Rav Yigal Cohen, rosh mosdos Yabia Omer and a member of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Council, spoke emotionally at the opening of the weekly shiur of Rishon LeTzion Rav Yitzchak Yosef, following Shas’ announcement regarding the continued leadership of the movement in the path of his father, Rav Ovadia Yosef.
Rav Cohen revealed that he had anxiously awaited the decision and had personally done whatever he could to help bring it about.
“This week I had a great simcha; we made a seudas mitzvah,” Rav Cohen said. “I was on edge the entire week, and I also took whatever steps I could so that, with Hashem’s help, our dream would come true — that our teacher, our rebbi and the crown of our head should lead us until the coming of Moshiach and beyond.”
“I davened to the Creator of the World, I pleaded with the Creator of the World, and I, as insignificant as I am, did whatever I could so that we could receive this beautiful crown,” he added.
Rav Cohen said he was deeply moved by the development and by the privilege of sitting alongside Rav Yosef.
“I am truly emotional. I don’t know who I am or what my life is that I merit sitting here next to Maran, and I’m not saying this as flattery. This week, I was genuinely so moved. Boruch Hashem, we have a crown, a beautiful crown, a crown of goodness, a crown filled with Torah, a crown filled with love, which leads us and will lead us until the coming of Moshiach.”
Rav Cohen then connected Rav Yitzchak Yosef’s leadership with the lifelong mission of his father, Rav Ovadia Yosef, particularly his work to bring Jews closer to Torah and mitzvos.
“The path of Maran, our teacher, our rebbi and the crown of our head, Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef, and the one who continues his path, may he be distinguished for a good, long life, our leader, who, boruch Hashem, we follow by his light,” Rav Cohen said.
He added that the very fact that Rav Ovadia Yosef’s leadership has a continuation is itself reason for profound gratitude to Hashem.
“Not only did Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef come down to this world, Hashem also gave us continuity. For that alone, we should spend the entire day praising, thanking, glorifying and exalting the Creator of the World.”
Rav Cohen concluded with a bracha to Rav Yosef.
“May he continue to lead us until the coming of Moshiach and beyond. And we, with Hashem’s help, will give everything we have for the advancement of Torah, for the holy Torah, for Am Yisroel and for Toras Yisroel.”
Rav Yitzchak Yosef responded by praising Rav Cohen and his work spreading Torah, describing him as someone who “sits and immerses himself in Torah and teaches Torah to the masses.”
Rav Yosef recalled attending a large gathering together with Rav Cohen and being struck by the enormous following he had attracted.
“I couldn’t believe it. There were a thousand, two thousand… so many people, and somehow he draws them in,” Rav Yosef said.
“Today he is one of the strongest forces bringing Am Yisroel closer,” Rav Yosef added, explaining that he has watched Rav Cohen’s work develop over the years.
“It’s true. I have followed him for years. He follows Maran… and he does what Maran did.”
{Matzav.com}
