Rav Ovadia Yosef

Rav Ovadia Yosef (1920–2013) was a towering Sephardic halakhic authority and former Chief Rabbi of Israel. Born in Baghdad, he immigrated to Jerusalem at age four and studied at Porat Yosef Yeshiva, quickly distinguishing himself as a prodigious scholar. Renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge and prolific responsa, he championed lenient rulings to ease religious observance for Sephardic Jews. He served as Chief Rabbi from 1973 to 1983 and later became the spiritual leader of the Shas political party. His influence reshaped Sephardic identity in Israel, blending tradition with accessibility. Rav Yosef’s legacy endures through his writings and vast network of students.

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