Israeli rabbi held for raping girls

An Israeli rabbi has been arrested on suspicion of raping underage girls who came to him for family counseling, a report says.

The 56-year-old rabbi, who pretended to be a Kabbalist, was accused of statutory rape of girls aged 14 to16, the Jerusalem Post quoted Israel Radio as reporting on Sunday.

The suspect was from Hod HaSharon region, according to the report.

The rabbi, who offered advice to the victims as well as to their families, had managed to keep his victims quiet by threatening to excommunicate and curse them if they exposed him.

Israeli rabbi held for raping girls