A Story for Shabbat: In Egypt and at War: Rabbi Ovadia’s Powerful Legacy

On the 3rd of Cheshvan, we mark with love and longing two years since the passing of Maran, our teacher and guide, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Known as the “light of the exile” and the “Minister of Torah,” Rabbi Ovadia devoted his life to Torah, halachah (Jewish law), and the Jewish people. In his memory, we share two personal stories he told, one miraculous, the other heartbreaking.

In 1947, young Rabbi Ovadia was sent to serve in Egypt. There, he became the Deputy Chief Rabbi under Rabbi Nachum Effendi and led the rabbinical court. But in 1950, when he wanted to return to Israel, he ran into a serious problem. The Egyptian government refused to renew his passport and would not grant him an exit visa. Days turned into weeks, and Rabbi Ovadia was distressed. He longed to return to the Land of Israel, but the way was blocked.

Then a Jewish man named Leon Gabai came into his life. Rabbi Ovadia later wrote about him: “He had the ability to look at a person’s palm and tell them their past, present, and future.” Leon accompanied Rabbi Ovadia to the Egyptian Ministry of Interior and boldly approached one of the clerks.

The clerk, who didn’t know him, asked what he wanted. Leon said, “If you want to see something you’ve never seen before, show me your palm.” The clerk hesitated but gave in to curiosity and held out his hand.

Leon studied it and then said quietly, “Last night, you had a terrible argument with your wife. You sat up all night crying.” The Egyptian stared at him in shock.

“If you want to make peace with her,” Leon continued, “you need to do this and that.” The clerk listened, amazed. Everything Leon said was exactly right. How could this stranger know such personal things?

Leon smiled and said, “Once you do this, she’ll calm down and forgive you. Everything will be fine again between you.”

By now, the clerk was overwhelmed. “What can I do for you?” he asked.

Leon answered calmly, “A passport for the Jewish rabbi who’s with me. And if possible, quickly his time is precious.”

The clerk sat them both down respectfully and immediately began working. He moved between rooms, gathered signatures, filled out paperwork, and within a short time, handed over the passport and wished them well on their journey.

The second story is harder to hear but just as powerful. It reveals the depth of Rabbi Ovadia’s responsibility and the love he had for every Jew.

During the Yom Kippur War, hundreds of Jewish soldiers went missing. Many were killed in battle, but their remains were never found, leaving their wives in a painful state of uncertainty. These women were known as agunot, wives who could not remarry because their husbands’ fates were unresolved according to halachah.

Nine hundred agunah cases were sent to Rabbi Ovadia, who at the time served as Chief Rabbi of Israel. He described the work as agonizing. It involved reviewing heartbreaking evidence and testimonies, weighing complex halachic questions, and making life-changing decisions.

For a year and a half, he barely slept. But in the end, thanks to his deep knowledge of Torah and his fearless leadership, he was able to permit nearly all of the women to remarry. And most incredibly, not one ruling he gave was ever found to be mistaken.

At a government meeting during that time, someone asked Prime Minister Golda Meir a pointed question. “Why were all 900 cases given to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef? Why not divide them equally between him and the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi?”

Her answer was short and clear: “When Rabbi Ovadia gives a ruling, no one questions it. Only he will handle these cases.”

This was Rabbi Ovadia a man of deep compassion, immense Torah knowledge, and unwavering courage. May his memory be a blessing for all of us.