While deal-making in the race for new chief rabbis of Israel continues, it appears that for today, Thursday 22 Iyar 5773, Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita is unwilling to support the Ariel deal proposed by Bayit Yehudi, which will guarantee the Amar Bill permitting the Rishon L’Tzion to serve as second term to be defeated.
If this does occur, Shas officials are signaling that Maran Rav Ovadia will support Rabbi Yaakov Shapira Shlita, Rosh Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav, with whom he maintains a good relationship. It is presumed the Shas candidate for Rishon L’Tzion will be one of the rav’s sons, Holon Chief Rabbi Avraham Yosef Shlita.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
Its a business, so you must keep it in the family.
Rav Shapiro shlit”a is a gadol b’Torah, it would be a loss for him to leave Mercaz harav to take the position of Chief Rabbi. Chacham Yosef and his father were very close.
All four candidates are good, but leave it to Shas to support the only candidate of the four who would be less than excellent.
My guess is, just like last 10 years ago, everyone is afraid of the power they would lose if a well-respected talmid chacham and posek like Rav Ariel would become Rav haRashi.
Just like last time, the narrow interests of the powerful override the interests of Klal Yisroel in having a Rav haRashi who has Kala Yisroel’s interests in mind rather than politics.
For Shame!