The Tzohar organization is continuing to provide kashrut certification to businesses, despite the Chief Rabbinate's legal advisor ruling that its license was issued illegally, according to Eli Hirschman (N12). Tzohar responded that the license was obtained lawfully and criticized the 'legal and administrative foot-dragging' that delays implementation of the kashrut reform.
The Tzohar organization is continuing to issue kashrut certificates, asserting that its license was obtained lawfully, despite the Chief Rabbinate's legal advisor stating earlier today that the license was granted illegally and cannot be relied upon. According to Eli Hirschman (N12), Tzohar is still providing certification to businesses, citing the license as valid. The organization's kashrut division responded: 'The public in Israel is entitled to reliable, professional, and accessible kashrut, not to legal and administrative foot-dragging that delays implementation of the law and harms the observant public.'
This latest development is the next chapter in a deepening dispute over the kashrut reform. As The Zioneer reported, on July 2 the Chief Rabbinate authorized Tzohar as an official kashrut body following a High Court petition. Later that day, the Rabbinate's legal advisor ruled that the authorization was not approved by the Rabbinical Council and was therefore invalid. Tzohar responded that the Religious Affairs Ministry director had no authority over kashrut certification. The legal advisor then issued a formal opinion that the license was illegal.
The disagreement underscores the ongoing tensions between the Rabbinate and Tzohar over the implementation of the kashrut reform, which aims to introduce competition in kashrut certification. It remains unclear whether the Rabbinate will take enforcement action against Tzohar or its certified businesses.
3 developments
- StrongChief Rabbinate rules Tzohar kashrut authorization was not approved by Rabbinical Council
- DevelopingChief Rabbinate certifies Tzohar as official kashrut body following High Court ruling
- StrongTzohar: Religious Affairs Ministry director has no authority over kashrut certification
- DevelopingThe Times of Israel daily briefing: Chief Rabbinate's kosher monopoly faces legal challenge
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
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