(haipo) On Monday (6/7/26), Education Minister Yoav Kish published a circular from the Director General that for the first time regulates the wearing of tefillin in public schools across the country. The circular establishes a uniform national policy that guarantees every student who wishes to wear tefillin the opportunity to do so, while establishing a clear school procedure, a dignified place, and regulated times.
New CEO circular aims to end uncertainty and friction in schools
The circular was formulated after professional staff work, following numerous inquiries received by the Ministry of Education and cases raised by schools, which illustrated that the lack of systemic regulation created uncertainty, different interpretations, and sometimes even unnecessary friction and conflict around the putting on of tefillin. The purpose of the circular is to establish uniform and clear rules, to provide school administrators with a regular framework for action, and to create certainty in the manner in which the policy is implemented in all state schools.
Minister of Education Yoav Kish He said that "putting on tefillin in the Jewish state is not a subject of controversy or local interpretations. It is a fundamental right, a basic tradition and national pride," adding that "the lack of regulation that has accompanied the system for years has created friction and uncertainty that has harmed students, parents and administrations."
Practical guidelines: a respectful place, regulated times, and community discourse
For the first time, it was determined that the school principal must allow students who so request to place tefillin on school grounds, and formulate a school procedure that will regulate the manner of implementation. As part of the procedure, a respectable place for placing tefillin will be defined, regulated times will be set so that placing tefillin will take place only during breaks, and the procedure will be published as part of the school regulations.
The circular clarifies that the responsibility for bringing tefillin and arriving on time for classes lies with the students who choose to wear tefillin, in a manner that allows for the realization of their choice while maintaining the continuity of learning and the school routine. In addition, the circular recommends promoting the implementation of the policy through dialogue and dialogue with the education teams, parent leadership, and the student council, with the aim of ensuring optimal implementation and maintaining a respectful educational climate and the communal fabric common to all students at the school.
Kish is a disgrace to the Halakhah and a slave to the Halakhah state.