In an unprecedented move, a Kol Koreh on behalf of Sholom Rubashkin was signed by Gedolim from all sects of Klal Yisroel, asking the Tzibur to act. Never before in recent history have so many Rabbonim and Rebbes from Satmar, Lakewood, Chabad, and Litvish Roshei Yeshiva come together on a signed Kol Koreh.
TRANSLATION OF LETTER SIGNED BY RABBONIM SHLITA:
To our Jewish Brethren Worldwide:
Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin is due to be sentenced shortly, and as the situation now stands, is facing the possibility of a very lengthy jail sentence, G-d forbid. US Legal experts have informed community leaders involved in this case, that the recommended sentence (by the US attorney) is overzealous and excessively harsh, and is totally unparalleled to similar offenses by others.
According to the experts involved in the case, phone calls and letters to department of justice (expressing concern) about this situation can be helpful. Therefore, there is a holy obligation for every single individual to get involved in this matter of utmost Pidyon Shvuyim , and to do whatever they possibly can to assist in this matter.
As well, anyone who has the ability to urge the department of justice or political officials to rectify the (undue) harshness (displayed by the DOJ) should get in touch with the committee as soon as possible, and do whatever they possibly can to help rectify the (undue) harshness, and hereby fulfill the mitzvah of ‘Lo Taamod’ – not standing by idly while a fellow’s blood is shed.
As the Shulchan Aruch Yoreah Deah rules (252:3): Every moment that one delays the mitzvah of Pidyan Shvuyim, when there exists the possibility to assist sooner, is tantamount to committing bloodshed. As the Rambam’s states famously in the Laws of Matnas Aniyim (8:4): There exists no greater mitzvah than that of Pidyun Shvuyim ; One who looks away from assisting in helping to free the person, violates the injunctions of : Do Not Harden Your Heart, Do Not Be Tightfisted and Do Not Stand By While The Blood of Your Fellow is Being Shed. The Rambam then states an additional five mitzvahs involved in this.
Our Sages have already stated (Shabbos 151b ): All Who Have Compassion on Living Beings, Heaven will have compassion on him.
May Hashem positively change the hearts of the authorities to good; May the cries of the imprisoned come before Hashem, and speedily extract him from his imprisonment.
Amen.
Month of Iyor, 5770.
SIGNED BY LEADING RABBIS IN AMERICA & CANADA:
Rav Dovid Feinstein (Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalayim),
Skulener Rebbe,
Rav Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi (Rov, Kfar Chabad),
Mattisdorfer Rov,
Pupa Rebbe,
Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky (Rosh yeshiva Philadelphia),
Rav Malkiel Kotler (Rosh Yeshiva BMG, Lakewood),
Rav Chaim Yehuda Krinsky (Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, Chabad-Lubavitch),
Novaminsker Rebbe,
Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg,
Rav Yonasan Bonyomin Weiss (Av Beis Din, Montreal),
Rav Menachem Meir Weissmandel (Av Beis Din, Monsey),
Rav Moshe Wolfson (Rosh Yeshiva Torah V’Daas)
LINK TO HELP SAVE RUBASHKIN: Click HERE to see how you can help Rubashkin! (http://justiceforsholom.org/)
Click HERE to see original copies of the Kol Koreh (English & Lashon Kodesh)
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11 Responses
lets all do whatever we can!! “Keish echad bilev echad” sign the petition, make phone calls or any other act of chessed. In that zchus may we merit to be redeemed from galus soon.
They are doing it to him today and they can do it to anyone else tomorrow we have to do whatever we can to stop this.
it is really tragic that it has to take a case Pidyon Shvuyim to get all the rabonim to make a Kol Koreh on behalf of Sholom Rubashkin that was signed by Gedolim from all sects of Klal Yisroel, asking the Tzibur to act. Never before in recent history have so many Rabbonim and Rebbes from Satmar, Lakewood, Chabad, and Litvish Roshei Yeshiva come together on a signed Kol Koreh.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE DONE MANY MORE TIMES FOR MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.
Comparison of the Government’s Proposed Guidelines Sentence for Mr. Rubashkin with
Federal Guideline Sentences for Other Crimes
Offense and Offense Guideline
Offense Calculation
Maximum Guideline Range
Mr. Rubashkin’s guidelines sentence, as calculated by the Government
Base Offense Level 43+ (money laundering guideline)
Life
First-degree murderer
U.S.S.G. § 2A1.1
Base Offense Level 43
Life
Second-degree murderer
U.S.S.G. § 2A1.2
Base Offense Level 38
293 Months
Kingpin of major drug
trafficking ring in which death resulted
U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(a)(2)
Base Offense Level 38
293 Months
Aircraft hijacker
U.S.S.G. §2A5.1
Base Offense Level 38
293 Months
Terrorist who detonates a bomb in a public place intending to kill a bystander
U.S.S.G. § 2K1.4(a)(1)
Total Level 36 (by cross reference to § 2A2.1(a)(2) and terrorist enhancement in § 3A1.4(a))
235 Months
Racist who attacks a minority with the intent to kill
U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a)(1) & (b)(1)
Base Level 28 + 4 for life threatening + 3 for racial selection under § 3A1.1
210 Months
Spy who gathers top secret information
U.S.S.G. § 2M3.2(a)(1)
Base Offense Level 35
210 Months
Rapist of a 10-year-old child
U.S.S.G. § 2A3.1(a) & (B)(4)(2)(A)
Base Offense Level 30 + 4 for young child = 34
188 Months
Child pornographer who photographs a 12-year-old in sexual positions
U.S.S.G. § 2G2.1(a) &( b)
Base Offense Level 32 + 2 for young child = 34
188 Months
Criminal who assaults with the intent to kill
U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a)(1) & (b)
Base Offense Level 28 + 4 for intent to kill = 32
151 Months
Kidnapper
U.S.S.G. § 2A4.1(a)
Base Offense Level 32
151 Months
Saboteur who destroys military materials
U.S.S.G. § 2M2.1(a)
Base Offense Level 32
151 Months
Drug dealer who shoots an innocent person during drug transaction
U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(c)(13) & (b)(2)
Base Offense Level 16 + 1 § 924(c) count
146 Months
Rapist
U.S.S.G. § 2A3.1
Base Offense Level 30
121 Months
Criminal who provides weapons to support a foreign terrorist organization
U.S.S.G. § 2M5.3(a) & (b)
Base Offense Level 26 +2 for weapons = 28
97 Months
Absolutely unfair treatment by the government, and everyone should do whatever possible to help the situation.
My question is, why is there no kol koreh for Gilad Shalit? Why is there no protest in front of the White House on his behalf and for Jonathon Pollard for that matter?
Thanks for the perspective, Yochi (no. 4).
Former Congressman Bob Barr of Georgia wrote a letter to the newspaper in Des Moines, Iowa. Here’s what he wrote:
“…Surprisingly, however, the Department of Justice is being overly parsimonious in refusing to allow bail for a defendant charged with white-collar crimes far less serious than those to which the disgraced Madoff pleaded last year.
“…What makes the Rubashkin story even more
intriguing is that the initial case against
Agriprocessors – stemming from the much-
publicized immigration raid – was later abandoned
by the government, which opted to go after him for “paper crimes” involving bank forms and statements, and not immigration violations. Also interesting was the manner in which the government raid was carried out. While a kosher meatpacking plant in Iowa is hardly the venue from which one might expect organized armed resistance, the raid on Agriprocessors was carried out with massive military force, including some 600 agents in heavy
riot gear and Blackhawk helicopters circling
overhead.
“…The government’s show of force and its grant-no-quarter approach has never let up.
“…What was good enough to convince the government that the notorious Mr. Madoff would not flee apparently is insufficient for Mr. Rubashkin. Indeed, the degree of overkill employed by the government against Rubashkin raises troubling questions.”
I won’t be so subtle as Congressman Barr. J’ACCUSE– someone high up in the Government “put out a contract” on Sholom rubashkin!
Can u put up a direct link to sign the petition please? I’m trying through the link u gae but its not working
#6 Deepthinker,
US attorneys act independently; the Obama administration has so far avoided politicizing those offices the way the Bush administration famously (or rather infamously) did. (Note that the raids and prosecutions were initiated by Bush appointees.)
Yochi smacked the nail right on the head.
It’s very simple: antisemitism.
This is just a warning shot. If we don’t watch out they’ll go after Israel to. I say it’s time for us to read the handwriting on the wall and change our tune.
This question is worth posting again:
My question is, why is there no kol koreh for Gilad Shalit? Why is there no protest in front of the White House on his behalf and for Jonathon Pollard for that matter?
Perhaps somebody can enlighten me.
I understand the Kol Koreh but why so late? Why does it always take so long to get something concrete done? I wonder what goes on behind the scenes. Sometimes it feels that it serves no purpose other than eye candy. Sorry to be so repetitive but it is very frustrating and there is no one to complain to. Am I wrong?