Chief Rabbi Admits Dozens Of Haredi Rabbis Violate Law

Israel's Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger told the haredi publication Bakehillah that state-paid rabbis are taking cash payments to perform weddings. Metzger stated this approvingly, even though it is illegal for state-funded rabbis to demand or take payment from the public for their services.

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger

Originally published at 9:47 pm CDT 4-2-2013

Israel's Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger reportedly told the haredi publication Bakehillah that state-paid rabbis are taking cash payments to perform weddings. Metzger stated this approvingly, even though it is illegal for state-funded rabbis to demand or take payment from the public for their services.

Metzger's statements caused the religious freedom organization Hiddush, the Modern Orthodox rabbis' organization Tzohar, and the ITIM (which helps guide secular Israelis through the maze created by the haredi-controlled state rabbinate) to ask that a criminal investigation be launched into what appears to be widespread misconduct by these haredi rabbis.

Metzger's office quickly claimed that he was misquoted, as did Bakehillah – although the denials are far from convincing.

Among the many scandals that Metzger was involved in before becoming chief rabbis was taking payments for performing weddings and extorting couples who refused to pay him by refusing to perform the marriage even though dozens or even hundreds of guests were present and waiting.

 

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Comments

[dh]

Yay!! You guys are back. Not a moment too soon, I might add - I nearly adopted gopjew out of boredom.

[David]

To be honest, I am only surprized if there is a story indicating that Charedi Rabbis OBEYED the law. And I am NOT kidding.

[Sarek]

Would you call this, "pay to play?"

[jancsibacsi]

This guy metzger is a tottal joke i just spoke on skype to my israeli friend and he tells me that about 14 years ago he himself metzger took about 12 hundred shekels from him on his sons wedding and asked him again to put money in his helper pockers he metzger had a shammas helper like person with him,what a crook they all are.

[jancsibacsi]

Meant to write helpers pocket