Story perspectives

Chief Rabbinate Halts Tzohar Kashrut License Over Procedure Violation

7/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Chief Rabbinate Council froze Tzohar Kashrut’s newly granted license within hours, citing procedural violations.
Director-General Yehuda Cohen granted the license without informing the council, violating the Kashrut Fraud Prevention Law.
Tzohar said the license will boost transparency, professionalism and competition in Israel’s kosher certification system.
The dispute arises amid reforms permitting independent certifiers and on the fast day of 17 Tammuz, the start of the Three Weeks of mourning.

History

Historical Context

Since the late 20th century, dozens of private kosher certification agencies—such as the Orthodox Union—have proliferated, challenging the Chief Rabbinate’s historic monopoly in Israel. Legal battles over who may label food “kosher,” echoed in U.S. courts, illustrate this shift; a 1975 New York Times estimate put certification cost at just 6.5 millionths of a cent per item.

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Story summary

The Chief Rabbinate Council froze Tzohar Kashrut’s newly granted license within hours, citing procedural violations.
Director-General Yehuda Cohen granted the license without informing the council, violating the Kashrut Fraud Prevention Law.
Tzohar said the license will boost transparency, professionalism and competition in Israel’s kosher certification system.
The dispute arises amid reforms permitting independent certifiers and on the fast day of 17 Tammuz, the start of the Three Weeks of mourning.

1 / 2