Rabbi David Stav, the Tzohar Rabbi’s candidate for the next Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel is not pleased with ads that appeared in the nation’s newspapers this week supporting his bid. The ads, which displayed a large photo of the rav, carried slogans including “Everybody’s Rabbi.” The ads were signed by a group calling itself “Secular headquarters for unifying hearts”.

The ads are not just in support of the rav, but include harsh criticism of the Chief Rabbinate, using terms like “corrupt” and “controlled by the Litvish minority” to get the message across. The rabbi’s popularity seems to be growing on Facebook as well.

Nevertheless, the rav released a statement that he did not commission the ads and they do not meet his approval. He admits that he feels a need to increase public awareness regarding problems in the Chief Rabbinate, but there is a way to accomplish this and he feels the ads are not the proper forum.

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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)