Wife of accused rabbi says she knew of his relations with 2 women

The wife of a Safed rabbi charged with rape and sexual harassment says she knew about his sexual relations with two other women, a recording played Thursday by Channel 2 television apparently shows.

The wife of Rabbi Ezra Sheinberg is heard telling Safed Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu that she knew her husband had had sex with the women, but that the sex was part of their therapy.

The wife, whose name was not given, refers to the acts as “relaxation massage” — an apparent euphemism for sex.

Sheinberg, 46, was charged last month in the Nazareth District Court on 13 counts of rape, indecent assault, sexual harassment, fraud and obstruction of justice.

His wife said her husband had only told her about two women, whereas 13 in total have come forward to accuse him. The women said that they had come to the rabbi for consultations, advice and blessings.

After Eliyahu asks the rebbetzin if she knows what the “relaxation massage” is, she tells him: “He told me that it was part of the blessing, and I accepted that too.”

The court ruled last week that Sheinberg will remain in custody until the end of legal proceedings against him.