Yitzhak Yosef, also known as Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Shlomo, is the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel (Rishon LeZion), serving since 2013. Born on October 16, 1952, in Jerusalem, he is the eldest son of the influential Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, founder of the Shas political party, and Margalit Yosef. Yosef was ordained as a rabbi by his father and rose through the religious hierarchy. He is a key religious figure aligned with Shas and a prominent figure in Israel's Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community, particularly among Sephardi Jews. He is known for his halakhic rulings, sermons, and political endorsements, including support for Shas leader Aryeh Deri. Yosef's tenure has been marked by efforts to uphold Orthodox Jewish traditions in public life, influencing policies on issues like Sabbath observance, conversion, and military exemptions for yeshiva students. Throughout his career, Yosef has issued numerous rabbinic responsa and led the Badatz Beit Yosef kashrut certification. He has faced controversies for inflammatory statements, including comments on non-Jews, secular Israelis, and social issues, which have drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. Despite this, he remains a key spiritual authority for Shas supporters and has played a role in coalition politics, advising on religious matters for Israeli governments. Yosef continues to reside in Jerusalem, where he delivers weekly Torah lectures and oversees Sephardi religious institutions.