Rabbinate

New:

Rabbinic courts to introduce 'judges on-call'

The judges on-call will handle urgent requests regarding stay-of-exit orders, attachment orders, and restraining orders.

Newly released video: The 10 levels of Sanctity

A video filled with holiness, recently released.The Rav zts"l speaking in 1956 on Sanctity and the Challenges of the Orthodox Rabbinate.

Why would anyone want to be a rabbi?

A congregant asked this venerable rabbi why he chose to be one and received an unexpected answer.

Tzfat Chief Rabbi: 'Mandelblit fell for Reform's narrative'

On allowing women to take rabbinate exams: 'We favor Torah study for women, but AG directive stems from Reform. He didn't even speak to us.'

Dear Diaspora Rabbis

Liberman: Rabbinate is persecuting converts to Judaism

Yisrael Beytenu leader slams Be'er Sheva rabbinic court's decision to annul 10-year-old IDF conversion to Judaism.

Chief Rabbi says some Religious Zionist groups hurting Rabbinate

Rabbi Dovid Lau says that liberal Religious Zionist organizations 'using resources to harm the Rabbinate and distance it from the public'.

Chief Rabbi says more female divorce refusers than male ones

Rabbi Lau says despite narrative, many more males are unable to leave marriages due to recalcitrant wives than the reverse.

Soldier denied shaving exception for not knowing Torah portion

IDF Chaplain decided soldier could not be classified as religious after he didn't know weekly Torah portion.

Police probing major fraud in Rabbinate Kashrut certification

Authorities suspect high-level officials permitted ostensibly food to be imported from overseas in exchange for bribes.

Rabbinate worker arrested on suspicion of bribery

The senior employee allegedly received bribes and favors in the form of money in exchange for special benefits.

Alternative marriage initiative kicks off

Religious services group Hashgacha Pratit launches effort on Monday to marry Israelis outside of the rabbinate's auspices.

Marriage activists protest by admitting guilt to the police

Dozens who officiated at unregistered weddings turn themselves into police.

Prayer for IDF soldiers to now include police as well

The prayer said all over the world on Shabbat and holidays for the safety of IDF soldiers gets a makeover.

Bill: Women in Rabbinate election assembly

Prior to Chief Rabbinate elections, proposal to include women in election assembly to be discussed by Ministerial Committee.

Israeli divorce rate drops

According to new data, fewer couples divorced in 2017. Haredi Beitar Illit divorce rate jumps 61%.

Online post draws backlash in support of new Kashrut supervision

Pro-Rabbinate NGO ripped over calls to boycott restaurant using alternate Kosher supervision as Israelis voice support for Tzohar Kashrut.

Petah Tikva businesses transition to new kashrut system

About 300 restaurants and food businesses in Petah Tikva complete transition to new Kashrut system.

The IBA “investigation” of the Rabbinate’s Kosher Certification

Rabbinate threatens Tzohar rabbi

Chief Rabbinate warns Rabbi Stav he could lose position as city rabbi if he provides unapproved Kashrut certification.

'A desecration of God's name, very disturbing'

Head of Tzohar rabbinical movement responds to arrest of four rabbis on suspicion of fraud, says system needs to change.

Four rabbis arrested for fraud, breach of trust

Police arrest 4 rabbis from various cities on suspicion of fraudulently obtaining 'fitness certificates' qualifying them for title 'rabbi'

Rabbinical Court says 'no' to missionaries

Tel Aviv Rabbinical Court refuses to approve ceremony for two missionaries wishing to marry.

Supreme Court holds major hearing on Western Wall status

The Chief Rabbinate and Reform, Conservative movements face off Thursday at crucial hearing over government's freezing of Western Wall plan.

Chief Rabbi regrets Rabbi Yehoshua Fass blacklist inclusion

'The Chief Rabbi very much values all your endeavors, and has instructed all those involved in this matter to act accordingly.'

National Union bypasses haredim from the right

Faction demands PM act to enable independent legal representation for rabbinate in High Court hearing on Kotel issue.

MK marries abroad to avoid Chief Rabbinate

MK Svetlova: 'The only one that was absent from this beautiful ceremony was the Orthodox rabbinate.'

Rabbi Stav: Privatize 'kashrut monopoly'

Chairman of liberal Tzohar rabbis' organization calls to create Orthodox alternatives to kashrut offered by Chief Rabbinate.

Number of men testing for rabbinate jumps

40% more men to take upcoming rabbinate tests, rabbinate increases number of graders.

Yesh Atid MK: Rabbinate's kosher certification is worthless

MK Elazar Stern says Rabbinate's kashrut is worthless, system is corrupt.

'Are we looking for ways to be strict with the Jewish People?No'

'We've solved hundreds of cases, without noise, without advertising. We are doing all we can but we do not own the Torah. G-d does.'

'Is the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem less important than a Mufti?'

Attorney Itamar Ben-Gvir says government should treat vandals who hung LBGT flag at Rabbinate offices the same as it treats 'price tag' acts

Gay Flag hung up at Rabbinate

The LGBT flag was hung up outside Rabbinate offices, apparently in protest against Rabbi Amar’s recent comments.

Rabbinate rejects conversions by leading American Orthodox rabbi

Rabbinical Council of America fuming after Israeli Rabbinate rejects four conversions by leading American rabbinic authority.

Most Israelis think religious legislation reduces observance

Poll by religious group shows majority of Israelis, think aspects of religious laws problematic, especially as they concern marriage.

Jerusalem protest: 'Stop treating Diaspora rabbis with contempt'

Natan Sharansky, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin join protest over Rabbinate's refusal to recognize conversions by Rabbi Haskel Lookstein.

Palestinian manufacturers lose kashrut due to security risk

The Civil Administration refuses to allow kashrut supervisors to enter the PA due to security risks.

Rabbis Set Up 'Independent' Conversion Courts, Sans Rabbinate

A group of rabbis has set up a “competing” independent of Jewish Court of Law (Beit Din) which will exclusively handle conversions.

New Kosher Law to Shore Up 'Holes' in Supervision

A new law that would significantly restrict the definition of 'kosher' at food establishments was approved for legislation Sunday.

Ahead of Shavuot: Rabbanut Warns Against False Kashrut on Cheese

Several cheeses being sold may have foreign kashrut approval, but are not licensed under the Rabbinate.

Rabbi Lau: Beware AG's 'Fake Rabbi Kashrut' Proposal

A proposal by the Attorney General could cause grievous damage to kosher consumers, Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi David Lau said.

Inspectors Seize 20 Tons of 'Phony Food'

Inspectors detained and destroyed some 20 tons of meat and other food items that had not been inspected or approved by Israeli authorities.

MK: Change Law Threatening Prison for 'Off Record' Marriages

An MK seeks to change a law which threatens prison for Israelis who don't tell the Rabbinate they are married.

Rabbinate: For Sabbath's Sake, Postpone Lag B'Omer

The Chief Rabbinate on Sunday asked that Lag B'omer celebrations be delayed by a day this year, in order to prevent Sabbath violations.

Record Number of Rabbis to Graduate from Yeshiva University

Dean of US Modern Orthodoxy's flagship rabbinical seminary explains how his boys are bucking the trend of US assimilation rates.

Mikvah Workers Outraged by Proposed Fine for Nosiness

Female mikvah supervisors upset by proposed law that threatens 50,000 shekel fine for asking unwanted questions.

French Oleh Seeks 'Shabbat Restaurants' for Jerusalem

Immigrant oleh French businessman Laurent Levy wants Jerusalem restaurants to open on Shabbat - and remain kosher.

MK Chetboun Demands Lapid Apologize for Attacking Chief Rabbis

MK Yoni Chetboun slammed Finance Minister, who wants the rabbis sacked over a statement against women in the military.

Tzohar Law Takes Effect

Religious-Zionist community embraces Tzohar Law, praises benefit of competitive services, accessibility of Jewish marriage in Israel.

Proposal: 'Kosher Cops' to Take on Kashrut Fraud

A new proposal by Deputy Minister in charge of Religious Affairs Eli Ben-Dahan would establish a unit to battle Kashrut fraud

Tzohar: Release List of State-Approved Diaspora Rabbis

Rabbi David Stav, Tzohar's director, calls on Rabbinate to released list of rabbis abroad who can legally determine Jewish status.

Women of the Wall Calls in US Reserves

Three Reform missions from US called in to swell group numbers for organization's 25th anniversary; leader has called to scrap rabbinate.

MK: Make CEOs Responsible for Animal Abuse

Exposure of animal cruelty leads MK to propose new criminal law. Rabbis join investigation.

'Revolution'? New Law Lets Marrying Couples Pick Their Rabbi

Couples can now marry in any city or town in the country, select rabbi they feel comfortable with, making Jewish marriage easier.

MK Praises Civil Marriage: ‘The Time has Come’

Yesh Atid MK recalls her 30-second US marriage ceremony with satisfaction, calls for civil ceremonies in Israel.

Rabbinate: Tons of Imported Rice Infested With Bugs

The Chief Rabbinate on Sunday warned Israelis to check their rice – for bugs

Rabbinate Weighs in on Kaparot Controversy

The Rabbinate supports use of chickens for ‘atonement’ ritual – but with caution.

The Kosher Certificate of Ramle Slaughterhouse is Invalid

Chief Rabbinate of Israel made ​​it clear today that kosher certificate granted by Ramle Rabbinate to slaughterhouse Tal Hal Iska is invalid

Bennett: They’re Trying to Scare Us

Bennett: No need to fear staying in our land.

Lapid: Rabbinate Irrelevant

Lapid: Rabbinate ‘irrelevant' - what Israel needs is civil marriage, gay marriage and freedom from religion.