Israel's new Chief Rabbis were elected today: Rabbi Shlomo Amar of the Sephardic community, and Rabbi Yonah Metzger for the Ashkenazim. Both served until today as rabbis in Tel Aviv; Rabbi Amar was the city's Chief Rabbi, and Rabbi Metzger was northern Tel Aviv's spiritual authority.
The election board that made today's choices comprises 150 members, of whom 80 are rabbis and 70 are government and public figures. The Chief Rabbis' first official act will be to sell the nation’s chametz (leaven, forbidden to be eaten or owned on Passover). The sale will go into effect several hours before the Passover holiday begins on Wednesday night. If the sale is not finalized by the end of the seven-day holiday (eight days, outside of Israel), the chametz will revert back to its original owners.
The election board that made today's choices comprises 150 members, of whom 80 are rabbis and 70 are government and public figures. The Chief Rabbis' first official act will be to sell the nation’s chametz (leaven, forbidden to be eaten or owned on Passover). The sale will go into effect several hours before the Passover holiday begins on Wednesday night. If the sale is not finalized by the end of the seven-day holiday (eight days, outside of Israel), the chametz will revert back to its original owners.