Yitzhak Yosef facts for kids
_(cropped).JPG)
Yosef in 2016
|
|
| Religion | Judaism |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | Hebron Yeshiva (Knesset Yisrael), Porat Yosef Yeshiva |
Quick facts for kids Personal |
|
| Nationality |  Israel |
| Born | January 16, 1952 Jerusalem, Israel |
| Spouse | Ruth Yosef |
| Parents |
|
| Senior posting | |
| Title | Rishon LeZion Chief Rabbi of Israel |
| Predecessor | Shlomo Amar |
| Successor | David Yosef |
| Position | Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel |
| Organisation | Chief Rabbinate of Israel |
| Began | 2013 |
| Ended | June 30, 2024 |
| Other | Rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat Hazon Ovadia |
Yitzhak Yosef (Hebrew: יצחק יוסף; born January 16, 1952) is a well-known Israeli Haredi rabbi. He used to be the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, which is a very important religious role. He is also the rosh yeshiva (head of a religious school) of Yeshivat Hazon Ovadia in Jerusalem. After finishing his term as Chief Rabbi, he joined the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, a group of leading rabbis for the Shas political party.
Yitzhak Yosef is the son of Ovadia Yosef, who was also a Chief Rabbi. Yitzhak Yosef bases his halakhic (Jewish law) decisions on his father's teachings. He put these teachings into a series of books called Yalkut Yosef.
Growing Up and Learning
Yitzhak Yosef was born and grew up in Jerusalem. He is the sixth son of Ovadia Yosef, who was a former Chief Rabbi and spiritual leader of the Shas party. Yitzhak Yosef went to a religious school called Talmud Torah Yavneh.
When he was 12, he started studying at the mesivta (religious high school) of Porat Yosef. He chose to focus on religious studies rather than finishing a regular high school. Later, he studied at Yeshivat HaNegev and then at Hebron Yeshiva in Jerusalem.
In 1971, when he was 18, Yosef gathered Jewish law decisions from his father's books. He published these as a work called Yalkut Yosef. His father supported and supervised this project. Many people see Yalkut Yosef as part of his father's work. This is because it summarizes his father's rulings, and his father also reviewed and added comments to it. Yosef won two awards for his religious writings: the Rabbi Toledano Prize for Torah Literature and the Rabbi Kook Prize for Torah Literature.
Becoming a Rabbi and Leader
.jpg)
In 1973, when his father became Chief Rabbi, they started a religious school called Yeshivat Hazon Ovadia. In 1980, Yitzhak Yosef and others from the first group of students became ordained as rabbis and dayanim (religious judges). He was then appointed as the head of the school.
In 1975, Yosef became the rabbi for two villages near Jerusalem, Nes Harim and Mata. He taught classes on halakha (Jewish law) and helped with other religious matters. He also gave talks and taught in public schools to strengthen religious education.
In 1992, Yosef added a high school for boys to Hazon Ovadia. This was important because of differences between the Sephardi Haredi and Ashkenazi religious communities.
On July 24, 2013, Yitzhak Yosef was chosen to be the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel. This position is also known as the Rishon LeZion. He held this important role for ten years. The official ceremony took place on August 14, 2013, at the home of the President of Israel.
After his father passed away, the Shas political party lost its spiritual leader. As the new Chief Rabbi, Yosef seemed like he might take on his father's role in the party. However, his public position as Chief Rabbi meant he could not be involved in political activities by law. Before becoming Chief Rabbi, he had not held any official public job.
On August 21, 2013, Yosef issued a psak halakha (religious ruling). He stated that it is a duty and a mitzvah (good deed) for parents to have their children vaccinated against the polio virus. In 2021, he supported the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States. He now serves as their guide for halakha.
Yosef's time as Chief Rabbi was extended twice. After leaving the Chief Rabbinate, Yosef joined the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah. This is a council of rabbis that makes important decisions for the Shas political party.
About His Family
Yitzhak Yosef is married to Ruth. They have five children. His oldest son, Ovadia, is named after his father. Ovadia is married to the daughter of Shlomo Amar, who was the Sephardic Chief Rabbi before Yitzhak Yosef. His daughter Margalit is married to the son of Yehuda Deri. Yitzhak Yosef lives in Jerusalem.
Want to Learn More?
In Spanish: Yitzhak Yosef para niños
