Chief Rabbinate of Israel

The Chief Rabbinate of Israel (Hebrew: הָרַבָּנוּת הָרָאשִׁית לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Ha-Rabbanut Ha-Rashit Li-Yisra'el) is recognized by Israeli law as the supreme rabbinic authority for Judaism in Israel. It was established in 1921 under the British Mandate and operates on the basis of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Law, 5740-1980. The Chief Rabbinate Council assists the two Chief Rabbis, who alternate in its presidency. It has legal and administrative authority to organize religious arrangements for Israeli Jews. It also responds to halakhic questions submitted by Jewish public bodies in the Jewish diaspora. The Council sets, guides, and supervises agencies within its authority. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel consists of two Chief Rabbis: an Ashkenazi rabbi and a Sephardi rabbi; the latt...