Rav Yitzchak Yosef, nosi of Shas’ Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, sent a special letter to Shas chairman MK Aryeh Deri congratulating him on the passage of the historic Basic Law: Torah Study, praising the legislation for elevating the honor and importance of Torah and its learners.

In the letter, Rav Yosef wrote that the law “has greatly increased kavod Shamayim and elevated the importance of Torah and those who study it.”

He continued by emphasizing the indispensable role of bnei Torah in protecting the Jewish people.

“Those who study Torah are the protectors of the Jewish people and ensure the transmission of Torah from generation to generation. May it be Hashem’s will that this will lead to a complete end to the persecution of Torah scholars and restore the situation to what it once was.”

Rav Yosef also praised the repeal of former minister Matan Kahana’s kashrus reform, offering special recognition to Religious Services Minister MK Michael Malkieli and ministry Director-General Yehuda Avidan for their efforts.

“I also extend my blessing to those engaged in safeguarding the walls of kashrus—MK Rabbi Michael Malkieli, together with the energetic and devoted Rabbi Yehuda Avidan and all those involved in this sacred work—who, with Hashem’s help, merited bringing this effort to completion and eliminating the danger that hovered over the kashrus standards in Eretz Yisrael.”

Last week, Rav Yosef took the unusual step of publicly intervening in the legislative process, sending a letter to Deri urging him to prioritize passage of the Torah Study Law.

Quoting the famous words of Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai, Rav Yosef wrote, “Ten li Yavneh v’Chachameha. There is no room for delay, and under no circumstances should the passage of the Torah Study Law be jeopardized. Regarding kashrus, we must save the Jewish people from eating neveilos and treifos and support the current version of the law. It is not sufficient merely to refrain from doing wrong.”

Following Rav Yosef’s appeal, Shas intensified its efforts to advance the legislation. Over the past day, both measures were approved in their final Knesset readings. The Basic Law: Torah Study formally recognizes Torah study as a foundational value of the State of Israel, while separate legislation repealed Kahana’s kashrus reform.

The new kashrus law, promoted by the Ministry of Religious Services, significantly restructures Israel’s kashrus supervision system and eliminates the longstanding direct employment relationship between supervisors and the establishments they oversee. Supporters say the legislation strengthens the integrity of the country’s kashrus system and reverses reforms that had drawn widespread criticism and prompted legal challenges before Israel’s Supreme Court.

In his concluding brocha to Deri, Rav Yosef wrote that the passage of the Torah Study Law had increased kavod Shamayim and affirmed the central role of Torah scholars in safeguarding the Jewish people. He expressed hope that even those distant from Torah and mitzvos would come to recognize the greatness of Torah learners and that the legislation would ultimately bring an end to the persecution they have endured.

{Matzav.com}