Chief Rabbi Samuel Eliyahu Rejects Unauthorized Kashrut Authority for Tzohar Organization

Chief Rabbi of Safed and member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, Rabbi Samuel Eliyahu, addressed the controversy over the kosher certification authority granted to the Tzohar organization in an interview on Kan Reshet Bet. He clarified that the Chief Rabbinate Council revoked the outgoing CEO's decision to grant Tzohar such powers, describing the CEO's move as an unauthorized "coup" executed in the final weeks of his tenure without approval from senior rabbis or the kashrut department.

Rabbi Eliyahu rejected claims that the Chief Rabbinate holds a monopoly on kosher certification, emphasizing that it is a state body operating under the law, unlike a private monopoly. He stressed that Tzohar currently certifies only about 360 businesses and that before expanding their authority to oversee tens of thousands of establishments, a thorough review of their operational procedures and professional capabilities is necessary.

While expressing no personal opposition to Tzohar's personnel, whom he described as "good people," Rabbi Eliyahu insisted that proper administrative processes must be followed. He also distinguished the current situation from past approvals given to the Badatz Beit Yosef for import supervision, noting those did not grant independent kashrut authority within Israel.

Rabbi Eliyahu concluded by stating that kosher certificates issued under the outgoing CEO's unauthorized decision hold no legal validity. He reiterated that any organization seeking kashrut authority must proceed through formal channels and obtain the required approvals to ensure proper oversight and compliance.