The bizarre story Goel Ratzon, an Israeli man who allegedly fathered up to 89 children through 39 women is gathering up a media storm after his arrest this week.
Ratzon apparently lived with the women in substandard conditions, imposing strict controls and rules on them. His followers seem to have believed he was a messiah or saviour.
Read some of Razton’s Rules below, and the fines he imposed for their violations.
1 No women shall marry nor shall any woman attack another, either verbally or physically.
Fine: 2,000 shekels into the family kitty
2 No woman shall question another about her whereabouts.
Fine: 100 shekels
3 No conversation is permitted in rooms other than the living room. It is forbidden to talk nonsense.
Fine: 200 shekels
4 No woman shall sit idle when there are dishes to be washed, cleaning to be done, children to look after etc.
Fine: 2,000 shekels
5 Any two women caught fighting will be punished equally.
Fine: 2,000 shekels
6 It is absolutely forbidden to question Ratzon on his whereabouts or intention.
Fine: 400 shekels
7 It is permissible to ask to accompany him; but refusal is to be accepted without appeal.
Fine: 300 shekels
8 No woman shall interrupt Ratzon or intervene in matters not concerning her.
Fine: 500 shekels
9 All orders are to be obeyed immediately.
Fine: 300 shekels
10 No woman shall work while a man of over 12 years of age is in the house.
Fine 3,000 shekels
What’s so bizarre about Ratzon? That he was able to establish and maintain this extreme form of patriarchal control that’s authorized by fundamentalist interpretations of religion?
Re: deBeauxOs
I think that this type of behaviour would be much more common if it was truly authorized by “fundamentalist interpretations of religion.” That’s not to say that there aren’t problems amongst some communities/sects with the subordination of women. But, I would argue that some of the practices of this group constitute direct violations of established religious principles and are in no way “fundamental.”
I think this guy is crazy. Those rules are absolutely ridiculous. Lucky man to have 39 women, but is definitely not the Messiah, that is for sure.