Shas leader Aryeh Deri on Monday, 9 Tammuz 5773 decided to speak out following the verbal assault against Rabbi David Stav by Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita. Chacham Ovadia’s comments, which have elicited a gamut of responses, have taken the election for new chief rabbis to a new level. The Rabbinical Council of America is among the many responding, coming to the defense of Rabbi David Stav, who was at the brunt of Rav Ovadia’s verbal assault.
Deri adds “While in great pain and with responsibility as a leader, Rav Ovadia went to the beis medrash and for several minutes, the rav explained in a heart full fashion and in good taste the reasons that have led him to oppose the candidacy of Rabbi David Stav as the next Chief Rabbi of Israel. Deri feels that the Gadol Hador does not owe anyone an explanation regarding his comments and as such, he as Shas’ leader does not plan to offer any.
Deri told Kikar Shabbos that just two weeks ago we saw prominent dati leumi rabbonim had harsh words for Rav Stav as well. “However, the moment Rav Ovadia comments the public relations folks and lobbyists take advantage of the situation towards advancing Rav Stav’s cause”. Deri lashed out at the media and newspapers, questioning if they have the slightest understanding or interest in “kovod HaTorah and regard for talmidei chachamim”, discarding the validity of their attacks against Maran for his harsh words.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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7 Responses
How about the Gadol haDor come out against all who regard his hechsher (Badatz Beit Yosef) as treif when it comes to beef and chicken?
Rav Ovadia Yosef שליט״א, I’m sure knows שמירת הלשון backwards and forwards to make say something against Rabbi David Stav. Even though I’m אשכנז and Rav Ovadia Yosef is a ספרדי גדול, I wouldn’t doubt his judgement, unless my גדולים tell me to.
I am not in favor of Rav Stav but I do feel that Deri should be back in prison and putting him back incharge was a mistake. While Eli Yishai was in charge Rav Ovadia Shlita got the correct information.
yosef stern, so do you only do what your גדולים tell you what to do?? It is vital to show honor and respect to them, as well as learn and grow from them but what happened to originality. Each Gadol has a slightly different approach to the situation in Eretz Yisroel. If a Gadol told you to jump off a bridge I’m sure you would doubt his judgement. Recall when Hashem instructed Avroham to slaughter his son. We are not on the level of the gedolim or Avrohom Avinu, but show some individualism and originality. Lehavdil, everyone swings the bat differently. I may follow Babe Ruth’s swing exactly, but have little success. Just a thought.
#3 A sane voice.
When the info is given over in a negative way, the response will be harsh rhetoric. Goodbye Deri. Under Yishai there was much to have pride in with the SHAS MKS, now its continued yelling, screaming, behind the back deals and lies.
Eli Yishai was generally respected as a person of integrity even by those who did not agree with him. Aryeh Deri, on the other hand, is not regarded as such. The way things have played out since Deri returned to a leadership position in Shas have only strengthened these views. There are ways to convey strong opposition without name-calling, and Shas was more inclined to go that way when under Deri.
Rav Ovadia, Shlita, is a Gadol b’Torah; in politics, though, he does listen to political advisers – and it’s hard to get a more manipulative, Machiavellian, adviser than Deri. There are definitely better choices than Rav Stav out there – but to call him a Rasha is counterproductive, and just serves to alienate people from Yidishkeit. “Ohev Shalom, v’Rodef Shalom, Ohev es Habri’os u’Mikarvan l’Torah”.
an Israeli Yid
In my comment above, the last sentence should end “when under Yishai”.
an Israeli Yid