(Shas Party Spiritual Leader) Rabbi Yosef Explains His Opposition to a Referendum

Arutz Sheva ^ | 10 February 2005

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Rabbi Yosef Explains His Opposition to a Referendum
06:35 Feb 10, '05 / 1 Adar 5765

(IsraelNN.com) Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef remains opposed to a national referendum on the Gaza Disengagement Plan issue, explaining the people do not have the tools to make such a decision.

Rabbi Yosef explains that the decision must be based on security considerations – weighing if the implementation of the plan will save Jewish lives or contribute to increased warfare. Rabbi Yosef explains that nothing else comes into play regarding his decision-making process. “What do the people understand about security?” he questions, adding we would not call for a referendum on a medical matter either, understanding the expects must decide, as is the case here, leaving the evaluation to the senior security experts.

Rabbi Yosef’s remarks appear in the weekly “Mishpacha” news magazine.

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One thing Rabbi Yosef has been absolutely consistent on in his statements over the past decade is that the primary consideration, the most important thing, is always saving Jewish lives.

While I am not haredi I have been a member of modern Orthodox congregations in the past and that is the community I was raised in. I was always taught by both Orthodox and Masorti (Conservative) rabbis that any Jewish law can be set aside to preserve life. It seems to me the value we, as a people, place on human life and expecially Jewish life is what sets us apart from our enemies. It should always be our guiding principle.

While there are a lot of things about Shas I am deeply uncomfortable with I very much respect the Rabbi for his positions.

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Many Torah scholars disagreed with Rabbi Yosef. The Lubavitcher Rebbe wrote extensively that it was the exact opposite that was true. Giving away large parts of the holy land endangered Jewish lives much more than keeping them.

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