Chief Rabbis Of Israel And Jerusalem Host Chief Bukharian Rabbi Yitzchak Yisraeli

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With all the great things happening in the Bukharian communities of the USA and Canada, unfortunately many problems are arising as well. Heading the list of challenges include a tremendous rise in shalom bayit (relationships) issues and the alarming rate of teens at risk.

In response to these challenges, over 40 Bukharian Rabbi’s and community centers united two years ago and formed the Chief Bukharian Rabbinate of the USA and Canada.

In forming this historic umbrella organization, Rav Yitzchak Yisraeli was unanimously chosen to be the Chief Rabbi of the Rabbinical body. For those who aren’t aware, the role of a Chief Rabbi is not a political post nor is it merely a “title”. Rather the position of Chief Rabbi is a great responsibility that is to be held only by a great Torah sage that is respected and revered by the Rabbis of the community he represents. After all, the Chief Rabbi has the final say on major decisions in all areas of Jewish law including laws of Kiddushin (Marriage), Gittin (divorce), Ketuvot (marriage documents), Giyurim (conversions), Kashrut and matters of overall hashkafah. Indeed, Rav Yisraeli, who is renowned as an expert in both Jewish and civil law, and whose opinion is sought after by Torah sages and laymen around the world, gained the trust and respect of all our community Rabbi’s while humbly serving as a dayyan (Rabbinical judge) in our community for nearly two decades.

Several days ago, Rav Yisraeli made a short visit to Israel and was invited to meet both of Rav Ovadia Yosef’s sons who hold positions of leadership in Israel and around the globe. As a student of Rav Ovadia, Rav Yisraeli has gained the respect of his children who recognize his expertise in all areas of Torah law. In fact, they frequently quote Rav Yisraeli’s rulings in their books and public lectures.

 Both Rav Yitzchak Yosef (who is the author of the popular Yalkut Yosef and serves as the Sefardic Chief Rabbi of Israel), and Rav David Yosef (who is the author of Halacha Brurah and helps guide sefardic Jewry in the diaspora), had long meetings with Rav Yisraeli discussing numerous halachic issues and matters pertaining to our Bukharian community. The Yosef brothers commented that the Bukharian community is lucky to have a great Torah scholar and Rabbinical judge as its Chief Rabbi. In fact, at a public lecture that was broadcasted around the globe, Rav David stated that the Chief Bukharian Rabbi of America, Rav Yitzchak Yisraeli, is a “Posek halachot” (halachic decider) and a “Dayyan Metzuyan” (an expert Rabbinical judge) who leads a huge community and has already made great changes in important matters. He went on to bless Rav Yisraeli for continued success.

At a visit by the office of Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Rav Yisraeli also discussed various matters that pertain to jewish law and of the Bukharian community. Rav Amar has also quoted Rav Yisraeli’s rulings in his monumental book “Shema Shlomo”. Rav Amar was quite impressed at Rav Yisraeli’s tremendous humbleness and Torah knowledge. He blessed Rav Yisraeli  to continue spreading Torah and give rulings for our Bukharian community in conjunction with the Bet Din headed by Rav Eliyahu Ben Chaim.

Upon his return from Israel, Rabbi Yisraeli shared the news that his daughter was getting engaged to the son of Rabbi Moshe Aharonoff, the beloved Rosh Yeshiva of Tiferet Tzion in Queens (an affiliate of Yeshiva Sha’arei Tzion).  As word reached members of the community, everyone was overjoyed upon hearing of this special milestone.

A day later, Rav Yisraeli returned to his daily schedule of delivering classes and answering the dozens of complex questions that are brought to him from Rabbi’s of our community and communities abroad.  To quote Sefardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, “Ashrechem (praiseworthy) is the Bukharian  community to have Rav Yisraeli, one of the great Torah sages of America, to be its leader”. Indeed, our Bukharian community is blessed.

By Yehuda Davidov
(Translated to English by BJL staff)