Man With ‘Kill Rabbi Max’ Tattoo Charged For Midwood Arson

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — The suspected arsonist who torched a rabbi's Midwood home didn't wear his heart on his sleeve, but he's got a potential motive on his forearm, according to reports.

"KILL Rabbi Max," reads the tattoo on Menachem "Matthew" Karelefsky's arm. "Never let go of the HATRED."

Karelefsky, 41, was arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court Sunday on arson and attempted murder charges stemming from the massive June 13 blaze on East 17th Street that sent 13 people to the hospital, court records show.

The Brooklyn District Attorney's office charged Karelefsky after obtaining video that shows him at the scene and after he admitted setting the fire, according to a Daily News report.

The Pennsylvania man had made accusations of abuse against the home owner, Jonathan Max, on social media and various websites, but the Brooklyn rabbi denied the claims in a New York Times report and said he does not believe the fire was set as an act of malice.

“There’s no anger in me toward him,” Max told the New York Times. "He’s sick. How can you be angry at disease?”