Victor Cohen
The close bond between our community and Hacham David Yosef, shelit”a, Israel’s current Sephardic Chief Rabbi – or “Rishon Letzion” – goes back many years. Long before his election as Chief Rabbi this past autumn, Hacham David frequently visited our community, and often welcomed our community’s youngsters while they were learning in Israel.
His recent visit, however – his first since assuming his prestigious post – was particularly meaningful. Despite his crowded itinerary, and his numerous responsibilities – including a meeting with Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and former advisor, who is still an important figure in the shaping of the U.S.’s Middle East policy – Hacham David devoted a considerable amount of time in the Jersey Shore area. In fact, it seemed like he was almost everywhere throughout the town. He visited nine of our ten community synagogues (ten, if you include both his visits to the Park Avenue Synagogue…) where he prayed, taught, delivered words of encouragement and inspiration, and spread the warmth and light of Torah. It was truly a special week for our entire community, one which left us all uplifted and inspired.
Titan of Contemporary Halachah
Hacham David Yosefwas born on August 10, 1957, as the ninth child of Maran Hacham Ovadia Yosef, zt”l. He attended the Or Yisrael yeshiva, after which he spent one year in the Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak followed by a period of study in the Hebron Yeshiva in Jerusalem.
In 1990, he was appointed rabbi of the Har-Nof neighborhood of Jerusalem, a post he served for 30 years. He also ran the esteemed Yehaveh Da’at kollel, and authored numerous scholarly works – most notably, Halachah Berurah, a 26-volume set that ranks among the most thorough contemporary works of halachah. It follows the sequence of the Shulhan Aruch – the principal halachic code for Sephardic Jewry – and elaborates at length on the source of every halachah, citing an extraordinary range of works relevant to each passage in the Shulchan Aruch in order to apply the rulings to contemporary life. Halachah Berurah has become a crucial resource for all those seeking to understand halachah and its modern-day applications – studied and cherished by laymen and scholars alike.
Hacham David was named Israel’s Sephardic Chief Rabbi – a ten-year position – on September 29, 2024, succeeding his brother, Hacham Yitzhak Yosef, shelit”a. As it so happens, Hacham Yitzhak Yosef also visited our community recently,during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June whichprevented him from flying home to Israel. Hacham David’s formal inauguration took place on December 11, 2024. Numerous rabbis from our community attended the event, including Rabbi Shmuel Choueka, Rabbi David Ozeri, Rabbi Edmond Nahum, and Rabbi Shaul Kassin.
The Chief Rabbi’s Week in Deal
Hacham David’s historic trip demonstrates his great devotion to worldwide Sephardic Jewry, and to our community in particular. Here’s a brief rundown of the Chief Rabbi’s visits during his recent stay in the Jersey Shore region:
- On Monday, July 7th, Hacham David visited Congregation Magen David of West Deal, praying with their 7:30am minyan, after which he delivered a lecture.
- On Tuesday, July 8th, Hacham David visited Beit Rachel– Larchwood Synagogue for their 7am minyan, and taught a class.
- On Wednesday, July 9th, Hacham David prayed with the Ohel Yaacob Congregation– Lawrence Avenue Synagogue, joining their 7:15am Shaharit, and gave a lecture on halachah at 8am with Rabbi Eli Mansour.
- On Thursday, July 10th, Hacham David prayed in Ohel Simha– Park Avenue Synagogueat their 6:50am minyan, and delivered a talk at 7:50am.
- On Shabbat, July 12th, Hacham David began the morning prayer with Congregation Beit Yosef, and then went to the Synagogue of Deal to join with their main minyan. Afterwards, he went to Safra Synagogue to speak at seudah shelisheet.
- On Sunday July 13th, he visited Congregation Magen Abraham– West Long Branch Synagogue. He then returned to Park Avenue Synagogue to deliver divreh hizuk (words of inspiration) before Minha.
- Finally, on Monday July 14th, he prayed Shaharit with Shaare Tefilah Bene Moshe– Eatontown Synagogue.