From the Liveblog of
Monday, April 27, 2026
After 4-hour delay, women allowed to take Chief Rabbinate’s exams following High Court injunction
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleRossella Tercatin is The Times of Israel's archaeology and religions reporter.
After a four-hour delay, three women registered to take a rabbinical exam administered by the Chief Rabbinate have been allowed to start taking the test, the religious rights group ITIM says.
Earlier in the day, ITIM filed an emergency motion at the High Court of Justice asking the court to intervene when the women were told their exam was delayed due to “technical problems,” while the male candidates had already started.
A spokesperson for the Chief Rabbinate confirms to The Times of Israel that there are “technical problems,” but declines to elaborate further.
The court gave the Chief Rabbinate until 3 p.m. to respond, and at 2:45 p.m. the candidates were allowed to sit and start the exams.
This is the first time in Israel’s history that women have been able to take rabbinical tests given by the Chief Rabbinate. The development came after a landmark decision by the High Court in July.
The Times of Israel Community.