In the ensuing days, Bat Melech received complaints from a number of rabbanim speaking in defense of the husband and claiming that Bat Melech was technically responsible for the husband’s death. They maintained that the kollel man, a learning-partner to many known rabbanim who were impressed with his learning acumen, could not possibly have done what his wife accused him of. They in fact had lent a willing ear to his constant complaints of how much he was suffering from his wife.
It seems the rabbanim never realized how psychologically demented the man was and how urgent was his need for psychiatric intervention, nor were they aware of the severe physical and emotional abuse he visited on his wife and children (a reality that sadly escapes many too often).
As of this writing, Miriam is quite happy and healthy, baruch Hashem. Every day that passes sees her getting stronger, though the road ahead is still a very long one. Today Miriam came to the shelter to retrieve her belongings and thanked the Bat Melech staff before returning home. Her children, noted as a special case, continue to be administered to by the shelter’s social worker until further notice.
Isaac Kohn
Dear Mr. Kohn,
Man may be easily fooled but there is no hiding from our all-seeing G-d in Heaven. May He keep watch on our innocent loved ones and shield them from all harm all the time, and may He reward your obvious kindness and caring of the helpless and downtrodden by sparing you pain and suffering and blessing you with much hatzlocha and endless Yiddish nachas from your own.