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

The Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef shlit"a, explains the reason for the severe controversy that existed regarding the Maharsham, the gadol hador (leader of the generation) of his time, and in general, the reason for the controversy against tzaddikim. During his remarks, the Rishon LeZion explains the reason why there was opposition to his father, Maran Ovadia Yosef zt"l.

"The Maharsham, about a hundred years ago, was the gadol hador of his time; he was the primary decisor of the generation. In his time, during his lifetime, poor man, he suffered; many rose up against him."

"About forty years ago, Maran called me on Shabbat and showed me the book of the Maharsham's responsa, and inside the book was a yellow pashkevil (proclamation). There, one could see that all the Admorim had signed a complete ban against the Maharsham."

"They placed a ban on him because he possessed the power of 'koach d'heteira' (the strength to permit)."

"For example, he permitted a solar water heater on Shabbat—back then there were no solar heaters, I am just giving an example. He permitted brushing teeth with toothpaste on Shabbat; he permitted it."

"They were alarmed by this—how is it possible?—and they placed a ban on him, and all sorts of rabbis signed it, many rabbis."

"The Rav turned to me and said, 'Read the names of these rabbis; do you know any of them?' No. 'You see, the memory of all of them has perished; we are done with them. But the memory of the Gaon, the Maharsham, remains forever and ever.'"

"I once said in the name of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, he writes, why do the tzaddikim in this world suffer? People rise up against them; one sees in the media that secular people go out and attack them. Maran, how much he suffered in his time when they conducted an investigation against him."

"Why do the tzaddikim suffer? Hashem loves the tzaddikim. Whom does Hashem love? He loves the tzaddikim, and He is concerned for them so that they do not come to pride."

"They arrive at a place and people sing to them, 'Days, length of days and years of life.' So that they do not come to pride, what does Hashem do? He raises up opponents against them. This one opposes you... and then he will remain humble. Hashem protects them so that they will be humble."

"If there is someone who has no one opposing him, it is likely that Hashem does not love him—He lets him come to pride. When Hashem loves them, this is what it looks like."

"The Gaon, the Maharsham, was a tremendous genius. The Rav says to me, 'Look—today one cannot move without his rulings; he is a great decisor.'"