I was driving northbound on Hamilton Ave. en route to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. I've taken the route hundreds of times. But instead of veering left into the lane for the tunnel, I decided to swerve right – into the lane headed for the Brooklyn Bridge. And there he was.
“Okay buddy, pull over here,” he seemed to be saying with his dramatic hand movements. He was short for a cop; a bit stocky, and very animated.
“License, registration and insurance card,” he demanded.
I do not enjoy being pulled over by a law enforcement officer. It falls somewhere between toenail fungus and sea sickness on my “Must Experience” list. I’m not sure if I attempted some lame, incoherent muttering explaining why I crossed that dreaded SOLID WHITE LINE, but I am sure that it made no impact on Officer Stankowski.
“The instructions are on the back,” he kindly informed me while handing me the yellow summons. “Have a nice day.”
I got out of the car and took pictures of the crime scene area. I had no idea why I was doing it.
During the five minutes or so that he took to write the ticket, I got out of the car and took pictures of the pavement markings and signs posted in the crime scene area. It was something I had seen others do, but never done before myself. I had no idea why I was doing it, but it seemed like my only way to express my innocence to Stankowski. “If I’m taking pictures, then I MUST not be guilty.” Don’t worry. It made no sense to me either.
In the ensuing months I made the usual inquiries of friends, some of them attorneys, to help craft and strategize my approach to the infraction. One avenue was clearly consensual: “Push this off as long as you can. You never know what could happen.”
- Police officers move out of town, get transferred, or run for District Attorney or other such positions all the time.
- Maybe the law will change.
- Nuclear war could beckon.
Dutifully, I cooperated. Nearly a full year went past, but, my luck, the World remained at relative peace. That meant that April 8th was D-Day.
Related Article: How To Get Your Prayers Answered
My Secret Weapon
The sun shone brightly that Friday morning. I trimmed the beard and chose a dark tie. Stomach in flutters, I skipped breakfast. I drove (very carefully) to the courthouse and saw my name on the hearing ledger taped to the wall next to Room 5. The paint was peeling. There was no smell. I was early. I’m never early.
I guess a lot of people were early, as most of the seats were already occupied by my fellow defendants. They peered at me as I walked in. They knew I was innocent, as much as I knew the same about them. It’s like a club, these hearing rooms, with new members joining every few hours. “It’s us against the cops. How dare they pronounce us guilty until proven innocent! It’s anti-American. We will band together and we WILL defeat them!”
Right.
In walked the enemy. A group of six or seven uniformed officers in full regalia – as if they were actually setting out to real combat. It seemed unfair. Stankowski, in knee-high boots, oversized revolver, gleaming badges and medals, and perfectly pressed slacks versus Salomon…in the dark tie.
But unbeknownst to the prosecution, Salomon had brought a secret weapon– a manila envelope containing copies of Section 3A.01 of the MUTCD. Not familiar with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices? Neither was I, until my research uncovered that the “Bible” of Traffic Law indicated that (read carefully), “A SOLID line usually indicates that crossing the line is discouraged. It goes on to explain that there are actually different widths of solid lines that suggest different levels of restriction. And, according to the pictures that I (so brilliantly) took, that solid line that I crossed could have been construed as very crossable, thank you.
The first case involved a woman charged with driving while talking on her cell phone. She totally denied it – patently and emphatically. It was basically her word against the cop.
“Guilty as charged!” bellowed the judge. “One hundred and forty dollars plus two points on your license. No appeals allowed. See the clerk. Next!”
A pall fell over the gallery. The club members were distraught. How was that justified?
The next brother was called. Unsafe lane change was his alleged violation. The arguments were spirited on both sides, with my new comrade making a strong case for how the traffic pattern demanded that he switch lanes at that time.
“Guilty as charged!” bellowed the judge. “One hundred and forty dollars plus two points on your license. No appeals allowed. See the clerk. Next!”
At this point I was happy that I had skipped breakfast, as a dour sensation of sudden nausea invaded my digestive tract. I held on to my manila envelope extra tight, but began to question its potential influence.
Two more sisters followed – both with cell phone violations issued by different officers. The verdicts were of similar ilk. They shuffled out of the courtroom pale, with heads bowed and wallets opened. (One of the sisters also had a manila envelope.)
I started feeling a bit light-headed and a slight quiver emerged on my bottom lip.
Wow, I thought, I am really nervous about this thing. How absurd is that?
I found myself in touch with my deepening tension and anxiety and I began to feel…well… embarrassed.
What’s the big deal? It’s only a traffic ticket! And just because you already have two points on your license, that’s a reason to panic? Nausea? Quiver? IT’S ONLY TRAFFIC COURT, FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!
Stankowski – even in his boots – was no match for the Almighty.
And then, instinctively, I actually began to pray – yes…pray. I said some Psalms by heart and spoke to God – asking for his intervention. Stankowski – even in his boots – was no match for the Almighty, I reasoned.
The gallery was slowly starting to empty. The next victim…er…accused, was an older gentleman. He looked so sweet and yes, innocent. I couldn’t hear too many of the details, but one part came through loud and clear.
“Guilty as charged! One hundred and forty dollars plus two points on your license. No appeals allowed. See the clerk. Next!”
That thud you heard was the lump that egressed in my larynx.
Now I was sweating and intensifying my prayers. It was clear to me that without some kind of supernal assistance I would be on line at the cashier in just a few minutes. But as my entreaties were compounding, so too was my shame.
This is what you pray for? This? Do you think God has time for such trivialities? World hunger, terrorism, apostasy, apathy, disease, abuse are all rampant. And you’re worried about two points on your license and a few dollars? What has gotten into you??
What kind of self-respecting person would feel compelled by terror in Traffic Court to pray to God for salvation? But, on the other hand, just as there is no such thing as “too big” for God, there is no concept of “too small” either. It’s not as if God is too tied up with the really important stuff, so He can't attend to the trifle details of our lives. That would imply human-like restriction to the All Powerful.
The same way we make a blessing on a 32 oz. filet mignon, we also recite a blessing before a tiny cup of water. In fact, it is actually the very same blessing that we make on both. My praying to Him when serious illness crosses my earshot in no way precludes my praying when Stankowski looms before me.
Armed with my new artillery, I clutched that manila envelope ever so snugly, closed my eyes, and freely asked God for help.
Seconds later we stood before the judge. A surprising calm descended. The nausea was gone. My voice trembled just a bit when I pleaded, “Not guilty,” but I felt ready to accept His decision. I looked to my right. There stood Stankowski. He was ruffling through his papers.
The judge asked if he was ready to proceed. Stankowski continued to ruffle. Now his feet were shuffling too. I thought I detected a bead of sweat or perhaps a hair skid out of place.
“Officer Stankowski – are you ready to proceed?”
Silence. Now he was shaking his head. A couple of summonses fell to the floor. He bent down to retrieve them.
“Your honor, I…er…I cannot seem to locate the ticket or my notes on this case.
I thought my legs were going to leave their sockets.
“If you cannot proceed, I will have no choice but to dismiss these charges.”
Stankowski was done and he knew it. He pretended to continue his search for the missing documents, but it was to no avail.
“I’m sorry. I cannot find anything on this violation.”
“All right then. Let the record state that I am entering a verdict of ‘Not guilty.’ No points or fine are assessed. You are free to go.”
I thanked the judge and wobbled away.
On the way out, I did three things. First, I glanced over at the remaining fraternity members and smiled. They gave me lots of thumbs up and lots of smiles. One brother pointed to heaven…really.
Second, I said a prayer of thanks. I apologized for my overreaction, but acknowledged that He is truly the God of large and small.
And finally, I tossed that manila envelope in the trash bin.
(35) Neicee, July 26, 2011 8:22 PM
Lesson learned
I thoroughly enjoyed the article. Nice to know that other adults suffer moments of "what was I thinking?" We've all had them, hopefully learning the lesson that we don't care to repeat the experience again. I wake up while it's still dark to greet the day, watching the sun come up and thanking our Creator for such a lovely moment. I continue to talk to Him throughout the day which provides great comfort.
(34) Anonymous, July 12, 2011 7:31 PM
This is one of the most inspiring and educative article I have read recently. Thank you Rabbi.
(33) Sally, July 12, 2011 3:38 PM
Well done, I enjoyed this article. Like you, I realize that there is nothing to small or large to bring to G-d.
(32) Anonymous, July 8, 2011 2:08 AM
Nothing to big or to little for G-d
When you are standing in front of the judge, everything is big. If one believes, he prays to G-d for everything. No one likes to be embarrassed.
(31) Mati, July 6, 2011 3:50 PM
G-d vs. the U.S.
I was riding my bicyle to the bus terminal today and I chose to cut through the federal building parking lot. A uniformed man stopped me to tell me that I cannot ride my bike in the parking lot. "Ok, I'll ride around the building," I said to him and with the exit just 10 feet away, started to ride my bike outside the parking lot. The "I am power" man then reached one hand on his mike ready to call for help, the other on his pistol then yelled, "I said get off your bike." What a little man," I thought as I got off my bike and walked it the 10 feet to the exit ramp to the street. A similar thing happend to me when I was riding my bike on the Texas Tech University campus sidewalks (an illegal thing to do). It's uniformed man stopped me and informed me that it was illegal and I had to ride on the road and must observe all the street signs like a motored vehicle. The "I am power" man then asked me if I was on campus to steal something." Shocked, I replied, "No I am an alum and I am seeing what is new on campus." Because the Kampus Kop (as the students call them) actually followed me until I left campus to insure I rode on the road, stopped at every stop sign, and used turn signals when I turned, I rode very cautiously otherwise the citation he would give me would be on my record as DRIVING violations even though I am only on a bicycle. I think that the US has lost site of G-d and law. So many times I have heard from Xtians that Jews are legalistic, and so many times Xtians have oppressed me with legalism. We need to pray that the US government repent from its direction of Nazi-like oppression to its own people.
Sally, July 12, 2011 3:31 PM
G-d vs the US
You knew that you were breaking the rules, but you chose to do it anyway. The cops could have given you a break , but chose not to. This is clearly a situation where choices were made, neither one being the wisest one made.
(30) Judith, July 6, 2011 11:11 AM
Tzadikonim
Interesting how some commentators seem to either miss the point or misunderstand human or human- G-d) nature altogether, IMHO. Moreover some seem to pass judegment above transit laws (the thin white line issue) and even above G-d's. That being said I wanted to share my late personal "small" one. Three months ago my washing machine stoped working, my faithful worker has been doing her job for 19 years "not complaining" even once I thought her time was up. I neither wanted to call the tech guy (they charge a lot in Israel), nor to get a new one. A few weeks went by. It finally "occured" to me to ask G-d to reapair the machine for me. And this is how it went more or less: "sorry to bother You with my trival request, and I'm aware I'm totally underserving of any grace, but I would appreciate if You could make my machine work, it's been on "on" for a while now... so if You want... there it is..." "Squish pum pum" and it started working... I went trembling and white. ... But there you are. I enjoyed Rabbi Solomon's lesson on G-d's ultimate grace a lot!
(29) Abe, July 6, 2011 5:56 AM
A terrible lesson in an age of Jewish legal scandals
Firstly, I looked up Section 3A.01 of the MUTCD and found nothing that suggested you were not guilty. In fact you yourself indicated you were ready to accept "His" (God's?) decision. And so, what a true God-fearing Jew should have done in this case would have been to accept responsibility for his actions and, guided by a sense of honesty and gratitude for a country that enacts fair laws, checked the box on the ticket indicating "Guilty" and pay the fine and accept the points. That's what the Guilty box is there for. Instead, you pled "Not Guilty" both on the ticket and verbally in front of the judge which is arguably an outright lie, with the effect of: a) wasting the valuable time of the judge and police officer; b) wasting your own valuable time spent on fighting the ticket which you could have otherwise spent far more productively in the Beis Medrash learning Torah or performing Mitzvos and Maaasim Tovim, and c) publishing this nonsensical story with the sadly all too common theme of frum jews trying to get away with murder and breaking the law because we have God on our side!
Menashe, July 6, 2011 1:02 PM
Why do you allow this drivel?
Why are you allowing moronic comments like Abe's?? Rabbi Solomon should have pled guilty??!! He clearly looked up the relevant law and found a LEGAL loophole!! This is "a country that enacts fair laws." ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND??!! Have you been hiding in a cave for your entire life??!!
MABSH"Y, July 6, 2011 8:57 PM
dina demalchuta dina
Sorry, I have to agree with Abe here. If you don't like the laws of the land, which are enforced fairly, then you certian have a right to petition the legislature to change them. If you don't believe you have violated them, you have the right to fight them in court. But if you know that you are in fact guilty, than you should admit such. The principle of dina demalchuta dina exissts for a reason. Would you ever say, "Oh, well, yes, I ate that cheesburger knowing full-well that it was trayfe, but I have X, Y and Z excuse?" The laws of the country you live in are no different. And Abe is right, it's a chillul hashem to have Jews trying to finagle their way out of punishment that are deserving of. Don't do the crime if you don't want to pay the crime. If you can get some rachamim from the cop, that's one thing, but if not, there's no reason not to admit guilt. I've been guilty of not paying attention and rolling through a stop light and such. It happens. Shrug it off, and resolve to pay more attention next time. To have the ability to do that is something that you rightly could daven for.
Mindy, July 6, 2011 4:00 PM
Abe, you are completely right.
So many of us are caught up in the trappings and technicalities of being frum Jews, while forgetting that we do not exist in a vacuum. A truly observant Jew is mindful of the universal values of truth, fairness and consideration for others, rejects any notion of entitlement, and accepts responsibility for his or her actions. When we behave well, we honor Hashem by showing gratitude for the social justice and stability with which we are blessed and by treating others with the decency and respect with which we ourselves would like to be treated. One is not a frum Jew unless one is an ethical person and a law-abiding citizen.There are no shortcuts, no gimmicks, no exceptions.
Shua Cohen, July 6, 2011 7:27 PM
How sayeth MUTCD section 3A.01?
Abe, I don't expect you're an attorney who has expertise in reading statutory regulations, but a careful reading of the MUTCD indicates the following: Section 3A.01 states: "A solid line discourages or prohibits crossing (depending on the specific application)." So which is it? Discouraging and prohibiting are two different things. Section 3B.04 appears to clarify the matter somewhat: "Where crossing the lane line markings is DISCOURAGED, the lane line markings shall consist of a normal solid white line...Where crossing the lane line markings is PROHIBITED, the lane line markings shall consist of two normal solid white lines." So, Rabbit Solomon is correct that crossing the single solid line seems to be permitted (albeit discouraged). HOWEVER, out of curiosity I checked the street-level photograph of the scene on Google Maps. OOPS... Rabbi Solomon, you failed to mention that on signs overhead and painted on the pavement below were arrows with the ubiquitous warning "ONLY" (in the direction that the arrow points). The width of the white lines were irrelevant. Once you entered the lane directing straight ahead ONLY, you were not permitted to switch to the exit lane (also marked ONLY). But the point of your article is nonetheless valid. Hashem was smiling down on you that day and got you off the hook. If the officer hadn't bobbled the case your own photographs (which surely showed the "ONLY" arrows) would have nailed you.
(28) avraham warga, July 5, 2011 8:38 PM
try starting a little earlier...
nice story. the problem, of course, is that Rabbi Solomon should have been davening MUCH earlier, as i did just before i received...my warning!
(27) LashonTov, July 5, 2011 3:18 PM
Rabbi Salomon performed his effort
It should be noted that Rabbi Salomon performed effort by studying the traffic laws and preparing for the case. Many times we prayed and Hashem delivers the result we seek, just not always in the way we expect. So even though it may look like Rabbi Salomon had not needed to do all that preparation it was clear that Hashem was the judge in this case and took into account the effort.
(26) Gustav Kollarz, July 5, 2011 12:35 PM
Just keep in mind, it could have gone otherwise too.
Prayer does not always mean that things will go as you wish. It is our duty to pray for everything, big and small, but sometimes the worst will happen nevertheless.
(25) miriam fishman, July 5, 2011 2:40 AM
great article
i enjoy your warm, oh-so-real-this-is life- stories with their apt descriptions; and yes, then, there is the little "lesson" that we can all relate to. When you wrote what you did when the ticket was dismissed, I was waiting to read that you immediately wrote a check to tzedaka -- where we would all much prefer our money to go, rather than as a penalty for a traffic violation. In cases where the time on my parking meter has run out and I frantically return to my car, to find NO TIKET), I quickly write such a check -- always want the Aibishter to know how grateful I am.
SusanE, July 5, 2011 10:04 PM
Thank You
I've just been spared a $5.00 fine for parking. My lot parking receipt blew off the dashboard and I had paid the money to part at that lot. At the municipal station I was forgiven the fine. I wasn't in violation, it's was just that the officer couldn't see my receipt on the floor (of course). --------- The ticket was issued at 10:06 in the morning and I was paid till 11:41. -------- Now I realize that I didn't get back to my auto till 12:00. So..............actually I was in violation, but that wasn't why the ticket was written. That $5.00 goes straight to tzedaka right now. Thank you for your wonderful 'suggestion' as to how I could 'thank G-d.
(24) Fay, July 4, 2011 8:14 PM
Nothing is trivial by the Almighty!
I can hear members of my family snickering when they hear me saying "Please Hashem, I really need a space right in front of the house. Thanks you." They fall silent when 9 times out of 10, the space is there or very, very close by. My husband says he likes to drive with me because I always get a parking space. When I ask him why he won't daven for a space, he shrugs. I tell you, it works!!!!!
(23) Tammy, July 4, 2011 8:12 PM
Ticket
Great article. Hopefully this will show people that nothing is too trivial for G-d. He cares about the most minute details of our lives and wants us to come to Him for everything.
(22) Silky, July 4, 2011 5:11 PM
Missed the point
I think many people missed the point. Yes, Rabbi Salomon should have been more aware of the traffic laws, but I think the point of the story is that NOTHING is too trivial for the One Above. If something bothers you, would you say it is too trivial to speak to your father? How much more should we have a relationship with our Father In Heaven. Thank you Rabbi Salomon for reminding us.
(21) Anonymous, July 4, 2011 8:39 AM
Din (divine judgement)
Believeing in the First commandment, means that everything ultimately comes from G-d, there is no other force that guides our universe and everything G-d does is for a reason. The Police officer and Judge are nothing but instruments in the hands of G-d. When we get a traffic fine, it is that we probably deserve to get this fine, and this fine is a result of a previos judgement in heaven for which a din or decree has been issued. Maybe we are guilty of lack of faith, or any other sin for which the din (decree/verdict) is manifested in some incident in our lives like a traffic fine etc... When we make teshuva and return to G-d, and trust in Him (suppose that our sin is lack of faith). The Rabbi put his trust in G-d, decided to accept the verdict, acknowldged that G-d is in control of everything, then when he humbled himself (G-d gave him that opportunity and time to correct himself, as he came in early, there we lots of people before him), the the Din (decree) had no reason to be there, since the Rabbi already corrected what had to be corrected, the reason for the decree being issued in the first place was not there anymore. So tikkun was made, and the decree was lifted in heaven. Just to make sure the Rabbi got the message, even one of the people there pointed to heaven its was G-d (HKBH) way of saying, "do not forget, its me, I make the final decision about all things" (ein od milevado)
(20) Alan Ira Silver, July 4, 2011 8:34 AM
blessing on a 32 oz. filet mignon, & a tiny cup of water.
I really enjoyed the story as one should always have Bitcahon (faith) in the Almighty, for it is HE who controls the world. Big and small things are dealt with equally. HE is an EOA (Equal Opportunites Attendant) Your reference to filet mignon was equally interesting. Kosher filet mignon* in Brooklyn? Possibly, but costly. The only kosher filet mignon that can be found is in Yerushalayim. Fliet mignon comes from the tenderloin so one has to be a professional deveiner (M'NaCare) to remove the sciatic nerve throughout this piece of meat. New Jersey State Troopers are even tougher.
(19) steve S, July 4, 2011 8:19 AM
You did something ilegal, pay the fine
Why waste HaShem time on such a trivial matter
nechama, July 4, 2011 5:48 PM
If You Own Time...
There is no such thing as wasting His time!!!!! He owns time! His greatest wish is that you speak to Him! Why do you think He gave Rabbi Salomon the ticket? Specifically so he could draw closer!!!!
Anonymous, July 4, 2011 8:09 PM
There is no time!
Sorry Steve, Hashem has no time - literally. There is no such thing as the concept of "time" for G-d, since he is infinite and time is finite. So asking Him to intervene on a traffic violation was perfectly convenient, same as if it had been for something else.
es58, July 6, 2011 5:25 PM
thank you for that point!
kol tuv
(18) SusanE, July 4, 2011 5:04 AM
Always Take Responsibility for Your Actions
The officer may have lost the papers for the ticket he issued to you, but Rabbi, you know that you crossed the white line no matter how wide it was. So, you prayed and asked G-d to please somehow relieve you of your responsibility for your actions? Also, imo... calling the officer short and stocky and refering to his last name is not kind.
Jong, July 6, 2011 2:02 AM
Agree
I wonder whether Rabbi would have repeatedly mentioned the policeman's last name if it was a Jewish name. Highway code is highway code. Noblesse Oblige.
(17) Dovid, July 4, 2011 3:05 AM
add 'God forbid'
Why get all flustered over a traffic ticket? To flippantly write that "Nuclear war could beckon" while at the same time get all flustered at having to pay a traffic ticket seems a little strange. As for dovid's (abive) segulah, how about following the law of the land?
dovid, July 4, 2011 8:59 PM
It's Reb Chaim Volozhiner's segulah. I wish I could claim it as mine.
The law of the land is a Torah obligation on all of us, no question about it. The constitution grants me freedom of religion which allows me to make use of a segula. The Judge who knew the circumstances of my case determined I shouldn't be fined. If the prosecutor (it was in a misdemeanor court) had no objection to having my case dismissed, why would you object?
(16) Louis Kleiman, July 3, 2011 10:39 PM
Thanks for a very entertaining story. Besides, I like happy endings.
(15) Harry Pearle, July 3, 2011 9:50 PM
Safety First ( I would accept the ticket penalty as a lesson)
Seems to me that the most important lesson is not how about how we can avoid paying a traffic ticket. Rather is should be how we can learn to drive more carefully. By force of habit, we may drive carelessly. The police officer is there to teach us a lesson in safe driving. I hope the Rabbi learned a lesson and that he became a better driver........The price you pay for paying a ticket is nothing compared to the price you pay if you have (G-D forbid) an accident !
(14) Anonymous, July 3, 2011 8:30 PM
the best movie story yet!
Of the many stories I have heard in my life, this was one of the best!!!! (I had a good laugh of relief at the end!!) I have had MANY situations that seemed totally hopeless and I prayed and prayed and G-d was always there for me!
(13) Maureen and Jeff, July 3, 2011 8:10 PM
Classic Salomon. Love that guy
Don't cross the lines anymore...ENOUGH
(12) Rosabel, July 3, 2011 7:43 PM
Prayer
Yes, Prayer works...I know...
(11) chayah, July 3, 2011 5:19 PM
I know how you felt!
I had the sad experience of trying get home from Synagogue after Yom Kippur services to an ill husband . I tried to get in another lane in the Shul's driveway onto the main road and was the victim of a nasty and unrelenting cop. I got ticketed and had to take a special test to prove my driving ability at the MVA and a special note from my doctor proving my sanity. Finally, I went to court with an attorney and of course, the cop never showed up...This happened 3 or 4 times over a period of a year...meantime, I was caring for my ill husband and had to leave him with someone else each time. At the 4th time, the Judge, G-D bless her, dismissed the case and said"you've been through enough ma'am, case dismissed"! I thought I was the only nervous, sick to the stomach person in the world...the entire experience was a nightmare....I guess misery loves company....not really..but it's nice to know that we're all human! Thank you for sharing, Rabbi!
Anonymous, July 4, 2011 12:34 AM
Shameful
As a Jewish retired NYPD Highway Patrolman, I have met many persons such as yourself on the road, and no matter how polite I always happened to be, those selfish individuals such as yourself referred to me as "nasty". I was called Nazi, Gestapo, etc due to my leather jacket, my boots, and the summons I issued due to a VIOLATION in my presence. I used discretion, but those who use excuses such as yours always wound up with a summons. Your story is brief in the actual event, believe what you may but the truth will surface in the same manner in which you believe in the Almighty. By the way, my boots, hat, and leather jacket always caught the eye of a passerby, but my American/Israeli flag above my shield was always conveniently missed.
(10) ruth housman, July 3, 2011 4:43 PM
prayer
I got an article from a friend about a Jewish soldier in Vietnam during that conflict. He was trying to get to the men in his group to tell them it was time to move on, but in slogging through the mud and leeches in a hurry, but having to maintain great silence, he was stopped by a cobra, that emerged in front of him and would have killed him, if he had not stood still as a statue. This stand off took hours, and finally this soldier, who was not religious, said God, please save me! At that moment the cobra moved away. When he got to his comrades he found them all dead, slaughtered by "the enemy". It seemed the cobra was God's way of keeping him from harm. The corollary of this story, is: What about all those men who died? What of them? So I say, YES, I am a true believer, but I also say, then it must not be over, when it's over, because I believe in a G_d of justice and mercy, that we are all beloved. I think in a way, this comment speaks to this column.
(9) Gary Katz, July 3, 2011 4:37 PM
Dear Anonymous, Under the law, you are not guilty until you are proven guilty. Therefore, if the prosecutor and police officer do not follow the law and prove you guilty, you have no duty to "pay the consequences."
(8) Anonymous, July 3, 2011 4:30 PM
Illegal to use cellphone?
What struck me most is that it's illegal where you live to use a cellphone while driving!. We drivers in the midwest would be halved if it were illegal here. It's rare to drive down the street and not see someone yapping away on a cellphone, or worse, texting, while driving. You and I live on very different planets!
(7) dovid, July 3, 2011 3:02 PM
Reb Chaim Volozhiner's good omen
I got a ticket for driving with an invalid license. While waiting for 2 hours in court for my turn, I kept saying Reb Chaim Volozhiner's segulah/omen that I keep in my wallet that Hashem is in absolute control of everything and that can happens and that He knows full well I didn't renew my license only because I didn't have the $96 to pay for the renewal. The judge (Judge?) dismissed the charges with no further ado. Dear Aish HaTorah fans, get yourselves this segulah printed on a business card-size, laminated cardboard. With kind wishes, db
(6) David, July 3, 2011 2:49 PM
Other side of the isle
I want to tell a story from the other side of the isle. I received my first summons from Haifa traffic court to appear as a witness in a case regarding a ticket that I wrote for a woman speaking on a mobile phone while driving. The hearing was in May, about a year after the violation. I write relatively few tickets (as a volunteer, I don’t get measured on the number of tickets written like the salaried cops), and I always relent if I have even the slightest suspicion that the offender may have a legitimate excuse. On the big day, I arrived in court about half an hour early, and I nervously watched as the prosecutor and defense lawyers made deal after deal in one plea bargain after another. After a break, defendant, prosecutor, and witness (a volunteer policeman like me), presented statements, offered testimony, and submitted photographs to the honorable magistrate in the case of someone who ran a red light. In the meantime, I reviewed the ticket that I had written and found several technical errors. (There was nothing that could normally cause the charges to be dropped, but in the hands of a good lawyer could be problematic.) The defendant’s signed admission of actions seemed sufficient to convict, nonetheless, I was very nervous. When the time for my case arrived, and the prosecutor stood and told the judge that the witness (me) had arrived and was ready to give testimony, but the accused was absent. The judge checked that the defendant had not requested a delay, noted that the current time was half an hour after the time recorded in the summons, and told me that I was free to leave. The traffic violator was convicted in absentia. I think that the need to justify one’s actions before a higher authority is and should be stressful – regardless of whether you are the accused or the accuser. Your behavior should always be guided by the certainty that one day you will be called to account for your actions.
(5) Sandy Miller, July 3, 2011 2:30 PM
been there, done that
I had a school book stolen from my locker so couldn't do the assigned homework.The teacher said "no excuses for not answering the question put to you". My heart was in my throat. I ask God to help me and help me find my book which my mom had paid for. As soon as it was my turn the bell rang for a fire drill. By the time that ended school was out for the day. I also found my book when my locker mate said she took mine by mistake. I have always believed that God did help me that day. A little thing? Maybe, but a crisis to me.
(4) Chana, July 3, 2011 2:19 PM
Reminds me of "Fidler on The Roof"
So Jewish, as Tevia argued with Hashem so Rabbi Salomon argues with a traffic law! So funny! And Hashem seems to be laughing at Yaakov - with a blessing as the policeman looses his paper work!
(3) Doron, July 3, 2011 1:18 PM
What about the ‘What If’ Clause?
Great article, but the only thing missing seemed to be the ‘what if’ clause. You know, the one where we try to understand, not ‘if’ the law was broken, but what if someone had changed lanes in that exact second, only to be side-swiped when the (oh-so-thin) white line was crossed. What if someone was hurt or even, G-d forbid, killed! Would the white line look so thin then? It still might to some… So, we can see that, not only did Hashem keep everyone safe on that particular section of road on that particular day, but he made sure that the person crossing the line had the good sense to realize where everything comes from. The ‘what if’ in this case seemed to hover around the question, ‘Who is running the world anyways?’ It is a good question and one that we all ask in every single solitary moment of our waking lives. It is just getting to the right answer that seems difficult and is also, in its essence, where ‘all’ the real joy and excitement in life comes from.
(2) Anonymous, July 3, 2011 9:08 AM
Aren't Torah Jews supposed to keep the country's laws?
If someone blatantly breaks the law, even by accident, they are required to own up and pay the consequences.
Anonymous, July 3, 2011 10:40 AM
He said the line was not thick enough -
So no breaking of the law, blatant or otherwise, sorry to spoil your self rightousness
dovid, July 3, 2011 3:09 PM
The law of the land and I
You are absolutely right. The Torah commands me to uphold the laws of the land. However, praying to the Al-mighty is within the purview of my rights enshrined in this country's constitution. If the Judge decides to give me a break, the court judge will also give me a break.
(1) Jackie, June 26, 2011 9:51 AM
Classic Salomon
I laughed and cried. Haven't seen something this good since the windshield wipers at Walmart. Thanks for a truly fantastic piece.
debby, July 3, 2011 9:06 AM
I loved the article! It just strengthened my belief that we can turn to Hashem for everything and anything because as mentioned, nothing is too big OR too small ask from our Tatty!