Rabbi Kanievsky's Ruling: Public Donations Purge Sins of Theft

As Yom Kippur concludes with the Ne'ilah prayer, a stark warning is issued regarding the sin of theft (gazala), described as the most significant impediment to prayer acceptance. The article emphasizes that even minor, forgotten transgressions, such as failing to return small borrowed items or unpaid debts, can accumulate and block prayers. Such sins, even if seemingly insignificant, can lead to severe spiritual consequences, including reincarnation.

To address this, Jewish tradition offers a unique solution for restitution when the wronged party is unknown: dedicating the ill-gotten gains to 'the needs of the many' (tzorchei rabim). This means donating to a public cause that benefits the entire community, thereby indirectly benefiting the victim.

When seeking clarification on what constitutes 'the needs of the many,' the late Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, revered as the "Prince of Torah," unequivocally directed individuals to donate to the Rabbinical Council (Va'ad Harabanim). He identified the council's extensive network, which serves all segments of Israeli society across all cities, as the most prominent 'public need' of the current generation.

The article further cites the late Rabbi Elyashiv, another prominent halachic authority, who stressed the critical importance of abstaining from theft, even suggesting that the day of Yom Kippur itself is justified solely for the purpose of ceasing such transgressions. The piece urges readers to donate to the Rabbinical Council before the final closing of the gates of prayer on Yom Kippur, framing it as the last chance to cleanse oneself of theft-related sins and ensure prayers are accepted.