A Japanese court has acquitted Yoel Ze’ev Goldstein of Bnei Brak, who together with friends was imprisoned for smuggling thousands of ecstasy pills in his luggage.
Goldstein was arrested after a search of his baggage revealed 90,000 pills inside a false double wall. The bochrim have always maintained they thought they were transporting antiquities given to them by a chareidi man, and as a result, have since paid a heavy price.
Since their imprisonment, askanim and rabbonim worldwide have been actively engaged in efforts to obtain their release, raising funds to hire the best legal team possible in Japan. One suspect remains in a Japanese prison, and the third, who was transferred to Israel to complete his sentence has since been released.
It should be pointed out that the state has 14 days in which to appeal the court’s decision to release Goldstein.
Somewhat complicating matters is the fact that immigration officials have taken him into custody on charges he overstated his 90-day visa in 2008. Attorneys are hopeful this matter will be rectified in an expeditious fashion and that he will be able to leave the country.
According to a Kikar Shabbat report, Rabbi Elimelech Bindiger and Rabbi Aaron Nizri were present during the hearing, which they stated took two hours. At the end of the session, the court asked forgiveness from Goldstein, that he was compelled to remain in prison for four years. Efforts are already underway towards expediting his return home to Eretz Yisrael.
Continue to be mispallel for Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel and Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava.
IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICK HERE TO BE MEKAYEM PIDYON SHIVUYIM IN ASSISTING THE BOCHRIM STILL IN JAPAN PRISON!!
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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19 Responses
Hodu lahashem ki tov ki liolam chasdo
Hodu LAshem ki tov
Chasdei Hashem! All the Tehillim that we have been saying daily for these boys worked. Now we must continue to daven for Yakov Yosef ben Raizel for his immediate release.
B’H and may we continue to hear besuros tovos always! Now to daven for an early release.
Hoidu lashem ki toiv, I’m full of tears of joy.
I bet he learned that if someone tells you not to let the police see something, he is probably asking you to do something very illegal. Saying you thought you were smuggling something else (also illegally) is not the best defense in the world.
#6. For all of us. Never take packages or suitcases from strangers, whoever they may be, across the border.
That said. Boruch Hashem! 2 released 1 more to go.
These boys didnt take anything from strangers. They took it from someone they did know. Thats the scary thing. Even something from an acquaintance needs checking thoroughly. Or ideally only agree to take items from a close friend or relation. It’s unfortunately just too risky.
Baruch Hashem, Hodu LAshem ki tov . This is wonderful news.
We should still keep praying the ‘state’ does not to appeal this ruling within the next 14 days.
Hodu Lo vVorchu Shemo
Let’s remember that there are other Yidden who are still being held against their will in various parts of the world, for a variety of reasons. It is probably better not to discuss details, or reveal names and locations, but it is certainly incumbent on us to daven for them to be released and be able to serve Hashem in freedom.
In addition, we should thank Hashem daily for our own freedom.
A friend of mine who escaped from a country I will not name told me just a few days ago how thrilling it was to be in a public place and to be able to say “Shehakol neheyeh bidvaro” out loud when taking a drink of water. And when a stranger passing by answered “Amen” out loud, it was doubly thrilling.
“It was worth all the difficulties and suffering” she said, (and there was a lot of that) “in order to be able at last to say a brachah out loud. And even more so, to hear another Jew daring to answer Amen out loud.”
How many blessings we have to thank Hashem for. Let’s daven that all Klal Yisrael soon be free to daven out loud, that they will know how to daven, and want to daven, so we can thank Hashem together.
#6, I have no doubt what so ever ( sarcasm ) that every aspect of your tax return is accurate
What kind of joke is it that immigration says they overstayed their visa?
Unfortunately, there are many more to go. The others, however, do not have the support groups and backing that this case has.
#10 you said it very well. Thank you for that!! Amein!
Japan sounds like Sodom; over staying his visa when they had him lock up. This is roshoim
Baruch HaShem. Soooooo happy to hear the wonderful news. IY”H we should continue to hear only great news.
How could he be found not guilty and his friend who was with him was found guilty?
@#17 The judge in the other boys case said that he believes the boy dodn’t knew what he was carrying but gave him 6 years because he was negligent to check whats inside.
wow1 thats great but why didnt he ask them for the suffering he had for 4 years they should either let rubbashkin have another trial, or let him out 4 years early????