[Avodah] Driving Without a Licence

[Micha Berger]

The following story was carried by Hareidim and subsequently picked up by
VIN. Given our current language difficulties, I'll post VIN's version. If
you recall the story, it pays to scroll down to the snippet from RDE's
blog, as he cites R' Shternbuch who in turn cites the Steipler (the son
holds like the father -- and the Minchas Yitzchaq, the Tzitzi Eliezer,
and R' Ovadiah Yosef).

There was a recent newsstory that made me think about this issue, one in
which a prominant shomeir Shabbos just pled guilty for a fiscal crime,
and the story asks us to daven for him. I'm wondering what RCK would
say.

-micha


    Jerusalem - Rav Kanievsky to Bochur Who Drove Without a License:
    You're a Murderer
    Published on: Jul 22, 2009 at 09:23 AM 

    Jerusalem - Three weeks ago [ie early last July or so -micha]
    a bochur yeshiva without a drivers' license caused a dreadful car
    accident on the Ramot Road. Now another bochur was caught with the
    same irresponsible behavior. In preparation for his trial and out
    of fear that he might be sentenced to prison, the bochur decided to
    seek a blessing from Rav Chaim Kanievsky.

    After VIN News verified that accuracy of the exchange, we are
    bringing the recording of the conversation between them as a service
    for the public:

    Bochur: I have a trial in another week. They want to put me in
    prison. Would the rav please bless me so I'll be saved from it.

    Rav Chaim: What is the trial about?

    Bochur: They caught me driving without a license, after I crashed
    into a wall.

    Rav Chaim: So you're mamash a murderer! Adaraba, let them put you in
    prison. Very good.

    Bochur (shouts) What? Chalila, I didn't kill anyone. I didn't wound
    anyone either. I just had a small accident with a wall involving
    only myself.

    Rav Chaim: But you drove without a license, right?

    Bochur: Yes.

    Rav Chaim: Nu, so you're considered a real murderer. You could have
    caused an accident with people too.

    Bochur: But I know how to drive well. Besides that, [being in
    prison] might ruin things for me with shidduchim and yeshiva.

    Rav Chaim: There's no such things as "I know". Without a license,
    one doesn't know how to drive. Concerning shidduchim, whoever
    doesn't want you is right. It's dangerous.

    Bochur: I'm mamash sorry. Just let the rav bless me that I be saved
    in the trial.

    Rav Chaim: What do you mean, you're sorry? If you're given a car
    tomorrow you won't travel? For sure you'll travel. So the best thing
    is for you to sit in prison and learn not to be a murderer.

    Bochur: Please, will the rav promise that I'll be saved if I'll be
    careful from now on?

    Rav Chaim: I can't give a blessing. May Hashem help that they
    sentence you to what will really be good for you.

    Rav Chaim's family says that it's rare that Rav Chaim speaks in such
    extreme language, but this is how he views a person who is caught
    breaking traffic rules or who drives without a license. Rav Chaim
    will refuse to bless him and doesn't hesitate to say that it
    involves no less than "murder."

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From
http://daattorah.blogspot.com/2009/07/driver-without-license-is-threat-to.html

    Wednesday, July 22, 2009
    A driver without a license is threat to life

    VIN reports an discussion between Rav Chaim Kanievsky and a bochur
    who drove without a license and had an accident. [That sentence
    includes a link to the above story. -micha]

    This is discussed by Rav Sternbuch in volume 1 #850. A similar
    conclusion that the driver is a rodef and can be reported to the
    police is found in Minchas Yitzchok, Tzitz Eliezar and Rav Ovadiya
    Yosef.

    Rav Sternbuch quotes the Steipler as follows: ...(R' Yaakov Kaniefsky
    was very angry with those who violated traffic laws whose purpose
    is to protect the lives of the members of society. I heard that
    someone once came to him because he was worried that he was about to
    receive a very severe punishment because he had violated the traffic
    laws. He wanted to receive a beracha that he would be free of the
    punishment. R' Kaniefsky replied with a very sharp admonition and told
    him that in truth he deserved to be punished!) (This was even though
    R' Kaniefsky was not necessarily in agreement with the secular laws in
    general). Therefore it would appear that if the person is considered a
    danger to society and since we can't punish him ourselves, he should
    be reported to the police -- with the permission of beis din or the
    rabbi of the community. This is in fact a mitzva since it is saving
    the community from harm and possible death.