Rabbi Yosef will complain to the police: A letter was forged in my name against Eli Yishai

May 29, 2014   

A new storm in Shas: Who forged a letter from the head of the 'Yachva Da'at' institutions and member of the Council of Torah Sages, the Gaon Rabbi David Yosef?

Journalist Yehuda Schlesinger today revealed a letter addressed to Ori O'Zeim from Petah Tikva, Shas activists in Petah Tikva, in which he requested to hold an evening in memory of the Rabbi Yosef, and invited MK Eli Yishai to speak at the event.

The letter, which supposedly bears the signature of the Gaon Rabbi David Yosef, opens with blessings to Amosi and the participants, "May blessings be upon all the students and helpers" - and continues: "In normal times, there was certainly no dispute in the movement. Since Rabbi Avi Maran Z"A gave his soul to the Creator, irregularities have begun in the movement. MK Eli Yishai, who often consults and acts against the movement. We have heard a rumor that you are in constant contact with him, and are even interested in inviting him in his honor's network to that position. I hereby inform you that this is the opposite of the power of the Torah, the opposite of the knowledge of the Torah, and we will not be allowed to work together with you, in the hope of understanding, David Yosef.". However, the Grand Rabbi Yosef denies that he wrote the letter, and announced that he will file a complaint with the police for forgery. From our examination, it turns out that the Grand Rabbi's handwriting and signature are indeed completely different from those that appear in the letter. In addition, the letter is written on a regular sheet of paper, and not on the letterhead of the rabbi. The official stamp also does not appear. Anyone who reads the letter will also see that it is written in a disjointed and disconnected manner, which is not typical of Rabbi David, who is known for his eloquent and clear writing.

It should be noted that the relationship between Rabbi Yosef and Eli Yishai is known to be tense, given the personal friendship between Rabbi David and Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri, which began when they were both students at the Hebron Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

The Grand Rabbi has spoken out several times in the past against Eli Yishai, particularly in the period after Deri returned to the movement and Yishai refused to accept his leadership.

""Is this the Haredi Harpaz document?" wonders Schlesinger. "Why Harpaz? Because Rabbi David says he didn't write the letter and will even file a police complaint for forgery. Did they really try to harm Yishi? Rabbi Yosef? Deri? Shas?""