A Legacy of Torah: Rabbi Yaakov Sasson’s Mission

"The Torah returns to its rightful place," say our Sages. Or as we might say more simply: the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. And in the case of Rabbi Yaakov Sasson, grandson of the great Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, this could not be more true. A passionate teacher of Torah, Rabbi Sasson has dedicated his life to making halacha (Jewish law) accessible and understandable for Jews everywhere.

At just 33 years old, Rabbi Sasson already carries the weight of a profound legacy. The son of Rebbetzin Malka, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef’s second daughter, he lives with his family in Ramat Beit Shemesh. From a young age, he became known in every yeshiva he attended for his deep knowledge and clarity in halachic discussions. Today, he spends most of his time learning at the “Yechaveh Daat” beit midrash (study hall) in Har Nof, following in his grandfather’s footsteps with humility and passion.

He also shares his learning with the public. A few years ago, he published a book on medical halacha titled Ruach Yaakov, and more recently, he helped publish Netivot Mishpat, a halachic work by Rabbi Chaim Algazi, alongside Rabbi Gad Yazdi, a devoted student of Maran.

But perhaps his most far-reaching project is the "Daily Halacha" website. This initiative began in English, when Rabbi Eliyahu Mansour from the U.S. started posting daily halachic lessons online. Later, a dedicated Jew from America approached Rabbi Sasson to start a similar site using the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. “At first, I was unsure,” Rabbi Sasson admits. “It didn’t feel right to put halachot online. But eventually, we realized it was a powerful tool to spread Torah.”

Today, the site publishes halachot daily in English, French, Spanish, and Hebrew. Rabbi Sasson writes them each week and sends them to translators. He also answers halachic questions submitted to the site. “Our goal is to show that halacha isn’t random,” he explains. “It’s built on solid principles, passed down from Moshe Rabbeinu at Mount Sinai.”

And yes, Maran was aware of the project and supported it wholeheartedly. “He even asked us to publish halachot on certain topics and sometimes shared Torah insights he wanted us to include,” Rabbi Sasson shares.

When Holiness is Real

Rabbi Sasson has always had a close bond with his grandfather. “I daven (pray) at his shul every day, and sometimes I have the chance to speak with him,” he says. But even within the family, respect for Maran was strong. “People think of him as a family patriarch. But to us, he was also a living Torah giant. You didn’t just casually ask him things.”

Rabbi Sasson recalls one moment that left a deep impression on him. “Once I had to inform my grandfather about someone who had acted improperly. It was important he know. But as soon as I began to explain, he covered his ears and physically trembled. He didn’t want to hear anything negative. That moment stayed with me.”

Bringing the Story to Light

This deep respect for Maran inspired Rabbi Sasson’s newest book, Champion of Shepherds, which tells the story of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef’s early life. The stories were gathered over ten years, often from family members or Maran himself in casual conversation. “I didn’t write the book to get stories from him directly. He was too immersed in Torah for that. But sometimes, when the right moment came, I’d ask him about something and he’d clarify.”

After the book was published, Rabbi Sasson brought a copy to Maran. “That day, my grandfather wasn’t feeling well and had trouble learning. So he read the book for a while instead and then gave me a few kind comments.”

All for Torah

When asked about his grandfather’s daily schedule, Rabbi Sasson doesn’t hesitate. “There’s only one thing in his world, Torah. Every moment of his time is like a jewel. He feels that when he writes, he’s directly teaching thousands of people what Hashem wants from them.”

Rabbi Sasson once suggested that Maran should attend more public events because his presence had such a strong impact. Maran’s answer? “Look, my time is limited, and I use it all for Torah. If someone else can do a mitzvah, I can’t give up my learning.”

Can You Reach Him?

Many people wonder how to receive a blessing from Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Rabbi Sasson is honest: “It’s not easy. The line of people who want to meet him would stretch around the block. He still sees many individuals especially when it comes to serious needs like illness or communal matters but it’s not possible to meet everyone. Still, you can give a note with your name and your mother’s name to his assistant, Rabbi Tzvi Hakak, who will pass it along.”

Rabbi Sasson’s work continues quietly, but with deep impact. His mission is simple: to help Jews everywhere understand halacha with clarity and love. And with Hashem’s help, he is walking his grandfather’s path one halacha at a time.