An Accidental Offense: Rafi Perlstein's Unlikely Encounter with the Law

Rafi Perlstein, a young Orthodox man, simply wanted to work part-time at a grocery store, but soon found himself facing charges by the state prosecutor, under almost absurd circumstances.

Perlstein tells his story: "Nearly a year ago, I worked part-time for four months at a small grocery store in Jerusalem. One day, a bearded religious-looking young man entered the store, appearing to be over 20 to anyone who'd see him. Unfortunately for me, he was only 17 years and 8 months old. The State of Israel sent this almost 18-year-old with a beard (obviously why) to trip me up, a young, inexperienced citizen. He purchased a bottle of Merlot wine costing 19.90 shekels.

Yes, a cheap bottle of wine with 13% alcohol, common in almost every Orthodox home. To buy a cheap bottle by someone who appears religious and way beyond his age, a bottle with the Badatz certification, and moreover, on a Wednesday afternoon (the start of shopping for Shabbat), why would I think anything is different?"

But soon, Perlstein found himself accused by the prosecution of selling alcohol to a minor. "As soon as the investigator began and showed me the video, I told her: Yes, that's me. I sold it, and I admit," he recounts, "I answered affirmatively to all her questions."

Now he wonders sorrowfully: "Is there no room for leniency for a young man who has never offended and this is a first accidental offense, caused by the police? It's not like I went out and made a mistake; the police got me through cleverness. Am I the problem for this country? Aren't there real criminals here to deal with?"