The Knesset legal advisor's decision to allow women to apply for the position of Knesset rabbi has caused outrage in some parts of the Religious Zionist sector, with the Merkaz Liba NGO accusing Israel's legislature of disrespecting Jewish tradition in order to appease the non-Orthodox movements.
"|The decision of the legal advisor to the Knesset is no less than a delusion," said Merkaz Liba, which battles attempts by non-Orthodox movements to gain recognition in Israel. "The renunciation of basic criteria for the position of rabbi to appease an extreme and marginal group is very serious."
"Will they in the future also give up the necessary training for the position of director-general of the Knesset? What about needing a license from the Ministry of Health to the position of doctor? A law degree for a judge? " asked the NGO.
"We expect the Attorney General to retract the decision and appoint a rabbi who is authorized and authorized by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel."
However, the move to allow women to serve as the Knesset's rabbi was supported by Religious Zionist MK Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid), who is known for his support of the Reform and Conservative movements.
"I congratulate the Knesset for stopping the tender that allows only men to approach it and opens the tender for both sexes. I know the role of the Knesset rabbi and are convinced that there are enough women who can fill it in a good and dignified way. I wish a woman would be elected," Stern told the Srugim website.
On Thursday, Yediot Aharonot reported that Knesset Legal Advisor Eyal Inon ordered that a new tender for the position of Knesset Rabbi be halted in order to allow women to compete for the job.
Preliminary conditions of the originally published tender included a demand from candidates to present Yoreh Yoreh certification - that is, the certificate of a rabbi ordained by the Chief Rabbinate. This is a requirement that only men can meet, since the Chief Rabbinate does not offer the exam to women.
In the new tender, instead of the Yoreh Yoreh certification requirement, it will be possible to present a bachelor's degree from an academic institution together with a kashrut supervisor certificate from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. In recent years, hundreds of women have been kashrut supervisors, and this qualification will now enable them to compete for the position of Knesset rabbi.
"Changing the education requirement in the new tender will enable a wider public, including women, engaged in the field of kashrut supervision and relevant experience in accordance with the requirements of the tender, to apply for the position," wrote Yinon.