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This is an archive article published on October 8, 2013

Influential rabbi in Israel dies

His death was announced by Professor Dan Gilon,his cardiologist.

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Rabbi Ovadia Yosef,a fiery figure in Israeli politics who,as the spiritual leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party,fought for the interests of Jews of Middle Eastern and North African origin,died Monday in Jerusalem. He was 93.

His death was announced by Professor Dan Gilon,his cardiologist.

Clad in his distinctive uniform of turban,gold-embroidered robe and dark glasses,Rabbi Yosef embodied a particular blend of religion,tradition,populism and ethnicity. As leader of a Sephardic council of Torah sages that founded Shas in early 1980s,he harnessed the underdog sentiment of many non-European Israeli Jews,restored their pride and turned them into potent political force.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said Monday the Jewish people have lost one of the wisest men of this generation,adding: Rabbi Ovadia was a giant in Torah and Jewish law and a teacher for tens of thousands.

ISABEL KERSHNER

 

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