"Charismatic and admired leader, conscious of generation's needs"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eulogized yesterday (Monday) Jarav Ovadia Yosef zt"l:

"A great man has left us. Harav Ovadia Yosef, zecher tzadik livracha, whose passing is bitterly mourned by masses of Jews, was the Sar Ha'Torah of our generation. Harav Ovadia was one of the Gedolim of the generation – with a vast knowledge of halachah, an authoritative and bold posek, and a mentor to thousands and tens of thousands.

"What characterizes a real Talmid Chochom? The mere fact that despite his enormous wisdom, he is still a 'talmid'. He still has more to learn, he has room to grow and room to develop. In this respect, Harav Ovadia was a distinct Talmid Chacham with all his heart and soul. He took advantage of every minute of his time to study Torah - meticulously, with continuous dedication and with real mesirut nefesh. Even on his bed at the hospital, when he was able, he never lost one minute of his time. He grabbed a book, looked inside, learned and reviewed. Even in his greatest moments of weakness, he fulfilled the commandment: "You shall learn it by day and night."

"The Book of Ovadiah is the shortest of the books of the Tanach. However, the teachings of Harav Ovadia Yosef is broad as the sea. Even as a child he was clearly destined for greatness. Before celebrating Bar Mitzvah, he managed to publish his first book. The dozens of Torah essays published by him over the years, cemented his status as a link in the chain of Torah Sages of Israel , and of the glorious Sephardic Jewry.

"The uniqueness of Harav Ovadia Yosef was related to his charismatic power of leadership, his uprightness, his wide mind, his keen intellect, and to the fact he did not keep the teachings to himself. As rabbi and Dayan he gathered people, travelled around the country and abroad, and satisfied the spiritual hunger of the audience with his sermons.

"Harav Ovadia did not hesitate to deal with the most complicated halachic issues. He had an immense fear of Heaven, but it did not come at the expense of his awareness of profound changes in time and the needs of the generation. The Rav knew that in the renewing State of Israel one should be lenient where possible, to draw close and not to distance, to unite and not to separate.

"Already at the beginning of his term as Rishon Lezion and Chief Rabbi of Israel, he ruled that Ethiopian Jews are Jews in every respect. Following the Yom Kippur War he led the efforts to find a solution to issues related to identifying the fallen and permitting Agunot.

"I can personally attest always appreciated his directness, the human warmth he radiated, and the depth of his understanding - even on worldly and crucial issues. I was privileged to receive his famous pats on the cheek, through which he sought to express affection. I always knew that the love of Jews beats in the Rav, which is rarely found likewise.

"I can also tell that after my brother Yoni died - 37 years ago – my family wanted to join Harav Ovadia as member of the organization to perpetuate his memory and legacy. Harav responded willingly, and we felt it is a great honor for us.

"Harav Ovadia Yosef was called at noon to the upper world. The entire House of Israel mourns this great loss. His name will shine for generations as a symbol of wisdom, intelligence and advice. Shall the soul of Harav Ovadia Yosef be bound in the bond of life."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!