The Chief Rabbinate of Israel has expressed regret over the decision of Supreme Court Chief Justice Esther Hayut not to hold another hearing before a larger panel of judges before allowing leavened food (chametz) into hospitals on Passover. It is worth noting that the Chief Rabbinate's request for another hearing was also supported by the Attorney General, Dr. Avichai Mandelblit.
"Unfortunately, in rejecting the notion of another hearing, the court is discounting the majority of the citizens of Israel, who would rather avoid chametz on Passover. This will make many refuse hospitalization and ultimately do harm to the patients and the public," the Rabbinate said in a statement.
The Rabbinate expressed its concern that "beyond the harm dealt to Israel's status as a Jewish state, this will cause religious Jews to avoid hospitals and refuse vital food and treatment during Passover, making this ruling both harmful as well as insensitive to the population. Additionally, the Rabbinate will be hard-pressed to secure Passover meals for religious patients."
"We hope that the legislature, or any body, in fact, can reverse this situation, being as it is a death blow to many Israeli citizens. Until the situation is rectified, the Chief Rabbinate calls on the general public visiting hospitals to refrain to the best of their ability from coming into contact with chametz during Passover," they said.
The Chief Rabbis of Israel personally added, "We call on all public figures of Israel who still hold the Torah dear to take action against this decision."