First publication: Despite the problems that arose with his ordination certificate, Rabbi Aryeh Stern, the candidate of Religious Zionism, will be able to run in the elections for the Jerusalem rabbinate.
In recent weeks, several questions have arisen about Rabbi Stern's qualification as a city rabbi. According to the claims, the "Great in Torah" certification granted to him by the Chief Rabbinate has expired.
After Attorney Menachem Moskowitz approached the Ministry of Justice, a meeting was held to examine the issue.
Last night, late in the evening, the Deputy Attorney General for Civil Affairs, Erez Kamenitz, sent a letter to Chief Rabbi Hared Lau, who also serves as President of the Chief Rabbinate Council, containing the decision regarding Rabbi Stern.
""After examining all of the claims," writes the Deputy Attorney General, "it appears that in light of the special circumstances of this case, and in light of Rabbi Aryeh Stern's reliance on the certificate of fitness issued to him by the Chief Rabbinate Council, signed by the former Chief Rabbis, and to remove any doubt, the Chief Rabbinate Council must reconsider and make a decision in the matter of Rabbi Aryeh Stern, regarding his being a 'great Torah scholar,' in accordance with the regulations.".
In light of this, Kaminitz writes: "Given the proximity of the elections for city rabbis in Jerusalem, the discussion should be held and a decision made regarding Rabbi Stern as soon as possible, no later than the 18th of Tishrei 5775, 12.10.14. Given the current circumstances, it is also possible to allow a decision via telephone poll.".
A very senior rabbinical official in the Chief Rabbinate tells the Haredim10 that in fact this is a formal procedure, and in order not to confirm Rabbi Stern's title of 'Great in Torah' a special reason is needed, and since there is no such reason, the Chief Rabbinate Council will renew Rabbi Stern's title of 'Great in Torah'.
Let us recall that on the eve of the elections for the Chief Rabbinate, the Chief Rabbinate Chief Rabbi Yosef also needed to renew his title of "Great in Torah" in order to be able to run for the position.
''Great in Torah' is a clause in the law that allows rabbis who have not passed the regular certification tests of the Chief Rabbinate to compete for various positions, based on special qualifications granted to them by the Chief Rabbinate Council, based on the rabbi's recognition as someone known to be great in Torah.
It should be remembered that in addition to the fitness certificate, Rabbi Stern also has an age 'problem', as he will turn 70 on Kislev. If the elections are not held by then, he will be disqualified from running. This depends on the High Court's decision - whether to postpone the elections or hold them on their date, Tishrei 27.
Sources close to Rabbi Stern told the Haredim10: "If Rabbi Stern runs, no religious rabbi will run against him.".
Join the Haredim 10 Facebook page >>
Join the X page of Haredim 10 >>
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
