Deri casts vote after visiting grave of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef

After the service, Deri said to Yosef's grave: "All those who are here and in the entire country are going to do your mission with the help of God and the messenger of Adam as he is."

APRIL 9, 2019 08:55

Shas leader Arye Deri prays at the grave of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef on the morning of elections (photo credit: YAAKOV COHEN/MAARIV) — Shas leader Arye Deri prays at the grave of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef on the morning of elections

(photo credit: YAAKOV COHEN/MAARIV)

The leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, Arye Deri, opened his election day campaign on Tuesday by praying at the grave of the deceased spiritual leader of their party, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Israel is going to the polls today to vote for the 21st Knesset. Polls opened at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.

Deri was accompanied by ministers and activists, as well as Rabbi Ovadia's son, Rabbi David Yosef, a member of the Council of Torah Sages, and Rabbi Zion Boaron.

After the service, Deri said to Yosef's grave: "All those who are here and in the entire country are going to do your mission with the help of God and the messenger of Adam as he is."

At the conclusion of the prayer on his grave, Deri said that "just as in our lives we have been blessed to sanctify the Name of Heaven, so we will merit today to fulfill your mission and sanctify the name of Heaven and restore glory to its former glory."

After the visit, Deri tweeted a video of him at the grave. "This morning, at the grave of the Maran, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, OBM," he wrote. "We are continuing along his path. Vote for Shas."