Former Chief Ashkenazic Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau said, Monday, that it was not the way of Judaism and the Torah to set one's self on fire, as in the case of financially-troubled Moshe Silman at a social-justice demonstration in Tel Aviv, Saturday evening. Interviewed on Kol Berama radio, Rabbi Lau, who currently serves as Tel Aviv's chief rabbi, said, "Whathappenedon Saturday nightis a tragic,terribleandshocking form of violence. May G-dprotectand savewhoever wouldmake thestory of MosesSilman their banner andsymbol."
The rabbi made it clear, "The ends don't justify the means. This is a mostterribleand spoiled path, that a personhurtshimself. This is violence." He concluded, "Iam not judginghis actionsbutthey are not to be seen asan example." Silman was reported near death, Monday morning.