Kolel Shomre Hachomos Names Gemach for Martin Grossman
First report: [Click here to view the ad.] The accolades and tributes to Martin Grossman following his recent execution have surprised many people, and in the latest undertaking, Matzav.com has learned that Kolel Shmore Hachomos-Reb Meir Baal Hanes, headquartered at 18 Heyward Street in Williamsburg, has founded a free loan fund in memory of Mr. Grossman, Michoel Yechiel ben Avrohom.
In a paid advertisement announcing the dedication, the Kolel states:
We tried, Reb Michoel Yechiel Grossman a”h, to save your body from harm, but miShomayim it was otherwise decreed. However, for your neshama, there is salvation.
Your name has been inscribed in the keren kayemes of Kolel Shomre Hachomos in Yerushalayim. For this coming year till Adar 5771, Mishnayos will be learned, Kaddish will be said, and a lecht will be lit in your memory.
Dear Acheinu bnei Yisroel, since Reb Michoel Yechiel a”h did not leave any children nor close religious relatives, our board of directors have initiated a special “Free Loan Fund,” “Gemach Michoel Yechiel ben R’ Avrohom Grossman a”h,” which will serve as a loaning gemach to those in need in Yerushalayim. Each time money will be spent from this gemach, it’ll be a zechus and an aliyah for his neshama
The advertisement goes on to provide an address and phone numbers to send “your generous contributions,” adding that “Especially in this upcoming month of Nissan before Pesach when millions are distributed and $1,000,000 from the gemach will be loaned, your donation will make a difference.”
Mr. Grossman was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Margaret “Peggy” Park, a Florida wildlife officer who was shot with her own gun in 1984 when he was 19 years old.
Mr. Grossman was the 69th person executed in Florida since the death penalty was reinstated in the sunshine state in 1979. He was the 25th by lethal injection.
Jew around the world wrote to Florida Governor Crist, asking him for a 60-day stay of execution for Mr. Grossman, but the Governor ignored the requests to allow Grossman to repay his debt to society by serving the rest of his life in prison. Separately, 200 organizations, Jewish and non-Jewish, sent Governor Crist a petition requesting the stay of the execution, in order to properly file an official request for clemency.
{Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}
113 Responses to “Kolel Shomre Hachomos Names Gemach for Martin Grossman”
2. Comment from gevalt
Time March 3, 2010 at 4:35 PM
sick…sick….sick..but at least I can cross them off of my tzedakah list!
3. Comment from Thank you
Time March 3, 2010 at 4:40 PM
I will IYH NOT be giving any money to Kollel Shomrei Hachomos anymore. I am disgusted.
4. Comment from mythoughts
Time March 3, 2010 at 4:40 PM
How twisted have we become? “Reb Michoel Yechiel” Feh!
5. Comment from Im in shock
Time March 3, 2010 at 4:42 PM
When a chashover Tzaddik Kollel Yungerman dies leaving over yesomim Kollel Shomrei Hachomos does nothing yet when a convicted murderer gets executed they open a gmach lzecher nishmaso? What on earth?
6. Comment from Please please please
Time March 3, 2010 at 4:43 PM
Please please tell me this is a post Purim joke?
7. Comment from A real Jew
Time March 3, 2010 at 4:44 PM
Matzav please provide the phone number of this organization. I would like to speak to them regarding this insanity.
8. Comment from Reb
Time March 3, 2010 at 4:46 PM
They have got to be kidding me. I paskened that the death penalty is a sad but necessary means of executing justice in a society and this is what they do? Nebech.
9. Comment from great
Time March 3, 2010 at 4:46 PM
Who doesn’t need zechusim more than him.
10. Comment from ha ha ha ha
Time March 3, 2010 at 4:50 PM
This is a Purim gag, right?
I have to go. The Jeffrey Dahmer Community Center near me is having a party.
11. Comment from In shock
Time March 3, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Please call them up and find out who “o.k.”d this.
12. Comment from Jack
Time March 3, 2010 at 4:58 PM
A new kollel will be opened up Lizecher Nishmas Reb Bugsy Siegel, and Reb Dutch Schultz who were both killed at a young age. Donations may be sent to the kollel that is leraning lezecher nishmas these Heiligeh nishomas.
13. Comment from Armageddon is Approaching
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:01 PM
Ein ladavar sof…
14. Comment from Bubby
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:02 PM
Someone there is still under the influence of ‘ad d’lo yoda!’
15. Comment from Anonymous
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:03 PM
wow. what a sick message this sends that honor someone who murdered. sad. very sad day for us, i hope this doesnt cause further backlash
16. Comment from matzav on top of the matzav
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:12 PM
matzav on top of the matzav
maybe this will be hanging in the bmg coffee room like yesterday’s story on touro, with the whole place hocking
17. Comment from Armageddon is Approaching
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:20 PM
#7:
Try (718) 243-2495.
18. Comment from Honestly Frum
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:23 PM
Olam Hafuch. Why not name a kollel for someone who did some good with their life, not a cop killer?
19. Comment from Tanna Kamma
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:25 PM
Let’s not forget that he did repent & express remorse, he can certainly use some good merits now.
Also, lets not forget his troubled upbringing, “Don’t judge a person until you reach his position”
20. Comment from Anonymous
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:27 PM
whats next? [deleted by moderator]
21. Comment from Teimini
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:33 PM
Matzav - Where can we find the address to make a contribution to this tzedaka l’zecher nishmas Michoel Yechiel z”l?
This is a wonderful and beautiful mitzvah for this meis mitzvah.
22. Comment from A. Kagan
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:37 PM
Baruch Hashem! Reb Michoel Yechiel A”H was niftar al kiddish hashem and died a Yid and Baal Teshuva.
It is truly heartwarming to see our caring brothers thinking of his memory.
23. Comment from velv
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:38 PM
Thank You Matzav. I would not have known of this very worthy cause otherwise.
I am making a donation of $500 and urge my Yiddishe brethren to do likewise.
24. Comment from Yeruchem
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:39 PM
Do I need to specify that my donation is to be directed L’Zecher Nishmas Reb Michoel Yechiel ben Avrohom hy’d?
Also, where can I mail the check to??
25. Comment from Arnold Streicher
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:44 PM
I have tears swelling in my eyes reading this truly amazing Kiddush Hashem. What other nation on earth would treat one of their own, such as this, as a true brother?
Only Acheinu Bnei Yisroel!!
Yasher Koach Reb Meir Baal Hanes!!
I wish I could make a sizable contribution, but due to the economy will only be able to send in $18.00.
26. Comment from Anonymous
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:48 PM
imagine the jewish outcry if the goyim established a gemach
in honor of the guy who killed old man mr gerstle in washington heights
27. Comment from Ma Rabbi
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:51 PM
Reply to “Reb Time”
You “paskened” Are you a big Rav? Are you greater than the GEDOLIM who said we had an obligation to try and save his life. Reading some of the sarcastic comments here is making me sick. It seems that a lot of Yidden have forgotten the importance of Ahavas Yisroel.
28. Comment from response to #15
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:52 PM
Excuse me, don’t judge a person until you reach his position? I’m going to hope that I don’t wind up stealing a gun, beating a woman with her heavy flashlight and then shooting her in the head.
Why, is this something you’ve been afraid you’d do?
29. Comment from My contribution
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:54 PM
I’m going to make a donation to a charity in honor of the woman he murdered, and I’m certainly not going to do anything for a charity in her killer’s name!
It’s official, we’ve lost our minds.
30. Comment from reply to # 24
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:55 PM
When you call him “Reb” you cause a lot of tzar to his neshama because they will be dan him like a Reb instead of a nebach. Regarding HY”D what does that mean? More people should die? Maybe the whole Parks family should die, will that make you happy?
31. Comment from To Shomrei Hachomos
Time March 3, 2010 at 5:59 PM
How dare they dirty the name of the Holy Tanah Rab Meir Baal Haneiss by associating their Tzedaka with a murderer???!!!
32. Comment from To all the confused
Time March 3, 2010 at 6:02 PM
Let’s not forget that he took a human life. Just because you think he had an excuse (a very very poor one at that) does not take away the fact that he murdered a young woman with an entire productive life ahead of her. Calling him Reb or Zichrono Livracha (what bracha!) is an abomination and likely a Chillul Hashem.
33. Comment from To # 26
Time March 3, 2010 at 6:05 PM
Finally a sane comment!
34. Comment from embarrassed
Time March 3, 2010 at 6:07 PM
Once again members of our community have gone out of their way to embarrass the rest of us. When will it stop?
35. Comment from mazel tov
Time March 3, 2010 at 6:19 PM
I just looked up their contact info on their website. Instead of us all arguing about them behind their backs, first of all, why don’t you call them to see if it’s true?
Secondly complain to them or ask them why they did so?
If it’s all a possible hoax (post Purim joke as in the made up story about the Kosel ads) then we are smearing their name for no reason!!!
PHONE: DAYTIME
Until 7:00 pm …………………… 718.243-2495
Toll-Free …………..1-888-876-MEIR(6347)
Fax:(24 hours) ………………….718.243.2499
Email: ……………….rebmeir@thejnet.com
Online ……………….www.kshauction.org
36. Comment from shani109@aol.com
Time March 3, 2010 at 6:23 PM
Whats next?maybe they will name a yeshiva after him to? I will not send a penny to this gemach.
37. Comment from Think torahdig
Time March 3, 2010 at 6:27 PM
Why are we still lynching this guy he died already revenge was exercised by the parks family and so be it. why say reb michoel ben reb avraham why make cynicil remarks like these why are they calling him reb he wasnt a rabbi and make a gemach well why not but make sure its explained that its for a person who died without children and so the gmach is in essence for a mais mitzvah who was on his way to becoming a full b.t. And the commenters upset that a gemach and kadish and mishnayis was set up for him when many people die with yisoimim without this being done for them, well sir you are blinded here cuz martin has no yisoimim here noone to say kadish and noone to learn for him and no zchusim by kids or even relatives carrying on in the straight path for him and he has alot of chiloini years to get a kapuru for, and so yes he needs this gimach more then you could imagine and for those still calling him a murderous cop killer well I guess a ainoi yehudi cop killed is more serious then a yehudi killed and even if lets say he was a brutal man does his nishama lishetuschem not deserve a kapuru more then anyone else and even if you say oh you are giving kuvoid to a rushu which might backlash against yiden in the long run well I am sorry but a yids poor soul in need of a kapuru takes precedence over here
38. Comment from Old “logic”
Time March 3, 2010 at 6:35 PM
This is a real chessed shel emmett. Grossman probally needs a tikun neshamot too. Any zchut donated to him is a real chessed for such a poor neshama.
39. Comment from red
Time March 3, 2010 at 6:45 PM
I called at 5pm.The person who answered the phone told me to call tomorrow and ask for rabbi meyer.
my pushka has $300 in it.I will send it to the organization as it is technically their property.Tomorrow it goes into the garbage.
I will also speak with my friend who holds a big parlor meeting in his house every year.Knowing him as well as I do,there will be no parlor meetings anymore.
40. Comment from kol hamoser din al chaveiro hu yeenash techillah
Time March 3, 2010 at 6:46 PM
What is the big deal. He was a baal teshuva who had no relatives. His crime was immense but wheere is rachamim. Misah is mechaper. Can he have no zechusim? A yid is a yid.
41. Comment from moshe
Time March 3, 2010 at 6:46 PM
Where is Daas Torah on this???????
42. Comment from Mandy
Time March 3, 2010 at 7:08 PM
Hey number 10!
After you are done, let’s hang out at the Lemrick Nelson gemach for pogrom victims.
43. Comment from Dave S.
Time March 3, 2010 at 7:13 PM
Reading some of these hate comments has encouraged me to participate fully in this tzedakah with a large contribution.
44. Comment from Chaim
Time March 3, 2010 at 7:17 PM
Reb Michoel Yechiel zechrono l’vrocho dies a TZADDIK having done teshuva prior to him being killed.
45. Comment from Orthowatch.blogspot.com
Time March 3, 2010 at 7:18 PM
I’m going to donate 10 million dollars!
What’s that? I’m joking? Yes, but they started it.
46. Comment from Chillul Hashem-give to others instead
Time March 3, 2010 at 7:30 PM
What a disgrace.
They should be boycotted. Any Shuls or individuals that have their pushkas should send them back in protest. There are plenty of other tzedokos to give too.
P.S. Why don’t they have a fund for Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were executed too?
Maybe add in one for Meyer Lansky for good measure.
Chillul Hashem, an organization with such irresponsible policy should not be trusted with holy tzedokko funds.
47. Comment from Anonymous
Time March 3, 2010 at 7:42 PM
after matzav reported it some others have “confirmed” it
what else is new
48. Comment from The Rav
Time March 3, 2010 at 7:46 PM
I just wrote out an 18 million dollar check to Shomrei Hachomos.
49. Comment from bb
Time March 3, 2010 at 7:48 PM
#26 and #31 are right.
It seems that if you’re Jewish some of us will explain away any abhorrant behavior which they wouldn’t do had the murderer been of a diff. race. Not only that, Grossman gets to be the victim under the ruthless Gov.
However for G-d fearing Jews (who might make a mistake or two),if they don’t have you’re shitta (not against Tzionism, diff. political party, etc.) boy are you gonna get it.
50. Comment from The Rav
Time March 3, 2010 at 7:52 PM
I wrote on the check that from now on, Reb Michoel Yechiel is to be referred to as Raban Shel Kol Bnei Hagolah.
51. Comment from Rabbi Dovid Helfman
Time March 3, 2010 at 7:53 PM
Reb Michoel Yechiel ben Avrohom Grossman a’h died a pure and holy neshama.
52. Comment from The Rav
Time March 3, 2010 at 7:56 PM
to comment 24 yeruchom: you are asking very sharp, just the way I like. Just one question though: do you know what hy”d means, or did you see it in a book and think all Jews get it after their name?
53. Comment from Aaron
Time March 3, 2010 at 8:02 PM
Any Yid can do teshuva for ANY aveira.
Reb Martin did teshuva.
He deserves the zechusim Klal Yisroel established in his memory.
54. Comment from Harry Berkowitz
Time March 3, 2010 at 8:07 PM
Yidden are Rachamim bnei Rachamim.
From some of the comments here, I would question that.
Reb Michoel Yechiel z’l is our brother.
Show some brotherly love to him, your brother.
Despite everything.
Not even considering his deep regret and teshuva for his act 25 years ago, which he expressed.
Everyone is entitled to do teshuva. Everyone is entitled for their teshuva to be accepted. By the RBS”O and by his brothers.
55. Comment from mazel tov
Time March 3, 2010 at 8:22 PM
To all those who spoke of boycotting them, call them at least before you do so. I already posted their contact information. Ask if it’s true (I tried to call but it was too late for today) and certainly just like you think they should have asked daas Torah before doing so (if it’s true) then you certainly SHOULD ask daas Torah before boycotting them or canceling their parlor meeting in your home.
Nebach- the poor Israeli recipients who count on you for your check to R Meir Bal Hanes- they have nothing to do with what their benefactor is named for!
are you so sure of yourself that you are l’shem Shamayim too????
56. Comment from bb
Time March 3, 2010 at 8:32 PM
The point is not if Grossman’s death was mechaper, he did teshuva etc. We are not the judge, Hashem is.
The point here is why are people putting him on a platform? What message they are sending their kids?
I have just read an article in a heimishe publication explaining why he did what he did and of the hard life he had as a child. What was the point of the article ? To excuse his actions. Such an act should be unexcusable, unthinkable and uncromprehendable for our children and ourselves.
57. Comment from cut him some slack
Time March 3, 2010 at 8:35 PM
True, he murdered, over 20 years ago. According to many grossman did die having done tshuva. Why all the hateful comments? With no relatives remaining it is our job as a whole to give the man the chance to make it somewhere in olam haba
58. Comment from Reply to # 50
Time March 3, 2010 at 8:39 PM
Is that it? He was a Tzaddik Yesod olam the likes of which the world hasn’t seen since the time of the Rishonim!
59. Comment from Reply to # 34
Time March 3, 2010 at 8:49 PM
Don’t expect it to stop we are a Dor Yosom we are so lost.
60. Comment from Anonymous
Time March 3, 2010 at 8:52 PM
There is absolutely nothing wrong with creating a zchus for someone who left this world after not having lived in a way that would have created zchusim for him to take along with him. Indeed, it would be a good idea to have one special “Anonymous Yidden” fund and quietly have in mind Mr. Grossman and others like him.
The outcry we are witnessing here from so many thoughtfull Jews is because this organization were oiber-chachomim and thought that they would capitalize on a news item. They might have dedicated a fund to the victims of the Haiti earthquake if they would have thought it would bring in the bucks.
Our tzibur is sensitive to such an abuse of trust. We trust our mosdos to not act reckless and compromise all that we stand for. Lets not lose the once respected mosad of Kolel Shomrei HaChomos as they take the same road…
61. Comment from yes
Time March 3, 2010 at 8:58 PM
ישראל שחטא ישראל הוא !בין כך ובין כל בני הם !
62. Comment from Wow
Time March 3, 2010 at 9:05 PM
And to think I used to give money to this organization! Pheh!
63. Comment from yes
Time March 3, 2010 at 9:06 PM
his נשמה has a part of GOD ! just as yours !חלק א-ל-ה-י ממעל how do we speak on him by now he is no body just a נשמה ! so i don”t know what he is i don”t speak
64. Comment from Nate
Time March 3, 2010 at 9:14 PM
Lets have a [deleted by moderator] g’mach. I’m sure they all did teshuva!
65. Comment from anonymous
Time March 3, 2010 at 9:37 PM
For everyone who made a comment against this, go ask mechila of the organization, and go ask mechila of R’ Michoel Yechiel ben Avrohom. How dare you call yourself Jewish?! How precious is a Jewish Neshama?! And you have the chutzpah to make comments on a public forum?! I’m sad that this is what things have come to, a Jew is a Jew is a Jew. No matter what someone ever did, he is a Jew. If he has done teshuva by dying (as many have said) and thats good enough for HKB”H, is it not good enough for you? Are you better than Hashem?! I think you had better rethink things next time you define yourself as a Frum Jew, because thats one thing you definitely arent.
66. Comment from TO # 65
Time March 3, 2010 at 9:56 PM
Stop romanticizing this man’s story. The baal teshuvah bit was purposely played up by his defense attorney and the Chabad rabbi as a last ditch effort to save him. Grossman sure did not look like a baal teshuvah and his last meal of treife chicken proved that The Chabad rabbi went out of his way to help him put on tefillin and had him say “Shema” before his execution, which is noble. However, let’s not get carried away here. Most murderers on death row find religion in prison, whether through a rabbi, a priest or an imam.
67. Comment from Anonymous
Time March 3, 2010 at 10:09 PM
What next, will they name a yeshiva after him to? He is a criminal, a murderer, since when do we exalt a murderer? Are they all deranged?
68. Comment from rav papa
Time March 3, 2010 at 10:52 PM
bemakom shebaal teshuvah omdim ein tzaddikim gemurim omdin.
69. Comment from lefty field
Time March 3, 2010 at 10:55 PM
how about madoff. start a gemach lillui nishmaso
70. Comment from litvish in BP
Time March 3, 2010 at 10:57 PM
i am a frum jew who lives ehrlich. will they ever start a gemach in my name?
what a disgraceful move.
71. Comment from Anon
Time March 3, 2010 at 11:05 PM
who cares what they named the gemach? that dfoesn;t matter.
what matters is that this guy became a “Reb”
are they joking? it is so sick, so so sick.
72. Comment from bmg coffee room next to the bulletin board with the Masa Umatan sign
Time March 3, 2010 at 11:14 PM
No doubt Martin Grossman had a big neshama and now has a big chaylek in Olam Haba. This is just another reminder we are still in Galus and if its not the entire nation who is hunted like in the times of Haman, then its an individual Yid today in Florida.
It was really beautiful though how jews from all over the world took thought, prayer, action and wrote, signed petitions or called to try to save a fellow Jew’s life
73. Comment from gershon
Time March 3, 2010 at 11:23 PM
may he rest in piece
74. Comment from My Take
Time March 3, 2010 at 11:25 PM
Giving charity is a very wonderful thing, but I’m not sure I would be comfortable giving tzedakah to a mosad that is in memory of a murderer.
75. Comment from גדול הדור
Time March 3, 2010 at 11:33 PM
חֲבָל עַל דְּאָבְדִין וְלָא מִשְׁתַּכְּחִין
76. Comment from wake up
Time March 3, 2010 at 11:33 PM
This whole fiasco is saddening and bewildering. It seems that many in the ‘frum’ community are seriously lacking in seichel.
Some people are making Martin out to be some kind of big tzaddik. That is ludicrous.
And now, ‘acharei-mos, kedoshim’ too? He is like - lihavdil elef havdolos - Rabbi Akiva??!!! Rachmono litzlon. Who came up with such rubbish?
The man was on death row for decades. Where were the people making all this noise then? Where was the Aleph institute?
An argument can also be made that the aggressive campaign backfired. We are in golus, let us not forget that. The agressive campaigns for Pollard, Rubashkin, and lihavdil Grossman, have not succeeded. Time to wake up and rethink things instead of continuing to waste so much energy in loud agressive campaigns.
We are a small group and must respect the law and government. We are taught by our sages to pray for the peace of the government, without which people would be in serious danger for their very continued existence. Some people forget that. Time to come back to earth.
77. Comment from WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW
Time March 3, 2010 at 11:34 PM
בנים למקום – שכל האומות חביבין שיש בהן צלם אלהים, ואף על פי כן כשירשיעו מאד – אפשר שיסתלק מהן הצלם, וכמו שאמרו חז”ל (מגילה דף כח ע”א) דאסור להסתכל בפני אדם רשע, שמע מינה דרוח הטומאה שורה עליו, כל שכן עובד כוכבים רשע. אבל ישראל, מדנקראים “בנים” אף כי פלחו לעבודה זרה (כקידושין לו ע”א) – שמע מינה דאף שחטאו אכתי בחביבותא קיימי (כחגיגה דף ה ע”ב), משום שדומין כביכול לאביהן, ואי אפשר שיתטמא אצלם הצלם מכל וכל. TIFERES YISREAL
78. Comment from עשגםך ישגםר
Time March 3, 2010 at 11:35 PM
לצערנו תמיד מצחיק לקרוא על יהדות בעיתונות הכללית, העיתונאים שלנו מפגינים בדרך כלל בורות מביכה בכל הקשור למושגים
79. Comment from Stuart J Feiner DDS
Time March 3, 2010 at 11:44 PM
Please commenters stop being so mean.
Please understand that what
Martin Grossman did was not premeditated.
80. Comment from Anonymous
Time March 3, 2010 at 11:46 PM
Aye Aye Aye Rav Michoel.
Aye Aye Aye
תהיה נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים
81. Comment from yeah baby
Time March 3, 2010 at 11:55 PM
“Even a fox, if it is his hour, bow down before him!” (מגילה ט”ז, ב’) …
82. Comment from WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW
Time March 4, 2010 at 12:08 AM
דברים אלו של המכילתא הובאו ב”כסף משנה”, הלכות רוצח ושמירת נפש, פ”ב הלכה י”א, לפרש את דברי הרמב”ם שם, שכתב:
ישראל שהרג גר תושב אינו נהרג עליו בבית דין, שנאמר “וכי יזיד איש על רעהו”, ואין צריך לומר שאינו נהרג על הנכרי.
83. Comment from Shmuel
Time March 4, 2010 at 12:09 AM
Yasher Koach to Kolel Shmore Hachomos for doing the correct thing, despite knowing the baalei letzanus would hit at them.
84. Comment from Lew
Time March 4, 2010 at 12:10 AM
This would be a perfect “in lieu of” of a shalach manos!
85. Comment from Anonymous
Time March 4, 2010 at 12:33 AM
may his neshama have an aliyah
86. Comment from MASHBAK
Time March 4, 2010 at 1:06 AM
Ungarishe seichel, glad it was not RMB”H Chibas Yerushalyim or RMB”H Kolel Polin.
87. Comment from Chaim
Time March 4, 2010 at 1:20 AM
May Reb Michoel Yechiel ben Avrohom hy’d be a malitz yosher for all of Klal Yisroel.
88. Comment from Menachem HaKohen
Time March 4, 2010 at 1:44 AM
Reb Michoel Yechiel zt’l died a TZADDIK. Anyone, no matter what he previously did in his life, can die a Tzaddik.
We can all learn this important lesson from Reb Michoel Yechiel.
89. Comment from Peggy Park OBM
Time March 4, 2010 at 2:04 AM
Peggy Park was the one who died al Kidush Hashem saving Lives, not Martin Grossman.
90. Comment from LOSHON
Time March 4, 2010 at 3:32 AM
MAY HE GO IN GAN EDEN HE WAS A YID LIKE ME AND YOU
91. Comment from Anonymous
Time March 4, 2010 at 4:51 AM
To bb #56
Did you never hear of mitigating circumstances??
We don’t excuse his act but there is a HUGE difference between a premeditated serial killer, and an epileptic, abused, orphaned kid.
If you don’t grasp this, I suggest you take some psychology courses.
92. Comment from Oi vey How can you dear talk like this
Time March 4, 2010 at 5:48 AM
he was a jew and he died a jew and he is our brother don’t matter what he did you want god should forgive you you gotta forgive him nobody is clean in this world so don’t be mkatrig
our father sees all these comments and is crying why his kids can write such things on my child that came back to me clean and had all his years a hard life blease brothers and sisters take out a mishneyis and say just one paruk for his neshumah\
thank you
93. Comment from Oi vey How can you dear talk like this
Time March 4, 2010 at 5:50 AM
FIN YETZT / START FROM NOW / M’ACHSHOV
THROW EVERYTHING AWAY AND START FIN YETZT
94. Comment from Show some real compassion..
Time March 4, 2010 at 8:12 AM
Start a Parks Gemach! Or can you only only name things after bad Jews?
95. Comment from bb
Time March 4, 2010 at 8:21 AM
To #91
That’s precisely why I believe psychology is a bunch of garbage. Always excusing everybody’s bad actions.
And don’t tell me about his childhood. I come from a dysfuntional, abusive family and my childhood history has been one of abuse and pain. However I’m still accountable for my actions.
I am not judging Martin Grossman, death is mechaper. I hope he is in Gan Eden now.
What I am saying is, what message are we sending for our kids when we go all out for someone who took away somebody’s life? If someone wants to do something privately for his neshoma I understand , but all this publicity? My personal opinion is that it takes away from the horror of just the thought of murder. It makes it all understandable and while it might not affect you personally, I believe this has a huge impact on our kids, the way they view the whole concept of murder.
Am I entitled to my opinion or am I a sonei Yisroel because of it?
96. Comment from Shocked
Time March 4, 2010 at 8:45 AM
I am shocked by the intense hatred being displayed on this website towards Reb Michoel, a”h. What happened to loving a fellow Jew? To the ones who call themselves Frum Jews, you are over the issur of hating another Jew in your heart. So, I would not call you frum Jews but pseudo Jews.
97. Comment from Tanna Kamma
Time March 4, 2010 at 9:41 AM
It seems many commenters are having difficulty differentiating between establishing a gemach for someone which serves as a merit for his soul, as opposed to glorifying someone’s memory e.g. naming a building after them.
98. Comment from Tzadik
Time March 4, 2010 at 10:03 AM
A person who was the biggest serial killer all his life can do teshuva at the last second of his life and be niftar as big of a tzadik as Rav Moshe Feinstein!
Recognize the gadlus of Reb Michoel Yechiel ben Avrohom!
99. Comment from tzippi
Time March 4, 2010 at 10:34 AM
TO 19 (Tanna Kamma): how about if people want to donate money anywhere as a zechus they donate it to an organization that deals with kids at risk, people with substance abuse problems, kiruv, etc. to ensure that no Jewish child goes down this trajectory again. (Suggestions include but are not limited to Projet YES, Friendship Circle, NCSY.)
It is flabbergasting, and a sign of the time that we’re not trying to sweep this under the rug and be as low key as possible, even if feeling inner pain over the genuine human tragedy of MG’s life.
I fear the possible chillul Hashem in how this step will be perceived, well meaning as those behind it may be.
100. Comment from The cops who murdered Gedione Bush
Time March 4, 2010 at 10:51 AM
If the Bais Hamikdash and the Sanhedrein were around, Martin would get Misa! He commited one of the 3 cardinal sins! I don’t recall any Gemach made for Yeravam ben Nevat, Acheir, Achav, etc… They were all Yidden. What ever happened to the famous Ger Tzedek - Avraham ben Avraham? Never saw a gemach in his name! It’s all missplaced Rachmonus! The whole thing stinks! Such Tipshus! Kollel Shomrei Chomos has too much time on their hands!
101. Comment from shocked
Time March 4, 2010 at 11:34 AM
This is a very low gimmick of Shomrei Hachomos to make money.
102. Comment from sammy
Time March 4, 2010 at 11:35 AM
#79 & #91 and others: It was most definitely premeditated first degree murder. At 4 years old, he had a couple of seizures when hospitalized for pneumonia. That’s it. That does not make him an epileptic. While he didn’t have the easiest life growing up, he was not abused and he was not an orphan. In fact, he still has relatives alive.
I wish people would stop repeating the lies about this case.
103. Comment from To #72
Time March 4, 2010 at 11:37 AM
you said “and if its not the entire nation who is hunted like in the times of Haman, then its an individual Yid today in Florida.”
Surely such foolishness cannot come from a Jewish mouth.
104. Comment from a poshiter yid
Time March 4, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Dear #86: Kolel Chibas Yerushlayim and others are run by serious ballai dass, not by wild people who are out to make a easy buck without thinking about ethics in fund-raising.
105. Comment from shocked
Time March 4, 2010 at 11:56 AM
This is a very disgusting gimmick to raise money for charity. How low can you get?
106. Comment from EXACTLY!
Time March 4, 2010 at 12:10 PM
WHY DON’T THEY MAKE A GMACH LZECHER NISHMAS THE 2 LITTLE BOYS THAT WERE RUN OVER BY CARS/BUSSES THE LAST FEW WEEKS????? THERE ARE 100’s OF DESERVING PEOPLE TO HAVE GEMACHS NAMED AFTER MAYBE THE BORGER CHASSAN OR SHUA FINKELSTEIN. THIS IS SO DEPRAVED ITS BEYOND WORDS!!!!!
107. Comment from Michali
Time March 4, 2010 at 3:09 PM
To all commenters against the gemach,
I emailed the Gemach organizationto express my support. Rabbi Shloma Mayer asked me to call him. After speaking with Rabbi Mayer, I was impressed by his sincerity in his deep concern of the hatred being displayed by fellow yidden. He was hurt and asked me to defend his gemach publicly.
I mentioned to the Rabbi that some of the commenters questioned whether he asked Daas Torah before he established this fund, and he answered that he asked advice from a gadol.
Everybody you have to chill out and try to see the good that has come from this whole sad story. Whether you believe this or not, Reb Michoel Yechiel, a’h, accomplished something that many of us will probably never do in our lifetime. He brought yidden from all over the world to come to together to help another yid. This was a big z’chus for his neshoma, and top it off he said SHEMA to the world which was a big Kiddush Hashem.
We must stop hating and show rachmonus to others who didn’t have the same privileges many in the frum world have, B’A'H. He grew up with a very dysfunctional family, and got involved in terrible things. How can we not show mercy for this man’s soul? Isn’t that what Hashem wants from us? If Hashem can forgive Reb Michoel Yechiel, why can’t we? Isn’t it our mission in this world to try to emulate Him?
I intend to send tzedaka to the fund, bli neder, in show of support. I hope many of you will do the same.
I hope and pray that we will all be united as one people again. That there will be no more hatred and separation and there will be Ahavas Yisroel. May it happen now.
108. Comment from Anonymous
Time March 4, 2010 at 4:42 PM
Murder cannot be condoned, excused or ignored. Ahavas Yisroel means loving and caring your fellow Jew. It also means separating and condemning that which Hashem loathes. Murder, immorality and idolatry are not for us to excuse and forgive. Once we excuse such behavior and immortalize the criminals that use “tshuvah” in a last ditch effort to gain clemency, then we lose our right to be called a nation of Hashem. Instead we become a lawless society, where every criminal and every crime become acceptable. This is NOT what Hashem wants from us and this is not the message we should be conveying to our children. It was WRONG to get our children involved in the effort, it was WRONG to attack the Governor of Florida and the victim’s mother, and it is CERTAINLY WRONG to name a gemach in memory of Grossman. It is a desecration of the name of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness and a desecration of the name of Hashem. All that have been responsible for the mindless chillul hashem(the harrassment of Mrs. Parks and this gemach gimmick) need to do some serious introspection. May Hashem help all the Jewish people return to the Derech of Torah and may this be the end of the Chillul Hashem.
109. Comment from Chaim S
Time March 4, 2010 at 5:19 PM
How about a Gemach for Rabbi Meir Kahane Z”L, Rabbi Boruch Goldstein Z”L or Rav Shlomo Carlbach Z”L. They are definitely more worthy.
110. Comment from Yosef
Time March 4, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Mr. Goldstein caused the death of Yidden in the rioting that followed his crazy act. Grossman caused no Jewish deaths, and is halachicly not guilty of murder — even prior to his teshuva.
Reb Meir Baal Haness did the right thing.
111. Comment from Anonymous
Time March 4, 2010 at 6:32 PM
I’m just curious- are people saying that he was a tzadik because he put on tefilin? And what exaclty about his life was a kidush Hashem? Also- true- he did not kill a Jew, but we live in America and follow dina d’malchusa dina and even murdering a non- Jew is assur.
112. Comment from anonymous
Time March 4, 2010 at 6:36 PM
I’m just curious- are people saying that he’s a tzadik because he put on tefilin? And what exactly about his life was a kiddush Hashem? And while it’s true that he did not murder a Jew we still live in America follow dina d’malchusa dina and murdering anyone (including a non-Jew) is asur.
113. Comment from anonymous
Time March 4, 2010 at 11:21 PM
Everyone should stop this hocking and go back to learning!!!
1. Comment from wait a minute
Time March 3, 2010 at 4:29 PM
Lets not go overboard now! I mean don’t make this guy into a Tzadik!