Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5770
3 months and 10 days ago, a link was taken from the everlasting chain of the Jewish People. The name of this link: Pesha Leah Azoulay – Roetter.
This link wasn't your ordinary link, it was unique. If Pesha Leah saw another link in the process of snapping in two, she would immediately grasp that link and attach it to her own. Pesha's link, we all thought, was indestructible. That it was solid steel. But now it's gone! Gone, leaving hundreds of links floating around, with nothing to attach themselves to.
Pesha's link was what brought together hundreds upon hundreds of lost links attached them to Hakodosh Baruch Hu. Now, being that Hashem broke of Link Pesha Leah, many links, more than ever before, are floating around, lost with no protection.
But we must keep in mind a promise and trust that we remind hashem of 3-4 times a day. Every day we say in davening: Mechalkel chaim b'chesed – He sustains the living with loving-kindness.... Umikayim emunaso lishnai ufar – and He fulfills his trust to those who sleep in the dust.... V'neeman atoh le'hachiyos maisim – You are trustworthy to revive the dead.... Baruch atoh Hashem Mechaiyai hameisim – Blessed are you Hashem who revives the dead.
So, not only do we believe that He will revive the dead, but also that He will help the living, He will help all those lost links attach themselves back; and He will help them overcome this test of faith.
May we merit the fulfillment of the end of the verse as well, the promise of the Resurrection of the Dead. This way, all those lost links can olnce again attach themselves to Link Pesha Leah, who will be attached to Link Moshiach! May it happen right now, Amen Selah!
May the Neshamah of Pesha Leah bas Chaim Leibel have a complete Aliyah in heaven!
May all those lost links reconnect to Hashem's chain!
~Dovid Nissan Roetter
About The Editor
- Dovid Nissan Roetter
- Oak Park, Michigan, United States
- I am a 16 year old student in the 11th grade at Y.N.S. - Trocki High School For Boys, NJ. I love to read and write.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
The Connection Is Never Lost T.T.T.O. Ashrainu, Ashrainu
Dearest G-d in heaven,
you are my father.
Dearest G-d in heaven,
I am your son.
You are supposed to be with me,
whenever I desire.
From the moment that I am born,
till the moment that I expire.
And yet, and yet sometimes it seems to me,
that you just leave me be.
Sometimes it seems like you are really not here,
and in fact completely elsewhere!
Ashrainu,ashrainu mah tov chelkainu,
where are you when I really need you?!
Umah noim, umah noim gorelainu,
who can I turn to, if not you??
Umah yafa, yafa, yafa yerushasainu,
O' what should I do?
You give me so many hard tests,
That I hardly have time to rest.
My life is a crazy rollar coaster, on which I am riding,
if only you would please stop hiding!!
I don't have the strength that I do need,
to pass this horrible decree.
I need help from above,
from my father in heaven, whose son He does love.
So please, let me know,
where are you when I need you so?
You are supposed to always be there,
for your child, if you really care.
Ashrainu,ashrainu mah tov chelkainu,
where are you when I really need you?!
Umah noim, umah noim gorelainu,
who can I turn to, if not you??
Umah yafa, yafa, yafa yerushasainu,
O' what should I do?
But really I know this is not true,
this is something you would never do.
Because you are Hashem who,
would never forsake a Jew.
There is a certain connection,
that we have in our possesion.
There is a special love we have, O' yes we do,
it connects us to Hakodosh Baruch Hu.
Now, I know,
that you were really helping me.
You had me on my shoulders,
this I now clearly see.
Ashrainu,ashrainu mah tov chelkainu,
how fortunate are we that we are Jews.
Umah noim, umah noim gorelainu,
that we are always connected to you.
Umah yafa, yafa, yafa yerushasainu,
no matter what we may do!
There's nothing more to say,
you're with us every single day.
Even for a moment, you never leave us,
to find you, we don't need to take a bus.
You never leave us at all,
you never ever let us fall.
And even when you do,
you bring us right back up to you!
And so, being that we are your sons,
our connection to you is never really done.
So, yes I now truly know,
that you do love us so.
Ashrainu,ashrainu mah tov chelkainu,
how fortunate are we that we are Jews.
Umah noim, umah noim gorelainu,
that we are always connected to you.
Umah yafa, yafa, yafa yerushasainu,
no matter what we may do!
~Dovid Nissan Roetter
you are my father.
Dearest G-d in heaven,
I am your son.
You are supposed to be with me,
whenever I desire.
From the moment that I am born,
till the moment that I expire.
And yet, and yet sometimes it seems to me,
that you just leave me be.
Sometimes it seems like you are really not here,
and in fact completely elsewhere!
Ashrainu,ashrainu mah tov chelkainu,
where are you when I really need you?!
Umah noim, umah noim gorelainu,
who can I turn to, if not you??
Umah yafa, yafa, yafa yerushasainu,
O' what should I do?
You give me so many hard tests,
That I hardly have time to rest.
My life is a crazy rollar coaster, on which I am riding,
if only you would please stop hiding!!
I don't have the strength that I do need,
to pass this horrible decree.
I need help from above,
from my father in heaven, whose son He does love.
So please, let me know,
where are you when I need you so?
You are supposed to always be there,
for your child, if you really care.
Ashrainu,ashrainu mah tov chelkainu,
where are you when I really need you?!
Umah noim, umah noim gorelainu,
who can I turn to, if not you??
Umah yafa, yafa, yafa yerushasainu,
O' what should I do?
But really I know this is not true,
this is something you would never do.
Because you are Hashem who,
would never forsake a Jew.
There is a certain connection,
that we have in our possesion.
There is a special love we have, O' yes we do,
it connects us to Hakodosh Baruch Hu.
Now, I know,
that you were really helping me.
You had me on my shoulders,
this I now clearly see.
Ashrainu,ashrainu mah tov chelkainu,
how fortunate are we that we are Jews.
Umah noim, umah noim gorelainu,
that we are always connected to you.
Umah yafa, yafa, yafa yerushasainu,
no matter what we may do!
There's nothing more to say,
you're with us every single day.
Even for a moment, you never leave us,
to find you, we don't need to take a bus.
You never leave us at all,
you never ever let us fall.
And even when you do,
you bring us right back up to you!
And so, being that we are your sons,
our connection to you is never really done.
So, yes I now truly know,
that you do love us so.
Ashrainu,ashrainu mah tov chelkainu,
how fortunate are we that we are Jews.
Umah noim, umah noim gorelainu,
that we are always connected to you.
Umah yafa, yafa, yafa yerushasainu,
no matter what we may do!
~Dovid Nissan Roetter
Pesha Leah Azoulay - Roetter OB"M
Pesha Leah Roetter - Azoulay OB"M
Each day she changed the world for the better
She lived 23 beautiful years
Hashem took her from us via a car accident
Achdus in theE world was her life-goal
Learning and Davening were constantly recited by her
Every Mitzvah was precious in her eyes
A smile was always on her lips
Her motto was: "Ashrainu - How Fortunate!"
Running always to help another Jew
Our people suffered a great loss with her passing
Each moment of her life, she was preparing the world for Moshiach
The Rebbe & Rebbetzen were her mentors, and she was a mentor for others
Taught many the ways of Hashem
Everlasting in our memories, she will be
Rose amongst the thorns; Redemption is very near
~Dovid Nissan Roetter
Each day she changed the world for the better
She lived 23 beautiful years
Hashem took her from us via a car accident
Achdus in theE world was her life-goal
Learning and Davening were constantly recited by her
Every Mitzvah was precious in her eyes
A smile was always on her lips
Her motto was: "Ashrainu - How Fortunate!"
Running always to help another Jew
Our people suffered a great loss with her passing
Each moment of her life, she was preparing the world for Moshiach
The Rebbe & Rebbetzen were her mentors, and she was a mentor for others
Taught many the ways of Hashem
Everlasting in our memories, she will be
Rose amongst the thorns; Redemption is very near
~Dovid Nissan Roetter
Life Vs. Death T.T.T.O. It Happened Yom Kippur
The birds keep chirping, the sun keeps shinning,
Fish keep splashing, flowers still blossom.
O' how can nature keep going on this way,
When my life, as I know it, is now dimming?!
How can it be such a beautiful day,
When my world has gone all dark and gray? x2
Someone just died,
Or tragedy struck.
And yet things go on,
Is it just me, or do I have bad luck?
And yet life keeps going on, and on, and on.
But this you must never forget:
Hashem gives us all the strength,
To pass this horrible test.
He always creates
The cure before the sickness.
Believe me,
This time is not at all different!
We must thank Hashem,
For the good as well as the bad.
Whether you're an old man,
Or just a young lad.
Remember:
Although death does happen,
Nature does not stop.
Hashem feels your pain,
And collects all of your tear drops.
The Redemption IS coming!
It's on its way.
We just need to make the best,
~Dovid Nissan Roetter
Fish keep splashing, flowers still blossom.
O' how can nature keep going on this way,
When my life, as I know it, is now dimming?!
How can it be such a beautiful day,
When my world has gone all dark and gray? x2
Someone just died,
Or tragedy struck.
And yet things go on,
Is it just me, or do I have bad luck?
And yet life keeps going on, and on, and on.
But this you must never forget:
Hashem gives us all the strength,
To pass this horrible test.
He always creates
The cure before the sickness.
Believe me,
This time is not at all different!
We must thank Hashem,
For the good as well as the bad.
Whether you're an old man,
Or just a young lad.
Remember:
Although death does happen,
Nature does not stop.
Hashem feels your pain,
And collects all of your tear drops.
The Redemption IS coming!
It's on its way.
We just need to make the best,
~Dovid Nissan Roetter
Saturday, March 21, 2009
My January Roadtrip - 2009
“Oh man! Oh man! What am I going to do?! Winter break is approaching and I have nothing to do. This is going to be the worst winter break ever.” This is what was going through my mind at about New Year’s time. How little did I know how wrong I was.
Anyways, school went on like regular. Finally, one day I call up my mother to see what I should do for mid-winter vacation, and I hear that my sister, Shayna, is coming to visit me!! My joy knew no bounds. I’ll be doing something, and with my sister, too! But that was only half the surprise. The other half still remained a secret. Now, I just couldn’t wait for winter vacation!
About a week before vacation, I’m told the other half: I’m going to
Well, for that week I’m packing and getting ready. I was told I’ll be in
Finally, the big day, Sunday January 18, 2009, arrives. I davened with the shul and then called Shayna. She was coming at around 9:00 to pick me up. I was soon picked up by Shayna and Buddy. Who’s Buddy? Buddy is this really great dog that Shayna just got. He’s really cool. I’ll speak more about him later on in the composition.
Then we went to pick up Ari Chapman (the person my sister is dating). He’s a really, really cool guy!
Well, we talked and caught up on things. Then we went to pick up Ari’s almost two year old son, Adam. He is really fun and cute. This is the second time meeting him. Once we picked Adam up, we drove to this really awesome dog park not far away. You should really see Buddy play! He’s amazing at jumping! We were playing fetch and some stupid dog took the ball and dropped it by its master’s feet. The guy told me to take it. ‘Don’t worry, he won’t bite you’ he said. Well, I take the ball and start going towards Shayna and Ari, when the stupid dog jumps and my whole hand ends up in his mouth! So much for ‘it won’t bite’!
On Tuesday we got up early, packed, picked up Ari and Buddy, davened, ate and hit the road. We went through, I believe, four states that day! That night we all slept in the car by some welcome center.
Later, after a mad dash to pick up our car, we went to see the White House! We took pictures in the back because the front still had bleachers from the inauguration the day before (the back looks better anyways!) Later, after searching all over for a gas station, we went souvenir shopping. I got the perfect picture frame. It has all around the picture different things: the
On Thursday we woke up, davened, did random stuff, had sushi for brunch, watched cartoons, and then hit the road [leaving Ari behind (so it was just Shayna, me, and Buddy)].
I kept saying to myself: ‘I wish Yaakov (Docks, my best friend) could see Buddy’. Guess what? I found out that Yaakov was going to be in town too! It turns out that he had his break then also!
On Friday morning, we arrived in
I spent Shabbos at the Docks’s house with Yaakov. It was great! On Moitze Shabbos, Hudsi Rosenberg and Yaakov slept over! We had a lot of fun!
Sunday: We all woke up, davened, and played. Later Hudsi went home and Yaakov and I, went to Jerusalem Pizza (the best pizza store) for lunch, where we ate a nice, big meal. Then I went to get a watch. We then had some fun for the rest of the day. Finally, Yaakov had to go home. So I went to Sara’s Deli (the best restaurant for meat), where I ordered to go for me and my mother. We had a nice little supper at home. After supper, my friend Dovi Rosenberg (Hudsi’s brother) came over. We played for a few hours until he was picked up. Then came the hard task of packing, for I was going back to yeshiva early the next day. I was packing until like two or three in the morning, when I fell asleep on the couch.
On Monday morning, I was woken up at about six thirty, to go to the airport. Shayna took me. When I was checking in, I was told that since I was only fourteen, I had to have a parent check in with me. You see I was flying North West Airlines. So Shayna had to park and check me in. Then, security was moving to slow, since it was tightened. Boy, was I running late! Just my luck that my gate happened to be all the way at the very end of the terminal! I got there just as they were closing the door! Whew! It was a nice ride. Then I took a shuttle and soon arrived on yeshiva grounds.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Mesiras Nefesh Has Always Been A Part Of Us, As Have The Holtzbergs HY”D Dedicated To The Innocent Terror-Victims Of Mumbai, India
What exactly is ‘Mesiras Nefesh’? I know ‘Sacrificing Your Life for Hashem’. But what does it really mean ‘giving up your life’? I’m only a 14 year-old boy, born in 1994. Thank G-d I wasn’t alive in the times of the Crusades or the infamous Holocaust. So I can’t understand as well what Mesiras Nefesh really is. Unfortunately, in view of the recent events, I think I now know what it means. Now, I never personally knew the Holtzbergs, like my sister Pesha Leah did. But, yet, it all affected me very deeply. I guess it’s because we are all brothers and sisters. I guess everyone had some Mesiras Nefesh when they heard the news. So, really, Mesiras Nefesh is not just giving up your physical bodies for Hashem, like Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkie did. Also, to a certain extent, giving up your emotional body, as well as your desires, I guess. That is also true Mesiras Nefesh. That is living for Hashem!
Living With Mesiras Nefesh
If I would ask you what Mesiras Nefesh means, you’d probably say ‘giving up your life for Hashem’. Right? Well you are right, but it’s really more than that. Mesiras Nefesh can also mean giving up your desires. What do I mean, you ask? Well, if for example, you want to oh… go to a basketball game. But you know it’s wrong. Yet you really want to go. What can you do? You could, maybe, leave early, or go outside and learn during the halftime, or whatever. That’s also Mesiras Nefesh. You’re sacrificing your desires.
There once was a sheperd, who also had Mesiras Nefesh, in this aspect. His name was Akiva. One day, he saw a rock that had a hole drilled into it. When he enquired about it, he was told that the water dripping on it, made a hole. If water can penetrate a rock, he thought to himself. Why can’t torah penetrate my head? So giving up all worldly desires, he then studied torah, became Rabbi Akiva, and had many students. That was also Mesiras Nefesh.
Physically Mesiras Nefesh
As everyone knows, Mesiras Nefesh means giving up your life for Hashem, literally. Like the Kedoshim in Mumbai did. Unfortunately, there were many other times in our history, where people gave up their lives. For example, the infamous holocaust. Millions of Jews were killed, in order to sanctify the name of Hashem. They were Mesiras Nefesh with their complete physical body.
There is one time in history though, that I want to talk about. This is the story of The Ten Martyrs (The עשרה הרוגי מלכות).
The day the Bais Hamikdosh was destroyed, the first one was killed. His name was Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel. He was the father of Rabbi Yehudah the Nosi (prince). Later, Rabbi Yishmoel ben Elisha, the Cohen Gadol (the High Priest). Sixty years following the destruction, Rabbi Akiva, the same one I talked about earlier, was killed. His was the worst. The Romans tore off his skin with tons of iron combs. Thirteen years passed. The other seven, were then killed in horrible ways. Some were burnt alive; some had their tongue cut off, while one was stabbed with 300 iron laces. Their names were: Rabbi Yehudah ben Bava, Rabbi Chanina ben Tradion, Rabbi Yeshavav the sofer (scribe), and Rabbi Elazar ben Dama. There was also, Rabbi Chanina ben Chakinai, and Rabbi Chutzpith the Translator. Last of all, Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua. He was the greatest genius of his time. He also bor the title ‘Best of the Sages’. Rabbi Yehudah the Nosi was his student.
Now, some, replace Rabbi Chanina ben Chakinai, Rabbi Elazar ben Dama, and Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua with Rabbi Yehudah the Baker, Ben Azzai, and Rabbi Tarfon. But, the first opinion is more reasonable. That is the story of the Ten Martyrs.
So now, hopefully, all of us, including myself, understand a bit more about Mesiras Nefesh, and what it means to us as Jews. Just like ה' avenged the blood of the Ten Martyrs, so too, He will avenge the blood of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkie, along with the other innocent terror victims of Mumbai. There are many things being done in honor of the Kedoshim, including ‘Mitzvos for Mumbai’. I hope that by writing this essay, I too have fulfilled a portion in this mitzvah.
May Hashem avenge the blood of all those who died על קידוש ה' (Sanctifying Hashem’s Name), in these tragic events. Along with those who perished in our entire history, now! אמן!
Living With Mesiras Nefesh
If I would ask you what Mesiras Nefesh means, you’d probably say ‘giving up your life for Hashem’. Right? Well you are right, but it’s really more than that. Mesiras Nefesh can also mean giving up your desires. What do I mean, you ask? Well, if for example, you want to oh… go to a basketball game. But you know it’s wrong. Yet you really want to go. What can you do? You could, maybe, leave early, or go outside and learn during the halftime, or whatever. That’s also Mesiras Nefesh. You’re sacrificing your desires.
There once was a sheperd, who also had Mesiras Nefesh, in this aspect. His name was Akiva. One day, he saw a rock that had a hole drilled into it. When he enquired about it, he was told that the water dripping on it, made a hole. If water can penetrate a rock, he thought to himself. Why can’t torah penetrate my head? So giving up all worldly desires, he then studied torah, became Rabbi Akiva, and had many students. That was also Mesiras Nefesh.
Physically Mesiras Nefesh
As everyone knows, Mesiras Nefesh means giving up your life for Hashem, literally. Like the Kedoshim in Mumbai did. Unfortunately, there were many other times in our history, where people gave up their lives. For example, the infamous holocaust. Millions of Jews were killed, in order to sanctify the name of Hashem. They were Mesiras Nefesh with their complete physical body.
There is one time in history though, that I want to talk about. This is the story of The Ten Martyrs (The עשרה הרוגי מלכות).
The day the Bais Hamikdosh was destroyed, the first one was killed. His name was Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel. He was the father of Rabbi Yehudah the Nosi (prince). Later, Rabbi Yishmoel ben Elisha, the Cohen Gadol (the High Priest). Sixty years following the destruction, Rabbi Akiva, the same one I talked about earlier, was killed. His was the worst. The Romans tore off his skin with tons of iron combs. Thirteen years passed. The other seven, were then killed in horrible ways. Some were burnt alive; some had their tongue cut off, while one was stabbed with 300 iron laces. Their names were: Rabbi Yehudah ben Bava, Rabbi Chanina ben Tradion, Rabbi Yeshavav the sofer (scribe), and Rabbi Elazar ben Dama. There was also, Rabbi Chanina ben Chakinai, and Rabbi Chutzpith the Translator. Last of all, Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua. He was the greatest genius of his time. He also bor the title ‘Best of the Sages’. Rabbi Yehudah the Nosi was his student.
Now, some, replace Rabbi Chanina ben Chakinai, Rabbi Elazar ben Dama, and Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua with Rabbi Yehudah the Baker, Ben Azzai, and Rabbi Tarfon. But, the first opinion is more reasonable. That is the story of the Ten Martyrs.
So now, hopefully, all of us, including myself, understand a bit more about Mesiras Nefesh, and what it means to us as Jews. Just like ה' avenged the blood of the Ten Martyrs, so too, He will avenge the blood of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkie, along with the other innocent terror victims of Mumbai. There are many things being done in honor of the Kedoshim, including ‘Mitzvos for Mumbai’. I hope that by writing this essay, I too have fulfilled a portion in this mitzvah.
May Hashem avenge the blood of all those who died על קידוש ה' (Sanctifying Hashem’s Name), in these tragic events. Along with those who perished in our entire history, now! אמן!
Want Freedom? Work For It!
Chapter 1
Weo-Weo-Weo! The sirens were piercing the air! Seven patrol cars came zooming down the dirt road, and came to a screeching halt in front of a small cottage. Two cops jumped out of each car and surrounded the house. Half of them drew their guns and entered the cottage by breaking down the door. Ten minutes passed. Twenty minutes passed. Forty minutes passed. Finally, after two hours, four of the policemen come out dragging a teen, about 16 or 17, and garbage bags upon garbage bags of drugs, nicotine, cocaine, boxes of cigarettes and cases of whiskey. Following them, the others came out with their guns pointed at the young adult. The teenager is shoved into a patrol car, which speeds off. The rest then follow suit.
Chapter 2
“Order in the court! Order in the court!” the Judge cried, while banging his gravel. “This court will now come to order! Will the accused please rise?”
A teenager named Josh Santriso slowly stands up.
“Are you, or are you not Josh Santriso?” the Judge asked.
“I am, your Honor.” The young boy replied.
“And did you, or did you not have drugs and alcohol in your possession?”
“Yes, your Honor. But-”
“I did not ask for any further information.” The Judge replied. “You will answer what you have been asked and only that. Do you understand?”
“Yes, your Honor.” The boy answered meekly.
“Good! Now, back to where we were. You admit to having drugs and alcohol in your possession. Now, how old are you?”
“Sixteen, your Honor.”
“Sixteen. Wow! To young to smoke, yet you had packs of cigarettes; to young to drink, yet you had cases of whisky; and definitely to young to use drugs! Wow! Wow-whee! So, how do you plead: Innocent or Guilty?”
“Innocent.” The boy replied. “Your Honor.” He quickly added.
“Innocent?! Why, I’m surprised! All the evidence proves you guilty, and yet you plead innocent. That takes a lot of guts.”
“May I speak, your Honor?”
“You don’t have much hope, but go on.”
“Thank you. Honorable Judge, Men of the Jury, and all those present. Do you want to see an innocent man rot in jail, for a crime that he did not commit?”
“What on earth are you saying?! If it wasn’t you, then, just, who was it?”
“Your Honor, I work in a McDonald’s and I have a ‘competitor’, who works in a Taco Bell, by the name of George Shaproe. This past year, I had a lot more costumers than him. So, naturally, George was mad. He vowed to get me back. Don’t you think that these objects were planted on me, so that my ‘competitor’ can get rid of me?”
“How many times did you rehearse that? Don’t answer me! It doesn’t matter! All in all, it’s a very far-fetched story. But it’s not up to me.” Turning to the Jury, he exclaimed: “Men of the Jury, you know the facts. You saw the evidence. You heard Mr. Santriso’s story. Now it’s up to you to see if he is innocent, and should be let free, or if he is guilty, and if so he’ll be sentenced to twenty-five years in prison. You are dismissed.”
The Jury takes leave of the courtroom.
Chapter 3
“Mr. Foreman?” the guard said.
“Yes?” he replied.
“If you need anything just knock on the door.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
The door closes and the click of the lock is heard.
The Foreman asked for attention.
“We were lucky not to get a case of life and death. But, that does not mean that we could take this case lightly. I think that we should start off with a silent vote.”
The Foreman then ripped up a large piece of paper into twelve pieces and handed it out to the Jurors.
“Please write your vote on the piece of paper, and pass it back up to me.
A couple minutes pass, with only the sound of pen on paper heard.
“Alright! Is that all of them?”
“Yep! I believe so,” said Juror# 7
“Good! Now, let’s see: Guilty!”
“Guilty!”
“Guilty!”
“Innocent!”
“Guilty!”
“Innocent!”
“Guilty!”
“Innocent!”
“Guilty!”
“Guilty!”
“Guilty!”
“And… Guilty!”
“Ok! It’s 9 to 3 – Guilty! What should we do now?”
Juror #11 spoke up. “I think that we should see why those that claimed innocent did so. But it’s just a thought,” he trailed off.
“I think,” said the Foreman, “that it’s a great idea! If nobody minds, all those that claim innocent, please raise your hand.”
Jurors #3, 8 and 12 slowly raised their hands.
The Foreman called on Juror #3. “Why do you say innocent?”
“Well, I for one believe his story.” “Now, what is this?!” yelled Juror #5. “We went into his **** story enough! He works in no McDonald’s! In fact, he doesn’t even work at all! Plus, there is no such person as George Shaproe. What kind of name is ‘Shaproe’ anyways?” he said with a sneer.
“Sorry mister.” Juror #3 replied.
Juror #12 put down his hand. “I had the same reason,” he said.
“Well,” said the Foreman. “Now it’s 11 to 1 – Guilty. So Juror #8, why do you say innocent?”
“Aw! Gee! I-I-I don’t really know. I mean, my conscience just doesn’t let me say guilty, and have a kid sit in a dark, dingy cell for 25 years.”
“But he told a stupid story under oath!” yelled Juror #2.
“I-I know, I know. But lying under oath is only five years, not twenty-five.”
“Oh! Shut it about you and your stupid conscience!” juror #2 started yelling. “Knowing you, you probably would let a murderer get off free, because you don’t want to make him go to the ‘Electric Chair’!” he sneered at him.
Then #7 got up. “What are you doing, you animal? He’s entitled to his rights as an American; and as part of this jury, he can claim innocent or guilty without being ashamed for it!”
Juror #2 sat down, embarrassed. “Sorry,” he grunted.
“Good!” said Juror #7. “Now, Juror #8, he does have a point. He’s guilty, all the way, and you know it.” “Yah…. I know. You’re right. I claim guilty.”
“Alright!” said the Foreman. He knocked on the door.
“Yes?” said the guard.
“We have reached a verdict.”
The Jury files into the courtroom.
The Judge bangs his gravel for attention. “The Jury has come to verdict. Mr. Foreman, if you please?” “The Jury proclaims the accused guilty, of all charges, your Honor.”
“It’s settled then!” the Judge said. “I herby sentence the accused, Mr. Josh Santriso, to twenty-five years in prison! Case dismissed!” He bangs his gravel twice.
All those present, file out of the courtroom. Josh Santriso is lead away, handcuffed.
Chapter 4
It’s 1:37 am, on Wednesday, December 7th, 1993. All is quiet. Everyone is fast asleep. All that is, except for one person. A person in a dark, dingy cell, shared with the mice and the rats. A cell with only a small barred up window, a hard wooden bench to sleep on and a small doggy-door, where his daily ration of bread, soup, water, chicken and cheese come in. that person is none other than, our infamous Josh Santriso.
Seventeen years have passed. The 16 year old Josh we once knew, is now a 33 year old man. He wasn’t skinny, but he wasn’t fat either. He, of course, wasn’t married. In only 8 years he would be free. He’s been thinking about life, and he decided, that when he gets out, he’s going to get a real job. He’s going to earn enough money to support himself for many years to come.
But will he ever get out? Eight years is like an eternity. Sure, people come to visit, and sure, it’s not so bad, but it’s eight years! Maybe, he thought, that since he was good, he can bail himself out. But alas! No! He was to be in jail eight more dreadful years.
Chapter 5
8 years later…
Josh was in a very happy mood. He was getting out any day now! He was now 41 years old. He was getting some gray hairs already. Five days pass. Ten days pass. When was he getting out already?! After a month and a half, there’s a knock on his cell door.
The guard opens the door, and leaves it wide open. “You’re free!” he said. “You can go home!” Finally! The day he was waiting for, waiting over twenty-five years for, has come. He was free! He was going home today!
He quickly packed the few belongings he had, and walked out of the jail cell. He walked out into the courtyard, and for the first time in over twenty-five years… he passed the jail gates! Freedom! What everybody dreams about! How good it is to be free! How he won’t take advantage of something like freedom again!
Epilogue
25 years later…
Josh Santriso, a man of 66, now lives with his wife and five children in Los Angeles, California. He owns a pretty successful business. I am glad to say that Josh has learned his lesson very, very well. He also learned that you have to work for everything, even… freedom!
Weo-Weo-Weo! The sirens were piercing the air! Seven patrol cars came zooming down the dirt road, and came to a screeching halt in front of a small cottage. Two cops jumped out of each car and surrounded the house. Half of them drew their guns and entered the cottage by breaking down the door. Ten minutes passed. Twenty minutes passed. Forty minutes passed. Finally, after two hours, four of the policemen come out dragging a teen, about 16 or 17, and garbage bags upon garbage bags of drugs, nicotine, cocaine, boxes of cigarettes and cases of whiskey. Following them, the others came out with their guns pointed at the young adult. The teenager is shoved into a patrol car, which speeds off. The rest then follow suit.
Chapter 2
“Order in the court! Order in the court!” the Judge cried, while banging his gravel. “This court will now come to order! Will the accused please rise?”
A teenager named Josh Santriso slowly stands up.
“Are you, or are you not Josh Santriso?” the Judge asked.
“I am, your Honor.” The young boy replied.
“And did you, or did you not have drugs and alcohol in your possession?”
“Yes, your Honor. But-”
“I did not ask for any further information.” The Judge replied. “You will answer what you have been asked and only that. Do you understand?”
“Yes, your Honor.” The boy answered meekly.
“Good! Now, back to where we were. You admit to having drugs and alcohol in your possession. Now, how old are you?”
“Sixteen, your Honor.”
“Sixteen. Wow! To young to smoke, yet you had packs of cigarettes; to young to drink, yet you had cases of whisky; and definitely to young to use drugs! Wow! Wow-whee! So, how do you plead: Innocent or Guilty?”
“Innocent.” The boy replied. “Your Honor.” He quickly added.
“Innocent?! Why, I’m surprised! All the evidence proves you guilty, and yet you plead innocent. That takes a lot of guts.”
“May I speak, your Honor?”
“You don’t have much hope, but go on.”
“Thank you. Honorable Judge, Men of the Jury, and all those present. Do you want to see an innocent man rot in jail, for a crime that he did not commit?”
“What on earth are you saying?! If it wasn’t you, then, just, who was it?”
“Your Honor, I work in a McDonald’s and I have a ‘competitor’, who works in a Taco Bell, by the name of George Shaproe. This past year, I had a lot more costumers than him. So, naturally, George was mad. He vowed to get me back. Don’t you think that these objects were planted on me, so that my ‘competitor’ can get rid of me?”
“How many times did you rehearse that? Don’t answer me! It doesn’t matter! All in all, it’s a very far-fetched story. But it’s not up to me.” Turning to the Jury, he exclaimed: “Men of the Jury, you know the facts. You saw the evidence. You heard Mr. Santriso’s story. Now it’s up to you to see if he is innocent, and should be let free, or if he is guilty, and if so he’ll be sentenced to twenty-five years in prison. You are dismissed.”
The Jury takes leave of the courtroom.
Chapter 3
“Mr. Foreman?” the guard said.
“Yes?” he replied.
“If you need anything just knock on the door.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
The door closes and the click of the lock is heard.
The Foreman asked for attention.
“We were lucky not to get a case of life and death. But, that does not mean that we could take this case lightly. I think that we should start off with a silent vote.”
The Foreman then ripped up a large piece of paper into twelve pieces and handed it out to the Jurors.
“Please write your vote on the piece of paper, and pass it back up to me.
A couple minutes pass, with only the sound of pen on paper heard.
“Alright! Is that all of them?”
“Yep! I believe so,” said Juror# 7
“Good! Now, let’s see: Guilty!”
“Guilty!”
“Guilty!”
“Innocent!”
“Guilty!”
“Innocent!”
“Guilty!”
“Innocent!”
“Guilty!”
“Guilty!”
“Guilty!”
“And… Guilty!”
“Ok! It’s 9 to 3 – Guilty! What should we do now?”
Juror #11 spoke up. “I think that we should see why those that claimed innocent did so. But it’s just a thought,” he trailed off.
“I think,” said the Foreman, “that it’s a great idea! If nobody minds, all those that claim innocent, please raise your hand.”
Jurors #3, 8 and 12 slowly raised their hands.
The Foreman called on Juror #3. “Why do you say innocent?”
“Well, I for one believe his story.” “Now, what is this?!” yelled Juror #5. “We went into his **** story enough! He works in no McDonald’s! In fact, he doesn’t even work at all! Plus, there is no such person as George Shaproe. What kind of name is ‘Shaproe’ anyways?” he said with a sneer.
“Sorry mister.” Juror #3 replied.
Juror #12 put down his hand. “I had the same reason,” he said.
“Well,” said the Foreman. “Now it’s 11 to 1 – Guilty. So Juror #8, why do you say innocent?”
“Aw! Gee! I-I-I don’t really know. I mean, my conscience just doesn’t let me say guilty, and have a kid sit in a dark, dingy cell for 25 years.”
“But he told a stupid story under oath!” yelled Juror #2.
“I-I know, I know. But lying under oath is only five years, not twenty-five.”
“Oh! Shut it about you and your stupid conscience!” juror #2 started yelling. “Knowing you, you probably would let a murderer get off free, because you don’t want to make him go to the ‘Electric Chair’!” he sneered at him.
Then #7 got up. “What are you doing, you animal? He’s entitled to his rights as an American; and as part of this jury, he can claim innocent or guilty without being ashamed for it!”
Juror #2 sat down, embarrassed. “Sorry,” he grunted.
“Good!” said Juror #7. “Now, Juror #8, he does have a point. He’s guilty, all the way, and you know it.” “Yah…. I know. You’re right. I claim guilty.”
“Alright!” said the Foreman. He knocked on the door.
“Yes?” said the guard.
“We have reached a verdict.”
The Jury files into the courtroom.
The Judge bangs his gravel for attention. “The Jury has come to verdict. Mr. Foreman, if you please?” “The Jury proclaims the accused guilty, of all charges, your Honor.”
“It’s settled then!” the Judge said. “I herby sentence the accused, Mr. Josh Santriso, to twenty-five years in prison! Case dismissed!” He bangs his gravel twice.
All those present, file out of the courtroom. Josh Santriso is lead away, handcuffed.
Chapter 4
It’s 1:37 am, on Wednesday, December 7th, 1993. All is quiet. Everyone is fast asleep. All that is, except for one person. A person in a dark, dingy cell, shared with the mice and the rats. A cell with only a small barred up window, a hard wooden bench to sleep on and a small doggy-door, where his daily ration of bread, soup, water, chicken and cheese come in. that person is none other than, our infamous Josh Santriso.
Seventeen years have passed. The 16 year old Josh we once knew, is now a 33 year old man. He wasn’t skinny, but he wasn’t fat either. He, of course, wasn’t married. In only 8 years he would be free. He’s been thinking about life, and he decided, that when he gets out, he’s going to get a real job. He’s going to earn enough money to support himself for many years to come.
But will he ever get out? Eight years is like an eternity. Sure, people come to visit, and sure, it’s not so bad, but it’s eight years! Maybe, he thought, that since he was good, he can bail himself out. But alas! No! He was to be in jail eight more dreadful years.
Chapter 5
8 years later…
Josh was in a very happy mood. He was getting out any day now! He was now 41 years old. He was getting some gray hairs already. Five days pass. Ten days pass. When was he getting out already?! After a month and a half, there’s a knock on his cell door.
The guard opens the door, and leaves it wide open. “You’re free!” he said. “You can go home!” Finally! The day he was waiting for, waiting over twenty-five years for, has come. He was free! He was going home today!
He quickly packed the few belongings he had, and walked out of the jail cell. He walked out into the courtyard, and for the first time in over twenty-five years… he passed the jail gates! Freedom! What everybody dreams about! How good it is to be free! How he won’t take advantage of something like freedom again!
Epilogue
25 years later…
Josh Santriso, a man of 66, now lives with his wife and five children in Los Angeles, California. He owns a pretty successful business. I am glad to say that Josh has learned his lesson very, very well. He also learned that you have to work for everything, even… freedom!
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