For former Shas minister Rabbi Shlomo Benizri, the scathing attack against Rabbi David Stav by Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita does not require explanation.

He explains that Rav Ovadia is the Gadol Hador, and he understands the weight that rests on his shoulders regarding religion and state in Israel. “I am with him. I speak with him and I seek his pain” stated Benizri, who added we have the concept of כי תצא למלחמה.

Benizri states Rav Ovadia received reliable testimony and reviewed piskei Halacha of Rav Stav. He cites the rav permits going to see movies, admitting he himself has seen movies, including some that were less modest than they should have been. “When he is elected rav what will the headlines read. Rav such and such viewed such and such a movie. This is disgraceful. Isn’t this a chilul Hashem?”

Speaking with Kikar Shabbos, the former minister of health drew an analogy from King David, who was gentle and studied Torah, but when he was required to go to war, he was firm as a cedar tree. He explains the same holds true with Rav Ovadia and those who know him understand this. He points to the Gadol Hador’s ahavas Yisrael, his gentle way and his total concern for his people, but when called to war, to act in defense of the Torah, he does what needs to be done.

Benizri states that whenever Maran comes out publically against a rav or political figure, such a Rabbi Chaim Amsellem, the other side is quick to claim “it’s not Rav Ovadia but those around him are feeding him information.”

Benizri, who maintains a close relationship with the rav for a number of years points out the same was true regarding the Chafetz Chaim. He adds that even when the Chafetz Chaim was elderly, and he came out with an opinion regarding a certain community in Europe, they said similar things about him. They published that in actuality he did not really say those words but the Chafetz Chaim would come out and repeat them so it was clear to all that he did indeed make the statements attributed to him.

Benizri assures us that regarding Maran Rav Ovadia, the Gadol Hador is of sound clear mind and well aware of what is going on around him and what he says. Benizri is critical of the dati leumi rabbonim and politicians who are now trying to teach R’ Ovadia mussar, rejecting the legitimacy of their words.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)