The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/chief-rabbinate-of-israel/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Sun, 27 Sep 2026 05:25:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Chief Rabbinate of Israel | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/chief-rabbinate-of-israel/ 32 32 Knesset passes law restoring Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly over kosher certification https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-passes-law-restoring-chief-rabbinates-monopoly-over-kosher-certification/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:09:48 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3861486 Coalition passes raft of contentious laws aimed at appeasing Haredi parties, which say their 'rift' with Netanyahu is over

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]]> Daily Briefing July 7 – Will the Chief Rabbinate keep its monopoly on kosher certification? https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-july-7-will-the-chief-rabbinate-keep-its-monopoly-on-kosher-certification/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 10:14:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3856511&preview=true&preview_id=3856511 Jewish world and real estate reporter Zev Stub on what's new at the Maccabiah, a challenge to the Rabbinate, and what the strong shekel means for the real estate market

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]]> Rabbinate approves — then disputes — alternative Tzohar kosher certification in landmark ruling https://www.timesofisrael.com/rabbinate-approves-then-disputes-alternative-tzohar-kosher-certification-in-landmark-ruling/ Thu, 02 Jul 2026 20:01:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3854151 After years of legal and political battles, liberal group claims to have broken the Chief Rabbinate's longstanding monopoly over kosher certification — if it's not overturned

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]]> Chief Rabbinate scraps session of rabbinical tests required to be open to women https://www.timesofisrael.com/chief-rabbinate-scraps-session-of-rabbinical-tests-required-to-be-open-to-women/ Mon, 25 May 2026 14:12:05 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3830159 Modern Orthodox rabbi says decision 'sends a deeply troubling message'; Rabbinate spokesperson claims test will be administered in the fall

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]]> 3 women take Chief Rabbinate exam for first time in history, after delay ended by court order https://www.timesofisrael.com/3-women-take-chief-rabbinate-exam-for-first-time-in-history-after-delay-ended-by-court-order/ Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:02:03 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3811071 Women take test on laws of mourning in separate location from men thanks to emergency injunction, following years of legal battles to sit for rabbinical exams

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]]> TikToker dressed as chief rabbi stirs confusion at Independence event https://www.timesofisrael.com/tiktoker-dressed-as-chief-rabbi-stirs-confusion-at-independence-event/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:16:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3807673 Self-styled messiah Eyal Tzionov has ascended Temple Mount and attended rally in support of Ben Gvir clad in Sephardic chief rabbi's iconic robe and turban, baffling authorities

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]]> Cops violently disperse protesters at Tel Aviv anti-war rally, after court raised attendance cap https://www.timesofisrael.com/cops-violently-disperse-protesters-at-tel-aviv-anti-war-rally-after-court-raised-attendance-cap/ Sat, 04 Apr 2026 23:22:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3794855 Detained activists say police stopped them from reaching shelter amid missile attack; chief rabbi declares court 'enemy of Judaism' after permissive ruling is issued on Shabbat

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]]> Following years of legal battles, Chief Rabbinate opens rabbinical tests to women https://www.timesofisrael.com/following-years-of-legal-battles-chief-rabbinate-opens-rabbinical-tests-to-women/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:29:03 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3752987 Petitioners who first asked the High Court of Justice to intervene in 2019 hail the move, but the Rabbinate also announces it will conduct a comprehensive reform of the system

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]]> New ‘no-animal’ milk has kosher foodies salivating. Here’s why you can have it with your steak https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-no-animal-milk-has-kosher-foodies-salivating-heres-why-you-can-have-it-with-your-steak/ Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:30:53 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3745694 Cow-free beverage made from lab-engineered dairy protein is now sold in supermarkets across Israel. At least one restaurateur is setting his table for old-fashioned Southern fried chicken

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]]> Highlighting Diaspora rift, Israel rejects US immigration applicant over Zoom-era conversion https://www.timesofisrael.com/highlighting-diaspora-rift-israel-rejects-us-immigration-applicant-over-zoom-era-conversion/ Sat, 25 Oct 2025 03:48:36 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3671019 Critics say the rebuffing of Isabella Vinci, who spent Shabbats with an Orthodox host family and taught English in an Israeli public school, defies a 2005 High Court ruling

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]]> Chief Rabbinate says it’s willing to let women take some rabbinical tests https://www.timesofisrael.com/chief-rabbinate-says-its-willing-to-let-women-take-some-rabbinical-tests/ Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:51:23 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3670446 After High Court of Justice ruled it must open its exams to women, state rabbinical body asks court to hold another hearing and postpone implementation of its original ruling

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]]> In a polarized time, new chief rabbi envisions revamped Rabbinate with a wide embrace https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-a-polarized-time-new-chief-rabbi-envisions-revamped-rabbinate-with-a-wide-embrace/ Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:15:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3608969 From the Haredi draft to marriage and kashrut, top Ashkenazi cleric Kalman Ber says he believes love, unity and quiet action — rather than public fights — are key to lasting change

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]]> Chief Rabbinate must open rabbinical tests to women, High Court rules https://www.timesofisrael.com/chief-rabbinate-must-open-rabbinical-tests-to-women-high-court-rules/ Mon, 14 Jul 2025 20:32:39 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3598187 The ruling does not imply that women are entitled to be ordained as rabbis, but it offers unprecedented recognition of their Torah scholarship

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]]> PM’s pick for acting Civil Service head is under investigation by the Civil Service https://www.timesofisrael.com/pms-pick-for-acting-civil-service-head-is-under-investigation-by-the-civil-service/ Wed, 28 May 2025 12:03:03 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3560162 Chief Rabbinate director ignored legal adviser's instructions on at least three occasions. NGO says appointment as acting commissioner would be 'unprecedented conflict of interest'

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]]> PM taps Chief Rabbinate director general as acting Civil Service commissioner https://www.timesofisrael.com/pm-taps-chief-rabbinate-director-general-as-acting-civil-service-commissioner/ Tue, 27 May 2025 17:54:25 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3559634 Netanyahu asks attorney general for legal opinion on appointment within 24 hours, amid ongoing battle with judiciary over filling of position

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