Yitzhak Yosef

Former Sephardi chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef denounces Ben-Gvir as election battle intensifies

Former Sephardi chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef denounced Ben-Gvir as arrogant over his Temple Mount visits, as Shas escalates its election campaign amid concerns over losing young Sephardi voters.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef. September 06, 2026.
 Shas spiritual leader and former Sephardic chief rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, seen during a weekly lecture at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, June 07, 2025; illustrative.

MQG demands gov't open criminal probe into Shas spiritual leader after attack on attorney-general

Amid reports that the Shas Party could be willing to sit with him in government, Yashar Party head Gadi Eisenkot did not rule out that option entirely. Here, Eisenkot attends the Sagi Laws for Equality Confrence at the Peres Center in Jaffa earlier this week.

Why Gadi Eisenkot is rejecting the haredi political embrace that once helped Netanyahu win

Head of Shas party Aryeh Deri and Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef visit at the scene of suspected arson and vandalism at a Jerusalem synagogue which is often frequented by Rabbi Yosef, June 8, 2025.

Shas spiritual leader appears to open door to Eisenkot government, says Netanyahu ‘won’t repent’


Chief Rabbi Yosef bans Kol Barama radio station from broadcasting his Torah lessons

“No other station has permission to broadcast the lesson without my approval,” says Yitzhak Yosef.

Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef (L) and former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar (R).

Sephardi Chief Rabbi visits desecrated Joseph's Tomb

“‘The nations came and desecrated your sanctuary’,” said Yosef, citing a verse from the Book Psalms.

Chief Rabbi Yosef Yitzhak visits desecrated Joseph's Tomb

Peres meets with Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, Shas outcast Rabbi Shlomo Amar

Divisions in Shas deepen with increased independence of Amar, naming of Rabbi Shalom Cohen as movement's spiritual leader.

President Shimon Peres meets with Sepahrdi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, April 20, 2014.

Lapid: Fire Chief Rabbis over objection to religious women's service in the army

Chief Rabbis reiterate opposition to enlistment of religious women to the IDF; Lapid: This is insolence, a national scandal.

Lapid at Knesset 370

Chief Rabbis reimpose ban on Jews visiting Temple Mount

After an increasing number of religious people ignore rabbinate's ruling, chief rabbis reiterate their stance.

Temple Mount jews 370

New Chief Rabbis sworn in on a big day for Tzipi Livni

Livni had the privilege of sitting on the dais together with President Peres, Deputy Min. for Religious Affairs Eli Ben Dahan and the rabbis.

Swearing in of David Lau, Yitzhak Yosef 370