Israel
Rabbi Grossman back to assist Rabbi Berland
Migdal HaEmek Chief Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Grossman is back in South Africa for the second time in a month to try and secure the release of Breslov Rabbi, Eliezer Berland, who heads the Shuvu Banim Chasidic sect, with its headquarters in Jerusalem and is presently held in prison in Johannesburg awaiting extradition to Israel to face sex charges there.
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”.
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.