Former Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger has filed a request for a presidential pardon with President Reuven Rivlin. Metzger was convicted on charges of including fraud and is serving a 3.5-year prison term in Massiyahu Prison. He began his sentence on 5 Iyar 5777. He was originally sentenced to 4.5 years, but appealed and the High Court reduced it by a year but he is still required to pay a NIS 5 million fine.
According to the News 10 report, the former chief rabbi has also appealed to the Lod District Court to reject the position of Israel Police and to permit his wife to serve as the responsible party for him when he is not in prison.
In his request for a pardon, the rav promises he will not seek another position as the rabbi of a city, moshav or neighborhood, hoping to prevent the Chief Rabbinate of Israel from revoking his semicha as is planned.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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One Response
Just a reminder that this walking Chilul Hashem became Chief Rabbi only because the Chareidi parties wanted to prevent Rav Ariel, Shlita, a recognized Talmid Chacham of impeccable character who happens to be from the Dati Le’umi community, from getting the position. All “leshem shamayim”, of course…
an Israeli Yid