In his address on motzei Shabbos during the one year yahrzeit atzeres in the Yazdi Shul for Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L, head of the Shas Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael Rabbi Shalom Cohen Shlita released an unprecedented scathing attack against Kol Berama Radio. The rav then called for a “Vaad Ruchanis” to supervise the chareidi radio, stating the current reality on the radio include an abhorrent disregard for Kovod HaTorah.

Rav Cohen received a number of examples, cases in which rabbonim shlita were ridiculed on chareidi radio. The rav added if a rabbinical board is established, he would be able to back the station as did Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L.

Coming to the defense of Kol Berama Radio is Mekubal Rabbi Binayahu Shmueli Shlita, who rejected the legitimacy of Rav Cohen’s harsh criticism. Rav Shmueli explained there may be room for occasional comment or criticism but not the scathing attack that was heard from Rav Cohen.

Rav Shmueli was on the air on Sunday afternoon 2 Marcheshvan to make his position clear. He added it is a mitzvah to listen to the station which was established by Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L. He added it was through the efforts of Kol Berama that many merited hearing shiurim of Maran.

Once again the machlokes is yet another example of the ongoing split in the chareidi Sephardi community.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)