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Rav Yitzchok Yosef, the former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel and the spiritual leader of the chareidi Shas party, issued a sharp warning ahead of the upcoming elections, telling voters not to support candidates who ascend the Har Habayis in violation of the halachic position maintained by Shas’s rabbinic leadership.

Speaking Wednesday night at a large gathering at the Acre Stadium, Rav Yosef stressed that political representatives must conduct themselves in accordance with halacha and follow the guidance of the Shas Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah.

Turning specifically to the prohibition against ascending the Har Habayis, Rav Yosef told the crowd, “I call on you: Do not be tempted to vote for unworthy people. Someone who does not fear Heaven and someone who ascends the Temple Mount – it is forbidden according to halacha to vote for him.”

Rav Yosef did not identify any politician by name. His comments, however, appeared to be a reference to National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, chairman of Otzma Yehudit, who has repeatedly visited the Har Habayis and has publicly advocated changes to longstanding policies governing Jewish access and prayer at the site.

Later in his remarks, Rav Yosef urged the Sephardic chareidi tzibbur to remain united behind representatives who follow the direction of the party’s rabbinic leadership.

“One must vote only for those who fear Heaven and follow the path of the Torah, like our representatives.”

{Matzav.com}