The Chief Rabbinate of Israel Council on Friday erev Shabbos Chol Hamoed, 16 Tishrei, is holding a telephone poll to determine the eligibility of Rabbi Aryeh Stern Shlita regarding the Jerusalem Chief Rabbinate election.

Rabbi Shimon Elituv Shlita has been appointed the temporary head of the rabbinical council for the purpose of the vote since a number of the rabbonim, including Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita and Chief Rabbis Dovid Lau Shlita may not take part.

As was reported earlier, seven of the sixteen members of the council cannot participate in the vote because they are related to candidates in the race. The council has been instructed by the Justice Ministry to vote on the eligibility of the leading candidate to become the next Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Aryeh Stern because it was reported he never received written semicha.

The list of the candidates closed before yomtov.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Written on First Day Chol Hamoed Sukkos)