MK Moshe Gafne, who chairs the Knesset Finance Committee, is threatening to withhold state budgets until state rabbonim receive a salary increase, referring to rabbonim serving in yishuvim and neighborhoods around the country. Gafne made his threat on Monday, 16 Elul, during an address at a conference of rabbonim from cities and local municipalities, a conference hosted in the Lavi Hotel in northern Israel.

“Rabbanei Yisrael are the ones who must determine the agenda of the nation” stated Gafne, who added, “When did you all meet with the prime minister to talk and set the agenda?”

Gafne added, “Rabbonim are not required to deal with salary issues, rather this is the job of Members of Knesset. Rabbanei Yisrael should only be dealing with matters of Yiddishkeit, Shmiras Shabbos, kashrus, and matters pertaining to religion and state.”

Gafne turned to the rabbonim and said, “The responsibility is on you, rabbis of cities, those who must lead the national agenda. These matters must be placed atop of the nation’s priorities, you all, your jobs, to raise awareness surrounding these matters in Eretz Yisrael”.

Gafne promised to address the matter of their salaries, explaining “I am planning to halt various budgets in the Finance Committee until your salaries are improved, referring to rabbonim in yishuvim as well as neighborhoods”.

Rabbi Moshe Dagan, the director-general of the Rabbinate, spoke at the conference and said to the rabbis: “The rabbi is required to be a leader and guide in all aspects of life, apart from being a teacher. Everyday life in the community places the rabbi in significant challenges that require familiarity and professional knowledge, even in order to provide an initial response to make referrals to the correct professionals. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel attaches great importance to these seminars and enrichment programs, on methods of strengthening the position of the Rabbinate and strengthening ties with the community.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)