IDF rabbis rule most soldiers cannot fast on Tisha B’Av "Fasting during operational activity is prohibited; it is a life-threatening matter," says the Israeli Military Rabbinate. Akiva Van Koningsveld Aug. 12, 2024
Cemetery fence to be lowered after uproar over Hamas victim’s burial Alina Plahti began a conversion process during her IDF service but had not completed it. Nov. 16, 2023
A reaffirmation of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Israel’s chief rabbis have been the object of vindictive and unfair criticism. Joseph Frager Sept. 28, 2022
Controversial conversion-reform bill passes major hurdle Ministerial greenlighting of the legislation, proposed by Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana, paves the way for a first reading in the Knesset. Feb. 21, 2022
Landmark decision recognizing non-Orthodox conversions performed in Israel sparks fierce debate The decision touches on hot-button issues, including tensions between religious and secular communities, which have reached a fever pitch during the pandemic, as well as the role of the Supreme Court itself. Israel Kasnett March 2, 2021
Dramatic conversion ruling inflames Israel’s political debate Right-wing parties call the Israeli High Court’s order mandating the state to recognize Reform and Conservative conversions “a fatal blow” to the country’s Jewish character. Yehuda Shlezinger and Danielle Roth-Avneri March 2, 2021
Despite predictions, Israel sees 3 percent fewer divorces in pandemic year According to rabbinical court data, 11,076 couples were divorced in 2020, as compared with11,451 in 2019. Hanan Greenwood Jan. 11, 2021
Same-sex couples may become parents, Israeli Orthodox rabbi rules Rabbi Benny Lau exhorts the religious community to embrace same-sex couples and explains that while no solution has been found that allows LGBTQ couples to hold a halachic wedding ceremony, there is nothing that prevents them from having and raising children. Hanan Greenwood Oct. 11, 2020
Israel’s Chief Rabbinate threatens to halt ordainment of rabbis if forced to train women The move comes in response to a High Court petition claiming that the rabbinate’s exclusion of women is discriminatory. Hanan Greenwood July 6, 2020
