Jerusalem Rabbi Moshe Yazdi Sentenced to 18 Years After Court Finds 'Rape by Deception' of Two Women

The Jerusalem District Court on Sunday sentenced Rabbi Moshe Yazdi to 18 years in prison after finding him guilty of repeatedly committing sexual offenses against two women who sought his religious guidance. The court concluded that Yazdi obtained their compliance by falsely presenting sexual acts as divinely sanctioned "spiritual corrections." The judgment also includes a one-year suspended sentence and orders Yazdi to pay NIS 150,000 in compensation to each victim; time already spent in custody will be deducted from the term.

Yazdi was convicted in March on multiple counts of rape and indecent acts by deception, as well as on financial crimes. The court found that one series of abuse continued for about 12 years and another for roughly three to four years, amounting to dozens — and possibly hundreds — of incidents against each woman.

Rape by Deception: The Court's Finding

Judges centered the finding of "rape by deception" on how Yazdi secured the women's apparent consent. They concluded the victims submitted because he framed the sexual acts as religiously required measures that would achieve a spiritual correction or otherwise benefit the world. Yazdi taught followers to subordinate their own judgment to "da'at Torah" (Torah authority), claimed divine inspiration, said he consulted deceased rabbis and portrayed himself as one of the 36 hidden righteous figures in Jewish tradition.

The court found he exploited a teaching that immoral acts produce "sparks of impurity" and that he could sanctify impure places by personally entering them. Using that doctrine, the judges said, Yazdi persuaded the two women that sexual contact with him was a spiritual intervention rather than an ordinary sexual encounter.

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)

Abuse of Trust and Additional Convictions

Yazdi founded and led the Amudei Hashalom community and an affiliated nonprofit from 1997, operating a soup kitchen and running charity programs that attracted many newly religious followers. The judges said he exploited the women's trust, personal distress, youth and vulnerability; his conduct harmed their bodies and mental well-being and violated their autonomy and capacity for informed consent.

During the trial Yazdi did not accept responsibility for the offenses. In a final statement he said he had "sinned," but he did not concede that he had wronged the victims and continued to place responsibility on them. The court described some of his behavior during proceedings as manipulative and an abuse of the judicial process.

Prosecutors initially alleged misconduct involving eight women, but convictions were reached only on charges relating to two victims. The court acquitted Yazdi on five of the indictment's nine counts, which included additional sexual and financial allegations.

Yazdi was also convicted of financial crimes including money laundering, actions intended to prevent legally required financial reporting, dealing in prohibited property and defrauding creditors. Prosecutors said he used followers' bank accounts to conceal funds from creditors while in bankruptcy. The court reviewed evidence of Yazdi's charitable work but said it carried limited weight against the severity and long duration of the harm to the two women.

Yazdi retains the right to appeal his conviction and sentence to the Supreme Court.