[1] Abuhatzeira was known for wearing a cloak whose long hood covered most of his face, reportedly to shield him from glancing at immodestly dressed women.

A 1997 investigation by Yossi Bar-Moha for the Haaretz newspaper linked several incidents of corruption to Abuhatzeira, claiming that he tried to impress and persuaded people to pay him in exchange for a blessing and threatened curses.

[4] The report also claimed that Abuhatzeira's bank account contained NIS 250 million in gifts and contributions,[5] that he had sold land designated for a girls school and was evading municipal property taxes.

[1] Bar-Moha claimed "Elazar Abuhatzeira is a charlatan, conman and impostor who takes advantage of people's innocence, exploits them and brings to the verge of poverty".

[3][9] The funeral was held the next day in Jerusalem and was attended by tens of thousands of people, including Israel's chief rabbis, Haredi ministers and Knesset members.