US

Selfless Rabbi Electrocuted While Saving 8-Year-Old Boy During Hurricane Irene

Selfless Rabbi Electrocuted While Saving 8 Year Old Boy During Hurricane IreneIn a heartrending incident this past Sunday in New York, a selfless rabbi named Moshe Yosef Reichenberg was electrocuted to death while trying to rescue his eight-year-old neighbor who was trapped under a live cable downed by Hurricane Irene. The boy is reportedly in critical condition.

The rabbi was allegedly driving by when he noticed the trapped child. He stopped his car and tried to free the boy from the cable, but was killed by the high voltage before being successful.

Israel National News reports what happened next:

“It was a horrible scene,” wrote Meir Bernstein of New York’s Kol Hareidi newspaper.

Rescue teams tried to save the rabbi’s life and rescue the child but were forced to stand by helplessly for 20 minutes until electric company crews arrived to cut off the power.

By then it was too late to save the rabbi.

The stormy weather also did not allow a helicopter to land and evacuate the victims, and the child had to wait for half an hour until an ambulance was able to rush him to a Westchester hospital, where doctors said his life is in danger. People are asked to pray for Chaim Reuven Dovid ben Chava Leah.

It is both curious, and, perhaps worth noting, that other reports of this incident – namely one in the AP — merely refer to Rabbi Reichenberg as a “good Samaritan” and do not include his full name, nor the fact the he was a rabbi.  Which begs the questions: why?

Comments (88)

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  • keywest62
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 12:06pm

    WHY WAS THIS 8 YEAR OLD KID OUTSIDE IN A BAD STORM???? This heroric Rabbi could still be living if this kids parents had stepped up and kept this kid inside during this storm.

    Report Post » keywest62  
    • Steev
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 1:26pm

      I don’t see as to how it matters – maybe the parents were negligent – maybe the parent’s were just plain stupid – maybe the kid slipped out on them ( were you ever curious when you were a child, and did what mom and dad told you not to do when they weren’t looking ) ? That doesn’t minimize the rabbis deed .

      Report Post » Steev  
    • monstermaker
      Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:27pm

      The parents got hurt and the boy is dead

      Report Post »  
  • ejbonk
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:50am

    God Bless Rabbi Moshe Yosef and his family in this time of great loss to them. My prayers ar with them and Isreal.

    Report Post »  
  • OniKaze
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:44am

    Religion aside… (being that this has nothing to do with this) This was a brave man, who knowingly put himself in a dangerous situation to try and save the life of a stranger. I believe the word “Hero” is reserved for such individuals. So to the former Mr. Reichenberg… Your heroic bravery may not have bore fruit, but your sacrifice will assuredly be appreciated by the boy’s family. While others stood by in fear of danger (and apparently rightly so…) you braved the danger with complete dis-regard for your own safety..

    YOU Mr. Reichenberg died a hero.. And in the end, a man can’t ask for more..

    Report Post » OniKaze  
    • TroyBray
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:17pm

      Well spoken. One of few instances when i haven’t gagged at the use of the word “hero.” This kind soul was and is a HERO.

      Report Post »  
  • iahp_mom
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:42am

    How do you figure that jews have 100% control of the US Media?
    BTW – I don’t think anyone ever said that “ALL” of any kind of person is ALWAYS kind, gentle etc…. we are all human, and flawed afterall. I don‘t think you’ll find any Christian anyway that refutes that.

    Report Post »  
  • docmo
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:21am

    God Bless.

    Report Post »  
    • Cerealface
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:33am

      This is why Rabbi’s, like everyone else, should wait for the professionals.

      Cerealface  
    • MarksMan
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 3:09am

      Ya, good idea… watch a child die! I hope your not there if my child needs saving. Selfless acts are what Gods servants are all about. Help others before helping yourself. The Rabbi has a special place in Heaven.

      Report Post »  
  • eddie333
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:16am

    Too many of the J e w s I’ve met are fussy, cranky, whiny, and self-absorbed. I have met nice ones, too, but they are not the majority.

    Report Post » eddie333  
  • Stu D. Baker-Hawk
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:50am

    May the God of Abraham accept the soul of this brave, selfless man.

    Report Post »  
  • RugerHoyt
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:50am

    The amount of voltage (in this case probably 12,500 volts in a residential area) carried by the line itself is not the killer when it comes to electricity, Amps are the killer. Amps being a measure of resistance through a circuit; it only takes 1.5 amps to stop the human heart (yet the same 1.5 amps can start the human heart again). So the combination of water on the line, the type of shoe the Rabbi was wearing, and any little factor that adds resistance to this tragic “circuit” is what killed the poor Rabbi. It is sad he died the way he did, but he did not die in vain…he died to save the life of another human…

    Report Post »  
    • Attention2Detail
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 2:57pm

      People who don’t know anything about electricity should not try to teach others. Amps is not resistance, it is a measure of current (amount of electrons). It is the voltage which pushes the amps through the body and 12.5KV can push a lot of amps through a human body.

      Report Post » Attention2Detail  
    • knome
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 3:41pm

      @Attention2Detail

      Maybe you should think first. Voltage doesn’t do anything until there is resistance. It’s resistance to voltage that creates amperage. I = E/R (amps = volts divided by resistance). Which is what RugerHoyt was talking about. Maybe you can be nicer next time you want to teach somebody something that isn’t true.

      Report Post »  
    • Attention2Detail
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 4:23pm

      Yes I know all about ohms law. It is what I do for a living. I went to college to study it back when they actually taught stuff in college. There is always resistance (ohms) and as soon as you have EMF (volts), you will have current (amperes). That is how it works. Technically none of these three exist without the others, which is why I hate it when some know-nothing says it’s not the voltage, it’s the amps that kill you. If you don’t have enough volts, you will never have enough amps. It is true that it takes a certain amount of current to stop your heart, but you won’t get it without the presence of a high enough voltage to push it through your relatively high resistance body. If you had some high school science teacher get this wrong, you’re in good company, but read a book.

      Report Post » Attention2Detail  
    • UPSETVET
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:25pm

      If I’m shot in the head with a 357 magnum is that what kills me are do I die of a heart attack since my heart stops beating. The Rabi was ELECTROCUTED regardless of whether the line was wet or dry and the type of shoes he was wearing. The important thing is he died to save a fellow human life and that’s uncommon valor. He deserves a hero’s medal an or commendation. My heart goes out to his family and they will be in my prayers as will the boy and his family.

      Report Post »  
    • knome
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:01am

      Thanks, I spend a fair amount of time reading books and it used to be my job, too. But you‘re still missing the point that it doesn’t take a lot of voltage to kill a person. We’ve lost enough people working on standard 120 and 277 circuits to know that. You must be an office boy who’s never worked on anything but paper. You may hate it when someone says “it’s not the voltage, it’s the amps that kill you” but it’s true. And I hate it when someone attacks a person on a forum because he isn’t technically correct. So we’re even

      UPSETVET is right. All this is irrelevant. A brave man died. God bless his soul. Who cares how electricity works?

      Report Post »  
    • Larry Holmes
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 6:27pm

      Actually, it is the REDUCTION of resistance which increases current, since I=E/ R, increasing R with E (voltage) constant makes I (current) decrease. Perhaps I did not understand your comment, though.

      The important thing is that this very brave man saw a boy in danger and, without worry for his own safety, he attempted to save the boy. If he had known more about electricity, would he have acted differently? I can’t say, but, my bet would be that the rabbi would have tried anyway. To save the life of a child is worth the risk!

      It takes much less than 1 Amp to kill a person; a fraction of an amp could be fatal if the current took a path which ran through, or near, the heart, which it usually does, due to the concentration of conductors around the heart and upper body. But if one could strike the wire with an object pushed or thrown toward the wire, then, let go before the object hit the wire, he MAY succeed. The natural urge is to grab the victim and pull him away, but any attempt to touch anything already carrying current is usually fatal. The rescuer’s every muscle would tighten immensely powerfully, and he could not let go. I am not speculating about this here to show off, but rather, to share information which may affect someone’s future actions in a similar situation. Thanks for taking time to explain some of the details here!

      Regardless of all this, I deeply admire that rabbi in ways I cannot find words to describe. I am sure he is well received

      Report Post »  
  • nuchsh
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:29am

    the video of the rabbi’s son talking about it

    http://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6201194

    Report Post »  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 9:50am

    A stick is a very poor insulator – all dependent upon the power ( voltage ) in the downed line – a story brings to mind: A high power line was once fell across a hwy.. A vehicle stopped, the person got out of the vehicle, as soon as he placed his feet on the ground , he died. Many other vehicles stopped out of curiosity , got out, in turn they dropped dead as well. My best guess is ,someone in the one of the vehicles somehow, alert to the danger, passed the alarm to oncoming traffic.

    Report Post »  
    • searching for the Truth
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 9:54am

      Excuse : ” someone in one of the vehicles, somehow…”

      Report Post »  
    • searching for the Truth
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 9:59am

      The path of electricity is dependent upon the amount of voltage in that conductor of electricity – any insulator will break down – even air – water and electricity are unfriendly campers.

      Report Post »  
    • searching for the Truth
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:03am

      Even more soo, if there exist capacitive reactance – well, I’ll better stop there – too technical.

      Report Post »  
    • searching for the Truth
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:06am

      Well, maybe not. Appliances are very, very dangerous to touch when wet .

      Report Post »  
    • searching for the Truth
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 10:14am

      This man was compelled out of his compassion for a human being. No other trait inherent of God is more valuable. Lord be with his family.

      Report Post »  
  • NuffSaid
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 9:34am

    Bless the man.

    Report Post »  
  • DanWesson455
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 9:06am

    Selfless hero. I pray for him and his family. Sad, very sad.

    Report Post » DanWesson455  
  • Brittany-Imbriaarts
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:44am

    There is no greater sacrifice then to protect gods children. This was not just a man but a hero and he should be treated in every bit one. Let the gates of Heaven resound in joy at his coming.

    Report Post » Brittany-Imbriaarts  
  • Brittany-Imbriaarts
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:42am

    There is no greater sacrifice then to protect gods children. This was not just a man but a hero and he should be treated in every bit one. Thank you Rabbi, let the gates of heaven welcome with great blessings.

    Report Post » Brittany-Imbriaarts  
  • Charles
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:12am

    Electrocuted to death? That is the same as saying someone was killed to death.
    Being shocked is electricity passing through your body. Electrocution is death as a result of a shock. Think of it this way; Electro – electricity + execution – death. Why why why are journalists so pathetically stupid. Learn the language. Its English. Probably the only language you speak and you dont even know it. Or is it the fact that it has to do with electricity or anything remotely technical that confuses journalists so much?

    Report Post »  
    • semihardrock
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 12:47pm

      Thanks for the English lesson. NOW….u r my hero instead of the Rabbi and all those who relayed this heroic message and story to you for free.

      HINT: stay focused….or you will miss THE BIGGER picture

      PS Please dont vote for Obama again!

      Report Post » semihardrock  
  • zenothestoic
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:58am

    “It is both curious, and, perhaps worth noting, that other reports of this incident – namely one in the AP — merely refer to Rabbi Reichenberg as a “good Samaritan” It‘s even more curious that they didn’t refer to him a “Good West Banker” since Judea and Samaria don’t exist.

    Report Post » zenothestoic  
    • SgtB
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:43am

      I find it curious that a grown man wouldn’t have the common sense to not touch a high voltage power line. I’ve worked in commercial electric and I was an electronics repair tech in the military. The 1st thing that they ever teach you is that you don’t touch a source of power and that if someone else is caught on that source of power you do not grab them to get them free of it. If the boy was truly under the power line the ONLY thing that was keeping him from being electrocuted was the fact that the power had a shorter path to ground than through his body. By moving the power line the rabbi could have removed that path and also killed the boy. As nobel as his actions may have seemed, they were ignorant and the result was his own death.

      If you ever find yourself in a similar situation you should try to help the victim out by having them grab the end of a long stick while you pull on the other end. And for god sake don’t grab power lines, unless you want to end up like the Indian guy who stood on top of a train threatening to kill himself only to reach up and grab the electic train’s power lines and actually do the job.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • DeltaPiDeke
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:07pm

      Hmmm…let’s see…. Where did the parable of the Good Samaritan first appear? Not the worst thing to call someone, is it?

      Report Post »  
  • jackbauer2012
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:53am

    Has anyone asked the question as to why this boy was even outside during a hurricane?

    Report Post »  
  • Ben41281
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:45am

    As a Christian, I look forward to meeting the Rabbi, when I get to heavan.

    Report Post » Ben41281  
  • Taxpayer550
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:26am

    The Associated Press, like the New York Times, Daily Kos, MSNBC, CNN, and the rest are hate Christians and Jews. That‘s why they didn’t mention the name of Rabbi Reichenberg in their article. That’s alright. God knows who he is.

    Report Post » Taxpayer550  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:56am

      I was thinking the same thing. I didn’t know he was a rabbi.

      Report Post »  
    • jtunink
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:02pm

      Well “TEchengineer” that was very Anti-Semetic. Perhaps you’d like to rephrase your statement? Or are you just another one of the little Nazi Progressives?

      Report Post »  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:54am

    The Lord stopped blaming the acts of the father on His children long, long ago.

    Report Post »  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:50am

    Some “ paved ” streets are an excellent conductor to electricity – be careful stepping out of a vehicle onto pavement when there is a downed power line.

    Report Post »  
  • HerrBeck
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:44am

    Someone should inform the family of this selfless person that Rush Limbaugh has decreed that this hurricane was a none event.
    Clearly this selfless Rabbi overreacted to the event, the boy being placed in mortal danger, because of media hype. If only that man could have heard Rush speak perhaps he would still be with us today.
    Question the media sheep, all of the media.
    Hurricane Irene was real, and deadly, while there may have been too much coverage, it was warranted. People died. Don’t let opportunist media hacks like Limbaugh tell you what to think.

    Report Post » HerrBeck  
    • rickbob
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:12am

      And how does this relate to the fact that YOUR media did NOT identify this selfless man as a Rabbi??

      Report Post » rickbob  
    • Seede
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 3:37pm

      Sounds like you don’t like Rush even a little bit. The subject matter was the brave Rabbi and the child he so bravely gave his life to help. You made your point to bash another human with your hatred. How do you know that the Rabbi did not love Rush? Examine yourself and try to see that hatred is a killer too.

      Report Post »  
    • HerrBeck
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:38pm

      Actually, the fact that he was a Rabbi should not have been mentioned, certainly not as part of the headline.
      He was a selfless human, who gave his life rescuing another human. If he had been an Imam or a Scientologist or even a Mormon, it shouldn’t matter.
      I would like to think he didn’t save that boy ONLY because he was Jewish. That would not have been a selfless act. I want to think he saved the boy because that is what good people do, they try to save young children, with no agenda.

      Report Post » HerrBeck  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:43am

    It speaks to itself doesn’t it?

    Report Post »  
  • jillcooks
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:40am

    I cannot imagine why they would exclude his title, let alone his name, However, calling a Jew a Samaritan would be insulting to a full blooded Jew, that is(one of )the points of the biblical story.
    So they have insulted this mensch twice.

    Report Post »  
    • treshall
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:50am

      I thought the same thing, Jill. It amazes me that the world could have come round again to 1930′s Poland, Germany, etc. and more people aren’t alarmed by it. The subtleties, like the AP maybe omitting the fact that he was a rabbi, to the blatant anti-semitism that we see daily in Europe and encroaching daily here, ought to scare the crap out of everyone, Jew, Gentile or atheist.
      Our heavenly father must be extremely disappointed. I know I am.
      May this courageous and selfless rabbi rest in peace.

      Report Post »  
    • toto
      Posted on August 30, 2011 at 3:32pm

      As a 60 something gentile, I too see the acceptance of antisemitism as a warning bell clangling and no one seems to be giving it proper attention.

      Report Post »  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:35am

    The Lord says nothing greater can be done than to give one’s life to save another. Excuse my Truthful conjugation of the verb.

    Report Post »  
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