Rosh Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav Rabbi Yaakov Shapira Shlita has dropped out of the race to become the next Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Yerushalayim. The announcement was made on Tuesday, 27 Tishrei, hours before the polls are set to open, at 16:00.

Rav Shapira only registered as a candidate when the candidacy of Rabbi Aryeh Stern Shlita was challenged, not wishing to leave the race without an Ashkenazi dati leumi candidate. The Chief Rabbinate Council ultimately confirmed Rav Stern’s semicha, eliminating the challenge of his rabbinic credentials.

As he did in the past, Rav Shapira decided to drop out to give Rav Stern the best chance of being elected possible, aware his candidacy would split the dati leumi tzibur’s vote.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)