president” in the first paragraph. Shabbat shalom.
Let us remember that he was convicted of taking $155,000 in bribes while serving as Interior Minister. I think that perfectly qualifies him to be a great politician.
The truth is he is a brilliant man because he got every frum person to think that his conviction was an anti-frum crusade… irrelivant if the charges are true of false. No that is smart.
Sefradim have always been CHaredei-lite and relate to a wider group of voters.