Before he got into trouble with the law, Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto enjoyed an unprecedented public standing. Barely 40, he had already succeeded in amassing a fortune, as well as power and adherents in Israel and the broader Jewish community. His success had made him one of the most influential rabbis in the world.

Then, on the evening of Feb. 12, a bombshell dropped: Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein announced his decision to indict the rabbi on charges of bribery, obstruction of an investigation by offering inducements, illegally influencing various authorities, witness intimidation, money laundering and other offenses.

The indictment of a rabbi in Israel is far from a commonplace occurrence. Rabbis, by virtue of their position, enjoy unofficial immunity because of their spiritual standing. News of the decision to indict a rabbi of Pinto’s ilk stupefied observers, led all radio and television newscasts and the following day made the headlines of all the major newspapers.

It was a very bad week for rabbis in general. Several days earlier, Israeli police had recommended that Rabbi Yona Metzger, until recently Israel’s chief Ashkenazi rabbi, face trial as well. Metzger is suspected of receiving millions of shekels (hundreds of thousands of dollars) in bribes, money laundering, fraud and other offenses. If found guilty, he could face a lengthy prison term.