For anyone, like the writer of no. 14, who feels turned away from Judaism because a small minority of Hareidim and rabbis are committing a chillul Hashem, be aware that most observant Jews are ordinary decent people who seek to come closer to Hashem and to work on becoming better human beings. There are bad people in every walk of life, but most people are not. Personally I have found becoming observant has given me much joy and fulfillment in my life as well as peace in my soul. Each of us has the chance to develop a better relationship with Hashem as well as with other people and now we are in Elul, this is a particularly good time for coming closer to Hashem.

NOT men (that includes rabbis, the Rabbanut, etc.). An increasing number of folks are becoming literate in science and logic to more correctly interpret Halakhah from Torah she-Bikhtav. Long past time to shed Dark Ages irrational fables, superstitions, magical mysticism and those who perpetrate them instead of Torah of the Omniscient Creator.

Elon and the Bar Hanoar manager both did the same despicable crime. Elon is tried and found guilty, while the Bar Hanoar manager is set free without even a trial. Why is it a crime only when religious boys are attacked? Why is it OK to rape secular boys and go free without punishment?

People are not perfict,and this is no excuse how he behaved and IF he did,you cant base religion on some people doing things wrong,what about the people who do things right,because there are more of them,please don't threaten not to come frum because of this, sorry to say but that is an excuse too,focus on the good and maybe u will see the truth

Let them have some hard core convict touch them in appropriate ways see how much they like it.

Them are not wagons, city-slicker, them are buzzards.

He would do find there! Screwing little children, and the church would cover you... Think about it!

Moral support from the brother of President Katzav who in is prison for rape? Whose idea was that? I understand the case may go to the Court of Appeal, so it may be premature to comment.

I believe this case is closer to a witch hunt. The magistrate is extending the definition of sexual assault in a way unknown in earlier generations, when teachers acted in loco partentis and could do anything a reasonable parent might do. If he appeals I believe the Court of Appeal will say as much.

Odd--so much vitriol but not one word of sympathy and concern for the victims who must live with this forever. My heart goes out to them and their families. I lived with this as a child and the damage is deep. Where is the demand that they get counseling and all the help they need. Keep your hate to youself--what about the children?

For the record, that would mean (in the US ) that he would have to through a psychological profile, be fingerprinted, have his record checked with the police, never be in a room alone with a child unless the door was open and other people just outside. Those are the rules and they are enforced. We have learned that bad people exist in all walks of life, that fathers and brothers and uncles and friends molest. Oh, are some of you so sure that atheists don't molest? When the next one is caught, do you think it would be fair to o a blog about atheism most definitely causes people to molest?

Haya, do me a favor and ignore and ignore all the ignorant responses people are giving you. Unfortunately, religious people are not setting a good example of what Judaism is supposed to be. This does not mean that Judaism is not the correct religion, but I do understand why you and a lot of people are turned off by it. Rabbi Asher Wade, a former bishop turned Chassid, says that we should love Judaism because of Judaism, not because of the Jews (precisely for this reason, sometimes us religious people set terrible examples). When searching for the ultimate truth in the world, learn the books that these so-called religious people are learning, instead of judging it based on them. These people are just not following those books. Again, I am not at all blaming you for feeling this way. I totally understand why people are turned off from Judaism because of these kinds of things. But do understand that there is no room in Judaism for spitting at little girls, forcing women to sit at the back of the bus, attacking people violently, and most of all, and sexual abuse. The people who are doing this are not "religious" people - they are breaking Jewish law.

educator Rabbi. Molesters are drawn to schools and other areas where young people congregate. No one who comes in contact with children should do so before a background check is done. As far as he being a Rabbi, the Catholic Church has made out millions and millions because of child abuse among their clergy.

They are NOT representative of the religious Jews . Where ALL , or most , of the ultra religious are representative of is their will to IMPOSE their lifestyle on everyone . Also the INTOLERANCE towards seculars shown by many , if not most , of them . And this makes me going away from Judaism .