Elazar Shach

Elazar Shach, born in 1898, was a prominent Haredi rabbi who played a pivotal role in the leadership of Lithuanian Orthodox Jews both in Israel and globally. His influence spanned from the early 1970s until his passing in 2001, during which he served as the chair of the Council of Sages and was one of the three co-deans of the esteemed Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, alongside notable figures Shmuel Rozovsky and Dovid Povarsky.

In the political arena, Shach's relationships were complex. Initially, he found common ground with Ovadia Yosef, leading to the establishment of the Shas party in 1984. However, their alliance was short-lived, as in 1988, Shach publicly criticized Yosef, asserting that Sephardim were not suitable for leadership roles. This divergence prompted him to create the Degel HaTorah political party, which aimed to represent the interests of Litvaks in the Israeli Knesset.

Shach's legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to the Haredi community and his significant contributions to Jewish education and political representation. His leadership style and decisions continue to influence the dynamics of Orthodox Judaism in Israel and beyond.