“ Here we go again. The government is looking to burn some moire Rabbis. Rabbi Balkany is a TZADIK, with a lots of political connections in Washington. They are trying to put fear in the Jewish community. America is not such a democracy like most of us would like to think. If it was a Rabbi that we don't know, everyone would come out with negative comments, but Rabbi balkany we all know. He would never do anything to be morally wrong. He was accused years ago, and all got dismissed. I guess they try to go after him like they did after Gutty Junior, LAHAVDILL. ”

“ Oy vey.. Why does this always have to happen? Scandal after scandal.. Let us learn some mussar ”

“ How much more can Harav Aron Rubashkin handle...if I am not mistaking... Rabbi Balkany is his son in law ”

“ Its 2003 all over again. They dropped the charges then- they will drop the complaint now ”

“ Okay, couple of things...you beat a Federal rap with some technicality, as he did a few years ago, you make the Feds look bad...they are going to keep on you like glue. It is arrogant to think that you are immune.

Now, I firmly belive that the Rav was using the money solely for the purposes of Chinuch, and was not personally benefitting from the "donations." But folks, "lulav Hagazul," Hashem is NOT going to allow you to benefit from non Kosher money, even for Torah education.

Dina Malcusah dina is not even the issue here...the issue is not going to jail for long periods of time by egregiously breaking the law! Duh.

Folks, the Feds will get you at some point, and like a pit bull, they will never let go until they put you in jail. ”

“ Anyone who can say about himself "My mission in life is to help other Yidden." scares the hell out of me.

Anyone ever hear their rosh yeshiva say that about himself (especially in public)? ”

“ Unfortunately, it's on audio and video. He'll need Ben Brafman for this one. ”

“ Rabbi Balkany is a Yid a Tzaaik. Brocha Vehatzlocha to him! And the Zechus of Chodesh Adar shoudl help him! ”

“ To all who those who comment favorably on Rabbi Balkany's chessed. I am certain that your stories are true. These days Chessed costs money. What you have not discussed is where did Rabbi Balkany's money to do the Chessed come from.

I get the feeling it was OPM (other people's money).

There is great Kovod in being an Askan and there are some people who are not TOCHO KEBORO. When you put these together, you get trouble in river city and boro park.. ”

“ Let's not forget that Rabbi Balkany supports the Republican party! It seem like the democratic communist regime was behind this as well. ”

“ reminds me of how martin Grossman was referred to as Zeche Tzadik L'ivracha after he was executed. doesn't anyone in the frum community look at facts? ”

“ Even if he is innocent this is a terrible chillul Hashem ”

“ And therein lies the reason...the government is determined to destroy the Rubashkins at all costs. No matter whom they implicate & publicly shame without cause.

What I don't get is why this is a personal thing. What DIDN'T the Rubashkins do that the govt wanted them to do? I just can't figure this stuff out. ”

“ We are neighbors, He is a tzadik, all he does is invite people from all over to his house for shabbos, he is very into kiruv... GOOD LUCK.... YOU WILL WIN> ”

“ Hey, who do you think Reish Lakesh was, before he met Rabbi Akiva? That is a basic principal of Judaism, even if you are one of the lowest, you can still become the greatest, by doing a Tshuvah. That exactly what Martin Grossman did! ”

“ It must be somthing in the family DNA since first SMR and now Balkany....which member of the mishpacha is next??? ”

“ The feds are pitbulls, but so are some good criminal defense attorneys. Ben Brafman will gouge eyes of the feds by the time he is done with these pit bulls.

Sick 'em, Ben ”

“ The charges WERE NOT DROPPED in 2003. The government accepted a plea bargain and he was ordered to pay a hefty sum. Why do we always automatically whitewash any frum Jew no matter what? There's a history with this fellow. ”

“ It must be somthing in the family DNA since first SMR and now Balkany....which member of the mishpacha is next??? ”

“ The only way to avoid red lights is to stop driving. If you want to get into the political and legal arena, you will, almost always, have to get your hands dirty.

You want to "stay clean," -- do nothing! ”

“ WRONG!!!! The charges were dropped. Period. Yes, there were some relatively minor conditions, however, Rabbi Balkany was cleared of all accusations of any wrongdoing. It's was the equivalent of getting your drivers license back on the condition that you do not drive without brakelights. The prosecution was saving face, but Rabbi Balkany walked away CLEAN !!!!! ”

“ Oy vey.. Why does this always have to happen? Scandal after scandal.. Let us learn some mussar ”

“ You MUST be crazy... or working for his publicist. The deal was that they would drop the criminal charges if he openly admitted to what he did (yes, he admitted it) and paid back every penny he "misappropriated". It came to $700,000. You sir, are making up stories. I don't see how a $700,000 financial penalty correlates to walking away "clean". When was the last time you heard someone had to hand over $700,000 to get their driver's license back.

This is not the first time he has gotten himself in hot water with government funds, and not the first time he has exhibited shady behavior. You should look into the story of what he did to Moshe Luchins of the OU. Sadly, he has shown himself to engage in shady behavior in the past.

While his acts of chessed are innumerable and certainly praiseworthy, other acts are quite questionable and in some cases were deemed criminal. ”

“ We are neighbors, He is a tzadik, all he does is invite people from all over to his house for shabbos, he is very into kiruv... GOOD LUCK.... YOU WILL WIN> ”

“ Don't know the man. but, the Feds typically have the evidence, documents, and credable witnesses to prove their case. Yes, he's innocent until proven guilty but watch his lawyers work out a plea deal. Truly innocent people do not need plea deals.

Stop this Tzadikk nonsense. A true Tzaddik does not deal with hedge funds. ”

“ What on earth are you rambling on about? Maybe if you used a dictionary & some punctuation occasionally I could figure it out, but after having read your post twice, I am still confused.

So....are you writing to the Judge pleading for leniency for Mr. Rubashkin, or are you going to follow your previous (admitted) path & throw him to the wolves ...by writing to the Judge?

Now you see which way the wind is blowing for Frum people, are you worried for yourself & want to score some brownie points? Pardon my cynicism, but I'm getting a tad irritated by all you know-it-alls. Instead of pontificating, do something POSITIVE to help your fellow Jew. ”

“ All you have to do is read the complaint (on line) and read the quotes word for word that Balkany said on recorded phone calls with the FBI and the hedge fund attorneys--it is beyond clear that he was linking the 4 million dollars to his convincing the inmate not to inform on the hedge fund. How does a rational person call the FBI and implicate himself and them in an extortion scheme? His power went to his head. He felt immune from getting caught, especially after getting off the last time. Folks, read the exact quotes, Balkany's own words. Corrupt, corrupt and corrupt!! He will sit this time, and probably for longer than you think. ”

“ My best guess is 5 to 8 years ”

“ It's a plot, I tell you. Everything is a plot by the Democrats/Communists. They probably set up Reb Grossman, too. And Rubashkin. We all know Democrats/Communists hate reasonably priced beef. Quick, nat, lock your door. They might be after you next! ”

“ The only way to avoid red lights is to stop driving. If you want to get into the political and legal arena, you will, almost always, have to get your hands dirty.

You want to "stay clean," -- do nothing! ”

“ Living on the same block as Rabbi Balkany, his chashuve wife, and wonderful family, I can attest to the myriad acts of chessed that goes on in the house on a daily basis = Their door is open wide to any person in need, Shabbos and Yomtov are packed with guests from near and far, Shiurim for women in the mornings, and tzedakah collectors at every hour of the day, the Kiruv Rechokim of the Balkany's is admirable and something we should all learn from. Let's hope that Rabbi Balkany will be cleared from any charges so that he can continue his tremendous work for Klal Yisrael. ”

“ i know a family that he said give me $ and ill help u! how do i know? it was my family! what did he do? he did nothing! when asked for the $ back ? my daughter bought furniture! ”

“ What does your daughter buying furniture have to do with these charges against R' Balkany? ”

“ so what he was helping kids get a ed theres nothing wrong unless he was stealing it ”

“ This letter is addressed to Mr. Balkany,

Please cease your criminal behavior for although you do not know me and I do not know you, yet, I work in the real world and gentiles associate me with you. ALthough I do an honest day of work, gentiles and unaffiliated jews alike in my office, say disparaging remarks and utter ugly comments about Jews when they read about you. For my sake and for the sake of those honest Jews working each day among the gentiles, please stop your behavior immediately for your continuous run in with law enforcement brings a very heavy chilul hashem upon the rest of us.

And if I may make one more request. Please drop your title Rabbi. You are insulting those sitting in yeshivos and kollelim who truly pursue the ways of th Torah for whom being called a Rabbi carries a responsiblity to the klal. ”

“ Hey how come when the goyim steal the world cheers them on Gotti billy the kid bonnie and clyde and what about the whole godfathers series that was a best seller for years.Also if any of you have television ,you must admit many times the thieves are glorified. ”

“ The feds are pitbulls, but so are some good criminal defense attorneys. Ben Brafman will gouge eyes of the feds by the time he is done with these pit bulls.

Sick 'em, Ben ”