True Rabbi or Fake Tzaddik?

Choosing a rabbi is not a simple matter. Only Hashem sees the heart, and it can sometimes be difficult for us to distinguish between one rabbi with a hat and another, even though there may be a vast gulf between them. So how can you identify a true rabbi you can trust? And how do you avoid fake “rabbis” of various kinds, who excel in acting skills but little else? Here are six criteria to help you find a genuine rabbi and protect yourself from deception.

1. Does the rabbi fear sin and strictly observe the law?
   When Shabtai Tzvi stirred Jewish communities across the world in the seventeenth century with claims that he was the messiah destined to redeem them, many rabbis sent emissaries to examine him closely. Among them was the great author of the Turei Zahav, who sent his son-in-law to meet Shabtai Tzvi at his seat in the Ottoman Empire. When the son-in-law returned and reported that he had found Shabtai Tzvi lying face up, the Taz immediately concluded: this man is not the messiah. The Gemara teaches that one should not lie face up, and the messiah does not transgress any law— not even rabbinic decrees. This story conveys a powerful message: a true tzaddik is meticulous in observing all the laws and enactments established by the Sages.

2. Does the rabbi claim that he alone is the true tzaddik and that all other rabbis are mistaken or understand nothing?
   There are many authentic paths in serving Hashem, and they do not require dismissing all others. A rabbi who insists that only he is worthy of trust should be avoided.

3. Is the rabbi’s court shrouded in secrecy?
   If everything about the rabbi and the conduct of those around him is cloaked in mystery, be cautious. If you are constantly warned not to speak about what you experienced, saw, or heard, that is a clear warning sign—and it may be time to leave.

4. Does the rabbi bring you closer to Hashem?
   Does your relationship with the rabbi help you see the world more clearly and deepen your closeness to Hashem, or has Hashem become almost forgotten in the rabbi’s court because admiration for the rabbi himself dominates everything? If it is the latter, you are not in the right place.

5. Does the rabbi present himself as a miracle worker?
   Stories about miraculous rabbis circulate even today. However, a true tzaddik does not crown himself with the title of “miracle worker.” Genuine rabbis devote themselves to the public, offering guidance, blessings, and heartfelt prayer for those in need. Fake rabbis, by contrast, may promise to deliver any salvation you desire—usually in exchange for a suitable donation.

6. Is the rabbi a Torah scholar who devotes himself to Torah study?
   Once, this question barely needed to be asked, as “rabbi” was synonymous with “Torah scholar.” Sadly, today there are people who insist on being addressed as “Honorable Rabbi,” yet it is unclear how much time, if any, they devote to Torah study. Throughout Jewish history, rabbis were Torah scholars who labored deeply in the study of revealed Torah—not practical Kabbalah, not numerology, and certainly not communicating with souls, but diligent and profound engagement with Torah. In the hidden aspects, they meditated quietly and privately. So ask yourself: does the rabbi you know truly fit this definition?