With the media abuzz with new developments in the Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto investigation in Israel and in the United States, it appears more than somewhat likely that a number of Israel Police senior officers will be linked to illegal activity.

MK (Labor) Micky Rosenthal is pushing an agenda that will prevent Israel Police officers from becoming involved in illegal activity with prominent rabbonim, or “Babos” as they are called. Rosenthal feels the appropriate response to the unfolding case involving Rabbi Pinto is to prohibit senior public officials from visiting “babos”, choshuva rabbonim and mekubalim, the type that people often turn to for advice. This would include Rav Pinto, and if alive today Baba Sali ZT”L, Baba Elazar ZT”L, Baba Baruch, the Chalban, the Rentgan and so forth.

Rosenthal explains that he differentiates between “bogus rabbinical courts” and prominent serious rabbonim who direct those seeking their guidance. He warns chassidic courts “have become a dangerous worrisome industry that do not respect democracy and I view this as being problematic.”

Rosenthal does not believe a bill is required, but each person must define his own redlines for he does not believe such issues demand legislation.

“I don’t tell anyone in who to believe and trust, and who not to believe in or trust but I think as a ministers in government, becoming servile to charlatan rabbis is truly problematic.”

Bayit Yehudi MK Moti Yogev does not agree and he feels one cannot expect to restrict a minister’s ability to confer with others, including rabbonim. Such meetings must however be in line with acceptable norms and rules of play, citing an example that a politician should not use his influence on an IDF officer towards influencing his actions. However, as friends, people may discuss different ideas, and this includes with rabbonim.

Yogev adds MKs who wear a yarmulke are not pleased with the very notion, adding “rabbis are not witches chas v’sholom, they are good people. Here rabbis and over there officers. Dialogue is important. Attempts to influence unfairly is however unacceptable,” concludes Yogev.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)