26th Day of the Omer Count
NOTE: This post is dedicated to my rabbi, R' Ephraim Avraham Sprecher, zz"l (Rabbi was niftar yesterday, Shabbat Emor.)
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| Arvin Netanel Ghahremani ben Sonia Tziyona. From Matzav.com, obviously 😉 |
*UPDATES* BELOW
Perhaps you have heard of the imminent execution of a young man, Arvin Ghahremani, for the death of Amri Shokri. Both are from Iran.
Certainly, this needs context, and it is hard to get, but here is what we have as of this writing:
The deed took place in Iran two years ago. Arvin is a Jew, while Amri was a Muslim. For anyone who knows about religious laws in Iran, which all of the countries except Israel have in common (I don't think there are Christian countries here anymore; there used to be), we can derive the following point: Arvin is a dhimmi, and thus has far fewer rights than Amri, the one with the ruling religion.
Arvin is a Torah scholar, while we don't know what Amri was.
The actual facts on the ground don't seem to matter to the Iranians, but in absolute terms they do, especially as complete redemption approaches. As far as I can determine, in chronological order:
1. Arvin lent Amri money more than two years ago, when he was 18 years old.
2. At some point, Arvin asked for his money back.
3. Amri didn't want to pay Arvin back, so he brought a knife with him and threatened Arvin with it. According to at least one report, 7 men attacked him. (see below)
4. Arvin defended himself from this imminent threat and Amri ended up dead, from his own weapon being used on him.
5. Amri's parents won't accept the blood money that is every Iranian's right to offer; Iranian Jews from all over, and as far away as Los Angeles, offered them money. THEY WANT THE JEW DEAD, NO MATTER WHAT. A number of ways to pay this money have been DECLINED.
I am not a legal expert of any kind, but from a derekh eretz point of view I see some problems:
Muslim law dictates that dhimmis not possess weaponry or defend themselves in any way from attack by someone of the dominant religion.
Amri was killed with a knife, apparently his own large knife.
If Muslims believe in their law, they have to admit that Arvin didn't possess a knife, thus no intention to kill Amri. Arvin only wanted his money back, that he'd lent to Amri.
The fact that Amri was killed by his own weapon is his own fault because he brought it with him.
But Muslim law declares the Muslim's superiority over the dhimmi Jew, thereby nullifying Amri's fault "legally."
While I was writing this post, this breaking news item came across: The execution was held off for another month. By the time you read this, there will be more articles on this.
While one could take this to be torture for Arvin and his family, I see a silver lining: The authorities don't really believe that Arvin is guilty of the charges against him. If they believe in their own law, they know that Arvin didn't have a weapon, much less bring one to the fight 2 years ago.
Therefore, I believe that Arvin has been, and still is, a hostage of the Iranian government for the past 2 years.
If they really believe in God, they will ultimately let him go free, or be forced to do so by a Higher Authority.
Speaking of which, I was praying this morning and asked H' to act accordingly, and He
apparently took the next step. This post is to advocate the complete freedom
and justice for Arvin Netanel, not just mercy and softened hearts. It's time to let him go.
And not only him, but many others...unfortunately, Iran is having a execution spree right now...
Please continue to pray for, and say tehillim for, Arvin Netanel ben Ziona. Several versions of his Hebrew name are here in case you want to pray for him by any of them.
Some ways to pray in joint tehillim readings (all the same person):
Arvin Netanel ben Sonia Tziona | Arvin Netanel ben Sonia | Say Psalm 13 13 times (it's short) and let the Iranian/Persian Jewish community of LA know you did by signing into your Google account! The mekubal there wants 1,000 people! |
Other sources of news on this subject:
Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) | NY Post gets my vote
for the most detailed presented facts on the leadup to the sentence, so far,
although this might not be the latest on the sentence itself. Attacked by 7 men?!?! And Amri was 40 years old. Not a boy or even a young man! | Jerusalem Post the first article I found with details | i24 also mentions the 7 attackers | Yeshiva World News took at least 1 part of their post from the NY Post | Times of Israel |
One article said he was released, but I can't find any confirmation or details. Please feel free to write me at my blog address if you find anything that gives details on his release, and how you want to be mentioned, or not at all, if you prefer.
Many thanks in advance!
***
UPDATE after Shabbat 23 Sivan 5784: with your Tehillim, Hashem has decided to extend this for another 40 days. They received a 40 day extension this morning. Pls DO NOT add anything to this when passing the news.
UPDATE: From a WhatsApp news group: The Mekubal from LA wants people to pray Ps. 51, and while reading verse 12 there, say the names of Amri's parents: Iman Shukri (father) and Hadiyeh Nazari Mir Aghaei (mother), that they should agree to free Arvin Netanel ben Sonia.
Psalm 13, 13 times, are still being said and desired.
UPDATE: According to The Jerusalem Post, time is of the essence, despite the "delay." They can decide to execute him AT ANY MOMENT. The regime (not the people) enjoy executions!!! Maybe the Mekubal would consider praying for the Iranian government to have softer hearts too? Would that work?
I like what H' did to Raisi and all who were with him...the government didn't take that warning, so maybe He would do the world a favor and sink it down into the ground, like Korach and his followers in the Bible?
***
More reading:
'No signs of life': Iranian President killed in helicopter crash He was supposed to sign Arvin Netanel's death warrant... | Hangman of Tehran Meets his Maker, Fell Out of the Sky |Former Iranian foreign minister: 'US sanctions to blame for crash that killed President' | Human rights expert: UN Security Council refused to hold meeting on Israeli hostages | Official Israeli source confirms: Israel was not involved in the death of Ebrahim Raisi | Hague Prosecutor wants arrest warrants against Sinwar AND Netanyahu | ...also see this JNS story | Finally! IDF demolishes illegal 6-story Arab building near Efrat | Iran's Raisi confirmed dead in helicopter crash near Azerbaijan border (the commentary is fantastic! Lots of credit to HQB"H!) | Why the Iranian regime may have just signed its own death warrant (in 2020. God has all the time in the world... - HDG) | Don't be soft on jihadist antisemites, says Persian Jew | Leaders 'kept Jews in the dark' about impending execution (this is about Arvin!) | Iranian Jewish Family Faces Steep Cost in Battle To Save Son from Execution |
More viewing:
Celebrations around the world and in Iran, ding dong, the witch is gone (video included) | The International Court of Jew-hating immorality not justice |
18 comments:
One thing I think we have to remember generally (or understand, if we don't remember) is that at the present time (at least since 1979) Iran is ruled by Arabs and populated mainly by Persians. Looking at the rulers' history, it seems that Greeks were involved too, and maybe others.
The last Persian monarch was Mohammed Reza Shah, whose rule ended in 1979. A big list of Persian monarchs (some have Greek names and possibly names from other languages/peoples) from 678 BCE until then is listed HERE on Wikipedia.
Might this at least partially explain why the rulers hate Israel and Jews, while the population tends to feel the opposite about us?
Jews have been in Iran for thousands of years. Mordechai and Esther are buried there; I'm noting that just as a reminder.
Online sources don't seem to be clear about it; anyone who really knows about it should clarify for us all.
I'm not trying to divert attention away from the current war in Gaza and right around Israel. The topic came up in groups that are praying for the Jewish People, and it seems so similar...except that we in Israel aren't ruled by Muslims.
Or are we, from afar, perhaps? Are we a dhimmi country and we just don't know it?
Thank you very much for sharing an update about Arwin .We have been praying for him .May Hashem bring justice to him speedily .
Please keep us updated .
B"H I see your article today
So sorry to read about your Rabbi, R' Ephraim Avraham Sprecher zt"l
I'm totally not up to date on everything; i'm going thru "withdrawal from the news" syndrome :-)
You have written quite an extensive and emotional posting; it comes across how much you are affected by his situation. IY"H all the davenning should provide a solution for him. As I wrote on my blog, his situation shines a light on all the bochurim all over the world.
All the best Hava!
An ultimate compliment coming from you, Neshama! Thank you.
A trigger is one of the smallest parts of a gun. I wonder whether H' pulled the trigger on Iran with this issue.
I understand that Raisi was supposed to sign Arvin Netanel's death warrant; but, obviously, he's not going to do it now. Hopefully the election will be well over a month from now, or even, not happen at all.
And all the Iranian hostages will go free. May all innocent hostages go free, including ours as well!
One correction:
Its not withdrawal from the news
Its WITHDRAWING from the news :-)
I know, Neshama, you're not a druggie. ;-)
Sorry about not answering in a timely manner. My computer was down for a little while this morning. I was able to reboot only a few minutes ago.
So sorry to learn of the passing of Rabbi Sprecher, z'l. I remember his wonderful videos.
Just wanted to also add that the Greeks and the Persians are related, as they both stem from Yefet.
Praying for Arvin Netanel ben Sonia Tziona' full release.
May H' have great Mercy & end this galut with the coming of Moshiach tzdkeinu
bracha
The link to your article on DBL comes up “NOT FOUND error 404”
You may want too correct it
TO ALL READERS:
To all those who miss Rabbi Sprecher's videos, you can still watch the ones here, that I have posted. Even more can be found on Rav Sprecher's YouTube channel.
I'll be updating his section on the blog, hopefully between now and early next week.
Happy La"G laOmer!
Hava: Just read – Report: Appeal of Iranian Jewish man sentenced to death rejected
Iranian court rejects appeal against execution of young Jewish man who killed a Muslim in self-defense after the Muslim man stabbed him.
REJECTED – FEAR Theyll want to get even after Raisi’s death!!
What will be now?
BTW Did you fix your article link on Reb Dov’s blog??
Finally, I found the wrong link you were referring to, but can't fix links on comments on either my own blog or someone else's. So had to post it over again.
Bracha, I just want to thank you for clarifying the connection between Greece and Persia! Great point! Amazing that anyone still remembers their long-ago familial ties.
May we see the revelation of Mashiah Tzidkenu imminently!
How about this juicy headline:
HaRav Mutzafi: “30 Days After Attacking Israel, He Received “Arba Misos Bais Din!”
https://habayitah.blogspot.com/2024/05/harav-ben-tzion-mutzafi-raisi-received.html
"Drone footage showed that a fire broke out following the crash.] Nothing remains of him. He received the four misos of Beis Din – stoned, burned, killed and strangled.”
“But that is only preparation for what he will receive in the next world -all the reshaim will come out to greet him – Arafat, Antiochus, Nevuchadnetzer – the entire clan, dogs, the sons of dogs, will go out to greet him – he’ll burn in Gehinnom for 5,000 years.””
PS Any update on the bochur?
No news. The latest reports are mostly from 10 days ago (19 May), with the exception of The Media Line, who interviewed a couple of experts about what's going on behind the scenes. It was published 5 days ago (24 May). See here:
Iranian Jewish Family Faces Steep Cost in Battle To Save Son from Execution
"Please spread far and wide. I have learned from a reliable source that Arvin Netanel ben Sonia Tziona has been scheduled for execution in Iran on Monday morning. The second appeal was turned down. Here is a link to Tehillim. Everyone do whatever you can toward the salvation of this young man."
Not from me, but here's where you might want to go and pray for him: URGENT: Iran Rejects Appeal, Iranian Jew Is At “Imminent Risk Of Execution”
Earlier this week I saw a link to a WhatsApp Tehillim prayer group for Arvin Netanel that people can join:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/D9Z9xZivlAJK1qZRqDExKq
BD"E - may he receive great reward from HQB"H Himself.
***
But we're not done yet. We still have "skin in the game." There is (at least) one other Jew who has been in Iranian prison for at least 5 years. His name for prayer is Elnatan ben Rosita, and we haven't heard that he has been executed; so, we're assuming that he's still alive.
If anyone has heard otherwise, please post the info here. Thanks in advance.
This account is from The Jewish Press: Report: Iran executes Jewish man for fatal stabbing
It notes some details that haven't been in previous articles, such as Arvin Netanel's attempt to save his blood enemy's life, and that key errors in the case were ignored. Apparently his lawyer wasn't so good, either.
May this total travesty of justice put the Jewish people on the side of merit to take and/or inherit all the land HQB"H promised that we would have in the end of days, amen.
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