Holon Chief Sephardi Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Avraham Yosef Shlita has suspended himself from signing off on the city’s kashrus supervision, handing the task over to the city’s Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi. Rav Yosef’s move is compelled by the criminal indictment against him for allegedly abusing his position to advance the interests of Badatz Beit Yosef, which is run by his brother. The rav’s move followed a petition filed with the High Court of Justice by the Ne’emanei Torah V’Avodah organization, seeking to compel him to resign.

Last week the rav’s attorneys responded to the court petition with the announcement he is handing kashrus responsibilities to Rabi Yochanan Gur-Aryeh, the city’s Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi. His attorneys point out that the rav will however continue his other duties as the city’s chief rabbi.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)