Martin Grossman Cover Story

Posted on March 17, 2010 Updated on March 17, 2010

Here’s the introduction to Zman Magazine’s cover story this month.

The Jewish world recently undertook a colossal campaign to save the life of a young Jewish man sentenced to death, Martin Grossman. Spanning continents and religious denominations, countless Jews took time from busy schedules to telephone, e-mail, and write to politicians who could potentially spare Grossman from his death row fate. (The official estimate was 50,000 appeals. However, those involved in the efforts claim that there were many more. Just the petitions alone that were sent to the governor contained more than 40,000 signatures.)

At the same time, the heavenly “offices” were likewise flooded with heartfelt pleas and prayers. Jews stormed the gates of heaven, beseeching that they not be closed. None of those prayers went to waste; no prayer ever does. Someday, somewhere, those prayers will be retrieved from beneath the Heavenly Throne to generate salvation for Jews in need.

These were publicized efforts undertaken by the community at large. However, at the same time, a far more discreet, but no less intense campaign was implemented behind the scenes by experienced askanim and Jewish leaders.
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