Supreme Court Upholds Age Limit for Kosher Slaughterers

Israel's Supreme Court, sitting as the High Court of Justice, unanimously rejected three petitions challenging a decision by the Chief Rabbinate Council to set an age limit of 80 for kosher slaughterers. The ruling, authored by Justice Alex Stein and joined by Justices Khaled Kabub and Yechal Khaser, affirmed the Rabbinate's authority to establish such age restrictions for slaughter teams operating both in Israel and abroad.

The issue originated in June 2024 when the Rabbinate's overseas slaughter committee decided that slaughter team leaders over 80 could not continue in their roles. This was later expanded to all overseas slaughter team members and formally adopted by the Chief Rabbinate Council in September 2024. The council later extended the principle to slaughter teams operating within Israel.

This decision was supported by a ruling from the Chief Rabbi of Israel and President of the Rabbinate Council, who stated that for halachic and professional reasons, the kashrut of meat slaughtered under the responsibility of a team leader over 80 could not be guaranteed. The Rabbinate Council subsequently rejected a request from the court to consider an exceptions committee for slaughterers over 80, emphasizing the decision was based on halachic principles, professional opinions, and the Chief Rabbi's ruling.

Petitioners argued the blanket age limit infringed upon freedom of occupation, property rights, equality, and dignity, advocating for individual assessments of physical and professional fitness rather than age-based disqualification. They also contended that Jewish law does not impose an age limit on the profession of slaughtering.

The Rabbinate countered that as the state body responsible for kosher certification and supervision, setting competency standards falls within its authority. They highlighted the significant physical and mental demands of slaughtering, justifying the decision on professional and halachic grounds. Justice Stein agreed, defining the Rabbinate as the "sole regulator" in this field and affirming its broad discretion in adopting halachic rules for food kashrut, noting the legislature's emphasis on ensuring the kashrut of food presented to the public.

Justice Stein dismissed claims of discrimination, stating that age differences are relevant in the context of slaughtering due to the role's demands and halachic aspects. He also deemed any impact on freedom of occupation to be minimal. Ultimately, the court found no grounds to intervene in the Rabbinate's decision, canceling interim orders and declining to impose costs on the petitioners, while expressing appreciation for their past service.