A 54-year-old rabbi, leader of a large community in the north, a resident of Meron, who has a wide fan base, was arrested last night by the police on suspicion of committing serious acts.
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The rabbi is a community leader within the Breslov Hasidic community, and he is also considered popular on social media. Videos of sermons and dances with his followers are posted on various online platforms.
At the end of a hearing held today (Thursday) at the Tiberias Magistrate's Court, the court granted the police request and extended his detention by a week - until 14.05.26, for the purpose of continuing investigative activities.
The arrest was made at the end of an undercover investigation by the Northern District police, after complaints were received by the police over the past month regarding suspicion of committing serious offenses.
Upon receipt of the complaints, an undercover investigation was opened by the Northern District police, in which a variety of investigative actions were carried out to collect findings and evidence, which led last night to the arrest of the suspect.
As the investigation moved to the open phase, the suspect was arrested and taken to the police station for questioning, where he was questioned on the suspicions attributed to him. Subsequently, and depending on the development of the investigation and its findings, the suspect will be brought before the court with a request to extend his detention.
""The Israel Police calls on anyone who is affected or has relevant information to contact and file a complaint at the nearest police station or through the 100 hotline," the police statement said.
According to a report by Itai Ilanai in Israel Hayom, the complaints against him were filed at the Safed police station.
According to the report, the complaints include a number of testimonies describing worrying patterns of harm to family ties, exploitation, and even allegations of serious acts within the framework of spiritual authority relationships.
At this point, the rabbi's name is still prohibited from publication.
The allegations against the rabbi have long been known to the Israeli Center for Victims of Cults, and to the Special Rabbinical Court headed by Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, the rabbi of Safed.
Concurrent with the arrest, the Special Court issued a stern warning - signed by Rabbi Zion Boaron, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Rabbi Aharon Yirchi, Rabbi Aharon Cohen, Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak Schwartz, Rabbi Hanania Pollak and Rabbi Yehuda Dana - against his activities.
The ruling states that he "presents himself as righteous, but commits serious acts that the Holy Torah has forbidden and we cannot detail them out of modesty.".
Members of the court said that they had received testimonies from his students about "intimidation and threats" against those who were harmed by him.
According to the warning, the community leader was summoned to court but "refused to cooperate.".
The rabbis advised the public to stay away from the rabbi and his evil deeds, and not to listen to any instructions or lessons from him. The court even assigned a phone number for discreet contact for additional information.
About a week and a half ago, the Israeli Center for Victims of Cults also issued a warning about the rabbi, which they said was based on "16 different testimonies that were submitted to the center, describing worrying patterns of dependence, control, harm to family ties, exploitation, an atmosphere of fear, and in some of the testimonies also allegations of serious acts within the framework of spiritual domination relationships.".
Attorney Shlomzion Gabbay-Mandelman, who represents the rabbi, told Haredim 10: "These are unfounded claims based on lies and distortions by individuals motivated by jealousy and financial demands, who have been looking for years for ways to harm members of the community in every possible way.
""We hope that the investigation will put an end to suspicions that have no basis in reality, as the torture and sorrow of the law are many and unnecessary. This is an open and embracing community. The highlight of the community is kindness and giving through soup kitchens and orphanages, which are open to everyone.".
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