The High Court of Justice on Tisha B’Av decided to extend a temporary order preventing the appointment of a chief rabbi in Yerushalayim. The order was originally issued in response to a petition filed by Jerusalem opposition City Councilman Nir Barakat and MK (National Union) Uri Ariel against Minister of Religious Services Yitzchak Cohen.

Last week the court called on the parties to explain why the process to appoint a chief rabbi in the capital should be held now, with local elections three months away. The three justices decided to permit the status quo, the temporary restraining order, to remain, pushing off the elections for chief rabbi.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)