Is the rift in the Shas leadership over? The compromise between Deri and Rabbi Yosef and the remaining mine
The status of the Rishon LeZion has strengthened, Deri granted him public recognition, and Rabbi Maya backed his position. On the other hand, Rabbi Yosef did not receive the title of President of the Council of Torah Sages, and political control remains in the hands of the Shas chairman. The real test is expected to come in the next clash - perhaps as early as the day after the elections. Commentary.
After a period of tension and a struggle for power centers in Shas, the understandings between Aryeh Deri and Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef outline a compromise in which each side received part of what it requested - but neither received everything. Rabbi Yosef's status has strengthened significantly, while political control of the party remains in Deri's hands.
On one hand, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef received public recognition of his status. Deri said on camera that he asks him to continue leading the party in the path of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, and Rabbi Moshe Maya determined in his letter that Rabbi Yosef, as his father's successor, will be in charge of implementing his legacy within the movement and its institutions and will guide its representatives. A 'chavruta' (study partnership) was even established between Deri and Rabbi Yosef.
On the other hand, there is great importance in what Rabbi Yosef did not receive. He was not crowned President of the Council of Torah Sages and was not defined as someone who is above Deri in the Shas hierarchy. At the same time, Rabbi Maya gave clear backing to Deri in his letter and emphasized that Rabbi Ovadia Yosef entrusted him with the "reins of the movement's leadership."
Also from a practical standpoint, Rabbi Yosef cannot fire Deri and does not determine alone when the Council of Torah Sages will convene. Therefore, alongside a significant strengthening of his spiritual and public status, political control of the party remains to a large extent in Deri's hands.
Ultimately, both sides have come a long way toward each other. However, the current compromise has not yet stood the test of a real dispute. This test may come after the elections - or as early as the first significant clash between the two.
Then the truly interesting question will arise: will Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef stand by his demands and try to actually exercise the authorities that have been discussed recently, or will the understandings reached now be maintained even when his interests and Deri's clash?
This move comes against the backdrop of the noticeable change in Rabbi Yosef's public positions in recent times. After years in which he spoke out sharply against the conscription of ultra-Orthodox into the IDF and expressed harsh positions regarding the political system and those who headed it, a more moderate and cautious line has been heard from him recently.
Therefore, the story does not end with the understandings reached now. The real test will be the day after the elections, when political considerations return to the center stage. Then it will become clear whether a division of power has been created in Shas that can last over time - or if this is a temporary lull in the struggle between the two power centers in the party.
