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NEWS
Over 100 Rabbonim Oppose High Court Attempt to Force Chief Rabbi to Issue Kashrus Certificate
By Yechiel Sever
(Prepared for parshas Vayigash) More than 100 rabbonim from across the country representing every stream of chareidi and national-religious Judaism signed a firm, unambiguous statement following a scandal that sets a dangerous precedent: the High Court reached a decision to blatantly intervene in clearly halachic issues by ordering the rov of Ashdod, HaRav Yosef Sheinin, to issue a kashrus certificate in contradiction to halacha.
HaRav Sheinin revoked a coffee shop bakery's certification after learning that the owner was a missionary (a self-styled "Messianic Jew"). At first she was asked to meet stricter kashrus standards, as is always required by halacha in the case of a Jew whose conduct raises suspicions about his or her reliability in kashrus — and certainly in the case of a Jew who has taken on another religion. When she refused, her kashrus certificate was cancelled. She then petitioned the High Court, which — predictably - ruled in her favor.
According to the signed notice of the rabbonim: "Following the High Court ruling ordering the rov of Ashdod to issue a kashrus certificate to an establishment owned by a woman who converted from Judaism, in contradiction to halacha, we hereby declare, `I cannot go beyond the word of Hashem, to do more or less' (Bamidbar 22:18). All kashrus matters are administered in accordance with halacha. Be'ezras Hashem we will continue to work to our utmost abilities to assist the members of our community and Jews in general, according to the path set forth by our Holy Torah."
The notice was released in advance of a hearing held by the High Court early this week in the case of a petition filed against the rov of Ashdod, HaRav Yosef Sheinin, for alleged contempt of court after he announced that he would not carry out the High Court decision requiring him to grant kashrus certification to the bakery owned by the convert as long as she fails to meet the halachic requirements laid forth in the Shulchan Oruch.
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