Adar 1939

“In honor of my great and exalted friend, a man of wisdom, a Torah lover, and a scholar Mr. Zvi Zilkar 

Mayor of Ashdod,

Peace and blessings and great help,

As I know his honor closely, and his love and affection for the tradition of Israel, that is why I have come to ask his honor in every
language of request, to stop and curb the deterioration in the area of Shabbat desecration in Ashdod. 

I know that he has many hands, and his great influence on the residents of Ashdod and the surrounding area will be able to contribute a lot to the observance of
our holy Sabbath, and I have no doubt that the majority of the congregation in Ashdod, who are custodians of Israel’s tradition, and who gave their hand to elect the mayor of Ashdod, expect a lot from his honor that he will do everything. And as soon as possible, to prevent the desecration of the Sabbath, and they will hold him in favor of that.  

We witness to our joy that the city of Ashdod continues to develop in the spiritual field, in Torah institutions, including yeshivot
and seminary houses and religious schools, and residences for the ultra-Orthodox to speak to God, and the desecration of the Sabbath causes a storm of spirits there, and who will turn it after it?  

Therefore, I return and implore his honor to go to Hail and stop the desecration of the Shabbat as quickly as possible, and this is his
glory and honor. 

And I am petitioning the Shi’ite that God’s will in His hand will be successful, and he will be able to increase Torah and be great in health and in the abundance of happiness, honor
and all good things. 

Sincerely,

Ovadia Yosef

Rishon L’tzion Chief Rabbi of Israel