A 15-member rabbinical committee has been established to accompany the "Haredi Public" (Hatzibur Haharedi) party's activities and address public and fundamental issues that arise, Kikar Hashabbat reported, quoting party sources.
Among the prominent names revealed are Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer, rabbi of the Or Hadash community and, until recently, a judge on a leading rabbinical court, as well as Rabbi Yitzhak Bar Chaim, one of the founders of the haredi Nahal program and a longtime advocate for frameworks designed for haredim serving in the IDF.
The establishment of the rabbinical committee is part of the continued development of the party's institutions following its launch. The party hopes the committee will provide a rabbinical framework to accompany its decision-making and address issues on the public agenda.
The move comes as the "Haredi Public" party expands its grassroots activity and following a campaign it launched this week in haredi cities and population centers across Israel.
Rabbi Yitzhak Bar Chaim, one of the 15 rabbis named on the list, responded to the reports by asking that his name be removed. Sources close to him clarified to Kikar Hashabbat that while he may support in principle the existence of an additional haredi party, this does not constitute support for the party itself or an endorsement of its participation in the elections.
"I deny any connection. I have never been involved in politics. Everyone should act according to the guidance of their forefathers. They included my name and did not ask me beforehand," Kikar Hashabbat quoted him as saying.