What do Israel's wealthiest rabbis have in common?

Last week Forbes published a list of Israel's wealthiest Rabbis. Among the top tier, not one is a scholar or an educator but they all do have something in common. Here's the list. Can you guess the common denominator? 

Rabbi Pinchas Abuhatzeira, great-grandson of the Babi Sali, son of Babi Elazer
Estimated fortune: NIS 1.3 billion

Rabbi David Hai Abuhatzeira, brother of Babi Elazer, grandson of the Babi Sali
Estimated fortune: NIS 1.3 billion

Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Altar, leader of Gur
Estimated fortune: NIS 350 million

Rabbi Yissachar Dov Rokeach, leader of Belz
Estimated fortune: NIS 180 million

Rabbi Nir Ben-Artzi, Kabalist Psychist
Estimated fortune: NIS 100 million

Rabbi Yaakov Ifargen Kabalist, faith healer "The X-Ray Rabbi"
Estimated fortune: NIS 90 million

Rabbi Yeshayahu Pinto, kabalist, real estate mogul, grandson of the Babi Salai
Estimated fortune: NIS 75 million

Rabbi Baruch Abuhatzeira, son of the Baba Sali
Estimated fortune: NIS 13 million

Ready to guess?

Here's the answer: They are all con men.  All eight Rabbis on the list accumulated huge fortunes by selling charms, prayers and blessings. They all make bogus predictions and claim to have supernatural powers. Not one of them acquired their fortunes through industry or hard work, but by cashing in on the hopes, fears and stupidity of their followers.


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