Rabbi Yosef - Bring elderly to vote
Photo: Ata Awisat
Rabbi Yosef: Shas to win 18-20 Knesset seats
Ultra-Orthodox party's spiritual leader prophesies Shas to nearly double its power in upcoming general elections, calls on supporters to do everything possible to win more mandates. 'We are not doing this for the seats,' he clarifies, ' but to honor God'
Speaking at a convention kicking off Shas' campaign in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening, the party's spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef predicted that it will win 18-20 Knesset seats in the upcoming general election.
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"Each and every one of you, all nice and dear. Each one will bring 10 people who vote Shas. Everyone should write the names of 10 people on paper and convince them to vote Shas, and the paper they should submit to the manager," the rabbi said.
The duty of persuading others is everyone's, he said, but added that this deed was not without reward. "Everyone should speak to his friends, brothers, neighbors, sisters…women are not exempt either - they should go to their female friends, relatives, and neighbors, so they vote Shas. Ten names? That's just the minimum. Everyone should do 20, do 30, and God will reward him."
The rabbi also addressed the finer details of election day, such as how to bring voters to the ballots. "On election day those who have a vehicle will dedicate that vehicle to Shas by bringing elderly men and women, giving them the ballot, and they will vote Shas. That way we will reach 18-20 Knesset seats," he said.
Rabbi Yosef stressed that Shas does not seek more power because its people desire a seat in the Knesset, but rather, for a higher purpose. "The Torah will be as strong as Shas is. We are not doing this for seats, but to honor God," he said.
