Many of us patronizing Orthodox Jews are fond of telling over this hypothetical story:
Mr.
and Mrs. Goodman, a Jewish couple, were having some serious personal issues and
so they made an appointment to consult the local Orthodox Rabbi, Rabbi
Moskowitz. The interesting thing was that the Goodmans were non-observant Jews
who happened to be members of the neighborhood Reform Temple led by Rabbi Rose.
The
Goodmans met with Rabbi Moskowitz, poured out their hearts, and listened to his
advice on how, with G-d’s help, to deal with their issues. At the end of the
meeting, Rabbi Moskowitz remarks to them: “I am happy to have met you and glad
to be of help but you don’t seem to be members of my congregation. With whom
are you affiliated?”
“This
is true, Rabbi, we are actually members of Rabbi Rose’s Reform congregation.”
“Well,
Rabbi Rose is a well-educated, intelligent man. If you are members of his
congregation, why did you not consult him? Why come to me?”
Says
Mr. Goodman, “I’ll tell you, Rabbi. We are Reform Jews but…well… G-d…you know…He’s
Orthodox!”
Yep, even secular Jews know that G-d is Orthodox. And He’s not just Orthodox. He’s chareidi!
How do I know?
Because “chareidim” are the ones that the Prophet Yeshaya was referring to when he wrote, “Hear the word of G-d; those of you who are chareidim (anxious) to hear His word.”
According to Yeshaya, chareidim are those who hear the word of G-d – and carry it out. Hence, G-d must be chareidi because, if not, why would Yeshaya use that term to refer to those who listen to His word? If G-d wants people to “hear His word” and He calls those people chareidim, then whatever G-d’s “word” is, must be to behave like a chareidi.
You have my word!
So, what is the word of G-d that whoever listens gets to be called chareidi?
Week before last, we heard (Shmos 20:8-15): Keep the Shabbos, honor your parents, don’t kill or steal or commit adultery or lie in Beis Din, etc.
Last week we heard (Shmos 21:16): U’gonev ish u’mecharo…mos yumas – one who kidnaps a person and sells him into slavery (or captivity – i.e., prison) is subject to the death penalty.
In Ellul we will hear (Devarim 23:16): Lo tasgir eved (Do not hand over a slave). Chazal explain this to mean that any person who is Jewish, or even half-Jewish, cannot be extradited outside of Eretz Israel (see Rashi).
And on every Jewish festival we will hear (Vayikra 22:32): לא תחללו את שם קדשי – Do not desecrate My holy Name.
This is what G-d wants us to hear.
We have to be Holy because G-d is Holy (Vayikra19:2). And if we have to be “chareidi”, it’s because G-d is “chareidi”.
I haven’t written about the Malka Leifer episode for some time. This is mainly because there is not a lot happening.
Well, very recently there was a bit of a breakthrough. The new independent psychiatric panel announced “unanimously and unequivocally” that Mrs. Leifer is mentally fit to be extradited. The announcement was made on January 10, 2020 and submitted to the court on January 14. Apparently, there will be about three hearings to allow the defense to cross-examine the members of the panel, the current dates for the first two are February 26 and 27, 2020. Even these may be delayed. This itself will bring us close to Pesach (and probably beyond).
Oh, no! There has just been a decision (Feb. 18) that the defense is going to be allowed to bring their own expert witnesses to rebut the panel’s decision in addition to being able to cross-examine the panel. Will it ever end?
After all of this is done, there will be a final decision from the court just on the mental fitness issue probably not less than 45 days later. Assuming the report is upheld, only then will begin actual extradition hearings. No telling how long they will last but, if the extradition order is upheld, we can expect appeals.
So this saga has turned into one prolonged war of attrition. I don’t know what toll this is taking on the accused, but the accusers seem to be plenty distraught. On her January 14 post, Dassi Erlich reports “We are exhausted” from the other side screaming and yelling. And on December 11, 2019, she revealed how the court dates affect her blood pressure.
But I am certain it will all be worthwhile in the end. You know what they say about wars, especially wars of attrition: War does not determine who’s right. It only determines who’s left!
Now, how do I know everything that I am writing about?
I am obviously following this case very closely. As new things happen, there are articles popping up in the mainstream Israeli tabloids including JPost, YNet, Haaretz, Arutz7, and, of course Times of Israel, which seems to have an affiliation with the Australian New Age. But of course, the main outlet of information, which usually displays links to the tabloid articles, is Dassi Erlich’s dedicated Facebook page: Beyond a Survivor (BringLeiferBack).
This Facebook page has been in operation since at least March of 2017. While, on the one hand it is a source of information and a forum of support, on the other hand it is a hotbed of animosity, Lashon Hara (at best) and Motzi Shem Ra (at worst).
The legend tells us that when Rabbi Akiva was
Whenever I check the BringLeiferBack page, I feel the same way – like I need to spit in disgust, to cry, and to laugh.
The Torah sources that I referenced earlier in this post reveal the “word of G-d” in this matter. G-d does not want any Jewish people extradited from Israel to Australia. It does not matter what they may have done when they were there twelve years ago, no Jew – saint or sinner ‑ may be forcibly sent out of His land. He likewise does not want any Jews to languish in prison and He is not interested in having his Holy Name desecrated by people who want to act against His will.
In addition to this, appealing to Australian high officials to intervene is not something that is good for the Jews. The Mishna in Avos (2:3) tells us:
Beware
of the authorities. They do not bring people close to them except for their own
purposes. They appear as friends when they can benefit, but they will not help
at a time of need.
This applies even to when we want them to help us do things that HKBH may approve of. How much more if they appeal to non-Jews to help them accomplish things that HKBH does not approve of.
So, getting back to Dassi Erlich’s Facebook page, I noted that it makes we feel like I want to spit, cry, and laugh.
Firstly, to spit in disgust when I see that a Facebook page dedicated to extraditing a Jew out of Eretz Yisrael and being moser her to the Australian authorities is even in existence. No less, created and maintained by other Jews, at least one of whom claims to be religious.
As far as crying, there is so much to cry about. Firstly, all of the above. I cry for the chillul Hashem and for all the senseless damage that is being done for no good reason. But perhaps, the saddest thing is to see all of those Jews who support this campaign and realize how disconnected they are to the teachings of our Torah and true Yiddishkeit.
Lastly, it is quite amusing to watch the irony of it all. To see people crying and lamenting that the extradition that should [not] be happening is, thus far, not happening and that a judicial defense system which is geared to protect people from gratuitous prosecution is, in fact, thus far succeeding in protecting people from gratuitous prosecution. Likewise, to see people, with the cry of “justice”, openly advocating measures of subverting the procedures of due process of law to get the result they want.
These people are totally oblivious to the idea that if their subversion of due process makes headway and the genie is let out of the bottle, there is nothing to prevent themselves from becoming its next victim. In short, when one builds a 50-cubit gallows for somebody else, there is no telling who will swing on it. The gallows isn’t picky.
As always, HKBH is having the last laugh. And I am laughing along.
I am not a big Facebook person. Facebook is not for Bnei Torah. Okay, I did create an Achas L'Maala page to post links to my blog. Outside of that, the only reason I have a Facebook account is because there are situations (such as this) when I want to access someone else's Facebook page and I couldn’t do that without an account.
As for the BringLeiferBack Facebook page, there were occasions a while ago when I tried to post some comments in an effort to quell the lynch mob mentality. It wasn’t long before I was blocked from commenting. So, what I want to do now is to copy down some of the juicier comments from some of the most recent posts and to add my own comments in line with my “chareidi” perspective.
Post from February 21, 2020
On Feb. 21, Dassi informed us that one of the sisters, Nicole Meyer, is planning to come to Israel for the hearings scheduled for Feb. 26 and 27.
To follow are just a few of the comments with "replies" of my own:
Jodi Levy 26th is rosh chodesh Adar. Adar is the month that is endowed with special mazal and transformation. May it be your month!
Yechezkel H I wrote
quite a lot about chodesh Adar and how it relates to this episode in this post.
As far as the “special mazal” is concerned, the Shulchan Aruch tells us that if
we have a litigation with a non-Jew, Adar is an auspicious month
for holding it because, in this month, the “mazal” gives us a special favor
over the non-Jews. Unfortunately, it won’t work when a Jew is battling another
Jew.
This
comment highlights the abhorrent lynch mob attitude that Malka Leifer – who at
least keeps mitzvos – does not have the status of a Jew. Ironically, since it
is only Mrs. Leifer who is having a “judgement” against non-Jews. The “mazal”
of Adar may actually turn it into Mrs. Leifer’s auspicious month.
Betsy Littmann Adar is a mazeldicka month. May it be for u. May justice be served. Praying!!
Yechezkel H
Again with the Adar as a “mazeldicka month”. Hello! Mrs. Leifer is just as
Jewish! She’ll have just as much mazal. She also has the advantage of being the
one who is being persecuted at this stage, so she has the advantage of האלקים מבקש את הנרדף[ת].
What
I found amusing was the last word – “Praying!!” Excuse me, but to Whom exactly
are you praying and are you sure that He really wants what you are praying for?
Leif Schipper Hashem will ensure justice is served.....your determination and unwavering actions are to be blessed x
Yechezkel H
Looks like I have
competition in the prophecy business. I wonder which one of us is the navi
emess and which one is the navi sheker (hint – refer to what Yeshaya
said about hearing the Word of G-d.) In truth, I also believe that justice will
be served. I am not as convinced that their “determination and unwavering
actions are to be blessed” because, in my opinion, they are causing and
perpetuating a horrific chillul Hashem as indicated above.
Posts from Feb 18, 2020
On February 18, 2020, Dassi Erlich posted two posts to lament about a ruling by Judge Lomp that will allow the defense to recall their witnesses to rebut the findings of the new independent panel. Dassi calls this “unprecedented”.
I am not a legal expert, but I have conducted civil litigation and I have my doubts.
The way things work is that the plaintiff or prosecution has to call all of their witnesses first and then “rest” (just like in the US). Thereupon, the defense can call all the witnesses they need to controvert the case of the plaintiff. If the plaintiff or prosecution is, for some reason, granted the right to enter more evidence (e.g., from an “independent” panel) after the defense has had their say, there is no reason that the defense cannot call whatever witnesses they need to deal with it. Why should it matter if these witnesses testified earlier? They are now here to address new evidence.
Regardless, Dassi and her followers thought that this is outrageous and let it be known.
Here are some of the comments that were posted in the earlier of the two posts – with my added comments:
Mary Rockman Koorey who can you find to override Judge Lomp?
Yechezkel H Ah, that’s
the ticket. Override the judge!
A
final ruling of a judge can be appealed. But, usually, it can
only be appealed by the defense and not by the prosecution.
Moreover, I highly doubt that any procedural ruling can be appealed or
overturned in any case. Hence, I have a strong feeling that Ms. Koorey is not calling
for a legitimate legal motion but, rather, some way of circumventing true “justice”
and seeing to it that the accused is sent to the chair regardless if they are
guilty.
This
comment was replied to as follows:
Ruth Cohen Harif Heavenly lightning to strike the
stinking court and destroy it. I pray for that daily, I live in Israel and our
legal system is a source of great pain and misery to us here all the time. This
is not just about this particular case, it is always disgusting.
Yechezkel H What a great idea! I actually have a
hard time with this comment because I agree with most of what she says about
the Israeli legal system. And perhaps it could use a good dose of “Heavenly
lightning”.
That said, I would only expect “Heavenly
lightning” to strike at a time when the court does not
concur with the will of Heaven. As I have noted, I do not believe that this is
the case here. Ms. Harif claims that she “prays for that daily”. Does she mean
that she is praying for the Israeli legal system to be replaced by the Word of
G-d (Halacha) so that Mrs. Leifer will get duly extradited to the kangaroos in Australia?
Why am I skeptical about this?
Later on:
Yael Diakoumis Isn't there anybody higher up?
Someone to [to] whom Judge Lomp should explain herself?
Yechezkel H How high up did you want to go?
The above comment was replied by:
Ruth Cohen Harif Our powerful elites fear no God
and feel they are invincible. we need to drain the swamp. God help us we in
Israel have no decent legal system at all,
Yechezkel H Clearly, Ms. Harif is a very religious
woman who wants nothing more than for all of us to obey the will of G-d.
Dassi Erlich;
Beyond a Survivor Mike Zu I've
had many tell me they have dropped their support for Israel over this case.
It's sad that its had to come to this.
Yechezkel
H It hasn’t had to come to
this. It has come to this because Dassi and her sisters are pushing for it no
matter what the cost.
The sad fact is that
this and the recent strained relations between the Israeli and Australian governments
are the collateral damage from this senseless and counterproductive extradition
campaign. And who is accountable for this damage?
This is not the
responsibility of the accused for what she may have done 12-15 years ago. It is the
responsibility of those who created, maintain, and support this costly campaign
here and now. It is they who will have to answer for this damage.
Abe N Sally
Cyprys A
chillul hashem. Someone is pulling some very strong strings.
Yechezkel H My
feeling is that the One who is pulling some very strong strings is the One whose
name is being desecrated by those who think otherwise.
I’ll
call it quits here, but there is plenty more. I just want to summarize that this post and the other post from this date are totally saturated with comments again and again blaming the “corrupt”
legal system, Bibi, and of course Litzman together with all the chareidim for
the phantom extradition that is not happening fast enough for them. Oh, and every
single one of them knows without a shadow of a doubt that Mrs. Leifer is guilty
as charged and not fit to exist on this planet of “theirs”.
Nobody,
but nobody, seems to blame HKBH. Especially those who claim to pray to Him. It’s
not Him! It’s just the crooked judges and politicians and, of course, the chareidim. If G-d had
His way, she would have been extradited to Australia long ago and would now be rotting there in
jail for eternity.
If
only G-d had His way…
I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry.
I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry.
שמְעוּ דְּבַר ה' הַחֲרֵדִים אֶל
דְּבָרוֹ אָמְרוּ אֲחֵיכֶם שֹׂנְאֵיכֶם מְנַדֵּיכֶם לְמַעַן שְׁמִי יִכְבַּד ה'
וְנִרְאֶה בְשִׂמְחַתְכֶם וְהֵם יֵבֹשׁוּ.
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