Was Petirah of Rav Ovadiah Yosef Z"L a "siyum HaShas"?

The results of the Municipal elections in Israel have many in the shas party worried. Does this spell an end to the shas paty? The first test of survivability since the passing of Rav Ovadiah Yosef, has seemed to fail. In 2 hotly contested races, the shas candidates lost to their political rivals both in Yerushalayim and Elad. The city of Elad was the stronghold of the Shas party for many years. It is the first time control has been wrestled away from them by the Ashkenazi candidate for mayor.


Last week's Ami Magazine had a front cover story about the future of the Shas party. With the passing of its revered leader the party is now forced to deal with countless challenges. Its a new reality in the post Rav Ovadiah Yosef era. the article goes on with different scenarios on the future of the party.

Rav Ovadia's political power was based on the influence he had on hundreds of thousands of voters who followed and listened to his every word. It will take time for Shas to name a new spiritual leader but until then the question is, will it retain its glory and have a spiritual and political power to restore Torah and pride to sephardic Jewry.