Rabbi Yankel Miller (a.k.a. Yarme Rov) Shlita, the famous badchan of Monsey,  made a surprise visit this week to Japan to visit the jailed bochurim, in an attempt to give them a boost of chizuk before Pesach, which they will be spending on their own.

Rabbi Miller had planned to go during the winter but due to the many visits the boys often receive, he decided to go when they really have nobody to visit them, that being when everyone is preoccupied with hectic Pesach preparations.

Rabbi Miller departed New York on Tuesday morning May 12th and arrived Wednesday morning May 13th. The devoted askonim had pre-arranged a schedule of visits for Rabbi Miller together with the various lawyers during his full two day stay, which enabled him to spend many hours with both bochurim at the detention centre.

Rabbi Miller reports that he was stunned to find both Yoel and Yakov Yosef in such a good state. “I thought I will see two broken sad boys, but in fact they were so alert and bright and full of emuna,” “They actually gave me chizuk. I can’t see how any of us would survive such conditions for 3 years! and yet they are always with a smile and so thankful to the askonim”.

Rabbi Miller reports “I spent time with both boys discussing divrei Torah and divrei chizuk, and obviously I did my share in doing my part as a badchan, and you can imagine what happens when I was telling them my stories! They really enjoyed the light humour and I feel they came away invigorated.

Rabbi Miller met with various lawyers during his visits at the detention centre and confirms of the major work the askonim are doing. “Its unimaginable, the askonim just don’t sleep at night they are basically in Japan all the time”.

“Both boys are Boruch H-shem very fine. They were dressed very well and have lots of seforim with which they keep themselves busy. The askonim keep on sending them seforim, story books, magazines, and they receive newspapers too.

Rabbi Miller was amazed to hear from the boys that they receive so many letters from all over the world. Yakov Yosef told Rabbi Miller “to be honest, I get so many letters I just don’t have time to reply to them.” Yoel Zev received in the past two weeks alone almost 100 letters!

Rabbi Miller departed Japan for NY on Thursday evening where he arrived home for Shabbos Hagodol.

The closing arguments for Yoel Zev is scheduled for May 12th and the final verdict for Yakov Yosef is scheduled for May 16th.

IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICK HERE TO BE MEKAYEM PIDYON SHIVUYIM IN ASSISTING THE BOCHRIM STILL IN JAPAN PRISON!!

The tzibur is requested to continue being Mispallel for Yoel Zev ben Mirel Reesa Chava and Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)