Leading Rabbonim Demand Immediate Kevurah for Uman Murder Victim After Alleged Misuse of Rov’s Name
A gathering of prominent rabbonim in Bnei Brak has issued an urgent halachic ruling demanding the immediate burial of R’ Yitzchok Elmakias z”l, whose body has remained in Ukrainian custody for 55 days after he was discovered dead in a forest near Uman under circumstances that raised suspicions of murder.
The ruling followed a meeting Tuesday evening at the home of askan R’ Yehuda Yaakov, attended by Rav Moshe Bransdorfer, Gaavad of Heichal Hora’ah, and Rav Chaim Yosef Dovid Weiss, known as the Chida, the Satmar Raavad of Antwerp, who is currently visiting Eretz Yisroel.
During the gathering, serious allegations emerged that certain askanim had improperly invoked Rav Weiss’s name to justify prolonging the delay in burying the deceased, despite his explicit instructions that any postponement be limited to a brief period.
According to information presented at the meeting, shortly after Rosh Hashanah, individuals involved in the case approached Rav Weiss claiming to possess information suggesting that the perpetrators were Jewish and that Ukrainian authorities needed additional time to investigate the suspected murder.
Based on those representations, Rav Weiss reportedly permitted the burial to be delayed for no more than one or two days to accommodate the investigation.
However, the individuals who obtained his written authorization allegedly withheld the document for approximately three weeks. When they eventually released it after Yom Tov, they reportedly removed its date, creating the misleading impression that the rov had authorized a delay extending for nearly a month.
The allegations went further. According to the account presented at the meeting, Rav Weiss subsequently issued another letter, approximately one month ago, explicitly prohibiting any further postponement of the burial. That document was allegedly suppressed and never made public.
Rav Weiss reportedly expressed deep distress upon learning that his name had been used to support a prolonged delay that he had never sanctioned, particularly given the serious halachic concerns surrounding halonas hameis, the prohibition against unnecessarily delaying burial.
Following the discussion, the assembled rabbonim issued a forceful joint ruling declaring that there was no halachic justification for any action that would further postpone the kevurah.
In their written decision, the rabbonim stated that no demands or requests may be made that would cause additional delays, and that every possible effort must be undertaken to bring the deceased to kever Yisroel immediately in Ukraine.
They further declared that deliberately obstructing the burial, whether directly or indirectly, was strictly prohibited, particularly if motivated by improper considerations.
Rav Weiss added a handwritten warning to the ruling, stating that anyone responsible for delaying the burial because of outside considerations would ultimately be held accountable.
He also categorically rejected claims that he had approved an extended postponement, declaring that reports suggesting he had permitted the body to remain unburied for longer than one or two days were entirely false.
The controversy surrounds the death of R’ Elmakias, a London resident whose body was discovered in a wooded area of Uman nearly two months ago. The circumstances of his death have prompted serious suspicions of foul play, although the investigation remains in the hands of Ukrainian authorities.
His remains have not yet been released, with Ukrainian officials reportedly insisting that the investigation must be completed before the body can be transferred for burial.
Beyond the demand for immediate kevurah, Rav Weiss addressed a separate dispute concerning where the deceased should be buried once Ukrainian authorities authorize his release.
Some individuals have advocated transporting the body to London, where R’ Elmakias lived and where his mother and brother reside.
Rav Weiss, however, ruled that the burial should take place in Uman, near the location where the deceased was found.
