Fed. Judge Orders Russia to Turn Over Chabad Library
A federal judge granted a motion for default judgment in favor of Agudas Chasidei Chabad of United States against the Russian Federation on July 30th of this year. In the order Russia is required to turn over the collection of over 10,000 Seforim and 50,000 documents.
Judge Royce C. Lamberth wrote in her order:
Defendants are Ordered to surrender to the United States Embassy in Moscow or to the duly appointed representatives of Plaintiff Agudas Chasidei Chabad of United States the complete collection of religious books, manuscripts, documents and things that comprise the “Library” and the “Archive” presently being held by the Defendants at the Russian State Library and the Russian State Military Archive or elsewhere, and Defendants are further directed to assist and authorize the transfer of the “Library” and the “Archive” to the United States Embassy in Moscow or to Plaintiffs appointed representatives and to provide whatever security and authorization is needed to insure prompt and safe transportation of the “Library” and “Archive” to a destination of Plaintiff’s choosing.
The “Schneerson Archive” are the Kesovim that the Frierdiker Rebbe managed to take with him when he fled Russia in 1927, but were later seized by the Nazis, and then again stolen and secretly taken back to Moscow by the Russians. The “Schneerson Library” are the Seforim that were stolen by the Russians in 1917 and which remained in Russia when the Frierdiker Rebbe fled in 1927.
Click Here to view the entire order.
Related Articles:
Former President Bill Clinton Backs Effort To Return The Schneerson Library [4/4/05]
DIDAN NOTZACH! United States Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Chabad! [3/13/08]
Russia Won’t Participate in Chabad Seforim Suit [7/27/09]
WHAT!!
SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT’S GOING ON!!!!!!
WolfishMusings
At the risk of asking a silly question, how can a Federal judge (or any part of the US government for that matter) force Russia to hand over anything?
didan notzach
Hopefully the sforim will eventually end up in the US as per the Rebbe’s wishes and not in the hands of certain parties who are beholden to Putin.
confused
please answer #1 and #2 question I am thinking that also something sounds wrong
Jack Vanik
It is basically a show of international support but it could in theory lead to sanctions against Russia and certainly will hold back efforts to repeal Jackson-Vanik.
UTTER SILLINESS!
This is a JOKE! The USA cannot and WILL NOT force the russian gov’t to do anything! ESPECIALLY not on the account of yidden! This has absolutely NO BEARING whatsoever on Russia it’s ministry, etc. The USA does not have ANY jurisdiction on Russian soil – which is where the seforim are being held.
The ONLY way for this to have any implications for Russia would be for the USA to seize Russian assets in this country, and then return them upon release of the seforim. However, THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN!!!! The USA will NOT put it’s diplomatic relationship with the Russian federation on the line, on account of a few Jewish books!?!
yemois hamashiach....
halevai!!
To # 6, Not so fast
To # 6, Not so fast, The US can assert it law to entities outside of the US, it does it all the time.
This is probably a long road ahead but a positive move non-the-less
Milhouse
Lamberth can’t even make the US government pay attention to his orders, and he thinks Russia will obey?! A nechtiger tog. This will have absolutely no effect.
didan natzach now
didan natzach
yosy
anyone who thinks that the USA will have a confrontation with russia over some jewish books – I have a bridge to sell you for $15.00!
They had bigger and better things that they didn’t make a tummel over!? You think that they give a C**P about your books!?
Stam narishkeit!
SEFORIM HAV TO BE RTURNED FOR MOSHIACH T
Didn’t the Rebbe say Moshiach can’t come until th sforim have ben returned. These seforim are not a simplematter.
Louis
It’s called moral support. Seee?
Komrade Nicolai
Sorry no can do !!! We lack soft T.P in Russia you know and we can’t give up that huge pile of paper :)