Another long-discussed, and perhaps controversial, law proposal has advanced this week...
The Knesset voted for the first reading on the law proposal to stop electing two Chief Rabbis - one Sefardi and one Ashkenazi, and move to only one. The new law also includes changes to the structure of the batei din - instead of one of the Chief Rabbis acting as head of the batei din, the head of the batei din will in the future be chosen from within the batei din - chosen by the President of the State of Israel. The Knesset voted in favor of the law (22-14). It now has to be prepared for its final readings.
The law proposal explains that the chief rabbi serves in public office with very broad tasks and issues he is involved in, and his time to dedicate to dealing with the batei din is limited - it is better to have someone dedicated to the batei din.
Main opposition was from the Haredi MKs.
MK Aryeh Deri (Shas) said this is a bill submitted by the same people who would do away entirely with the chief rabbinate, if they could, and it is just their way of taking revenge for losing the electiosn to the chief rabbinate.
MK Maklev (UTJ) said only people who dont understand what the role of a rabbi is have a problem with two chief rabbis.
MK Eichler (UTJ said that the Knesset should have no interest in the chief rabbinate. Does anybody care or check to see how many social workers, bituach leumi clerks, officers, and many others are employed but dont actually do anything? Eichler said he doesnt even think one chief rabbi is necessary, but the fact that the Knesset is dealing with it means their intention is to harm Judaism and religion.
MK Feiglin (Likud Beyteynu), the original sponsor of the bill, said that as sponsor of the bill his goal is definitely not to harm religion. When the Torah becomes two-headed, what can be greater than coming back to the united nation with one torah. The law is looking to go in that direction.
sources: NRG, JPost, Bechadrei, Kikar
besides for the opportunity for jobs - which might or might not be true - I don't understand why the Haredi MKs care so much about this, whether there is one chief rabbi or two. The Haredi community pretty much ignores the chief rabbinate and the rabbanut system anyway (though Sefardi Haredim do identify with it a bit more than the Ashkenazi Haredim do)! Why do they care so much that they consider this to be anti-religion and harmful, that they need to fight it and oppose it strongly? Many Haredim think the Rabbanut is a big waste and should be entirely disbanded. The Haredi MKs who dont give the Rabbanut the time of day are so worried about the honor fo the chief rabbinate?