14 aug 2013
An Israeli Zionist rabbi has issued a ban on handshakes between men, saying the act might lead to sin.
The head of the Gur Education Department, Abraham Benjamin Silberberg, said at a meeting with educational officials that handshakes between men is banned because it can cause “sinful thoughts.”
According to the new verdict, men can touch only each other’s fingertips. Silberberg, however, has said that it is better for males to avoid touching completely.
“This new prohibition will ensure the holiness of our next generation,” Silberberg said.
In 2011, an Israeli rabbi issued a religious decree forbidding Jewish women from driving or learning to drive unless absolutely necessary.
The order by Rabbi Avraham Yosef prohibited women from driving, especially in Israeli cities predominantly inhabited by ultraorthodox Jews.
The Jewish figure justified the decree by saying that driving for women does not reflect modesty or chastity, especially in cities mostly inhabited by religious people.
The head of the Gur Education Department, Abraham Benjamin Silberberg, said at a meeting with educational officials that handshakes between men is banned because it can cause “sinful thoughts.”
According to the new verdict, men can touch only each other’s fingertips. Silberberg, however, has said that it is better for males to avoid touching completely.
“This new prohibition will ensure the holiness of our next generation,” Silberberg said.
In 2011, an Israeli rabbi issued a religious decree forbidding Jewish women from driving or learning to drive unless absolutely necessary.
The order by Rabbi Avraham Yosef prohibited women from driving, especially in Israeli cities predominantly inhabited by ultraorthodox Jews.
The Jewish figure justified the decree by saying that driving for women does not reflect modesty or chastity, especially in cities mostly inhabited by religious people.
8 aug 2013
Pechnik (R) argues with Elon supporters
Sex offender Rabbi Elon holds first Torah lesson since conviction, but confronted by man who claims was sexually assaulted in past by another esteemed rabbi, beseeches Elon to 'admit he sinned,' says If he wasn't such a great man I wouldn’t have bothered'
Rabbi Moti Elon conducted his weekly Torah lesson in the Midgal Yeshiva Wednesday evening, just hours after being convicted for performing indecent sexual acts on a minor. During the lesson, Rabbi Elon was confronted by Nahum Pechnik, a man attending the lesson, who stood up and yelled: "I want to tell you that you are a great man, but you need to find the courage to say 'I have sinned'. You are a great man, admit that you've sinned."
Pechnik, 40, a resident of Jerusalem, is a married father of four. According to him, in 1993 he himself was a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of another famous rabbi which he refused to name.
"I came in the name of all those who were hurt. The rabbi that hurt me is an old man today. At the time I was a soldier and as a result of what happened I dropped out of my elite IDF service track. I couldn’t go on; I didn't have the mental strength for it.
"I was subjected to what the court called 'indecent acts,' and I was in trauma like anyone who has been subjected to sexual assault. I hope (Elon) will have enough courage to admit he sinned. If he wasn't such a great man I wouldn’t have bothered. I just hope he gets out of his denial, and admit that great men also fall.
"The fact that he is a big rabbi does not mean he cannot harm people," he said.
According to him he is currently on vacation with his family and left them in Lake Kinneret to come to the event: "Of course I came because there is press here. I came here to voice my anger, to say that it is inconceivable that a convicted man will claim he is the victim. When I came I knew there is a chance they would pulverize me, but I cannot accept this celebration." While Pechnik was attempting to confront Elon, the rabbi's disciples began singing loudly in a bid to drown his comments out, and afterwards the lights were shut off and the young man was aggressively chaperoned out of the hall.
Sex offender Rabbi Elon holds first Torah lesson since conviction, but confronted by man who claims was sexually assaulted in past by another esteemed rabbi, beseeches Elon to 'admit he sinned,' says If he wasn't such a great man I wouldn’t have bothered'
Rabbi Moti Elon conducted his weekly Torah lesson in the Midgal Yeshiva Wednesday evening, just hours after being convicted for performing indecent sexual acts on a minor. During the lesson, Rabbi Elon was confronted by Nahum Pechnik, a man attending the lesson, who stood up and yelled: "I want to tell you that you are a great man, but you need to find the courage to say 'I have sinned'. You are a great man, admit that you've sinned."
Pechnik, 40, a resident of Jerusalem, is a married father of four. According to him, in 1993 he himself was a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of another famous rabbi which he refused to name.
"I came in the name of all those who were hurt. The rabbi that hurt me is an old man today. At the time I was a soldier and as a result of what happened I dropped out of my elite IDF service track. I couldn’t go on; I didn't have the mental strength for it.
"I was subjected to what the court called 'indecent acts,' and I was in trauma like anyone who has been subjected to sexual assault. I hope (Elon) will have enough courage to admit he sinned. If he wasn't such a great man I wouldn’t have bothered. I just hope he gets out of his denial, and admit that great men also fall.
"The fact that he is a big rabbi does not mean he cannot harm people," he said.
According to him he is currently on vacation with his family and left them in Lake Kinneret to come to the event: "Of course I came because there is press here. I came here to voice my anger, to say that it is inconceivable that a convicted man will claim he is the victim. When I came I knew there is a chance they would pulverize me, but I cannot accept this celebration." While Pechnik was attempting to confront Elon, the rabbi's disciples began singing loudly in a bid to drown his comments out, and afterwards the lights were shut off and the young man was aggressively chaperoned out of the hall.
Elon at ruling
In response, Rabbi Elon said: "This is the month of Elul, the month of forgiveness, I forgive him and forget it. I do not know him."
Mission from the Lord
During his lesson, Elon commented on his conviction, telling those present: "What happened (in the court room) is a mission that the Lord wants us to take on. If the mission is hard, we must take it on with a smile."
Elon further noted that he happily accepted the court's decision, which he views as a test presented to him by God: "Only if you do not suspect God it doesn't bother you how something will look on screen or camera."
"I want to tell you that when you say a hillel (praise or blessing) it is not just a group of happy (biblical) verses waived together, but the opposite. It is the ability to understand that this is a lesson from God. It is a lesson to wonder if you can praise the bad things that occur along the way in the same way you praise the good, and if you are truly able to add and mend."
Immediately after the conviction, Elon said: "Today is not just the beginning of a (Jewish) month, but the beginning of the month of Elul, this is the month of forgiveness and mercy."
The sexual assault was first exposed by the Takana Forum which is dedicated to the prevention of sexual harassment within the religious community. Ayelet Vider-Cohen, one of the founders of the Takana forum and the Kolech organization, welcomed the verdict. "This is certainly a triumph, primarily for the victims," she said.
Earlier on Wednesday, before the verdict was handed, the forum said that Rabbi Elon must refrain from all public activity and personal counseling, regardless of the trial's outcome. (Video on the link)
In response, Rabbi Elon said: "This is the month of Elul, the month of forgiveness, I forgive him and forget it. I do not know him."
Mission from the Lord
During his lesson, Elon commented on his conviction, telling those present: "What happened (in the court room) is a mission that the Lord wants us to take on. If the mission is hard, we must take it on with a smile."
Elon further noted that he happily accepted the court's decision, which he views as a test presented to him by God: "Only if you do not suspect God it doesn't bother you how something will look on screen or camera."
"I want to tell you that when you say a hillel (praise or blessing) it is not just a group of happy (biblical) verses waived together, but the opposite. It is the ability to understand that this is a lesson from God. It is a lesson to wonder if you can praise the bad things that occur along the way in the same way you praise the good, and if you are truly able to add and mend."
Immediately after the conviction, Elon said: "Today is not just the beginning of a (Jewish) month, but the beginning of the month of Elul, this is the month of forgiveness and mercy."
The sexual assault was first exposed by the Takana Forum which is dedicated to the prevention of sexual harassment within the religious community. Ayelet Vider-Cohen, one of the founders of the Takana forum and the Kolech organization, welcomed the verdict. "This is certainly a triumph, primarily for the victims," she said.
Earlier on Wednesday, before the verdict was handed, the forum said that Rabbi Elon must refrain from all public activity and personal counseling, regardless of the trial's outcome. (Video on the link)
7 aug 2013
Esteemed rabbi convicted of sexually assaulting minor in 2005 in affair that rocked Israel's Religious Zionism movement. Acts first exposed by online community dedicated to preventing sexual harassment within religious sector
The Jerusalem Magistrates' Court convicted prominent Religious Zionism leader Rabbi Moti Elon of sexually assaulting a minor on Wednesday. He was found guilty of performing indecent acts against a minor. The Israeli Institute for behavioral Risk Assessment has been asked to give an opinion on the threat posed by Elon ahead of sentencing.
Asked how he felt about the conviction the rabbi chose to recite a verse of Psalms.
Upon leaving the court, Elon said, "Anything brought down on us by God Almighty we accept with pleasure and kindness."
Elon was indicted in late 2011 for offenses perpetrated in 2005. The prosecution claimed he abused his position as an educator and molested two teenagers on various occasions in 2003 and 2005.
The indictment covered five counts of forceful indecent act and abuse of authority.
However, last February one of the charges was dropped after one of the complainants refused to testify in court.
According to the indictment, Elon made unwelcome advances at the teenagers, touched them inappropriately and fondled them, all the while claiming it would help their emotional problems.
The rabbi has repeatedly denied the charges claiming he has no memory of the encounters.
The prosecution offered Elon a plea bargain, under which he would have had to enter a guilty plea but would have been spared jail time, but he reportedly refused it.
Friends and family came to support the rabbi in court, among them Lior Katsav, brother of the former president currently serving a seven-year sentence for rape.
Elon's attorney Asher Ohayon said he was surprised by the verdict and intends to appeal,
The sexual assault was first exposed by the Takana Forum which is dedicated to the prevention of sexual harassment within the religious community.
Related stories:
The Jerusalem Magistrates' Court convicted prominent Religious Zionism leader Rabbi Moti Elon of sexually assaulting a minor on Wednesday. He was found guilty of performing indecent acts against a minor. The Israeli Institute for behavioral Risk Assessment has been asked to give an opinion on the threat posed by Elon ahead of sentencing.
Asked how he felt about the conviction the rabbi chose to recite a verse of Psalms.
Upon leaving the court, Elon said, "Anything brought down on us by God Almighty we accept with pleasure and kindness."
Elon was indicted in late 2011 for offenses perpetrated in 2005. The prosecution claimed he abused his position as an educator and molested two teenagers on various occasions in 2003 and 2005.
The indictment covered five counts of forceful indecent act and abuse of authority.
However, last February one of the charges was dropped after one of the complainants refused to testify in court.
According to the indictment, Elon made unwelcome advances at the teenagers, touched them inappropriately and fondled them, all the while claiming it would help their emotional problems.
The rabbi has repeatedly denied the charges claiming he has no memory of the encounters.
The prosecution offered Elon a plea bargain, under which he would have had to enter a guilty plea but would have been spared jail time, but he reportedly refused it.
Friends and family came to support the rabbi in court, among them Lior Katsav, brother of the former president currently serving a seven-year sentence for rape.
Elon's attorney Asher Ohayon said he was surprised by the verdict and intends to appeal,
The sexual assault was first exposed by the Takana Forum which is dedicated to the prevention of sexual harassment within the religious community.
Related stories:
25 july 2013
An ultra-orthodox Jew casts his ballot during the election for Israel's two chief rabbis in Jerusalem on July 24
Two rabbis backed by ultra-orthodox parties were elected on Wednesday to serve as Israel's chief rabbis for the next 10 years, an official announcement said.
It said Yitzhak Yossef was elected Sephardi chief rabbi and David Lau the Ashkenazi chief rabbi.
The responsibilities of the chief rabbis include the country's rabbinical courts and regulating the food supervision industry.
Wednesday's election, held in a Jerusalem hotel, involved a 150-strong electoral college of religious and secular officials including mayors of the main cities.
Yossef is the son of Ovadia Yossef, founder and spiritual leader of the opposition ultra-orthodox Shas party, which has 12 seats in parliament.
Lau, who also drew on ultra-orthodox support, is himself the son of an Ashkenazi former grand rabbi.
For the first time, 10 women were members of the electoral college, despite women not being represented in rabbinical courts or in the grand rabbinate.
The institutions over which the grand rabbis preside have a major bearing on the lives of Israeli Jews in a country where the separation of church and state does not exist.
Jews cannot marry or divorce without rabbinical approval, and those seeking to marry must present proof of their Jewish heritage before rabbinical courts.
This stipulation has meant that many thousands of secular Jews or those unable to prove their Jewishness have gone abroad to be married in civil ceremonies instead.
Two rabbis backed by ultra-orthodox parties were elected on Wednesday to serve as Israel's chief rabbis for the next 10 years, an official announcement said.
It said Yitzhak Yossef was elected Sephardi chief rabbi and David Lau the Ashkenazi chief rabbi.
The responsibilities of the chief rabbis include the country's rabbinical courts and regulating the food supervision industry.
Wednesday's election, held in a Jerusalem hotel, involved a 150-strong electoral college of religious and secular officials including mayors of the main cities.
Yossef is the son of Ovadia Yossef, founder and spiritual leader of the opposition ultra-orthodox Shas party, which has 12 seats in parliament.
Lau, who also drew on ultra-orthodox support, is himself the son of an Ashkenazi former grand rabbi.
For the first time, 10 women were members of the electoral college, despite women not being represented in rabbinical courts or in the grand rabbinate.
The institutions over which the grand rabbis preside have a major bearing on the lives of Israeli Jews in a country where the separation of church and state does not exist.
Jews cannot marry or divorce without rabbinical approval, and those seeking to marry must present proof of their Jewish heritage before rabbinical courts.
This stipulation has meant that many thousands of secular Jews or those unable to prove their Jewishness have gone abroad to be married in civil ceremonies instead.
22 july 2013
Appeal against AG over remarks on Rabbi Eliyahu
An appeal has been filed with the High Court of Justice against Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein following his statement that Safed Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu's candidacy for chief rabbi was "unsuitable."
The petitioners claim Weinstein is overstepping his authority excessively intervening in the elections for chief rabbi and is hurting Eliyahu's chances to get elected.
An appeal has been filed with the High Court of Justice against Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein following his statement that Safed Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu's candidacy for chief rabbi was "unsuitable."
The petitioners claim Weinstein is overstepping his authority excessively intervening in the elections for chief rabbi and is hurting Eliyahu's chances to get elected.
19 july 2013
State: Rabbi Eliyahu nomination unsuitable, but petition too soon
The State filed the High Court of Justice with its stance on a petition presented by MK Issawi Farij (Meretz) against the nomination of Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu for the Chief Rabbinate.
In its response, the State claims that the nomination, as Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein stated, is unsuitable, but that the petition must be rejected as it is not based on actual evidence as the elections for the Chief Rabbinate have not yet been held.
The State filed the High Court of Justice with its stance on a petition presented by MK Issawi Farij (Meretz) against the nomination of Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu for the Chief Rabbinate.
In its response, the State claims that the nomination, as Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein stated, is unsuitable, but that the petition must be rejected as it is not based on actual evidence as the elections for the Chief Rabbinate have not yet been held.
16 july 2013
MK Issawi Farij (Meretz) appealed the High Court of Justice to disqualify Safed rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu from running for Israel's Chief Rabbinate. The appeal was filed following allegedly racist remarks made by the rabbi and prior investigations against him.
Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein notified Rabbi Eliyahu on Monday night that his candidacy is not worthy and he will not defend it should it come before the High Court. Eliyahu still has not formally applied for the role.
Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein notified Rabbi Eliyahu on Monday night that his candidacy is not worthy and he will not defend it should it come before the High Court. Eliyahu still has not formally applied for the role.
20 june 2013
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger
Israel's fraud squad on Thursday questioned Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger on suspicion of bribery, theft, breach of trust and money laundering, a police statement said.
Metzger's questioning at the national fraud unit headquarters in Lod, south of Tel Aviv, comes after months of covert investigations involving three other suspects, according to police.
On Thursday, police "searched the homes and offices of the suspects, including those of Rabbi Metzger," the statement said. "Documents, computers and other materials were seized."
Officers questioned Metzger on suspicion of "receiving bribes, theft, breach of trust and money laundering," the statement read, adding the three other suspects would appear before a magistrates' court near Tel Aviv later Thursday.
Israel has two chief rabbis, the Ashkenazi and Sephardi, whose responsibilities include the country's rabbinic courts and regulating the food supervision industry.
Metzger was voted into the prestigious position in 2003 thanks to the support of the senior ultra-Orthodox rabbinic authority at the time.
In 2005 he was questioned on suspicion of receiving benefits from a hotel in Jerusalem in return for favours, and police recommended that he be tried for fraud and breach of trust.
But then-attorney general Menachem Mazuz, fearing an unsuccessful prosecution, in 2006 decided against serving an indictment.
Instead he wrote a scathing report about the rabbi, accusing Metzger of lying to police and recommending that he resign immediately.
Metzger's term is due to end shortly, with elections for new chief rabbis due no later than July 24.
Israel's fraud squad on Thursday questioned Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger on suspicion of bribery, theft, breach of trust and money laundering, a police statement said.
Metzger's questioning at the national fraud unit headquarters in Lod, south of Tel Aviv, comes after months of covert investigations involving three other suspects, according to police.
On Thursday, police "searched the homes and offices of the suspects, including those of Rabbi Metzger," the statement said. "Documents, computers and other materials were seized."
Officers questioned Metzger on suspicion of "receiving bribes, theft, breach of trust and money laundering," the statement read, adding the three other suspects would appear before a magistrates' court near Tel Aviv later Thursday.
Israel has two chief rabbis, the Ashkenazi and Sephardi, whose responsibilities include the country's rabbinic courts and regulating the food supervision industry.
Metzger was voted into the prestigious position in 2003 thanks to the support of the senior ultra-Orthodox rabbinic authority at the time.
In 2005 he was questioned on suspicion of receiving benefits from a hotel in Jerusalem in return for favours, and police recommended that he be tried for fraud and breach of trust.
But then-attorney general Menachem Mazuz, fearing an unsuccessful prosecution, in 2006 decided against serving an indictment.
Instead he wrote a scathing report about the rabbi, accusing Metzger of lying to police and recommending that he resign immediately.
Metzger's term is due to end shortly, with elections for new chief rabbis due no later than July 24.
11 apr 2013
Chief Rabbi of France Resigns Over Plagiarism Scandal
France's Grand Rabbi Gilles Bernheim
Chief rabbi of France officially resigns, after becoming embroiled in a scandal over alleged plagiarism charges.
The chief rabbi of France announced Thursday that he has officially resigned, after becoming embroiled in a scandal over alleged plagiarism charges and fabrications regarding his educational background.
Rabbi Gilles Bernheim resigned with immediate effect, after admitting to plagiarizing several authors and lying about an academic status on his resume, said the body governing France's Jewish congregations.
Some 25 members of the Central Israeli Consistory of France met in Paris Thursday to discuss the issue in an emergency session, which Bernheim also attended.
"He recognized his faults, apologized and gave explanations," Sammy Ghoslan, vice president of the consistory, told the AFP news agency.
His resignation as chief rabbi is "a solution that brings more serenity. We all agreed", he said.
In the interim, Bernheim's post will be filled by an individual who will be chosen by the consistory's president.
The scandal erupted last week when Bernheim admitted to plagiarism in his 2011 book "Forty Jewish Meditations" following revelations in French news magazine L'Express.
Further investigation by AFP revealed that a claim that he was awarded a prestigious philosophy academic status from Sorbonne University was similarly false.
Bernheim had initially ruled out submitting his resignation. His spokesman, however, resigned Wednesday without providing explanation.
Bernheim was elected France's Grand Rabbi in 2008 for a seven-year term.
Chief rabbi of France officially resigns, after becoming embroiled in a scandal over alleged plagiarism charges.
The chief rabbi of France announced Thursday that he has officially resigned, after becoming embroiled in a scandal over alleged plagiarism charges and fabrications regarding his educational background.
Rabbi Gilles Bernheim resigned with immediate effect, after admitting to plagiarizing several authors and lying about an academic status on his resume, said the body governing France's Jewish congregations.
Some 25 members of the Central Israeli Consistory of France met in Paris Thursday to discuss the issue in an emergency session, which Bernheim also attended.
"He recognized his faults, apologized and gave explanations," Sammy Ghoslan, vice president of the consistory, told the AFP news agency.
His resignation as chief rabbi is "a solution that brings more serenity. We all agreed", he said.
In the interim, Bernheim's post will be filled by an individual who will be chosen by the consistory's president.
The scandal erupted last week when Bernheim admitted to plagiarism in his 2011 book "Forty Jewish Meditations" following revelations in French news magazine L'Express.
Further investigation by AFP revealed that a claim that he was awarded a prestigious philosophy academic status from Sorbonne University was similarly false.
Bernheim had initially ruled out submitting his resignation. His spokesman, however, resigned Wednesday without providing explanation.
Bernheim was elected France's Grand Rabbi in 2008 for a seven-year term.
28 mar 2013
IDF Rabbi dismissed for watching porn receives new post
Division rabbi documented watching porn is appointed to head Torah, Instruction Division; 'This is a bad and negative example,' source with IDF Rabbinate says.
Five months after a division rabbi was dismissed for watching online pornographic sites, it was decided to appoint him to head the Torah and Instruction Division. Last October, Ynet broke the story of the rabbi, much to the embarrassment of the Army Rabbinate. At the time, the Rabbinate decided to dismiss the rabbi from his post as a senior Division Rabbi.
The rabbi was documented visiting pornographic websites on the personal computer of one of his subordinate officers, without securing the junior officer's permission; he even entered sites offering live sex-chats.
The subordinate officer, N., filed a complaint about his commander's actions, and was released from the division and sent to serve at the Army Police's Central Division. According to army directives, bringing pornographic materials into an army base is strictly forbidden, and there have been many incidents of soldiers being prosecuted and punished for this directive's infringement. An army source confirmed that in the wake of the event it was decided to relieve the rabbi from his post, but not from the army. Until his new position was decided, the rabbi served in the role of an Army Rabbinate project manager, and was charged with initiating the construction of new Synagogues in army bases.
As part of his new role, the rabbi is charged with formulating time tables, writing Halacha requirements and assisting with the Rabbinate's day to day work. His appointment was authorized by the IDF's Chief Military Rabbi Brigadier-General Rafi Peretz.
'A bad and negative example' A source with the IDF Rabbinate said: "The rabbi's appointment drew great criticism in the Rabbinate, among both senior and younger soldiers, because of the tension between his actions, his light punishment and his appointment to a meaningful position such a short period of time after the incident itself.
"This is a bad and negative example of moral standards of which the Rabbinate is charged with leading." The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in response: "The officer concluded his role and contented for a number of roles within the Rabbinate's headquarters. Recently, a decision was reached regarding his appointment. For obvious reasons we will not elaborate on the IDF's appointment procedures."
Five months after a division rabbi was dismissed for watching online pornographic sites, it was decided to appoint him to head the Torah and Instruction Division. Last October, Ynet broke the story of the rabbi, much to the embarrassment of the Army Rabbinate. At the time, the Rabbinate decided to dismiss the rabbi from his post as a senior Division Rabbi.
The rabbi was documented visiting pornographic websites on the personal computer of one of his subordinate officers, without securing the junior officer's permission; he even entered sites offering live sex-chats.
The subordinate officer, N., filed a complaint about his commander's actions, and was released from the division and sent to serve at the Army Police's Central Division. According to army directives, bringing pornographic materials into an army base is strictly forbidden, and there have been many incidents of soldiers being prosecuted and punished for this directive's infringement. An army source confirmed that in the wake of the event it was decided to relieve the rabbi from his post, but not from the army. Until his new position was decided, the rabbi served in the role of an Army Rabbinate project manager, and was charged with initiating the construction of new Synagogues in army bases.
As part of his new role, the rabbi is charged with formulating time tables, writing Halacha requirements and assisting with the Rabbinate's day to day work. His appointment was authorized by the IDF's Chief Military Rabbi Brigadier-General Rafi Peretz.
'A bad and negative example' A source with the IDF Rabbinate said: "The rabbi's appointment drew great criticism in the Rabbinate, among both senior and younger soldiers, because of the tension between his actions, his light punishment and his appointment to a meaningful position such a short period of time after the incident itself.
"This is a bad and negative example of moral standards of which the Rabbinate is charged with leading." The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in response: "The officer concluded his role and contented for a number of roles within the Rabbinate's headquarters. Recently, a decision was reached regarding his appointment. For obvious reasons we will not elaborate on the IDF's appointment procedures."
Top Israeli rabbi arrested for raping teenage daughters for over a decade
File photo shows the blurred face of an Israeli rabbi charged with repeated sexual assaults of his girl students
A prominent Israeli rabbi has been arrested on charges of sexually assaulting his three teenage daughters for more than 10 years.
The rabbi, who has not yet been publicly named, is reportedly being charged with multiple accounts of sexual assault and invasion of privacy, Israel's Ynet news website reported on Wednesday.
He was arrested 10 days ago but has been remanded in custody for an additional two days.
An indictment filed with the al-Quds (Jerusalem) District Court said the suspect began molesting the victims, ages 12 -14, more than 10 years ago.
The document said the rabbi sexually abused one of the elder daughters for two years, despite her pleas.
He told the girl they could sleep naked together and also placed a video camera in her room and watched her as she undressed and showered.
The suspect's daughters are expected to testify against him in court.
A prominent Israeli rabbi has been arrested on charges of sexually assaulting his three teenage daughters for more than 10 years.
The rabbi, who has not yet been publicly named, is reportedly being charged with multiple accounts of sexual assault and invasion of privacy, Israel's Ynet news website reported on Wednesday.
He was arrested 10 days ago but has been remanded in custody for an additional two days.
An indictment filed with the al-Quds (Jerusalem) District Court said the suspect began molesting the victims, ages 12 -14, more than 10 years ago.
The document said the rabbi sexually abused one of the elder daughters for two years, despite her pleas.
He told the girl they could sleep naked together and also placed a video camera in her room and watched her as she undressed and showered.
The suspect's daughters are expected to testify against him in court.
1 feb 2013
UK rabbi hoodwinks child abuse victim
A senior British rabbi has been secretly filmed convincing an alleged victim of child sex abuse not to go to the police by claiming that it is forbidden under religious guidelines.
Rabbi Ephraim Padwa, who is leader of Britain’s Strictly Orthodox Jewish community, told the alleged victim that reporting a suspected Jewish sex offender to a non-Jewish authority is “mesira”, or forbidden.
The footage shows the alleged victim telling Padwa about someone “who sexually abused me when I was younger, when I was a child and I’m looking for your advice, to be honest, what to do…Would do you think maybe, is it a good idea to speak to the police about it?”.
Padwa answers, “Oh no,” claiming that Rabbinic Law would be breached adding that “people must not tell tales. The police is not the solution”.
The leaked evidence was secretly recorded as part of the Channel 4 Dispatches investigative program.
Later on in the program another Rabbi claims that Padwa recently forbid a father, who had told the police that his son had been sexually abused from pursuing the case.
The program further refuels the hugely controversial cover-up of child sex abuse by religious cults in Britain following global sex scandals surrounding the Roman Catholic Church.
Rabbi Ephraim Padwa, who is leader of Britain’s Strictly Orthodox Jewish community, told the alleged victim that reporting a suspected Jewish sex offender to a non-Jewish authority is “mesira”, or forbidden.
The footage shows the alleged victim telling Padwa about someone “who sexually abused me when I was younger, when I was a child and I’m looking for your advice, to be honest, what to do…Would do you think maybe, is it a good idea to speak to the police about it?”.
Padwa answers, “Oh no,” claiming that Rabbinic Law would be breached adding that “people must not tell tales. The police is not the solution”.
The leaked evidence was secretly recorded as part of the Channel 4 Dispatches investigative program.
Later on in the program another Rabbi claims that Padwa recently forbid a father, who had told the police that his son had been sexually abused from pursuing the case.
The program further refuels the hugely controversial cover-up of child sex abuse by religious cults in Britain following global sex scandals surrounding the Roman Catholic Church.
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