On Tuesday, Sept. 23rd, YWN reported on regulations announced by Attorney General Menachem Mazuz pertaining to state-employed rabbonim and the performance of wedding ceremonies.
It appears that state authorities received a number of complaints against rabbonim, employees of the state and therefore civil servants, who charge “exorbitant sums” to perform a wedding or bar mitzvah, at times NIS thousands, when they are not permitted to do so if the baal simcha, at least one of the wedding couple is a resident of the community over which the rabbi presides. This is a portion of his job description and he already receives a salary. In addition, the complaints allege the rabbonim who take money fail to file with tax authorities and they are therefore significantly increasing their income, albeit illegally.
Complaints were filed against a number of rabbonim, including Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau Shlita and Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yonah Metzger Shlita. The matter was brought to the attention of the Justice Ministry, resulting in a list of regulations that were publicized by the attorney general.
A rabbi is permitted to ask for traveling expenses if the event is 15 kilometers (9 miles) or more from the city limits, as well as a cancelation fee if applicable. If one wishes to bring a rav from another area, the rav must file in advance with the appropriate agencies, including a semi-annual report with religious council officials. Rabbonim are also limited to a maximum of two weddings per night, regardless if he is receiving monetary compensation or not.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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3 Responses
Rabbi must not get paid by the state.
It would seem that if government rabbis are civil servants, they should be required to do their jobs without accepting commissions from the public. That is the nature of working for the government.
Would it be logical if firemen charged for putting out fires, or if mailmen charged for delivering mail, etc. They get paid from tax revenues.
One may question logic in having halachic matters run by a government bureaucracy in a country which is predominantly not frum, but that’s a different issue. Once someone sells their soul to the medinah by becoming a government rabbi, he can’t expect to sell his soul over and over again
(unless he’s like the people who sell the Brooklyn Bridge over and over again).
Rabbis should not be paid for these services when provided to members of their communities. People needing the services of a rabbi should apply for one to the local rabbinate and a rabbi should be provided. OF course, under such a system, there is no guarantee of which particular will be provided. That might make for some interesting situations.