The spiritual leader of the religious Sephardic (Eastern Jewish)political party Shas told followers a vote for Shas is a ticket to heaven. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, speaking at pre-election rally, in Tel Aviv, told enthusiastic listeners that a man who has never built a synagogue or a mikvah (Jewish ritual bath), can still reach heaven by “sending emissaries” to do so. A vote for Shas, he said, makes one a party to mitvzot (good deeds), “and your place is in heaven." On a more political note, Shas leader Eli Yishai said a vote for Likud, Labor, or Kadima is “dangerous. Otherwise who will safeguard the people of Israel?” he asked.