When initiating a conversation, current events are always a good icebreaker. But this morning, one of the stories that my friend and I discussed was a heartbreaker.
For nearly three months, Mr. Sholom M. Rubashkin, a fellow Jew and a sweetheart of a man, was imprisoned. Denied bail, it was his bond with G-d and faith that sustained him. As Mr. Rubashkin is an observant Jew and a sensitive soul, the trials that he endured leave one with an uneasy feeling of guilt. Accused, but far from convicted, Sholom was incarcerated as if he had committed crimes against humanity. Reading the reports of clergy who visited him through a plexiglass window, one wonders how our government could punish a man only accused of white-collar, with a choke collar.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
When initiating a conversation, current events are always a good icebreaker. But this morning, one of the stories that my friend and I discussed was a heartbreaker.
For nearly three months, Mr. Sholom M. Rubashkin, a fellow Jew and a sweetheart of a man, was imprisoned. Denied bail, it was his bond with G-d and faith that sustained him. As Mr. Rubashkin is an observant Jew and a sensitive soul, the trials that he endured leave one with an uneasy feeling of guilt. Accused, but far from convicted, Sholom was incarcerated as if he had committed crimes against humanity. Reading the reports of clergy who visited him through a plexiglass window, one wonders how our government could punish a man only accused of white-collar, with a choke collar.
A mother of ten, Mrs. Leah Rubashkin was the single member of the family permitted to visit their detained breadwinner. However even she could not see her husband in the flesh. Rather, they met via the wonders of modern technology, catching glimpses of each other on a two-way monitor. A devout man, Sholom starved on some days as the meal schedule conflicted with his prayer timetable. One New York rabbi related a conversation he had with the inmate: “When I met with Sholom, he was drinking water from a plastic container. He apologized, explaining that he does not drink water from a bathroom sink and that the only time that he can get fresh water is when someone visits him.”
A ruling by Magistrate Jon Stuart Scoles on November 20, five days after Sholom’s detainment, cited Israel’s law of return as grounds for incarcerating Mr. Rubashkin while awaiting trial. Sholom was not allowed to work on his case at home: “Under Israel’s Law of Return, any Jew and members of his family who have expressed their desire to settle in Israel will be granted citizenship.” With this judgement, a citizen of the United States was treated as a dangerous foreign national, and the nation that was created as a haven for Jews was further legitimized. Thank G-d that last week, after a lengthy and traumatic ordeal, the appeal system reversed the biased decision.
As the weekly section of scripture reported myriads of Jews exiting Egyptian bondage in the great Exodus, local papers announced the good news. Sholom Rubashkin was released from his own restraints.
Upon learning the news, there was a sense of excitement in the greater Jewish community. Most people understood that a miracle has taken place, albeit through the timely and painful method of being clothed in natural proceedings. The euphoria could be sensed in synagogues and private homes, as men toasted L’chaim. Commiserating women took a cue from our current Torah reading, and offered thanks to G-d.
To be sure, while the story of legions of Hebrews leaving Egypt for the first time in over two hundred years is a high point in the Jewish faith, it was the miracle at the Red Sea that sealed their freedom. Shortly after their glorious departure from that depraved land, their oppressors took chase to reclaim the liberated Tribes of Israel. It took the miraculous division of the Red Sea to secure Israel’s parting from Egypt.
While Sholom Rubashkin will enjoy his children’s company this Shabbat, he is still being pursued by dangerous forces. However, the believer is familiar with the end of the story. With the Egyptian chariots taking chase behind them and a vast sea impeding their forward march, the Hebrews were stuck somewhere between a rock and a hard place. Moses stood up and called on them to stand firm and witness the salvation of the rock of Israel. The sea miraculously split, and the Hebrews were free.
As Sholom was reunited with his family, his loving wife Leah offered a prayer to reporters that, “We should experience the ultimate freedom with the coming of the Messiah.” With a miracle akin to the splitting of the Red Sea in store for the Rubashkins, may Leah’s fervent prayer be fulfilled. And may the knowledge of G-d finally fill the earth as the waters cover the seabed.
It-s all relative
“one wonders how our government could punish a man only accused of white-collar, with a choke collar”
Ask a victim of Madoff.
jew
mazal tov mazal tov.
Elki
Baruch Hashem. Halevai Veiter. He didn’t deserve any of this treatment. But he retained his Yiddishkeit and dignity through it all. Hashem should take care of him and his family.
annonymous
The Rebbe said that in the Torah there is no such thing as prison for an offense – a deprivation of freedom which is the most cruel and unusual infliction on a human being.
Finally - a worthwhile Getzy article.
This was a brilliant read… Thank you Getzy for writing this.
It is written from the heart and reaches to the soul.
Finally! A Getzy piece worth reading… I have read many Getzy articles and they have been – for the most part – terrible products of the pen! They were difficult to understand and contained too many words that were longer than their definitions.
hmmm
to its all relative….are you comparing rubashkin to maadof…you obviously dont know the facts and evidence in either case!!
to finally!
Dear finally,
I have always looked forward to reading his work because I think it makes for excellent reading. So we disagree. On the other hand we admire your honesty and willingness to compliment when you like.
שלום
who said anything about the ten in chutz le’aretz?
elliyahu
I can’t handle this stuff… my friend was put into an empty steel 9 x 9 ft. room, no windows, steel lock for 3 nights straight, being escorted with handcuffs etc to go to the bathroom. B”H he was sent home on bail, and waited one year for his trial which just cost him a huge fine for fraud. B’Kitzur, if it was a very humbling traumatic for this individual, imagine the inner strength needed for Rubashkin to get over this sector of his ordeal. I’MH it should all come out for the good.
Rabbi wolff
Dear finally
I agree this article was a very good one! The other articles where hard to read and their where a lot of words used out of place, it seamed rabbi Markowitz is working on himself that’s very well.
Stay Objective
I hope Sholom is vindicated of the terrible allegations he is facing but comparing his story to the bondage of the Jewish people is disingenuous.
USA is a medina shel chesed with one of the most sophisticated judicial systems in the world . There is no perfect system and the decision to withhold bail was a miscarriage of Justice that was righted pretty quickly. Accused murderers have been put to death where later DNA testing proved them to be innocent. Flawed as the system may be, it is a far cry of what Jews in Egypt endured under paroh.
I usually like Getzy’s articles but this one was disappointing. Don’t let yourself get caught up in agenda driven rhetoric. You will more likely get people to see things your way when keep your objectivity.
CHG
Get a decent editor, for goodness sake.
And frankly, while we can all sympathize with Sholom Rubashkin’s difficulties, making him out as some sort of suffering hero does not help his case any. The Frierdiker Rebbe, he is not. He will have his day in court to establish his guilt or innocence.
may Moshiach come quickly
may Moshiach come quickly
to objective
Objectively: I think YOU are reading too much into the theme here. And he was wrtiting about the Yetziah not the Shibud. Either way, a Nes iz a Nes.
thank u
thank u getzy. and 4 all the rest of u, if u got nothing nice to say, then DONT.