The Chief Rabbinate of Israel Council convened on Sunday 18 Tishrei to address the request by the Justice Ministry regarding Rabbi Aryeh Stern’s Shlita semicha and eligibility to run in the Jerusalem Chief Rabbinate race.

Rabbi Stern is the dati leumi community’s candidate, also enjoying the backing of Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. While viewed as the likely victor in the race for Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, he does not have a written semicha document which cast a shadow on his eligibility.

The council voted unanimously to validate his semicha, which was received orally decades ago, hence eliminating any doubts as to his eligibility in the race. Only seven of the sixteens members of the council took part in the session for the other rabbonim shlita have relatives competing in the race so there was a conflict of interests. This includes Chief Rabbi David Lau Shlita and Rishon Letzion HaRav Yitzchak Yosef Shlita.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)