Rabbi Yehuda Deri, the chief Sephardi rav of Beersheva sees himself as a candidate for the position Sephardi chief rabbi of Israel as the 10-year term of the current rabbonim is winding down. Rabbi Yehuda Deri is an older brother to former Shas leader Rav Aryeh Deri.

Interestingly, Deri is aware that Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita has already signaled his desire to see Rishon L’Tzion HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Moshe Amar continue for a second term. This has prompted a bill to permit chief rabbis to serve a second term. Deri however indicates he wants the spot.

There are 150 people who cast a ballot for the chief rabbis, including 80 public officials and 70 rabbonim, including 10 officials who operate under the Ministry of Religious Services, so it is clear they will follow the minister’s instruction, which means they will vote as instructed by Rav Ovadia.

Rav Deri is credited with writing 15 seforim, seforim found in the studies of dayanim and rabbonim, some with an approbation from Maran Rav Shach zt”l and Maran Rav Ovadia Shlita. They expound on Shulchan Aruch, primarily halachos required for one to be certified by the Chief Rabbinate for dayanus.

When asked by Chadrei Chareidim if he plans to run for the chief rabbi position, Rav Deri explained that he has been serving as a chief rabbi for over a quarter of a century, for 10 years in the Ramot neighborhood of Yerushalayim and for 15 years in Beersheva and from his perspective, any position available in the rabbanus field is a viable option from his perspective.

He highlights the difficulties, complexities and demands of the chief rabbi post; a post which he explains demands a person with a wealth of experience in areas including batei din and kashrus. Rav Deri explains that he consults regularly with Rav Ovadia and HaRosh Yeshiva HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita, adding the latter has attended a siyum Shas in Beersheva twice in the past. He also speaks of his close relationship with Rav Ovadia and that he is a “ben bayis” at the rav’s home and it is Rav Ovadia who has guided him his entire life.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)