Rabbi Nosson Kopshitz’s View of ‘Rabbi’ Ovadya Yosef’s Halachic Rulings

Rabbi Nosson Kopshitz shlita is a great Talmid Chacham, especially considered an expert in the laws of Ribbis, and the pride of his city, Beit Shemesh (just listen to scholars who know him!).

A certain rabbi told me he would give a regular halacha shiur (class) to sefardi Avreichim up until the listeners complained he would never so much as mention Rabbi Ovadya Yosef. “Even if you happen to disagree or follow other opinions”, they claimed, “at least mention Rabbi Ovadya’s view among others”.

So, he went and asked Rabbi Kopshitz if he could do so. The answer was clear: No. Even mentioning Rabbi Ovadya’s words, Rabbi Kopshitz felt, would cause Jews to violate halacha.

The shiur ceased.