First Woman Passes Chief Rabbinate Certification Exam

For the first time in Israel, a woman has passed one of the Chief Rabbinate’s certification exams, a landmark made possible after a precedent-setting High Court ruling allowed women to sit for the tests. The report was first published by journalist Dachi Halperin on Galei Tzahal.

The unnamed candidate passed a difficult exam in laws of mourning. The test is known for a strict threshold, since a passing grade requires at least 60. Two other women also took the same exam, but they did not reach the required score.

Passing this exam is only the first step toward the official rabbinic certification known as “Yoreh Yoreh.” To receive it, the candidate must still pass five more challenging exams. These include Shabbat law, niddah law, and laws of forbidden and permitted foods, along with two additional halachic subjects of her choice.