From Israel National News...
We cannot forget our brother Jonathan who is rotting in prison for a crime which a non-Jew would spend 5-10 years in prison for... It is so sick to think that Jonathan may be left to die in such a horrible place. Now Rabbi Eliyahu has passed and Jonathans spiritual leader is no longer available to him. I hope that he finds some solace soon..
Rabbi Eliyahu's Death Leaves Jonathan Pollard 'an Orphan'
by Malkah Fleisher
While Israel continues to mourn the loss of former Chief Sephardic Rabbi, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, one of the rabbi's most recognized devotees sits alone in his grief.
Jonathan Pollard, who has been imprisoned in the United States for almost 25 years for passing information vital to Israel's security over to the Jewish state, reacted with great sorrow to the loss of Rabbi Eliyahu, who served as his personal rabbi and a public and vocal advocate on Pollard's behalf.
On Pollard's website, jonathanpollard.org, Jonathan and Esther conveyed their pain over the loss of Rabbi Eliyahu.
"Our beloved rav (rabbi), His Honor HaRav Mordechai Eliyahu zt"l (may the memory of the righteous one be blessed), our saintly teacher, our cherished moreh derech (guide), our beloved father, the light of our eyes and crowning glory of our generation has left us to plead before the Kisei HaKavod (G-d's throne) for the Nation of Israel. Now the Geula (redemption) may start in earnest, but the loss is simply too great to bear. And the heart cannot hear it, nor the mind grasp it. We are orphans. Broken-hearted orphans."
In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Pollard's wife Esther further conveyed Jonathan's grief.
"Baruch Dayan HaEmet (Blessed is the True Judge)," began Esther, on behalf of Jonathan. "Not since we both lost our mothers have we experienced such a deep and unbearable loss. We are heartbroken and bereaved. We are orphaned in the deepest sense of the word. The Rabbi left us a wonderful legacy, and that is the important thing upon which we must focus. Throughout all the years that we had the blessing of being part of his life, this was the rabbi who gave us strength. He gave us direction. He gave us hope."
"The Rabbi served all of the nation of Israel as a model of what a true Jew should be. The Rabbi knew no fear, he was strong, he was wise, he was dependable and he was dedicated. He was unwavering in his devotion to the Land and People of Israel. He was a real servant of Hashem. He feared no man - only G-d. This is the model that he gave us, and this is the model which will continue to inspire us. This is the model of the hope worth living for.
"Baruch Hashem (Praise G-d), we have a vast wealth of memories of the time we spent in the presence of the Rabbi. With what good humor, warmth, wisdom and outright kindness he continued again and again to bless us!
"How fortunate are we to have had the tremendous merit of being his children and coming under his influence! May the memory of our beloved Rabbi be a blessing for all of the nation of Israel!”
Rabbi Eliyahu was escorted to his final resting place by an estimated 200,000 people and buried during the night of June 7 near the grave of the 'Chida', famed 18th century Kabbalist and Talmudic scholar, whose remains were brought from Livorno, Italy to Jerusalem in 1960 through Rabbi Eliyahu's efforts..
(IsraelNationalNews.com)