Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef on the Reason for the Dispute over the Maharsham and the Tzaddikim

The Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef shlit"a, explains the reason for the severe dispute that was against the Maharsham, the great leader of his generation, and in general, the reason for disputes against tzaddikim. During his words, the Rishon LeZion explains the reason they opposed his father, Maran Ovadia Yosef zt"l.

"The Maharsham, about a hundred years ago, was the great leader of his generation, he was the respondent of the generation. In his time, during his life, unfortunately, he suffered, many opposed him."

"About forty years ago, Maran called me on Shabbat, he shows me the book of the responsa of the Maharsham, and inside the book, there is a yellow pamphlet. There you see that all the Rebbes signed a complete ban against the Maharsham."

"They banned him because he had the power of leniency."

"For example, he permitted a solar heater on Shabbat, back then there was no solar heater, I'm just giving an example. He permitted toothpaste for brushing on Shabbat, he permitted."

"They were shocked by this, how is it possible, and they banned him, and many rabbis signed."

"The rabbi turns to me, read the names of these rabbis, do you know any of them? No. You see, all of them are forgotten, it's over. But, the genius Maharsham's memory remains forever."

"I once said in the name of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, he writes, why do the tzaddikim in this world suffer? People come out against them, you see in the media that the secular attack them. Maran, how much he suffered in his time when they investigated against him."

"Why do the tzaddikim suffer? Hashem loves the tzaddikim. Whom does Hashem love? He loves the tzaddikim, He fears for them that they should not come to pride."

"They arrive at a place and they sing to them for days, length of days and years of life. So that they do not come to pride, what does Hashem do, He raises opponents against them. This one opposes you..., and then he remains humble, Hashem ensures they remain humble."

"If there is one who is not opposed, it seems that Hashem does not love him - He allows him to come to pride. When Hashem loves them, this shows it."

"The genius Maharsham was a tremendous genius, the rabbi tells me, look - today one cannot move without his rulings, he is a great decisor."