Rabbinate defrocks rabbi who stole Torah scrolls

Organization says honorific will be stripped from any rabbi convicted of wrongdoing

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, center, at the Chief Rabbinate (photo credit: Yossi Zamir/Flash90)
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, center, at the Chief Rabbinate (photo credit: Yossi Zamir/Flash90)

The Chief Rabbinate announced Wednesday that Yehuda Rosilio, the former rabbi of Moshav Brosh in southern Israel, would be stripped of his honorific due to his conviction for the theft of Torah scrolls from his own community.

Rosilio was convicted last week.

The rabbinate said the move indicated a new policy to strip the title of any rabbi proved guilty of a crime.

Rosilio was convicted of stealing seven Torah scrolls from his synagogue and replacing them with rolls of paper and cardboard during Simchat Torah celebrations last year.

The incident happened in the small Negev town of Moshav Brosh. According to police, the parchments’ worth was estimated at about NIS 500,000 ($130,000).

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.