We want to tell you a story—not to scare you, but because it’s important for everyone who uses social media to know.
For several months, a certain “Rav Menachem Goldberg” ran an Instagram and TikTok page. He was a gray-bearded sage wearing a Hasidic hat, sharing daily Torah lessons and talking about spiritual renewal and financial prosperity. He had over 100,000 followers. Many paid for his “wisdom courses”—$9.99 and $19.99.
This rabbi doesn’t exist. He was created entirely by artificial intelligence.
How did it work?
The videos were convincing: an authoritative voice, an image, and references to “40 years of Torah study.” But attentive viewers noticed details—strange backgrounds, a Torah scroll thrown on a table (unacceptable in real life), synagogues with meaningless Hebrew inscriptions. The “rabbi” rarely cited sources, but regularly spoke of “abundance”—and always ended the video with the words “link in profile.”
And this isn’t the only such case. Researchers have identified at least 12 such AI “rabbis” with a combined audience of 2.1 million subscribers. Some of them spread not just empty motivational phrases but also anti-Semitic stereotypes.
Rav Gil Student, Director of Media Relations at the American Orthodox Union and developer of an AI-powered tool for Torah study, emphasizes:
“AI is a powerful tool for disseminating Torah and helping people learn it more deeply. But it should not replace human engagement. AI demands transparency and accountability. Jewish tradition requires that any book—whether written by a human or an AI—be reviewed and approved by a responsible person.
The Tzohar Center for Jewish Ethics in Israel called the incident a warning sign: audiences automatically associate the image of a rabbi with personal responsibility and accountability—and this is precisely what makes such deception particularly dangerous. Halachic and ethical decisions require human judgment and real-life context. AI cannot replace a rabbi in matters affecting human destinies, community norms, and religious practice.
Tzohar called for mandatory labeling of any content created using artificial intelligence—especially when it is presented in a form intended to bolster the credibility of religious authority. This incident has intensified the conversation about the line between technology, trust, and spiritual influence.
Trust in a rabbi is not a matter of followers. It is a matter of a real connection, personal acquaintance, and a well-established reputation. Contact only rabbis and spiritual leaders you know personally—or who are recommended to you by knowledgeable and respected community leaders. This is the essence of community: we know each other, we are accountable to each other.
If you encounter a religious figure online whom you don’t know personally and whom no one close to you has heard of, please check before trusting such a person, much less paying them money.
Any doubts? Ask us.
With respect and care—The Jewish Community of Dnipro
