Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita on motzei Shabbos Parshas Devarim 5773 was back in his beis medrash along with HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen Shlita, a member of Shas’ Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael and Rosh Yeshivat Porat Yosef.

Rav Ovadia announced that his son Rav Yitzchak, the author of Yalkut Yosef is his candidate to become the next Rishon L’Tzion. Rav Ovadia called on members of the voting body to cast their ballot for Rav Yitzchak to become Israel’s next Sephardi Chief Rabbi.

Regarding Maran’s other son, Holon Chief Rabbi Avraham Yosef, the Gadol Hador explained he spoke with R’ Avraham and advised him to drop out of the race. Needless to say both sons accepted their father’s decision.

When making the announcement Rav Ovadia stated

“סהדי במורמים שאני מתכוון לשם שמים לטובת עם ישראל ולכן בני ידידי הגאון רבי יצחק הוא המומלץ”… “אני רוצה להגיד לכולם שאני אומר את זה בבריאות ובוודאות שידידי הגאון רבי יצחק הוא המומלץ להיות רב ראשי לעם ישראל להגדיל תורה, לזכות את הרבים”.

The rav opted to comment on recent stories surrounding Shas members Aryeh Deri and Yisrael Atias and the Chief Rabbinate race, stating they acted on his request and instructions, not on their own, seeking to defend their honor amid harsh criticism concerning their recent public activities vis-à-vis the rabbinical election.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)