Rabbinate

Law widening religious courts’ role in civil disputes sparks debate over choice, rights - analysis

Critics also challenge one of the law’s intended benefits of easing pressure on the civil courts, arguing that the state is instead giving an existing judicial body additional authority.

Activists protest against a bill that would give more authorities to the rabbinical courts outside the Rabbinical Court of Tel Aviv, December 11, 2024.
Head of Shas party Aryeh Deri and Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef visit at the scene of suspected arson and vandalism at a Jerusalem synagogue which is often frequented by Rabbi Yosef, June 8, 2025.

Shas fills local rabbi posts with loyalists, sidelining community choice - opinion

Photo of Sarah M., one of the 12 cases resolved this month by Yad La’Isha of Ohr Torah Stone.

From tragedy to protection: The fight against agunah status - opinion

THE RABBINICAL Court’s Division for Agunot in Jerusalem.

Knesset panel advances bill to expand rabbinical courts’ power over civil matters


Why is the rabbinate making words non-kosher?

Since when is the Rabbinate in the business of certifying words as kosher or not? Since when does the Rabbinate employ mashgiachei milim (word supervisors)?


Chief Rabbi Lau to conversion judges: Ignore lies about you

"Do not heed to lies and false accusations that are being levied against you, ignore them. Your judgment is from above."

Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi David Lau.

Convicted sex-offender Moti Elon relinquishes his rabbi title

"Elon was convicted of child sexual abuse, yet the Rabbinate steadfastly refused to remove his Rabbinic authority."

Rabbi Moti Elon 300

Agunas are 'strangled' in abusive marriages - so they protested

"The pain in my heart is deep as I remain in a state of perpetual waiting," said Rivka, 41, one of the women featured on the posters in the protest.

A poster illustrating the chained marriage of Rivka, 41, who has been refused divorce by her husband for 17 years, February 25, 2021.

Supermarket chain sued after chef’s Jewish status called into doubt

The Jewish status of a chef born in Ukraine and working in the ready food department of the Yochananof supermarket chain was challenged by the store’s kashrut supervisor due to his origin.

People waiting in line outside Yochananof supermarket in Jerusalem on April 7, 2020. The government ordered on a partial lockdown, in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The Israeli government's ploy to prevent marriages through consulates

This is not just an issue that concerns Israelis, for it also concerns Diaspora Jewry.

An illustrative photo of a Jewish wedding in front of the Mediterranean Sea.

High Court gives rabbinate 90 days for solution to women’s Halacha exams

The interim ruling comes following a petition by three NGOs to the court, which argued that women are discriminated against by the state since they cannot obtain the same qualifications as men.

High Court of Justice May 3, 2020

The 9th of Av, 1920, the promise of return and our responsibility

We, exactly 100 years later, who are undergoing our own extended tumultuous period of the Three Weeks of mourning, must remember how far historically the Jewish people have come

The western wall male side on Tisha B'av, 2018

It's time for Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef to step up or step down

The government needs to present Yosef with a choice – either help or get out of the way.

SEPHARDI CHIEF Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef

Chief rabbi patronizes women studying halacha, says Reform Judaism is fake

Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef casts aspersions on ability of women to learn advanced Jewish law, accuses women seeking state accreditation for Torah studies of ‘imitating Reform Judaism’

SEPHARDI CHIEF Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef