From the moment Rav Ovadia Yosef accepted the mantle of leadership of the nascent Shas political party in the early '80's, his name came to be synonymous with the revolution that Shas had become. The founding of the Shas Party led to the forming of the Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah, the Rabbinical council which advises the Party till today. R' Ovadia was appointed to head the council. He proceeded to take a very active role in decision making, and displayed an astute perception of the jungle which characterizes Israeli politics. At the same time, he saw himself as the Rabbinical leader of the Sephardic community worldwide and not limited to the political sphere. In his mind, he remained first and foremost, a teacher of Torah, an exponent of psak halacha, a speaker with a message to his people, as well as a political leader when he deemed it necessary.

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