In essence, this story began some three years ago, when neighbors of Rav Amnon Yitzchak called him to a Din Torah in the beis din of the Chief Rabbi of Bnei Brak, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Yehuda Leib Landau Shlita in a matter of a legitimate neighborly dispute. The court found the neighbors’ argument to be credible, siding with them against Rav Amnon. It appears however that a formal ruling was never handed down in the matter.

Some 30 months later, another related matter was brought to the beis din and Rav Amnon was invited to appear once again. This time, he sent his attorney to represent him, Chaim Kfir.

During the course of the dialogue in the hearing, Rav Landau questioned Kfir, “Is your client thickheaded (satum)?”

Kfir: Do not say something like that.

Rav Landau: I did not say, I asked.

As a result, Kfir filed a NIS 100,000 libel suit against Rav Landau in the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court. Kfir maintains that the derogatory language used against his client in the Din Torah was as if it was stated publicly and therefore, is damaging.

At this point, it is critical to point out that while he does have an indirect hand in the events, Rav Amnon did not file the lawsuit as is reported in the secular press, but his attorney Kfir did so and it names him alone, not Rav Amnon. Apparently, when questioned how Rav Amnon could permit such an action against Rav Landau, he stated, “he is secular, he is not connected to me”, referring to his attorney.

As the events continued to unfold, the rabbonim in Bnei Brak stood firm and refused to hear Rav Amnon, compelling the matter to remain in Rav Landau’s beis din despite requests that Rav Karelitz hear the matter. All the rabbonim have Rav Landau their total backing.

Towards the end of August, Rav Amnon signaled Chaim Kfir is willing to retract his libel suit if his conditions are met, and Kfir was now being represented by attorney Tamir Solomon, who presented a letter spelling out the conditions, dated 28 August 2008. showing some flexibility, the matter was accepted by another beis din in Bnei Brak since it now appeared the parties were acting appropriately.

After Rav Silman of Rav Karelitz’s Shlita beis din saw the terms, he announced he is stepping down from the matter and turned it over to Rav Landau once again. One of the terms of the letter was a demand that Rav Landau issue a public apology in both Yated and Hamodia.

Rav Amnon was summoned to the beis din again, with a stern warning that his failure to appear would result in a ‘nidui’ (ostracism). When asked about the letter from Tamir Solomon, Rav Amnon said, “Speak with him”.

Rav Amnon did appear in the beis din on Tuesday night (2 Sept.), at the last moment, summoned for 19:30. Speaking with Rav Silman, Rav Amnon asked to disqualify Rav Landau [who was out of the country] from the matter, but his request was denied.

Nothing of substance was decided in the Tuesday evening session. Rav Amnon explained he and his people are traveling abroad on Sunday, asking for alternative dates. The court seemed less than willing to accommodate, not wishing to exhibit leniency at this point.

Rav Amnon indicated he will comply with the beis din, indicating he will appear if and when he is summoned to do so.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)