These thieves will have to answer to a higher authority.
A Brooklyn rabbi’s car was stolen over the weekend — with a torah worth an estimated $30,000 stashed in the trunk.
Rabbi Binyamin Tamaiev parked his 2007 Toyota Corolla on 18th Avenue outside Congregation Agudath Sholom of Flatbush shortly before the start of Sabbath on Friday afternoon.
After service, he left his keys in the synagogue and walked home.
When he arrived at shul on Saturday, his car — and the torah — were missing.
“I cannot forgive myself. I was in shock. I felt as if somebody died, as if a house burned,” the rabbi said. “How could someone go into a holy place, steal keys and a car?”
Police found the car and the torah Monday at East 10th Street and Avenue I, just a few blocks away from where it was stolen.
“I want to believe that whoever took the car did not mean to take the torah,” the rabbi said.
The rabbi was repairing the torah for a congregation in Queens and kept it in the car because he was ready to return it. When he realized he was was running late for service on Friday, he decided to return it after the sabbath.
“The safety and sanctity of a Torah scroll means a great deal to our community,” said the Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn), who offered a $3,000 reward for information leading its return.
Hikind said he’d be happy to pay the reward if someone comes forward to claim it.
“I hope it helped,” Hikind said.
The rabbi said he wasn’t holding a grudge; God will be the only one to pass judgment.
“I will forgive whoever did it,” the rabbi said.