Remembering Rabbi Ovadia Yosef 11 Years Later: A Legacy of Wisdom

It is impossible to fully capture the profound influence and extraordinary persona of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in a single article. Nonetheless, on the occasion of the eleventh yahrzeit of his passing, observed this Sunday evening and Monday (3rd of Cheshvan), we share with you 10 thought-provoking facts that reflect his legacy.

1. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef was born on the 12th of Tishrei 5681 and passed away at the age of 93, on the 3rd of Cheshvan 5774.

2. Rabbi Ovadia was a prominent Sephardic halachic authority and author, serving as the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel (Rishon Letzion) from 1973 to 1983, and the spiritual leader and president of Shas' Council of Torah Sages from its establishment. He was awarded the Israel Prize for Torah Literature in 5730 and received the Rabbi Kook Prize in 5714. To many, he was the leading Sephardic rabbinic figure of his generation, known to his students as 'Maran' and 'Posek HaDor' (decider of the generation).

3. Born in Baghdad to Yaakov and Georgie, he was named 'Ovadia' after Rabbi Abdullah Somekh and his grandfather, and 'Yosef' after Rabbi Yosef Chaim (the 'Ben Ish Chai'). Later, he adopted Yosef as his surname.

4. At the age of four, his family immigrated to Israel, settling in the 'Beit Yisrael' neighborhood of Jerusalem, where they made a living from his father's grocery store. Due to financial hardships, young Ovadia began working at an early age, yet dedicated his rare talent to Torah study.

5. He penned his first literary work at age nine, annotations on the margins of the book 'Reishit Chochma.' At twelve, he attended the Porat Yosef Yeshiva in the Old City, after his father was convinced of its significance. That year he co-authored 'Machberet Hatachat Chidot' with two friends. At Porat Yosef, he devoted his entire time to Torah study and writing. The head of the yeshiva, Rabbi Ezra Attiya, became a spiritual father to him.

Rabbi Zamir Cohen: "Without Maran, the Hidabroot Channel would not have been established." Watch:

In 1947, he moved to Egypt at Rabbi Uziel's request, serving as deputy to Chief Rabbi Nahum Effendi and as head of the rabbinical court. In Egypt, he encountered weak religious observance not only among the masses but also among leaders and local rabbis. After two years, he returned to Israel and resumed his role as a dayan.

7. In 5712, he published his book on the laws of Pesach, 'Chazon Ovadia,' receiving high praise and approvals from Chief Rabbis Uziel and Herzog, as well as Rabbi Attiya. Two years later, he founded 'Ohr HaTorah,' a yeshiva for outstanding Sephardic scholars, the first of many yeshivot he established to cultivate a new generation of Sephardic Torah leaders.

8. From 1958-1965, he served as a judge in the Jerusalem District Rabbinical Court, and in 1965 joined the Supreme Rabbinical Court. He later served as Chief Rabbi of Israel. Between 5737-5754, he published six volumes of 'Yabia Omer,' a concise and accessible halachic work.

9. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's main objective was to 'restore the crown to its former glory.' He aimed to strengthen Sephardic religious identity and unify halachic observance under the rulings of Rabbi Yosef Karo, the 'Mara D'atra' of Israel, as opposed to ethnic-based rulings. In 'Yabia Omer,' he wrote: "I stand watch to restore the crown to its former glory by teaching according to Maran's rulings which we accepted."

10. His books include: 'Yabia Omer,' a pivotal halachic work (10 volumes), and a volume of indexes; 'Yehave Daat,' responsa to questions on 'Kol Yisrael' radio (6 volumes); 'Chazon Ovadia' on various Jewish holidays such as Passover and the Haggadah, Sukkot, Yom Tov, Hanukkah, Purim, and more (19 volumes total). Additionally, 'Kuntres Yabia Omer' and commentaries in various journals. His work 'L’viyat Chen' critiques the Mishna Berura on Shabbat laws; 'Taharot HaBayit' covers niddah laws; 'Meohr Yisrael' offers insights on Talmudic texts.

​Exclusive and emotional coverage by Moshe Chaim from Maran's room:

The 'Pituchei Chotam' (2 volumes) was published by the Sephardic Study Hall in New York; 'Maayan Omer' (13 volumes) features brief responses to oral questions, compiled by his personal secretary over 22 years. 'Mishnat Yosef' (5 volumes) distills his lectures given on Saturday nights at the Yazdim synagogue.

Moreover, many books have been edited based on his rulings: 'Yalkut Yosef Piskei Dinim,' over 30 volumes compiled by his son, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, presenting his father's rulings.

His son, Rabbi David Yosef, established an institute for publishing halachic works based on his father's rulings, where he is the chief editor. His works include: 'Halacha Berura' (13 volumes) akin to 'Mishna Berura'; 'Torat HaMo'adim' (5 volumes) on Jewish holiday laws and customs; 'Ziyunim Vehe'arot' on Maimonides; 'Taharot HaMishpacha' on family purity; 'Orachot Maran,' which provides insights into Rabbi Yosef's conduct according to the Shulchan Aruch.

At age 93, the great light was extinguished, and Maran the decisor of the generation returned his pure soul to its Maker, leaving the generation orphaned. His funeral took place on the day of his passing, the 3rd of Cheshvan 5774, in Jerusalem, attended by about 850,000 individuals, marking it as the largest funeral in Israel's history. He was buried in the Sanhedria Cemetery in Jerusalem.

Some ask, why cry over the Rabbi's passing? He lived a long life and passed at a ripe old age - so why mourn? Rabbi Yigal Cohen explains clearly what we lost upon his passing: