In light of the fallen deal between Shas and Bayit Yehudi for the chief rabbis, Dayan Rabbi Eliezer Igra on Monday 18 Sivan 5773 announced he is back in the race. When it appeared that Rabbi Yaakov Ariel was running for the post of Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi, Dayan Igra, who serves on the Chief Rabbinate Supreme Court, stepped down, bowing out of the race.

Now that it appears the legislation to lift the age ceiling for eligibility for a candidate is now going to pass, Rabbi Ariel is not longer eligible to run since he is over 70. The rav made his announcement to Galei Yisrael Radio.

Rabbi Igra also serves as the rav of Kfar Maimon. He explains that leading rabbonim in the dati leumi community called upon him to reenter the race. He did not name names of the rabbonim.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)