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| Rabbi David Stav |
People can quibble about the rules in any organization. There were plenty of rules in the
organizations I was involved with over the years that I felt were unjust,
unnecessary, or just plain stupid – with no inherent value. In some cases I thought a particular rule was even counterproductive to the goals of the institution. But I fully understand that
organizations must have rules and have the right to determine what those rules are. Following them
is an obvious requirement for membership. So I stayed with those institutions and and followed their rules even if I didn’t like some of them. I felt that the good outweighed the bad.
I bring this up in light of an article in Arutz Sheva last
week where a prominent Rav broke the rules of the organization he is a member
of. The group he belongs to
has every right – and perhaps even a duty to expel him. If rules can so easily
be broken then of what value are they?
The rabbi in question here is David Stav, a highly respected
Religious Zionist member of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. He is also the founder
and head of Tzohar, said to be a ‘kinder’ and gentler alternative to the Chief Rabbinate.
The Chief Rabbinate has thus far seemed to tolerate its ‘competition’ and has even
worked with them on some issues.
But now he has been threatened with expulsion.
His ‘crime’ is that Tzohar wants to set up its own Kosher certification (Hechsher) organization. But the Israeli government has granted the sole right to issue Kosher
certifications to the Chief Rabbinate.
One can agree or disagree, but it is certainly understandable that the Chief Rabbinate wants to keep its monopoly on Kashrus. But in their defense, there are a lot of unscrupulous to
people out there that want to get into the Kashrus certification business. Which
can be very lucrative. So on that level I tend to
support the idea of retaining control.
The Chief Rabbinate
has informed Rabbi Stav that he should cease and desist from this project under
threat of expulsion. Rabbi Stav has said
he has no intention of doing that.
I’m not sure why Rabbi Stav has embarked on this confrontational path. I have to wonder why he is even doing this? It isn’t as if there aren't a ton of other Kashrus organizations in Israel. The
Rabbinate Hechsher is widespread and granted to many restaurants. It is so widespread that many
Orthodox Jews don’t trust it. Charedim in particular do
not eat from that it. They believe it is problematic for a variety of reasons.
I am not here to bash the Rabbinate Hechsher. My point here
is that it's own Hechsher is not universally trusted. This is
important because there many Hechsher organizations in Israel. A few that are
universally trusted; some that are less trusted than the Rabbinate; and everything in between.
So what’s the problem if Tzohar starts its own Kashrus organization? Competition. They don'twat any. Other Hechsher organizations are required to be approved by the rabbinate. Tzohar will be a competing agency, it seems. Which can muddy the waters. As far as the actual food establishments that they will be certifying, nothing. There are many Hechsher organizations like the Eida Hachredis that while under the Rabbinate's authority, could not care less. They are the gold standard for Charedim. For the Eida, it is a mere technicality.
The question remains whether Rabbi Stav wants to keep his
credentials as a member of the Chief Rabbinate. Why would he want to retain his position there after he has so badly been treated? He currently serves as the rabbi of the city of Shoham in Israel.This must mean something to him and to the residents of the city. The bottom line though is that if he wants to stay, he has to follow the rules and not start a Hechsher organization that will directly compete with the Chief Rabbinate. If he doesn’t, he will lose his position. I don't think that is a good outcome for anyone.
*Updated for accuracy
*Updated for accuracy
