Sentence: Rabbi Mordechai Elon will not sit in prison

This morning (Wednesday) the sentence was imposed on Rabbi Mordechai Elon: six months in jail converted to community service. In addition, a compensation fine of 10,000 shekels was imposed on him. Besides, he also was sentenced to fifteen months' probation.

In fact, Rabbi Elon will not sit in jail, since the punishment was converted, as mentioned, to community service. This is a victory for the defense, because the prosecution demanded a year in jail.

The sentence was given at the Magistrates Court in Jerusalem. Rabbi Elon came to court this morning and told the media: "think good – it will be good."

Immediately after the verdict, Rabbi Elon spoke to the media and gave a brief statement. After thanking his lawyer, he said: "I ask for time since I intend to act only according to Daas Torah. The entire conviction is erroneous. My whole life I engaged in community service and would love to do so by the State. The plot is a false plot. The process is not fair. For me it's good. Please G-d it will be good for my family. We should all be good. But we all need to consider how things are run: who affected and how. I thank G-d truly and happily. Think good and it will be good. With G-d's help we will have a full redemption."

The Rabbi 's lawyer, Asher Ohayon, said after the verdict: "The rabbi was given a moderate sentence. We anticipated this sentence. Nevertheless, this is a very small consolation. The chances of the appeal are very good."

The state representative responded saying: "We asked for one year in prison, but we do not underestimate the penalty of community service. We hope that this will be a deterring message."

The affair exploded three years ago. At first the Rabbi was charged with two improper acts, but towards the end of the evidentiary stage, the prosecution had to retract one complaint. Consequently, the prosecution had to rely finally on only one complaint.

Rabbi Elon revoked throughout the time all of the charges against him, claiming that his actions had no intention except to encourage and strengthen the student.

Rabbi Elon's affair shocked the religious - National public in the country. Rabbi Elon is considered one of the most prominent rabbis of this stream: he served as Rosh Yeshivat Hakotel and head of Bereishit movement. In 5766 he announced going on vacation in the north. Later it turned out that behind the holiday vacation were restrictions imposed on him by "Regulation Forum" – an internal forum of the religious Zionism. According to members of the Forum, Rabbi Elon has pledged to cease all public educational activity for eight years, but broke it and therefore they decided to publish the matter.

However, thousands of his students still believe in his innocence and continue to attend his classes and see him as a spiritual leader.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!