Rabbi Baruch Chalomish is an example of how human the priests, rabbis and other religious heads are. These men of virtue, ethics and high handedness are so full of weakness just like you or me. Rabbi Baruch Chalomish lost his wife who died of cancer sometime back. He turned to alcohol, got addicted to cocaine and sought solace in prostitutes.

Rabbi Baruch Chalomish must sometime listen to Crucify by Tori Amos and wonder why he seeks saviours in those dirty streets and sheets. While most would be too fast to accuse him of damaging a successful career by getting caught in the scandal of cocaine and whores, it certainly might not have been easy for the 55 year old man.

Jonathan Goldberg, QC, for the defence maintained that the Rabbi’s “fall from grace was a tragedy”. If the rabbi had suffered a silent torture, having to face the demons within him and had committed suicide, he would have been instantly turned into a hero.

The moment he sought solace in drugs, sex and alcohol just like most humans in his condition would, he immediately fell from grace and faced the wrath of the nation. While the consumption of cocaine isn’t legal, his mental and personal conditions have to be considered before judging a depressed and grieving middle aged man, who would be lonelier than you could ever imagine. The trial is being continued.

Via: Times Online