HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita was asked if Jonathan Pollard is to recite birchas hagomeil when IY”H he is released from a US prison? Rav Chaim responded that he should not, but he should make the bracha ‘Hatov v’Hameitiv’.
During the past years, many gedolei yisrael have sent letters to the US president and others in behalf of Jonathan Pollard, requesting his release from prison. This includes Maran HaGaon HaRav Sholom Elyashiv ZT”L and Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita.
In the Wednesday morning edition of ‘Alon Siach’, Rav Kanievsky is asked about Pollard’s release and what bracha he is to recite. Rav Chaim explains that since he is not in perilous danger he does not recite ‘hagomeil’. It was pointed out to Rav Chaim that Pollard has been imprisoned for decades and as a result is in a weakened state, but the response is that he is not to recite ‘hagomeil’.
The Posek Hador was then asked about the halacha for one not seeing a friend for 12 months and is very happy to see him.
Rav Chaim concurred that the minhag is not to make a bracha “Mechayei HaMeisim”.
Rav Chaim was then asked if Pollard should recite Hatov v’Hameitiv when released from prison as per Shulchan Aruch רכ”ב to which he responded yes, he should recite this bracha.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
If he is released on chol hamoed, can he shave?
He’s scheduled to be released on Shabbos, Parshas …. ויצא!!!
#1, You mean take a haircut, a beard is Yiddishe tzuroh, and is a badge of honour.
The answer is yes as he since he would be allowed to as he was not able to before Yom tov
Any contact with the cops and certainly being under their thumb in a jail is potentially fatal.
Prisoners are commonly beaten and suffer severe injuries. Pollard was a high profile prisoner but was in jail for a long time. The State of Israel was not particularly interested in his well being. It’s a matter of speculation what the worst moment was like.