Speaking Truth to Power

…I cannot understand why members of our community are not willing to report the criminals who are selling drugs to our kids directly to the police. This is, in my opinion, a misplaced application of the concept of mesirah. Ten years ago, I asked our leading gedolim if I should pass along information to the police regarding drug pushers. I received a unanimous p’sak that drug dealers have the full status of a rodef (one who poses life-threatening dangers to others), and that I have not only the right but also the obligation to do everything in my power to have them arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In my opinion, there is no substantive difference between a drug pusher and a child molester. Let the system work and let’s finally start protecting our children before there are any more shattered lives and suicides.

I think it is a terribly sad statement that an individual who sold non-kosher food in my hometown of Monsey ran for his life the moment the story broke and was not seen since, while a fiend who molested both Jewish and non-Jewish children in Boro Park is living comfortably in Jerusalem while evading extradition. I am most certainly not promoting or condoning vigilante violence. But it would be a positive step forward when child molesters in our community need to ask for police protection for fear of being harmed by righteously indignant people.

  Incredibly, in that case, only the non-Jewish parents pressed charges. Here is the text from a “Nightline” segment on the subject: “The only victims who cooperated with the investigation were Italian. They were neighborhood boys who trusted the rabbi because he bought them gifts, like bicycles. Not a single Orthodox Jewish boy or his parents would talk to the police (Emphasis added). The statements of four Italian boys aged 11- 16, were the basis for the indictment against Avrohom Mondrowitz. He was facing eight counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, endangering the welfare of a child, and five counts ofsodomy in the first degree.”

 

I ask, “Are Jewish children less sacred and worthy of protection than non-Jewish children?”

Who wrote this? Perhaps the only sane person left in Agudath Israel of America, Rabbi Yakov Horowitz. When? January 27, 2007. Where? The Jewish Press, which, I'm told, to its credit published his entire column unedited. Now if Rabbi Horowitz's colleagues would only listen…

Comments

[Archie Bunker]

I wonder if Horowitz later received a dressing down from his Agudah handlers for mentioning Mondrowitz.

As far as the Jewish Press, no one should buy that rag. They have covered up for the other molesters and crooks and it's officers are in bed with the very criminals and enablers who are the problem.

[formellyfrum]

I am assuming that the dealers where not totally part the community like, cloths black hat stramel etc. if so I feel the same attitude of mesirah would apply.