The controversy over the election for the post of Chief Rabbi took a dramatic turn today when one of the five remaining members of the nominating commission resigned, leaving that body without the necessary quorum, and halting further steps in the election procedure. The commission originally consisted of four appointees of the Chief Rabbinate Council, and four members named by the Ministry for Religious Affairs.
The Supreme Court ruled several weeks ago that five members of the commission constituted a quorum, after three of the Rabbinate appointees had resigned. The latest member to resign is Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg, who was appointed by the Religious Affairs Ministry. The nominating commission is responsible for arranging the elections.
The expiration last Friday of the term of office of the Chief Rabbi, and Chief Rabbinate Council, left them without legal powers. While they retain moral authority over observant Jews, the judgments of the Rabbinical Court of Appeal, the supreme authority in some cases, will be without legal validity, unless the Government decides to extend their terms of office.
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