SA Rabbis’ tribute to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef

SHIRA DRUION

On Monday night, Jerusalem was witness to a gathering of close to a million people, at the funeral of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, leader of Sephardi Jewry, who died on Monday at age 93. Rabbi Yosef, was a great Sephardi Torah sage and, as founder of the Shas party, an most influential political leader in Israel.

“On behalf of the South African Jewish community, I would like to extend sincerest condolences to the family of Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l on his passing, “said Chief Rabbi  Warren Goldstein.

“At the same time, it is important for us to acknowledge his decades of halachic and political leadership. As a former Chief Rabbi of Israel and leader of its vast Sephardi population, Rav Ovadia Yosef has played a major role in influencing and guiding Israeli society. His passing leaves a great void.”

Rabbi Yossy Goldman commented: “I just returned from New York where one local Jewish newspaper’s headline was that the rabbi had made a ‘miraculous recovery’. Now, though he was over 90, we were all devastated to learn of his passing.

“He was nothing less than a giant in Torah knowledge. His halachic works and responsa have become world famous classics. His halachic rulings, which were often innovative, are quoted as reliable sources by scholars throughout the Jewish world. 

“He is also deserving of much credit for transforming Sephardi society in Israel and restoring a sense of confidence and pride in that community.”

Rabbi Boruch Rapoport of the Johannesburg Beth Din said: “The Jewish nation has lost one of the greatest Torah leaders of our times. He was a phenomenon that one doesn’t find in our generation.

“His encyclopaedic knowledge and his fervent desire and ability to connect Jews, particularly Sephardi Jews, back to their heritage, was very inspiring to witness. As the Johannesburg Beth Din, we feel deeply saddened by his passing as we felt very connected to him.

“We would call him and visit him in Israel when particularly challenging cases arose and we needed his expert advice. He was always amenable and would welcome us into his home with his signature warmth, and made us feel like we were a part of his family.”

Rabbi Dovid Hazdan of Great Park Shul, was equally saddened by the news of the passing of Rabbi Yosef. “The passing of a world renowned Torah scholar is compared to the loss of our temple, “ he said. “Rabbi Ovadia Yosef’s authority and encyclopaedic knowledge of Torah was respected by Torah scholars of all affiliations.

“He bridged Baghdad and Jerusalem and inspired and motivated Jews of vastly different backgrounds. He particularly galvanised and strengthened the Sephardi communities in Israel and around the world.

“His unprecedentedly large funeral highlights the widespread importance that Torah and religion have in our Jewish people and in Israel.”