Seven torah scrolls were stolen from a synagogue and replaced with rolls of paper and cardboard — by the congregation’s rabbi, police say – during Simchat Torah celebrations

The incident happened in the small Negev town of Moshav Brosh. According to police, as revelers danced with Torah scrolls during the customary celebrations of the Simchat Torah festival, thieves made off with several of the precious parchments, estimated to be worth about NIS 500,000 ($129,523). The robbers used rolls of paper with the same shape as Torah scrolls as decoys while they escaped. Ofakim police arrested the synagogue’s rabbi, after worshipers confronted him about the deception.