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17 Cheshvan 5760 - October 27, 1999 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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News
Thousands Greet Rabbi Kornblit Upon Release from Prison

by Betzalel Kahn

On 9 Cheshvan, over 30,000 people welcomed Rabbi Shmuel Kornblit upon his release from prison. Rabbi Kornblit, who completed two-thirds of his prison term, was greeted with dancing and singing.

Beginning at 7 p.m., thousands gathered at the corner of Sarei Yisroel and Malchei Yisroel in anticipation of Rabbi Kornblit's arrival. When he arrived -- directly from prison -- he was hoisted on the shoulders of the throng and led to Kikar Shabbos with dancing and singing.

Thousands had already assembled at Kikar Shabbos. When the procession reached the square, over an hour of dancing took place. The square's walls had been decorated with colorful posters, which read, "Boruch Matir Asurim" and the square was illuminated by many lights.

After the dancing, speeches were delivered by Rav Arye Shechter, who took advantage of the opportunity to arouse the assembled to do teshuva in light of the many calamities which have recently beset the chareidi community.

Rabbi Avrohom Yosef Lazerson, who had extended much assistance to R' Kornblit during his prison term, was also invited to speak. In his speech, he noted that R' Kornblit's conviction was part of the High Court's war against our sacred Torah, and that chareidi Jewry would remain staunch in its defense of our faith.

The dancing continued for a long time. At the end of the reception, Rabbi Kornblit visited a number of gedolei Yisroel in their homes, and continued to do so the following day. He thanked them profusely for having encouraged and visited him while he was in prison.

The trials of five yeshiva students who say that they happened to pass by the area of the arson a short while after it occurred, are still pending in the courts. Every day, they are forced to remain under house arrest from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. This situation will continue until their trials, which are liable to extend over many months.


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