The state has responded to the High Court of Justice regarding the practice of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, which prohibits bringing chametz into hospitals during Pesach.

A meeting was held with a number of participants, including Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and Rishon L’Tzion HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef. At that meeting, an agreement was reached. The nation’s hospitals would follow the observance of kosher for Pesach foods in accordance with the requirements of the Chief Rabbinate. On the other hand, those interested in eating chametz would be permitted do so in specially designated places. The chametz areas will be built outside the buildings, in a manner that will not harm the supervision of the kashrus in the hospitals.

This exception would only apply in hospitals that have a person at each building entrance, in addition to security, to enforce the chametz guidelines and prohibit chametz items to be brought inside during the yomtov.

If a visitor arrives with Chametz products, this examiner will direct the visitor to where they will be able to deposit their chametz food, and collect it when they leave the hospital.

In addition, signs will be posted that will clarify the new rules that were agreed upon.

The attorney general explained that each hospital will have to examine its situation, and decide whether or not to implement chametz stations in line with the regulations set forth by the Chief Rabbinate.

To date, a hospital unwilling to prohibit chametz in the building during Pesach could not receive kashrus certification on Pesach from the Rabbanut.

In a hearing held in the petitions in July 2018, the judges expressed dissatisfaction with the bilateral procedure and the fact that it does not balance the rights of those who observe kashrus and the rights of non-kashrus observing residents, as well as various comments and difficulties.

As a result, the state presented the court with an alternative to establishing the designated chametz areas inside hospitals.

However, close to the time set for hearing the petitions, the Rabbinate announced that it was reconsidering its acceptance of the alternative to the chametz compounds, due to numerous requests from various parties to reexamine the issue.

The state’s announcement now explains that the alternative of the original chametz compounds is a more proportionate, reasonable and balanced alternative than the previous practice approved by the Rabbinate. Previously, no food could be brought in during Pesach, with the exception of fresh fruits and vegetables and food in sealed packaging displaying a kashrus certification, subject to the discretion of the hospital director.

According to the state’s announcement, “the alternative chametz compounds balance the need to maintain the kashrus of the food provided in the hospital to all hospitalized patients, as part of the freedom of worship of kashrus-observant people and the rights of hospitalized patients and visitors, to the hospital wishing to consume non-Pesach food items R”L.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)