Marking the shloshim for Rav Eliyahu Deri z”l, family and close friends of the niftar held a shloshim event in Har Nof’ Toldot Yitzchak Shul. The main speaker was Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita, who told the family that Rav Aryeh Deri is not an “askan” as most believe he is, but a “talmid chacham and a big rav”.

The rav added that following shiva everyone expected to hear from Aryeh Deri regarding general elections, but this was not the case. Rav Ovadia credits Aryeh Deri with establishing many yeshivot, yeshivot that do not discriminate between Ashkenazim and Sephardim.

The rav added that most view him as an askan and simply are unaware of his torah knowledge and who the real person is.

Regarding another son of the niftar, Rav Yehuda Deri, chief rabbi of Beersheva, Rav Ovadia said the rav never stops, visiting shul after shul, always concerning himself with his tzibur. The rav added Rabbi Deri simply understands his position and remains determined to spreading the word of torah.

The rav concluded that the niftar has tremendous merit in the Next World as a result of his sons and the paths they have chosen.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)