Chief Rabbinate of Israel
Israeli-media coverage mentioning Chief Rabbinate of Israel, translated into English and compared across sources. 48 recent stories.
Jerusalem Chief Rabbis Condemn Planned Joint Jewish-Christian Prayer at Western Wall
Jerusalem's Chief Rabbi Avigdor Nebenzahl and Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar have condemned a planned joint Jewish-Christian prayer at the Western Wall as a desecration…
Israeli Rabbinate Caps Ketubah Amount at 360,000 Shekels to Prevent Excessive Obligations
The Israeli Chief Rabbinate has capped ketubah amounts at 360,000 shekels and set a minimum of 36 shekels to prevent unrealistic financial obligations on grooms. The decision, sup…
Rabbi Ben Zion Nesher, Esteemed Tel Aviv Rabbi and Dayan, Passes Away at 76
Rabbi Ben Zion Nesher, a leading rabbinic figure and dayan in Tel Aviv, died suddenly at 76. He served as rabbi of the Trumpeldor neighborhood and held key roles in the Chief Rabb…
Critic Reviews 'The Odyssey' Film and Highlights Persistent Ethnic Divisions in Jewish Traditions
Meir Uziel critiques the 2026 film "The Odyssey" for its artificial visuals and forced diversity, while also condemning persistent ethnic divisions between Ashkenazi and Sephardi…
Rabbi Yair Hadaya Officially Appointed Chief Rabbi of Eilat in Ceremony with Israel's Chief Rabbis
Rabbi Yair Hadaya was officially appointed as the Chief Rabbi of Eilat in a ceremony attended by Israel's Chief Rabbis and local officials. The appointment highlights the city's d…
Chief Rabbinate Expands Slaughter Certification to Lower Kosher Meat Prices
The Chief Rabbinate of Israel has approved a plan to expand practical slaughtering certifications to address workforce shortages, aiming to increase kosher meat supply and reduce…
Dozens of Rabbis and Hasidic Leaders Celebrate Beloved Rabbi in Rishon LeZion
Dozens of leading rabbis and Hasidic leaders gathered in Rishon LeZion to honor a revered rabbi. Veteran Haredi media figure Dudi Zilbershlag criticized current leadership and dis…
Rabbi Erez Elharar Officially Appointed Chief Rabbi of Hod Hasharon in Historic Ceremony
Rabbi Erez Elharar was officially appointed as the Chief Rabbi of Hod Hasharon in a historic ceremony attended by Israel’s top rabbis and city officials. The event highlighted his…
US Ambassador Mike Herzog Opens Exhibition on Chief Rabbis' Visits to White House in Jerusalem
US Ambassador Mike Herzog visited Beit HaRav Kook in Jerusalem to open an exhibition on Israeli Chief Rabbis' historic White House visits, marking Rabbi Kook's death anniversary a…
Left-Wing Activists Disrupt Rabbi Eltaher’s Installation Ceremony in Hod Hasharon
Left-wing activists protested the installation of Rabbi Erez Elharar as chief rabbi of Hod Hasharon, prompting police intervention to prevent disruption at the event attended by I…
Chief Rabbi of Israel Calls Antisemitism a Battle Between Darkness and Light at Moldova Ceremony
At Rabbi Menachem Mendel Axelrod's inauguration as Moldova's Chief Rabbi, Israel's Chief Rabbi Kalman Meir Bar framed antisemitism as a cosmic battle between darkness and light, p…
Dan Illouz Resigns From Knesset, Shabtai Katesh Set To Become First Ultra-Orthodox Likud MK
Dan Illouz resigned from the Knesset after joining Israel Beiteinu, with Shabtai Katesh set to replace him as the first ultra-Orthodox Likud MK. Katesh, a Chabad Hasidic lawyer fr…
Israeli Religious Authorities Warn Against False Marriage Registration Claims
The Israeli Ministry of Religious Services and Chief Rabbinate warn the public against false claims by the group "Anachnu Techelet" about cooperating on marriage registration, cla…
New Chief Yehuda Avidan Strengthens Israeli Rabbinate with Key Kosher Supervision Appointments
Yehuda Avidan, acting CEO of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate, has appointed Rabbi Avraham Buchbut to lead the Foreign Slaughtering Department and restored enforcement units’ full authori…
Chief Rabbi Urges Heightened Safety Measures After Tragic ATV Accident During Bein Hazmanim
After the fatal ATV accident that killed yeshiva student Meir Shaar during Bein Hazmanim, Chief Rabbi Kalman Bar called for urgent safety vigilance among the ultra-Orthodox commun…
Chief Rabbinate Warns Shamir Medical Center Over Alleged False Kashrut Claims
The Chief Rabbinate warned Shamir Medical Center for allegedly presenting false kosher certification on its website without proper authorization, threatening legal action if not c…
Yehuda Avidan Appointed Acting CEO of Chief Rabbinate Amid Ongoing Investigation
Yehuda Avidan was named acting CEO of Israel's Chief Rabbinate despite an ongoing investigation into allegations of fraud and threats. His appointment followed official approvals…
Chief Rabbi Kalman Bar Defends Rabbi David Yosef's Public Remarks on Sabbath Observance
Chief Rabbi Kalman Bar defended Rabbi David Yosef's public remarks on Sabbath observance, stating they fulfill the Chief Rabbinate's historic duty to protect the Jewish character…
Israeli NGO Urges Supreme Court to Require Military Status Proof for Rabbinical Exams
The Israeli NGO Atim petitioned the Supreme Court to require military service status proof for rabbinical exam candidates, arguing current rules allow uncertified deferments that…
Israeli NGO Petitions Supreme Court to Bar Draft Dodgers from Rabbinical Certification Exams
The Israeli NGO Atim petitioned the Supreme Court to require proof of military service status for rabbinical exam candidates, aiming to exclude draft dodgers. They argue that reco…
Israeli Chief Rabbinate Delays Frozen Chicken Imports as Prices Surge and Top Veterinarian Resigns
The Israeli Chief Rabbinate is delaying kosher certification for imported frozen chicken, causing price hikes and market stagnation. The Agriculture Ministry's Chief Veterinary Of…
Tzohar Organization Files Supreme Court Petition to Reinstate Kosher Certification Reform
The Tzohar Rabbinical Organization has petitioned Israel's Supreme Court to reinstate a kosher certification reform canceled by the Knesset last week, which had privatized kosher…
Chief Rabbi Issues Guidelines on Washing, Haircuts, and Cooking for Tisha B'Av Amid Sabbath Proximity
Israel's Chief Rabbi Kalman Bar issued detailed halachic guidelines for Tisha B'Av, including fasting rules and mourning customs. Due to the 10th of Av falling on Friday this year…
Israeli Chief Rabbinate and Fire Authority Urge Public Caution During Bein Hazmanim Holidays
The Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the National Fire and Rescue Authority jointly urged the public to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines during the Bein Hazmanim holiday…
Record Number of Candidates Take Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Exams Amid Growing Demand
Israel’s Chief Rabbinate reports a record number of over 13,000 candidates taking certification exams in 2023-24, with more than 6,000 registered for the upcoming session. Chief R…
Israeli Ombudsman Upholds Chief Rabbi's Criticism of Women's Rabbinical Exams, Rejects Sanctions
The Israeli Public Complaints Commissioner for Judges dismissed complaints against Chief Rabbi David Yosef for his criticism of women's rabbinical exams, affirming it as part of h…
Israeli Parliament Approves Law Canceling Kashrut Reform, Raising Public Costs by 600 Million Shekels
The Israeli Knesset passed a law canceling the 2021 Kashrut reform, preserving the Chief Rabbinate's monopoly and blocking market competition. This move will increase kosher certi…
Shas Party Secures Final Knesset Approval to Revoke Private Kashrut Certification
Israeli Butchers File Supreme Court Petition Over Stalled Slaughterhouse Certification Process
The Association of Slaughterers and Inspectors in Israel has petitioned the Supreme Court to compel the Chief Rabbinate to resume practical certification exams for kosher slaughte…
IDF Chief Rabbi Responds to Controversy Over Sabbath Observance During War
Chief Rabbinate Declares Kashrut License Granted to Tzohar Invalid Due to Procedural Flaws
Israel's Chief Rabbinate declared that the kosher certification license granted to Tzohar last week was issued unlawfully due to major procedural flaws and is currently invalid. T…
Israeli Supreme Court Upholds Election of Chief Rabbi of Harish, Rejects Petition
The Israeli Supreme Court dismissed a late petition against the election of Rabbi Asher Zigdon as Harish's first chief rabbi, confirming his appointment and ordering petitioners t…
Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu Condemns Controversial Kashrut Approval for Tzohar Organization
Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu sharply criticized outgoing Chief Rabbinate CEO Yehuda Cohen for issuing an unauthorized, unprecedented kashrut certification to Tzohar. The Chief Rabbinate i…
MK Avi Maoz Blasts Coalition Over Delays in Western Wall Law Advancement
MK Avi Maoz condemned the Israeli coalition and ultra-Orthodox parties for delaying the Western Wall Law, accusing them of enabling Reform movement access to the site and warning…
Jewish Mourning Customs Intensify During Three Weeks Between 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av
During the Three Weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av, Jewish communities observe escalating mourning customs including restrictions on weddings, music, haircuts, and c…
Chief Rabbi Issues Detailed Kashrut Guidelines for Whisky Consumption
Chief Rabbi Kalman Bar issued a detailed halachic ruling on whisky kashrut, distinguishing between American, Scottish, Irish, and Canadian whiskies based on production methods and…
Chief Rabbi Warns of Kashrut Risks in Popular Whiskeys
Chief Rabbi Kalman Meir Ber published a halachic warning on imported whiskey and other spirits. He said bourbon is relatively safer, while Scotch, Irish, and especially Canadian w…
Deal advances as Knesset to debate Basic Law on Torah study next week
The Knesset is set to begin next week on a new Basic Law that would make Torah study a fundamental state value. The same deal between Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox parties also…
Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman Offers Weekly Message on Parashat Balak
Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman appears in Kikar HaShabbat’s weekly “Migdalor LeChayim” segment with a message on Parashat Balak. The item identifies him as a member of the Chief Ra…
First Woman Passes Chief Rabbinate Certification Exam
A woman has passed a Chief Rabbinate certification exam for the first time in Israel, after a High Court ruling opened the exams to women. She still needs to pass five more exams…
Rabbi Yigal Cohen Delivers Daily Spiritual Encouragement from "Chovot HaLevavot"
Kikar HaShabbat published a short daily encouragement segment with Rabbi Yigal Cohen. The clip draws on "Chovot HaLevavot" and is presented as a brief, current spiritual message.
Netanyahu Pushes Ultra-Orthodox Deal Amid Protests and Judicial Overhaul
Netanyahu is advancing a deal with ultra-Orthodox parties while the coalition promotes bills on Torah study, kosher certification and draft evaders. At the same time, the governme…
Leading Religious-Zionist Rabbis Back New Kashrut Bill
Senior Religious-Zionist rabbis issued a public letter backing a new kashrut bill. They said it would strengthen the Chief Rabbinate, standardize kosher supervision, and called on…
European Jewish leaders warn Belgian circumcision case could reshape minority rights
The European Jewish Association held an emergency conference in Brussels over Belgian legal action against circumcisers, warning it could set a Europe-wide precedent against minor…
Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu urges swift repeal of kosher certification reform
Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu wrote to MK Ohad Tal backing the effort to cancel Israel’s kosher certification reform. He warned that the reform enabled kashrut fraud, urged the bill’s quic…
Rabbinical exam candidates wait more than a year and a half for grades amid scoring crisis
Rabbinical ordination candidates have been waiting more than 18 months for exam grades because of a severe backlog in grading at the Chief Rabbinate. Although a solution was propo…
Daily 60-Second Encouragement with Rabbi Yigal Cohen
Kikar HaShabbat is featuring a daily 60-second faith clip with Rabbi Yigal Cohen. The short segment draws on Chovot HaLevavot and is presented as a brief spiritual encouragement v…
Chief Rabbinate Streamlines Marriage Officiant Certification Process
The Chief Rabbinate in Israel has updated the certification process for rabbis who officiate weddings, adding an online application system and clearer procedures. The criteria the…