Council Votes for Chief Rabbis, Ashkenazi Rabbis Tie

A vote for the Chief Rabbinate by the rabbinic committee, including many Chabad rabbonim, resulted in the appointment of Rabbi David Yosef as Sefardi Chief Rabbi and a tie for the Ashkenazic one. Chabad rabbonim deny having endorsed any particular candidate.

By VIN and Anash.org

The elections for the Chief Rabbinate of Israel took place Sunday evening, with the 140-member committee choosing from 5 Ashkenazi and 3 Sephardi candidates.

Last week, the media reported that Chabad supported a specific candidate. However, Aguch of Eretz Yisroel released a letter that this statement was false and that no one has the authority to speak in the name of Chabad aside for Aguch.

“In light of media reports regarding Chabad’s stance on the election of the Chief Rabbis this coming Sunday, we wish to clarify that, according to the Rebbe’s directive, the authority, leadership, and guidance for the community members in the Holy Land lies with Aguch, under the leadership of Chabad rabbonim, who are the judges and have the authority of Torah rulings. No individual, political body, or PR office is authorized to use Chabad’s name or announce Chabad’s position without permission.

“Therefore, since no statement has been issued by Aguch or Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad, the publication claiming Chabad’s support for any specific candidate is incorrect and is a very serious misrepresentation.

“To eliminate any doubt, we have spoken with the Chabad rabbonim who are part of the electing body, and they requested to clarify that the statement released was completely against their opinion, and that they are not obligated to any candidate and will vote solely according to their personal inclination.”

The sephardi elections have concluded successfully with the election of Rabbi David Yosef, but the Ashkenazi elections have ended with a tie and another vote will take place. Here is a clear breakdown of the names and votes in the election so far:

The elections for Rabbi David Yosef as the Sephardi Rishon Letzion was expected, being the brother of the previous Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, and continuing the family’s long tradition of rabbinic distinction which started when his father Rav Ovadia became chief rabbi in 1973. Rabbi Yosef received 72 votes, ahead of Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu (43 votes) and Rabbi Michael Amos (21 votes).

However in the Ashkenazi elections there was no outright winner as Rabbi Kalman Ber (Rabbi of Netanya) and Rabbi Micha Halevi (Rabbi of Petah Tikva) both received 40 votes from the committee, while Rabbi Meir Kahane (Av Beis Din of Ashkelon) received 30 votes, Rav Moshe Chaim Lau (brother of the former chief rabbi) received 21 votes and Rabbi Eliezer Igra received 6 votes.

The tie means that there should be another vote in a week’s time between Rabbi Ber and Rabbi Halevi to determine who will be the Ashkenazi chief rabbi. However in another twist to the drama, Rabbi Halevi’s supporters are claiming that there was another vote for him which was mistakenly placed in the envelope of the Sephardic rabbis and therefore he has 41 votes and is technically the winner. The matter is being referred to legal opinions but it is likely there will in the end be another vote for Ashkenazi chief rabbi.