Dear Readers:
We are not covering this story simply because a senior Dayan on the world rabbinical stage had an affair with a wealthy, married woman. If she was a consenting adult than he was simply human. There is little reason to believe that she was not consenting or that he used his political and religious clout to go beyond simple “pastoral counseling.”
We have taken up this story because apparently, either those in charge of appointment to the Beit (Beth) Din did not do their due diligence on Dayan Abraham, or they chose to ignore events and circumstances that might have prevented him from being the choice appointment. We will post more on that point in the coming days.
Suffice it to say, this event is a major failure of the Beit Din and should not be ignored. It should be reviewed, a debrief should be performed and a clearer understanding of how this appointment and the resulting affair could have happened. In addition, Dayan’s previous rulings, particularly as they concern marriage, divorce and the rights of parents should be reviewed and considered so it is certain that in his failings, Dayan Abraham did not fail others.
Senior rabbi, 55, is caught having an ‘inappropriate association’ with a married woman by a private eye hired by her multi-millionaire husband after he became suspicious of his ‘frequent pastoral visits’
A senior rabbi has been forced to quit his synagogue after an ‘inappropriate association with a married woman’.
Yonason Abraham, 55, said he had ‘fallen short of the standards expected’, adding he was ‘deeply sorry I have let you down’.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis issued a statement saying the ‘shameful episode … has shaken us to the core’.
He added: ‘When one of us fails in this manner, we are all greatly diminished.’ The disgraced rabbi is said to have quit over his links with the wife of a millionaire, to whom he gave ‘pastoral support’ in her marital home.
The marriages of both the rabbi and the millionaire were said to have been rocked by the scandal – although it is understood that neither couple has split.
Rabbi Abraham had founded the Toras Chaim synagogue near Golders Green in north London, and had long been respected as one of the four judges in the London Beth Din court. He has also resigned from this latter role.
His reputation as a devout leader of the Jewish community was questioned last month when he sent his sudden resignation letter to his congregation.
The rabbi said he had been under ‘exceptional strain and stress for some time which has taken its inevitable toll’, adding: ‘I now need to help myself and my family.’ A source close to the community told the Daily Mail: ‘He had got far too close to the glamorous wife of a multi-millionaire and senior figure in the community.
They have children. She suddenly started receiving a lot of pastoral support from [Rabbi] Abraham at her marital home. It’s said it wasn’t long before he crossed personal and religious boundaries.
‘The husband became so concerned at the rabbi’s frequent visits that he hired a private eye to find out what exactly was going on.
What he told the husband was enough for him and his wife to face possible divorce – and for the rabbi to resign.’
The source went on: ‘The husband’s hackles were first raised when his wife said she wanted the family to “embrace their faith” more. They attend synagogue like any other family so this seemed to him an odd thing to say.
‘Then there were all the visits from the rabbi, including his using the swimming pool, which on reflection was odd as well as he was supposed to be there to give pastoral support.
His worst fears were realised when the private eye produced evidence that left him in no doubt the rabbi was behaving inappropriately.
‘It was assumed they were divorcing but somehow they are holding it together. The rabbi’s reputation however has been ruined.
‘I don’t know how his marriage has survived. The fact that he is a judge in the religious court makes this even more embarrassing and hypocritical.’
The millionaire and his wife declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail with the allegations. Rabbi Abraham also declined to comment.
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ADDITIONAL READING:
You can’t cover up when a dayan falls short
SENIOR LONDON RABBI REMOVED FROM POSITION AFTER HAVING AFFAIR
LOSTMESSIAH 