In a move that should serve as an example in many a case, the legal advisor of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, Harel Goldberg, has begun the process of stripping Rabbi Moti Alon of his Chief Rabbinate semicha as the once eminent dati leumi posek is now a convicted pedophile. Despite the conviction, he sadly remains popular in one camp of the dati leumi community, as the others vilify him for his heinous deeds that have ruined so many lives.

The rabbi was convicted in 2013, and as recent as two months ago, on the “Uvda” news investigation program, it was announced that additional new complaints against the rabbi have been received. In at least one of these new cases, the information was passed by the Takanah dati leumi rabbinical forum that probes such matters to police for further investigation.

Rav Alon has been notified by the legal advisor of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, Harel Goldberg, it was stated, inter alia: “Your conviction in the past of two counts of indecent assault using force is prima facie grounds for the revocation of the certificates of rav of a city and rav of a neighborhood. Rabbi Alon was given three weeks to present his position, and then the Chief Rabbinate’s Disciplinary Committee will convene to discuss the matter.

A number of days ago, HaRav Yaakov Ariel Shlita gave his total backing to HaRav Chaim Druckman, who gave Alon his full backing after serving his sentence and returning to the tzibur. Rav Ariel explained that Rav Druckman truly believed Rav Alon had returned to a normative acceptable lifestyle, but the recent complains reported above show this does not appear to be the case.

Rav Ariel told KAN 11 News that today, Rav Druckman is aware that he erred and is willing to apologize to talmidim who followed Rav Alon as a result of his backing him. The Srugim dati leumi website adds that Rav Ariel made his statement and clarification regarding Rav Druckman after philanthropists from the United States have threatened to end their support for the institutions run by Rav Druckman if he does not apologize and distance himself from Alon.

The Takanah Forum includes prominent rabbonim such as HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Ariel Shlita, HaGaon HaRav Tzefanya Drori Shlita and HaGaon HaRav Elyakim Levanon, as well as other rabbonim and women. The former president was HaGaon HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein ZT”L.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)