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Council of Torah Sages

MK Aryeh Deri attends a Knesset session in Jerusalem on February 10, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
November 6, 2025, 9:49 pm
Despite apparently backing Bismuth’s draft exemption law, Shas still deeply divided
Senior Shas rabbis complain that chairman Aryeh Deri is weakening their influence in the party as it debates coalition proposal to regulate Haredi enlistment and IDF exemptions
By Sam Sokol
Former Sephardic chief rabbi and Shas spiritual leader Yitzhak Yosef arrives at an anti-enlistment conference in Bnei Brak, July 31, 2025. (Daniel Nafusi)
October 24, 2025, 1:49 pm
Top Shas rabbis pan party leader Deri as Haredi draft exemption bill remains elusive
In leaked recordings, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef says Shas should leave coalition, forcing elections; voices distrust of ‘atheist’ Netanyahu, whom he says his father, Ovadia Yosef, disliked
By Michael Horovitz
Religious Services Minister Michael Malkieli announces the Shas party's decision to quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, July 16, 2025. (Yaakov Cohen)
July 16, 2025, 11:17 pm
Shas bolts gov’t for failing to enshrine Haredi non-enlistment in law, remains part of PM’s coalition
Council of Torah Sages decries ‘persecution against yeshiva students,’ instructs party representatives ‘to immediately resign from all positions in the government’
By Sam Sokol
Shas chief Aryeh Deri outside his home in Jerusalem on January 18, 2023, hours after the High Court ruled he cannot serve as a government minister. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 19, 2023, 5:19 am
Deri said likely to resign or be fired as minister while looking to bypass top court
TV says Shas chief, ultra-Orthodox party’s rabbinical leaders and Netanyahu believe they must honor ruling disqualifying him from cabinet; far-right minister urges: Defy decision
By ToI Staff
Shas' Ya'akov Margi (L) with party leader Aryeh Deri in Jerusalem on January 1, 2023 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 18, 2023, 1:19 pm
Shas minister ahead of court ruling: ‘PM knows there’s no government without Deri’
Welfare Minister Margi says Netanyahu will ‘need to make decision,’ while Likud’s Karhi says ruling against party leader would be ‘shameless’
By ToI Staff
Rabbi Shimon Baadani, member of the Shas Sages Council, at his home in the city of Bnei Brak, on September 28, 2017. (Yaakov Naumi/Flash90/File)
November 21, 2022, 11:45 pm
Shas spiritual leader seriously ill; Deri halts coalition talks to be at his side
Rabbi Shimon Baadani, 94, head of ultra-Orthodox party’s Council of Torah Sages, sedated and on ventilation in hospital
By ToI Staff
Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman attends a Knesset Health Committee meeting on July 2, 2018. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)
July 2, 2018, 7:46 pm
Ultra-Orthodox leader says he’ll topple government if enlistment bill passes
UTJ’s Litzman says his party will leave the coalition when legislation setting targets for Haredi conscription is signed into law
By Alexander Fulbright and Raoul Wootliff
Shas MK Yigal Guetta (R) submits his letter of resignation from the Knesset to Speaker Yuli Edelstein (L) on September 17, 2017 (Knesset speaker's office)
September 17, 2017, 11:41 am
Shas MK resigns amid furor over his attendance at nephew’s gay wedding
Yigal Guetta submits letter to Knesset speaker, ending 20-month stint in politics; will be replaced by Bat Yam Deputy Mayor Rafael Barnaz
By ToI Staff
Shas MK Yigal Guetta in Jerusalem, February 16, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
September 13, 2017, 9:08 pm
Shas sages said ‘divided’ over resignation of gay wedding MK
Compromise may be in the works after Yigal Guetta holds off from formally resigning; he notified Shas leader but not Knesset speaker
By ToI Staff
Yachad party leader Eli Yishai kisses the hand Rabbi Meir Mazuz during press conference in Bnei Brak, December 25, 2014. (Photo by Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)
June 1, 2017, 12:02 pm
Senior Shas figures said to discuss return of Eli Yishai to helm party
Sources say loyalty to current leader Aryeh Deri still strong, but graft probe leaves party heads preparing for the day after
By Sue Surkes
Ultra Orthodox women protest against the Women of the Wall movement hold Rosh Hodesh prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem Old City, December 1, 2016. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)
January 30, 2017, 4:58 pm
Ultra-Orthodox MKs tell Netanyahu to cancel Western Wall compromise
A year after historic government decision, top state rabbis insist lawmakers must undo deal facilitating pluralistic prayer at holy site
By ToI Staff
March 30, 2016, 9:49 pm
Shas rabbinical council said to back Deri in new graft probe
‘Continue your holy work,’ head of party’s highest body reportedly tells accused interior minister after latest allegations
By Raoul Wootliff and Tamar Pileggi
Illustrative photo of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Brooklyn, New York. (Mendy Hechtman/Flash90)
November 4, 2015, 6:05 am
US haredi rabbis’ body rejects Open Orthodoxy
Council of Torah Sages accuses movement of not adhering to basic tenets of Jewish faith
By JTA
Rabbi Shimon Badani enters the stage of a convention for Jewish religious women held in Jerusalem on June 28, 2010. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
October 9, 2015, 10:42 pm
Leading rabbi: Jewish visitors to Temple Mount sparked tensions
Shimon Baadani, of Shas Council of Torah Sages, says Israel should ‘not provoke the nations, even if we are in control here’
By JTA
UTJ's Yaakov Litzman leaves a session of his United Torah Judaism party's Council of Torah Sages in Jerusalem on August 27, 2015. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 27, 2015, 4:56 pm
Deputy Health Minister Litzman to become full minister
In response to landmark court ruling, ultra-Orthodox lawmaker becomes the first to receive rabbis’ approval to enter cabinet
By Jonathan Beck
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