Spiritual and Political Leader
Elyashiv was the spiritual leader of the Degel HaTorah party which has representatives in the Knesset (Israel's parliament). He held great influence over the policies of the party, currently part of the umbrella United Torah Judaism list in the Knesset. Degel HaTorah abided by all his rulings and instructions. In 1989, upon the establishment of the religious political party Degel HaTorah, Elazar Shach asked Elyashiv to join in the public leadership, and Elyashiv acceded to his request. He came to the major public gatherings of Degel HaTorah and shared in the task of rendering decisions. Most rosh yeshivas ("yeshiva deans") associated with the Agudath Israel of America movement frequently sought out his opinions and followed his advice and guidelines concerning a wide array of policy and communal issues affecting the welfare of Orthodox Judaism. Eliashiv held no official title, neither as head of a congregation, yeshiva, or particular community.
Read more about this topic: Yosef Shalom Eliashiv
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