Chazaq’s Night of Inspiration, held in Kew Gardens Hills at Ohr HaTorah, paid tribute to the everlasting legacy of Maran Harav Ovadia Yosef, ztk”l, marking twelve years since his passing. Words of inspiration were shared by Rabbi Rafael Zavulunov, Rabbi Maor Bendel, Rabbi Eran Gohari, and Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchak Yisraeli, who emphasized how Maran devoted tremendous time and energy to kiruv, a mission reflected in Chazaq’s ongoing efforts to uplift and transform countless Jewish lives through Torah and outreach.
It was a night of emunah, unity, and Torah in the heart of Queens, as hundreds gathered for a stirring tribute to the great Sephardic sage whose influence continues to shape Jewish life around the world. The program, hosted by Chazaq in partnership with Congregation Od Yosef Hai and Meorot, radiated the boundless love, humility, and spiritual strength that defined Maran’s life and teachings.
“Noach Built an Ark for an Entire Generation”
The evening opened with heartfelt remarks from Robbie Aboff, Operations Manager at Chazaq, who captured the essence of Maran’s life by connecting it to the week’s parashah, Noach.
“Noach built an ark for himself,” Aboff observed, “but Maran built an ark for an entire generation — rescuing thousands from the flood of assimilation with his warmth, wisdom, and words of Torah.”
Aboff highlighted how Chazaq’s mission is an extension of Maran’s vision: to bring Torah and meaning into every Jewish home. “Tonight, we honor not only a man of Torah, but a movement of love and unity that he ignited,” he concluded.
“He Was an Abba to Klal Yisrael”
Rabbi Rafael Zavulunov, Mara D’Atra of Ohr HaTorah of Queens, began his address by reflecting on Maran’s extraordinary beginnings.
“At six years old, he knew entire masechtot of Mishnah by heart,” Rabbi Zavulunov shared. “By twenty, he was already a dayan; by twenty-seven, a Chief Rabbi. Yet his humility and his love for people defined him even more than his genius.”
He described Maran as a leader who lived Torah not as theory, but as life itself — a scholar who poured his heart into the spiritual welfare of every Jew.
“He was an Abba to Klal Yisrael,” Rabbi Zavulunov said passionately. “He could not rest while another Jew was distant from Torah.”
Drawing on the night’s theme of inspiration, Rabbi Zavulunov reminded the audience that greatness in Torah demands empathy. “To learn from Maran,” he concluded, “means to make Torah alive for others — to let its fire illuminate the path for our communities.”
“Kiruv Through Love”
As Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Yisraeli, Rishon LeTzion of the Bukharian community in the U.S. and Canada, took the podium, the room filled with deep reverence.
“He would forget to eat or sleep,” Rabbi Yisraeli recalled. “If his wife didn’t insist, he would have gone days without food. The Torah spoke to him — and the Torah itself responded.”
He recounted stories of Maran’s uncanny ability to open a sefer directly to the precise page he sought, as though Divinely guided. Yet, despite such brilliance, Maran left his sefarim to teach Jews of every background — those who barely knew Hebrew, those far from Torah.
“He went from shul to shul, from home to home,” Rabbi Yisraeli shared, “because he knew their children would one day become b’nei Torah.”
He passionately linked Maran’s life to the mission of Chazaq, declaring,
“If Maran were alive in Queens today, he would go door to door encouraging families to enroll their children in yeshivot. That is his true legacy — kiruv through love.”
“Every Soul Counts”
Rabbi Maor Bendel of Meorot connected the inspiration of Maran’s life to Parashat Lech Lecha, where Avraham and Sarah “made souls in Charan.”
“Just as Avraham created souls through his teaching,” Rabbi Bendel explained, “Maran created souls through Torah.”
He shared vivid stories of Maran’s self-sacrifice — how he would travel for hours to deliver a small shiur to only fifteen men. When asked why, Maran responded simply:
“I’m not thinking about them — I’m thinking about their children.”
Rabbi Bendel emphasized how every act of inspiration can ripple for generations. “One invitation, one text, one shiur — it can change a destiny.”
He concluded with one of the most emotional moments of the evening:
“When doctors told Maran he could no longer sit up to learn, he wept, saying: ‘If I cannot learn Torah, why remain in this world?’ That is the definition of life — living for Torah.”
“Maran Unified Am Yisrael Under One Torah”
Rabbi Eran Gohari, Mara D’Atra of Congregation Od Yosef Hai, closed the evening with warmth and charisma, blending heartfelt admiration with humor and awe.
“Maran unified Am Yisrael under one Torah,” Rabbi Gohari began. “He knew that if we all follow the same halachah, we will think as one, feel as one, and live as one people.”
Through personal anecdotes, Rabbi Gohari highlighted Maran’s humility and passion for uniting Jews across backgrounds.
He recalled Maran’s gentle approach — “He would never embarrass another person, no matter how small the issue.” His love for every Jew, Rabbi Gohari said, “transcended politics, positions, and titles. He lived only for the honor of Heaven.”
“He taught us not to chase brands or honor,” Rabbi Gohari urged. “Our greatness comes not from luxury, but from humility and holiness. If we raise our children with that clarity, we will raise a generation worthy of his dreams.”
A Living Torah Legacy
From Jerusalem to Queens, from Maran’s earliest talmidim to the next generation of educators, the evening resounded with one truth: Harav Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, lives on through every act of Torah, compassion, and unity inspired by his example.
As attendees enjoyed sushi and divrei Torah lingered in conversation, the spirit of Maran’s life illuminated the room — reminding all that Torah is not meant to stay on the page; it must be lived, shared, and cherished.
Night Of Inspiration In Memory Of Maran Harav Ovadia Yosef, zt”l Rabbonim Reflect 12 Years Since His Passing
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