New York – Rabbi Yakov Horowitz: Why Avrohom Mondrowitz Must Be Extradited; “What I Would Tell the Judge”

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    Avrohem Mondrovitz walking freely the streets of Jerusalem before he was arrest earlier this year by Israeli authority waiting his extradition to the USNew York – I do not anticipate receiving an invitation to address the Israeli judge presiding over Avrohom Mondrowitz’s extradition case. However, given the opportunity, here is what I would say:

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    Your Honor:

    One of the great Torah sages of the 19th century famously stated that one of the main functions of a Rabbi is to advocate for and support the weakest members of his community. I respectfully suggest that our judicial system as well, has a similar mission – to provide a venue for the downtrodden individuals among us to be heard and fairly represented.

    I can think of no group of people who are more in need of rabbinic and judicial support, than child-abuse victims. For the vast majority of them were abused or neglected many, many times – first by the monsters who ravaged their innocence and cruelly stole their childhood, later inadvertently, by the adults in their lives who weren’t attuned to their silent cries for help while the abuse was taking place, and finally by those who passively or actively protected the abuser, rather than the victim, once the abuse became known.

    On behalf of the hundreds of abuse victims that I have met and tried my very best to comfort and support over the years, I beg you to remove the legal barriers that stand between Avrohom Mondrowitz and his long overdue date with justice in America.

    Mondrowitz cruelly abused and ruined the lives of many dozens, perhaps hundreds, of vulnerable children who came to him for counseling and support. I personally have met many of his victims, and know of at least one who committed suicide after years of a tortured existence. I know victims of his who became alcoholics, heroin and cocaine addicts, and those who are my age and unmarried – never becoming whole enough to love and be loved. My wife and I became grandparents eighteen months ago, and this evil monster robbed those victims of the joy of holding their own child.

    Thankfully, I was never molested as a child. But I often think of how I could very well have been one of the kids who were ruthlessly sodomized by Mondrowitz. I lost my father before my fourth birthday, and due to my restless nature, was a very poor student in school. In short, I would have been a perfect candidate for an evil predator like Mondrowitz – who was a practicing social worker, when I was struggling in school as a teenager. Because I was spared that horrible fate, I feel all the more morally compelled to stand with his nameless, voiceless victims and advocate on their behalf.

    I am far from an expert in legal matters. But, one human being to another, I plead with you to do everything in your power to see to it that his victims can finally gain a modicum of validation and support – seeing him stand before an American court of law and squarely face his crimes. This is where he committed his crimes and this is where he must face justice.

    Two years ago, several months before the attempt was made to extradite Mondrowitz, I wrote a column in The Jewish Press decrying the fact that he was permitted to live a peaceful life in Israel after the horrible crimes he committed. At that time the public at large was apathetic, as this case was under the radar of the average person on the street. Thankfully, the tide is turning and there is now a groundswell of support for his extradition. It is difficult to convey to you what a body blow it would be to the fragile emotional health of long-suffering abuse victims, to see this high-profile case fall into the win column for this monster, and the immoral people who are protecting him.

    Word on the street is that there are powerful people backing Mondrowitz. Having him successfully avoid extradition will confirm that suspicion in the minds of many. It will also reinforce a horrific message – unfortunately the one that is prevalent – to the public at large and more specifically to abuse victims – that the blood of innocent children can be washed away if the molester knows the right people. Additionally, it will be a huge step backwards for those of us in the trenches, who are begging abuse victims to step forward, and assuring them that they will be taken seriously.

    At the risk of overstepping my bounds, I appeal to you from the depths of my heart, not to be a party to yet another rape of his victims – and all the other abuse victims who are watching this case carefully – which offering Avrohom Mondrowitz shelter from justice would be.

    Thank you for offering me the opportunity to address the court.

    Rabbi Yakov Horowitz


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    183 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    well said, absolutely profound

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Didn’t the kabbalist say we should have achdus even for the worst sinners?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I think you are absolutelty right. I live in a ultra chasidish neighborhood where they are still protecting and covering up these child molesters. they want to save their family the shame. There was recently a case where a melamed had to leave his job after years of molesting kids and his wife and family still do not know about it. they only care about shame shame shame… Rabbi Horowitz can you please start a shame free program for all.. This is the #1 problem,

    Burach
    Burach
    15 years ago

    Rabbi, i have great respect for you , But i believe that you “may” be wrong on this one , and here is my reasoning

    1. We as jews have halachas to follow , and hamoser yhudi byad nuchri is a issur that we need to keep in mind, when we feel that in a case like this that we can get a heter from rabonim – the question becomes , what will jail do ?

    1. will jail just be punishment and revenge that the victims are seeking ?

    2. is he still hurting children , if not, why jail him – is it for revenge ?
    3. now that he has been outed and years have gone by , how would it help the victims to relive all they have been thru on the stand in court ? can you imagine the lawyers ripping them apart , as to how they have lived their lives untill now ?

    so before we call for him to be bought back to face a trial here , lets take a breather and really think this thru …..

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Thank you.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Very well said Rabbi Horowitz
    A breath of fresh air in the frum world.

    Gerrorist
    Gerrorist
    15 years ago

    Rabbi yakkov, I’m speachless, could’nt have said it any better. did you send this letter to the supreme court in israel? if not please do so, I sent them my own letter some 2 weeks ago.
    Kol Ha’kavod Rabbi,

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I still don’t get it. you maybe right emotionally. you are right. but the issue, according to micheal Lesher, is israeli legalities. An emotional plea is worthless in such a case.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    what are reb yaakov’s hours and how can i reach him.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    if anyone knows who is actively involved in protecting this minivil please put his name up here. oy lerosho oy lishcheino

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I don’t agree with rabbi horowitz on much but this piece is terrific . it speaks from the heart and from the mind . I wonder though what does the halachah say regarding this . that’s for sure that while his abuse of children was ongoing he had a din of rodef and one was obligated to stop him by all means even by killing him . but now that his abuse has supposdly stopped for many years is one even allowed to do hishtadlus to put him in jail for the sake of emotional healing of his victims . is this not mesirah ?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I don’t agree with rabbi horowitz on much but this piece is terrific . it speaks from the heart and from the mind . I wonder though what does the halachah say regarding this . that’s for sure that while his abuse of children was ongoing he had a din of rodef and one was obligated to stop him by all means even by killing him . but now that his abuse has supposdly stopped for many years is one even allowed to do hishtadlus to put him in jail for the sake of emotional healing of his victims . is this not mesirah ?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    why he didn’t come out with a public apology years ago or why he didn’t contact his victims (those who havent commited suicide yet) to say i’m sorry is beyond comprehension. it would of saved us all this chillul hashem. perhaps it is all for the best. no we know that all the emperors (i.e. gidolim) have no clothes and havent got something else…..

    mr.49er
    mr.49er
    15 years ago

    unfortunately like rabbi horowitz himself says at the beginning of the article, he’ll never have the opportunity to address the judge. what a shame.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Reb Yaakov,

    Don’t worry. There are very few fools running around like #3 and even fewer who have not figured out yet that they expose themselves as either pedophiles themselves or pedophile wannabees whenever they open their dirty mouths to protect known pedophiles under the cover of frumkiet and tzidkus.

    The rest of us have figured these guys out already and are with you 101%.

    Hatzlochh rabboh, Reb Yankel

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    leave this guy alone. twenty five yrs passed. let bygones be bygones. the chil hashem is unbelievable. everyone stop now.

    Court
    Court
    15 years ago

    Here is Israel’s High Court, Public Affairs Department. Phone is 011-972-2-675-9612 and 011-972-2-675-9613. I believe their email address is: [email protected] and the fax number is 011-972-2-651-3191.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Rabbi Horowitz:

    This is dini nefushos and you are not entitle to pasken them. This belongs to our true gedolim and rabonim so please stay away.

    Thanks

    SHMIEL GLASSMAN
    SHMIEL GLASSMAN
    15 years ago

    REB YANKEL,
    your letter is passionate & weel written, IS IT THE CORRECT TORAH RESPOSE?
    There are 2 distinct issues here
    1. safegaurding our children is priority #1
    2. healing the victims emotionaly
    i’m too young to know mondrowitz
    my question is assuming “mondrowitz ” is in israeli jail or assume clinicly he is NOT a threat at this time
    what does the Torah allow you to do to a perpetrator to heal your emotional wounds ?
    isnt that the key question?
    id humbly suggest you show your letter to a godol that has the “plaitzus” & clinical knowledge (rav shmuel kaminetski shlita or rav matisyahu shlita)
    then again you may have !

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    where ARE the selfproclaimed gedolim on the issue? If they think that mondrowitz deserves mercy let them put out a kol koire. Hmmmmm who is treif Lipa or Mondrowitz….or is it the bugs in the water. we have to consult penetration pinny on this one.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    rabbi horowitz how many dayunim from the sanhedrin had to agree on a death sentence?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Avrohom Ovinu begged Hashem to save Sidome who were alot worse than these guys. When did jews become prosequters?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Avremil, you had 25 years to right the wrongs you commited against defenseless children who turned to you for healing. Now your coming back to the us of a. let your old buddies from 51st street gerrer shtible bring you kosher food in rikers while you await your painful fate at the hands of big papa jackson in the shower room. come home avremil, we miss you. been waitin a quarter of a century to see you on your knees begging for your life and being ignored. you ignored the whimpiring of your victims imploring you to stop, you messed up scores of innocent kids, jewish and not. now its time for an eye for an eye and a bleep for a bleep. if ever there was a need for a necessary evil it is this. Come home Herr Doktor Avremil, your ship has come in. your victims have grown up and the fear and trauma has matured into anger and a need for justice.

    Yakov Horowitz; Monsey NY
    Yakov Horowitz; Monsey NY
    15 years ago

    For those concerned with the ‘mesira’ factor ….

    Let’s be clear about this. We are not proposing sending him to jail in Iraq or the former Soviet Union where he will be tortured. We are talking about him standing before a fair, American court, where he can be represented by a lawyer (and I’m sure people will start collecting for his “pidyon shevuim” if it ever gets to court.)

    Don’t his victims deserve at least the opportunity to see some form of justice meted out to him?

    HALACHA
    HALACHA
    15 years ago

    I respect you very much Rabbi Horowitz for your opinions as an expert ….but when it comes to halacha i would like too see the opinion of the rabunim whom i ask all other choshen mishpot shalos ……

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    To Rav Horowitz: You are the Gadol of our dor!

    kugelman
    kugelman
    15 years ago

    You are directly on target!

    Yakov Horowitz; Monsey NY
    Yakov Horowitz; Monsey NY
    15 years ago

    #17 : I’m sorry, but I did not see your request when I posted my comment.

    I designated an hour each evening where I can be directly reached without any barriers. (The numbers listed in #40 are all correct, but the people manning the phones there will give you this information)

    The number is 845-825-6600; hours are posted on my website here.

    http://www.rabbihorowitz.com/PYes/ArticleDetails.cfm?Book_ID=1096&ThisGroup_ID=271&Type=Article&SID=2

    I ask you to please read the “Answers About Questions” column (you can find it using the link above) before you call. It allows me to help you much better.

    I look forward to speaking with you and assisting you any way can.

    Yakov

    PS I a finding this system of taking calls from people very effective. (and I get lots of calls from VIN readers:)

    Yakov Horowitz; Monsey NY
    Yakov Horowitz; Monsey NY
    15 years ago

    One more point:

    We find that the Torah made allowances for 1) a relative of a murdered person 2) when the killing was accidental to kill the murderer if he did not take things seriously and go to galus.

    How about the murdered person HIMSELF (trust me, sodomizing an innocent child is as close to murder as you can get.) getting justice from one who did it B’MAYZID (on purpose)???

    glatekup
    glatekup
    15 years ago

    I am sure that reb yaakov horowitz has consulted with rabbonim before he prepared this letter. He has “siyata dishmaya” and hopefully here too. This letter should be sent to the gerrer rebbe and his chassidim who are using all the influence they have in order to stop the extradition. It will not help, but at least we can say”yadainu lo shofoch hadam hazeh”. I would love to face this monster in court. No court room would be big enough for this case.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    rabbi horowitz you are naive and I don’t think you should do deeni nfushos… us system vs. iraqi are system is courupt polard yochiach… do I need to say more???

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    BS”D

    If the bulvonim from the self appointed mishmeres hatznius in Y-m,. Beitar and Ramat Beit Shimush Beis would meet this Mondrodreck in the alley behind some mikveh, they’d be doing a great service and it would be a kappore for their harassment of innocent people. They could bring along a few bottles of acid, gasoline, and a lighter.

    One can but hope…

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Pinchos needed ‘permission’ first? What about Shimon and Levy? Where is your Torah?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    My reply to Burach.

    Burach Says:
    Rabbi, i have great respect for you, But I believe that you “may” be wrong on this one , and here is my reasoning
    1. We as jews have halachas to follow , and hamoser yhudi byad nuchri is a issur that we need to keep in mind, when we feel that in a case like this that we can get a heter from rabonim – the question becomes , what will jail do ?

    Response:
    a) Halacha??!! That is what is meant being a “רשע ברשות התורה”. When the “תנאים and אמוראים were to live today, they would’ve given him “מכות מרדות” and would’ve made sure “”שתצא נפשו, and “THAT” would have been the הלכה.
    b) Jail would give him a minute taste of what he did to all those children.

    Burach Says:
    1. Will jail just be punishment and revenge that the victims are seeking?

    Response:
    Let me repeat: Jail would give him a small taste of what he did to all those children, and It will also help the victims psychologically knowing that their abuser has gotten some punishment.

    Burach Says:
    2. is he still hurting children, if not, why jail him – is it for revenge?

    Response:
    I already addressed the issue of jail, and it doesn’t make a difference if he is still hurting children; it’s about what he did before.

    Burach Says:
    3. Now that he has been ousted and years have gone by, how would it help the victims to relive all they have been thru on the stand in court? Can you imagine the lawyers ripping them apart, as to how they have lived their lives until now?

    Response:
    That will be upon the victims to decide.

    Burach Says:
    So before we call for him to be bought back to face a trial here, let’s take a breather and really think this thru …..

    Response:
    And what I think is, that misguided רחמנות is אכזריות, and having any mercy on this man is the biggest cruelty.

    And to all those you yell, חילול השם!, let me remind them, that the biggest חילול השם is when other Jews see that nothing was done, and nothing is being done to a child “killer”. Yes, he is a child killer. And if this would’ve happened to your child, your tone would’ve been different.

    And for those who yell, אברהם אבינו! He was מתפלל for סדום even thou they were רשעים! I can only say: please check your facts. He was only מתפלל, because maybe there were some צדיקים, and he was concerned האף תספה צדיק עם רשע.

    רחמנות is a nice trait, but let’s keep it in perspective.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Rabbi Horowitz has long been an advocate and a true help for children with emotional needs. Unlike Mondrowitz who preyed on these children when ever he could. This has been said many times. If your son was murdered by Mondrowitz, would you forget? This is emotional murder. This isn’t hearsay evidence. The molested will come forward. If prosecuting a Yid is a chilul hashem, then we should protest against Madoffs prosecution too.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Here are my thoughts:

    Mondrowitz, and anyone else who is accused of such a heinous, disgusting, and terroristic crime should face the courts and meet the consequences that are their due. But we need to examine why.

    Revenge – nope. The Torah is specific about the issur of lo sikom. We do not have that option.

    Therapeutic benefit for the victim – not this either. Mental health professionals are nearly unanimous in the opinion that the molester’s imprisonment or even death penalty (if there is one) does not result in the victim faring better. The trauma that was suffered remains regardless of the molester’s address or life status.

    Prevention of further offenses – yes. There is nothing as reliable as prison to keep molesters away from our children. And there is no guarantee that any treatment, teshuvah, or ‘spiritual growth” can safely protect future victims. Offenders repeat their offenses, especially where they lack the value systems that keep them from violating others’ privacy. Offenders repeat offenses, especially where the problem is of an addictive nature. The alcoholic with 25 years of sobriety still has no business risking entering a bar.

    Deterrent – this is debatable. Will locking up Mondrowitz stop another molester from continuing his escapades, all the while believing that he can avoid getting caught? Good question, and I do not give this deterrent issue much faith.

    Breaking the system – yes. We must absolutely crush the system that allows every Rav and politically connected askan the ability to protect criminals by taking responsibility for them. It is great to have people with connections, but the level to which this is abused is worthy of mention in the Guiness Book of World records.

    Setting a precedent – yes. It is high time that we get to observe crime meet its consequence. We all need to observe the process and learn how to use the “system” that can work. This is not chilul Hashem any more. It is now Kiddush Hashem. We are recognizing that there are those among us who deserve negative consequences, and we are allowing justice to happen. We need to be consistent in holding ourselves responsible for ill behavior just as we expect others to be held responsible for theirs.

    Perhaps if we excluded the rhetoric in the comments, as Rabbi Horowitz did so well in his letter/article, we could keep the focus on those aspects of the issue that are important.

    seicheldig geredt
    seicheldig geredt
    15 years ago

    Rabbi Horowitz, I commend you for your Seichel Hayushor the way you approach all your topics in general and in partcular this topic of child molestation, this should be a lesson to all trumpet type of so called askunim with hotlines, publication and other FEIFERS. This is a topic that some K’NOCKERS took too graphical and at the same time used it to bash the Rabbonim. I am convinced that if you walk in to any Rav with your approach on this subject they will all be ready to work with you, no one wants to work with askonim that use this topic for publicity and to get people that get their un- tzniusdige’ sippuk from this Inyun.

    Eli
    Eli
    15 years ago

    I was one of the many Mondrowitz victims.I am Married with Children.Most of the readers do not understand the pain,anger,and lack of trust that I grew up with due to my molestation.I am sure it has to do with the fact that I am A sex & crack addict.No amount of punishment in this world would be enough for the damage this man caused.But we are not here to punish people it is not our job.We are here and obligated to protect our children.If anyone protects A child molestor in our midst he is just as guilty.There is no shame in being molested.we were innocent kids that were robbed of a innocent life.Its about time we blow this open in our community so we can stop this ugly perpetual cycle.May hashem bring the gulah & healing to all of us.

    Professional
    Professional
    15 years ago

    The poignant comments by “Eli” (number 81) should leave us all speechless.
    When predators sexually molest children, the damage is often lifelong. Those of us who have evaluated and tried to help these victims realize that. The fact that photos and videos of children being raped were found on Mondrowitz’s personal computer indicates that he is the same depraved individual that he was decades ago. He clearly poses a constant danger to children everywhere.

    There is a tremendous chillul Hashem in preventing justice from being served and harboring such an evil person in the State of Israel. What message does this send to the world? If it was certain that he would receive the death penalty (as he deserves, al pi halacha) or if he were to serve a 25 year sentence without parole in an Israeli penitentiary, that would still not be sufficient in this case, as the non-Jewish courts have requested his extradition to stand trial for sexual molestation of minors, Jewish and non-Jewish.

    Rubashkin cannot get out of jail, in part, because the judge feels that were Rubashkin to flee to Israel, he might find a safe haven there. That upsets our community. But harboring a sex fiend is okay?

    And people continue to protect pedophiles, exposing hundreds if not thousands of our children to these vicious predators, who destroy the lives not only of their victims but often of the children of the victims, thus affecting thousands?

    And people decline to listen to Rav Elyashiv shlita and Rav Avigdor Miller ztl, who called Mondrowitz a “Jewish Hitler” for having destroyed so many Jewish lives?

    What a disgrace.

    Shaul in Monsey
    Shaul in Monsey
    15 years ago

    My thoughts on the pederast are well documented on this blog. As a baal habos, I feel justified in suggesting to those that feel seeking daas torah as to how to proceed regarding the extradition and prosecution of the pedophile – lgabei this inyan, daas torah (whoever that may be today) has LOST its collective chezkas kashrus.

    For far too long too many ‘daas torah’ swept this issue under the rug, dismissing the heilige korbonos of this rapist with the mere sweep of a hand.

    Accordingly, I feel fully justified, regardless of what any ‘rav’ says, in supporting the victims, and seeking a full and complete prosecution of the sodomite – and would do so regardless of any psak issued to the contrary.

    Professional
    Professional
    15 years ago

    It is also time that parents teach their children basic rules of safety, many of which are taught in public schools but somehow neglected in our yeshivas.

    1) No one should touch a child in the bathing suit area. If anyone does, the child should know to immediately let a female adult know, and to let their parents know as soon as possible.

    2) Children should not be taught to mindlessly think everything negative is loshon hora. They need to be told by their parents that they can and should tell their parents anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.

    3) Parents should debrief each and every child every day after school–“How was your day?” etc.

    4) Parents need to be alert to changes in personality of a child. A previously happy child who becomes somber warrants immediate investigation.

    5) Children often know more than they say–If a child tries to avoid a certain bus driver or the gym teacher or a certain rebbe, try to find out why–and do not make that child stay with that person.

    6) Teach children to trust their gut feelings, their instincts, and if something does not feel right, to let Mommy or Tatte (Daddy) know right away.

    Many of these basic principles are taught in public schools but in too many of our yeshivas common sense is not very common anymore, and the parent-child bond has become worthless–replaced by a doctrine of blind obedience bordering on the deification of the rebbes, menahel, and rosh yeshiva.

    There is great danger in severing the parent-child bond and fostering extreme loyalty only to the child’s rebbe.

    And there is great danger when we as a community lose our rational thought and become prey to those who exploit our kindness–from Madoff to Mondrowitz.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    may the curse of kayin befall this molester and all those working on his behalf. as to those carpetsweeper rabbonim, may you only know our pain for the rest of your lives.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Psak from Rav Elyashiv 1/1/09 – 9:38 PM
    steve

    BiSiyata D’Shmaya,? The Fast of Asara B’Teves, 5764
    To my dear friend…HaGaon Rav Shraga Feivel Cohen… I received your letter in [good] time but I was unable to respond until I reached “a day on which the rabbinical students are weak.” The essence of the question: A person knows someone who is abusing a boy or a girl sexually, and the case is such that we are incapable of restraining him ‘from continuing his evil deeds, is it permitted to inform an official of the government about this? Here is the language of the Rashba in his Teshuvos, Vol. III §393: My view is that if the witnesses are found to be credible by the chosen judges, [those judges] are authorized to impose a monetary penalty or a physical punishment, however they see fit. This preserves the world, for if you will keep strictly to the laws fixed in the Torah and not punish except where the Torah has punished, we will confront a destroyed world. Thus will people breach the world’s [most fundamental] safeguards and thus will the world become devastated. And [we find precedents in that sages] have already instituted penalties for striking one’s fellow…In each and every locale, [the rabbinical authorities] exercise their judicial powers to safeguard the generation, and so has it been done in each and every generation and in each and every place where they saw that the hour called for this… [See, for example, Sanhedrin 58b in regard to Rav Huna]…Therefore, these chosen judges that did this, if they saw a need of the hour for the betterment of the province, then they acted legally. This Is true all the more so If there is a governmental authorization [for their actions], similar to the case of R’ Elazar Bar R’ Shimon in Bava Metzia 83b.

    From the Rashba’s words, we learn that in a matter that entails tikkun haolam (the betterment of the world), the Sages of the Jewish people in every generation are empowered to institute a safeguard and stand in the breach, even where there is no authorization from the government.

    Now, from what the Ritva writes (to Bava Metzia 84b) it appears that this [power] is [due solely to] the authorization of the government. This is his language there: He said to them, “Arrest him!” Now, that which [R’ Elazar bar R’ Shimon] exercised judicial power [in this way] without witnesses or forewarning, and not In the era of the Sanhedrin [which is forbidden]; It is different here, because he was [acting as] an agent of the king, and It is part of the laws of kingship [as opposed to the laws of a Sanhedrin] to executea person without witnesses and forewarning to correct the world punitively, as it Is stated regarding [King] David who executed the Ger Amalekl [without witnesses, forewarning or the deliberation of a Sanhedrin}, and the agent of a King is the same as him [i.e. similarly empowered}. But according to what was said [above], in a case that entails tikkun haolam, governmental authorization is not necessary.

    However, all of this, to permit notifying the government, is only where it is clear that he participated in the crime. It is in this case that there is an issue of tikkun haolam. But where there is not even circumstantial evidence (raglayim /adavar), but only some impression [that he is guilty], then not only is there no issue of tikkun hao/am, but [to the contrary] there is heres hao/am (ruination of the world) here. And it is possible that because of a certain bitterness that a student feels toward the teacher and makes a false accusation against him or because of [someone’s] delusion, a person [i.e. the accused] will be put into a situation in which his death will be preferable to his life. And it will be through no fault of his own, and [in that case], I see no permit in the matter.

    And with this I remain your friend seeking the welfare of your distinguished person of Torah,

    Yosef Shalom Elyashiv

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Seeing how many people there are out to block any and all efforts to block access of pedophiles to our children and to discourage others from starting is very disheartening.

    I have never met one person who objects to Monrowitz being returned to the US to stand trial who wasn’t himself the type I’d be afraid to allow near my grandchildren. They each have their own ‘issues’ r”l. They should all be zocheh to a refuah shelaimah. I am just so sad to see how many people like this there are in klal yisroel. What kind of society will we be leaving to our grandchildren??? One in which sexual molestation of young children is forgivable but protecting our children from them by having the courts remove them from society is forbidden? Gevalt. Is this what galus has done to us? Will we soon be enacting into law our emulation of sedoim by punishing the victim and rewarding the assailant?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Yaakov Litzman Member Of Israel’s Knesset Blocking The Extradition Of Avrohom Mondrowitz

    Particulars
    Date of Birth: 02/09/1948
    Place of Birth: Germany
    Residence: Jerusalem
    Family Status: Married
    Number of Children: 5
    Education: High School, Yeshiva
    Contact Telephone: 02-6408008
    Telephone # 2: 02-6408009
    Fax: 02-6753730
    Email:
    [email protected]
    Languages: English, Yiddish

    Sherree
    Sherree
    15 years ago

    If we don’t know what to say to the courts on our own, we should take Reb Yankie’s article and fax it or email to the American and Israeli court systems as listed above.

    Kol Hakavod Reb Yankie for this great letter, and once again I suggest that this be the basis for a petition that all should sign. We should easily get thousands of signatures to show not only the court systems but all those who would defend and protect ANY MOLESTER instead of protect and defend an innocent soul/child.

    Anyone who doubts the authority of the righteous to turn this monster or any other monster over to the appropriate authorities should review Rav Eliashuv’s psak and a psak given by Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch
    ……- In response to the question as to whether a rabbi must be called, he said that the key issue is to ascertain whether the child is in danger or will be in danger. If it is obvious that that is the case – either because of one’s direct knowledge or a responsible person has informed you of that fact – the police should be called.

    Talking to others who have discussed the issue with him, they noted that Rav Sternbuch’s focus is on the issue of harm to the child. When they told him about other poskim who have focused on “is the particular act truly sexual contact, or has the perpetrator promised to stop, or if the perpetrator agrees to be supervised” he got furious and said these approaches are nonsense. He is fully aware that therapy is not very successful and that the perpetrator is likely to repeat the crime.

    Bottom line: If a child is in danger of being molested – the police need to be called. If there is any uncertainty – either regarding the facts or the seriousness of the incident – an experienced rabbi or professional should be consulted. However if it is clear that children are in danger of being molested – a rabbi does not have to be consulted. Rav Sternbuch concluded, “Let the molester rot in jail.” (http://daattorah.blogspot.com/2008/06/rav-moshe-sternbuch-shlita-guidelines.html)

    Understand this, everyone has something on everyone else. There is a reason why Rabbonim are not agreeing to pronounce that people should go to the police with their information. Notice, however that no one is standing up and proclaiming that NO ONE SHOULD DARE GO TO THE POLICE with this information. If you go to a RAV they say they don’t want to get involved and they don’t want to be asked the sheilah, go to someone else.

    What does this tell you. No one wants to take responsibility but yet, no one is saying that it is not “mutar” to go to the police. The ones who are yelling and screaming are the ones who have something to lose, the ones who have something to hide. The fact that they are protecting the molesters in their midst. The fact that they know that they have perpetrators in their own daled amos and they have allowed children to be harmed and have done nothing about it. The fact that they are basically looking the other way or are in essence accomplices to the crimes. How could they possibly direct others to go to the police when they are as guilty as the molester themselves?

    It is only a true tzadik with clean hands and a clear conscience that can direct victims of abuse to stand up for themselves and to help others. It is only someone with a true heart and a pure soul who is a true oved Hashem who worries about the victims and the potential of future victims.

    We all know from the current news what greed can do to people and our community was not immune. Our community is caught up through greed in this issue as well. We are bought and sold according to who we support and what issues we are promoting. If the molesters have enough money behind them the Rabbonim are not going to turn them over because they fear losing financial support for their institutions. It has nothing to do with being masser, that is just a cover up for the truth.

    Again read the psakim from those who don’t have their hands in the money pot!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    It is truly interesting that from all of the comments on this blog, the majority of the pro-extradition group are shrill screaming and whining and almost all the anti-extradition comments appear to be thought out rational opinions.
    That aside, it seems that he is still a threat to society and should be locked up.
    The teshuva from R’ Elyashiv is not totally relevant. He is addressing people like myself who used to think that it seems that punishment is wrong in judaism except according to strict guidelines which do not exist in this case (eidim and hasro’oh). After seeing this tesguva I see my mistake. However, each case is still individual and must be dealt with accordingly.
    BTW what has Mondrowitz (feh) been doing the past 25 years? Has he had a job in social work?

    Sherree
    Sherree
    15 years ago

    The only reason why one would seem to be “shrill screaming or whining” is because those who keep denying the truth seem to be “deaf, dumb and blind” and the only way left to reach them is by screaming from the rooftops at the top of our lungs!!!!!! Everything else was already tried and ignored.

    I HAVE ONE QUESTION
    I HAVE ONE QUESTION
    15 years ago

    can anyone who is denial here about the importance of molesters going to jail tell me what it would take for u to open ur eyes and see whats going on?
    if one of ur kids and grandkids will be c”v molested or raped would u still be so against it? or one of your grandkids perhaps?
    i have a close family member that was molested by a trusted person in the yeshivah system, no words can describe the pain that is still going on many years later, it is pure luck that he still keeps shabbos because to him the religion is not worth much when rabbis have no problem backing the molesters and the rapists.

    it is people like you that that i pity, by denying it, it doesnt make it go away just enables more and more kids to go thru this hell
    SHAME ON YOU!!!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    In every generation in Jewish history we face a cycle of new challenges and new issues.
    We correct old issues and solve old problems.

    in the 40’s -50’s we faced issues of Shmiras Shabbos and Kasherous
    In the 60’s -70’s intermarriage began to rear it’s ugly head Rabbonim at the time tried to keep it under wraps but it expoloded.

    In the 80’s The Bal teshuvah Movement took hold and everyday brings back many of the “Nidchey Yisroel” and began to put the brakes on this problem.

    Now we face drugs and other social problems allways kept quiet in the past.
    B’H we apapt and we now have programs in place to deal with present issues.

    Today we face new issues and challanges.
    Child Molestation in Yeshivos and the Frum world is now out in the open.

    Clear heads like Rabbi Horowitz, Rabbi Pelcowitz and Rabbi Twerski will deal with these issues in a sensible moral way within the parameters of Halacha, Civil Law and the laws of general decency.

    We teach our children not to talk to strangers Not to accept rides from strangers. The public should be made aware of this issue of Molestors among us for the purpose of protecting our children from these costumed predators these bearded predators are like Joh Wyane Gacey who dressed up as a clown to lure children so to we have among us horrible people dressed as Rabbis. We must educate our innocent children and protect them from this sickly perversion.

    We do have have worthy experts and advocates in our community:

    Imagine a victim of an accident is being tended by Hatzolah a mob forms at the scene with everybody screaming giving thier two cents on how to treat and transport the victim.

    We have worthy experts like Rabbi Horowitz with regard to the molestation problem. A lynch mob is not dignified and will not solve anything. Let the experts do thier job with dignity. Let the law take hold and bring these criminals to justice. Perhaps the victims will have the chance to face thier tormentors in thier vulnerable position as is a comforting healing for Holocaust victims. Let the the victims heal with DIGNITY as best as they can. May Hashem Yiborach bring them the Nechamah and Peace that they so need.

    Good Shabbos