Chief Rabbinate

Rabbinate to allow women to enter the Mikvah without attendant

The Ministry of Religious Services published an announcement today changing the protocol for ritual bathhouses in Israel.

Chief Rabbinate: No compromises on holiness of Shabbat

Chief Rabbis publish special statement following brouhaha over Israel Railways construction on Shabbat. 'We are not like other nations.'

Haredi Mayor opposes appointment of Religious-Zionist Rabbi

In a letter to the Israeli Rabbinate, Mayor of Beitar Illit protests the appointment of a Religious-Zionist Rabbi to the city.

Israeli Rabbinate: We still recognize Lookstein conversions

Despite Wednesday's ruling by Supreme Rabbinical Court, Chief Rabbinate reaffirms its recognition of Rabbi Lookstein's conversions.

Thoughts on the Conversion mess

200 protest Chief Rabbinate's rejection of Lookstein conversion

MKs, former students protest Chief Rabbinate's decision to reject conversion performed by American Rabbi Lookstein.

Arutz Sheva interview:

Israeli Rabbinate accused of 'slapping converts in the face'

Harsh words at demonstration over rabbinate's refusal to accept prominent American Rabbi Haskel Lookstein's conversions.

Report: Rabbinate to privatize Kashrut supervision

Proposed new plan would reduce Rabbinate's role to regulator of Kashrut, in dramatic departure from current status

'You registered through Tzohar? You're not Jewish'

Investigation reveals Haifa rabbinate officials denied marriage licenses to couples, claiming they were non-Jews.

Conversion ruling dents Chief Rabbinate's control of ritual

Supreme Court decision on Jewish conversion changes almost nothing, but down the line, it could change a lot.

IDF snubs the Chief Rabbinate

In shocking first, top IDF brass refuses to invite Chief Rabbis to take part in event. Latest move distancing Jewish identity from army.

Exclusive

Exposed: Deri's attempt to seize the Chief Rabbinate

Arutz Sheva has learned Shas head Deri is trying to pick next Chief Rabbinate director, against position of Chief Rabbi Lau and protocol.

'Alternative conversion courts are conflict of interest'

Religious organization Hotem against city rabbis participating in alternative conversion courts.

Ex-Prime Minister's ruling on Kotel authority

In discussion over authority transfer for new Reform prayer space, Chief Rabbi brings Levy Eshkol's words from after the Six Day War.

Israeli TV show 'desecrates' synagogue, Torah scroll

Chief Rabbinate fumes over 'desecration' of synagogue and Torah scroll portrayed on popular Israeli TV show Eretz Nehederet.

Rabbinate child support ruling is 'a revolution in divorce law'

Prominent divorce attorney: complete equality between men and women in child support is just a matter of time.

'If Reform is kept out, US Jews will drop support of Israel'

US Jewish coalition visits to pressure Israel to create non-observant 'alternatives' to Chief Rabbinate; 'Judaism a universal matter.'

Rabbinate apologizes to Shoham's Rabbi Stav

After kashrut controversy over catering hall in Shoham, Rabbinate admits the city's chief rabbi handled the matter as was required.

Hot tempers between Chief Rabbinate and Rav Stav

Unkosher products found in Shoham event hall. Rabbinate officials: 'Rav Stav should careful check the kashrut system in his home.'

Report: Independent Conversion Courts Water Down Obligations

At least one panel of new conversion courts doesn't require declared obligation to observe Jewish commandments, reports Haaretz.

Does Jewish Law Permit the Demolition of a Synagogue?

Despite Defense Ministry budget, Rabbinate approval, Givat Ze'ev rejects new synagogue to replace one demolished by Court.

Chief Rabbi: Rabbinate 'Fighting for its Very Survival'

At the grave of Israel's first Chief Rabbi, Sephardic Chief Rabbi urges Opposition leader to 'follow in his grandfather's footsteps.'

Rabbinate Controversy Over, Rabbi Riskin Comes Out Fighting

In first public speech since speculation over his position, Rabbi Riskin criticizes Rabbinate's conduct, says it's pushing people away.

MK: Wrong Attitude on Conversion Could Tear Nation Asunder

MK Bezalel Smotrich (Jewish Home) said he was satisfied with the decision to reform the conversion system.

Kosher Food Labels Cooking Up a Coalition Crisis

Fight between Shas and Kulanu could turn into the first major coalition crisis for Binyamin Netanyahu's relatively new government.

Chief Rabbi: Expect Huge Cost Hikes on Meat Soon

Israel could face a major meat shortage for Rosh Hashana due to dispute over honest slaughtering supervision.

Chief Rabbi: Rabbi Riskin Won't Be Fired

Rabbi Lau bemoans media reports taking Efrat chief rabbi's tenure extension talk 'out of proportion,' says no 'political' motive as claimed.

On the Rabbi Riskin Saga: Don’t Disqualify the Torah Scroll

Bennett: I Will Represent Rabbi Riskin, if Needed

Education Minister Naftali Bennett slammed attempts to unseat Rabbi Shlomo Riskin as Efrat chief rabbi as 'unacceptable.'

R. Druckman: 'Unacceptable' Not to Extend R. Riskin's Contract

The Chief Rabbinate must use its administrative wisely - for it's own sake, said Rabbi Haim Druckman.

Rabbinate Hints It May Not Renew Rabbi Riskin's Term

The Chief Rabbinate on Wednesday hinted that it was under strong pressure to remove Rabbi Shlomo Riskin as Chief Rabbi of Efrat

Rabbi Riskin: Chief Rabbinate Must Speak to Everyone

Chief Rabbi of Efrat puzzles over dismissal rumors, notes that Rabbinate is important - but must address non-haredi communities.

Report: Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Faces Deposal

Sources say Chief Rabbinate looking to get rid of Efrat's veteran Chief Rabbi; Tzohar threatens to fight any moves to do so.

High Court Rebukes Attorney General over Kashrut Saga

Angered Weinstein refused Rabbinate's request for external representation, High Court orders delay in proceedings for Rabbinate to consult.

Chief Rabbinate Responds to AG Tampering with Kashrut Laws

Chief Rabbinate source says published opinion to change law and allow unverified private kashrut certificates will not stand.

Rabbinate: Long Hol Hamo'ed Leads to Increased Kashruth Fraud

While many Israelis took the week off for Pesach vacation, the supervisors of kashruth in the Chief Rabbinate were working overtime.

Sources: Chief Rabbinate to Again Oversee Conversion

Haredi party sources said Sunday that they had reached an agreement with the Likud on rolling back recently approved rules on conversion.

On Passover Eve, Chief Rabbi Calls for Jewish Unity

Chief Rabbi David Lau calls on Netanyahu to bridge the religious, communal differences between Israelis ahead of holiday, new Knesset.

Chief Rabbi Lau to Netanyahu: Don't Harm Judaism Like Last Govt.

Chief rabbi congratulates Netanyahu, urges him to form government to 'unify people, honor tradition' unlike the outgoing coalition.

Why Did the Chief Rabbinate Change Temple Mount Sign?

Sign warning against entrance to holiest site in Judaism changed to only ban entry for ritually unclean Jews; 'the revolution advances.'

Rabbinical Courts: 'Gett' Movie Demonizes Us

Batei Din offer a harsh review of the film 'Gett', which they compare to the libelous 'Jenin, Jenin.'

Details Emerge in Yona Metzger Corruption Scandal

Millions allegedly pocketed through various schemes with organizations, rabbinical councils; A-G opens case to criminal trial.

Chief Rabbi Lau Slams Past Government for Harming Judaism

Rabbi Lau hopes next govt. cooperates with Chief Rabbinate official religious authority, doesn't keep forcing controversial legislation.

The Con Version of an American Conversion Scandal

MK Stern: Conversion Law a Political, Not Religious, Issue

Stern tells Arutz Sheva about his controversial conversion reforms - and why he thinks Chief Rabbinate may be forced to concede.

Chief Rabbinate Warns of Pita Kashrut Forgery

'Dr. Pita' exposed to be using packaging of others, as imported cheese also found to have forged its kashrut certificate.

'Two People, Two Holidays, One Day'

Chief Rabbis, Chief Qadis, and Jewish and Arab MKs meet to discuss Yom Kippur and Eid el-Adha.

Chief Rabbis Decry Mass Christian Prayers Near Temple Mount

For first time since liberation of Old City, mass Christian prayer at southern wall of Temple Mount planned for Hoshana Rabbah.

Rabbi Yosef; Eliminate Ashkenazi, Not Sephardi, Chief Rabbi

If any Chief Rabbi should stay on the job, it's he, said Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef - because his office was there first.

'Jews Don't Differentiate Between Religion and Nationality'

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman believes in keeping religion and state together - in certain contexts, at least.

Israel, The Biggest Shul in the World

Rabbi Isaac Halevi Herzog

Approved: Bill for One Chief Rabbi in Israel

Ministerial Committee for Legislation approves bill unifying Chief Rabbinate. Bennett: 'This will unite the Jewish people.'

MK Slams 'Communist' Lapid

In contrast to Jewish Home MK's attack on 'Comrade Lapid's' threats against Chief Rabbinate, Bennett notably silent.

Hareidi MKs: Lapid Exhibiting Megalomania

Hareidi-religious MKs slam Finance Minister Yair Lapid over his remarks that he will work to fire Israel’s Chief Rabbis.

Lapid: Fire the Chief Rabbis

Finance Minister promises to fire Israel's chief rabbis over ruling that Jewish law forbids religious girls from enlisting in the IDF.

Chief Rabbinate Says No To Religious Women in IDF

Rabbinate forbids religious female recruits, warning enlistment threatens Jewish nature of Israel. Hatnua MK Stern opposes.

Open Orthodoxy's Real Victims: Good Enough isn't Enough

ADL: Rabbinate Decision 'At Expense of Jewish Unity'

ADL condemns Israeli Chief Rabbinate's rejection of Rabbi Avi Weiss and 10 others as eligible Orthodox Rabbis, calling for 'Jewish unity.'

IDF Lets Female Soldiers Be Kashrut Inspectors

New position opened up for female soldiers, following new Chief Rabbinate policy allowing women inspectors.