Yitzhak Yosef facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yitzhak Yosefיצחק יוסף |
|
|---|---|
_(cropped).JPG)
Yosef in 2016
|
|
| Religion | Judaism |
| Denomination | Sephardic Orthodox |
| Alma mater | Hebron Yeshiva (Knesset Yisrael), Porat Yosef Yeshiva |
| 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 |
|
Yitzhak Yosef (Hebrew: יצחק יוסף; born January 16, 1952) is an important Israeli rabbi. He was the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel until June 2024. This is a very high religious position. He is also the head of a religious school called Yeshivat Hazon Ovadia in Jerusalem. After finishing his term as Chief Rabbi, he joined the main council of rabbis for the Shas political party.
Rabbi Yosef is the son of Ovadia Yosef, who was also a Chief Rabbi. Yitzhak Yosef bases his decisions on Jewish law (called halakha) on his father's teachings. He put these teachings into a series of books called Yalkut Yosef. In 2024, he received the Israel Prize for his religious writings.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Yitzhak Yosef grew up in Jerusalem, Israel. He is the sixth son of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a very respected religious leader. As a child, he went to a religious school called Talmud Torah Yavneh.
When he was 12, he started studying at a religious high school (called a mesivta) at Porat Yosef Yeshiva. After that, he continued his religious studies at other advanced schools, known as yeshivas. These included Yeshivat HaNegev and Hebron Yeshiva.
Writing the Yalkut Yosef Series
In 1971, when he was 18, Yitzhak Yosef started collecting his father's decisions on Jewish law. His father, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, had written many books of responsa, which are answers to questions about Jewish law. Yitzhak Yosef organized these answers into a book called Yalkut Yosef.
His father supported and supervised this work. Many people see Yalkut Yosef as a summary of his father's rulings. Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef won two awards for his religious books: the Rabbi Toledano Prize and the Rabbi Kook Prize.
Rabbinic Career and Leadership
.jpg)
In 1973, when his father became Chief Rabbi, they both helped create Yeshivat Hazon Ovadia. This school also had a kollel, which is a program for advanced religious studies. In 1980, Yitzhak Yosef and others from the first group of students became ordained as rabbis and religious judges (called dayanim). He was then appointed as the head of the school.
In 1975, Rabbi Yosef became the rabbi for two villages near Jerusalem, Nes Harim and Mata. He taught classes on Jewish law and helped with other religious needs. He also gave lessons in public schools to help strengthen religious education.
In 1992, Rabbi Yosef expanded Hazon Ovadia to include a high school for boys. This was important because there were some differences between the Sephardi Haredi and Ashkenazi religious communities.
Chief Rabbi of Israel
On July 24, 2013, Yitzhak Yosef was chosen as the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel. This important position is also known as the Rishon LeZion. He held this role for about 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 main spiritual leader. Many thought Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef might take on this role. However, as Chief Rabbi, he was not allowed to be involved in political activities by law. Before becoming Chief Rabbi, he had not held any official public positions.
On August 21, 2013, Rabbi Yosef made a religious ruling (called a psak halakha). He stated that it is a religious duty (a mitzvah) for parents to have their children vaccinated against the polio virus. In 2021, he also supported the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States and helps guide them on Jewish law.
Rabbi Yosef's term as Chief Rabbi was extended twice. His term officially ended on June 30, 2024. After leaving the Chief Rabbinate, he joined the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah. This is a council of rabbis that makes important decisions for the Shas political party.
Personal Life
Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef is married to Ruth Yosef. They have five children. His oldest son, Ovadia, is named after his grandfather. He 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, who was the Chief Rabbi of Be'er Sheva. Rabbi Yosef lives in the Sanhedria Murhevet neighborhood of Jerusalem.
See also
In Spanish: Yitzhak Yosef para niños
