[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]
Emotions ran high in Meah Shearim on Tuesday night as the tzibur awaited the arrival of the man of the hour, Yoel Zev Goldstein, who arrived on a flight from Japan via Korea. Baruch Hashem, after suffering greatly due to the harsh conditions of his imprisonment, B’chasdei Hashem he was found not guilty and permitted to return to his home, in Yerushalayim.
Yoel arrived with his mother at around midnight, transported by Avraham Wosner, a grandson of HaGaon HaRav Wosner Shlita; they arrived at his Meah Shearim home on Chai Adom Street. His mother shared some of her emotions, explaining earlier in the day she was at Kever Rachel, where she said Nismas Kol Chai and Tehillim.
The remaining family members, including his father, arrived shortly thereafter in a van that took them from the airport.
There was dancing and lots of emotion, visible signs of true happiness and thanks to HaKadosh Baruch Hu, the Matir Asurim, for permitting this young man to return home to his life and family.
The tzibur heard addresses from rabbonim and recited Tehillim and Nishmas Kol Chai. Family members wore Shabbos clothing to mark the auspicious occasion.
The tzibur was called upon to recite Tehillim for Yaakov Yosef ben Reizel, who remains in prison under harsh conditions.
On Wednesday morning Yoel traveled to Har Nof to meet with HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita were he received a bracha. He was accompanied by Interior Minister Eli Yishai, who reportedly was involved in efforts to obtain his release.
Goldstein reportedly told the Rav, “I came to receive a bracha and to thank the Rav for the efforts of his shaliach towards obtaining my release”.
The Rav responded, “I daven for you a great deal. Do your utmost to bring as many non-frum Jews to frum schools as you can”.
The Rav also made a mishaberach for the third prisoner, Yaakov [Yosef ben Reizel] Greunwald, who remains imprisoned in Japan.
A special kabolas ponim is set for Wednesday evening in the Toldos Avraham Yitzchak Beis Medrash in Meah Shearim. The Admor Shlita is expected to attend.
YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos [via Kikar & Bichadrei].
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
8 Responses
Thanks for the photos. Thankfully, he seems ok in mind and body; it’s obvious that he was not deprived of food in the Japanese prison.
#1, you should go to Japan and spend a few months in Prison before posting your comments
Why did the Rav tell him to help get non-frum into frum schools? Did the experience in Japan make this bochur particularly suited for this task now? Any explanations?
Beautiful!
Baruch Hashem Baruch Rofeh Cholim
#3 Hacham adif mi’navi. You dont need to ask, he just needs to do. To hazard a guess, maybe because these children are also “imprisoned”.
Boruch hasten! I was at his home last night when he arrived, the happiness was unbelievable! But we mustn’t forget about davening for the bochur still sitting in japan.
#1 i guarantee you he was not fed well in the prison!
#2 and #7: Aino domeh shmi’a l’riah. And as the yiddish idiom says: meh vert nisht fet fin mitzvas.