Police have labeled the death of Rabbi Asher Toledano, director of the mosdos in Yavniel a suicide but family members insist the rav was murdered. Family members explain he was murdered due to his control over the estate of Rav Shick ZT”L, the Tzaddik of Yavniel.

Rabbi Toledano died of his injuries in Poriah Hospital in Tiveria. He arrived with a plastic zip tie locked around his neck. It is pointed out the rav arrived in the hospital on the day there was to be a court hearing to rule over Rabbi Toledano’s control of the mosdos.

A son told police that a month before the petira of the tzaddik, his father was appointed head of the mosdos and now he was killed in connection to the dispute over control of the mosdos that began with Rav Shick’s petira. He adds the appointment was also mentioned in Rav Shick’s will, a will that was written in the last days of his life. However, following Rav Shick’s petira the Yavniel community has split over who runs the mosdos. Speaking with Channel 2 evening news, Yedid Toledano, the son, explained his father was murdered as the power struggle continues and the police determination that the death was suicide is incorrect. “My father was a victim. I urged him to leave a number of times, and he knew he could pay with his life, and this is what occurred”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)