The Sephardic community of New York was privileged to bask in the presence of the Rishon Lezion, Harav Yitzchak Yosef, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Hazon Ovadia and the author of the Yalkut Yosef, a contemporary halachic work based on the rulings of his father, Rav Ovadia Yosef ztk”l.
At each hosting location the gadol imparted special messages of hope intertwined with stories of inspiration to arouse the imagination of all he encountered. Visiting several Sephardic yeshivot was a highlight of the Rav’s journey.
The high school division of Be’er Hagolah Institute welcomed the Rav with spirited singing alongside a beautiful banner. Inside, the youth waved flags honoring the “living Sefer Torah,” in the eloquent words of Dean Rabbi Mordechai German.
Addressing a gathering of boys, the Rav stressed the value of Torah study and encouraged all to learn a portion of Gemorah. The Rav took his vision further encouraging all to yearn for greatness, “If you want to become great, it is within you to do so; nothing can stand in the way of what you desire.” The Chief Rabbi elaborated, “The Jewish nation only stands because of the Torah; we must not only value its worth but aspire to become a distinguished scholar.”
Speaking before the girl’s division of Be’er Hagolah Institute, Rav Yosef recollected a conversation with Russian President Vladmir Putin where the rabbi was questioned how the ancient civilizations including the Greeks and the Romans cease to exist, yet the Jewish nation prospers. In a reply based on the teachings of Rav Saadia Gaon, the Rishon Lezion elucidated on the gift of living in a generation where we can be educated with a Torah prospectus equipped with special rabbis and leaders. “We are the chosen nation, chosen with the Torah. We must rejoice knowing we have this uniqueness and be happy each day we come to yeshiva and study the words of the Torah.” The Rav blessed the girls to one day find their zivug and lead a home filled with Torah values.
To the girls of Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion, Rav Yosef stayed on the theme of Hashem’s exclusive gift to the Jewish nation – the Torah. “Nothing outshines studying the texts of the Torah. Our grandparents and parents endlessly cried to partake in a yeshiva just like the one we stand in today. By entering its doors each day, we have made their wishes a reality; what a merit it is to spend our time here at Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion.” The menhael, Rabbi Ben Mordechai ensured the lessons of the sage were properly comprehended by the various groups of assembled children.
A thought-provoking anecdote was shared with the boys at YSZ. Long ago, a Greek king desired to research if the world was round or flat. For just about six-hundred years this query was debated until the Earth’s circular shape was confirmed. Rav Yosef declared, “Our Torah said this all along – everything is tied into the Torah.” The children were asked to imagine the world being flat; everywhere would be either dark or light. We learned if Torah is only studied twelve hours a day then the world would revert to its original state prior to creation. Our planet being a sphere allows for Torah learning to unremittingly occur someplace on the globe.
In speaking about his revered father Rav Ovadia Yosef, Rav Yosef noted that he would call his father on pertinent matters, but the phone would often ring unanswered. Puzzled, he inquired and found his father to be deeply immersed in Torah learning. “Everyone can be a gadol hador,” Rav Yosef pushed on, “You must strive for success and if you truly want to achieve its lofty position; it will happen.”
Before returning to Eretz Yisrael, Rav Yosef stopped at the Beth Gavriel Community Center to uplift the mesivta bochurim of Yeshiva Tiferet Tzion and motivated them with a zeal to excel in their Talmudic exploration.
The Chief Rabbi took note of Rav Shmuel Alishaev and Rav Eliyahu Ben Chaim who were both instrumental in the Torah resurgence post-Soviet Union in America and beyond in building institutions that act as a metamorphosis to each student until the day they graduate.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
The Rishon Lezion Speaks: The Torah Is Our Center
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