The almost mythical title of Rishon Lezion appeared long ago in the mid-17th century, during the era of the Ottoman Empire, to designate the spiritual ruler of the city of Jerusalem. Upon the establishment of the State of Israel, it will become the official title of the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel.
Much more than a leader of the Rabbanout or an authoritative hilhatic decision-maker in the country, he represents above all the voice of the Torah and the link to the Tradition of Israel for the whole of the People, in all its forms and social categories. It is this great mission that the holders of this title have brilliantly fulfilled since the creation of the State, such as Rav Uziel, Rav Mordechai Elyahou, Rav Ovadia Yossef (the father of current Rishon Lezion), Rav Chlomo Amar etc, characters with powerful charisma, radiant goodness, mythical title and imposing dress, managing to touch all layers of the population, from the most religious to the most secular, carrying a message of peace and spirituality everywhere where they were going, certainly defending tooth and nail and without concessions the Jewish character and the State of Israel, but without excluding those of a different sensibility or thinking differently.
Unfortunately, by dint of politicization and communitarianism, this title has increasingly lost its sacred dimension, which gave the person who fulfilled this function this special, almost magical status, because he represented something much greater than himself. itself, thus allowing it to rise above any political conflict to touch the hearts of the people.
This is how the current Rishon Lezion, Rav Itshak Yossef Shlita, deviates from this tradition and begins to multiply outings, day after day, against those who do not align themselves with his line of thought or that of his eminent father Rav Ovadia Yossef zal, using the power of his title to settle personal political disputes, casting opprobrium on eminent Rabbanim or politicians, ignoring the fact that everything he utters goes beyond his sole sphere personal influence of eminent Rav and decision maker, because perceived by a large part of the public as having the force of truthful and indisputable law.
More than that, while the previous Rishon Lezion brought to the people a vibrant Torah message that touched the hearts of all sensibilities and even the most ignorant, Rav Itshak Yossef Shlita contented himself most of the time with gymnastico-Talmudic or hilhatic discourse without consideration for the style of the public in front of him, leaving the uninitiated stunned, completely aside and finally gathering around him only the disciples of the same social group, becoming once again the guide of his community and no longer of the whole of the people.
Some, although grumbling about his excessive outings, console themselves by saying that at least thanks to his strong and incisive character, Rav Itshak Yossef Chalita can defend with strength and courage the institutions of Rabbanut from the dangers of ambient progressivism against the Jewish character of the country.
It would nevertheless be clever to ask the question upside down, namely whether the opposition that this institution is currently encountering in Israeli society does not come precisely from the bad publicity it gives itself, namely of an anti-pedagogical institution, incomprehensible towards the different sensitivities of the population, serving its interests or a political party rather than those of the public.
Would the Rabbanut meet as many opponents in the People, for its majority respectful of the Tradition, if it inspired more closeness with the People, the dedication to its service and the transmission of the Tradition to all its categories? Shouldn’t she see this current growing discontent as an accusing finger of having failed in her mission to bring the People together?
For us, Jews from North Africa, this image of the spiritual leader close to the People, their needs and their realities seems so innate and natural to us, because centuries of rabbinic tradition have given us so many great faithful Rabbanim to these principles, which have been able to guide all of their communities in the most educational and dedicated way possible.
That we can again deserve Beezrat Hashem, Rabbanim at our head who will be spiritual guides, unifying shepherds, for all the People of Israel.
Malahie Tebol
NB: Articles published in the OPINION section only engage their authors
OPINION. Chief Rabbinate: what has become of the Gathering Shepherds? By Malahie Tebol