A major controversy erupted within the Sefardic chareidi community on Motzei Shabbos after reports emerged that Rav Moshe Tzadka, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Porat Yosef and one of the senior Sefardic roshei yeshiva, had signed a letter opposing voting for Shas in Tuesday’s Knesset elections. The development prompted an extraordinary intervention by five members of the party’s Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, who traveled to Rav Tzadka’s home in Yerushalayim in an effort to resolve the dispute.

The controversy took a significant turn later in the evening when Rav Tzadka reportedly clarified to the visiting rabbonim that although he and his father had never participated in Knesset elections, his personal position should not be interpreted as opposition to Shas. According to a report published following the meeting, Rav Tzadka stated that those who do vote should support Shas in order to protect the Torah world.

The episode unfolded just three days before Israelis are scheduled to head to the polls, creating considerable concern within Shas over the possibility of a public disagreement involving one of the most respected figures in the Sefardic yeshiva world.

The initial controversy centered on a letter reportedly signed by Rav Tzadka opposing support for Shas because of the party’s reported willingness to accept a military draft arrangement under which chareidi young men who are not actively learning in yeshiva would be required to enlist.

That position has become a particularly contentious issue within the chareidi community, where rabbonim and political leaders have expressed differing views about the implications of distinguishing between full-time yeshiva students and other chareidi young men.

According to sources, the letter was prepared following the involvement of Rav Benayahu Shmueli, the noted mekubal and rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Nahar Shalom, who maintains a close relationship with Rav Tzadka.

News of the letter immediately prompted efforts by Shas chairman Aryeh Deri to prevent its publication or secure a clarification before Election Day.

Deri reportedly contacted senior rabbonim associated with Shas, seeking their assistance in arranging a meeting with Rav Tzadka and addressing his objections to the party’s position on the draft issue.

The efforts resulted in an unusual gathering at Rav Tzadka’s home on Motzei Shabbos, attended by five of the seven members of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah.

Among those who participated were Rav Yitzchak Yosef, president of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah and former Sefardic chief rabbi; Rav Moshe Maya, the senior member of the Moetzes; Rav Avraham Salim; Rav Yehuda Cohen; and Rav Shmuel Betzalel.

The presence of so many senior members of the Moetzes underscored the importance Shas leaders attached to resolving the disagreement before the election.

During the meeting, the rabbonim discussed Rav Tzadka’s longstanding position regarding participation in Knesset elections and the concerns surrounding the proposed military draft arrangements.

According to sources, Rav Tzadka explained to Rav Yitzchak Yosef and Rav Moshe Maya that neither he nor his father had voted in Knesset elections. He nevertheless clarified that this did not constitute opposition to Shas and that individuals who participate in elections should vote for Shas to help safeguard the Torah world.

The clarification represented a significant development following the earlier reports that Rav Tzadka had signed a letter expressly prohibiting support for the party.

However, the matter did not immediately conclude with the departure of the Moetzes members.

According to the same source, sons of Rav Benayahu Shmueli, who had been involved in arranging the original letter, subsequently returned to Rav Tzadka’s home.

The purpose and outcome of that additional visit were not immediately clear.

Deri addressed the controversy during an appearance on the Israeli television program The Patriots on Motzei Shabbos.

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

The Shas chairman’s remarks reflected the party’s efforts to place the controversy in the context of Rav Tzadka’s longstanding personal approach toward electoral participation rather than treating it as a new rejection of Shas.

Rav Tzadka is widely regarded as one of the senior figures in the Sefardic yeshiva world, and his views carry considerable weight among talmidim and families associated with traditional Sefardic Torah institutions.

His involvement in the election controversy is particularly noteworthy because Shas has historically relied on the guidance and public support of leading Sefardic rabbonim, with its Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah serving as the party’s central rabbinic authority.

The dispute also highlights the growing sensitivity surrounding the military draft issue, which has dominated much of the chareidi political discussion ahead of the elections.

Shas has faced criticism over reports that it is prepared to support legislation distinguishing between bochurim who are actively learning in yeshivos and those who are not enrolled in a recognized Torah study framework.

Opponents of such an arrangement argue that accepting compulsory enlistment for any category of chareidi young men could establish a precedent with broader consequences for the community.

Others within the chareidi political establishment have maintained that securing legal protection for full-time yeshiva students remains an essential priority amid increasing judicial and political pressure over the draft.

Rav Tzadka has previously expressed strong opposition to compromises involving military enlistment quotas and government oversight of yeshivos.

In a 2024 letter addressed to Deri, he warned against agreeing to draft targets or arrangements that would subject the yeshiva world to increased government control.

The latest controversy therefore reflects longstanding disagreements over the appropriate response to efforts to expand military conscription within the chareidi population.

The timing has made the issue especially sensitive for Shas, which is seeking to maintain support among Sefardic chareidi voters as the election campaign enters its final days.

The party has also been confronting broader political challenges, including efforts by smaller Sefardic religious movements to attract voters who traditionally supported Shas.

Against that backdrop, reports of a letter opposing Shas from a senior rosh yeshiva prompted immediate efforts to clarify the matter and prevent further disagreements from developing.

The extraordinary Motzei Shabbos meeting, involving five members of the Moetzes Chachmei HaTorah, demonstrated the lengths to which the party’s rabbinic leadership was prepared to go to address the situation.

By late tonight, the reported clarification from Rav Tzadka had altered the picture considerably, with the rosh yeshiva distinguishing his personal practice of not voting from the question of how those who do participate in elections should cast their ballots.

It remained unclear whether the original letter would be formally withdrawn, amended, or released with an accompanying clarification.

With Election Day approaching on Tuesday, the episode has placed the dispute over the draft law at the center of another major discussion within the Sefardic chareidi community, even as Shas leaders seek to demonstrate unity among the rabbonim guiding the party.