Shas chairman Aryeh Deri visited the home of Rishon LeTzion HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef on Thursday, amid intensive efforts to resolve tensions surrounding the party’s rabbinic leadership ahead of the elections.

A proposed framework would have Deri sign a document, or add a provision to Shas’ bylaws, establishing that the party’s Torah decisions will follow the path of Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L, as currently represented by his son, HaRav Yitzchak Yosef.

Under the proposal, HaRav Yitzchak Yosef would effectively serve as the movement’s central Torah authority without formally holding the title of president of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah. Deri’s brother, Momo Deri, has been serving as a mediator in the talks.

HaGaon HaRav Moshe Maya, the senior member of Shas’ Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, reportedly told Deri during a two-hour meeting this week that the leadership of Shas is entrusted to HaRav Yitzchak Yosef as the son and successor of the movement’s founder, HaRav Ovadia Yosef.

“I am already weak, and I rely on Maran Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef for everything. Everything will be decided according to him,” HaRav Maya said.

HaRav Maya will not attend Thursday evening’s launch of Shas’ campaign in Holon, with his remarks instead scheduled to be shown by video.

According to a statement from HaRav Yosef’s home, Deri arrived carrying a “personal and dramatic letter” from HaRav Maya. The letter stressed that Shas has preserved and continues to preserve the legacy of HaRav Ovadia Yosef, and said HaRav Yitzchak Yosef should guide the movement and its institutions in maintaining his father’s legacy.

HaRav Maya also praised Deri’s leadership of Shas and his efforts on behalf of Torah and yeshiva bochurim.

During the meeting, HaRav Yitzchak Yosef emphasized the urgency of protecting Torah and yeshiva bochurim, saying that defending Bnei Torah is part of the legacy of his father and that there is an obligation to mobilize on their behalf.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)