New York – The Rabbinical Council of America has released a statement saying that both the President and Executive Vice-President of the RCA met with Rabbi Yisrael Belsky to hear, first-hand, his views on the case of Yosef Kolko—who recently pleaded guilty to molesting a young boy—and that they were pleased to hear that, despite his personal feelings that Kolko is innocent, Rabbi Belsky “favors” the reporting of abuse cases to civil authorities without seeking prior rabbinical permission.
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Released on the RCA website (http://bit.ly/10c6NK3), the RCA expresses its “appreciation” to Belsky for complying with their request that he state his views in a follow-up letter to be made public.
The RCA goes on to say that, while it disagrees with Belsky’s views on the Kolko case, Belsky’s “clarification” of his views will go a long way towards helping victims in the future.
I don’t understand. He’s saying that even if you think someone is innocent, you should still report them? The article needs to clarify that point.
Let me get this straight. Kolko pled guilty to a heinous despicable crime and Rabbi Belsky still thinks he’s innocent?
Naflaw Ateret Rosheinu
BH Rav Belsky clarified he generally supports going to the authorities. I was really wondering what he could be thinking. I understand a great man could mistakenly believe in someone’s innocence, but if he held one should never go to the police I really wouldn’t know what to think. I know Rav Belsky a little and (not that he needs my recommendation) he is a immense Talmid Chacham and a deeply human and empathetic individual. It is deeply frightening to see how someone much more intelligent than myself could be wrong about someone’s guilt in this area.
Very hard to believe that a posek like Rav Belsky should say that.But if he say so that’s its his pesak and most poskim hold differently.It must be asked on a case by case otherwise there will be total hefker velt.
You may all attack me but as Jew i must think of Jewish blood and my brothers blood is not hefker to throw a Jew for 20-30-40-50 years in jail
Why does he believe that Kolko is innocent and where do his beliefs even come into play. I cannot understand how he had the audacity to behave the way he did based on his very own beliefs. Sadly, there is much that is wrong with our rabbonim!
As if rabbi, belsky needs the haskoma of the rca.
So, because HE “feels that kolko is innocent”, the case should have been closed, correct? And what happened because of this? A family was driven out of town. Will Rav Belsky and the other 9 “rabbonim” ever ask mechila?? Nooooooo!!! Why? Because they all “feel that kolko is innocent”.
reporting abuse cases to civil authorities without prior rabbinical permission is messira! no rabbinical organization, and no rabbi, ac NOBODY can decide against the shulchan oruch!
don’t get me wrong, if there’s REAL evidence, witnesses there wouldn’t be a problem to get this permission! just rem the case of Jesse Friedman
The RCA would have been better off “meeting” with the Rosh Yeshiva and keeping their big mouths shut. There was no reason to come out publicly to say what was said to them OR they could have left half of it out!
All this does now, is give the bloodsuckers continuing fodder.
Rav Belsky as far as I know does not hold that one should contact the authorities without asking a Sheila and getting a heter to do so. Rav Belsky supposedly issued a very strong public letter in the Yosef Kolko case where he referred to the accuser and his family as Mosrim. Rav Belskys position on this matter is difficult to understand and seems to contradict what other major poskim including Rav Elyashiv have said in regard to these matters. Rav Belsky also seems to hold that these matters can be handled internally within the community without need to contact the police or courts and that a molestor can be controlled by Rabbonim who can keep an eye on him. It is difficult to have respect for “Daas Torah” when it so clearly clashes with common sense.
Jun 12, 2013 — The RCA remains steadfast in combating and condemning all forms of abuse. We are encouraged by the process that led to the guilty plea of Yosef Kolko, an Orthodox Jew who pleaded guilty for the sexual molestation of a young boy. For many years the RCA has condemned the efforts of many parts of the Jewish community to cover up or ignore allegations of abuse, viewing these efforts as against Jewish law, illegal, and irresponsible to the welfare of victims and the greater community. The RCA strongly advocates, as a matter of Jewish law, the reporting of reasonable suspicions of all forms of child abuse to the civil authorities and full cooperation with the criminal justice system. The RCA decries any invocation of Jewish law or communal interests as tools in silencing victims or witnesses from reporting abuse or from receiving therapeutic and communal support.
Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, President of the RCA, and Rabbi Mark Dratch, Executive Vice President of the RCA, concerned with the reported position of Rabbi Yisrael Belsky in the Kolko case met with Rabbi Belsky. Rabbi Belsky stated that based upon his knowledge of the case, which he explained at length, he deeply belie
How many hallahic decisions did he pass based on personal feelings over his ability to observe and analyze facts and evidence with an open mind? Seems like he wants to believe the best of his friend no matter what.
to # 3 what does immense talmud chochom mean you must be a bt
“Rabbi Belsky “favors” the reporting of abuse cases to civil authorities without seeking prior rabbinical permission.”
The letter does not state that at all, he does say that it needs to be first hand knowledge and that then it’s appropriate to report, nothing about not asking a ruv.
So the rabbi has to have “firsthand knowledge?” This means what, he actually witnessed it himself? How often is that likely to happen? And who is a rabbi to judge “credible evidence?” If he knows the family, he won’t be as likely to think it credible. Or if, chas vshalom, the accused’s mother’s brother’s father’s sister’s grand-daughter was once seen not covering her hair while married, then kal vachomer its credible.
Rabbi Belsky thinks Kolko is innocent? When Torah Vodaath employed Kolko in the elementary English Dept. and he wanted to take kids on personal trips, they fired him!