Rabbi Lau twists and explains: This is why I consoled the mourners

January 2, 2022   

The Chief Rabbi, Rabbi David Lau, who last week paid a condolence visit to the family home of the late writer Chaim Walder, who was found dead next to his son's grave in the Segula cemetery in Petah Tikva, after harsh testimonies were published about serious acts he committed against women and children - received severe criticism for this from media members and public figures. Did you divide? For thousands of years we dreamed of Jerusalem, so now we want to dirty it? On Saturday: The mother rested, the child pulled the trigger – and was hospitalized in serious condition Are you crazy? Is your child unprotected? One in every 150 children who contracted the virus was hospitalized This evening (Sunday), his office distributed a letter of response to the condolence meeting he held at the Walder family home in Bnei Brak and the attack on it. "I received your request and it seems worth clarifying things to make them clear," the rabbi wrote to the person who sent him a letter of protest. "Unfortunately, there were those who interpreted the fact that I condoled widows and orphans whom I know personally, and there is no need to exaggerate what they are going through, as if I do not sympathize with the victims. "Therefore, it is important for me to clarify: Even in these days, my heart is given to the victims. Who are going through very difficult days and we must all always stand by their side, and at this time in particular, I have full confidence in everyone who has been harmed. To my great regret, these injuries exist at many levels of society and the cry of the victims whose souls are being murdered cries out to us." The Chief Rabbi emphasizes: "No harassment or harm should be allowed to become an agenda item. These acts must be rooted out and eradicated from all, as I have read more than once. In any case where there is a concern about an indecent act or harassment, it is mandatory to complain to the authorities about these things and not to hide them, as I have also instructed in cases that have been approached to me. "I have said these things at many conferences and will reiterate and emphasize them at every opportunity. "In the hope that such serious things will never be heard within our borders again." Public relations officer Rani Rahav responded to the criticism leveled at the Chief Rabbi: "It is good that the rabbi went to comfort the family. The family is not guilty of anything, as far as they are concerned, they lost a father. Therefore, it is important that the rabbi comforted regardless of the matter itself. In comforting, there is, God forbid, no one-sided support for anything.".