Chief Rabbinate Council revokes Yehuda Cohen's decision granting Tzohar kashrut authority

The Chief Rabbinate Council voted on Thursday to annul a decision by Chief Rabbi Yehuda Cohen that gave the Tzohar rabbinical organization authority to grant kashrut certification, according to an official announcement from the council.

The Chief Rabbinate Council convened on Thursday afternoon and voted to overturn a controversial decision by Chief Rabbi Yehuda Cohen, which had authorized the Tzohar organization to independently grant kashrut certification — effectively bypassing the council's authority. The original decision, issued by Rabbi Cohen earlier this year, had sparked internal tensions within the religious establishment, with critics arguing it undermined the council's oversight role. Thursday's vote restores the prior status quo, in which the Chief Rabbinate retains sole authority over kashrut in Israel. The council's announcement did not elaborate on the vote margin or Cohen's response. The development is a significant internal setback for Cohen's leadership within the rabbinical hierarchy.

3 developments

1. 17:16 · 2 JulLatest

   Rabbinate claims authorization was not approved by the Rabbinical Council

2. 17:13 · 2 Jul

   Journalist Bini Ashkenazi reports the ministry reversed course following internal anger.

3. 15:54 · 2 Jul

   Chief Rabbinate Council revokes Yehuda Cohen's decision granting Tzohar kashrut authority

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