Rebbetzin Sarah Toledano publicly challenged remarks made by her sisters in a Channel 12 News interview, declaring that Shas remains faithful to the legacy of her father, Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, zt"l.
A new public dispute has emerged within the family of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, zt"zl, after one of his daughters broke silence and strongly rejected criticism of the Shas movement voiced by her sisters.
Following an interview her sisters gave to Channel 12 News in which they criticized Shas and argued that the party no longer operates according to their father's path, Rebbetzin Sarah Toledano came forward with a sharply different message: Shas, she insisted, is continuing Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's legacy.
Speaking to Kol Barama Radio, Rebbetzin Toledano protested that she had not previously been given an opportunity to present her position.
“I came on to protest that I have not been given the right to speak. I do not think like my sisters. I disagree with them," she said.
She went on to offer an unequivocal defense of the party founded by her father.
“My father established Shas with his own two hands. He did it in order to increase Torah study, mikvahs, synagogues, Torah education - everything that Shas does today is a continuation of my father's path," she said.
Rebbetzin Toledano also defended her brother, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, who is involved in the leadership of the movement.
“My brother, Maran Rabbi Yitzhak, who is in the leadership of Shas, is continuing my father's path. Shas is my father's magnificent legacy. If Shas is strong, it will increase Torah in Israel," she said.
She emphasized that her father's primary focus was Torah, rather than politics.
“For my father, only Torah was important. Maran, my father, was all about Torah and not politics, and Shas is also Torah and not politics," she said.
Rebbetzin Toledano also voiced her support for Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, saying that he continues to follow Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's approach.
“Party chairman Aryeh Deri follows Maran's path, the path of Torah and fear of Heaven. The only thing he cares about is Torah," she said.