JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Chief Rabbinate on Wednesday began registering women for its rabbinical certification exams for the first time, following High Court rulings that the long-standing exclusion was unlawful discrimination, according to the Jerusalem Post Thursday.

The exams, which carry professional and financial implications in Israel’s public sector, will include multiple certification tiers, with the first session scheduled after Passover. Registration will run through the end of February.

The legal battle began in July when the High Court ruled that barring women violated state anti-discrimination law, emphasizing that the exams serve as state-recognized certifications affecting employment and salary. The Rabbinate unsuccessfully attempted to limit women to certain subjects, but the court rejected the move in November.

Petitioners, led by ITIM, Kolech, and the Rackman Center, hailed the decision as historic. Rabbi Dr. Seth Farber of ITIM called it a step forward for equality within halacha and a boost to public trust in religious institutions.

The Rabbinate said a professional committee is reviewing broader exam reforms, but women will now be able to sit for the same exams as men under the existing system.