Looking for Eytan

by Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

After 33 years, should the investigation be re-opened?

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Published: April 23, 2012
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Visitor Comments: 25

(25) Sandy & Chana Goodman Dallas Texas, April 29, 2012 4:14 PM

Until we really know what happended to Etan Patz there will not be any closure

Dear Rabbi Solomon: My one line summary, " Unitl we really know what happened to Etan Patz, there will not be any closure", say it all. Over the years there have many rumors about little Etan Patz ranging from murder with sexual assults to being kidnapped by a Chadish group in Israel and raised as a Chasid. We really do not know WHAT HAPPENED to little Etan and we can't go on simpe assumptions. Until his family KNOWS FOR SURE they won't be able to put Etan's disappearance behind them. Furthermore, if Etan was kidnapped and murdered and evidence can establish beyond the shadow of a doubt who the criminal was, then it is our duty to bring him/her to justice.

(24) marj eime, April 27, 2012 10:00 PM

rodandmarj@hotmail.com

must keep looking till a result is found

(23) Melanie Vliet, April 27, 2012 5:11 PM

It Is a Good Thing

If I were in his parents' shoes, G-d forbid, I believe I would want to know all I could learn. I think the case should be reopened. This seems eerie to me, as it sounds so similar to the recent tragedy (except that the outcome is known) of Leiby Kletzky. I believe he was murdered the first time he was permitted to walk to school alone as well.

(22) Raphaelle Do Lern Hwei, April 26, 2012 2:50 PM

The Boy May Be One of Many Victims of Serial Killers/ Kidnappers

I think that closure can only be found if there is a finding of the boy or his remains. Some children are kidnapped by illegal adoption agencies who ship them overseas. I can remember two 12 year old boys who disappeared from Singapore many years ago when 1 was about 9 years old. They were never found.

(21) lisa, April 25, 2012 11:48 AM

They need closure!!

There is also a lesson to learn.........Don't let your young kids walk by themselves....not 30 years ago & not now!! I hope Hashem gives them nechama!!

(20) Varda Eisikovich, April 25, 2012 1:48 AM

My heart goes to the parents and the rest of the family.

I agree with all the above comments that the case should be re-opened.

(19) Debbie, April 25, 2012 1:27 AM

It's up to the parents.

Nobody can tell them how to feel and behave. It's their loss and pain, and if it gives them hope, they should go with it.

(18) Simcha Mendel, April 25, 2012 1:05 AM

In response to Rabbi Salomon!!!

Rabbi Salomon is absolutely right!!!

(17) Suzanne, April 24, 2012 11:28 PM

Yes, it IS a good idea to reopen this case

If they think they can find anything pertaining to this case then it is a good idea to reopen it. It shows the sanctity of human life, that everyone's fate is valuable and that they are not forgotten.

(16) Anonymous, April 24, 2012 9:38 PM

Should Patz case be reopened?

In the first place, because the case was never solved, it was never closed, therefore it is not being reopened, it is being resumed. Speaking from semi-personal experience, my son from my first marriage, lost his sister in Israel in a similar way. She was 18 years old, and had just started a job in Tiberias. She was kidnapped when she left work, and for six long excruciating years, the family had no idea what happened to her. This story was very notorious at the time in Israel. Every means possible was used to locate her, but always it amounted to nothing. Until, one of the people responsible for her disappearance, slipped some details to a friend. The friend became suspicious and contacted the police. The police brought the person in for questioning, and she finally admitted that my son's sister had been brutally murdered by this person's boyfriend. She was the lure who got the victim into the car. The person brought the police to the spot where it took place, and where the remains were buried. The police kept it quiet for a year until a definite and positive identity was made. The murderer was a Bedouin, who was a serial killer, and his accomplice was a Russian woman who converted to Islam. He killed for the sake of killing. There were other unsolved muders before this. My son's sister finally had a funeral, and a small park was erected near Tiberias in her memory. Hashem yikom damah. So yes, one should never ever stop looking.

(15) Leah, April 24, 2012 6:58 PM

Whoever can say "Why open this up again?" is obviously not the mother or the father.

(14) Nina, April 24, 2012 6:42 PM

I knew the Patz family

In 1979 I lived around the corner from the Patz family, and my sister was a close friend of Etan's sister Shira. The night he went missing, we received a phone call from a friend asking if we'd seen Etan that day. I remember we were playing the game of Life when the phone rang - ironic. Barely a day has gone by in the last 33 years when I don't think about the Patz family. I continue to pray for them. Rabbi Solomon - my reaction when I heard they were reopening the case was that it was a waste of time. The fact is, they know the monster who committed this repulsive crime, unfortunately don't have evidence to prove it. So this newest investigation was a red herring from the beginning imho. But thank you for reminding us that there is no statute of limitations for trying to find your child.

(13) JOY, April 24, 2012 6:07 PM

YES, YOU CAN NEVER GIVE UP! Who ever said they should give up is heartless.

(12) ShirlinNY, April 24, 2012 5:45 PM

The Etan Patz case should be re-opened

I agree wholeheartedly - closure is of utmost importance - notwithstanding how many years have elapsed since this boy's disappearance (33 years ago). Despite his having been declared legally dead in 2001, his parents' hearts are heavy and they still cling to some vestige of hope, explanation, and ultimately closure.

(11) Anonymous, April 24, 2012 5:38 PM

The time has already legally come that they can declare Eytan legally deal

The time has already elapsed that Eytan can be declared legally dead, and therefore the police can charge a monster they already have in jail with the murder, and get some answers from him, which may give the parents some nechoma.

(10) Don, April 24, 2012 4:59 PM

You don't ease pain by ignoring it, because the pain is still there. Not knowing is worse than knowing, as you can work through the knowing and be at peace. Not knowing tears at you with endless speculation and worry. Best to follow every lead, even if it turns up empty, as it's one less thing to worry about.

(9) Frederica Steller, April 24, 2012 4:58 PM

Whether or not to resume investigation into disappearance of the little boy.

I say, yes to resuming the investigation in search of the missing little boy.

(8) David S. Levine, April 24, 2012 4:10 PM

Keep Looking for Etyan or Clues

I was living in NYC at the time of Eytan's disappearance and was deeply shocked by it. I salute the NYPD for its vigilance in keeping the case alive and doing so much to protect New Yorkers and all Americans from terrorism. As I type this the digging at the workshop site has revealed nothing but that does not mean it should not have been done. Keep up the search and keep the case open.

(7) Rachav, April 24, 2012 3:32 PM

Yes this case should be re-opened

If this had been my child who had disappeared I would never stop looking, I am glad that the case has been reopened they reopen cold cases all the time why should this case not be re-opened. The parents need some resolution even if it just ends in finding his remains so that they can bury him. But what if he was simply stolen as has happened in other cases and some of those stolen children have been finally returned to their families. Rachav

(6) Mike, April 24, 2012 3:26 PM

I am surprised

I am surprised that you are even offering this up for debate. There is hope that they will actually find the killer and perhaps save some other little child the same fate. How on earth could anyone suggest that the authorities turn a blind eye to potential new evidence?

(5) Marilyn Sobel, April 24, 2012 3:08 PM

never surrender

Why shouldn't people try to continue to look for any information, any clues, about their missing beloved? If we had the opportunity to find out something about our sacred dead who died Kiddush H-shem, let us continue to search, look for our relatives, see if anyone could be alive or at least if they did survive the bloodbath when and where did they pass away. Let us never say it's too much trouble.

(4) Anonymous, April 24, 2012 3:03 PM

I understand

The case needs to be open until it is solved. My sister was murdered in 1970 and the case went unsolved until 2010. Although my dear parents were no longer alive, it brought closure to my siblings and me.the pain never goes away but the Patz parents need that closure.

(3) LINDA SABAN, April 24, 2012 2:42 PM

Definitly,otherwise there is no closure. If it can be solved, it means that whoever tries to abduct anybody, will be caught. It is the right thing to do. Never give up. NEVER

(2) SusanE, April 23, 2012 4:38 PM

Never forget - Never quit.

For honoring the child if he is alive, or in his memory if he is not alive, the case should never be closed until resolution is achieved.

(1) Anonymous, April 23, 2012 2:41 PM

Rabbi--I agree with your viewpoint. On the other hand, this is not a one size fits all situation. I don't know how Mr. and Mrs. Patz feel about the case being reopened, but their feelings need to be respected no matter what you, I or anyone else feels.

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About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

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