Rabbi Grossman back to assist Rabbi Berland

ANT KATZ

According to The Yeshiva World website, the influential Rabbi Grossman “took off (from Israel) on Sunday night” for a second trip to Johannesburg in recent weeks, “reportedly because there may be a chance for the rabbi to be released, instead of handing him over to Israel Police”.

Rabbi Grossman, who was spotted at the exclusive Saxon Hotel this week, is reportedly going to participate in a meeting with government officials pertaining to the case.

RIGHT: In happier times, Rabbi Grossman, left, davening with Rabbi Berland

The tzaddik, who has turned down the post of Chief Rabbi of Israel, but does sit on the Panel of Chief Rabbis, is reportedly being accompanied by a grandson of Rabbi Berland, Chaim Reicher.

After his earlier post-Pesach visit to Berland, Rabbi Grossman described Rabbi Berland’s conditions as “extremely difficult”, maintaining that Berland is held “inside a pit and has minimal food since he will not compromise his kashrus standards”.

According to previous and substantiated reports, however, Jewish Report has written that Rabbi Berland personally requested to be sent back to the infamous “Sun City” prison where he enjoys a private cell, has access to all his required religious and prayer accoutrements, and has his food brought to him daily by his wife, Tehila.