Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef said Thursday that those who vote for a party that undermines state observance of Jewish law “shall not be forgiven.” The rabbi's words were seen as a slam on Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel is Our Home).
In a videotaped speech given in his Jerusalem home, Yishai said, “Those who vote for a party that supports assimilation, and wants to bring in pig meat and all kinds of forbidden things... whoever supports them, whoever votes for them – his sin is too great to bear, and he shall not be forgiven.
"He thinks he cast his vote, and then it's finished?” Rabbi Yosef continued. “Whatever they do – it is as if he himself did it. If they bring pig meat, it is as he himself did it, if they do assimilation, then he did assimilation too.”
On the other hand, those who vote for parties that strengthen Torah and Judaism will be credited for the good deeds performed by those parties, Rabbi Yosef said. “They will be rewarded in this world, and it will be good for them in the World to Come,” he concluded.
The rabbi suggested a short verse that he said should be recited by those voting for Shas as they cast their ballots, in order to remind themselves of the good deed they are about to perform.
The criticism was widely assumed to be directed at Yisrael Beiteinu, a secular nationalist party that has made large gains in the polls in recent weeks. The latest surveys show Yisrael Beiteinu winning from 17 to 19 seats, while Shas is expected to receive between nine and 11 mandates.
Shas has been censured by the Elections Committee in the past for promising blessings to its voters. Prior to the previous elections a Shas advertisement was pulled after opponents argued that it appeared to promise an honored place in heaven to Shas voters.
According to Israeli law, parties may not promise blessings to its voters or threaten those who vote for others with curses.