Ovadia Yosef
Ovadia Yosef
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Rabbi Ovadia Yosef was born on October 23, 1920, in Baghdad, Iraq, to a family of Sephardic Jews. He is also known as Maran Rav (Our Master Rabbi) by his followers.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: October 23, 1920
Died: October 7, 2013
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Rabbi Ovadia Yosef was an Iraqi-born Israeli rabbi, Talmudic scholar, author, kabbalist, and the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel. He was a prominent figure in the Shas party and a leading authority on Jewish law and tradition.
Early Life and Background
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Yosef's family moved to Jerusalem when he was three years old due to rising anti-Semitism in Iraq. He began studying Torah at a young age, receiving his first lessons from his father, Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Halevi. Yosef demonstrated exceptional intelligence and dedication to his studies, earning him the respect of his teachers.
Major Accomplishments
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Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's impressive career spanned over six decades. Some of his notable achievements include:
Serving as Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel from 1973 until 1983 and again from 2008 to 2013.
Founding the Shas party, which promotes Jewish education and social welfare programs.
Publishing numerous works on Jewish law, kabbalah, and ethics, including Yalkut Yosef, a multi-volume commentary on the Talmud.Notable Works or Actions
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Rabbi Ovadia Yosef was known for his strong stance against secularism and his efforts to promote traditional Jewish values. Some notable actions include:
Issuing public condemnations of assimilation, intermarriage, and other behaviors deemed detrimental to the Jewish community.
* Advocating for increased funding for Jewish education and social services.
Impact and Legacy
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Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's influence on modern Judaism is immeasurable. His emphasis on traditional values and education has inspired generations of Jews worldwide. As a respected authority, his opinions continue to shape the conversation around Jewish law and practice.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's quotes, sermons, and writings remain widely referenced due to their insight into Jewish tradition and ethics. His emphasis on family values, education, and community service has resonated with people from diverse backgrounds. As a leading figure in Israeli society, his opinions continue to shape public discourse and inspire debate.
Throughout his life, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef demonstrated unwavering dedication to the principles of Judaism. His contributions have had a lasting impact on modern Jewish thought and practice.
Quotes by Ovadia Yosef
It is easy for a rabbi to establish prohibitions, but a rabbi’s real strength is to teach Torah and rule on lawwith an emphasis on what is permitted.
Goyim were born only to serve us. Without that, they have no place in the world – only to serve the People of Israel,. Why are gentiles needed? They will work, they will plow, they will reap. We will sit like an effendi and eat. That is why gentiles were created.
Goyim were born only to serve us. Without that, they have no place in the world - only to serve the People of Israel,. Why are gentiles needed? They will work, they will plow, they will reap. We will sit like an effendi and eat. That is why gentiles were created.
![It is forbidden to be merciful to them. You must send missiles to them and annihilate them. They are evil and damnable. [...] The Lord shall return the Arabs' deeds on their own heads, waste their seed and exterminate them, devastate them and vanish them from this world.](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-2796692.png&w=1536&q=100)
It is forbidden to be merciful to them. You must send missiles to them and annihilate them. They are evil and damnable. [...] The Lord shall return the Arabs' deeds on their own heads, waste their seed and exterminate them, devastate them and vanish them from this world.
![In Israel, death has no dominion over them With gentiles, it will be like any person – they need to die, but [God] will give them longevity. Why? Imagine that one's donkey would die, they'd lose their money. This is his servant That's why he gets a long life, to work well for this Jew. Gentiles were born only to serve us. Without that, they have no place in the world – only to serve the People of Israel.](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-2796682.png&w=1536&q=100)
In Israel, death has no dominion over them With gentiles, it will be like any person – they need to die, but [God] will give them longevity. Why? Imagine that one's donkey would die, they'd lose their money. This is his servant That's why he gets a long life, to work well for this Jew. Gentiles were born only to serve us. Without that, they have no place in the world – only to serve the People of Israel.
It is easy for a rabbi to establish prohibitions, but a rabbi's real strength is to teach Torah and rule on lawwith an emphasis on what is permitted.
When we ask God to 'bring an end to our enemies', we should be thinking about Iran, those evil ones who threaten Israel.
The most significant halachic authority of the last 100 years, whose positions helped fashion a balanced and moderate Judaism.
You must not lean on a tree on Sabbath, if the tree might be dependent on you for support.