MK Simcha Rothman Accuses Judiciary of Undermining Rabbinical Courts' Authority

At a special conference titled "Zion in Justice Redeemed" held at the Beit El Yeshiva's Kollel Dayanut, MK Simcha Rothman, chairman of the Constitution Committee, criticized the Israeli judicial system for hypocrisy regarding rabbinical courts. The event marked the restoration of authority to rabbinical courts to adjudicate monetary disputes by mutual consent, aiming to strengthen Torah law in Israel.

Rothman highlighted the recent amendment to the Rabbinical Courts Law, emphasizing that the opposition's arguments lacked genuine basis. He explained that the debate was not truly about differing worldviews, Torah law versus human-centered values, but rather about a deliberate attempt to undermine Torah law. Citing retired judge Ayala Procaccia's ruling, which delayed for 20 years the recognition of rabbinical courts' authority due to a claimed lack of legal jurisdiction, Rothman revealed that this claim was a pretext. When legislation was introduced to correct this, public discourse shifted away from the jurisdiction issue, exposing the falsehood.

Rothman concluded that Procaccia's opposition was not about legal technicalities but aimed at damaging the rabbinical courts themselves. He stressed the importance of respecting Torah law as the foundation for Israel's legal system and criticized those who seek to impose alternative value systems. The conference underscored the ongoing struggle over the role of religious law in Israeli society and governance.