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.