Rabbi Mordechai Ganiram, the rosh yeshiva of a Southern Chevron Hills hesder yeshiva, will stand trial for refusing to turn over students to police. The talmidim are allegedly guilty of chasing away Arabs who tried to infiltrate the community.
On March 30, 2008, Arabs illegally entered Eshtomoa and were detected as they moved towards the Har Shalom Hesder Yeshiva. They were repelled by the talmidim, and the Arabs then filed a police complaint, claiming they were attacked without provocation. The rosh yeshiva was called for questioning, providing him the opportunity to explain what really transpired. He added they did not use force in repelling the would-be attackers, but he refused to name names. As a result, he is charged with interfering in an investigation.
The rav explains his yeshiva is unique, working with problematic youths, who would generally be discarded by society, some with police records. He rehabilitates them and returns them to a derech of torah, and many become eligible to serve in the IDF, which they would not have attained on their own in their former lives. As such, he is determined not to give police names, realizing doing so would result in more anguish for the talmidim who did nothing wrong.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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3 Responses
In america a rabbi can not be forced to give the names of his pupils even for a criminal investigation its like the doctor patient privilege. anything between them is confidential maybe he should try such a defense
“the Arabs then filed a police complaint, claiming they were attacked without provocation.”
Meaning they did not begin the PROVOCATION before they were chased away..
#1 eric55 — not true.
a rov must disclose (secular legally) in the us.
perhaps if he has a “confessional” relationship, but it will cost much $$$ in legal fees.