Western Wall rabbi apologizes to Obama for publication of note - wishes all his prayers come true

[sabra]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3575001,00.html

The rabbi overseeing the Western Wall, Shmuel Rabinowitz, sent a letter on Tuesday to US Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, in which he expressed his sorrow over the removal of the note written by Obama from the wall and its subsequent publication in local media.

In addition, the Yeshiva student who removed Obama’s note from the Wall also apologized and asked for Obama’s forgiveness. He said the note had been returned to its place with Rabinowitz’s help.

In the letter, Rabinowitz wrote that as the Western Wall and Holy Sites Rabbi he deeply regrets the aberrant act.

...

He also said that many people visit the Western Wall; Jews and non-Jews alike and their honor and the honor of their prayers are top priority.

...

Rabinowitz reassured the Democratic senator that his prayer has not been harmed and is not damaged by the publication. He also wished Obama that all his prayers come true.

[madaboutharry]

1. Sometimes someone does do the right thing.

I think the Rabbi handled the situation very well.

This Yeshiva student is now in more trouble than most people understand. He is now notorious in his own religious community and this stupid act is going to follow him the rest of his life. I am serious when I say that he is now going to have trouble finding someone to marry him.

[sabra]

2. I am impressed in how Rabbi Rabinowitz handled this situation

and find his letter encouraging...

[roguevalley]

19. ah. this is a nice post, this OP. that student had better learn to be a

good man. This is all sad.

[DavidDvorkin]

3. So all those notes that have been stuffed into the Wall -- are they all still there?

A lot of people have been doing this for a long time. Are they never removed? They're all still jammed in there?

I have to admit that I never thought about that before, but now I'm wondering.

[nc4bo]

9. I read somewhere but remembered wrongly. But got it now ;)

I'll try to find the link again, I didn't save it.

Found it:

"Prayer notes at the Wall should remain private," a campaign aide said.

The paper added that is was "pleased" with its "journalistic accomplishment."

Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovich condemned the removal of the note.

"Notes placed in the Wall are removed twice a year, on the eve of the Jewish New Year and Pessah, and placed in a special repository for religious items, under supervision to keep them hidden from human eyes," he said in a statement.

"Notes which are placed in the Western Wall are between the person and his Maker; Heaven forbid that one should read them or use them in any way. The custom of placing notes between the stones of the Western Wall is ancient and is used as a means of expression by a person praying to his Creator.

"This sacrilegious action deserves sharp condemnation and represents a desecration of the holy site."

On Sunday, Rabinovich returned the note to the Kotel.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331112489&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[DavidDvorkin]

10. Thanks!

I was sure they couldn't all still be there.

[roguevalley]

20. yeah. they are buried whole like old Torahs. they are considered holy.

[Giant Robot]

4. Once in a while

It is just nice to hear of someone doing the right thing. Thank you Rabbi Rabinowitz.

[grantcart]

5. the first 6 words of his prayer made me feel an overwhelming sense of sadness

[Lisa0825]

6. Me too. nt

[polichick]

7. What a burden he has!

[lmbradford]

13. Where can I find it?

I would be glad to let the prayer be private but now that half the world knows what he said in the prayer, I find my curiosity is demanding that I not be one of the people who is ignorant of the contents. Does that make sense?

[Common Sense Party]

15. Google. Here's what it said:

Lord,

Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins and help me guard against pride and despair.

Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just.

And make me an instrument of your will.

[Cha]

8. That was just strange..that someone like a Yeshiva student

would do that but glad it's coming full circle.

[starroute]

11. My guess is that he's like some of the fundamentalists here

People who think that being religious makes it okay to do things that ordinary folks would instantly recognize as immoral. That pattern is universal.

[rockymountaindem]

12. I think it's mostly a young person doing something dumb for fun

It's just that for him, his prank took on a religious nature.

[cyndensco]

14. They talked about the prayer on The View today.

Whoopie reported that either Obama or his staff actually released the prayer to the press. I hope their account is incorrect - I was rather saddened by their story. Kind of politics-as-usual. Whatever happened, I bet the MSM will run with the story and paint Obama as an opportunist.

[nsd]

17. The View's account is false.

Obama didn't release the prayer. It was stolen from the wall by a student who gave it to a newspaper. The student has since apologized and the prayer as been returned to the wall.

Read this thread and, if you can, contact The View to demand a retraction:
DU link

[cyndensco]

18. Thanks. I will do that and will watch to make sure they retract it.

It bothered me as an ardent Obama supporter. I can imagine how it may have appeared to voters who are undecided. They MUST retract it.

[Coexist]

16. .