Jewish Scene
Israel's richest rabbis become savvy businessmen
Associated Press
Published: 21.07.12, 08:29
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37 Talkbacks for this article
1. I read this article with amused disgust
Al   (07.21.12)
Voodoo orthoquackism..the new Judaism. We are going to fall and fall bad.
2. More Orthodox Rabbis need to speak out
ReturntoMonotheism ,   Jerusalem Israel   (07.21.12)
This is a distortion of Monotheism and more Orthodox Rabbis need to speak out loud and clear it happens in all religions many people need a tangible evidence of G-d's presence Christian TV healers Catholic medals and relics Greek & Russan miraculous icons the secular turn to Science Fiction and the "arts" for meaning and salvation.. The distortion of the great faith of Judaism needs to be redeemed from this distortion, Moses deliberately had himself buried in an unmarked grave this should be enough evidence and support for the rabbis to speak out.
3. X-ray spirituality? ZUM KOTZEN!
Jerry ,   The Netherlands   (07.21.12)
4. Shamans
Raptor   (07.21.12)
5. Religion pays well!
James   (07.21.12)
6. An obvious fraud playing to superstition, not faith
Charlie Noel ,   Minneapolis, USA   (07.21.12)
The New Testament speaks of Simon Magus, a Jewish sorceror who thought he could buy the power of God with money. Simon Peter cursed him for his greed and he seems to have repented unto life. These fraudulent religious hucksterers are the "sons" of Simon Magus - they too need to repent if they wish to arrive in Heaven, ever.
7. So Rabbi Xray,can you also tell us ..
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (07.21.12)
how to take this money with us, to the Olam Haba?
8. Primitve people need shamans,and the
J.K. ,   Brooklyn USA   (07.21.12)
shamans need their money,in eastern Europe,hasidim consulted their rebbe on every issue,about business,doctors,marriage,some hasidim even made the rebbe a partner in their business,if the business succeeded,it was thanks to the rebbe,if not, it was an act of God, during the war the rebbe of whisjnits had send money and golden coins,hidden in nosebags to the starving Jews in Transnistria,but those shamans in Israel are plain sharlatans,exploiting their stupid followers,claiming they are god's ambasador to earth.
9. # 7 ORA.the sharlatans need the money,
J.K. ,   Brooklyn USA   (07.21.12)
here and now,Olam Hazeh.
10. I`m now selling blessings as well
Haim ,   TA   (07.22.12)
$200 a blessing, Next !
11. #5
Rolly ,   Tampa, US   (07.22.12)
You're damn' right that religion pays well, but, these rabbis are bush league compared to the Vatican boys in Rome.
12. Ora , rabbanim don't worship the money ?
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (07.22.12)
13. Ora , 7 . Hope you will not need this info
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (07.22.12)
before 2050
14. 9 J.K Why? What s the hurry?
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (07.22.12)
Do they count on money,to buy peace of mind?
15. Official Rabbinate
Sherlock Holmes ,   London England   (07.22.12)
It's important to remember these rabbis are not part of the official Israeli rabbinate. They are private people whom some may choose to seek out for advice. Many official Rabbis, such as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Soloveitchik, Rav Breuer, Rav Shach, the Steipler Gaon, Rav Elyashiv, and lehavdil Rav Steinman have lived in great 'modesty' if not poverty. There is no law against giving financial advice or blessings.
16. Seeking advice
Danny ,   London England   (07.22.12)
There is nothing wrong with seeking advice from religious figures. Israeli prime ministers have consulted Rav Moshe Feinstein and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and no doubt also Rav Kook and Rav Elyashiv. There is no sin in owning property or being bright enough to invest. Businessmen have the right to consult whomever they trust.
17. Partial List
Joseph ,   London UK   (07.22.12)
From what I recall, the full list included at least two rabbis who head worldwide school systems and worldwide charity operations. To suggest that all rabbis on the list are purely private people is misleading. Some rabbinical families are themselves blessed with business sense and success. The nephew of the late Bobover Rebbe heads a property empire valued at £900 million.
18. Exceptions to rules
Akiva ,   NYC   (07.22.12)
A major study of American pulpit clergy found that the average salary for a senior Reform rabbi is about $250,000 a year. The average for an American Orthodox rabbi is much less. The rabbis mentioned in this article are, of course, not pulpit rabbis and have made their money most likely through 'free enterprise' including good investments and good advice to others. If they were not rabbis you would probably admire their success and their charitable contributions!
19. 12 Charles, Have you seen how ...
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (07.22.12)
the real Great Rabbis live? i was in such a place for a "Wort".It was in an impressive dignified room,with not the slightest sign of luxury. We didn t even find , one porcelan plate , to break for the Wort,only plastic plates. The money they receive goes tchic tchac to the needy.
20. 13 Thanks Charles
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (07.22.12)
Make good use of your money until your 120 in this world.
21. IS "RICH RABBI" AN OXYMORON?
Secular! but a Jew! ,   NYC, USA   (07.22.12)
OR IS BEING A RICH RABBI JUST PART OF BEING A regular MORON... I want to be a Rabbi too so I can get rich off the paranoid psychotic Jewish world. why not, they do!
22. 13 Charles,Only until 2050 ?
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (07.22.12)
Not very generous.
23. Ora , 19
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (07.22.12)
Are those in this article not rabbanim ? It's about those we are talking , and they are most likely not the exeptions . There are others too , yes , but many take some "side" money when they perform weddings and so .
24. Don't know any catholic priest millionere ,...
snag ,   USA   (07.22.12)
25. # 14 ORA.whats the hurry ?.
J.K. ,   Brooklyn USA   (07.22.12)
People can satisfy cravings for food,but not for money,the more and the sooner the better,no,they can't buy peace of mind,but they can buy a lot of stocks,real estate,political influence,unfortunately, this pagan idustry is flourishing in Israel,the bed sheet of baba sally was sold for $ 40,000,its time to expose the sharlatans for what they are,otherwise,in the next war with the arabs,the followers of the babas will fight the enemy with amulets and holy oil.
26. snake , 24 the vatican !
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (07.22.12)
has more than all those rabbanim . And what the value of the Rubens , Van dijck , van Eyck and other J. Jordaens paintings in their churches ? [ USA ? Millionaire , not millionere ! ]
27. 25 J.K. This farce will stop from...
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (07.22.12)
itself,as soon as their predictions will not come true.
28. 27 Add. unless they are genuine ..
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (07.22.12)
Rabbis.
29. 24 - "the vatican has more than all those rabbanim"
snag ,   USA   (07.22.12)
It's a common property of the church (acquired for over 2000 years) not of the individuals (priests) By the way, pinhead, there's 1.2 Billion Catholics and 15 Million of Jews. Another detail, the church always sponsored art/artists and paid for their art pieces.
30. # 27 ORA.Yes,you can't fool all the people
J.K. ,   Brooklyn USA   (07.23.12)
all the time,but you can fool a lot of people for a very long time.
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