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rabbinical courts

Activists protest against a bill that would give more authority to the rabbinical courts outside the Rabbinical Court of Tel Aviv, December 11, 2024. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
March 24, 2026, 3:26 am
New law lets rabbinical courts arbitrate civil disputes; opposition head says Israel now a theocracy
Yair Lapid warns that the controversial government-backed legislation, which significantly expands religious courts’ authority, means country governed by Jewish law
By Sam Sokol
A sign publicizing the move of The Great Rabbinical Court House for Appeals from its location on King George street, in central Jerusalem, to the Givat Shaul neighborhood, seen on May 26, 2014. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
November 18, 2025, 3:18 pm
Former chief rabbi among senior religious officials suspected of extortion
Suspects allegedly threatened regional court judge over rulings, face possible indictment as police transfer case to state attorney; lawyers for ex-chief rabbi reject allegations
By Charlie Summers
A view of the plenum hall of the Knesset in Jerusalem, on November 10, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
November 17, 2025, 11:45 pm
Knesset passes law expanding rabbinical courts’ powers to rule on child support
Two-year interim measure aimed at advancing stalled divorce cases by allowing rabbis to rule on expenses for children’s ‘upbringing, education and medical care’
By Ariela Karmel and Sam Sokol
The committee for selection of the rabbinical judges meets at the office of Sephardi Chief Rabbi David Yosef on May 18, 2025. (Courtesy of Israel Ginsberg, Spokesperson)
May 19, 2025, 3:22 pm
Amid nepotism claims, new rabbinical judges appointed for first time in 7 years
Shas chairman Aryeh Deri’s son-in-law one of 21 appointees, among whom are Ashkenazi Haredi, Sephardi Haredi, and national religious men
By Rossella Tercatin
File - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) with the architects of the proposed judicial overhaul, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and MK Simcha Rothman (standing) in the Knesset on February 15, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
May 7, 2025, 10:39 am
Knesset summer session to focus on Haredi draft, efforts to curb public media
Bills under discussion would shutter Kan broadcaster, split the attorney general’s position into two, and impose 80% tax on foreign donations to nonprofits
By Sam Sokol
The Tel Aviv Rabbinical Court seen on August 3, 2017. (Miriam Alster/ FLASH90/ File)
March 6, 2025, 12:53 pm
Half of Israelis in rabbinical courts say they were wronged – survey
According to a study by the ITIM nonprofit, one in five Israelis also report their connection to Judaism was negatively impacted by the experience
By Rossella Tercatin
The Tel Aviv Rabbinical Court seen on August 3, 2017. (Miriam Alster/ FLASH90/ File)
February 4, 2025, 2:40 pm
Amid war, divorce rates jumped 6.5% last year, rabbinate says
Rabbinical courts obtained writs of divorce for 221 women in 2024 whose husbands had refused to hand them over, says authority, which holds monopoly over Jewish divorce in Israel
By ToI Staff
The elections of Israel's new chief rabbis in Jerusalem, September 29, 2024. (Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)
December 11, 2024, 7:34 pm
Feminist groups decry law setting quota for women in assembly that elects chief rabbis
Billed as an effort to increase female representation, measure actually serves to disenfranchise female Torah scholars, say critics
By Sam Sokol
Illustrative: A man stands outside the Jerusalem Rabbinical Court. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
May 23, 2024, 12:53 pm
Rabbinical court imposes million-shekel divorce payment on husband, citing ketubah
Justices treat the traditional Jewish marriage document, typically viewed as symbolic, as a legally binding contract
By ToI Staff
Justice Isaac Amit at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, January 4, 2024. (Flash90/Yonatan Sindel)
January 16, 2024, 12:52 pm
Rabbinate delays divorce of a woman it helped wed but now says may not be Jewish
High Court of Justice orders rabbinical judges to discontinue their inquiry and nullify the marriage, after delaying since 2021
By Canaan Lidor
Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
July 18, 2023, 7:28 pm
Thousands mass at anti-overhaul rallies, block highway after rail station protests
Israel Railways briefly stops service at Tel Aviv’s HaShalom station due to alleged danger posed by demonstration; 45 arrested during day of protests against overhaul
By Carrie Keller-Lynn and ToI Staff
Israelis protest the government's judicial overhaul outside the Rabbinical Court of Tel Aviv, July 18, 2023. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
July 18, 2023, 7:23 pm
Anti-overhaul protesters rally for women’s rights outside religious courts
Feminist group organizes demonstrations outside rabbinical tribunals in response to a bill that would expand their jurisdiction
By ToI Staff
Shas MK Michael Malchieli reacts during a meeting of the Arrangements Committee at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on June 9, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
July 17, 2023, 7:33 pm
Bill seeks to strengthen rabbinical courts’ jurisdiction over child support
Opposition lawmakers say draft amendment compromises women’s position and is part of a slide toward theocracy
By Canaan Lidor
Social worker Tami Gross, who was instructed to cover up with a cloak at the Haifa Rabbinic Court, June 21, 2023. (Mavoi Satum)
June 22, 2023, 2:11 am
Woman says she was ‘degraded’ by rabbinic court’s order to wear a cloak to cover up
Social worker accompanying client whose husband is refusing a divorce is told her short-sleeved shirt is not modest enough to appear before judges
By ToI Staff
Israelis attend a protest against military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students and the government's planned judicial overhaul, outside the Kol Torah yeshiva in Jerusalem, May 4, 2023. (Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90)
May 4, 2023, 11:19 pm
‘Day of Equality’ sought to revitalize protests; limited turnout underlines challenge
Demonstrations against Haredi military exemptions, religious and gender inequality were an effort to restore momentum of anti-overhaul movement, but public’s response was muted
By Jeremy Sharon
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