It appears the race for Jerusalem’s new chief rabbi is far from over, and in the Ashkenazi camp, the candidates appear to be Rav Moshe Chaim Lau, Rav Eliyahu Schlesinger, Rav Yaakov Shapira and Rav Yosef Carmel. It was believed that Rav Schlesinger was not in the race, but there are now signs to the contrary.
The race for the city’s Sephardi chief rabbi appears to be in the hands of Rav Yaakov Yosef, supported by Shas, of course his father Chacham Rav Ovadia Yosef Shlita, and for now, does not appear to have any real contenders.
Last week, a prominent face was seen in the alleyways of Yerushalayim’s Chanan Street, Rav Yitzchak Dovid Grossman Shlita, chief rabbi of Migdal HaEmek, seeking a bracha from HaGaon Rav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita as he too would like the post.
Last week, Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau Shlita visited gedolim and admorim seeking a bracha and support for his son, Rav Moshe Chaim Lau, who is a leading contender for the slot.
While it appears that Maran Rav Elyashiv may not be supporting only one candidate, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Aurbach last week stated the most qualified for the post is undoubtedly Rav Eliyahu Schlesinger.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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5 Responses
In America we choose our leaders based on their midos and learning in Torah, with no party politics involved.
Akuperma: How nice. And who is the Chief Rabbi of New York City?
#2 – every chooses whomever they think best – Hasidim ask their rabbes, Litvaks ask their Rosh Yeshiva – no one tries to force their shitah on anyone else. If you don’t like someone’s hecksher, buy someone else’s. If you don’t like one shul, go to another. If you believe the slichos should start on Rosh Hodesh Elul, or the eating in a sukkah is required on Shemini Atzeres – no one from the government comes around to tell you otherwise. Yiddishkeit thrives among capitalism and American style democracy. The Israeli system of having the political system determine the correct minhagim and halachas is total folly, and its unofrtunate that the money they throw in has corrupted many otherwise ehrlich yidden.
The first chief rabbi of new york lasted a few short time due to politics and infighting among New York Jews.
Hopefully the next Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Yerushalaim will be able to bond and work together with all Torah Jews of the city.
akuperma: and who is responsible for a uniform standard of kashrus in the food industry, and making sure there are enough mikvaos for ALL the citizens, and fighting lowered standards of decency in the street and the constant assaults on Kedushas Shabbos ….