Israeli Chief Rabbinate Revokes Kashrut License of Independent Certifier Tzohar

The Israeli Chief Rabbinate's legal advisor, Attorney Yaakov Ofer, ordered the immediate cancellation of the kosher certification license granted to Tzohar Food Supervision Ltd. just days earlier. This dramatic decision stems from a significant legal flaw found in the licensing process, which was conducted without the required approval or consultation of the Chief Rabbinate Council or its president, Rabbi Kalman Bar. According to the Rabbinate, the license was issued "illegally" and is therefore null and void, preventing Tzohar from continuing to operate as a kosher certifying body under this license.

The decision followed a thorough legal review coordinated with the Ministry of Justice's advisory and legislative department. The flaw identified relates to the violation of the law prohibiting fraud in kosher certification, which mandates that the Chief Rabbinate Council must not oppose the granting of such licenses. However, the council was neither consulted nor gave its opinion before the license was issued. The Ministry of Religious Services CEO, Yehuda Avidan, confirmed in an official letter that the license has no legal standing.

Despite the severity of the cancellation, Tzohar will be given the opportunity to present its case in a formal hearing as required by administrative law. Nonetheless, the Rabbinate has instructed immediate operational steps to revoke the license even before the hearing concludes. This move signals the start of a complex legal battle, as Tzohar, known for its relatively liberal approach to kosher certification, has long sought official recognition from the Chief Rabbinate amid opposition from ultra-Orthodox factions concerned about maintaining strict kosher standards.

The controversy comes shortly after Tzohar's license was initially announced, marking a sudden reversal. The Chief Rabbinate has recently been involved in other kosher-related initiatives, including publishing a comprehensive halachic guide on kosher alcoholic beverages and promoting technological solutions for kosher supervision in hotels. The revocation of Tzohar's license is expected to intensify debates within Israel's kosher certification system, with the public awaiting further legal developments in this sensitive area.