Leviathan Trade Sues Chief Rabbinate for 5.7 Million Over Kosher Certification Cancellation

Leviathan Trade, an Israeli kosher meat distributor, has filed a 5.7 million shekel lawsuit against the Chief Rabbinate after kosher certificates for 198 tons of Argentine meat were revoked. The cancellation occurred in July 2022 following a special kosher fraud department update, which prohibited the use of products from the Argentine slaughterhouse due to a change in the slaughter team composition rather than any halachic kosher defect.

The company had purchased approximately 630 tons of meat from Nahum Import and Marketing in 2022, relying on kosher certificates issued by the Chief Rabbinate. However, after the slaughter team leader approved by the Rabbinate left in February and was replaced by an external inspector not accepted by the Rabbinate, the certificates for 198 tons were annulled. Leviathan requested permission to sell the meat under a lower kosher standard, supported by rabbis who witnessed the slaughter and attested to its validity, but the request was denied.

Leviathan also petitioned the Supreme Court, which dismissed the case, citing the Rabbinate's halachic authority. As a result, the company claims it was forced to sell the meat below purchase price to customers in the Palestinian Authority and others who did not require kosher certification. Leviathan alleges negligence by the Rabbinate, arguing that the slaughter team leader had reported his departure in real time, which should have prevented the initial issuance of kosher certificates for meat slaughtered without an approved team.

The case is currently pending in the Jerusalem District Court, with Leviathan seeking compensation for damages caused by the Rabbinate's cancellation of kosher certification.