Another Religious Jew Embarrasses Us

Former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Yona Metzger (TOI)

It is an understatement to say that it is a Chilul HaShem. And yet there is no other way to say it.  Yona Metzger, the immediate past Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel is one of the most corrupt individuals to hold any public office in Israel’s recent history. Hard to believe that this man was in charge of religious life in Israel for almost 10 years. The accusations are breathtaking. From the Times of Israel: 

Metzger will plead guilty to fraud, breach of trust and tax offenses…
 Last year, the Jerusalem District Court charged Metzger with accepting some NIS 10 million ($2.58 million) in bribes. He is accused of keeping NIS 7 million ($1.8 million) for himself.

(A)lleged scams linked to Metzger involve(ed) millions of shekels of funds purportedly siphoned into his accounts...

Police said Metzger had stashed about $200,000 with his sister in Haifa, and a search of his home turned up NIS 40,000 (over $11,300 at the time) in cash hidden in various books. At the time, Metzger contended that the money in Haifa came from an inheritance, but the investigation found this claim to be untrue.

According to the indictment, various nonprofit organizations connected with the rabbi during his term in office received millions of shekels in donations, some of which Metzger allegedly took for his personal use.

In addition to profiting from donations to charitable causes, he was also accused of taking bribes meant to sway his opinion on matters he attended to as chief rabbi. 

He called Bennett a Rasha - evil, wicked, person - for this. He said it is obvious that he has hatred for anybody who seems to be Haredi.  Well, I guess I am a Rasha too because I agree with Bennett on this. And so is anyone else that thinks what Metzger admitted to is a Chilul HaShem.