AI-Generated Rabbi Misleads Tens Of Thousands Online

Israeli outlets reported on January 21, 2026 that an AI-generated Hasidic persona, “Rabbi Menachem Goldberg,” accumulated tens of thousands of followers on Instagram and TikTok while promoting paid e-books and guides. Journalists exposed the account after viewers noted nonsensical Hebrew, inconsistent synagogue backdrops, and no verifiable rabbinic records. The case prompted the Tzohar Center for Jewish Ethics to call for clear disclosure standards for AI-generated religious content.