Rabbi Yitzhak Levi: "Thanks to Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's Class, We Prevented a Shabbat Violation from the Torah"

This occurs every Saturday night, with the timings changing for winter and summer: 9:00 PM during winter and 10:00 PM during summer. Hundreds gather at the Yazdim synagogue in the Bukharim neighborhood of Jerusalem to attentively listen to the weekly class of the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.

The weekly class is a direct continuation of the class his father, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory, delivered for over 50 years. It was the primary platform where Rabbi Ovadia shared his rulings and opinions on current affairs. Many remember journalists eagerly attending these classes to extract insights. During Rabbi Ovadia's final years, the class moved to the synagogue beneath his home due to his weakened state. After his passing, the synagogue's rabbis and officials requested to reinstate the class through his son, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef. Now the class reaches hundreds of attendees and is broadcast live via satellite to many points worldwide, with tens of thousands gathering in synagogues every Shabbat night to listen.

If you haven't had the chance to hear the class, don't worry. In recent years, a unique book compiling Rabbi Yosef's weekly classes has been published. Rabbi Yitzhak Levi, the rabbi of the settlement Hoshen and head of the Zachor L'Avraham kolel, compiles these classes weekly and offers a peek into his special work.

Rabbi Yosef reviewing the Beit Maran bulletin

From the Yeshiva to the Weekly Class

Rabbi Levi's connection to Rabbi Yosef spans three decades. "It all began around thirty years ago," Rabbi Levi shares. "Rabbi Yosef would come to Tiberias, my hometown, to give Torah classes, spending Shabbat there dedicated to Torah. As a child, I followed him to every synagogue, amazed by his unique lessons and the crowded synagogues full of scholars and laypeople. Naturally, when Yeshivat Chazon Ovadia opened under his leadership, I joined as a student in Elul 5756. I have since drawn close, learning from his rulings, conduct, and teachings, and had the privilege of proofreading some of his writings before publication."

Signing rabbinical certification

What led you to start writing the weekly class?

"It began on the night of Shabbat Vayera 5775, when the class started airing live on the radio, accessible in every Israeli home. I thought it would be beneficial to distribute the class in writing, aiding listeners in revisiting the orderly printed material. Initially, I printed a few copies at home. Colleagues found the summaries clarified the lessons, leading to broader distribution. This past year, thanks to Hashem, the class is published weekly, with tens of thousands of copies spread by the Beit Maran organization."

What does your role as the class writer entail?

"I'm glad you asked because many might think it's just about transcribing the class. In truth, it involves significant effort. I draft the class notes while listening, which forms the initial draft. Every week, I dedicate long hours to refining the content for print, striving to retain the unique tone of the Rabbi's speech. However, a heavy responsibility lies on me - not missing any novel insights and delving deeply into the material to present it accurately, even when mentioned briefly or in passing. Additionally, I aim to cite the numerous sources the Rabbi mentions. In the latest class, for example, I noted over 80 sources from the Talmud, Maimonides, early commentators, Shulchan Aruch, and responsa texts. I also subdivide the class into sections each week and provide section titles. I often add footnotes highlighting various tangents when the Rabbi elaborates on intriguing topics indirectly related to the class."

Rabbi Yitzhak Levi

The main challenge in preparing the class, according to Rabbi Levi, revolves around time. "We need to distribute the class nationwide every week with thousands of copies, so I must complete the writing by Sunday. It allows time for graphical layout, printing, and distribution. It's especially challenging on summer Saturday nights when Shabbat ends late, naturally delaying the class, especially in the month of Elul when classes run until midnight, followed by public Slichot prayers."

What drives you to continue this mission?

"The responses I receive," he responds resolutely. "They give me the strength to undertake this task weekly. Many contact me from across the country, including yeshiva students, working individuals who dedicate time for Torah study, and more. Everyone shares how they read the class attentively every week, deriving much knowledge and wisdom from it. A significant Lithuanian student in Karmiel told me, 'Inform the Rishon L'Tzion that we are his students thanks to the Beit Maran bulletin. We dive deep into the class at the kolel every week.' Knowing there's such a broad communal benefit is encouraging and empowering. I'm motivated entirely by voluntary spirit, without any compensation from any body, yet the spiritual reward and satisfaction are plentiful."

A Class for Everyone

Rabbi Yosef's classes, as Rabbi Levi notes, appeal to every member of the Jewish people. "Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef is known for his exceptional ability to convey even the most complex topics clearly and pleasantly. This is why listeners of all backgrounds appreciate these lessons. Remember, the Rabbi served as a yeshiva head for decades and essentially transitioned from the yeshiva to the Rishon L'Tzion's office, making his lessons appealing to Torah scholars. Even women and children listen and enjoy every word. In our home, the entire family listens to the class, and I wasn't surprised when my seven-year-old son told me about a halacha he heard from the Rishon L'Tzion in the weekly lesson..."

Rabbi reviewing Avi BeEzri book during an appointment in Hoshen, 1st of Tammuz 5775

Tell us about a unique class you had the privilege to compile!

"Each class is unique, but one stands out when the Rabbi disclosed a significant innovation concerning heating water on Shabbat. He ruled it's permissible to reheat on a Shabbat platter water heated before Shabbat, even if it cooled, unlike soup, which remains forbidden. I, like many, was astounded by this and verified with the Rabbi before printing to ensure I understood him correctly, which he confirmed.

"Many called that week, asking how this aligns with what Maran Rabbi Ovadia wrote in his books, and I explained as clarified to me. I later asked the Rabbi again if I had responded correctly, and he confirmed. Recently, a yeshiva student from Bnei Brak, a ba'al teshuva whose mother is secular, shared she would not forgo using an electric kettle to heat water on Shabbat for her coffee. After seeing what we published in the name of the Rishon L'Tzion, permitting reheating on a platter if heated before Shabbat, he suggested she do that, and she agreed. Thus, a potential Torah-level Shabbat violation was avoided in that family."

When was the decision made to publish the lessons in a book?

"It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. To me, it was a natural progression, just like Rabbi Ovadia's weekly lessons were published as the series 'From the Lessons of Maran Rishon L'Tzion', so would we release the books. It was clear there would be significant demand, and we were not disappointed."

The book simulation

What was the Rabbi's reaction?

"The first edition was a surprise for the Rabbi. About half a year ago, I arranged a Sheva Brachot meal in our settlement Hoshen for the Rabbi's daughter's wedding and printed a hundred copies of the 'Weekly Class 5775' book to distribute there. The Rabbi entered the hall and was very surprised to see the book. He later gave enthusiastic approval and asked me to acquire a donation of books for yeshiva distribution because the book contains many lessons and insights suitable for yeshiva students and many pure outlook pearls important to publicize. Indeed, last Elul, we released the book in an expanded edition, with a detailed index of thousands of entries. Thousands of copies sold, and hundreds were distributed to yeshivas. Within a month, we printed a second edition, which also sold out nearly entirely. Soon, we will release a third edition of the Weekly Class 5775, while simultaneously working on releasing the new 'Weekly Class 5776', compiling all lessons from the year 5776."