Ashdod Chief Rabbi: I Won't Carry Out Court's Decision

Ashdod, Israel - The Chief Rabbi of Ashdod, Yosef Sheinin, says he is committed to maintaining Jewish law and therefore he does not intend to comply with a court ruling to grant a kashrut certificate to a bakery owned by a woman who became a part of the "Jews for Jesus" sect.

In a hearing held Monday morning, the court ordered the Chief Rabbinate to authorize a kosher certification for the bakery within a month. Meanwhile, the judges rejected the petitioner's claims of contempt of court by Rabbi Sheinin.

A manifesto signed by 80 leading rabbis in support of Rabbi Sheinin was recently distributed.