Chief Rabbinate Moves to Block Women From Rabbinic Exams, Defying High Court

Israel's Chief Rabbinate is advancing a new qualification criterion for rabbinic certification exams that is meant to bar women completely from taking the tests, in an apparent attempt to sidestep a High Court ruling on the issue, according to a report by Yoeli Brim on Channel 13 on Tuesday evening.

The plan has triggered an internal clash inside the Rabbinate. Its own legal advisers are sharply opposing the discriminatory criterion, saying it is legally indefensible and would likely be struck down again in court.

Despite that resistance, the religious leadership is pressing ahead. In recent private conversations, Chief Rabbi David Yosef, the Sephardic chief rabbi, reportedly spoke harshly against the women petitioners and against the High Court judges. “During my term, no woman will receive a certificate,” he said, adding, “They still dare to turn to the High Court?” He also said the Rabbinate intends to actively confront the court, declaring, “We will take action against the High Court.”

Political and legal officials are watching closely. Legal sources believe that if the new criterion is approved by the Chief Rabbinate Council over the objections of its legal advisers, it will prompt immediate petitions and could spark a severe constitutional crisis between the religious establishment and the High Court.