Ethics Commissioner Rebukes Rabbi David Yosef for Criticizing Supreme Court Judges Over Shabbat Case

Aharon Kola, the Public Complaints Commissioner for Judges and retired judge, ruled that a complaint against Rabbi David Yosef, the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and President of the Rabbinical High Court, is justified. The complaint concerned Rabbi Yosef's harsh remarks against Supreme Court justices who deliberated on a petition about restrictions on protests during wartime, including hearings held on Shabbat. Rabbi Yosef accused the justices of trampling sacred Torah law, acting recklessly regarding Jewish tradition, and called them "impudent judges" and "enemies of Judaism."

Kola determined that while judicial decisions can be criticized, Rabbi Yosef's language exceeded legitimate critique and conflicted with the expected official discourse for someone holding a senior judicial position. He warned that such harsh expressions could undermine public trust in both the court system and rabbinical courts. Furthermore, Kola noted that the issue of Supreme Court hearings on Shabbat is not central to the Chief Rabbi's role, so these comments do not fall under the exceptions allowing the Chief Rabbi to express views related to his official duties.

Conversely, Kola rejected a separate complaint about Rabbi Yosef's statements regarding the Supreme Court ruling that required the Rabbinical establishment to allow women to take rabbinical ordination exams. This matter was deemed within the core responsibilities of the Chief Rabbi, relating directly to rabbinical certification and leadership. Kola emphasized the dual role of the Chief Rabbi as both a judge and the head of the Rabbinical High Court, distinguishing between statements tied to his halachic duties and those outside his official remit.

Despite finding the complaint partially justified concerning the Shabbat remarks, Kola imposed no sanctions on Rabbi Yosef. The decision serves as an ethical ruling and official criticism of the manner in which Rabbi Yosef expressed his views.