Jook Justice: Cockroach Clears Israeli Courtroom

They say the wheels of justice turn slowly, but today's delay in a Tel-Aviv Courthouse was unexpected. The reason: A cockroach caused a panic in the courtroom, and the proceedings were abruptly halted.

It all started out as a regular hearing on the extension of holding time for a suspect that was brought to court. During the proceedings, the court stenographer started to shriek. A quick check revealed her screams were not due to an escaped fugitive or a rather harsh sentence, but due to a brown cockroach under the frightened stenographer's desk.

Even Judge Jilia Ravid, who is considered a rather hardened judge, fled the courtroom to her private chambers for 5 minutes, till the roach was apprehended and removed.

The court policemen personally apprehended the roach with his bare hands, and bravely removed it's squashed corpse from the courtroom.

source in Hebrew, Mako/Channel 2 News.

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Rabbi Refuses to Bless Traffic Offender

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, one of Israel's most noted Ultra Orthodox Rabbis was approached by a yeshiva student involved in a traffic violation for a blessing, and the Rabbi refused.

Following is the transcript of the discussion between the 2, (originally in Hebrew, here)

Student: Honored Rabbi, I have a trial next week and they want to imprison me. Would the Rabbi please bless me to save me from this?

R' Kanievsky: What is the trial about?

Student: I was caught driving without a license after I crashed into a wall

R' Kanievsky: So you're actually a murderer! Actually, they should put you in jail. That would be very good.

Student (yelling): Why? G-d forbid, I didn't kill anyone, and I didn't even hurt anyone. I just had a small car accident between myself and a wall.

R' Kanievsky: But you were driving without a driver's license, were you not?

Student: Yes

R' Kanievsky: So are you called a real killer. You could have had an accident involving people.

Student: But I know how to drive well. Besides this could hurt [my chances] for a shidduch and yeshiva [study]

R' Kanievsky: There is no such thing as "know" [how to drive]. Without a license you don't know how to drive. Regarding shidduchim, its smart not to want you, you're dangerous.

Student: I really regret [my actions]. I just want the Rabbi to give me a blessing to save me in the trial.

R' Kanievsky: What do you regret? If you get a car tomorrow, you won't drive it? You will! Its best for you to sit in jail and study, "do not murder."

Student: Would the Rabbi bless me if I promise to be more careful starting today?

R' Kanievsky: I cannot bless you. May G-d help that you be sentenced [by the court] with whatever is best for you.


Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד