Why were residents of the Jersey Shore in such a good mood despite the gloomy weather, recently? The anticipation in the air overcame the intense humidity—young and old alike awaited the arrival of the Rishon L’Sion, Hacham Yitzhak Yosef, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel.
That anticipation began several days earlier, as schools and community institutions feverishly prepared for the Rabbi’s arrival. His schedule would be packed, as he planned to visit each yeshivah in succession and end the day with a community-wide gathering at Congregation Magen David of West Deal.
He began the tour at Keter Torah, where Rabbi Dabbah’s students greeted him and stood in awe listening to his words of Torah and berachot.
Next was Bet Yaakov, where the Rabbi addressed the 200+ girls in the auditorium, with words of inspiration and wisdom. Rabbi Choueka eloquently translated the Rabbi’s speech.
The students and staff of Hillel Yeshiva welcomed the Rabbi outdoors, with the entire student body greeting him in song as his car pulled up to the large parking area. What a sight of blue and white! Outside, Rabbi Kassin introduced Middle School Student President, Michael Ancona, who presented the Rabbi with hand-written letters of comfort and consolation on the loss of his father, Hacham Ovadia Yosef zt”l. He also gave the Rabbi a picture of his father’s visit to Hillel Yeshiva years earlier. Hacham Yitzhak was escorted into the auditorium where his inspirational words were heard by hundreds of middle school and high school students, as Rabbi Ovadia Alouf translated. The program opened with a warm and powerful introduction by Rabbi Moshe Dweck and concluded with passionate words by Rabbi Howard Bald.
Next, the Rabbi was off to Ma’or Yeshiva (Rabbi Semah), where he spoke to the boys about the importance of finishing their Torah studies. He advised them to progress one masechet (tractate) at a time until they finish the entire Shas (full Sephardim Shomrei Torah).
At Ilan High School, Hacham Yitzhak relayed to the girls how great his mother was; how she built a beautiful family. He instructed them on the proper way to create their future homes based on his mother’s example. Rabbi Diamond then translated the inspirational speech.
He finished the afternoon with a shiur over an hour long for Rabbi Diamond’s rabbinical students. The room was packed and everyone thirstily drank up the Rabbi’s words.
Later that evening, as promised, the Rabbi was led through a standing-room-only crowd into the sanctuary at Magen David Synagogue. President Elliot Braha welcomed the Rabbi, his assistants and the guests into the synagogue. Rabbi Saul J. Kassin then spoke about his experience with the Chief Rabbi during his years of semicha program in Jerusalem. Rabbi Isaac Farhi introduced the Rabbi, who spoke next, to an audience of nearly 800 people. Throughout his entire message, one could hear a pin drop. He closed with a beracha for the entire Jersey Shore community—for health, for prosperity, and most of all, for unity. Rabbi Shmuel Choueka then translated the Rabbi’s speech into English. Much of it focused on the greatness of his father, Hacham Ovadia zt”l.
The evening closed with a spiritually meaningful minyan for Arbit. It was a whirlwind day, but the effects will be felt for years to come!
