Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef

Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef
State Medal in the "Jewish Sages" Series

Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef (1920-2013) was known for his talent, diligence and love of Torah study from a very young age. He began his Torah writings at age 9 and published his first literary work when he was 17.

Yosef was ordained as a Rabbi at age 20 and became the youngest Dayan (rabbinical judge) in Israel. He served as Head of the Rabbinical Court and Deputy Chief Rabbi of Egypt, Dayan in the Rabbinical Court in Petach Tikva and later as Dayan in the Rabbinical Court in Jerusalem, in addition to being a member of the High Rabbinical Court.

He served as Chief Rabbi of Tel-Aviv-Jaffa and, in 1972, was selected to serve as the Chief Rabbi of Israel, the "Rishon Le'Zion". During his years as Chief Rabbi, he made important decisions regarding social issues as well as issues of Jewish law, that resonated on a national level and bore historic significance, such as his bold ruling confirming that the Ethiopian Jews were in fact Jewish, thus allowing them to immigrate to Israel; allowing marriage with Karaite Jews, subject to the terms of Jewish law; and "releasing" all the wives of IDF soldiers who had remained missing after the Yom Kippur War, so that they were able to remarry.

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef founded the Shas political party and served as its spiritual leader and president of the Mo'etzet Chachmei HaTorah (Council of Torah Sages). Prime Ministers and presidents would come to his home, seeking his rulings and advice on a wide range of political and security issues. Over the years, he brought about a social revolution, improved the position of Oriental Jewry and served as a guide for tens of thousands.

His guiding principle was his approach toward Jewish law; he followed in the footsteps of the Beit Hillel school of thought, being as lenient as possible within the framework of the law. He received innumerable complex halachic questions from all over the world. Rabbi Yosef was recognized as the "greatest ruler of Jewish law of his generation", and he strove with all his might to save from suffering and misery those who were forbidden to marry, out of sincere concern and a sense of personal responsibility. He compiled over fifty books, in which he related to actual questions arising from modern technology. His books became core texts in the Torah world and he was awarded the Israel Prize for Torah literature.

After his passing, he was mourned greatly throughout the Jewish world, both in Israel and the Diaspora. His funeral, attended by nearly one million mourners, was the largest in the history of the State of Israel. His tombstone is worded simply and humbly, expressing the nature and character of this religious and social revolutionary who was admired by the masses but remained humble.

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef shall be remembered in the history of Israel as the greatest in his generation and as an incredible genius who gained the title of Maran (Master) and was considered to be the "adjudicator of a generation". He was a dedicated and esteemed leader who dedicated his life to the people of Israel and prayed throughout his life for the redemption of the people and individuals. His spirit shall glow in the pages of history as one who left an indelible mark on the State and on society.

His character, legacy and leadership accompany the scores of students and admirers who continue to bask in his light.

Yehudith Yosef
His daughter-in-law
Biography of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, courtesy Israel Philatelic Service

Obverse: Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef - Based on photograph by Flash 90

Reverse: The medal reverse, common to all the medals in the series, represents the wisdom and holiness of our Jewish Sages.

Edge:
Bronze medal: Milled.
Silver and Gold medals: Smooth. State Symbol

Designer: Osnat Eshel

Mint: The Holy Land Mint