Matzah (illustration)
Matzah (illustration)Yonatan Sindel/Flash 90

Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz, the longtime inspector of matzah (unleavened bread for Passover) for the kosher foods company Manischewitz, has sued the company for firing him after he criticized a lapse in kashrut standards.

The lawsuit was filed against the company in Newark, New Jersey, on Wednesday after the rabbi was fired from his post at Manischewitz after complaining it was not adhering to Jewish dietary law, reports Associated Press on Friday.

Rabbi Horowitz had long been Manischewitz's chief supervising rabbi, on behalf of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America which independently ensures kosher standards.

The rabbi seeks millions of dollars in compensation for emotional distress and damage to his reputation in the lawsuit, which was filed in New York City.

However, the Orthodox Union branded the lawsuit "entirely without merit," while asserting that Manischewitz meets the highest standards of kashrut.

Manischewitz officials have declined to comment on the lawsuit.