Rabbi Visits Imprisoned Grandson at Military Prison, Rallies Support from Haredi Leaders

A rare and highly visible scene unfolded Sunday at the court adjacent to Prison 10 in Beit Lid, where the Rebbe of the Chug Chasam Sofer sect came in person to attend a hearing for his grandson, yeshiva student Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Weiss. Weiss is being held after refusing military enlistment and taking part in protests, including demonstrations outside the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg.

After the hearing, the Rebbe approached his grandson behind bars, spoke with him briefly and offered personal encouragement. He told him, “Ozer Yisrael begvura, this will be to your merit on 1 Tishrei 5787, Rosh Hashanah.” He also used his presence at the prison-court complex to address other Haredi detainees there and reassure family members who had come to the proceedings, blessing them for standing firm.

At the same time, institutions of Chug Chasam Sofer published a public letter of support and praise for Weiss under the heading “Give greatness to those who sanctify His name.” The letter describes him as a prominent member of the community who was jailed, in their view, while protesting the enlistment decree, and cites religious statements extolling imprisonment for sanctifying God’s name.

Meanwhile, members of the Rebbe’s household are circulating a separate support letter among other rabbis and Hasidic leaders in recent days. The effort is meant to bolster Weiss, the father of two small children left at home, while it remains unclear how long he will remain in custody.