With the Chief Rabbinate elections days away, Wednesday, 17 Menachem Av 5773, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, a candidate to become the next Rishon L�Tzion traveled to Bnei Brak for a bracha from HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita. Rav Yitzchak arrived on Friday, erev Shabbos Nachamu at about 15:00 escorted by Bnei Brak Mayor Rabbi Avraham Rubinstein.

Prior to meeting with the Gadol Hador, Rav Yitzhak met with HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein Shlita.

A deal has been made by which Rav Yitzchak will receive the votes of those voting who abide by Rav Shteinman�s word, about twenty votes. In return, the Shas voters who abide by Rav Ovadia�s word will cast a ballot for Rav Shteinman�s candidate for the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi post, Rabbi David Lau.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)