A Crown Restored

“Do you want to come in with me to Abba?”
I’ve been waiting for the question all morning.

Of course I want to accompany my host, Chacham David Yosef, into his father’s inner sanctum. There are many clamoring for the opportunity; the elderly sage is one of the most influential figures in Israeli politics, and there are diplomats, Knesset members, and activists vying for a moment of his time, hoping to convince him of this or that. I am not among them. There are journalists pleading for appointments, for a few minutes of conversation with the celebrated rav, eager to report to their readers the chacham’s position on one burning issue or another. In truth, I do not consider myself one of them either. I’m not looking for a sound-byte or a sensationalist headline.

I wish to see the person behind the legend, the Jew who’s done little other than learn and write halachic responsa for close to nine decades. I wish to see “the king in his splendor.” Nothing more.

I rise in anticipation as Chacham David motions to me.
“Let’s go.”