… The one realm where an Orthodox rabbi’s opinions and rulings may endanger his public position is in the military rabbinate.

The IDF chief rabbi is not only a position of practical importance to religious soldiers, but also one of symbolic importance to the entire army.

Moreover, it is a religious institution within a secular and broadly egalitarian institution, which includes people of different religions, races, lifestyles and sexual orientations.

Critically, the High Court of Justice is empowered to intervene in appointments of the executive branches of government if it believes the appointment might harm the values of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, or will harm public trust in the institution in question.

In the case of Rabbi Col. Eyal Karim, the High Court justices have reacted to a petition highlighting some of his previous comments and rulings that may indeed undermine the trust of some sectors of the public in him as a senior and influential officer, and the broader institution of the IDF.