Chief Rabbi’s Appeal Against Ruling Allowing Chametz in Hospitals Received

In a controversial ruling in April, the High Court accepted petitions by the Secular Forum and the Adalah organization, saying the ban imposed by hospitals on bringing in chametz on their premises on Pesach is illegal.

Sephardi Chief Harav Yitzchak Yosef reached out to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to hold an appeal and another hearing in the High Court. In his appeal, Harav Yosef expressed his concern that not only will this ruling harm the Jewish character of the State of Israel, allowing the entry of chametz into hospitals during Pesach would cause many religious Jews to refrain from entering a hospital during Pesach, and thus avoid receiving medical treatment, thereby risking their lives, chas v’shalom.

The Attorney General responded to the Rav’s request and allowed the Chief Rabbinate to apply for a further hearing in the High Court.