Jerusalem Rabbi Moshe Yazdi sentenced to 18 years for rape by deception

The sentence also includes a one-year suspended prison term and NIS 150,000 in compensation for each of the two women.Follow us on Google Rabbi Moshe Yazdi, arrested on suspicion of sexual offenses against women is brought for a court hearing at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, on April 27, 2022.(photo credit: FLASH90)SEPTEMBER 6, 2026 19:13The Jerusalem District Court sentenced Rabbi Moshe Yazdi to 18 years in prison on Sunday for repeated sex offenses against two women who sought his religious guidance, after finding that he deceived them into believing the acts were divinely sanctioned “spiritual corrections.”Yazdi was convicted in March of multiple offenses of rape and indecent acts by deception, as well as financial crimes. The court found that one series of sexual offenses continued for approximately 12 years and another for three to four years, amounting to dozens and possibly hundreds of offenses against each woman.The sentence also includes a one-year suspended prison term and NIS 150,000 in compensation for each of the two women. Time Yazdi has already spent in custody will be deducted from his sentence.Sexual acts falsely presented as religious requirementsThe finding of rape by deception centered on how Yazdi obtained the women’s apparent agreement. The court found that they submitted to the sexual acts because he falsely presented them as religiously required measures that would achieve a spiritual correction or benefit the world.Yazdi had led the Amudei Hashalom community and a similarly named nonprofit organization since 1997. He ran a soup kitchen, assisted people in need, and taught Torah classes, building a following that included people who had become newly religious.Rabbi Moshe Yazdi, arrested on suspicion of sexual offenses against women is brought for a court hearing at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, on April 27, 2022. (credit: FLASH90)Yazdi taught his followers to subordinate their views and feelings to “da’at Torah,” or Torah authority. He portrayed himself as one of the 36 hidden righteous people in Jewish tradition and claimed to possess divine inspiration and to consult deceased rabbis before advising followers on their private lives.He also taught that wrongdoing created “sparks of impurity” and that he could correct them by descending into impure places and sanctifying them. The court found that he used those claims to persuade the two women that sexual acts with him were spiritual interventions rather than ordinary sexual encounters.The judges said Yazdi exploited the women’s trust, personal distress, youth and susceptibility to his influence. His conduct harmed their bodies and mental well-being, as well as their autonomy and ability to make informed decisions, the court said.Yazdi did not accept responsibility for the offenses. He acknowledged in his final statement that he had “sinned,” but did not accept that he had wronged the victims, instead continuing to place responsibility on them. The judges also described his conduct during the trial as manipulative and an abuse of the judicial process.Yazdi faced allegations involving eight women but was convicted concerning twoThe prosecution’s original case was broader. Yazdi faced allegations involving eight women but was convicted of sexual offenses concerning two. The sexual allegations involving the other six women did not result in convictions, and he was acquitted on five of the indictment’s nine counts, including additional sexual and financial allegations.His financial convictions included money laundering, acts intended to prevent legally required financial reporting, dealing in prohibited property and defrauding creditors. Prosecutors argued during sentencing that Yazdi used bank accounts belonging to followers to conceal money from creditors while he was in bankruptcy proceedings.The court considered evidence of Yazdi’s charitable work, including his operation of a soup kitchen and assistance to people in financial difficulty. It found, however, that this carried little weight when weighed against the severity and duration of the harm inflicted on the two women.Yazdi may appeal his conviction and sentence to the Supreme Court.Follow us on Google