A man who has been hospitalized with third-degree burns over half his body following an arson attempt has filed an $18 million lawsuit against the powerful local rabbi, whom he accuses of ordering the attack on his house

Aron Rottenberg and his family have been subjected to violence ever since they left the village’s main synagogue to worship at Friedwald Nursing Home, instead of at the synagogue in town where Grand Rabbi David Twersky presides. After Rotternberg's car and house windows were smashed, he installed surveillance cameras on his property, which is how he discovered 18-year-old Shaul Spitzer pouring flammable liquid around his house. Rottenberg confronted Spitzer in his backyard, and in the ensuing tussle, a long, improvised fuse in Spitzer's hand sparked flames. Both men were hospitalized, and Spitzer was ultimately charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted arson and first-degree assault. Spitzer has been accused of attempting to set on fire a private home, kill those who were in that home and send a message to everyone else in that community that what the rabbi says, rules. Spitzer was living with Rabbi Twersky.