By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, the Chabad Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites of Israel, had a check for $100,000 given to his office on Wednesday.
A quick investigation had the person admitting that his son, a Yeshiva bochur, has a habit of opening personal notes placed in the Kotel.
The father claimed that his son was praying at 3 AM and one of the notes he opened was a U.S. check made out to “the holy kotel.”
Rabinovich told COLlive.com: “We take extra care in maintaining the privacy of worshipers, including the confidentiality of prayer notes that are in the Western Wall.”
He added, “If there was any truth in the story (that the check was really found in the Kotel), this is a one-time happening, and is to be regretted – making sure it shall not be repeated.”
As Chairman of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Rabinowitz has transferred the case for investigation by the Israeli police.
In July 2008, U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama placed a prayer note in the Kotel which was removed by a Yeshiva bochur who sold it to the Maariv newspaper.
The newspaper published the note, prompting criticism from other news sources and from Rabbi Rabinovitch for violating the privacy that is inherent in notes placed in the Kotel.
UPDATE – 5:34 PM:
The check was apparently a hoax of the bochur. His motives were not explained.
“It is not clear what would motivate a chareidi youngster to joke during the Nine Days,” said an official at the Western Wall Heritage Foundation.
moshiach now moshiach now moshiach now!
i think the boy needs help hes crying out for attention please someone help him
but i like the joke about the three funeral attendees, number 9. very good.
i wouldent put my letter in at least rip it up
but what does this have to do with the nine days
…
Clearly this bochur is BORED and craving attentiona nd limelight. Get a job or sit and learn.
INSANE COMPLETELY!!!!
BS:D Maybe it was meant to be found I mean what would the purpose be just to leave a check.Reminds me of the joke of an Italian, a Polish and a Yid went to a funeral,The Italian threw 100 bucks into the grave, the Polish man another $100 and the Yid wrote a check for $300 and took the $200 as change
then give it to me. I can surely use it… Ha ha…
Let’s keep the cheque and have moshiach as well. Let’s all be fun and merry and drink l’chaim and mushke and welcome Melech HaMoshiach even before 9th of Av comes along.
to # 6. Do you really want moshiach? or, do you prefer the check?
because i dont mind just taking it..
why would s/o do that hello s/t called PRIVACY excists
we need moshiach
well dont open other ppls letters……………. hope he didnt keep it
its a lie
crazy