When Rishon L’Tzion HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef meets with the pope during the papal visit to Israel in June, the rav will be wearing the gold “Luchos HaBris” given to him by Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L.

During the pope’s visit to Jerusalem he will be meeting with both chief rabbis, the Rishon L’Tzion and HaGaon HaRav David Lau Shlita.

The Luchos HaBris was given to Rav Yitzchak by his father weeks before his petira, on the occasion of R’ Yitzchak becoming Rison L’Tzion. The Luchos HaBris was given to Rav Ovadia when he became Rishon L’Tzion decades earlier. Rav Yitzchak tells then when his father gave it to him he said “You will be needing this”.

Rav Ovadia had a custom of wearing them when he met with religious leaders including the pope. The Luchos HaBris was his response to the crucifix worn by the pontiff.

Inscribed on the golden Luchos HaBris is “

“לרבנו הגאון כמוה”ר עובדיה יוסף שליט”א, ליום ההכתרה להרב הראשי לישראל והראשון לציון בהוקרה מאת ועד העדה הספרדית בירושלים”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)