ABC — On the first Yom Kippur since his multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme was exposed, Bernard Madoff was allowed to take the day off from his prison work detail at Butner prison in North Carolina and pray for forgiveness of his sins, according to a Bureau of Prisons spokesperson.
Bernard Madoff’s Yom Kippur: ‘He Can’t Be Forgiven’
ABC — On the first Yom Kippur since his multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme was exposed, Bernard Madoff was allowed to take the day off from his prison work detail at Butner prison in North Carolina and pray for forgiveness of his sins, according to a Bureau of Prisons spokesperson.
Prison officials would not say if Madoff, serving a 150-year sentence, took advantage of the day off on the holiest day of the year in the Jewish faith or whether he participated in an evening prayer session with other Jewish inmates on what is a day of atonement and repentance.
“He should be asking every single person whom he lied to and whom he cheated for forgiveness,” said Hasia Diner, a professor of Hebrew and Judaic studies at New York University.
Madoff’s only apology came at his sentencing in June, when he briefly turned to face victims in the courtroom and said, “I’m sorry. I know that doesn’t help you.”
Under Jewish tradition, one who has sinned should ask the victim for forgiveness three times to relieve himself of his burden of guilt.
Madoff’s friends and family say he was never considered an observant Jew and often mocked his younger brother, Peter, who is an orthodox Jew.
“He used to taunt Peter by saying his favorite food was pork,” said one person close to the family in The Madoff Chronicles, published today.
Many of Madoff’s victims are Jewish, including a large number of Jewish charities.
“The law of holiday is that he can’t be forgiven by the Lord unless he gives us back our money,” said Carla Hirschorn, one of the victims.
Madoff Victim Says Madoff ‘Not Being a Human Being’
Asked what Madoff should atone for on Yom Kippur, another victim, Carol Baer said, “For not living his life as a Jewish person should. For not being a human being.”
At the time of his arrest, Madoff’s investors thought they he was holding more than $65 billion in stocks and cash for them.
Investigators discovered he had never traded a single stock over several decades.
Investors are expected to get, at most, five to 10 cents for each dollar they invested.
klop Al Cheit, Bernie!
Even non-frum Jews are able to ask Mechila from the One Above. Maybe he did…who knows? It’s not up to us to judge him in the end. But he should ask Mechila personally (in a letter) from everyone he defrauded. He may or may not get it. remember, not everyone was Jewish.
huh
who is this guy?
OT Bochur
There were two bochurim in his prison for Yom Kippur. They were sent by aleph to run a service for all the prisoners.
awacs
It seems a lot of Madoff victims divide crimes into two categories:
a) crimes against G-d and other people
b) crimes against ME.
A category “b)” crime is, of course, far more severe and deserving of greater punishment than a crime in category “a)”.
Thank G-d he doesnt judge like us
Hashem forgives everyone. We have to learn from his expirience because when you had done such terrible act you feel the regret, but what happen when you still feel perfect and yours are little mistakes and the others serious aveiros.
Remember Hashem is with opressed so he is also with Madoff as he was with Achar, and still call him a jew.
qwerty
I think every one should leave him alone forgive the poor guy he is already putting up with alot & I’m sure that Hashem will also forgive us on stuff we did the same way we forgive others
Not understanding
What kind of punishment is 150 years? As far as I know, no one has lived more than 125 years, and even that is quite rare. They might as well just kill him (or is that against American policy?)
Zalman
Al pi halacha Carla Hirschorn is right. He has to return all the money before asking for forgiveness is even relevant.
LISTEN!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!
seriously nothing makes me more upset then people calling madoff names and saying he is a “bad” person..who says us speaking lashon horah or stealing one penny is worse than what he did? STEALING IS STEALING..one penny..65 billion..IT’S ALL STEALING and honestly WHO ARE WE to call him bad?????? IT’S UP TO HASHEM NOT US
when i was in seminary one of my teachers called him an “evil” person and i was so disappointed and could never really respect that teacher like i did before..WE ARE NOT THE JUDGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!