A major development unfolded within Shas on Motzaei Shabbos, as five of the party’s seven Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah members visited the home of HaGaon HaRav Moshe Tzedaka in Yerushalayim, amid efforts to prevent the publication of a letter opposing a vote for Shas in Tuesday’s Knesset elections.

HaGaon HaRav Tzedaka, the elderly Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef and one of the most prominent Sephardic Gedolei Torah, had reportedly been approached to sign a letter prohibiting support for Shas over the party’s position on drafting young Chareidi men who are not learning in yeshivos.

The reported letter prompted an urgent visit by senior members of Shas’s rabbinic leadership, concerned about the potential implications of such a public declaration just days before the elections.

Among those who arrived at HaGaon HaRav Tzedaka’s home were Moetzes President HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Maya, HaGaon HaRav Avraham Salim, HaGaon HaRav Yehuda Cohen, and HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Betzalel.

The controversy centers on Shas’s willingness to support military enlistment for Chareidi young men who are not enrolled in yeshivos, a position that has drawn opposition from some rabbinic figures.

The initiative to secure HaGaon HaRav Tzedaka’s signature was reportedly led by HaMekubal HaRav Benayahu Shmueli, who maintains close ties with the Rosh Yeshiva.

However, during the meeting, HaGaon HaRav Tzedaka reportedly clarified that although neither he nor his father participated in Knesset elections, their longstanding practice should not be interpreted as opposition to Shas.

He further explained that those who do participate in elections should vote for Shas in order to protect the Torah world.

The clarification was particularly significant given HaGaon HaRav Tzedaka’s standing among Sephardic bnei Torah and the potential impact of a letter bearing his signature.

Following the departure of the five Moetzes members, sons of HaRav Benayahu Shmueli reportedly returned to HaGaon HaRav Tzedaka’s home.

Meanwhile, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri addressed the controversy during a television interview on Motzaei Shabbos.

“Rav Moshe Tzedaka never supported elections. We are dealing with it,” Deri said.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)