Shas party leader is angry at the Haaretz newspaper, which he feels should be embarrassed for daring to speak about Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L as it does. Deri adds that despite Haaretz’s allegations, Maran contributed immensely and his Torah and actions have left an indelible mark for generations to come.

Haaretz correspondent Rogel Alper wrote a commentary about a Channel 20 documentary, part of a series on prominent Israelis. Haaretz writes about the segment on HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L .

In the article Alper writes that while Rav Ovadia was believed to have been a genius, he was not too smart for if he were smart, he would have entered academics and not just devout himself exclusively to Torah. Alper deduces that since he did not enter the academic world, limiting himself to Torah study, Rav Ovadia had an extremely narrow view, one he compares to “ants” and how unfortunate it is that Rav Ovadia did not enter other fields that would have permitted him to contribute to society at large.

Hashem Yerachem – as the article then moves to attack all religious Jews who feel Torah study is sufficient for them. The writer insists there is no G-d and therefore followers like Rabbi Yosef are “fools” and “stupid”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)