27 Oct “Remembering Hacham Ovadia Yosef A”H & the Future of Sephardic Jewry”
“Remembering Hacham Ovadia Yosef A”H & the future of Sephardic Jewry”
I honestly cannot believe an entire year went by with out Maran Hacham Ovadia Yosef A”H. This year was an extremely challenging year for the Jewish people. Three boys were kidnapped; Gilad, Naftali, Iyal and later brutally murdered because they were Jewish. Yet a united people came together as one people. Followed by a full fledge war “Operation Protective Edge” which nearly 65 soldiers were killed by Hamas terrorists at combat. Anti-Semitic uprisings in large and small scale Increments have been occurring daily around the world like never seen since World War II.
Today we lack true leadership in the Jewish world especially in dark times. We lost a unique leader who spoke his mind (sometimes more then usual . His unwavering dedication towards halakha, general Torah scholarship and especially an unprecedented dedication towards Sephardic Jewry and the entire Jewish people has never been see in the past few centuries. I think we truly do not recognize the loss that we encountered one year ago today. I can elaborate on his works, independent accomplishments etc… but that can be read if one is interested in detail in my most recent publication entitled Maran, The Life & Scholarship of Hacham Ovadia Yosef.
The issue for the Sephardic world isn’t what was, rather what will be with Sephardic Jewry? The questions we must ask ourselves is the following:
What will be with the future of Sephardic Jewry?
What will be with Sephardic Torah scholarship?
What will me with educating the world that the story of the Jewish people isn’t only a narrative of European Jewry?
Who will tell our untold story?
Who will be the next true leader guiding Sephardic Jewry?
Conclusion: If every Sephardic Jew educated themselves about Sephardic Jewry its history, culture, customs, halakha etc… then this will do justice to an extent. Furthermore if every Sephardic or Ashkenazi Jew alike took upon one great initiative then there would be a great bright future. Where Sephardic Jewry can actually flourish and be the part of Judaism of the future as it shares a rich history, culture and well balanced way of life.
May Hacham Ovadia Yosef A”H legacy inspire, and educate us all, amen.
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