Rabbonim of the Tzohar Rabbis organization are fuming over the harsh words leveled against Rabbi David Stav by Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita in the Gadol Hador’s motzei Shabbos drasha.
The Gadol Hador called Rav Stav “dangerous for the Jewish People and the Rabbanut” but rabbonim affiliated with Tzohar point out the two have never met. Rav Ovadia stated Rav Stav lacks Yiras Shomayim and poses a danger if elected as the next Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel. The Gadol Hador state he does not merit a share in Olam Haba.
Tzohar released a statement condemning “the inflammatory remarks by Rav Ovadia against a prominent rav in Israel, one who dedicates his entire life to spread Ahavas Torah among Am Yisrael.”
“The style, determination and content of the remarks spoken by a man who never made the acquaintance of the rav, while embarrassing him publically, highlights the urgent need for change in the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
“Am Yisrael needs a Rabbanut that knows how to connect to Judaism and not to antagonize towards more hate. Religious Zionism doesn’t require the approval of someone of the Gedolei Hatorah and it (dati leumi) will know the legacy in Zionism, Judaism and the entire Jewish People.”
The rabbonim call on Rav Ovadia to do teshuvah and to apologize for embarrassing the rav publically, reminding us of Chazal’s words on one for הלבנת פנים ברבים.
In another response, Education Minister Shai Piron writes the following on his Facebook page: “Why does Rav Ovadia curse? Does he believe it brings people closer to Torah and Judaism? Do you believe it is ethical to speak like this about someone he has never met?”
Rabbi Rafi Feuerstein, a mora d’asra in Jerusalem’s Har Nof neighborhood and senior Tzohar official stated Rav Ovadia is a venerable gadol and it would appears the rav is being misled by people around him. Rav Feuerstein feels that after the fact, it is good that the rav’s words were heard for now the people of Israel understand what the real machlokes is.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
maran is a recognized gadol hador. We are behind him 100%. He was right about bayit yehudi and is right about stav. Nothing more nothing else. The other rabbis can cry as much as they want in there facebook pages. Maran knows the danger of placing anyone at the head of of the rabbanut, and the harm it can bring to yahadut. Furthermore, like the rav hinted, tell me who your friends are (Piron, bennet and libermen) and i will tell you who you are.
Tzohar, Mr. Stav and Mr. Piron have the same standing as the Reform movement. Why is anyone taking them seriously?
Rabbi Rafi Feuerstein, a mora d’asra in Jerusalem’s Har Nof neighborhood and senior Tzohar official stated Rav Ovadia is a venerable gadol and it would appears the rav is being misled by people around him.
The rabbi wasn’t misled by thise around him, rather mizrachi rabbis told him that rav stav is no good, this machlokes is being made the mizrachi with their in fighting
“Religious Zionism doesn’t require the approval of someone of the Gedolei Hatorah and it (dati leumi) will know the legacy in Zionism, Judaism and the entire Jewish People.” That’s new. Since when Gadolei HaTorah are of no importance?
to 4: since when does history rely upon the absolute view of rabbonim?