Ashdod citizens are supporting their Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Yosef Sheinin, after an interview he gave regarding his stance on the 'Pnina Pie' bakery. The Chief Rabbi revoked the kashrus certificate of the bakery after it was discovered that its owner is a missionary, explaining that kashrus certificates can only be granted shops and bakeries that comply with the rulings of the Shulchan Aruch. The High Court intervened in the case, however, and ordered Rabbi Sheinin to renew the kashrus certificate of the bakery.

Rabbi Sheinin has been sharply criticized by the media due to his decision to revoke the kashrus certificate; however he stands by his decision and explained that according to the Shulchan Aruch, a Jew who converts from Judaism must have constant hashgacha in his store for his food to be rendered kosher. "How can I tell people to come and eat at the bakery when it is clearly forbidden to do so according to halacha?" asks Rabbi Sheinin rhetorically during his interview.

A close associate of the Rav told 'Etrog' that many Ashdod residents, both religious and non-observant, have been calling to express their support for the Rav and his decision.

Chairman of the Religious Council in Ashdod Rabbi Ovadyah Dahan voiced his support for Rabbi Sheinin in a special assembly of the council following the intervention of the High Court in the case.

Rabbi Dahan, who opened the assembly with his speech, said the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Amar, sent a personal letter to all Knesset members and asked them to prevent the High Court from interfering in kashrus issues.

The High Court has unfortunately forced Rabbi Sheinin to grant the 'Pnina Pie' bakery a kashrus certificate despite it being contradictory to Jewish Law.