While Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Leib Shteinman Shlita was attending a kinos in Betar Illit on Thursday night, thieves were helping themselves to $50,000 in cash and checks worth “hundreds of thousands” according to a Kikar.net report. The theft occurred in the Rav’s home, 5 Chazon Ish Street, in Bnei Brak.
When the Rosh Yeshiva and his escorts returned to his home after 10:00pm on Thursday, they noticed everything was in disarray, realizing the money, cash and checks, were all gone. The funds were given to the Rav, as is customary, to distribute on rosh chodesh, to yeshivos, kollelim, roshei yeshivos and various institutions.
As a result of the physical findings and the fact there was no evidence of a forced break-in, police believe the thief had a key and is someone with knowledge of the Rav’s schedule, to the extent that he was aware on Thursday night, the Rosh Yeshiva was in Yerushalayim and Betar Illit.
There is already an audible criticism from askanim, who wish to understand the wisdom of the decision to leave the Rosh Yeshiva’s home vacant with the realization that there was so much money inside.
On erev shabbos the Rosh Yeshiva was compelled to deliver the harsh news to those who came as they do monthly, expecting to receive monetary assistance, but compelled to leave empty-handed.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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17 Responses
What does it mean when it says $50,000 dollars of cash and checks worth HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS. is it $50,000 or $100,000+?
Internet banking !!
One can easily believe that the Rosh Hayeshiva is so temimusdik but his Gabboyim? They know all about the seamier side of life the Internet presents but don’t they know anything about stam ganovim?
“There is already an audible criticism from askanim, who wish to understand the wisdom of the decision to leave the Rosh Yeshiva’s home vacant with the realization that there was so much money inside.”
What chutzpa to criticize the Rosh Yeshiva! They don’t come up to the soles of his shoes!
famous saying
yaakov ish tam yoshev OHALIM
when in the ohel – bais hamedrash – behave like yaakov ish tam
in the street / marketplace become cunning
used by the Chofetz Chaim to chastise a talmid that got ripped off
be careful out there
re: #1.
What they meant to write was “$50,000 in cash, and checks worth “hundreds of thousands””; a comma between “cash” and “and” would have made this easier to understand.
I hope they recover the money ASAP.
#4 They are not criticizing the Rosh Yeshiva, rather his gaboim who didn’t anticipate a break in.
Idiots. Everyone, the Rosh Hayeshiva, the gabboim etc. are being criticized except the “ganovim”. This is like after a terrorist attack everyone is criticized except the terrorists.
Monday morning quarterback its no ones fault these things happen you just learn for next time
The $50,000 is lost unless the thief returns it. The checks on the other hand is not. I am sure that the banks were immediately notified not to cash the checks.
Reb Feivel, the ganovim deserve something more harsh than criticizm. The discussion here is how something like this could happen.
Perhaps a strong safe could be used with a tumbler that could not be picked to open.
i feel bad for who eve had the cutzpa to steal that money from r shtainmans house . i mean that guy is playing with fire anyone messing with gedolim have bitter ends so this guy better give back the money be4 its too late
Do they have any insurance coverage against theft in eretz yisroel??
Well, someone knew that there will be money in the Rosh Yeshiva’s house. After all, his appartment, doesn’t look so tempting from outside. I’ve been in that appartment many times. Nothing more then simple chairs, and Seforim. Well, stop with the coments. Money has to be replaced. I am sending in money right away, so should everyone else.
What I find astounding is that from all the comments, no one seems to be concerned what this terrible genaiva can do to the health of Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Leib Shteinman Shlita.
re: #16,
He’s a Gadol biYisrael and assuredly has the emunah that Hashem runs the world and has a plan for that money and that this personal and communal unfortunate incident that happened to him should serve as a kapara for all of Klal Yisrael.
Maybe I’m wrong and it is still devastating even for a Torah giant like Rav Shteinman. I somehow assume he just davened that Hashem should help take care of this, and moved on to his next task of many holy endeavors for klal Yisrael.
May Hashem grant him and all of His nation good health and happiness and arichas yamim vishanim ad meah viesrim shanah, and the geulah shileimah bbimheirah biyameinnu, Amein.