Ovadia Yosef
The neutrality of this article is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until the dispute is resolved. (October 2013) Rabbi Ovadia Yosef Rabbi Yosef in 2007 Position Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel Organisation Chief Rabbinate of Israel Began 1973 Ended 1983 Other Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv Spiritual leader of the Shas political party Personal details Birth name ‘Abdullah Youssef Born September 24, 1920 Baghdad, Iraq Died October 7, 2013(2013-10-07) (aged 93) Jerusalem, Israel Buried Sanhedria Cemetery Nationality Israeli Denomination Sephardi Orthodox Judaism Residence Jerusalem Parents Yaakov and Georgia Ovadia Spouse Margalit Fattal Children 11, including Yitzhak Yosef and Adina Bar-Shalom Occupation Author, Politician, Rabbi, Talmudic scholar and recognized halakhic authority Alma mater Porat Yosef Yeshiva Semicha Rabbi Ben Zion Hai Uziel Signature Ovadia Yosef (Hebrew: עובדיה יוסף ; Arabic: عبد الله يوسف ‘Abdullah Youssef) (September 24, 1920 – October 7, 2013) was a Talmudic scholar, an authority on Jewish religious law (halakha), and the longtime spiritual leader of Israel's ultra-orthodox Shas party. Born in Iraq, he was the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel from 1973 to 1983. Yosef's responsa (religious law rulings) were highly regarded within Haredi circles, particularly among Mizrahi communities, among whom he was regarded as "the most important living halakhic authority." Yosef became a notable figure in Israel’s politics after founding the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party in 1984. He later took a less active role in party politics but remained the party's spiritual leader until his death. Shas champions the interests of Jews, especially religious Jews, originating from North Africa and the Middle East. On occasion, Yosef made statements relating to various groups and individuals which were deemed controversial by his critics. In response, supporters of Yosef claimed he was misquoted or his words taken out of context. What has been called "hate speech" on his part has been condemned by the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League.