Asher Dahan
Asher DahanFlash 90

The attorney for the killer of revered rabbi Baba Elazar told a court Sunday his client admits to committing the deed, but not to the intent to murder.

Defense attorney Kati Zwetkov told the Be'er Sheva District Court that Elad resident Asher Dahan admitted he stabbed Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira on July 28, 2011.

But Dahan never intended to kill the elderly rabbi, the lawyer said; his client's intention was only to injure the rabbi, in order to prove the rabbi had no divine powers.

The 42-year-old suspect was determined in February by a court-appointed panel of psychiatrists to be fit to stand trial.

According to the indictment, Dahan handed the renowned Kabbalist a pre-written note, and murmured, “In the name of Hashem (G-d), we will act and succeed,” and then stabbed him to death as he read it.

The rabbi, grandson of the renowned “Baba Sali” hid his face from public view, and used an underground tunnel to arrive at his yeshiva from his home.

"He was a giant among giants, and I am so small,” said his son, Rabbi Pinchas Abuhatzeira, who accepted an appointment to replace his father.