Speaking with reporters amid rumors of a power struggle surrounding the selection of a successor to Maran HaGaon HaRav Chaim Ovadia Yosef Shlita, Rabbi Moshe Shlomo Amar Shlita explained “we are at a turning point. Our hearts are broken and we lack the ability to express our pain regarding the situation.”
When asked about who will take over for Rav Chaim Ovadia, Rav Amar stated “Please this is not the time. There is no one worthy. I can say at least for myself, I am unworthy of such a task… It is a joke to even believe anyone can step into Maran’s footsteps. At present, such discussion lacks sensitivity and it is simply not acceptable. I ask mechila for even speaking with you on this.”
Rav Amar continues citing the rulings of Rav Yosef on issues including mamzerus and agunos, adding “who can step into these shoes and address these issues as Maran does?”
Rav Amar continues with a tefilla that Rav Chaim Ovadia will open his eyes, stand up and continue leading us and this must be our focus at present, nothing else.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
6 Responses
Successor to WHAT? WHAT position is this referring to?
Successor to being head of the political party SHAS?
Successor to being Rosh Yeshiva of the yeshiva?
Successor to WHAT?
No one is appointed to being a godol. Being a godol isn’t a singular position. There are multiple gedolim at the same time.
You don’t “appoint” a godol. And you don’t crown a godol based on when a previous godol is niftar.
Other than being a retired government rabbi, his only “position” is as the posek for Shas, and one assumes that Shas has an advisory council in place even if everyone knew that R. Yosef’s positions on issues were more important than the rest.
“Gadol” is not a job title, so it isn’t a matter of appointment or having a successor. And since YWN wrote the article (as opposed to when you pick up an article from some goyish news sources), you should know better.
Quote – “Please this is not the time…At present, such discussion lacks sensitivity and it is simply not acceptable.”
Sounds familiar. I had a number of commentator challenge me on a previous article in which I stated the same thing in my comment.
Rav Cohen’s words were not enough for them. How about Rav Amar’s words?
his only “position” is as the posek for Shas
That is quite an UNDERSTATEMENT, he and in the past Rav Mordechai Eliyahu were the Rabbanim of the Sefardic Kehillos of Eretz Yisroel far surpassing the clutches of the Shas party.
shas will probably split into two groups, the Deris and the Yishi’s. S’fardis will follow local poseks.
Rav Ovadia’s mantels are much too much for one person to take.