LIGHTS OF OUR RIGHTEOUS TZADDIKIM

בעזרת ה ' יתבר

A Tzaddik, or righteous person , makes everyone else appear righteous before Hashem by advocating for them and finding their merits.

Kedushas Levi, Parshas Noach (Bereishis 7:1)

NIT ZAVIM – ROSH HASHANA 

Divine Judgment An elderly man once walked into Rav Levi Yitzchok’s Bais Din while it was in session. “I want to lodge a complaint,” he said, “and I want the Bais Din to rule on it. I live some distance away, and I have come here just to make my case before this Bais Din . Will you consider my case?” “Of course,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “Who is the defendant?” “It is Hashem .” “I see,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “And what is your complaint?” “I am a very poor man,” he said. “My wife and I have only one child, a daughter, and we have scrimped and saved for years so that we could marry her off properly. We have gone hungry just so we could save a few more pennies. And now she i s of marriageable age, and we are not even close to the amount of money we need. It is my opinion that Hashem is obligated to marry her off!” The Bais Din deliberated for a while and arrived at a decision. Rav Levi Yitzchok announced the verdict. “You are right,” he said. “We rule in your favor. Hashem is obligated to marry off your daughter. This Bais Din is giving Him a grace period of forty days to provide the money.” Forty days later, the man returned to the Bais Din . “So when will I get my money?” he said. “The money is coming to you,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “We will write you an official affidavit of our verdict, which you can take with you. It guarantees that Hashem will pay.” 1
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

The man left the Bais Din floating on air. He kissed and hugged the paper and sang and danced through the streets toward the inn in which he was staying. Just then, a wealthy squire rode by in his fine carriage and saw the poor Jew cavorting through the streets. As he watched, he saw a gust of wind snatch the paper from the hands of the Jew and carry it away. The paper flew through the air like a falling autumn leaf, sliding back and forth on unseen currents of air until it flew into the window of the squire’s carriage. The squire took the paper in his hands, but he could not read the writing on it. Meanwhile, the Jew had followed the path of the paper to the squire’s carriage. “Sir, that is my paper,” he said. “Could you please return it to me?” “I’ll return it to you in good time,” said the squire, “but first tell me what is written here.” The poor Jew grew red in the face. “I-I cannot,” he stammered. “But it really doesn’t matter. It is about me and my affairs.” “Nonetheless, I will not return it to you until I know what is written on it. There is a Jew in Berditchev with whom I do business. He will translate it for me. Come to my house in an hour.” Exactly one hour later, the poor Jew was knocking on the door of the squire’s house. A servant opened the door and showed him into the squire’s office. “Can I have my paper back now?” “Actually, you cannot,” said the squire. “Strange as it may seem, the letter is addressed to me. It provides me with some important information, and it instructs me to give the bearer of the letter a rather large sum of money. So, my good fellow, it seems you’ve earned yourself quite a handsome sum.” The squire then gave the poor Jew a sum that was far more than adequate for all his needs. n Dvar Torah The strangeness of the word immediately jumps out at us. The Torah tells us (30:9): “Hashem , your G-d, will render you abundant ( vehosircha ) in all your handiwork, in the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your livestock and the fruit of your land for the good, when Hashem will return to rejoice over you for the good as He once rejoiced over your forefathers.” What is the significance of the word vehosircha – “He will render you abundant” – an exceedingly unusual turn of phrase? We can find the answer, explains Rav Levi Yitzchok, in the words of the Mishna (Avos 3:19): “Everything is foreseen, freedom of choice is given and the world is judged ( haolom nidon ) favorably”. The word for world, olom , is of the feminine gender, and we would expect gender agreement in the verb form for judgment. But nidon is actually the masculine form; nidona is the feminine form. Why then does the Mishna use a masculine verb form for a feminine word? It is because the judgment of the world also extends, so to speak, to the Master of the World. Hashem enjoys providing great abundance for his children. Therefore, if he judges

2
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] them favorably, he also benefits Himself. But if He should, Heaven forbid, rule against them, He also deprives Himself of the joy of giving them blessings. The judgment extends not only to the world but to the Judge of the world. This concept is implicit in the use of the masculine verb form. This is also the implicit intent of the word vehosircha in our pasuk . This word can be translated as “render you abundant”, and it can also be translated as “render you superfluous”. The Torah is saying that Hashem will render your deeds superfluous so that He can lavish you with blessings regardless of your personal merit. Why would He do this? The end of the pasuk provides the answer. It is because Hashem wants “to rejoice over you for the good as He once rejoiced over your forefathers”. He does not want to be deprived of His own pleasure because of your lack of merit. Therefore, He will look away from your deeds in order to give abundant blessings. n n n ROSH HASHANA

Sacks of Sins

Rav Levi Yitzchok was known far and wide as an eved Hashem , a servant of Hashem . It is not a simple matter to be an eved Hashem ; this title is applied only to the greatest Tzaddikim of the generation. So how exactly did he achieve such an exalted status? Rav Levi Yitzchok provided the explanation. One Rosh HaShana night, Rav Levi Yitzchok related, his soul rose to the Upper World, and he entered the chamber of the Heavenly Court. Off to the right, there was a doorway that led to Gan Eden, where the Tzaddikim resided in eternal bliss, and off to the left, another doorway led to the blazing fires of Gehinnom . As Rav Levi Yitzchok watched, he saw Soton ’s messengers running swiftly into the chamber with large sacks on their shoulders. They cast the sacks onto the ground and ran back for more. “What is in those sacks?” he asked. “The sins of the Jewish people,” he was told. “But can they run so swiftly with such large sacks of sin?” “Yes, they can.” “And what will happen with all these sins?” “Soton will use them to prosecute the Jewish people.” As Rav Levi Yitzchok watched, the messengers who had dropped their sacks earlier were now returning with additional sacks. The situation was becoming desperate. Soton ’s stockpile was becoming overwhelmingly huge. How would the Jewish people withstand such a prosecution? Rav Levi Yitzchok quickly grabbed a few sacks, ran to the doorway to Gehinnom and tossed the sacks into the

3
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] flames. Back and forth, back and forth he ran until he had consigned all the sins to the flames. When Soton arrived before the Heavenly Court, ready to prosecute the Jewish people, he was shocked to find that all his sacks of sins had disappeared. He looked up, saw Rav Levi Yitzchok standing there and immediately understood what had happened. “Thief!” he cried out. “Those sacks were my property. Who gave you the right to take and destroy them?” Soton grabbed Rav Levi Yitzchok by his garments and dragged him before the bar of justice. “This man is a thief,” he declared. “I demand that he make restitution for the losses he has caused me.” The Court considered his arguments and decided in Soton ’s favor. “You must make restitution,” Rav Levi Yitzchok was told, “or else you will be sold as a slave, as decreed by the Torah (Shemos 22:2).” Soton demanded an exceedingly exorbitant sum as restitution for the damages he had incurred, and Rav Levi Yitzchok did not have the means to pay even a small fraction of it. It was, therefore, decreed that he would be sold as a slave. Avrohom, Yitzchok and Yaakov came forward to buy Rav Levi Yitzchok, but they could not muster the necessary funds. Nor did any of the other Tzaddikim who tried to redeem Rav Levi Yitzchok from his predicament. Finally, Hashem declared, “The entire world belongs to Me, and I will redeem him. I will buy him as My slave.” “And this is how I became an eved Hashem ,” concluded Rav Levi Yitzchok. “In the liturgy of Rosh HaShana , we say, ‘ Lekoneh avodov badin . For the One Who buys His slaves through judgment.’ Hashem bought me as His slave through judgment.” n The novi (prophet) says ( Hoshei’a 14:3): “ Kol tisa ovon vekach tov .” This is usually translated as: “Forgive all sins, and accept good”. But the order of the words is somewhat awkward. The pasuk can also be read with an alternate interpretation. Kol tisa ovon. Everyone can lift a sin. Why? Because a sin is as light as a feather and carried with hardly any effort. It is so easy to commit a sin and have it rise up to the heavens where it can do untold damage. Vekach tov – but take hold of the good. A good deed, an act that brings repair to the damage in the Upper Worlds, is much weightier than a sin. It cannot be carried up so easily. One needs to grab hold of it and drag it aloft. n n Rav Levi Yitzchok’s Lessons on Tefilla Elul/Rosh HaShana By: Rav Yehuda Prero

The tefillos on Rosh HaShana differ from the rest of the year. Some passages are unfamiliar, with words and sentences we are not accustomed to. While it is incumbent upon us to properly prepare for this holy day, we all know that each of us has some limitations. The following lessons from Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev shed some light on how we can make the most of our tefillos. 4
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

Everyone assembled in the shul was awaiting this moment. Their spiritual leader, the sainted Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, was going to sound the shofar himself this year. They knew of his dedication to Hashem . They knew of his piety. They knew that there was no more worthy person to lead the congregation in this special mitzva on this holy day. Rav Levi Yitzchok readied himself for this task of utmost importance. He immersed in the mikve , purifying himself in preparation for this hallowed duty. When the time came for him to blow the shofar , he looked angelic, garbed in his white kittel , enveloped in his tallis . He recited the introductory tefillos with utmost concentration, inspiring the entire congregation to do so with him. He then read a prefatory portion of the Zohar with heartfelt emotion. Now was the time for the blowing of the shofar . The entire congregation stood with anticipation and trepidation, awaiting the blessings and the first sounds of the shofar . But they did not come. Rav Levi Yitzchok did not recite the blessings. Instead, he placed the shofar back down on the table before him. A few moments passed, and he again picked up the shofar . He readied himself to recite the blessing. He hesitated, and then placed the shofar down once again. After some time had passed, Rav Levi Yitzchok turned to the confused assembled. “My friends,” he said, “there is seated here today a man. This man is not like you or me. He was separated from his family in his youth, and has no background or familiarity with his religion. He does not know how to read Hebrew, let alone daven . He knows that today is Rosh HaShana , a day to daven to Hashem , and he therefore joined us. Standing here, he saw the entire congregation immersed in meaningful and earnest tefilla . He felt a jealousy, a burning feeling of envy, because he could not participate with the congregation. This man turned his head toward Heaven, and cried his heart out. “‘Our merciful Father, You know all the sincere tefillos , the depths of the feelings with which they are uttered, the meanings and implications of every word. The only thing I know is the twenty-two letters of the alef-bais . My tefilla to You, on this holiest of days, is all that I know: alef , bais , gimmel …Please Hashem , in Your abundant kindness, join together these letters to formulate a tefilla for me.’ “You should know,” Rav Levi Yitzchok said, “that this is the reason for my hesitation. Hashem is in the midst of assembling this purest of pure tefillos . While Hashem joins together the letters uttered from the mouth of this righteous man, we must wait.” Hashem values all pure tefilla . Our Sages formulated tefillos in a specific fashion, with a precise composition, as they were aware of the deep implications and spiritual ramifications of the words. Yet, tefilla without heart is tefilla without soul. n n Who Will Blow the Shofar ? The word was out: Rav Levi Yitzchok was looking for someone to blow the shofar for himself and his followers on this Rosh HaShana . Many people were thrilled to be presented with this opportunity. They made appointments to “interview” with Rav Levi Yitzchok for this esteemed position. The day of the interview came. All the candidates gathered together in a room, and were called in one by one by Rav Levi Yitzchok. With each one, he asked a similar question:

5
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

What are you thinking about while you blow the shofar ? Each aspirant answered similarly, displaying his vast knowledge of the deep concentrations and metaphysical meanings upon which to focus during the blowing. Rav Levi Yitzchok, however, was not satisfied with any of the responses. Rav Levi Yitzchok noticed a man who was standing silently in the corner of the room, shifting uncomfortably, with a nervous look on his face. Rav Levi Yitzchok called him over, and asked him the same question. “ Rebbe ,” he responded, “I am a simple Jew. I have daughters to marry off. I am a poor man with no money for their dowries. When the time comes for the sounding of the shofar , I mentally utter the following tefilla : Father in Heaven, I have done Your will, and I am blowing before You the shofar . Please, if You could, do for me the same – please send me fitting husbands for my daughters!’ ” A large smile broke across the face of Rav Levi Yitzchok. “Excellent!” he said. “You have the correct and true feelings in mind when you blow the shofar . You are the type of person I am looking for to blow the shofar !” May all of our tefillos find favor in the eyes of Hashem during this High Holiday season. n The sound of the shofar which was heard at Har Sinai when the Torah was given “became louder and louder” ( Shemos 19:19). Rashi explains, “When a human being blows a trumpet, the longer he blows it, the more tired he becomes and the weaker the sound grows.” But the shofar at Har Sinai was different. Not only did its sound constantly increase in volume, but it has continued to be heard ever since. Its sound will not cease until “the earth is as full of the knowledge of Hashem as the waters cover the sea” ( Yeshaya 11:9). Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev comments, “There are people who hear the sound of the Rosh HaShana shofar all year long…and there are people who hear the sound of the Har Sinai shofar all the days of their lives.” They are two different shoforos . The Rosh HaShana shofar calls us to repentance, and we should repent every day of the year. The Har Sinai shofar proclaims Hashem as King over the world, and this thought ought to accompany us every day of our lives. Otherwise, as the High Holyday tefillos suggest, we will be caught up in the constant tussle between the melech evyon , the over-confident human tendency to think one is self- sufficient, and the melech elyon , the Creator King who expects humility of His creatures, and the capacity to listen to the divine word and live a life of dignity and responsibility. www.oztorah.com/2009/01/levi-yitzchak-the-shofar/ n Shofar , Malochim and Pesach Another version of this story is in Hearing Shofar: The Still Small Voice of the Ram’s Horn , Chapter 3–6 – The Ram’s Horn of Passover. Once, when the Rebbe Maharash of Lubavitch was traveling through Berditchev, he saw a group of elderly Tolna Chassidim carrying buckets of water and scrubbing the walls and floor of a little shul in preparation for a visit from their Rebbe the following day.

6
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

When the Rebbe asked them why they were doing all the work themselves instead of letting the younger Chassidim help them, they answered, “We are doing this ourselves because we want to have healthy Malochim to assist the advocating Malochim who come out of the tekios , the blasts of the shofar . “You know the yehi rotzon that is said after the tekios of Rosh HaShana — the one that mentions ‘the Malochim that are formed from the blowing of the shofar , and from the tekia , the shevorim , the terua , and the tekih , ( kshr”k ) [the identifying letters of the Hebrew words that signify the various sounds of the shofar]? “Well, one Rosh HaShana the holy Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev said, ‘Sweet Father, compassionate Father! Just in case the Malochim that proceed from the shofar that Levi Yitzchok the son of Sora Sosha has just blown are weak Malochim , let their place be taken by the holy, healthy Malochim that were created by the toil of Your people in preparation for Pesach , as they cleaned their kitchen utensils in order to fulfill their mitzva as perfectly as possible: kratzen (scouring), shobben (scraping), rieben (rubbing), and kasheren (making kosher)!’” [for the initials of these four Yiddish words are also kshr”k ]. (Likkutei Dibburim of the Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, Volume I page 280) (Rav Tal Moshe Zwecker) n n n

Chassidic Rosh HaShana Stories

Equestrian Illusions While passing through a marketplace, Rav Kehos of Veritch, a talmid of Rav Yisrael Ba’al Shem Tov, overheard a conversation between two horse dealers. “I was thinking,” said one to the other. “What does the psalmist mean when he says, ‘Do not be as a horse, or a mule, without understanding, their mouths stopped with bit and bridle’ ( Tehillim 32:9)? Well, when you put a bit in a horse’s mouth, he thinks that you are giving him something to practice his chewing on. Don’t be like a horse, Dovid HaMelech is saying. When your Heavenly Master sends something your way, understand that it is more than something to chew on…” Rav Kehos related this exchange to his teacher. The Ba’al Shem Tov was greatly excited by the horsedealer’s insight, and was inspired to a state of d’veikus (meditative attachment to Hashem). In his ecstasy, the Ba’al Shem Tov began to sing a melody. This is the melody to which the Rebbes of Chabad would daven on the first night of Rosh HaShana . n A Novel Audit With the approach of Rosh HaShana , as we close the past year and welcome the new, what better time for auditing our experiences in the past year so that we can better them in the year to come. Each one of us does so in his own personal way. Yet, there is something we can all learn from Moshe, the innkeeper, who employed a unique method of accounting. The Ba’al Shem Tov ’s students once asked how to prepare for the High Holidays. He sent them to observe the simple innkeeper, Moshe. The students took a room in his inn, and waited to discover the answer to their question. At midnight before Rosh HaShana they heard

7
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

Moshe rustling about in the front room. They peeked out and saw Moshe taking down two large notebooks from the shelf. He sat down on a small stool, lit a candle, and began reading from one notebook. The notebook was a diary of all the misdeeds and transgressions the innkeeper had committed in the course of the year – the date, time and circumstance of each scrupulously noted. His “sins” were quite benign — a word of gossip one day, oversleeping the time for tefilla on another, neglecting to give his daily coin to charity on a third — but by the time Moshe had read through the first few pages, his face was bathed in tears. For more than an hour Moshe read and wept, until the last page had been turned. He then opened up the second notebook. This, too, was a diary — of all the troubles and misfortunes that had befallen him in the course of the year. On this day Moshe was beaten by a gang of peasants, on that day his child fell ill; once, in the dead of winter, the family had frozen for several nights for lack of firewood; another time their cow had died, and there was no milk until enough pennies had been saved to buy another. When he had finished reading the second notebook, the tavernkeeper lifted his eyes heavenward and said: “So you see, dear Father in Heaven, I have sinned against You. Last year I repented and promised to fulfill Your commandments, but I repeatedly succumbed to my evil inclination. But last year I also davened and begged You for a year of health and prosperity, and I trusted in You that it would indeed be this way. “Dear Father, today is the eve of Rosh HaShana , when everyone forgives and is forgiven. Let us put the past behind us. I didn’t always do what was asked of me and You didn’t always do what was asked of You. I forgive You and You forgive me, and we’ll call it even.” n Legal Defense One year, when the first day of Rosh HaShana occurred on Shabbos , Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev ascended the podium in the center of his shul and addressed the heavens: “Master of the Universe! Today, all Your creatures pass before You like a flock of sheep, and You pass judgment upon them. Two great books lie open before You, the book of life and the book of death. The righteous are inscribed in the book of life, and the transgressors are written in the book of death, G-d forbid. “But today is Shabbos . Did You not command in Your holy Torah that is forbidden to write on Shabbos ? True, it is permitted to violate Shabbos in order to preserve a life, so You are permitted to inscribe the righteous in the book of life. But no such clause permits inscribing those who have transgressed Your will in the book of death. I therefore inform You, dear Father in Heaven, that according to the law of the Torah , You must inscribe all Your children for a year of life, health and prosperity!” n The Waiting King HaMelech (“the King”) is an oft-occurring word in the Rosh HaShana tefillos , whose dominant theme is our coronation of Hashem as king of the universe and submission to His sovereignty. Indeed, this is the first word chanted by the cantor on Rosh HaShana morning, as he opens the Shacharis tefillos with an awe-inspiring melody that climaxes with a sonorous Ha-Me-lech ! One Rosh HaShana morning, the great Chassidic master, Rav Aharon of Karlin,

8
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] fainted when he came to the word HaMelech . He later explained that he recalled the Talmudic passage ( Gittin 56a) that describes Rav Yochonon ben Zakkai’s encounter with Vespasian. Rav Yochonon had himself smuggled out of the besieged city of Yerushalayim to plead with the Roman general to spare the Torah center of Yavneh. When Rav Yochonon entered Vespasian’s tent, he addressed him as “Your Majesty”. “You are deserving of death on two accounts,” said Vespasian. “First of all, I am not the king, only His Majesty’s general. [Immediately afterward, relates the Gemora , a messenger arrived with the news that the emperor had died and Vespasian had been appointed to succeed him.] Second, if I am indeed king, why did you not come to me until now?” “I thought to myself,” said the Rebbe of Karlin, “if we address Hashem as ‘King’, does this not invite the question, ‘If I am indeed your king, why did you not come to me until now?’ What can we answer to that?” www.meaningfullife.com/hasidic-stories-rosh-hashanah/ n n n Stories about the Berditchever Rav for Rosh HaShana

The King Who Was Lost in the Woods Why We Blow the Shofar on Rosh HaShana “With trumpets and the sound of the shofar blow blasts before the King, Hashem .” (Tehillim 98:6) We will explain this based on a parable: There was once a flesh-and-blood king who traveled to a great forest to delight in the sport of hunting animals and birds. When he entered deep into the woods, he lost his way and could not locate the highway. Eventually, he lost the trail completely and was unable to retrace his steps in order to find the way back home. He met some peasants and serfs in the woods, who did not recognize the king, and asked them for directions. They could not answer him since they themselves had never traveled on the highway at all. He continued searching, till he met a wise man and asked him for directions. The wise man realized that this was the king himself, and he was shocked and greatly moved. Immediately, he offered the king his assistance and obeyed his will. He showed him the way back to the highway using his great wisdom to recognize the proper route. He took the king and escorted him all the way back to his palace and sat him back on his throne. The wise man found great favor in the king’s eyes, who raised his station above all the other ministers. He dressed him in fine clothing and allowed him access to enter the treasury. After much time had passed, this wise man sinned against the king and the king was greatly angered against him. He asked those ministers who were second-in-command to judge him as one who had transgressed the king’s command. The wise man was very pained, since he knew the judgment would be harsh, seeing that his sin was transgressing the king’s command. He came to the king and fell before him, prostrating himself, pleading for his life. He begged that the king grant him just one wish before his judgment was carried out. His request was to be dressed once more in the very same garments he had worn when guiding the lost king out of the woods so long ago. The king granted his wish, and when he was dressed once

9
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] again in those clothes, the king was reminded of the great kindness that this man had once done for him in helping him return to his palace and seating him back on his throne. His mercy was aroused and the wise man once again found favor in his eyes. The king forgave his sins and returned him to his former position and station. The entire parable above refers to Bnei Yisrael. At the time of Matan Torah (the Giving of the Torah ), when Hashem approached the members of each nation and asked them to accept the Torah , they refused ( Avoda Zara 2b; Zohar III 192b). We, His people, Bnei Yisrael, accepted the Torah with great joy and delight to the point where we even said, “We will do and we will hear.” We accepted the yoke of Heaven and the yoke of Hashem ’s kingship; we crowned Him as King over us and accepted His holy Torah and mitzvos . And now we have sinned and rebelled against Him. We fear the Day of Judgment on which Hashem judges every hidden thing ( Koheles 12:14), and every person is judged individually, according to his actions. We therefore blow the shofar and dress ourselves in the same garments which we wore back then at Matan Torah , when we accepted His Torah over us and crowned Him with the shofar , as the pasuk tells us ( Shemos 19:19) “The sound of the shofar became stronger and stronger”, in order to remind Him of those merits (Rema Orach Chaim 585:1, Mishna Berura 3: we blow at the bima so that the merit of the Torah should protect us), to ask Him to forgive us for all our sins, exempt us from judgment, and write us up immediately for good long lives – may it be His will, Amen ! The following parable, taken from the sefer Toldos Aharon by Rav Aharon of Zhitomir, a talmid of the Berditchever , explains the connection to the pasuk : n The King’s Happy Coronation Day I heard the following parable about our blowing of the shofar on Rosh HaShana from my master and teacher, the holy Gaon , may his memory be a blessing [Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev]: There was once a great king who was crowned by the citizens of a certain country out of their own goodwill. The king was very happy and rejoiced greatly over having been chosen and crowned as their king through their goodwill and ordered that they sound trumpets before him [to mark the occasion]. The countrymen were astonished by this command. They thought to themselves, “Why, without this ceremony would he not be king? Afterward, he commanded them further that every year, on the anniversary of his coronation, they should make an annual commemoration by once again blowing trumpets. This astonished them even more. After much time had passed, these same countrymen rebelled, acting treacherously against the king. The king passed judgment against them as one judges a traitor who has rebelled against the king. They in turn regretted their misdeeds and wished to beg the king’s forgiveness. Due to their crimes, however, they were not permitted to see the king, for he had placed guards and watchmen around the high walls of the king’s courtyard, who did not allow the countrymen to pass through. The countrymen came together to brainstorm what they could do to gain access to the king’s courtyard in order to meet him and attempt to solicit his forgiveness. Then one of them had an idea that they should find a way to remind the king of the great joy and happiness he had once felt at the day of his coronation when he had been crowned king of the land through their own goodwill; perhaps then he would have mercy on them.

10
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

However, due to the fact that the guards and watchmen prevented them from entering the king’s courtyard to remind him, they came up with the following plan: since on the day of his coronation he had asked to have trumpets sounded before him, perhaps he had in mind that the trumpets themselves would remind him of this joyous occasion, so that he could show his subjects favor. They took trumpets and began to blow them around the king’s courtyard. When the king heard the trumpet blasts, he remembered that happy day when he was crowned king over his people and the land, and he forgave them in his heart. He commanded that they be granted permission to enter his courtyard and accepted them anew as his subjects, out of his great joy and happiness. They, too, accepted upon themselves never to rebel against him again. Similarly, we accepted the Holy One as King over us at Har Sinai at Matan Torah , and we, through our own goodwill, said before him, “ Na’aseh venishma – We will do and we will hear.” Afterward, we too rebelled against the King and He exiled us from our Land, dispersing us through the Diaspora. How could our hearts not cry in pain and anguish over this? What are we doing in a foreign land? And Bnei Yisrael are the forethought and the primal reason – the reishis – of the entire Creation, as it says, “Initially (Bereishis ), Bnei Yisrael came to mind” (Bereishis Rabba 1:4), and Eretz Yisrael was created before the other lands, since the world was founded on it ( Taanis 10a; Yoma 54b). And does it not make logical sense that a sound, reasonable argument is that the initial and primal ones (that is Bnei Yisrael who are called reishis ) should first and foremost dwell in the land (of Eretz Yisrael) which was created first, rather than in foreign lands which were created last (at the end of the process of Creation)? Therefore, on Rosh HaShana we remind the King of His joyous day [of coronation], since back then, during the giving of the Torah , there were blasts and sounds as well ( Shemos 20:15). We too blast and sound [the shofar ] on Rosh HaShana , a day of judgment and renewal of the worlds, in order to remind Hashem of His joyous day. Perhaps He will forgive us and gather us together, bringing us to the Holy Land. (Toldos Aharon Zhitomir, Parshas Ki Savo ) n Rav Ahrele Roth, mechaber of Shomer Emunim , once told of how the holy Berditchever was davening before the amud on Rosh HaShana and when he opened his holy mouth to say “ HaMelech !”, he fainted away! Only with great difficulty were they able to revive him and when asked what was wrong he explained, “As soon as I wanted to say the word ‘ HaMelech’ I was reminded of the story in the Gemora in Gittin 56b which says: ‘If I am really the king, why haven’t you come before me till now?’ “’Where was I all year?’ I asked myself. I was so ashamed and embarrassed at my lack of devotion; the pain caused me to faint!” (Kuntres Ahavas HaBoreh – Ma’amar Tzahali VeRoni p. 387) n The Blast of the Blessing Over the Shofar The Seret-Vizhnitzer Rebbe , mechaber of Mekor Boruch , once told the following tale during his derosha delivered before shofar -blowing on the first day of Rosh HaShana in the year 1957: It has been related that the holy Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk, mechaber of the

11
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

Noam Elimelech, once witnessed the holy Berditchever recite the berocha “Who has commanded us to listen to the sound of the shofar ”, which is recited before blowing the shofar on Rosh HaShana . The Berditchever recited the blessing with such intensity and self- sacrifice that his very soul almost departed. The Rebbe Reb Elimelech wondered, “How did he have the power afterward to actually blow the shofar itself?” (Noam HaBerocha , page 262) n The Job of the Malochim on Rosh HaShana The Berditchever taught that the job of the ministering angels on Judgment Day is to advocate on behalf of and teach the merits of Bnei Yisrael. This is why the angels tremble in fear on that day, since they fear that they have failed in their task, not having done a good enough job. (MiPi Seforim U’Mipi Sofrim Ki Seitzei Peninei Chassidus #15, page 462) n It was the custom of Rav Dovid Moshe, the Tchortkover Rebbe , on Rosh HaShana night, right after Kiddush , to tell the following story about the Berditchever : “Rav Levi Yitzchok, the great Jewish advocate, was accustomed on Rosh HaShana , more than on any other day of the entire year, only to speak well about other Jews. “One time before Mussaf he stood up before the amud , the lectern from where he led the tefillos , and he began the following argument with Hashem : “‘Master of the World! Look at what a wonderful people the Jews are! Jews ask for abundant livelihood and they daven and beseech you for their own personal needs. But why do they need this? Only for You! All of their earnings and profits go toward Your needs! What does a Jew do with great profits? He raises his children on the path of Torah . He teaches his sons to be Bnei Torah and his daughters to marry Torah scholars. If a Jew profits from business all week, what happens then? When Shabbos comes along, he forgets all his business ventures and he deals in spiritual matters alone! His table is set with all manner of good foods and delicacies only for You so that he can glorify and brighten up Your holy Shabbos ! He brings guests to his Shabbos table and they partake together of the festive meals. In the Bais Medrash , he donates coins for the coffers to beautify Shabbos and he pays handsomely for his aliya when he is called to the Torah ! “‘And even if a Jew falls on hard times, we rely on him to uphold and support the community and to take care of all his communal responsibilities: to help upkeep the Talmud Torah and the Yeshiva , the mikve , guests’ lodgings and more – so I ask You, Father in Heaven, why should You not help the Jews with their financial needs and their livelihood? Why should they not be successful in all their endeavors?’” After finishing the Berditchever’s arguments and the story, the Tchortkover continued with his own: “Now we understand the request we make on Rosh HaShana and throughout the entire period of the Aseres Yemei Teshuva (Ten Days of Repentance): Remember us for life, O’ King who desires life, and inscribe us into the Book of Life, for Your sake, O living G-d. The meaning of this is that the entire vitality of a Jew and his requested inscription for good are purely for Your sake, in order to serve the Master of the World properly and to uphold His commandments which are found in the holy Torah ! (Yiddishe Licht Volume 34 – Number 1 Tishrei 5745, page 22)

12
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

Rav Elozor Shapira, the Munkaczer Rebbe and mechaber of the Minchas Elozor , told a story about the holy Berditchever : Once, on Rosh HaShana , Rav Levi Yitzchok marshaled the following argument to advocate on behalf of Klal Yisrael before shofar -blowing: “Ribbono Shel Olam – Master of the World! If You wait to redeem us till the opinion in the Gemora is fulfilled that the entire generation must be either worthy or unworthy – this simply cannot be! To wait for them to be entirely worthy will never happen: I swear to you that the wicked apostates will never repent from their heresy! And if entirely unworthy – this too can never be, since we, the true believers, will never relinquish our belief in You even if we are threatened with being cut up into pieces!” These were the holy words of the true advocate of the Jewish people, the holy Berditchever . (Divrei Torah III #24) n The Waters of the Mikve on Rosh HaShana There was once a matchmaker who suggested a match between Rav Pinchas of Koretz’s daughter and one of the young men from the holy Berditchever’s family. Rav Pinchas Koretzer was not quick to agree to the match and thought about it for some time, claiming that he did not see the match as such a good idea. After the Yomim Noro’im , he sent word to call the shadchan (matchmaker). When the shadchan came, he said that he did agree to the shidduch after all. He then explained what had brought about his change of heart: “Before the Days of Awe, I saw a large wall erected in the Heavens between Knesses Yisrael and our Father in Heaven. This wall was a barrier that would have prevented our tefillos from ascending on high and being heard and accepted, Heaven forbid! Several Tzaddikim had tried their hands at canceling and annulling the decree – to no avail! “On Erev Rosh HaShana , when the holy Berditchever entered the waters of the mikve to purify himself for the oncoming holy day, his actions caused such a tumult, shaking the heavens, that this wall began to shake and fall apart! By the time he came out of the mikve , the wall was almost totally collapsed and gone. I heard Hashem saying in Heaven, so to speak, ‘Beware! Make sure that not a single brick or remnant of this wall remains. If Rav Levi Yitzchok sees this barrier, he will create a huge uproar in the Heavens, shaking them up and asking how anyone could even allow such a barrier to have been erected here in the first place!’ When I recognized his lofty level, I decided that I would be honored to have my family and his joined through marriage!” (Ma’amar Mordechai #5) n Begging as a Pauper at the Door ~ Prayer on Rosh HaShana “Chasdei Hashem Azkir Tehillos Hashem…VeRav Tuv LeVais Yisrael Asher Gemolom KeRachmav Uchrov Chasodov . ( Yeshaya 63:7) The Berditchever, in Kedushas Levi , teaches us that the primary reason behind the requests we ask of the blessed Creator during the Days of Awe known as the Yomim Noro’im (which includes Rosh HaShana , Yom Kippur through Succos , Hoshanah Rabbah and Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah ) should be based on Hashem ’s goodness, kindness and graciousness to pour out abundant blessings upon us rather than based on our merits. We must make ourselves out as poor beggars as taught by our sages of blessed memory - Chazal 13
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] in Rosh HaShana (16b), Rav Yitzchok said: “Each year that begins in poverty ends in wealth”. This is because it is fundamental that we should act like a beggar begging at the door, and we should have in mind that such an impoverished person has no personal merits and good deeds. The difference between one who asks Hashem based on His great loving-kindness as opposed to one who supplicates based on his own merits is that asking based on merits has placed a limit on his request. Hashem grants him based on only what he has earned and only up to the limits of what he deserves. This not the case regarding one who asks of Hashem based on His great loving kindness, here there is no end and no limit. This is because Hashem ’s kindness is boundless and and his influx of abundant blessings are unlimited. This is the meaning of the pasuk “There is great goodness to the house of Israel,” when is the great goodness, so great that it is boundless and unlimited – asher gemolom kerachamov u’krov chassodov - when He has granted it to them with mercy and unbounded kindness” [as opposed to based on merits as was explained.] This is also the meaning of the pasuk in Tehillim (81:11) “I am the Lord your G-d who takes you up out of Egypt, widen your mouth and I shall fill it”. Meaning to say, ask for alot – ask for much, so that Hashem will grant you based on His unlimited love and boundless kindness. This is also the meaning behind the teaching of the sages of blessed memory – Chazal in Yoma (29a): “Why are the Tzaddikim compared to an ayala (a gazelle)? Just as when a gazelle grows, its horns split, so do the Tzaddikim , when they increase their tefillos and their tefillos are answered.” We can explain that they increase their tefillos to mean that they increase their requests in tefilla (rather than the amount of tefillos ). Meaning, that they ask the blessed Creator to pour out a great increased amount of abundant blessings due to the humility of the Tzaddikim whose main request is for the kindness of the Creator, therefore they ask for many good favors, because there is no limit to Hashem ’s kindness and they ask, based not on merits. This aspect is what our Master and Teacher the holy Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Bar explained, based on the pasuk in the poetic zemiros sung on Shabbos (Ma Yedidus ): n achlas Yaakov yirosh bli metzorim nachala – “They inherit the portion of Yaakov, a boundless limitless portion”, meaning that if you ask of the blessed Creator based on His great loving- kindness as opposed to your merits, making yourself as if you are totally unmeritorious, this is the n achlas Yaakov – “the portion from Yaakov” which you wish to inherit based on kindness and not merit, then you will merit “a boundless, limitless portion” that is without measure because Hashem ’s loving-kindness is immeasurable. n

הילולא The anniversary of the petira of a Tzaddik is known as a Hilula , which means “A Day of Joy”. One of the tools that Kabbola teaches is to connect to a Tzaddik (righteous person). The method to connect to a Tzaddik is to adopt the following ritual: 1) Learn the anniversary of his petira or, if this information is not available, the days of Erev Rosh Chodesh , Rosh Chodesh and the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month can be utilized for a connection. 2) Light a twenty-five-hour candle in his or her honor. There is no specific berocha .

14
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

Some say the following: This candle is being lit in the merit of ______. Others say that it is the custom within Klal Yisrael to light a yahrzeit candle on the day that a relative or a Tzaddik has passed away. The lighting has no accompanying blessing, and people would like to express themselves in a tefilla when lighting the candle. This is not only true on a yahrzeit but on every Yom Tov as well. The author of the Pele Yo’etz , Rav Eliezer Papo (1785–1828), did in fact compose such a tefilla . Rav Papo was the Rav of the city of Selestria in Bulgaria. Bulgaria was a part of the Ottoman Empire at the time. The tefilla of the Pele Yo’etz is reproduced and translated below, as a public service.

Hebrew Tefilla for Lighting a Yahrzeit or Hilula Candle [ #ְ פִ ילָ ה הַ נִ מְ ,צַ ת !ַ סֵ פֶ ר אֶ לֶ / הַ מָ גֵ ' מִ !ַ עַ ל הַ ֶ לֶ א יוֹ עֵ עַ ל ָ רָ ַ ת וַ יֵ צֵ א עָ מוֹ ד כ ]ד" ]ד"

הַ רֵ ינִ י מַ דְ לִ יק נֵ ר זֶ ה לִ נמְ חַ ת  לְ עִ יל י נִ ְ מַ ת * בִ י / אִ מִ י מוֹ רָ תִ י / הַ צַ דִ יק ______/'!ֵ !ַ ת ______, יְ הִ י רָ צוֹ ' מִ לְ פָ י2נֶ 'ה אֶ קֵ ינ וֵאקֵ י אֲ בוֹתֵ ינ , ֶ#ְ קַ !ֵל !ְרַ חֲמִ י% בְרָ צוֹ' (ָל מַ עֲ)ֶ ה הַ טוֹב ֶ ,נִי עוֹ)ֶ ה , !ֵי' !ְמַחַ ָ בָ ה , !ֵי' !ְדִ י!ר , !ֵי' !ְמַ עֲ)ֶ ה וְ יִ הְ יֶ ה הַ (ֹ ל (ֹ לִ כזְ ת  לְ נמְ חַ ת  לְ עִ יל י לִ נְ ָ מוֹ ת עַ 2מְ יִ )ְ רָ לאֵ , !ִ פְ רָ ט לְ נֶ פֶ ר חַ  נְ ָ מָ ה ֶ ל * בִ י / אִ מִ י / י מִ אִ / י בִ צַ דִ יק ______. יְ הִ י רָ צוֹ ' ֶ #ִ הְ יֶ נָ ה נַ פְ וֹ תֵ יהֶ % צְ ר רוֹ ת !ִ צְ רוֹ ר הַ חַ .י%יִ Translation: Behold I am lighting this lamp for the resting and uplifting of the soul of my father/my mother/the Tzaddik ______the son/daughter of ______. May it be Your will before you, Hashem , our G-d and the G -d of our forefathers, that all my good deeds whether in thought, speech or action be done for a merit and a resting and an elevation of the souls of your nation Yisrael. It should be especially for the soul of my father/mother/the Tzaddik _____. May it be Your will that their souls be bound in the bond of life. 3) Learn about the person including history, culture, writings and teachings. 4) Study some of his teaching or writings. See more at: www.yeshshem.com/hilulah.htm 

Y GEDOLIM BE'MISASAM YOSER Z YAHRZEITS FOR WEEK BEGINNING SHABBOS NITZOVIM http://www.chinuch.org/gedolim_yahrtzeits/Elul/Tishrei Biographical information and yahrzeits compiled by Reb Manny Saltiel and www.anshe.org  27 th of Elul ~ Begins Fri day Night (Sep 3th )  Rav Moshe Segal of Levov, known as Rosh HaGola Umanhig HaMedina , (5479/1719);  Rav Yitzchok Chiyus (Chayes), Rav in Skolya, mechaber of Zera Yitzchok on the Mishna , (5486/1726);  Rav Nosson HaKohen Adler , Rebbe of the Chasam Sofer , mechaber of Mishna DeRabbi Nosson , (5560/1800);  Rav Yitzchok Isaac Eliezer Hirschowitz , Rav of Wirballen, (5701/1941);  Rav Yaakov Leib of Kvahl, (5593/1833);  Rav Sholom ben Rav Elozor Roke’ach of Belz (the Sar Sholom ), founder of Belz Chassidus ,

15
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

(1779–5615/1855);  Rav Binyomin Tzvi Auerbach (or Tzvi Binyomin Auerbach). Born to Rav Avrohom, a mohel in Strasbourg, France, he served as a Rav in Darmstadt for ten years after earning semicha as well as a PhD in philosophy and Semitic languages. While living in Frankfurt, Rav Auerbach wrote the sefer Bris Avrohom in memory of his father. He also spent much of his time editing the sefer Ha’Eshkol , written by the Raavad of Norvona. Years later, when he became the Rav of Halberstadt, he published his work as a commentary named Nachal Eshkol , (1808– 5633/1873);  Rav Moshe Nota Yungreis , (55649/1889).  28th of Elul ~ Begins Motzai Shabbos (Sep 4th )  Shaul HaMelech and his three sons, including Yehonoson, lifelong friend of Dovid HaMelech . They were killed in Gilboa four months after Shmuel HaNovi ’s petira , 880 BCE or 878 BCE/2882;  Rav Sa’adya , father-in-law of Rav Chaim Vital, (5334/1574);  Rav Chaim Yehuda Leib ben Rav Avrohom Dov Auerbach, co-founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Sha’ar HaShomayim , father of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. The Yeshiva came to occupy its current premises on Rechov Rashi in the Mekor Boruch neighborhood. Among the Yeshiva ’s first talmidim in the Old City was Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank. It remained there until 1948, when fighting broke out prior to the departure of the British. Hagana fighters took up a position on the roof of the Yeshiva from where they were able to fire on the Jordanians. When the Old City fell to the Jordanians shortly thereafter, the conquering Jordanians set fire to the building with all the seforim and furniture inside. One of Rav Chaim Leib’s sons, Rav Refoel Auerbach, assumed leadership of the Yeshiva after his father’s petira . Rav Chaim was also the mechaber of Chacham Lev , (5714/1954);  Rav Arye Carmell was born in England in 5677/1917. At the age of sixteen, Rav Arye was sent to study under Rav Eliyohu Eliezer Dessler and became his talmid muvhok . Rav Carmell began to compile Rav Dessler’s teachings under his guidance. After the war he married, making his home in London. He would spend the morning hours learning bechavrusa with some of London’s leading Rabbonim . In the afternoon he would go to his office to work for a few hours, setting aside time every day to organize chessed and outreach activities. He was among the first to become involved in Jewish outreach over fifty years ago. Following Rav Dessler’s petira he started Yad Eliyohu in London, where children who studied at public schools were taught Ahavas Torah and Yiras Shomayim . He published Michtov MeEliyohu , a compilation of Rav Dessler’s teachings. The first three volumes were edited with Rav Alter Halperin and Rav Chaim Friedlander, while Rav Carmell edited the fourth and fifth volumes by himself. He also adapted parts of the work into a book in English called Strive for Truth . He also co-edited Challenge: Torah Views on Science and its Problems and wrote an important booklet called Aid to Talmud Study . When the wave of Russian aliya began, he wrote a book called Masterplan . Based on Rav Shamshon Refoel Hirsch’s Chorev , it also presented reasons behind the mitzvos . Moving to Eretz Yisrael in 1972, Carmell settled in Yerushalayim’s Bayit Vegan neighborhood and helped Rav Boruch Horowitz found Yeshivas Dvar Yerushalayim , Yerushalayim’s first Yeshiva for ba’alei teshuva . He gave shiurim on Gemora , hashkofa and mussar , (5766/2006).  29 th of Elul ~ Begins Sunday Night (Sep 5th )  Rav Yaakov HaLevi Lipschitz , mechaber of Zichron Yaakov and secretary of Rav Yitzchok Elchonon Spector, (5682/1922);

16
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

 Rav Menashe Klein , the Ungvarer Rav , (5771/2011);  Rav Naftoli Hertz , Rav of Pintchov, (5493/1733);  Rav Refoel Landau , son of Rav Avrohom of Tchechenov, (5654/1894);  Rav Yerachmiel Yeshaya Minzberg , Rav of Likova, (5665/1905);  Rav Eliezer Deutsch of Bonihad [or Bonyhad], mechaber of P’ri HaSodeh and Dudo’ei HaSodeh . Bonihad is a small town in Tolna County in Hungary. The first document on the Jews of Bonyhad is a tax conscription from 1741, although on the testimony of a few tombstones in the cemetery, Jews had already settled earlier, in the first decades of the century. In 1802, there were four hundred Jewish families and an impressive shul and Yeshiva . The population of about 6,500 in 1930 consisted of about 15 percent Jews, the largest number of Jews in Tolna County. With the German occupation in 1944, 1,180 Jews were deported to Pecs and then to Auschwitz. All but fifty perished. In 1963, four Jewish families remained in Bonyhad, (5674/1914);  Rav Yisrael Rabinowitz of Skolya-Kishinev, (5735/1975).  1st of Tishrei ~ Begins Monday Night (Sep 6th )  The sixth day of Creation – Hashem created animals that walk and crawl on the earth; He also created Odom, the first man, and Chava, the first woman. “Hashem formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul” (Bereishis 2:7).  In 1656/2105 BCE (according to Rav Eliezer), Noach dispatched a dove from the teiva for the third time. When the dove did not return, Noach knew that the waters had completely drained from the earth. On that day Noach removed the roof of the teiva but he, his family and all the animals remained in the ark for another fifty-seven days, until the 27 th of Cheshvan .  In 1958/1804 BCE, Sora Imeinu was born, according to some opinions. She was niftar on this day in 2086/1676 BCE  In 2048/1714 BCE, Sora Imeinu was blessed by the Maloch to have children.  In 2086/1676 BCE, Yitzchok was bound on the mizbei’ach during the Akeida . This prompted the petira of his mother, Sora Imeinu . www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-29-elulseptember-24/  Birth and Yahrzeit of Sora Imeinu [our mother], Avrohom Avinu ’s wife (1803 BCE/1957–1676 BCE/2084). Her Hilula is on the same day as her birthday, 127 years later. This is also the same date as the binding of Yitzchok known as the Akeidas Yitzchok . There are many Medrashim as to why she chose this date to leave our world but the most clear reason as explained by the Kabbalists is that both Avrohom and Yitzchok acheived their tikkun by agreeing to perform and submit to the Binding (note it is not the “ Sacrifice of Yitzchok”). Therefore, as a wife and mother she had no reason to remain in this world. Sora is a nevia (prophetess) in her own right and some say was even on a higher spiritual level than Avrohom;  Rav Shefatia , mechaber of the selicha Yisrael Nosha Bashem , (4647/886);  Rav Amnon of Mainz, who was killed al Kiddush Hashem , while composing the Rosh HaShana tefilla Unesaneh Tokef , (4772 or 4773/1011 or 1012);  Rav Yehuda Ayas , Rav of Algiers and later in Yerushalayim, mechaber of Bais Yehuda , (5521/1760);  Rav Aharon Moshiach Katzenelenbogen of Belz, (5577/1816);

17
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

 Rav Meir Yehuda Leibush ben Yechiel Michel (Malbim). He was born in Volhynia in 1809 and was still a child when his father died. He studied in his native town until the age of thirteen. He then went to Warsaw where he was known as the ‘iluy from Volhynia’. From 1838 to 1845 he was Rav of Wreschen, district of Posen, and in the latter year was called to the Rabbinate of Kempen, where he remained until 1860; he was thereafter known as der Kempener . In 1860, Malbim became chief Rav of Bucharest, Rumania. But he could not agree with the rich German Jews there who wished to introduce the Reform rite and even threatened violence in the pursuit of their aims. Through intrigue they succeeded in throwing him into prison, and though he was liberated through the intervention of Sir Moses Montefiore, it was upon the condition that he leave Rumania. He became Rav of Moghilef, on the Dnieper in 1870, but his lack of subservience provoked the resentment of the richer Je ws, who denounced him as a political criminal. The governor of Moghilef ordered him to leave town. Malbim then went to Königsberg as chief Rav of the Polish community, but there he fared no better than in Bucharest and Moghilef; he was continually harassed by the German Jews. His fame and immense popularity rests upon his widely esteemed commentary to Tanach , in which he details the close relationship between the Oral and the Written Law, (5640/1879).  Rav Yaakov Dovid ben Rav Ze’ev Wilovsky of Slutzk, Chica go and Tzefas, the Ridbaz , one of the great European scholars to come to America. As a consequence of the Halachic standards of kashrus that he attempted to impose in Chicago, he eventually had to flee for his life, (5605/1845–5674/1913);  Rav Yitzchok Cohen of Djerba, Tunisia, (5679/1918);  Rav Yitzchok Meir of Kopycznitz (Kupishnitz), succeeded as Rebbe by his son, Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel, (5692 or 5696/1931 or 1935);  Rav Ezriel Yehuda Lebowitz , Viener Rav , (5752/1991);  Rav Shmuel HaLevi Shechter . Born in Montreal, Canada, in 5675/1915, he was only five years old when his mother was niftar . During his years at Rav Yitzchok Elchonon Theological Seminary, he shared a dormitory room with Rav Avigdor Miller. Later, he traveled to Poland to learn at the Mirrer Yeshiva under Rav Yeruchom. After his marriage, he learned in Kelm. When he returned to America, he learned with Rav Aharon Kotler, first at White Plains, New York, then at Lakewood. Years later, he settled in Eretz Yisrael, (5760/1999).  2nd of Tishrei ~ Begins TTuesday Night (Sep 7th )  Gedalia ben Achikom, assassinated by Yishmo’el ben Nesanya. Gedalia was appointed as governor over the Jews by Nevuchadnetzar after the destruction of the Bais HaMikdosh . The sages declared a fast day for the 3 rd of Tishrei to do teshuva for this murder of a Jew by another Jew in Eretz Yisrael. This fast day applies to all generations, (422 BCE) or 419 BCE (Yated 2006);  Rav Yisrael ben Rav Osher Perlow, the Yanuka of Stolin (1868/5628 –1921/5681). The Karlin dynasty ha d its beginnings with Rav Aharon HaGodol of Karlin (1736–1772), a talmid of the

18
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

Maggid of Mezritch. At that time, Karlin was located in Lithuania, so Karliners are known as “Lithuanian Chassidim ”. It was Rav Aharon’s son and successor, Rav Osher I, who mov ed the court to Stolin. Rav Aharon’s great -grandson, Rav Osher II, was childless for many years. In 1869, he and his wife, Rebbetzin Devora, were blessed with a boy, whom they named Yisrael. Rav Yisrael was only four years old when his father was niftar in the town of Drohobich (Galicia). The Karlin Chassidim resolved to meet this lack of leadership by standing firm in their loyalty to the Karlin dynasty, and therefore proclaimed the Yenuka [child] Yisrael to be their Rebbe . The influence of the Haskola mov ement, which had first begun to be felt in Rav Aharon II’s days, grew stronger in Rav Yisrael’s time. Rav Yisrael was niftar far away from his native town, in a convalescent home in Homburg, Germany. He was buried in Frankfurt -on- Main. After his petira , hi s followers were now in a quandary, as Rav Yisrael had left no instructions regarding which of his six sons to appoint in his place. Thus, the leadership split into three. His son, Rav Moshe, led the court in Stolin, where he opened the Yeshiva , Bais Yisrael , in his father’s memory in 1922. Another son, Rav Avrohom Elimelech, became Rebbe in Karlin, while Rav Yochonon, his youngest son, became Rebbe in Lutzk. The Nazis destroyed the Stolin community in Elul 1942, and four of Rav Yisrael’s sons perished in t he Holocaust. However, thanks to his surviving sons, Karlin -Stolin communities now thrive in Eretz Yisrael and America. These sons were Rav Yaakov, who had moved to America in 1923, and lived in Williamsburg before moving to Detroit where he passed away in 1946. The second surviving son was Rav Yochonon, Rav Yisrael’s youngest son, who became the Karlin -Stolin Rebbe in America in 1948, and passed away in 1956. He was succeeded by his daughter’s son, Rav Boruch Yaakov Meir Shochet, who was a baby at the time of his passing. History repeated itself when this youngster was coronated as the next Karlin -Stolin Rebbe when he was only eight years old, (5682/1921);  Rav Shemaryohu [or Shmuel] Greineman , who printed the sefer Chazon Ish , (5741/1980);  Rav Efraim Oshry (1908/5668 –2003/5763). Born in Kopishak, Lithuania, he learned in Ponevezh, Talmud Torah Kelm , and Slabodka. He was also a talmid of the Chofetz Chaim in Radin. While he was still quite young, he was appointed Rav of the Abba Yechezkel Kloiz in Slabodka. During World War II, he lived in the Kovno ghetto from June, 1941 until August 1, 1944. It was there that he recorded the gripping shailos he received, publishing them later in five volumes of She’eilos Uteshuvos Mima’amakim . After the liberation, he was t he only surviving Rav of Kovno. He worked diligently to restore Yiddishkeit and was especially active in rescuing children left with non-Jews. He then fled to Austria, where he founded a Yeshiva in Welsh, a small town near Salzburg. He was then called upon to take over the leadership of the Meor HaGola Yeshiva in Rome. He later went to America, where he served as Rav of the Bais HaMedrash HaGodol on the Lower East Side of New York City. He published Divrei Efraim in 1949. He also published chiddushei Torah on many areas, including Imrei Efraim on Nezikin and other subjects. He also wrote Yahadus Lita , which appeared in Yiddish, about his recollections of pre-War Europe, (5764/2003).  3rd of Tishrei ~ Begins Wednes day Night (Sep 8th )  Rav Naftoli Tzvi Trop , Rosh Yeshiva Radin (1871/5631– 1930/5690). Born in Grodno, he studied with his father, Rav Moshe Trop, who was Rosh Yeshiva of a local Yeshiva . At fourteen, he left

19
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

for Kelm, then Slobodka, then Telz, where he became close to Rav Eliezer Gordon. In 1889, he returned to Slobodka, when Rav Yaakov Yitzchok (Itzel) Rabinowitz was appointed Rosh Yeshiva. There, he became his close talmid . In 1890, Rav Hirschel Levitan appointed him Rosh Yeshiva of Or HaChaim in Slobodka. In 1903, he replaced Rav Moshe Landinski as Rosh Yeshiva in Radin, where he remained for the rest of his life, (5691/1930);  Rav Yisrael Lipshitz of Danzig, mechaber of Tiferes Yisrael , a popular commentary on the Mishnayos , (1782–1860). He also authored Shevilei D’rokiya , an introduction to the principles of Rabbinical astronomy and determining the molad ; it appears in the beginning of Seder Mo’ed in the Tiferes Yisrael sets of Mishnayos . Additionally, he wrote Derush Ohr HaChaim (Homily on the Light of Life) which debates the eternality of the soul, (5621/1860);  Rav Shimon Nosson Nota ben Rav Dovid Tzvi Shlomo Biderman, the Lelover Rebbe , (5660/1929);  Rav Aharon Yechiel (Reb Ahrele) Hopstein of Kuzhnitz (1889/5649–1942/5703). Rav Ahrele was a direct descendant of the Maggid of Kozhnitz, who, along with the Chozeh of Lublin, Rav Mendel of Riminov, and the Oheiv Israel of Apt, were the greatest talmidim of Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk and who were primarily responsible for spreading Chassidus throughout Europe. Rav Aharon Yechiel’s father, Rav Yerachmiel Moshe, the sixth Kuzhnitzer Rebbe , was niftar in 1909. Another son of Rav Yerachmiel Moshe, Rav Yisrael Elozor, moved to Eretz Yisrael in 1923 and helped found Kfar Chassidim and Kfar Ata, (5703/1942);  Rav Yitzchok Arye (Sekel Leib) Wormeiser (Wormser) , also known as the Ba’al Shem of Michelstadt (1768/5528–1847/5607). At the age of seventeen, he left home to learn at the Yeshiva Gedola of Frankfurt, headed by Rav Pinchas Horowitz, the Ba’al Haflo’a . He also became close to Rav Nosson Adler, the Chasam Sofer ’s Rebbe . After his marriage at the age of twenty-two, he moved to Michelstadt, where he founded a Yeshiva , (5608/1847);  Rav Dovid Rapaport (1890/5650–1941/5701). Born in Minsk, his mother was a descendant of the Gaon of Vilna and his father, Rav Akiva, was the grandson of Rav Akiva Eiger. When he was still a young man, he enrolled in Ponovezh, having already written his sefer , Tzemach Dovid , on the chiddushim and responsa of his grandfather. From Ponovezh, Rav Dovid went on to study in Kollel Bais Yisrael of Slabodka. After his marriage, he and his wife were supported by his father-in-law, during which period Rav Dovid was able to compile his second major work, Mikdash Dovid , which focuses on the tractates of Kodshim , Tohoros , Bechoros and Sanhedrin . Then, during World War I, Rav Dovid had to flee and found refuge in Vilna. Later on, Rav Elchonon Wasserman invited Rav Dovid to deliver shiurim in Yeshivas Ohel Torah in Baranovich.This Yeshiva was founded in 1907 at the initiative of Rav Yosef Yoizel Horowitz, the Alter of Novardok. During the outbreak of World War II, Rav Dovid remained in Ohel Torah , joining the Yeshiva on its treks to Vilna and, from there, to Turkey and Smilishuk. On the 19 th of Sivan , 1941, an NKVD agent burst into the Yeshiva and arrested him. After his trial, Rav Dovid was sent to a forced labor camp in a distant village, near Finland, (5702/1941);  Rav Nosson Sternhartz , son of the Kochav Lev , the leader of Breslov, Rav Avrohom, and great-grandson of Rav Nosson of Breslov, (5733/1972).  4th of Tishrei ~ Begins Thursday Night (Sep 9th )  Rav Yoel ben Rav Yisrael Yosef Ba’al Shem . Rav Yoel was a scholar of Halocha and Kabbola who lived in Zamo ść during the seventeenth century. He became renowned as a Ba’al Shem (literally “Master of [Divine] Names”) for performing miracles, commanding demons and

20
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

authoring Kabbalistic amulets. Rav Yoel married before the age of twenty and started learning Kabbola . Upon a dream, Rav Yisrael Yosef sent his son, Rav Yoel, to Prague to learn Kabbola from Rav Eliyohu Ba’al Shem . Rav Yoel became one of the closest talmidim of Rav Eliyohu Ba’al Shem , who confided all his special teachings to him. Rav Yoel returned to Zamo ść and opened a Yeshiva there, which became renowned for teaching both nigleh and nistar , (5474/1713);  Rav Avrohom Danzig , mechaber of Chayei Odom and Chochmas Odom , (1748/5508– 1820/5580). Born in Danzig (Gdansk), he learned at the Yeshiva in Prague under Rav Yechezkel Landau. He was related by marriage to the Vilna Gaon . It appears that he lived in Vilna for most of his life where he served as a Dayan . Other seforim he authored include Zichru Toras Moshe , an introduction to the laws of Shabbos , Kitzur Sefer Chareidim , an abridgement of the classic Sefer Chareidim by Rav Elozor Ezkari, and Toldos Odom , a commentary on the Pesach Haggoda , (5581/1820);  Rav Boruch Refoel Soloveitchik , son of the Brisker Rav , Rav Yitzchok Zev, (5685/1924);  Rav Tzvi Hirsch Halberstadt (the Maharshach ), the Kos HaYeshuos , great-grandfather of the Chasam Sofer , (5508/1747). 

Y HILLULA DE’TDE’TZADDIKAZADDIKA Z WHAT’S BEHIND YAHRZEIT MEANINGS & CUSTOMS The Maharil, in Hilchos Taanis, teaches us that the reason why there is a custom to visit the Bais hachaim on a fast is because “this place is the resting place of the Tzaddikim and is therefore sanctified, pure and holy and our tefillos are more readily heard, accepted and answered when davened on holy ground. When you daven there, do not make requests of the dead who are buried there; rather ask Hashem to answer you mercifully in their merit. Then circle around the graves and donate charity before reciting tefillos.” בית הקברות הוא מקו מנוחת הצדיקי ומתו כ הוא מקו קדוש וטהור התפילה נתקבלה ש יותר , א אל ישי מגמתו נגד המתי , א יבקש מהשי“ ת שית עליו רחמי בזכות הצדיקי שוכני עפר , ויקי הקברות , וית צדקה קוד שיאמר התחינות. The Zohar in VaYeira page 71 teaches us that if we suffer any calamity or tragedy we have the custom to go and daven at the kevorim of Tzaddikim . The reason for this is that we approach them with fasting, remorse and repentance, and we have in mind that the departed souls ask and daven for us before Hashem on High, as opposed to the prohibition against speaking to the dead which is an idolatrous practice where the idol worshippers sought out the impure dead souls and bodies using sorcery and witchcraft. Instead, beseech our Tzaddikim who, in gan eden , are truly alive, and ask through tefilla and fasting and teshuva alone.    

21
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

Y GEDOLIM BE’MASAYHEM Z STORIES & ANECDOTES Rav Nosson AdlerAdler,, 27 ththth of Elul

Leaving Greatness in His Wake himself Al Pi Kabbola . He davened with Sometimes it is hard to recognize Sefardi Havara (pronunciation), and in his true greatness. Sometimes a neshoma minyan they did Bircas Kohanim every descends from such a lofty place in day. Because of these customs and because Shomayim that it never really lands on their use of Kabbola was making the earth. It doesn’t adjust to life in this world. community at large fearful, in 1779 the Its unconventional ways alienate the people Rabbonim gave him an ultimatum either to around it, and it ends up spending its time disband this group or be put into cheirem . here distanced from the masses known as Rav Nosson Adler ignored this challenge to humanity. Such a neshoma was Rav his ways and openly went against the Nosson Adler. Kehilla . Rav Nosson Adler had many In 1782 Rav Nosson Adler became talmidim . Famous among them through Rav of Boskowitz but there as well there his devotion to his great Rav through thick were people who could not get used to his and thin, was the Chasam Sofer , Rav ways. He was ultimately forced to leave Moshe Sofer. Upon his Rav ’s command he after three years and returned to Frankfurt. cut off his relationship with his father, and After four more years in Frankfurt with later even left his hometown of Frankfurt little change, Rav Nosson Adler was put upon his Rav ’s command. Later, after he into cheirem that lasted until shortly before returned and Rav Nosson Adler’s feud with his petira in 1800. the Kehilla reached its breaking point, the Rav Nosson Adler did not leave Chasam Sofer left Frankfurt together with behind any children. His only daughter, the his Rav who was appointed Rav of light of his life, was niftar when she was Boskowitz, and the Chasam Sofer never twelve years old, while he was serving in returned to Frankfurt. Boskowitz. The Chasam Sofer relates that Rav Nosson Adler was born in Rav Nosson Adler did not complain and Frankfurt in 5502/1741. When he was a accepted the decree with great simcha . mere ten years old, the Chida , Rav Chaim However, he relates, the Shabbos during Yosef Dovid Azulai, who was in Frankfurt the shiva when he was called for Maftir , a collecting money for Eretz Yisrael, said single tear escaped his eyes during the about him the famous words that the Isha reading of the Haftora . He quickly wiped it HaShunamis said about Elisha: “I now and returned to his happy self without a know that there is a holy man of Hashem trace of sadness. among us.” His main Rebbe was Rav Dovid His life and his ways were shrouded Tevele Shiff who later became the chief Rav in mysticism, allowing only the greatest of of England. He also learned under Rav the great to understand his lofty level. He Yaakov Shimon HaKohen , a talmid of the did not leave behind any seforim , although Pnei Yehoshua . a sefer was published from the cryptic Rav Nosson Adler was a Mekubol notes in the margin of his Mishnayos . and formed a group around him to conduct Aside from his legacy that is hard to relate

22
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] to, he left the world a precious treasure in memory was truly phenomenal. All that he his talmid the Chasam Sofer . In this world, ever learned remained indelibly etched into that is how we know and remember him. his mind to the end of his days. But in Shomayim he is known for so much Due to this he never allowed himself more. to commit his chiddushim to writing. Rav Yehi Zichro Boruch ! Nosson maintained that the heter to write www.revach.net/stories/gedolim-biographies/Rav-Nosson-Adler- that which is really part of the Oral Torah Leaving-Greatness-In-His-Wake/4081 is only based on the fact that Chazal saw the power of forgetting as a threat to  passing the Torah down from one generation to the next. If so, since he Rav Nosson Adler Dances for The himself never forgot, the permission to Donkey write did not include him. One cold winter day, the Gaon , Rav Any novellae we have of his, Nosson Adler, was traveling together with therefore, were written by his talmidim , his esteemed talmid , the Chasam Sofer . particularly his talmid muvhok, the The horses pulling the wagon were Chasam Sofer . trudging through the heavy snow with great difficulty. Suddenly, one of the horses His talmidim related that in his old collapsed and died, and the second horse age, Rav Nosson Adler was testing a talmid was not strong enough to pull the wagon on his learning. In the middle it seemed to alone. The wagon driver, having no other the young talmid that the elderly Rav was choice, starting walking to the nearest falling asleep and he took the opportunity village to obtain an additional horse. The to skip one Rashi and so to finish faster. two venerated passengers waited in the Immediately, Rav Nosson prompted him wagon. on the piece he had skipped. Eventually, the wagon driver Rav Nosson’s derech halimud was a returned, leading a…donkey. When Rav style that everyone soon learned to Nosson saw the donkey, he descended from recognize. He would always repeat the the wagon, and began to dance happily in Mishnayos and lay out in order the words the snow. “ Rebbe ,” asked the Chasam of the Gemora and Rishonim according to Sofer, “Why are you so happy?” the Mishna . He would then learn the Mishna with the Gemora , the Rif , the “Don’t you see?” asked Rav Nosson. Rambam , the Mordechai and the Shulchon “The wagon driver brought a donkey Aruch . instead of a horse. Who would ever have thought that I would merit fulfilling the Once when the Rav was traveling mitzva of “Do not plow with an ox and through Prague, the Gedolim of that city, donkey together”? At home in Frankfurt, I having heard of his derech halimud and never imagined that I would merit fulfilling unusual memory, gathered to hear him. this commandment. Now that Boruch During their learning, one of the Talmidei Hashem , I merited it, I am filled with joy!” Chachomim wanted to point out that the Rav had forgotten to mention the words of The passengers instructed the the Mordechai . Without a stop, Rav wagon driver to return the donkey, and he Nosson turned aside to the man and brought back a horse in its place. ( Ukarasa explained, “The words of the Mordechai in Lashabbos Oneg ) this Mishna are not his own. It was a  mistaken talmid who wrote them” – and continued learning. Rav Nosson Adler’s powerful 23
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

 Rather, he should take on a position as Rosh Yeshiva or even Rabbonus . He would humbly accord the “Where?” asked the Shaagas Arye . greatest respect to any Talmid Chochom Turning to a nearby closet, Rav who chanced to be a guest at his house, Nosson withdrew a Ksav Rabbonus he had which was open to all. received from the Jewish community in Upon hearing that the Shaagas Arye Metz and sat down to write a letter. had begun a self-imposed golus , wandering “Regarding your letter in which you from place to place together with his requested that I become Rav of Metz, I Rebbetzin , Rav Nosson went to the would like to recommend a certain Talmid attendant of the public guest house with a Chochom who is erudite in the entire Torah request: If he noticed a Talmid Chochom and is far better suited to the position than with his wife he should notify the Rav . I.” Chances were that this would be the Shaagas Arye and it would not be fitting to It was only a matter of days before a accommodate him in the public reply arrived from Metz, stating that since guesthouse. the Rav recommended this man so highly they were enclosing a Ksav Rabbonus for It was late one night, when a strange him! And that is how the Shaagas Arye couple arrived at the guesthouse. Still, came to be Rav of Metz. before they retired, the man began to study by the light of a candle. The other residents In the moving hesped that the holy – a group of simple people – began to Chasam Sofer wrote about his Rebbe , he protest, claiming that the newcomer was related that although no one notified him disturbing their sleep, though he had been of his Rebbe ’s passing, he had a strange almost hidden in a corner. The man dream, wherein he beheld a Sefer Torah promptly rose and went outside to learn wrapped in a black cover. “I wondered in the rest of the night by the light of the the dream why the Sefer Torah was moon. wrapped in black, until I was told that the Sefer Torah was burning, (which meant) Daybreak came and the attendant that my Rebbe had ascended to the was astonished to behold the newly arrived heavens.” guest breaking out in an ecstatic dance. As his wife looked on he said to her, “If you The hesped relates further what only understood the chiddushim that were happened when a fire broke out in the revealed to me this past night, you too Judengasse in Frankfurt. Hungry flames would dance for joy.” licked at the houses, easily devouring everything in their path. It was only after All at once the attendant recalled the the flames had been doused and the panic instructions of Rav Nosson Adler. This had somewhat subsided that the Yidden must be the Shaagas Arye , he realized, and could take stock of the neis that had rushed to call the Rav . occurred. The buildings on either side of A long Torah conversation Rav Nosson’s house and those opposite had confirmed the surmise of the attendant. all been destroyed, while the Rav ’s house Rav Nosson invited the illustrious Rav and stood out unscathed – literally “an ember his Rebbetzin to his home. However, once saved from the flames”. they were there, he had a new suggestion. Furthermore, Rav Nosson Adler had Rav Nosson told the Shaagas Arye that in been engrossed in tefilla when the fire his opinion it did not befit a giant of the broke out. Wrapped in his tallis and Shaagas Arye’s stature to wander around. tefillin , he did not react at all to the

24
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] commotion around, but continued his still. tefillos uninterrupted. The agents made their way through The Chasam Sofer also gives us an the house doing a thorough search, but exceptional depiction of Rav Nosson found nothing. Adler’s absolute self-control. When his only “The fact that my master and daughter passed away at a young age, the teacher could turn me and the Sefer Torah bereaved father accepted the heavenly into someone that sees but is not seen is decree with love and did not cry. Only not new to me,” recalled the Chasam Sofer when he was called up to the Torah for later, but the chiddush was that he Maftir , and then read the Haftora did he endangered himself by using the koach allow one single tear to escape his eye, after hakedusha all for the sake of the Sefer which he never referred to the tragedy Torah . again.  On another occasion, the Chasam Sofer retold his talmidim of the seemingly When the Chasam Sofer was in magical powers of his Rebbe , which was, in Pressburg, a poor man came to the door fact, his koach haTorah . begging for alms. Upon his departure, the A slanderer once informed the Chasam Sofer broke out into a happy government that Rav Nosson Adler was in smile. When his talmidim asked the reason possession of a lot of illegal gold and silver. for his joy, the Chasam Sofer replied: Soon, his studies were interrupted by a “You surely know that my great rude, loud knocking on the door. The master and Rebbe suffered because of government’s agents had come to search many Jews who sought to degrade him, the premises. His talmidim panicked – and which caused me much pain. Seeing this, rightly so, for the Sefer Torah of Rav my Rebbe once reassured me, ‘Don’t worry, Nosson was adorned with exquisite and in the end, each of my enemies will come to valuable klei kodesh . your door to ask your favor.’ The one you Rav Nosson, however, kept his calm saw here today was the last of my Rebbe ’s demeanor and instructed the Chasam oppressors.” Sofer , then a young bochur , to hold the www.chareidi.org/archives5774/yomkippur/fsradlerykr74.htm sefer Torah with all its silver and to stay  Rav Sholom Roke’achRoke’ach,, 27 ththth of Elul The Sar Sholom of Belz The Sar Sholom could trace his Strelisk. ancestry to the great Gaon , Rav Eliezer of After his marriage, he devoted a Amsterdam, mechaber of Ma’aseh thousand days and nights to the Roke’ach . Orphaned at a young age, he was uninterrupted study of both the revealed brought up by his uncle, Rav Yissochor Ber, and kabbalistic Torah , emerging as a the Rav of Skol, under whose tutelage he recognized scholar of eminent stature. studied Talmud and Halocha with great Young talmidim and accomplished intensity. The fire of his Chassidus was scholars flocked to him in even larger nurtured by his mentors, the Chozeh of numbers, to see and to learn, foremost Lublin, Rav Yehoshua Heschel of Apta, the among these the renowned Rav Shlomo Maggid of Kozhnitz and Rav Uri of Kluger of Brody. In Belz, Rav Sholom

25
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] blazed a new trail: the fusion of excellence Lublin on Purim , the Chozeh honored him in Torah scholarship with the burning by asking him to read Megilla s Esther for mystical zeal of Chassidus . Since the the entire congregation. After Rav Sholom beginnings of the movement, the finished the reading, the Chozeh remarked, Misnagdim had accused Chassidim of “I have heard this story many times, but I devoting too much time to joyous never, in my life, heard this story the way celebrations in fellowship with their this avreich told it tonight.” Rebbes , at the expense of Torah study,  which is the bedrock of Judaism. By stressing the overriding importance of in - Building the Bais Knesses depth Torah study, the Belzer Rebbe While the big shul in Belz was being removed th e stigma of superficiality that built, Rav Sholom was constantly seen had plagued Chassidus . browsing through a certain book of He did not commit any of his Kabbola . One day the book disappeared, discourses to writing. They were recorded and construction was halted until the book from the memories of his followers, who was found again. On another occasion the collected and published them: Rav Sholom construction was halted when Rav Sholom of Belz Al HaTorah (Hebrew). announced that he needed two rare books Rav Sholom of Belz, also called the in order to allow the construction to Sar Sholom , erected a magnificent Yeshiva continue. Fortunately, it just so happened and study hall in Belz that became the that there was a book dealer in town who spiritual center for tens of thousands of had these books, and when the requested Belzer Chassidim in Galicia. He was books were handed to Rav Sholom, the succeeded by his illustrious son, Rav construction was allowed to continue. Yehoshua. In the 1940s, the Nazi Years later his son and successor Rav persecutions all but wiped out the splendor Yehoshua remarked that he had looked that was Belz. After the Holocaust, the through those books and never saw any disconsolate scattered remnants of Belzer connection between the books and the Chassidus , under the leadership of the building of a shul . surviving scion of the Belz dynasty, the young Rav Yissoch or Dov, miraculously restored the former grandeur of Belz. Today, the glorious new Belzer Yeshiva building graces the Yerushalayim skyline, and Belzer centers of learning can be found in every major city in America, Eretz Yisrael and Europe, teeming with thousands of eager young talmidim and mature scholars. Indeed, with the help of Hashem , Belz has risen from despair and is now carrying on the traditions of Torah and Chassidus of the first Belzer Rebbe , the Sar Sholom .   Chazan in the Days of Awe Reading the Purim Megilla Rav Yehoshua, son and successor of Once when Rav Sholom, before Rav Sholom, said the following about the gaining prominence, visited the Chozeh of timing of his father’s departure: “It is 26
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] known in the Poskim that the shliach One of his Chassidim , Rav Elimelech tzibbur [cantor] during the Yomim of Tlust, was accustomed to journey to Belz Noro’im [Rosh HaShana to Yom Kippur ] every year for Rosh HaShana and then to requires preparation and abstinence three proceed to visit Rav Meir of Premishlan days in advance; therefore, my father was after the holiday. On this occasion, as soon requested by the heavenly Yeshiva three as he stepped over the threshold of the days before Rosh HaShana in order to Tzaddik ’s room in Premishlan, Rav Meir serve as the chazan .” said, “Elimelech! Please repeat for me the www.rabbishimon.com/tzadikim/showz.php?p=belz.htm Torah discourse that the Belzer Rebbe delivered this year before the shofar was  blown.” Pesach on Rosh HaShana The Chassid told him what Rav Sholom of Belz had said and added that all In the dread moments before those who heard it were at a loss to see the blowing the shofar every Rosh HaShana , connection between Rosh HaShana and Rav Sholom of Belz, with inspired elation, the dialogue that preceded the Exodus. would deliver words of instruction and exhortation to the assembled Chassidim . The Rebbe from Premishlan at once On one such occasion, speaking of the waxed eloquent in praise of the discourse miracles wrought for Klal Yisrael before the which the Rebbe from Belz had given: in Exodus, he quoted the pesukim that tell his profound insight he had penetrated how Hashem sent Moshe to bring them out through all the heavens and had averted of Egypt. ominous decrees that had threatened Klal Yisrael; through his words on Rosh In response to Pharaoh’s question of HaShana he had proven to Hashem: “Who exactly will go?” Moshe answered, “Father! In Your own holy Torah it is “We will go with our young and with written that no evil shall hold sway over our old; with our sons and with our Klal Yisrael!” daughters, with our flocks and with our Seeing that the dazed Elimelech had herds will we go.” ( Shemos 10:8–9). no conception of what he was talking Pharaoh finally called for Moshe and about, Rav Meir added, “Let me explain to said: “Go, serve Hashem ; only leave your you what the intention of the holy Rebbe flocks and herds behind. Your little ones from Belz was: You see, on Rosh HaShana also shall go with you.” this year, when all of Creation was To this Moshe replied, “Our cattle arraigned before the Heavenly Court, too shall go with us; no hoof shall be left Soton , the Prosecuting Attorney, was most behind; for we will take some of them to outspoken in his accusations of Klal serve Hashem therewith.” (Ibid. 24,26) Yisrael. In fact, a decree was at the point of Having quoted these pesukim , Rav being promulgated which would have Sholom recited the berocha that precedes wrought havoc with the lives of little Jewish the blasts of the shofar , performed the children. But the Rebbe of Belz argued mitzva , and went on directly to the Mussaf fervently that these children would grow up tefilla , as usual. The Chassidim were and serve their Maker. wonderstruck. No one understood the The next design was a decree of relevance of those verses to the moments extermination to be issued against the before the blowing of the shofar on Rosh cattle of Klal Yisrael. The Tzaddik of Belz HaShana , but they held their peace, did not let that pass either, arguing that thinking it unseemly to ask their Rebbe for “we will take some of them to serve an explanation. Hashem therewith”. And in this manner he 27
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] mitigated the verdict, by quoting the his crutches. This caused an uproar, and pesukim that spell out the argument people started streaming to the house. between Pharaoh, representing Soton , and Among them was a boy who had been blind Moshe, the Tzaddik of the generation. Thus from birth, and the doctors had given up the decree against the cattle of the Jews hope for him. The Rebbe passed his holy was also averted. hands over his eyes, and he left the Rebbe ’s “However,” concluded Rav Meir, house seeing – a second wonder. Quickly “since the Tzaddik of Belz made no the word spread around the whole district mention of birds, this year will see an that there was a miracle worker in epidemic affecting them, because the Chortkov. decree hanging over them was not Not far from Chortkov lived an annulled.” elderly Tzaddik , Rav Chaim Kosover (the And so it was. That year a grandfather of the first Viznitzer Rebbe ). contagious disease struck the domestic He was disturbed by this, and went to see poultry of the Jews of those parts, but the younger “miracle worker” himself. neither man nor beast was affected. Apparently there is also a limit to how www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/380109/jewish/Passover- much a Tzaddik is permitted to change on-Rosh-Hashanah.htm nature. Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from A Treasury of Chassidic Tales The Belzer Rebbe welcomed him (Artscroll). with great respect and honor, and assured him there was no change of nature here. He  explained thus: “The boy’s mother was once engaged to another young man, but When the famous Tzaddik (pure, she had regrets about it and canceled the holy man), Rav Sholom Roke’ach, the first engagement, and married another man. Rebbe of Belz, traveled to the wedding of (This is rare in certain religious circles, his son (and successor) Rav Yehoshua, he where it is strongly discouraged and and his entourage were stopped at the considered preferable to marry and Russian border. Czarist Russia oppressed divorce.) all Jews, and Rebbes even more, and they “The poor first man got sick, and didn’t want another Rebbe in their country, died, literally, of a broken heart. When his even for a few days. So the Rebbe and his soul came up above, he said he wanted to group stayed a long time in the border city call the kalla (bride) to the Court (since she of Chortkov. caused him to die, he wanted her to die to Upon being informed that they were stand with him for judgment in the running short of money, the Rebbe said, “I heavenly court). must unpack my work tools.” The “They told him that her time had not Chassidim were bewildered – is the Rebbe yet come, but what vengeance would he a carpenter? like? He requested that her first son should “No,” he replied. “Announce in the be blind. They agreed, and told him that city that anyone who needs ‘special help’ (a when her first son would be born, he – the ‘yeshua ’ meaning ‘salvation’: inspired help soul – must go down and cover the boy’s from Heaven) should come and offer a eyes and stay there in order for this to be contribution, and he will get what he carried out. And so it happened. wants.” “When the boy came into my room, I Several people came, one of them a saw the fiancé’s soul blocking his eyes, and boy who was crippled from birth! Upon I said to him, ‘Enough, you can go back up leaving the Rebbe ’s house, he threw away 28
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] already.’ who suspected that the Rebbe had made a “So you see, Rav Chaim, it really mistake due to his failed eyesight, wasn’t a miracle at all!” whispered to him, “ Rebbe , our Master, this Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from geocities.com/theholypeople/. guy is just a businessman.” Ezra Rebhun, an American-born graduate of Brandeis University, is The Belzer smiled and said, “True, today a Chassidic Jew living in the holy land. He heard this story he is indeed a merchant. And his from Reb Moishe Ortner, who heard it from the previous Belzer merchandise is the best of all.” Rebbe , Rav Aharon. (He adds that it is also written in Hebrew in [Translated and adapted and supplemented by Yerachmiel Tilles the first volume of Admorei Belz by Reb Yisrael Klapholtz z”l, page from Sipurei Chassidim , Moadim page 302. All rights reserved to 175) the translator and to Ascent-of-Safed. www.ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=565-55 www.ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=545-35]

  Rav Shmuel of Lubavitch, the Through The Window “Maharash ”, in the years before he became On the first night of Selichos nearly Rebbe , did his best to keep a low profile. two hundred years ago, instead of going to Once, when on a trip to Europe, he dressed the large shul to signal the beginning of the as an ordinary businessman, rather than in tefillos , the Rebbe , Rav Sholom of Belz, the Chassidic garb more appropriate to the ordered his attendant to harness the son of a Rebbe and a profound Torah horses. He said they would be going into scholar in his own right. the forest. He spent one Shabbos during his The astonished attendant wanted to journey in Belz. At the time of Seuda remind the Rebbe that thousands of Shlishis he went to the famed shul of the Chassidim were waiting in the shul , but he Sar Sholom of Belz (which the Rebbe had knew better than to ask questions and went finished building with his own hands in out to prepare the wagon. After a half-hour 1843. Still incognito, he stood off to the drive the Rebbe signaled to him to stop. side in a remote corner of the room, which They alighted and walked down a narrow by then was crammed from wall to wall path till they saw a small hut in the with ardent Chassidim awaiting the distance. The Rebbe told the attendant to entrance of their Rebbe . wait for him, and then tiptoed alone up to When Rav Sholom at last entered, a the window and peeked in. path directly from the door to his chair at An old Jewish man was sitting alone the head of the table opened before him, at a table. On the table was a bottle of like the splitting of the Red Sea. He took a vodka and two small cups, one in front of few steps then suddenly halted. He didn’t him and the other before the empty seat look around because at that stage in his life opposite him. he was blind, but he began to inhale the air. Through the window the Rebbe “I smell something special,” he announced. couldn’t hear what the old man was saying, He turned and walked slowly in the but he saw him raise his cup in a toast, direction of the Maharash , the whole time drink it, and then drink the second cup as continuing to sniff. When he reached him well. This he repeated two more times, he took his hand and said, “Young man! after which the Rebbe tiptoed back to the From me, one cannot hide.” He then took attendant. They walked quickly to the the young Maharash with him to the head wagon and the Rebbe motioned to him to of the table. drive back to Belz. On the way, a few of the Chassidim , 29
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

Meanwhile, the Chassidim had been in it; certainly You can heal one cow!’ waiting for over an hour and were “But the cow got worse. So I said, becoming worried. But when the doors of ‘Listen, Hashem , if You don’t heal that cow the shul opened and the Rebbe entered, the I’m not going to shul any more!’ I figured congregation fell silent. All eyes followed that if Hashem doesn’t care about me – I him to his place at the front of the shul , and mean, it’s nothing for Him to heal one old then the room burst into tefilla as they cow – so why should I care about His began Selichos . place? When Selichos ended, the Rebbe “But the cow died anyway. I got mad turned to his attendant and said, “There is and…and…I stopped going to shul . an old man who came in after everyone and “But then my goat got sick! I said to I’m sure he will finish after everyone also. Hashem , ‘What! You haven’t had enough? He’s the one I saw in the house in the Do You think I’m bluffing? Listen, if this woods. Please wait for him to finish, and goat dies I’m not putting on tefillin any then tell him I want him to come to my more!’ But the goat died and so I stopped study where I’ll speak to him privately.” putting on tefillin . Half an hour later, the simple Jew “Next, my chickens got ill. I told was standing in fear before the holy Rebbe . Hashem that if they die I’m not going to “Sit down, Yitzchok,” said the Rebbe , recite Kiddush or do anything special for indicating a chair. “I want you to tell me Shabbos . Well, a week later I was without what you did in your house before you chickens and Hashem was without my came here tonight. What were those two Kiddush . cups of vodka for and what was that “I held out for over a week until strange l’chayim you made?” suddenly I realized that the time for “The Rebbe knows that?” he Selichos was approaching. I thought to exclaimed, his eyes bulging in amazement. myself, ‘What, Yitzchok, you aren’t going to Then he started to shake. “How does the go say Selichos with the Rebbe ? What, are Rebbe know?” you meshuga ?’ But on the other hand I was “I sensed that something important angry with Hashem and had vowed I wasn’t was going to happen,” the Rebbe answered, going to shul . “so I drove to the woods and peeked “But then I remembered that once I through your window. But I want to had an argument with Shmuel the butcher. understand what you were doing.” For about a month we didn’t even say hello. “The Rebbe peeked through my Then one night he came to my house with a window! How could it be? I am a nothing!” bottle of vodka and said, ‘Let’s forget the Now the poor Chassid was really past and be friends; enough enemies we confused. He was silent for a moment. have among the goyim – why be enemies?’ Then, realizing that there was no So we made three l’chayims , shook hands alternative, he sank down onto the chair and even danced around a little together. and began to explain. Boruch Hashem , we were friends again. “I’m a poor man, Rebbe , I have no “So I figured I would do the same children and my wife passed on years ago. I thing with Hashem . I invited Him to sit live alone with just a few farm animals. opposite me, poured us two cups and said, That is, until a few months ago when my ‘Listen, Hashem , You forget my faults and cow became sick. I davened to Hashem to I’ll forget Yours. All right? A deal? heal the cow. ‘After all,’ I said to Hashem , L’chayim !’ ‘You create the entire world and everything “So I drank my cup and understood 30
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] that since Hashem doesn’t drink, He nevertheless this terrible decree was probably wanted me to drink His. And after looming. we did it twice more I stood up and we “But you, Yitzchok, you talked to danced together! Then I felt better and Hashem like He is your friend. Yitzchok, came to Selichos .” your sincerity saved the entire The Rebbe looked deeply into congregation!” Yitzchok’s innocent eyes. In a serious tone, Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the rendition of Rav Tuvia he said, “Listen to me, Yitzchok. Before we Bolton for Yeshiva Ohr Tmimim (www.ohrtmimim.org). Actually, I began Selichos I saw that in Heaven there first heard this story from a mutual teacher of Rav Bolton and was a terrible decree on our holy mine, the venerable Chassid Rav Abba Pliskin, of blessed memory. congregation, because the Chassidim were I had expressed astonishment when he said, “It has been known for saying the words in the siddur but they Chassidim to arrive tipsy for Selichos ,” and [a version of] this story weren’t really davening seriously to was his reply. Hashem . Of course, there are a lot of www.ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=204-51 distractions and other excuses;  Rav Chaim Yehuda Leib AuerbachAuerbach,, 282828 ththth of Elul Rosh Yeshiva Sha’ar HaShomayim Born in 5647/1887, Rav Chaim Leib During World War I, when the grew up in Yerushalayim. At eighteen, he military draft menaced young Jewish men, received semicha from Rav Chaim Berlin of Rav Chaim Leib acted with mesirus nefesh Yerushalayim. In 5667/1907 he married to save Yidden from serving in the Turkish the daughter of Rav Shlomo Zalman army. He somehow obtained the title of Porush, one of the foremost askonim of ambassador for the Ethiopian embassy, Yerushalayim at that time. and issued Ethiopian citizenship for many Rav Chaim Leib’s thirst for Torah Jews. was unquenchable. Even during his sheva This was a great crime and easily berochos week he sat and learned all night detected, because Ethiopians are dark- with his brother-in-law, Rav Akiva Porush. skinned, and he issued the documents to He became a devoted talmid of Rav lighter-skinned Yerushalmi Jews. Officially Shimon Lider-Horowitz, from whom he sentenced to death as a traitor, he hid from learned Toras HaNistar. the authorities for months after the war. One night he dreamed that the Rav Chaim Leib was among the Arizal came to him and bemoaned the fact founders of the Chassidic Bais Medrash in that few Yidden study his teachings, which Shaarei Chessed, and served as its Rav . have the power to redeem the Shechina He raised money for his Yeshiva from Golus . When he awoke, he went with tremendous mesirus nefesh . At times straight to his Rebbe, Rav Shimon. It he gave away every penny he had, and was turned out that his Rebbe had had that left with nothing for his family. same dream. So Rebbe and talmid The berocha he received from Rav immediately set out to open a Yeshiva for Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld is well known. Rav Toras Ha’Ari, which they called Yeshiva Yosef Chaim told him, “In the merit of all Sha’ar HaShomayim . you do, you will merit children who will Rav Chaim Leib stood at the helm of light up Klal Yisrael with their Torah and the Yeshiva his entire life. yira .”

31
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

Indeed, his son was none other than attacks. After the second one, he suffered Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, and his for some time, and was niftar at the age of sons-in-law were Rav Sholom Schwadron sixty-eight on the 28 th of Elul 5614/1954. and Rav Simcha Bunim Leizerzohn ( niftar Zechuso yogen oleinu. in his prime), zichronom shel Tzaddikim www.hamodia.com/features/this-day-in-history-28-elulseptember-3/ livrocha. Rav Chaim Leib suffered two heart  Rav Menashe KleinKlein,, 22292999ththth of Elul The Ungvarer Rav Rav Menashe Klein was born on the facilitating other religious needs. 1st of Nissan 5685/1925 in the town of In the capacity of his work, he came Ungvar. His father, Rav Eliezer Zev Klein, into contact with the Sanz-Klausenberger was renowned for never speaking about Rebbe , the Shefa Chaim . From that point idle matters. on he considered himself a Chassid of the Already as a child, he began learning Rebbe . They shared a very close Torah from the Dayan of Dobrony. Even relationship. before his bar mitzva , he accustomed In 5706/1946 he immigrated to himself to sleeping on a straw-filled sack America and renewed his contacts with the and to toiling in Torah in poverty. He later Rebbe , who chose him to head Yeshivas learned under Rav Yisrael Menachem Alter She’eiris Hapleita , which he founded. Chaim Hoffman, the Rav of Bendikovitz. Rav Menashe was the only person to He began his day at dawn with immersing receive semicha from the Shefa Chaim . In in a mikve , which was often covered with America, he married the Rebbetzin , the ice. daughter of Rav Dovid Shlomo Frankel, Still before his bar mitzva , he began mechaber of Be’er Dovid , who had served attending the famous Yeshiva of Rav Yosef as a Dayan in Debrecen. The Rebbetzin Elimelech Kahana . He was a talmid of Rav served at his side devotedly for the rest of Chaim Tzvi ner, himself a talmid of the his life. Chasam Sofer . Throughout his life, Rav In 5709/1949 he began serving as Klein considered himself a third-generation Rav in the Liadi community in talmid of the Chasam Sofer . Williamsburg, at which time his During the Holocaust, he was tremendous abilities as a Rav and posek deported to the ghettos and the became apparent. American Jewry concentration camps together with Rav discovered that the new, young Rav among Kahana. His parents and most of his family them personified the image of a Rav from were murdered by the Nazis. Yet, despite prewar Europe. his losses, his faith was rock-solid. Within a short time, his reputation While in a concentration camp, he spread. He was in close contact with vowed that if he were to survive he would Gedolim such as Rav Moshe Feinstein, Rav devote his life to Harbotzas Torah . Right Yonoson Steif, Rav Eliyohu Henkin, Rav after the war, while still in a refugee camp Aharon Kotler, the Tzelemer Rav , zecher in Europe, he began helping his brethren Tzaddikim livrocha , and others. spiritually by disseminating Torah , In 5723/1963 he was appointed establishing a kosher kitchen and

32
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] chairman of the Vaad Halocha of Igud established his community, Kehillas HoRabbonim . Already, as a young man, he Ungvar , and opened Yeshivas Bais was consulted on complex Halachic issues. She’arim . Anyone perusing his early teshuvos is Rav Menashe lived primarily in the awestruck by the critical issues on which he United States, paying visits to Eretz Yisrael. was asked to rule. But in his last years, he settled in Kiryat In 5718/1958, he published his sefer Ungvar , in Yerushalayim. Mishneh Halochos , a commentary on the Rav Menashe was niftar on the 29 th seforim of the Ba’al Halochos Gedolos of Elul , Erev Rosh HaShana , 5771/2011, at (Beha”g) on Masechtos Kesubos , Nedorim the age of eighty-six, after a short illness. and Nozir . He was buried in Tzefas, in the ancient At the end of the sefer he printed the cemetery near the tziyun of his first volume of responsa with the same grandfather, Rav Amram Chasida, near the name as the sefer . It eventually evolved kever of the Alshich and a short distance into his landmark work of responsa that away from the kevorim of the Arizal and comprised thousands of shailos and the Bais Yosef , which the Rav himself had teshuvos in all areas of Halocha . In devotedly worked to restore. No one had 5719/1959, the second volume was been buried in this part of the cemetery for released, followed a year later by the third more than a hundred years. volume. The set now numbers eighteen Zecher Tzaddik livrocha. volumes (the last was released www.hamodia.com/features/this-day-in-history-29-elulseptember-4/ posthumously). In Boro Park, Rav Menashe  Rav Amnon of MainzMainz,,,, 111ststst of Tishrei Mechaber of Unesaneh Tokef Rav Amnon of Mainz (circa 4700–4800) Amnon would ask the Duke to ease the By Nissan Mindel ~ Published and position of the Jews in his land, to abolish copyrighted by Kehot Publication Society some of the decrees and restrictions which existed against the Jews at the time, and More than eight hundred years ago generally to enable them to live in peace there lived a great man in the city of Mainz and security. This was the only favor that (Mayence) whose name was Rav Amnon. A Rav Amnon ever requested from the Duke, great scholar and a very pious man, Rav and the Duke never turned down his Amnon was loved and respected by Jews request. Thus, Rav Amnon and his and non-Jews alike, and his name was brethren lived peacefully for many years. known far and wide. Even the Duke of Hessen, the ruler of the land, admired and The other statesmen of the Duke respected Rav Amnon for his wisdom, grew envious of Rav Amnon. Most envious learning and piety. Many a time the Duke of them all was the Duke’s secretary, who invited the Rav to his palace and consulted could not bear to see the honor and respect him on matters of State. which Rav Amnon enjoyed with his master, which was rapidly developing into a great Rav Amnon never accepted any friendship between the Duke and the Rav . reward for his services to the Duke or to the The secretary began to seek ways and State. From time to time, however, Rav means to discredit Rav Amnon in the eyes

33
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] of the Duke. Rav Amnon hoped the matter was settled, One day, the secretary said to the but when he arrived at the palace the next Duke: day, the Duke repeated his request. Rav “Your Highness, why should you not Amnon became very unhappy, and began persuade Rav Amnon to become a to avoid visiting the palace, unless it was Christian like ourselves? I am sure that absolutely necessary. considering the honor and many favors he One day, the Duke, impatient at Rav has enjoyed at your generous hand, he will Amnon’s obstinacy, put it very bluntly to gladly abandon his faith and accept ours. him; he must either become a Christian or The Duke thought it was not a bad suffer the consequences. idea. When Rav Amnon came to his palace Pressed to give his answer the next day, the Duke said to him: immediately, Rav Amnon begged the Duke “My good friend, Rav Amnon, I to allow him three days to consider the know you have been loyal and devoted to matter. This, the Duke granted him. me for many years. Now I wish to ask you a No sooner did Rav Amnon leave the personal favor. Abandon your faith, and Duke, than he realized his grave sin. “My become a good Christian like me. If you do, G-d!” he thought. “What have I done?! Am I shall make you the greatest man in the I lacking in faith and courage that I whole of my state; you shall have honor requested three days for consideration? and riches like no other man, and next to Can there be any but one answer? How me, you shall be the most powerful man in could I show such weakness even for one my land.” moment? O gracious G-d, forgive me . . .” Rav Amnon grew very pale. For a Rav Amnon arrived home moment he could find no words to reply to brokenhearted. He secluded himself in his the Duke, but after a while he said: room and spent the next three days in “O, illustrious Monarch! For many tefilla and supplication, begging G-d’s years I have served you faithfully, and my forgiveness. being a Jew in no way lessened my loyalty When Rav Amnon did not arrive at to you or to the State. On the contrary, my the palace on the third day, the Duke faith bids me to be loyal and faithful to the became very angry, and ordered his men to land of my sojourn. I am ready and willing bring Rav Amnon in chains. to sacrifice everything I possess, even my The Duke hardly recognized Rav very life, for you as well as for the State. Amnon; so much had the venerable man There is one thing, however, that I can changed in the course of the last three days. never part with – this is my faith. I am However, the Duke quickly brushed aside bound by an unbreakable covenant to my whatever feeling of sympathy he might faith, the faith of my forefathers. Do you have felt for his erstwhile friend, and said want me to betray my people, my G-d? to him sternly: Would you want a man to serve you who “How dare you disregard my has no respect for his religion, for the command? Why did you not appear before, bonds and ties he holds most sacred? If I in time to give me your answer? For your betray my G-d, could you ever trust me sake, I trust you have decided to do as I tell never to betray you? Surely, the Duke you. It will be bad for you otherwise. “ cannot mean it. The Duke is jesting! “ Although Rav Amnon was now a “No, no,” the Duke said, though he broken man physically, his spirit was sounded a little uncertain, for inwardly the stronger than ever. Duke was pleased with Rav Amnon’s reply. “Your Highness,” Rav Amnon 34
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] answered him fearlessly, “there can be but a special tefilla to Hashem . Silence fell one answer: I shall remain a loyal Jew as upon the worshippers, and Rav Amnon long as I breathe!” began to recite Unesaneh Tokef (“Let us The Duke was beside himself with express the mighty holiness of this day”). wrath. “It is now more than the question of The congregation repeated every word, and your becoming Christian. You have their hearts went out to Hashem in tefilla disobeyed me by not coming voluntarily to and tears. Kedusha was then recited, give me your answer. For this you must be followed by the tefilla of Oleinu . When the punished . . .” words “He is our G-d, and no other” were “Your Highness,” Rav Amnon said, reached, Rav Amnon cried them out with “By requesting three days for his last remaining strength, and passed consideration, I have sinned gravely away. against my G-d.” The tefilla Unesaneh Tokef is now one These brave words enraged the Duke of the most solemn tefillos of Rosh even more. “For sinning against your G-d,” HaShana and Yom Kippur . It includes the the Duke said angrily, “let Him avenge stirring passage: Himself. I shall punish you for disobeying On Rosh HaShana it is my orders. Your legs sinned against me, for inscribed, and on Yom Kippur it they refused to come to me; therefore your is sealed: how many shall pass legs shall be cut off! on, and how many shall be With very faint signs of life, the born; who shall live, and who legless body of Rav Amnon was sent back shall die; who in his time, and to his home, to his grief-stricken family. It who before his time; who by fire was the day before Rosh HaShana . and who by water; who by sword and who by beast; who The news about Rav Amnon’s by hunger and who by thirst; dreadful fate spread throughout the whole who by storm and who by city. Everyone was horrified and distressed. plague; who by choking and It was a very tragic Day of Judgment for the who by stoning… Who shall Jews of Mainz, who assembled in shul the rest, and who shall wander; following morning. who shall be tranquil and who Despite his terrible suffering, Rav shall be harassed; who shall be Amnon remembered that it was Rosh at peace and who shall suffer; HaShana , and he requested to be taken to who shall become poor, and shul . At his request, he was placed in front who shall become rich; who of the Holy Ark. shall fall and who shall rise… All the worshippers: men, women But teshuva, tefilla and tzedoka and children, wept terribly seeing their revoke the evil decree! beloved Rav in such agony, and never were The undying courage of Rav Amnon, any more heart-rending tefillos offered the mechaber of this tefilla , serves as an than on that day of Rosh HaShana . inspiration to all of us. When the cantor began to recite the www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/112497/jewish/ Musaf tefilla , Rav Amnon motioned that Rabbi-Amnon-of-Mayence.htm there be made an interval while he offered 

35
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

Rav Naftoli Tzvi TropTrop,,,, 333rdrdrd of Tishrei The Quintessential Rosh Yeshiva The famous author, Rav Dovid Rav Chaim Brisker in the Yeshiva world, Zaritzky, told the following account: with an almost identical derech halimud . It was the second year after the Rav Naftoli was so successful in Slabodka petira of Rav Naftoli Trop, and Rav Dovid that the Alter of Slabodka, Rav Nosson Tzvi Zaritzky was walking down the road with Finkel, took him as a son-in-law in 1893. one of the older bochurim of Radin. As they Unfortunately, a few months after the passed the cemetery, the bochur left him. chasuna , tragedy struck and Rav Naftoli’s He had jumped over the cemetery wall and young wife died after a short illness. prostrated himself on the kever of Rav Rav Naftoli remarried the daughter Naftoli. He screamed, “ Rebbe , Rebbe , why of the Tzaddik , Rav Eliezer Yaakov Chavas, did you leave us?” while crying bitter tears. shortly thereafter and returned to Kelm. Rav Dovid related that the cries were so After absorbing the mussar of Kelm for bitter, he was sure that a child never cried four years, Rav Naftoli was called back to over his father with such intensity. Only Slabodka to head the Yeshiva Ohr then did he understand the love and the HaChaim opened by Rav Tzvi Levitan, a bond between Rav Naftoli and his talmid of Rav Yisrael Salanter. Rav Naftoli talmidim . was an instant hit and the Yeshiva grew by Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz said there leaps and bounds due to his magnetic were four Roshei Yeshiva who restored personality and his incredible warmth and Torah to its former glory: Rav Chaim caring for every talmid . Brisker, Rav Naftoli Trop, Rav Boruch Ber When the Chofetz Chaim was Leibowitz and Rav Shimon Shkop. looking for a Rosh Yeshiva for Radin, he Rav Naftoli was born in 1871 in bypassed all the older, more established Grodna to his father, the great Tzaddik , “big” names in Europe and chose the Rav Moshe. Rav Moshe was the Rosh thirty-five year old Rav Naftoli Trop. For Yeshiva of the local Yeshiva and he the next twenty-four years Radin thrived, personally taught his son until the age of led by Rav Naftoli, who earned himself a bar mitzva . Although he so much enjoyed reputation among the giants of his learning with his son, his friends persuaded generation and his many talmidim . Rav him to send Rav Naftoli to Yeshiva after his Naftoli’s big heart gave almost every bar mitzva . In 1886 Rav Naftoli set off to bochur an opportunity to learn with him Kelm to learn under Rav Simcha Zissel, the b’chavrusa in one form or another. Alter of Kelm. After two years he left Kelm His shiurim live on in the Yeshivos and went to Telshe, where he learned until today, as his words and his chakiros under Rav Eliezer Gordon. He also spent are pored over in depth. His manner was to time learning in the Slonim branch of the become the hallmark of the modern day Novardok Yeshiva network and became Rosh Yeshiva , with everyone trying to close to the Alter of Novardok who came to become Rav Naftoli Trop. Rav Naftoli has Slonim from time to time to check on the many great talmidim , including the Yeshiva . Ponevezher Rav , Rav Yosef Shlomo But it was only in Slabodka that Rav Kahaneman; Rav Shlomo Heiman; Rav Naftoli’s soul found its place, and he Dovid Leibowitz; and Rav Yechezkel Sarna. learned under Rav Itzele Ponevezh who at After going with the Yeshiva into its that time was considered second only to terrible exile during World War I, Rav

36
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

Naftoli and the Yeshiva finally returned to exerting himself for this unsavory Radin in 1921. At the age of fifty-nine on character. Motzo’ei Rosh HaShana 5690/1929, Rav Someone worked up the courage to Naftoli’s pure neshoma returned to the ask Rav Trop directly why he was treating great Yeshiva in shomayim amidst the this thief with such warmth. Rav Trop heartbreak and anguish of the Chofetz answered in surprise, “It’s known that a Chaim and all the talmidim of Radin. Yehi thief pays back double the value of what he Zichro Boruch . stole, and if he can’t pay it back, he is sold www.revach.net/stories/gedolim-biographies/Rav-Naftali-Trop-The- as a slave. But where is it written that I’m Quintessential-Rosh-Yeshiva/4085 exempt from fulfilling the mitzva of hachnossas orchim ? Isn’t he a Jew? Didn’t  Avrohom Avinu fulfill the mitzva of hachnosas orchim even with Arabs who Rav Naftoli Trop Stays Up to Watch worshipped the dust of their feet? It’s true the Thief that it’s risky to bring a suspected thief into A vagrant Jew had acquired a my house, but I can watch over him reputation as a thief, and was ostracized by carefully the whole time he’s in my home. society. However, when he came to Radin, However, I have no excuse to exempt he encountered Rav Naftoli Tzvi Trop, the myself from the mitzva .” famed Rosh Yeshiva of the Chofetz Chaim ’s The next day, the people in Radin Yeshiva . Rav Trop greeted him warmly, heard that Rav Trop had done exactly what invited him to eat at his table, and even he had said. He had stayed awake the offered him a bed in his home for the night. entire night to guard the thief while he The Jews of Radin began murmuring with slept in his home. each other, wondering why Rav Trop was (Sidras Tikkun HaMiddos )  Rav Yitzchok Arye Sekel or Seckel L öb WormserWormser,, 333rdrdrd of Tishrei The Ba’al Shem of Michelstadt Jews in Russia gave Rav Yisrael ben The people of Michelstadt have said Rav Eliezer of Okup, the founder of the that all the Jews and non-Jews who Chassidic movement, the name Ba’al Shem davened at the grave of the Ba’al Shem Tov . before being drafted into the army during In Germany as well, Jews called Rav World War I came back safely from the Yitzchok Arye Sekel of Michelstadt the war. The local council placed a plaque on name Ba’al Shem . Like Rav Yisrael ben Rav Eliezer, the Ba’al Shem was a hidden Tzaddik and great scholar, and he was equally versed in the ways of the world. Many people came to him to seek advice regarding both spiritual and material concerns. The general public considered him to be a miracle worker, and they sought him out in times of distress. Even non-Jews addressed themselves to him, and he never sent anyone away empty- handed. 37
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] the house where he lived in memory of its except for a single one, it being closed and Ba’al Shem . covered by a curtain. I then understood Rav Yitzchok Arye Sekel was born in that your lordship was certainly there, 5529 (1768) in Michelstadt. His father, hidden from the eyes of those who came to Matisyohu, was a simple and upright man the palace.” who feared Hashem and distanced himself The Duke understood that the boy from evil. He was a descendant of Rashi knew that he had hidden himself in order and Dovid HaMelech . to put him to the test, and that it was From his youth, the young man precisely in this way that he had revealed demonstrated exemplary character traits his hiding place to the boy. He asked him, and extraordinary abilities, which enabled “Tell me, my dear boy, if you had people to see that he would become a encountered ten servants in the stairways genius and the glory of his people. He was or the halls, and you had asked them where known throughout the region of I was, how would you have found me if they Michelstadt as a child prodigy. At the age of gave you different answers?” eight, there was no one in the tiny city who “In that case,” he replied, “I would could teach him Torah any more. have followed the advice of the majority. When he reached the age of thirteen, For example, if three servants had he implored his parents to send him off to indicated one room to me, three other study in Yeshiva . Yet because they had lost servants another room, and four other six sons before him, they could not accept servants yet another room, I would have the departure of their young remaining gone toward the last room.” son. He understood that he could rely only At the age of sixteen, this intelligent upon himself, and so he devoted himself to boy entered the Yeshiva of Rav Nosson sacred study with all his heart and soul. He Adler of Frankfurt, and there he met Rav studied Torah day and night, and more Moshe Sofer (the Chasam Sofer , who later than once did his mother extinguish, became the Rav of Pressburg). Together despite his wishes, the candle in his room they studied the revealed and hidden at a late hour of the night. At daybreak, he Torah with their great Rav and devoted arose like a lion, got dressed quickly (lest themselves to emulating him. he fall back asleep), then washed his hands At the age of eighteen, he took it and ran to the Bais Medrash . upon himself, for the rest of his life, never The young man’s reputation also to eat or drink anything that had animal reached the ears of the Duke of products in it. Following this vow, he not Michelstadt, who asked his father to send only abstained from eating meat and fish, him alone, without a guide, to his palace. but also from consuming eggs, milk and He wanted to see how he would find his butter. way around in a large palace, and how he Rav Yitzchok Arye Sekel studied would find the Duke’s reception room. The Torah in Frankfurt for six years. One of the young man easily found the room where residents in the Jewish community there, the Duke waited for him. “Who showed you Yitzchok Reiss, gave him his daughter in where I was waiting for you?” the Duke marriage, and after the wedding he asked. returned to his place of birth, the small “His lordship, the Duke, himself,” town of Michelstadt. He then lived several the boy replied. “I glanced up and looked years in Mannheim, where he learned all around, and I noticed that the windows Torah from Rav Yaakov Ettinger, who was of the all the palace’s rooms were open later known as the Rav of Altona and the

38
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

He was accustomed to saying, “It is forbidden to abandon the poor to divine mercy. A man should concern himself with them and take care of their needs.” Rav Moshe Sofer said, “I have learned the mitzva of Tzedoka and hospitality from my friend, Rav Yitzchok Arye.” The following is an account of Rav Yitzchok Arye’s final days, as told by his son: “He wanted to strengthen our hope that the end wasn’t so close. Lying on his bed, he tried hard to encourage my mother, promising her that she would lack nothing. mechaber of Aruch LaNer . After the He also told her that if she came to his petiros of his parents, he was forced to go gravesite at a difficult time, his soul would into business to feed his family, but even intercede for her before the Throne of then he did not interrupt his Torah study, Glory. continuing to teach publicly as well. “The night of Rosh HaShana 5608 At the age of fifty-four, he was [1847], we returned from shul and wanted chosen as Rav of Michelstadt, and there he to receive our father’s blessing. Yet his founded a Yeshiva that he directed. During weakness was such that he could not the last twenty-five years of his life, he was pronounce a single word. He spread out his known throughout all of Germany as a trembling hands over our heads, and we worker of miracles, and no word that sensed that this would be his last blessing. emanated from his mouth was ever in vain. The morning of Rosh HaShana , he He was known as the “ Ba’al Shem of expressed his ardent desire to hear the Michelstadt”, and from near and far Shofar. His soul left this world during the students came to hear Torah from his Fast of Gedalia, at seven o’clock at night. mouth. Among these were some very He recited Shema Yisrael aloud, and his wealthy people who came to ask him for soul departed at the word echod .” advice and received his blessings, but even www.hevratpinto.org/tzadikim_eng/098_r during this period of prosperity he himself abbi_yitzchak_aryeh_sekel.html lived in poverty and ate only vegetables and Rav Yitzchok Arye Wormser, known vegetable products. As for the students of as the Ba’al Shem of Michelstadt. The Ba’al the Yeshiva , he provided them with an Shem was born in 5528 (1768) and was a abundance of meat, fish and all sorts of descendent of Rav Eliyohu Loantz, known good things. His heart and home were wide as the Ba’al Shem of Wormser, the first open to whoever came to ask for help or Ashkenazi Ba’al Shem . support. Rav Yitzchok Arye Sekel brought to his home every Jew passing through As a child the Ba’al Shem of town, and he fed them lavishly. Sometimes, Michelstadt became known as a when dozens of guests were at his home, he tremendous prodigy, bright and diligent in went to the market and purchased bundles his Torah study. As a youth he studied of straw. He then loaded them on his under the mechaber of the Haflo’a , and shoulders and brought them back to his later under Rav Nosson Adler of Frankfurt. home, where he himself prepared beds for After marrying, he suffered tzaar his guests. giddul bonim and lost some of his children

39
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected] as well as his wife, leaving him alone with famous Shmuel Strauss, who bought and five children. Members of the founded the famous Chotzer Strauss in Enlightenment circles in Michelstadt Jerusalem and was one of the followers of informed against him to the authorities, the Alter of Kelm. Chotzer Strauss became preventing his appointment as Rav of the the home of the mussar greats who moved city. As a result of their reports, as well as to miraculous deeds attributed to him, he was Yerushalayim. imprisoned for a short period. Rav Shmuel’s Still within a year of the passing of son-in-law was his wife, he left the city for Mannheim. Rav Yaakov There he cured a severely mentally ill Rosenheim, woman at the local hospital shortly after president and undertaking to help. From then on he was one of the called the Ba’al Shem , a reference to his use founders of the of holy names and Kabbola to perform World Agudas amazing deeds. He also gained fame as a Yisrael . Godol baTorah , a tremendous genius who In 5571 wrote numerous chiddushim in every area (1811) the of Torah scholarship. Ba’al Shem The notebooks he left behind returned to his hometown of Michelstadt contained the names of some 1,500 people and was officially asked to serve as Rav . who turned to him for berochos and advice. During his final years he suffered He would record the date of each sickness and pain, but did not stop giving conversation and after a few months or up his shiurim despite his difficult condition. to a year and a half he would follow up on His condition deteriorated drastically until the state of the sick person or person in on Rosh HaShana 5608 (1848) he was so need. Among those who sent requests for weak he could hardly speak. Nevertheless him to daven for them were the Chasam he asked to hear the tekios in his home. Sofer and the mechaber of Chiddushei Afterward he gave instructions for his HaRim of Gur. Together with his tefillos funeral arrangements, demanding to be for sick individuals he would designate a carried by hand and not on a wagon, as was shiur in the sick person’s merit. the Reform custom. His lists included the exact amounts Toward the end of Tzom Gedalia the he received in the form of kesef pidyon and next day, after tefillas Mincha , he was tzedoka for his tefillos , and the niftar at the age of eighty. In 5700 (1940) commitments he made to teach shiurim for the Nazis destroyed his gravestone, which the sake of those who sought his berochos . his great-grandson replaced seven years The number of shiurim he committed to later, inscribing the words: “Here lies the teach is astounding, as well as the efficacy great genius of renown, Rav Zekel of his miracles and segulos through the Wormser, known as the Ba’al Shem of power of the holy Torah . Michelstadt. May his soul be bound up in The Ba’al Shem ’s son-in-law was the bond of life.” Rav Eliyohu Strauss, whose son was the www.chareidi.org/archives5764/BRS64features.htm  תכלה שנה וקללותי ‘ תחל שנה וברכותי!!‘

40
Nitzavim – Rosh Hashana / [email protected]

A Tzaddik, or righteous person, makes everyone else appear righteous before Hashem by advocating for them and finding their merits. - Kedushas Levi, Parshas Noach (Bereishis 7:1) Parshas Nitzavim & Elul & Rosh Hashanah & Aseres Yamei Teshuvah CHASSIDUS ON THE PARSHA

Accept Them All Besimcha

“And when all of these things befall you, the blessing and the curse that I have placed before you” (30:1).

The Ohr HaChaim asks why our pasuk could not have been shortened and written concisely as follows: “And when the blessing and curse befall you, which I have placed before you”. Why does the pasuk add the apparently superfluous words “all of these things”? What added meaning do they give to the pasuk? The Ohr HaChaim explains that the words “all of these things” serve to connect the blessing and the curse. Had our pasuk said simply, “And when the blessing and curse befall you, which I have placed before you”, I might have read the pasuk as two separate and distinct statements: first,

- 1 of 54 - “when the blessing befalls you”, and second, “the curse that I have placed before you”. Here, blessing and curse are separated. The reason for connecting them is that the opening word of the pasuk, vehoya, is a loshon of simcha – a linguistic term that signifies a joyous occasion.

The Ohr HaChaim cites the Gemora in Berochos 54a: “We are obligated to recite a blessing over bad news just as we do regarding good news”. The Gemora (60b) then goes on to tell us that we must recite these berochos besimcha, teaching us that with joyous feelings we must accept even bad news. This is why the pasuk begins with the word vehoya. The Ohr HaChaim now rereads the pasuk and explains it thus: “Happily accept them, when all of these things befall you, both the blessing and the curse”. Whether they are blessings or curses, be prepared to accept them equally – besimcha.

Even If They Get Disconnected Teshuva Reattaches Them

“Bnei Yisroel are attached to the Supernal sefiros so that even if they get disconnected due to sin, teshuva reattaches them back to their holy root.”

The Navi says (Yermiyah 2:3) “Yisroel are holy unto Hashem; they are the first fruits of His produce.” What the prophet means they are holy is that because they are reishis – the first of the fruits, since their kedushah is so great that it reaches the level of “the first fruits” –an allusion to the first letters of the supernal attributes called the sefiros. They are: Kaf from Kesser, Ches from Chochmah, Bais from Binah, Gimel from Gedulah, Gimel from Gevurah, Tav from Tiferes, Nun from Netzach, Hay from Hod, Yud from Yesod and The numerical value of these letters added together (כח"ב גג"ת נהי"ם) .Mem from Malchus .(both equal 541) ישראל is the same gematria as Yisroel

(Because Bnei Yisroel are holy, they reach up to the reishis – the supernal sefiros and therefore the name “Yisroel” is equal to the same gematria as the roshei teyvos of the sefiros.)

Using this introduction, we can explain the pasuk Hosea 14:2, “Return and repent O’ Israel back to Hashem your G-d”. We can now explain that Yisroel can reach up to Hashem because they have a grasp on the rosh of the sefiros. This essential connection enables them to return through proper teshuvah even when their transgressions drove

- 2 of 54 - them far from their original lofty place. This is why Hosea the Navi says, “Shuva ad Hashem Elokecha--Do proper teshuvah that will connect you back up to Hashem, thereby reattaching yourselves to the Tree of Life which was your original state of connection.

This is hinted by the very first word of the Torah: Bereishis or B’--reishis. The world was created for the sake of Bnei Yisroel –the “resihis tevuoso”. They are the first fruits, forever attached to the supernal sefiros. This eternal link is always accessible through teshuvah.

(Ginzei haMelech Tikkun Teshuvah 7) Stories on the Parsha & Elul & Rosh Hashanah & Aseres Yamei Teshuvah

Just A Slight Touch To Awaken Him

Once, Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi told his mechutan, Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, the following story regarding the dveikus of the Ohr HaChaim:

There was once a terrible decree enacted against Bnei Yisrael by the goyim and the leaders of the kehilla decided that they must daven and bribe the authorities to attempt to rescind the harsh judgment. They voted and unanimously agreed that they must take emergency measures and ask the Ohr HaChaim to daven on their behalf.

Quickly they rushed in alarm to the Ohr HaChaim’s Bais Medrash, where they found him sunk deep in holy thoughts. They could see with their own eyes that the Tzaddik was in a world of his own and they feared to approach him. They waited, patiently hoping that any minute he would awaken from this state, but were disappointed to see that as time passed the Tzaddik’s condition remained the same; he was in a state of such intense dveikus that he neither responded nor even acknowledged their presence.

They knew that if anyone should touch him even just slightly, or brush against his

- 3 of 54 - clothes, he would immediately awaken, and they were sure that he would gladly come to their aid in such a time of distress and need. Still, they were afraid to disturb the Tzaddik, because they knew just how careful he was and how upset he became when anyone touched him or disturbed his immediate surroundings, interrupting his state of intense tahara. They therefore finally decided to bring a young, pure child, who had never sinned or thought negative thoughts. They immersed the child in the mikve and dressed him in brand new clothing; only then did they allow the child to touch the cloak of the Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh gently, just for a second. As soon as the child’s fingers brushed the Tzaddik’s cloak, he awakened from his dveikus and returned to normal.

Concluded Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi to Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, “See just how great a level of dveikus the Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh had; his love and awe of Hashem were also amazingly lofty as well. (Lemaan Yeidu Bonim Yivoldu #91)

Hanging On A Hair

One year, as the holy days of Rosh HaShana drew near, Rav Levi Yitzchok sensed that a terrible decree against the people of Berditchev was about to be issued in Heaven. Perhaps it was because the insidious spirit of reform and modernity was seeping into the city, threatening to undermine the devotion of the people toHashem and the ancient traditions. Perhaps it was for some other reason. Be that as it may, an ominous cloud was gathering over the city of Berditchev while the people continued as before, oblivious to the danger.

Rav Levi Yitzchok, the perennial advocate for the Jewish people before the Heavenly Court, took it upon himself not to rest until the decree was annulled. He assembled the people of the city and exhorted them to reaffirm their commitment to the ways of the Torah. His fiery words inspired the people, and they dedicated themselves with renewed fervor to the Torah, each according to his or her level, devoting more time and effort to learning, giving more and larger donations to charity, doing more acts of kindness or concentrating more in the performance of the mitzvos.

On the first night of Selichos, just days before Rosh HaShana, the people gathered in the shul at midnight. Rav Levi Yitzchok stood before holy Aron (ark), ready to begin, but he was overcome with a feeling of unease. He sensed that despite all his efforts, despite all his protestations to Hashem that the people had earned a reprieve, he had not been successful in rescinding the harsh decree. The sword still hung over the heads of the

- 4 of 54 - people. Something had to be done.

Rav Levi Yitzchok asked his gabbai (his personal attendant) to fetch his coat. They were going for a walk.

Together, they walked through the deserted streets of Berditchev under a moonless sky made even murkier by a thick cloud cover. Silent houses loomed in the darkness, the windows shuttered against the autumn chill.

“Where are we going?” asked the gabbai.

“I don’t know,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “We will know when we get there.”

They continued in silence, crisscrossing the city of Berditchev until the illuminated windows of the shul were nothing more than a glow in the distance. From time to time, Rav Levi Yitzchok would pause near a house for a moment –and then he would shake his head and continue walking.

Finally, they came to a small hut at the very edge of the city. The hut was silent and dark with no sign of habitation.

“This is the place,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “I feel a warm glow from within. Knock on the door.”

The gabbai put his hand on the door. Despite the Rebbe’s detection of a warm glow, it was cold to the touch. The gabbai rapped on the door with his knuckles, and after a few long moments, they heard shuffling from within. The door opened, and a wizened old woman stared up at them in puzzlement.

“Is that you, Rebbe?” she asked, clutching at her throat.

“May we come in?” said Rav Levi Yitzchok.

“Please … I’m sorry that I have nothing to offer you.”

“Don’t trouble yourself. We just want to talk.”

The interior of the hut was bathed in long shadows cast by the tiny flame of a candle. A

- 5 of 54 - Tehillim lay open right near the candle with minuscule droplets of wax hardening on the worn pages. The old woman offered her guests two stools, while she sat down on a rough bench beside the oven.

She took one look at Rav Levi Yitzchok and burst into tears.

“Why are you crying?” he asked.

“Because I am so ashamed.”

“Ashamed? Why should you be ashamed?”

“Because I am a sinner,” she said. “I have concealed my sin all these years, but now you have discovered it and came to my door. My secret has been revealed, and so has my shame. I am ready to receive your rebuke, because I deserve it. But I beg of you, please help me. Tell me, Rebbe, what do I have to do to atone for my sin?”

“What is your sin?” asked Rav Levi Yitzchok. “Tell me, and I will try to help you.”

“My story begins,” she began, “when I was six years old. Both my parents passed away that year, and I was left an orphan, all alone. My mother’s sister took me into her home. My uncle and aunt were kind to me. They leased akretchma , a tavern, from the local poritz, the nobleman who owned the land. My uncle would serve whiskey and beer to the peasants who came into the tavern, while my aunt cleaned and cooked. My job was to help my aunt with the household chores. I was forbidden to step foot into the tavern, which was usually filled with drunkards and rogues. This went on for a number of years. This is how I grew up. Life was fine, I suppose.

“When I was fourteen, however, my aunt broke the rule for the first time. I don’t remember exactly why she needed money so desperately, but she did – and she sent me to the tavern to get some from my uncle. I had never been in a tavern before, and the sight shocked me. Some men were sitting at tables drinking and singing nasty songs, while others were staggering back and forth among the tables, hoisting tankards of ale to each other.

“I saw my uncle on the far side of the tavern and I made my way across the room to him. As I passed one of the tables, a drunkard reached out and touched my hair. I screamed and ran away, but he grabbed a lock of my hair and yanked it loose. I was beside myself

- 6 of 54 - with shock and shame.”

The old woman wept as she recalled that day in the tavern.

“My hair was my pride and joy,” she continued, “as it is for any girl of fourteen. I took a pair of scissors and cut off all my hair, and I pleaded with Hashem to forgive me and wipe away my sin. I knew I couldn’t look my aunt and uncle in the face anymore, so I left them a note that I was going away, and in the middle of the night, I stole away and went to the next town. I worked for a while as a maid in the homes of wealthy families, and then I met and married my husband, a simple Jew and a good man. He passed away a few months ago for no apparent reason. He wasn’t sick. He didn’t have an accident. He simply died one day, just like that, and I think it is because of my sin.Hashem is punishing me.”

The old woman looked at Rav Levi Yitzchok with abject pleading in her eyes.

“And now you’ve found me out, Rebbe,” she said. “So help me. Please help me wipe away this sin once and for all. Rosh HaShana is coming. Everyone is repenting and being forgiven. Maybe you can slip me in among them so that I too can be forgiven.”

“Tell me,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok, “what did you do with the hair you cut off on that day? Did you keep it?”

“Not all of it,” she said. “But I did keep one lock of it to remind me of my sin at all times.”

“Please give it to me,” he said.

The old woman stood up and shuffled over to a cupboard in the shadowy corner of the room. She opened the bottom drawer and took out a small cardboard box, which she handed to Rav Levi Yitzchok.

“You have no need to cry anymore,” he said. “You bear no guilt, and you have no responsibility for the death of your husband. It was not your fault. Hashem has accepted your tears and your tefillos. You will be blessed with a sweet new year.”

He stood and turned to his gabbai.

“Come, let us return to the shul,” he said. “We have what we need.”

- 7 of 54 - When they returned, they found the shul packed with restless and curious people. It was very late, and they had still not begun the Selichos. And Rav Levi Yitzchok was nowhere to be found. His sudden entrance caused quite a stir as all eyes followed him to the front, seeking a clue to his mysterious departure and reappearance.

Rav Levi Yitzchok put on his tallis and stepped up to the holy Aron. He threw open the doors and placed the old woman’s cardboard box inside.

“Master of the Universe,” he cried out, “is there another nation as holy as Your own Jewish people? I came here straight from the simple home of a simple Jewish widow. When she was fourteen years old, an orphan living with her uncle and aunt, she had to go into a tavern to see her uncle, and the vile hands of a drunkard touched her hair. A fleeting touch, for she immediately fled. It was not her fault. She was completely innocent. Yet she has suffered feelings of guilt for all these years, because she was afraid that somehow she had allowed herself to be defiled. She has cried rivers of tears and poured out her heart to You with innumerable supplications. She even blamed her husband’s untimely petira on her supposed sin. And what does she want? Only that You, her Father in heaven, should accept her repentance and forgive her.”

He took the box containing the lock of the old woman’s hair and held it aloft. “Master of the Universe,” he cried out, “who else is like Your people Yisrael? Don’t they deserve Your compassion and forgiveness?”

Then holding the box in his hand, confident that the harsh decree had been averted, he started to say the Selichos. Gedolim Be'misasm Yoser Parshas Nitzavim & Elul & Rosh Hashanah & Aseres Yamei Teshuvah

He authored Toras Moshe Nosson and Menuchas Osher.

Rav Moshe Nosson Nota Segal Yungreiss (Elul 27)

One of the first HungarianRabbonim to become a follower of Rav Chaim of Sanz.

- 8 of 54 - Aramaic grammar in addition to his Torah wisdom especially in the esoteric secrets of Kabbalah. The gedolim of Frankfurt used to say Rav Nosson Hakohen Adler (Katz) Av Beis Din of Frankfurt (Elul 27) though that his expertise in hilchos tumah and tahara was unsurpassed and that the Divine spirit of Hashem spoke through him in these matters.

It was said that Rav Nassan Adler’s home was always open to guests and so that none ever be guilty of stealing, Rav Nosson Adler had declared all his possessions ownerless and hefker that way he was sure no one would ever steal from him.

He never recorded any of his Torah or chiddushim because he never forgot any of his Born Sunday 10 Teves 5502 in Frankfurt learning. He once explained that the only heter to allow writing down the oral Torah SheBaal A descendant of the author of the Yalkut peh as explained by the Rambam is due to our Shimoni forgetting it, we are allowed to write it down, “I however have no such heter to allow me to He was a disciple of the Pnei Yehoshua and write down what I learned because I do not afterwards of Rav Moshe Rapf, but his Rebbe forget it!” Muvhak was Rav David Teveli Schiff HaKohen who served afterwards as AvBeisDin in London. Some of his unique customs andminhagim were: since he was a Kohen, he himself He opened a yeshiva by age twenty and many duchened and recited the Birkas Kohanim in his great talmidei chachamim were his students own bais medrash daily (des[ite the minhag of and disciples such as: The Chasam Sofer, Rav most Ashkenazi Jews outside of Eretz Yisroel to Avraham Binga AvBeisDin Wertzberg, Rav only duchen on YomTov). He said about himself Menachem Mendel Kargoy author Gidulei that as soon as the Bais haMikdash was rebuilt Taharah on Mikvaos, Rav Avraham Auerbach he was ready to do theavodah in Kodesh son in law of the Yad Duvid, Rav Chaim haKadashim since he was a master of and knew Deutschman AvBeisDin Kaline and others. all the halachos of the Avodah of the Kohanim.

He was known as an expert in secular studies Another unique minhag he had was that he of nature and sciences as well as Hebrew and davened from the Siddur Arizal and used

- 9 of 54 - nusach Sefard as well as a Sefardi accent and pronunciation. The author of Tzror Chaim testified as an eye witness that he davened in Rav Yehuda Eizik Eliezer Hirschowitz Rav Nosson Adler’s bais medrash and heard Kerem Beis Yisroel (Elul 27) him pronounce with a Sefardi accent and pronunciation which he studied under a Rav Yitzchok Eizik Eliezer Hirschowitz was Yerushalmi Jew for several years to learn. He born in 5631/1871 in Libau (Liepaja), Latvia, a also took two aliyahs every Shabbos for Kohen city influenced by neighboring Germany. His and Maftir. parents, Rav Aryeh and Liba Devora, saw the Haskola (Enlightenment) sweep their older (See Chut HaMeshulash pg13-14,16-17) children away from Yiddishkeit. Determined to save the youngest, they sent Yitzchok to the תק''ס He passed away on 27 Elul local chareidi school.

When he graduated at age fifteen, the headmaster sent him on to Telshe. He became Rav Yaakov Aryeh Leib Shapira (Elul 27) a star talmid. In 5654/1894, he married the daughter of the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Eliezer Rav Yaakov Aryeh, son of Rav Mordechai of Gordon. .תקל'ט/Neshchiz, was born in 5539 He wrote Kerem Bais Yisrael (in German with He was appointed Rav of Kavla when he was Hebrew characters), on building a Torah home. From Meitav Higoyon is a collection of letters of Rav .תק'ס /just 21 years old, in the year5560 Kavla, he moved to Neshchiz and then to Trisk. Samson Raphael Hirsch, translated into Hebrew from Gothic German. he wrote an approbation ,ז"תקצ/In 5597 (haskama) for the Slovita Shas. In 5666/1906, he became Rav of Talsen in

His sons were Rav Yisroel of Stabichov and Rav Kurland, where he had grown up. He remained Levi Yitzchok of Kamin. His son-in-law was Rav until he was forced to flee in World War I, Avrohom of Trisk. Some of his Torah was ending up in Minsk. collected and printed at the back of Rishpe Aish HaShalem (Neshchiz). Part of the Radin Yeshiva had also taken refuge in Minsk, and the Chofetz Chaim asked him to

He passed away on 27 Elul in the year teach them. .(תקצ''ט/some say 5599) תקצ''ח/5598 Later, Rav Yitzchok moved with his students to Ihumen, but the Soviets soon took over and he helped his talmidim sneak across the border to

- 10 of 54 - Lithuania. Once they were safe, he took his own Rav Nachman of Radvil (Elul 27) family and followed them. Rav Yehuda Zev Levovitz (Elul 27)

In Lithuania, he headed Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael of Rav Yosef Shmuel Moskowitz (Elul 27) Slabodka. Later he moved back to Telshe as Rav Moshe Segal of Lvov (Rosh Hagolah principal of Yavneh Teachers’ College for Men. U'manhig Ha'medinah) (Elul 27) Rav Yitzchok Chiyus (Rav in Skolya, Rav Yitzchok wrote a Jewish history book from Zera Yitzchok) (Elul 27) a Torah viewpoint. Halichos Am Olam Volume I, Rav Binyomim Tzvi Auerbach (Elul 27) from Creation until Eliyahu HaNovi’s ascent to Shomayim, was published in 5689/1929. The notes he prepared for later volumes were destroyed during the Holocaust. Rav Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach Rosh Yeshivas Shaar Ha'Shomayim, Chacham Lev (Elul 28) In 5686/1926, he became Rav of Wirballen. The Nazis conquered the city in 5701/1940 and began the mass slaughter of Lithuanian Jews. Rav Yitzchok fled to Kelm.

On the twenty-seventh of Elul 5701/1941, Rav Yitzchok was taken by the Nazis from the famous Talmud Torah. All sang Adon Olam together as they marched to their deaths.

His three daughters and four of his sons and their families were also murdered.

Hashem yinkom domom.

One son, Rav Yehuda Lieber Hirschowitz, survived and immigrated toEretz Yisrael.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-27-elul september-22/

Rav Sholom Rokeach of Belz (Sar Shalom of Belz, Midbar Kadesh) (Elul 27)

- 11 of 54 - acted with mesirus nefesh to save Yidden from serving in the Turkish army. He somehow obtained the title of ambassador for the Ethiopian embassy, and issued Ethiopian citizenship for many Jews.

This was a great crime and easily detected, because Ethiopians are dark-skinned, and he issued the documents to lighter-skinned Rav Chaim Leib was born in 5647/1887 and Yerushalmi Jews. Officially sentenced to death grew up in Yerushalayim. At the age of as a traitor, he hid from the authorities for eighteen he received semicha from Rav Chaim months after the war. Berlin of Yerushalayim. In 5667/1907 he married the daughter of Rav Shlomo Zalman Rav Chaim Leib was among the founders of the Porush, one of the foremostaskonim of Chassidic Bais Medrash in Shaarei Chessed, Yerushalayim. and served as its Rav.

Rav Chaim Leib’s thirst forTorah was He raised money for hisYeshiva with unquenchable. Even during his sheva berachos tremendous mesirus nefesh. At times he gave he learned all night with his brother-in-law Rav away every penny he had, and was left with Akiva Porush. He became a devoted talmid of nothing for his family. Rav Shimon Lider-Horowitz, learningToras HaNistar from him. The berocha he received from Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld is well known. Rav Yosef Chaim told One night, he dreamed that the Arizal came to him, “In the merit of all you do, you will merit him and complained that few Yidden learned children who will light up Klal Yisrael with their his Torah, which has the power to redeem the Torah and yira.” Shechina from Golus. As soon as he awoke he went straight to his Rebbe, Rav Shimon, who, it Indeed, his son was none other than Rav turned out, had that same dream. So Rebbe and Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, and his sons-in-law talmid immediately set out to open a Yeshiva were Rav Sholom Schwadron and Rav Simcha for Toras Ho’Ari, which they calledSha’ar Bunim Leizerzohn niftar( in his prime), HaShomayim. zichronom shel Tzaddikim livrocha.

Rav Chaim Leib stood at the helm of the Rav Chaim Leib suffered two heart attacks. Yeshiva his entire life. After the second one, he suffered for some time, and was niftar at the age of sixty-eight on During World War I, when the military draft th the 28 of Elul 5614/1954. menaced young Jewish men, Rav Chaim Leib

- 12 of 54 - Zechuso yogen oleinu. National Lottery, giving the impression that he had won a substantial prize. The poor man was www.hamodia.com/features/this-day-in-history- deeply ashamed, especially since he knew that 28-elulseptember-3/ it wasn't true.

HaRav Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach: Rosh Reb Chaim Leib told him, "Don't worry. As a Yeshiva or Admor? rosh yeshiva of scholars of kabboloh I know HaRav Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach zt'l was that whenever an unpleasant rumor circulates descended from a family of Admorim which about someone, that alone is enough to traced its ancestry back to the author of the exonerate him and the Heavenly decree ends Toldos Yaakov Yosef, a talmid of the Baal Shem there. You can calm down. You've undergone Tov. When his father, the Admor ofenough. You will never again become wealthy." Tschernowitz-Chmielnick passed away, Reb Chaim Leib was asked to succeed him.When Reb Chaim Leib traveled to America to However, he preferred to stay on as rosh raise funds for his yeshiva, he sanctified yeshiva of Shaar HaShomayim, which he had Heaven's Name wherever he went. He was built with his own efforts, leaving the position even presented with a key to New York City by of Admor unfilled. He once commented that the mayor. The visit was given wide coverage in whereas he was unsure exactly how much the local press because of the huge gatherings remained of the original, authentic chassidus, that took place. Reb Chaim Leib aroused the Torah remains forever in its pristine purity and crowds with his impassioned delivery, urging is superior to all else. them to strengthen their observance and portraying the state of the generation and the His love of Torah extended to its every single impending redemption. In his enthusiasm he aspect, both revealed and concealed. Inforgot that his visit had had another purpose — addition, he was further drawn to theto raise funds for his yeshiva. concealed Torah by HaRav Akiva Sofer zt'l, one of Yerushalayim's kabboloh scholars. He would When, just before the return trip, his escorts conduct Tikkun Chatzos nightly and then learn asked him what would become of the yeshiva's Torah until daybreak. He wore a garment of upkeep and maintenance, he replied, in the sackcloth underneath his clothing and despite presence of hundreds of people, "This is the his joyful outward demeanor his heart was meaning of our request, `May the Merciful One heavy over the Shechinah's exile andsustain us with honor' (Bircas Hamozone). We downtrodden honor. don't require money for our upkeep. The tremendous honor that you accord us He was once approached by a distressed Yid everywhere is enough." who was very worried because his picture had mistakenly appeared on a notice posted by the At one time, when the yeshiva was late in

- 13 of 54 - distributing the stipends to the scholars who became his talmid muvhak. Rav Carmell began learned there, a rumor began circulating that to compile Rav Dessler's teachings under his Reb Chaim Leib was the owner of several guidance. After the war he married, making his orchards, yet the stipends were being held up. home in London. He would spend the morning The rumor gained currency, to the point where hours learning bechavrusa with some of Reb Chaim Leib was summoned to beis din to London's leading rabbanim. In the afternoon he account for himself. In front of the beis din his would go to his office to work for a few hours, wife Rebbetzin Tzviah told the dayanim, "It's setting aside time every day to organize true. We have orchards but they're young and chessed and outreach activities. He was among aren't yet yielding any fruit. They have names the first to become involved in Jewish outreach too," she continued. "One is called Shlomo over 50 years ago. Following Rav Dessler's Zalman, the next one is Eliezer, then there's petirah he started Yad Eliyahu in London, Berel and the fourth is Dovid . . ." where children who studied at public schools were taught ahavas Torah and yiras Shomayim. Reb Chaim Leib made his last trip three years He published Michtav MeEliyohu, a compilation before his petiroh, but it had to be curtailed of Rav Dessler's teachings. The first three because of his weak heart. During his last years volumes were edited with Rav Alter Halperin he was sickly and ailing. and Rav Chaim Friedlander, while Rav Carmell edited the fourth and fifth volumes by himself. At the end of Av 5714 (1954) he suffered a He also adapted parts of the work into a book severe heart attack and was very ill indeed for in English called Strive for Truth. He also co- a month. Although only semiconscious he edited Challenge: Torah Views on Science and reviewed divrei Torah by heart and also made its Problems and wrote an important booklet some startling statements about neshomos and called Aid to Talmud Study. When the wave of other topics. He returned his soul heavenward Russian aliya began he wrote a book called on the twenty- eighth of Elul 5714 (1954). Masterplan. Based on Rav Shamshon Raphael T.N.T.B.H Hirsch's Chorev, it also presented reasons http://chareidi.org/archives5767/rosh/RSH67fe behind the mitzvos. Moving to Eretz Yisrael in atures2.htm 1972, Carmell settled in Jerusalem's Bayit Vegan neighborhood and helped Rav Boruch Horowitz found Yeshivas Dvar Yerushalayim, Jerusalem's first yeshiva for baalei teshuvoh. Rav Aryeh Carmell Published Michtav He gave shiurim on gemora, hashkofoh and M'Eliyohu, Strive for Truth (Elul 28) Mussar.

Rav Nosson Fryde of Tzehlim (Av Beis Rav Aryeh Carmell (1917-2006) was born in Din of Tcharna, Tzemach Hasodeh) (Elul England . At the age of 16 Aryeh was sent to 28) study under Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler and Rabbeinu Boruch Albali (Elul 28)

- 14 of 54 - Rav Moshe Maggid Rivlin (Elul 28) whom many corresponded, he was also known to be extremely pious and humble. Rav Yechiel Halevi Rottenberg (Reb Yechiel'ish) (Elul 28) His son-in-law, the author ofShem Rokeach, Shaul Hamelech & his 3 sons (Elul 28) eulogized him. In his hesped, he described the Rav Saadya (Elul 28) great pain and sufferings his father-in-law had Rav Eliezer Chaim Deutsch of Banihad endured. (Tevuos Hasodeh) (Elul 29)

Rav Yisroel Rabinowitz (Ohel Yisroel) His son was Rav Dov Ber Katz, Av Beis Din of (Elul 29) Rakov. Rav Yaakov Halevi Lipschitz (Zichron Yaakov, Secretary of Rav Yitzchok Rav Avrohom Yitzchok passed away on 1 Elchonon Spector) (Elul 29) Tishrei (some say 2 Tishrei) in the year 5569. Rav Naftali Hertz (Rav of Pintchov) (Elul 29)

Rav Raphael Landau (Elul 29)

Rav Yerachmeil Yeshaya Mintzberg Rav Boruch Hamaggid of Lvov (Tishrei 1) (Rav of Likova) (Elul 29)

Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel of Rav Baruch HaMaggid of Lvov was a holy, pure Machnovka (Tishrei 0) gaon and tzaddik who taught Torah to the masses.

Rav Avraham Yitzchak Abali Hakohen (Tishrei 1) Rav Tzvi Hirsch Zeidel Rav Hirsch Lasker (Tishrei 1) Served as Av Beis Din of Stavnitz-Pintshuv, Author of Kesser Kehunah, AV BAIS DIN OF OZORKOV

Rav Avrohom Yitzchok, the son of Dov Beirish, Rav Tzvi Hirsch Zeidel was also known as Rav had illustrious ancestors on both sides of the Hirsch Lasker, after his city of birth, Lask. He family. From his father’s side, he was was the brother of Rav Yosef, Av Bais Din of descended from the Shach. From his mother’s Nashelesk and Vishigrod. side, he could trace his lineage back to Rav Yitzchok of Posna, Rav Shaul Wohl and the He was a gadol in Torah and avodah. His son, Maharam of Padua. Rav Moshe, served as dayan and rav in Lodz.

In addition to being a well-respected gaon with

- 15 of 54 - Rav Tzvi Hirsch announced his own passing in Rav Yosef’s matzeva testifies that he lived to the midst of his drasha before tekiyas shofar in the age of 110! He was a great posek and gaon. 5596 (1835), then died right there before the To demonstrate his greatness, the sefer Kelilas aron kodesh. Yofi cites the sefer Beraychos Mayim that when a shaila once came before Rav Yitzchak Darshan of Krakow from the bais din of the Bach, he sent it on to Rav Yosef to reply with an Rav Yekusiel Zalman Segal Halevi Moelin answer. (Tishrei 1) Rav Yosef passed away on the1st of Tishrei Rav Yekusiel Zalman Segal HaLevi Moelin was 5397 (1636). the son of Rav Moshe of Magentza, who was among the greatest rabbanim and gedolim of the Rhinelands. Rav Isaac Stein (Tishrei 1) He was the brother and rebbe of the Maharil, as well as the brother of Rav Shimon Segal, one of the Gaonim of Ashkenaz.

Rav Yekusiel Zalman passed away on the 1st of Tishrei 5148 (1387).

Rav Yosef Kalmankash (Tishrei 1)

Rav Isaac was one of the gedolei Ashkenaz from ROSH BAIS DIN of PRAGUE Nurenberg who taught Torah in Gutzenhoizen. He was the author of the Biurei HaSmag. Rav Yosef Kalmankash, born in 5287 (1526), was the son of Rav Avraham, Av Bais Din of The Chida writes in Shem HaGedolim that the Lublin. Biur commentary we have is only a shorthand version of Rav Isaac’s work. He notes that he He was the brother of Rav Eliyahu Kalmankash, personally saw a handwritten manuscript of the Av Bais Din of Lvov and the author of Aderes longer version. (According to scholars he Eliyahu, whose yahrtzeit falls on 9 Nissan 5393 collected various manuscript versions of the (1633). Smag and assembled them together, subjecting proposed variants and emendations to a vote and saving the rejected notes likeshivrei

- 16 of 54 - luchos in his copy of the Smag. The printed of Rosh Hashana 1991, he was succeeded by edition was only published some fifty years the current Viener Rav, Rabbi Asher Anshel after his passing by his son AviEzri as the Katz. Nimmukim of Rav Isaac Shtein.) See https://hebrewbooks.org/20520

Rav Isaac lived during the time of the Maharik Sara Imeinu (Tishrei 1) (Rav Yosef Colon) and Mahari Brona. In the he was exiled along ,(ה'רנ"ה (year 5255 1495 Chazal on Bereishis 23:1-2 teach us that when with all the other Jews of his area, and they fled Sarah heard about Akeidas Yitzchok she passed to Regensburg, where he passed away on Rosh away: .ה'רנ"ו Hashanah of the next year, 5256

When Avraham returned from Mount Moriah, the Satan became infuriated. He had not achieved what he had desired, which was to Rav Ezriel Yuda Leibowitz Av Beis Din thwart the sacrifice of Avraham. What did he Vien (Tishrei 1) do? He went to Sarah and asked: “Did you hear (any news) of what has happened in the world?” She replied, “No.” He said, “Avaham took Yitzchok his son and slaughtered him, offering him up on the altar as a sacrifice.” Sarah began to cry, and moan the sound of three wails which correspond to the three blasts of the shofar, and her soul burst forth from her and she died. Avraham came only to find that she had died. From where had he In 1958, Rabbi Ezriel Yehuda Lebowitz come? From Mount Moriah. — Midrash Pirkei (Hudhazer Rov) succeeded Rav Yonasan Steif De-Rabbi Eliezer, Chapter 31-32 as Rav of Kehal Adas Yereim Vien. He founded the Mesivta Nachlas Yakov, which came to be See also Rashi "The story of the death of Sarah one of the foremost leadingyeshivos in the immediately follows that of the Binding of United States, which consistently counted more Isaac, because through the announcement of than 150 talmidim. The yeshiva was the crown the Akeidah — that her son had been prepared jewel of the Kehilla. for sacrifice and had almost been sacrificed — she received a great shock (literally, her soul Rabbi Ezriel Yehuda Lebowitz authored: Ezer departed and left her) and she died." Mi'Yehuda on Chumash Bereishis, Pirkei Avos and more. After his passing on the first day Midrash VaYikra Rabbah

- 17 of 54 - Yitzchok came back to his mother and she said to him: ‘Where have you been, my son?’ He replied to her: ‘My father took me and led me Rav Meir Yehuda Leibush Wisser Malbim up mountains and down hills,’ etc. ‘Woe,’ she (Tishrei 1) said, ‘for the son of a hapless woman! If not for the angel you would by now have been slain!’ ‘Yes,’ he said to her. She uttered six cries, corresponding to six blasts of the shofar. She had scarcely finished talking when she died. As it says, And Avraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her (Bereishis 23:2). Where did he come from? Rabbi Yehudah son of Rabbi Shimon said: He came from Mount Moriah.

See also Midrash Tanchuma:

At that very moment the Satan went to Sarah and disguised himself as Yitzchok. When she saw him, she asked: “My son, what has your father done to you?” He answered, “My father Born in Valatshisk (or Volochisk, Volhynia) in took me and made me climb up mountains and Tashkent, Malbim was orphaned from his go down into valleys and he made me climb up father at age six and raised by Rav Yehuda a certain mountain, and built an altar. He set Leib, AvBeisDin of Valatshisk. He studied under up the altar and arranged the kindling and Rav Moshe Segal Horowitz, author ofEmek bound me on the altar. He then took the knife HaSidim. He was renowned as a genius in to slaughter me. If Hashem, the Holy One had Torah and became known as theillui of not called out, ‘Do not lay your hand on this Volhynia. He became a gifted orator and boy,’ I would have been slaughtered.” He did darshan even at a young age. Later, he would not finish his sentence when Sarah’s soul had receive wisdom in Kabbalah from Rav Tzvi already departed. As it is written, “AndHirsch of Zidatshuv and become a master of Avraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep hidden and revealed Torah. for her.” Where did he come from? From Mount Moriah. He married the daughter of Rav Chaim Auerbach, AvBeisDin Luntschitz and author of Divrei Mishpat on Choshen Mishpat. After his marriage at age 14 ended in divorce, the Malbim immersed himself in Torah study. It was in Luntschitz that he toiled night and day

- 18 of 54 - working on his magnum opus and first halachic In 1858 Malbim accepted an invitation from work, Artzos Hachaim, which is his famed Bucharest to become chief rabbi of Romania commentary to the Shulchan Aruch. where he remained for five years. There, he began to wage a campaign against the In 1834 he traveled throughout Europe, visiting maskilim (apostates), the opponents of true Pressburg, Trieste, Amsterdam, and Breslau in Torah. He also began work on hissefer, order to publicize Artzos Hacḥaim. He gained HaTorah v’Hamitzvah on the sifra and mikra much acclaim from gaonim and gedolim for this kodesh on Tanach. great work. His journeys also included visits to other prominent rabbis of his day. Battling Reform Judaism, he withdrew funding from their schools, halted the choral temple’s In 1837 he served in his first post as rabbi of construction, and even prohibited kosher Wreschen near Posen (Pozna). There, he butchers from selling to those who did not married a young widow, Chayah, the daughter observe Shabbos. In response, the influential of the wealthy businessman Feivel Opochinsky reformers attacked Malbim, denouncing him as of Luntshitz (Łęczyca). a fanatic. They turned to the government authorities to accuse him of impeding Jewish In Tashkent he was appointed rav of Vereshna. assimilation into society, for harboring The congregants of Posen offered him the post unpatriotic leanings, and of blaspheming once held by Rav Akiva Eiger but he declined Christianity in his commentaries. and remained in Vereshna where in 1839, he published Artzos Hashalom on dersuh and The government responded in 1862 by revoking aggadah and wrote Shirei Henefesh on Shir Malbim’s title as chief rabbi and banning him Hashirim. from saying derashos. They also withdrew the Bucharest Jewish community’s authority to He published Artzos Hashalom, a collection of raise taxes and manage its own affairs. nine derashos and continued work on the second volume of Artzos Hacḥaim (published in The struggle for authority in the community 1860). Malbim became rav of the larger town of continued until one Shabbos, in the midst of his Kempen in 1841 where he served for 17 years, derasha, Malbim was arrested on false charges. becoming known as the “Maggid of Kempena” He was imprisoned and ultimately expelled or “the Kempener.” from Romania in 1864. Unwilling to capitulate, Malbim traveled to Constantinople to sue the Since the Polish towns of Wreschen and Romanian government, demanding Kempen had been incorporated into Prussia, reinstatement and back wages. He received Malbim learned German in order to earn support from Sir Moses Montefiore and from Prussian citizenship. the Prussian consulate, which protested his mistreatment as a Prussian national. He also

- 19 of 54 - traveled to Paris to enlist the help of Adolphe and placed a false matzeiva over an empty Crémieux (president of the Alliance Israélite grave as a marker to fool anyone who would try Universelle) who sent a protest letter directly to desecrate his place of burial. to the Romanian ruler, Alexandru Cuza. Malbim won reparations on condition that he officially His magnum opus, Hatorah V’Hamitzvah is a resign as rabbi of Romania. famous commentary on Tanach which is studied worldwide to this day. After six months in Paris (where in 1865 he published, HaLevanon, an autobiography detailing his Romanian tribulations), Malbim returned to Luntshitz supported by an Rav Yitzchok Meir (Tishrei 1) inheritance left by his recently deceased father- in-law. He remained there 13 years. When the family business failed, due to being managed by a dishonest partner, Malbim returned to the rabbinate.

He continued to clash with reformers and maskilim, and soon found himself at odds as well with chassidim who were suspicious of his philosophical bent. In 1869, he became rabbi of Kherson (Ukraine) and in 1870 he returned to Luntshitz to serve as rabbi there. Yet, machlokes caught up with him and he left Luntschitz for Chersan and then Mogilev (or Mahilyow; Belarus Russia) where he served as rabbi from 1872 to 1875.

Eventually, the libels of the reformers caught up with him there and the Russian government banned him from all their provinces. He left for Rav Yitzchok Meir, son of Rav Avrohom Koenigsberg. His final post was in Königsberg Yehoshua Heschel, was born in Mezibuzh on 21 He was a תרכ''ב /Kaliningrad) from 1875 to 1879. He passed Kislev in the year 1861,5622) away in 1879 and was laid to rest in Kiev en scion of the Apta Mezibuzh dynasty. His father- route to another rabbinic post in Kremenchug in-law, Rav Mordechai Shraga Friedman of (Ukraine). His kever remains unknown due to Husyatin, was descended from the Mezritch the fear of reprisal from his many opponents. Ruzhiner dynasty. On February, 10, 1881, he Rather, they buried him in an unmarked grave married his father's first cousin, Gitel, daughter

- 20 of 54 - of the Husyatiner, Rebbe Mordechai Feivush Shraga of Tel Aviv. His daughters were Bluma, Friedman. He lived in Husyatin until the death the wife of Rav Avrohom Yaakov of Sadigura, of his father-in-law on June 27, 1894. From the Tel Aviv; Chava, the wife of Rav Eliezer of age of 14, Rav Yitzchok Meir sat in his father- Vizhnitz (author ofDamesek Eliezer); and in-law’s home and was deeply influenced by Miriam, the wife of Rav Avrohom Yehoshua him, to the point that he accepted upon himself Heschel of Tarnipol. all of his father-in-law’s customs. he began to hold court ,תרנ''ד/In the year 5654 as the Kopishnitzer Rebbe, not far from Rav Shmuel Halevi Shechter (Tishrei 1) Husyatin, and the area soon grew to be a large stronghold of Chassidus. Rav Yitzchok Meir was Rav Shmuel Halevi Shechter (1915-1999). Born renowned for his wonder-working and miracles. in Montreal, Canada, he was only five years old, He was also outstanding in giving tzedaka, and when his mother passed away. During his years sent large sums to strengthen theyishuv in at Rabbi Isaac Elchonon Theological Seminary, Eretz Yisroel. In 5672/ , he participated in he shared a dormitory room with Rav Avigdor תרע''ב a gathering of Rebbes in Czernowitz, where the Miller. Later, he traveled to Poland to learn at Histadrut HaCharedim was founded – the the Mirrer Yeshiva under Rav Yeruchom. After forerunner of Agudas Yisroel. his marriage, he learned at Kelm. When he returned to America, he learned with Rav During the First World War, Rav Yitzchok Meir Aharon Kotler, first at White Plains, NY, then at fled Kopishnitz and went to Vizhnitz at the Lakewood. Years later, he settled in Eretz behest of his dear friend and colleague Rav Yisrael. Yisroel of Vizhnitz. From there, he went to Vienna, where he ultimately settled. Once the war ended, he travelled to his Chassidim in Galicia and Bukowina.

After the davening on the first day of Rosh Rav Yitzchok , תרצ''ו /Hashana in the year5696 Meir returned his pure, holy soul to his Maker. He was laid to rest in Vienna, and an ohel was erected on his kever.

His sons were Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel, who succeeded him in Vienna; Rav Moshe, who perished in the Holocaust; Rav Sholom Yosef, who lived in Eretz Yisroel; and Rav Mordechai

- 21 of 54 - the royal architect Piotr Beber. It was constructed between 1692 and 1700.

Rav Dov Ber (Tishrei 1)

Rabbeinu Amnon Unesana Tokef (Tishrei 1)

Author of the piyut, “Unesana Tokef”

Rav Amnon Magentza of Mainz was one of the gedolei hador in the 11th century. He was learned in Kabbalah, and was wise in all forms of wisdom. He was a wealthy and handsome man from a family of distinguished yichus.

In his beis medrash there was a miraculous ner tamid that burned all week long without oil! (Seder HaDoros)

Rav Amnon enjoyed a close relationship to the king. The royal ministers tried daily to get him to renounce his faith and become an apostate. He never paid them any heed until one day the king himself asked him to give up his faith. Feeling uncomfortable in front of the king, he sought a way to extricate himself from this confrontation and simply said, “Give me three days’ time to think about it.”

He authored chiddushim on several mesechtos published as Neta Shaashuim. He was never really going to consider the request at all; he only made the statement as

He lived in Pinsk and in Zolkova. He was laid an excuse to gain time. Still, the matter gave to rest in Zolkova on the first day of Rosh Rav Amnon no rest. He was tormented by the fact that he had given the king even the merest .(תקכ''א) Hashanah 1760 impression that he would ever give up his faith. How could he have made it even seem that he The Synagogue in Żółkiew was partially was willing to even consider renouncing his sponsored by Jan III Sobieski and designed by

- 22 of 54 - emunah in Hashem and the Torah?! His friends suffering lovingly as penance for his crime. and family tried to console him to no avail. When the chazzan reachedKedushah, Rav After three days passed, he refused to appear Amnon asked him to pause. “Let me sanctify before the king. When the king called him to Hashem’s name in public,” he announced and stand judgment before him for failing to arrive, proceeded to recite the famous liturgical poem, he said that he would pass judgment on himself Unesana Tokef. At that moment, his soul and announce a fitting punishment for his departed. misdeed: Three days later he appeared to Rabbeinu “My lying tongue that spoke falsely should be Kalonymous ben Rabbeinu Meshulam and cut out,” he proclaimed. Rav Amnon felt that it taught him the words to the poem and asked would be a kiddush Hashem since he had that it be taught and spread among Klal Yisroel. spoken as if he considered the possibility of It was thus established that it be recited leaving his faith. annually each Rosh Hashanah. In this way, Klal Yisroel would be remembered favorably before “No,” the king declared, “I will cut off the feet Hashem in connection to the great rectification that failed to bring you to come before me and that Rav Amnon made. (This is based on hand we will torture your body.” As they cut off each written accounts from oldmachzorim that of his limbs, they asked him to reconsider and belonged to Rav Yitzchok of Vienna, author of to renounce his faith and accept theirs. Though the Ohr Zarua who testifies that he found this he suffered horribly, he staunchly refused. story in the writings of Rav Ephraim ben Finally, with the stages of torture concluded, Yaakov of Vienna and the Seder HaDoros says the king had him placed in a wood box he saw it in an ancient German machzor.) alongside all his dismembered limbs. In this Rav Refoel Yaakov Dovid Wilovsky manner, they had him brought home. (Ridbaz) (Tishrei 1)

Seder HaDoros says that this is why he was Rav Shefatia (Author of Selicha 'Yisroel Nosha Ba'Hashem') (Tishrei 1) named Amnon because he truly believed with full faith in the living G-d –E”l Chai . Rav Yehuda Ayas of Algiers (Eiash) (Tishrei 1) [Translator’s note: Perhaps Amnon is a pseudonym, or alternatively, it was his given Rav Dovid Rappaport (Tishrei 1) name and the statement is a derash that his true name proved his faith in Hashem.]

Rav Nachman Tzvi Halevi Epstein (Tishrei On Rosh Hashanah, Rav Amnon requested that 2) they carry him to shul in the box, along with his dismembered limbs. They placed him by the chazzan. He accepted his terrible pain and Rav Nachman Tzvi Halevi Epstein, son of Rav

- 23 of 54 - Yitzchak, Av Beis Din of Kolomaya, was born in position was offered to Rav Shalom Rokeach of 5510 (1750). Belz, who was many years his junior, Rav Aharon felt it was inappropriate for such a He was a disciple of Rav Yitzchak Schor, the young rabbi to be his superior, so he accepted author of Koach Schor. He served as Rav of the rabbinate in the younger man’s stead. Kolomaya from 5555 (1794) until the end of his When the Chozeh heard of his decision, he life. It is known that in his youth he was tested quipped: “Normally we say that Aharon is rodef in Torah by the Baal Shem Tov himself. Shalom, but I now see that Shalom will be rodef Aharon!” [The mishnah in Pirkei Avos states His sons were Rav Yitzchak Zev, whothat Aharon Hakohen chased after peace, doing succeeded him, and Rav Meshulem, Av Beis Din his best to make peace between others. But of Pistin. His sons-in-law were Rav Yosef,Av now R’ Shalom Rokeach will chase away R’ Beis Din of Kitov, Rav Menachem Mendel Aharon Mashiach from his position!] The Rosen, and Rav Gedaliah Abish, Av Beis Din of Chozeh could see with his spiritual vision that Delitin. the rabbinical position rightfully belonged to Rav Shalom, and indeed, what the Chozeh Rav Nachman Tzvi passed away the 28th (or foretold eventually occurred. Rav Aharon 2nd ) of Tishrei, 5590 (1830). passed away shortly after assuming the position, Rav Shalom Rokeach, the Sar Shalom of Belz, succeeded him.

Rav Aharon Katzenelenbogen Rav Aharon Rav Aharon passed away on 2nd day of Rosh Moshiach (Tishrei 2) Hashanah 5577 (1816). Rav Shlomo Kluger of Brodie eulogized him movingly and with MASHIACH OF BELZ eloquence. Selections of this were later published in the journalMachzikei Hadaas, Rav Aharon was one of the giants of chassidus 5735. in his generation. He was a disciple of Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk and Rav Yaakov Yitzchak, Rav Aharon Mashiach’s son, Rav Moshe the Chozeh of Lublin. Mashiach, served as Av Beis Din of Woldowa.

His matzeiva testifies to his greatness, stating: (See also Dover Shalom, Sec. 8:124, and “He worked wonders for the living to prevent Admorei Belz, Vol. 1:31) עושה פלא לחיים לבל –יהיו them from dying ”כַ מתים

For many years he refused offers to be appointed to the rabbinate. However when the

- 24 of 54 - of the city.

He was a disciple and chassid of Rav Naftali Rav Avraham Eisenberg (Tishrei 2) Ropshitzer, who praised and lauded him, testifying: “I wish I could perform as many yichudim (Kabbalistic unifications) in my entire life that the Rav of Olynov does in just a few hours!” A different time he declared: “The Rav of Olynov is a burning, flaming fire!”

Rav Chaim Halberstam, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz said of him: “He is a pure holy man, a giant, a holy flame, a chassid, and serves as an example for the entire generation!”

Rav Avraham authored theToldos Avraham, chiddushim on Shas, and Shu”t (Responsa) Zera Yitzchak.

His sons were Rav Moshe Yosef, Av Beis Din of Frachnik, and Rav Shmuel Dovid of Lizhensk, who was just an infant when his father passed away.

Rav Avraham passed away on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, 5685 (1924); according to Ohel Rav Avraham was the son of Rav Yitzchok Naftali 45, he passed away on Simchas Torah in Charif AvBeisDin of Samvur and a descendant Olynov (see below). of Rav Moshe of Drogitshin, author of the commentary Maggid Mishnah on the sefer Mishnas Chassidim.

Like his father before him, he was one of the leading rabbanim in his generation, and many turned to him with their halachic inquiries in matters of Jewish law. He lived in Lvov for ten years and also served as Rav of Galina for three years. He moved to Olynov in 5573 (1813) to succeed his brother Rav Yaakov Naftali as rav

- 25 of 54 - Among the holy composers who served him were Rav Yaakov Tilasyaner and Rav Yosseleh Tolner. The Yanuka himself listened to fine Rav Yisrael Perlow the Yanuka (Tishrei 2) concerts and composers whenever the opportunity presented itself.

He personally knew the goings on in the lives of all his chassidim and displayed loving, fatherly affection to each one.

After the first World War, he contracted what would prove to be his final and fatal illness. In 5681 (1920-21), he went to Hamburg to Son-in-law of Rav Dovid Twerski of Zlatipoli. recuperate and he passed away there on the second day of Rosh Hashanah 5682 (1921). He He was born on the 10th of Kislev, 5629 (1868) was buried in Frankfurt am Main, and some and was orphaned from his father at the very chassidim referred to him as Der Frankfurter. young age four in 5633 (1872). Both his father In his will, he instructed his heirs not to bring and grandfather, Rav Aharon of Karlin, author his aron from where he passed away to either of the Beis Aharon, praised him very highly. In Karlin or Stolin. He ordered them explicitly, “as light of such praises, the chassidim accepted soon as my soul departs do not hesitate to fulfill him, after his father’s passing, as their rebbe at my honorable wishes, and even if I die during the age of four-and-a-half! He became known travel do not return my body home unless it be as Der Rebbe Der Yanuka (the child rebbe) or very close to either Malinow, Karlin or just the Yanuka – the babe. Derhobitsh.”

After his marriage, Rav Yisrael led the His sons included Rav Moshe of Stolin, Rav chassidus with great force and wisdom. Ever Avraham Elimelech of Karlin, Rav Yochanan of more chassidim joined its ranks, and Karlin Lutsk and Rav Yaakov of Detroit, USA. Both his returned to its former glory. fifth son, Rav Asher of Stolin, who was renowned for his musical talents, and his sixth All Rav Yisrael’s ways were very hidden and son, Rav Ahreleh, refused to be rebbes. Rav secretive, yet he was considered a gadol Ahreleh lived in Warsaw and was beloved by b’Torah. His level of knowledge of Kabbalah multitudes. He lived frugally and devoted his was purportedly unique in his generation. life to helping others.

The Yanuka saw music as a form of avodas His sons-in-law were Rav Shalom Safrin of Hashem and would wash his hands netilas Komarna and Rav Shalom Rokeach of Apta. yadayim before playing or composing a niggun.

- 26 of 54 - The only son to survive the war was Rav Rav Shmaryohu Greineman (Sefer Yochanon of Lutzk. 'Chazon Ish') (Tishrei 2)

Rav Ephraim Oshry (Tishrei 2) Rav Yitzchok Arye Zekel Leib of Worms Baal Shem of Michelstadt (Tishrei 3)

Rav Ephraim Oshry (1908-2003). Born in Kopishak, Lithuania, he learned in Ponevezh, Talmud Torah Kelm and Slabodka. He was also a talmid of the Chofetz Chaim in Radin. While he was still quite young, he was appointed Rav of the Abba Yechezkel Kloiz in Slabodka. During World War II, he lived in the Kovno ghetto from June, 1941 until August 1, 1944. It was there that he recorded the gripping shaylos he received, publishing them later in five volumes of She'eilos Uteshuvos Mima'amakim. After the liberation, he was the only surviving Rav of Kovno. He worked diligently to restore Yiddishkeit and was especially active in rescuing children left with non-Jews. He then fled to Austria, where he founded a yeshiva in Welsh, a small town near Salzburg. He was Rav Yitzchok Arye Zekel Leib was born in 5528 then called upon to take over the leadership of in Michelstadt, in the Erbach county of Hessen, the Meor Hagoloh yeshiva in Rome. He later Germany. A scion of the Luria Ashkenazi went to America, where he served as Rav of the familes, he was a fourth-generation descendant Beis Hamedrash Hagodol on the Lower East of Rav Eliyohu Ba’al Shem of Worms (21 Side of New York City. He published Divrei Tammuz), and descended from the Maharshal, Ephraim in 1949. He also published chiddushei Arizal, Rashi and Ba’alei Tosfos. Torah on many areas, including Imrei Ephraim on Nezikin and other subjects. He also wrote Rav Mattisyohu (5489/1729–5562/1802) was a Yahadus Lita which appeared in Yiddish, about cloth merchant in Michelstadt and his mother his recollections of pre-War Europe. Sorel’eh was niftar in 5551/1791. Zekel Leib was the eighth of a family of ten children, boys Rav Boruch Mordechai Perlov of and girls, some of whom passed away in Koidanov (Tishrei 2) childhood; he lived to the oldest age and Rav Gedalia ben Achikam (Tishrei 2) survived them all.

- 27 of 54 - FAMILY GENEALOGY Rav Eliyahu Baal Shem’s grandfather was the רל"ח-שי"דfamed Rav Yosselman of Rossheim The family name was originally Mattes and was 1478-1554)) Rav Yosselman’s mother later changed to Wormzer by the government descended from the Luria family who traced The reason for this their lineage back to Shlomo Shapira from .(תקס"ח (authorities in 1808 .and Rashi--(קל"ה(was that his great grandfather, Yitzchok Zeklin Speyer-- 1375 Eichel Luntsch, who passed away in the year lived for many years in Worms and ,(ת"ע (1710 served there as dayan. Rav Yitzchok Zeklin’s father was named Rav Moshe Baruch Elsass Rav Uri Landman (Tishrei 3) and perhaps the family originally came from Elsass (Alsace?), later moving to Worms and Rav Uri Landman of Strelisk was born on the from there to Michelstadt. 24th of Iyar, 5598 (1838).

Rav Zekel Leib’s grandfather was Rav Yaakov He was the son of Rav Tzvi of Strelisk; his .(תקי"ח (of Michelstadt. He passed away1758 mother was the daughter of Rav Uri Strelisker. His grandmother was Yettle. She passed away His brother was Rav Menachem Mendel of 1755) ). She was the daughter of Rav Potilitsh. He served as Rav of Vishinovitz in תקטו Mattisyahu Ahrweiler who served asrav of Russia, and of Lespitch in Podul Ilova, Bingen and afterwards as rav of the kloiz in Romania, where he began to hold court as a Mannheim and finally in Heidelberg. He passed rebbe. Rav Uri was agadol b’Torah; he Rav Mattisyahu’s father was authored glosses to the Yerushalmi and a sefer .(תפ"ח (away 1728 Rav Hertz Ahrweiler, a dayan in Frankfurt. He called Shlama Rabba. .(תל"ח (passed away 1678 His sons were Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Landman of Rav Yaakov of Michelstadt was a descendant of Sivan-Iasi, Rav Mordechai Mottel Landman of Rav Eliyahu of Luntsch who was known as the Odzadu and Rav Aryeh Leibush Landman of .Braila .(שכ"ד-שצ"ו (Baal Shem of Worms1564-1636 Rav Eliyahu served as rav in the following kehillos: Worms, Fulda, Hanau, Mainz,Rav Uri passed away on the 3rd of Tishrei, Friedberg and finally Worms again. He was a 5677 (1916) gadol in both the revealed and hidden aspects of Torah and authored a number ofseforim including: Rinas Dodim on Shir Hashirim, Michlal Yofi on Koheles, glosses on the Semag, and Vichuch Yayin Im Mayim. Among his unpublished manuscripts was Aderes Eliyahu on the Zohar.

- 28 of 54 - was appointed rebbe in Kozhnitz. At one point he changed direction and distanced himself from the chassidic establishment of the time – Rav Aharon Yechiel Haufstein Rav Ahreleh Kozhnizter (Tishrei 3) the wealthy, the lamdanim, the esteemed and the elders – and instead began to draw close to the simpler chassidic common folk, such as the workers, wagon drivers etc. He left Kozhnitz and began to travel, wandering from place to place.

Eventually Rav Aharon Yechiel settled in Lodz, later moved to Warsaw and afterwards established himself in Otovczak, continuing to wander and travel sporadically.

His ways appeared strange to many, but he saw it as his mission to draw the simple common laborers to avodas Hashem, and he achieved notable success.

Rav Aharon Yechiel’s tefillos were accompanied by leaping, jumping and loud yells. As he davened, he would skip and jump to-and-fro, walking on tables and chairs.

The tzadikim of his generation greatly praised him. They said that whatever (words of Rav Aharon Yechiel Haufstein was the son of blessing, assurances of salvation, etc. that) Rav Yerachmiel Moshe of Kozhnitz. He was came out of his mouth was fulfilled. Hundreds born in Kozhnitz in 5649 (1889). of eyewitness accounts circulated about his wonders and miracles. He distributed all the money he earned from pidyonos to tzedaka. He At the young age of twenty, Rav Aharon Yechiel himself lived in abject poverty and privation.

- 29 of 54 - His great talent for playing the violin was Kippur, the 9th of Tishrei, 5703 (1942) in legendary. Zelichov, during the Holocaust. His funeral and burial were attended by many Jews from both the ghetto and Zelichov. He left behind no children. When the Nazis entered Poland, Rav Aharon Yechiel left Otovczak for Warsaw, where he was seen running around collecting food for the hungry and destitute souls.

Rav Tzvi Aryeh Landau Ohr Chachomim (Tishrei 3)

Many mistakenly believe that he passed away and was laid to rest in Warsaw. There seems to Rav Tzvi Aryeh Landau was born on Motza’ei be clear evidence that he actually passed away Yom Kippur, 5520 (1759). He was the son-in- in Zelichov, where he’d fled at the behest of his law of Rav Gedaliah of Radomishil, near Lutzk, chassidim. One eyewitness report stated: “The who was amongst the first of the chassidim. Kozhnitzer brought with him a feeling of home, a heimishkeit. He conducted tischen that many According to chassidic tradition, the Baal Shem attended. Although it was hard to obtain Tov saw Rav Tzvi Aryeh as an infant and travelers’ passes, somehow his chassidim blessed him that his light should shine forth acquired them to travel and visit their rebbe.” and illuminate the world. He was a disciple and talmid muvhak of Rav Yechiel Michel of Zlatchov.

On Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rav Aharon Yechiel contracted typhus. He asked the chassidim to In 5541 (1780), while still young, he founded daven by themselves at home, but theythe Olik dynasty, near Rubena, Dubno and remained with him for both days of Yom Tov, Lutzk. He established a center of chassidus and davening alongside him and constantly reciting a court comprising of several buildings. Rav Tehillim. However, his condition worsened and Tzvi Aryeh served as the rav of the city as well. he began to frequently lose consciousness. Word went out to the chassidim, and although His Pesach Seder was famed, with hundreds in all travel in and out of the Warsaw ghetto was attendance yearly. Tradition has it that both officially banned, they were somehow able to Rav Baruch of Mezibuz and Rav Chaim of bring in two good doctors. But it was of no Volozhin were among his affectionate avail. supporters.

His son, Rav Yosef Dovid, succeeded him in Olik. Rav Tzvi Aryeh’s sons-in-laws were Rav Rav Aharon Yechiel passed away on Erev Yom

- 30 of 54 - Moshe of Koristshuv and Rav Pinchas of Kolek, Rav Uri of Podely (Shlomo Rabba) the son of Rav Zev Zhitomir and son-in-law of (Tishrei 3)

Rav Yochanan of Rachmistrivka. Rav Shimon Nosson Nota Biderman (Lelover Rebbe) (Tishrei 3)

Rav Tzvi Aryeh’s divrei Torah were never Rav Naftali Trop (Rosh Yeshivas Radin) written down; fragments were later collected (Tishrei 3) and published as Kovetz Tiferes Banim Avos. Rav Yeruchem Gorelick (Tishrei 3)

Rav Avraham Danzig (Chayei Adam) He authored asefer on Kabbala, Ohr (Tishrei 4) Chachamim on the shaimos of Hashem and the Rav Yoel Baal Shem (Toldos Odom, Av ten sefiros. It was published later by a great- Beis Din of Lvov) (Tishrei 4) grandson and afterwards by a descendant, Rav Rav Nechemia Yechiel of Bichova Aharon Yaakov Brandwein, in his own Tal Oros. (Tishrei 4)

Rav Bourch Raphael Soloveitchik In his haskama, Rav Yochanan of Rachmistrivka (Tishrei 4) referred to Rav Tzvi Aryeh as “…a fiery seraph, an angel from on high, whose words were holy Rav Tzvi Hirsch Halberstadt (Ashkenazi) (Maharshashach, Kos of holies from the mouth of a cherub and the Hayeshuos) (Tishrei 4) realm of atzilus, a holy tzaddik and pure rebbe Roiza of the 'Golden Rose' (Tishrei 4) whose sanctity fills the entire world, the rabbi and master of the Diaspora...” Rav Yitzchok Meltzan (Tishrei 4)

Rav Tzvi Aryeh passed away on the 11th (some say the 3rd) of Tishrei, 5572 (1811).

Rav Yisroel Lipschitz Tiferes Yisroel (Tishrei 3)

Yisrael Lifschitz was a leading 19th-century Ashkenazi rabbi, first in Dessau and then in the Jewish Community of Danzig. He was the author of the commentary "Tiferes Yisrael" on the Mishnah.

Rav Yitzchak Dovid Biderman of Lelov (Tishrei 3)

- 31 of 54 - Gedolim Be'Masayhem

Stories & Anecdotes

Eventually, the wagon driver wagon driver to return the Rav Nosson Hakohen Adler returned, leading a…donkey. donkey, and he brought back a (Katz) Av Beis Din of When Rav Nosson saw the horse in its place. (Ukarasa Frankfurt (Elul 27) donkey, he descended from Lashabbos Oneg) the wagon, and began to NO CHIDDUSH RAV NOSSON ADLER DANCES dance happily in the snow. FOR THE DONKEY “Rebbe,” asked the Chasam The Divrei Chaim of Sanz once Sofer, “Why are you so told Rav Shimon Sofer of One cold winter day, the Gaon, happy?” Cracow regarding his father Rav Nosson Adler, was the Chasam Sofer that: traveling together with his “Don’t you see?” asked Rav esteemed talmid, the Chasam Nosson. “The wagon driver “It was no chiddush that your Sofer. The horses pulling the brought a donkey instead of a father the Chasam Sofer was wagon were trudging through horse. Who would ever have so great and holy and rose to the heavy snow with great thought that I would merit such heights when he had a difficulty. Suddenly, one of the fulfilling the mitzva of “Do not rebbe such as Rav Nassan horses collapsed and died, and plow with an ox and donkey Adler. the second horse was not together”? At home in strong enough to pull the Frankfurt, I never imagined Regarding whom I heard from wagon alone. The wagon that I would merit fulfilling my own rebbe Rav Naphtali of driver, having no other choice, this commandment. Now that Ropshitz who heard in turn starting walking to the nearest Boruch Hashem, I merited it, I from his rebbe the Rebbe Reb village to obtain an additional am filled with joy!” Melech of Lizensk author of horse. The two venerated Noam Elimelech who said that passengers waited in the The passengers instructed the ‘for many years a soul such as wagon.

- 32 of 54 - Rav Nosson Adler’s had not Hashem, and all of this was to me and reviewed it with me descended to this world done for the sake of the giving day after day until my bar besides the soul of the Baal of the Torah!’ mitzvah. Shem Tov.’” “He then began to relate to me “Now, if my holy father had all the events of Jewish spoken this way even to the Rav Yaakov Aryeh Leib Shapira (Elul 27) history: the tales of Avrohom, simplest ignoramus, his words Yitzchok and Yaakov; the would have made an impact stories of the tribes; Yosef and and the ignoramus would HEAR NO EVIL his brothers and their descent never have told a lie all the into Egypt; the Jewish people’s days of his life. However, my Two litigants stood before Rav slavery and miraculousfather spoke those words to Aryeh Leib Shapira of Kavla. deliverance through theme – and upon me they did “Rebbe,” they began, “we Exodus; their travels through their work. He succeeded in cannot agree on how to the desert; and so on. ‘All of making me physically unable resolve the conflict between these events were put into to hear lies or falsehood. us. The only point we agree on motion for one purpose and Therefore, I tell you both: is that the Rebbe should be one purpose alone,’ my father speak the truth! If either of the one to decide. Regardless explained, ‘All for the sake you lies or utters any of his judgement, we will that we would merit to accept falsehood, I simply won’t hear accept whatever the Rebbe the holy Torah!’ you speaking at all!” rules.”

“My father continued his And this was Rav Aryeh Leib Rav Aryeh Leib sat lost in lesson: ‘Now know, my son, of Kavla’s way. If anyone ever thought for some time. Finally, that Hashem and the Torah lied in his presence, he simply he came to a conclusion and and Bnei Yisroel are bound was deaf to him, and did not loudly slapped his hand on the together as one cohesive unit. hear what he said at all. table (as was his custom when Hashem is Truth, and His (Derech Tzaddikim, p.22, #9) serving Hashem), whereupon Torah is true, and His seal is he declared, “Listen to me! truth. Therefore, if you speak When I was a young child, just the truth, you will have a beginning to learn the letters connection with Hashem and of the aleph-beis, my holy Rav Sholom Rokeach Sar with His Torah. If, however, father, Rav Mordechai of Shalom of Belz, Midbar heaven forbid, you lie and Kadesh (Elul 27) Neshchiz, asked me to sit speak falsely, then you will down and eat with him. During have nothing whatsoever to do the meal, he told me, ‘Know, THE SAR SHALOM AND THE with Hashem or His holy my son, that whatever you see SIDDUR RASHASH Torah!’ My father taught this was created by One Creator,

- 33 of 54 - The first Belzer Rav, the Sar Rebbe. Sholom, had a Chassid who Rav Chaim Yehuda Leib always traveled toEretz “Where are the seforim of the Auerbach Rosh Yeshivas Shaar Ha'Shomayim, Yisrael to procure an esrog for holy Rashash?” inquired the Chacham Lev (Elul 28) the Rebbe for Sukkos. One Rebbe. summer, when thisChassid was preparing for the journey, The Chassid pointed to one of THE FOUNDING OF YESHIVAS SHAAR the Rebbe gave him an the trunks and, to his HASHOMAYIM additional mission: to procure amazement, the Rebbe lifted the sefer Nahar Sholom and the heavy trunk off the horse by Rabbi Aryeh Gefen the various volumes of the and carried it by hand himself "A person doesn't always find siddur of the holyRashash , all the way back to town! the path that he ought to be which was rare back then, and taking. For the want of a only available as a hand- Afterward, the Rebbe closeted mentor he might stray onto written manuscript – and only himself in his room for some tortuous sidetracks. Or, he in Yeshiva Beis E”l in the old three days straight to study might go right inside without city of Yerushalayim. the seforim. When he emerged enough advance preparation on the fourth day, a holy light and lose his bearings due to The Chassid accepted the shone from his countenance the powerful, intoxicating mission and when he traveled and he declared, “For some aromas of PaRDeS [the to Eretz Yisrael he succeeded years now I greatly desired to acronym of the initial letters of in procuring the manuscripts study the sefer Nahar Sholom the four levels of Torah of the Rashash’s writings, as and the siddur of the Rashash. interpretation: pshat (simple well as the siddur for the Sar Now that I have achieved my meaning), remez (allusion or Sholom. heart’s desire and havehints), drush (expounding or studied them, I see that we are homiletics) and sod (secret When word reached the both of the same mind on teachings)]. This [danger] led Rebbe, his joy knew no certain matters; many things I to [the imposition] of bounds, and when he heard of thought, the Rashash also protective measures and his Chassid’s arrival, the teaches!” The Rebbe then limitations, as well as to Tzaddik dressed in Shabbos handed out cake and bronfen [people's] keeping away from clothes and went out to the and they dranklechaim ! the approaches to the wisdom city limits to meet the(Moron HaRashash, p. of the Kabboloh" (from the approaching caravan and 232–235) pamphlet issued when horses. When the Chassid saw yeshivas Shaar HaShomayim the Rebbe approach, bedecked was founded). in his Shabbos finery, he alighted and approached the Yeshivas Shaar HaShomayim

- 34 of 54 - came into being after two alleys, he made his way to the man, his face shining with an distinguished Yerushalmi Botei Broide neighborhood otherworldly light, who had Yidden shared the same (adjacent to Machanehforcefully requested of them astonishing dream. TheYehuda), to the home of that his Torah be learned in yeshiva truly is a Gateway to HaRav Shimon Horowitz zt'l, Yerushalayim. "My Torah has Heaven within which, over the one of Yerushalayim's great the power to bring the years, numerous students of kabboloh scholars. Shechinah back from its exile," all ages and levels have he told them. elevated themselvesAfter a time he became aware heavenward. of the sound of more footsteps. Rav Shimon decided that the In the darkness he made out a person who had appeared to Fascinatingly, its name is figure, recognizably Jewish, them was apparently none taken from a posuk (Bereishis coming towards him. When other than the holy Arizal, who 28:17) that Yaakov Ovinu the figure came close to him is known to have regretted the uttered after the dream in he discovered to his surprise fact that his Torah was not which he saw mal'ochim and joy that it was the very widely circulated among ascending and descending person whom he wanted to see Yerushalayim's Ashkenazi between heaven and earth. — HaRav Shimon Horowitz population. The only place himself. where the Ari's kabboloh was One night, HaRav Chaim then studied in Yerushalayim Yehuda Leib Auerbach zt'l "What are you doing out so was the Beis Keil yeshiva awoke suddenly after having late?" Rav Shimon asked Rav which produced scholars of dreamed a strange dream. Chaim Leib. the stature of HaRav Shalom Exhausted, he turned over and Sharabi (the Rashash), HaRav quickly dozed off again but "I was on my way to see you. I Yedidiah Aboulafieh and the soon he woke up again, had an amazing dream tonight author of Shemen Sasson. shaken, after the dream and I wanted to tell you about repeated itself. His drowsiness it." Then and there the two now having disappeared and Ashkenazim decided to open a he being none too interested "Very interesting. I also had an yeshiva for the study of the in trying to fall asleep again astonishing dream about you Ari's kabboloh. Without just to see the dream a third and I was on my way to you." fanfare, an initial group time, he arose, dressed and formed and began learning in went outside into the cool Conferring on a dark street the Old City and very soon the Yerushalayim night. corner, the two werefirst shiur was being delivered. staggered to discover that His footsteps echoing softly in they had both dreamed about A Home of Its Own the deserted streets and the same venerable elderly

- 35 of 54 - Over the years the yeshiva rules and laws. The yeshiva sons, HaRav Refoel Auerbach underwent many difficulties, tried unsuccessfully to reclaim zt'l, assumed leadership of the moving from one place to the building following the yeshiva after his father's another before finally coming liberation of the Old City in petiroh and tried to fulfill his to occupy its own current 1967. The Machonfather's testament that it move premises on Rechov Rashi in Yerushalayim publishing house into a large, spacious building the Mekor Boruchnow occupies the renovated of its own. With the help of neighborhood. By the way, building at number oneRabbi Reuven Saron, there is a meaning to the Rechov Gal'ed, and only a negotiations were entered into arrangement of the windows plaque commemorates the with the owners of the present in the beis medrash. There are yeshiva that was once situated building on Rechov Rashi and thirteen windows — the there. with another of the yeshiva's gematria of echod — on each foremost supporters, Rabbi side, together making twenty- Despite all its travails the Pinchas Hoffman. The deal six, which is the gematria of yeshiva remained intact. It was eventually settled and the Hashem's Name. relocated at first to the building was bought for the Katamon neighborhoodyeshiva. Among the yeshiva's first together with many other talmidim in the Old City was Jewish refugees from Old City. When the supporter returned HaRav Tzvi Pesach Frank zt'l. To this day there is a beis to Eretz Yisroel several An earthquake haknessesin named Shaarmonths later he paid a visit to Yerushalayim in 5627 (1927) HaShomayim in the building HaRav Shlomo Zalman slightly damaged the yeshiva's that the yeshiva occupied on Auerbach zt'l, another of building but it remained there Rechov Amatzia. HaRav Chaim Leib's sons, who until 5708 (1948), when worked to strengthen the fighting broke out prior to the With growing tensions on the yeshiva all his life and served departure of the British. Jordanian border the yeshiva as its president for many Haganah fighters took up a moved again to the Beis years. He was stunned to hear position on the roof of the Yisroel neighborhood, learning the following from Reb Shlomo yeshiva from where they were in the building that now Zalman: able to fire on the Jordanians. houses the shtieblach. In 5718 (1958), following the"My brother Reb Refoel When the Old City fell to the intervention of Rabbipassed away exactly thirty Jordanians shortly thereafter, Menachem Porush, thedays after the building was the conquering Jordanians set yeshiva moved to temporary purchased. Those thirty days fire to the building with all the premises on Rechov Rashbam. were among the happiest of seforim and furniture inside, his life. For years he had been contrary to all international One of HaRav Chaim Leib's deeply worried that he might

- 36 of 54 - pass away before managing to The yeshiva is still the main Various other tikkunim and fulfill his promise to our father address for Ashkenazim who pidyonos are still held in the to build a home for the wish to study kabboloh. Half yeshiva, such as tikkun yeshiva. With the contract the day must be spent learning almonoh and others, but these signed and the purchase revealed Torah and, as a are conducted quietly and completed his promise to our matter of principle, allwithout publicity. The yeshiva father zt'l was fulfilled and he students are strictly forbidden has also published many `returned in peace to Father's to make any use whatsoever of kabboloh works. house' (see Bereishis 28:21)." "practical kabboloh" or any related techniques. Talmidim tell the story of one Within the Yeshiva's Walls of the yeshiva's scholars who Shaar HaShomayim took the started to pray wearing tefillin Right from the start the lead in making the public prepared according to the yeshiva was planned with aware of the Arizal's yahrtzeit halachic requirements of the broad vision. When first on 5 Av and of the custom of author of Shimusha Rabboh. opened it comprised a Talmud visiting his burial place then, He found that while wearing Torah, a yeshiva ketanoh, a and also of the tikkunim the tefillin he was unable to yeshiva gedolah and a kollel carried out once a week concentrate his thoughts in for married students. during the annual Shovovim the way that he had learned. period (between Teves and He could not understand what The condition for joining the Adar). had happened until he had the yeshiva for mekubalim was tefillin checked and discovered extensive knowledge of the The word Shovovim is made that they were posul! revealed Torah. Only those up of the first letters of the who had already "ingested parshos of that period:At the Helm their fill (milei kereiso)" of Shemos, Voeiro, Bo, Shas and poskim, and were Beshalach, Yisro, Mishpotim. The first roshei hayeshiva solidly grounded in Torah and In a leap year, the weeks of were the founders, HaRav yiras Shomayim wereTerumoh and Tetzaveh are Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach, admitted. To this day,added, and it is then called author of Chacham Lev and alongside the shiurim in Shovovim Tat. Today, one can HaRav Shimon Tzvi Horowitz, kabboloh, the yeshiva offers encounter well known roshei author of Shem Mishimon and daily shiurim in Shas, poskim, yeshiva attending the special Kol Mevaser. Over the years, Halochoh and aggodoh that Thursday tefillas minchahs many other great Torah are attended by scores of that are held in the yeshiva scholars taught in the yeshiva. talmidei chachomim and during the Shovovim weeks, Rav Chaim Leib's son, Rav laymen. among the large crowd that Eliezer Auerbach zt'l led the always comes. yeshiva for many years and

- 37 of 54 - after his petiroh, his brother with the study of Oztros drush (expounding) and sod Rav Refoel Dovid zt'l took Chaim. In the second shiur, (secret teachings)]. This over. Members of the family Eitz Chaim is studied in depth. [danger] led to [the continue leading the yeshiva In the third shiur, kavonos of imposition] of protective to this day. the Rashash are studied. measures and limitations, and to [people's] keeping away Heading the yeshiva atIn 5684 (1924), the yeshiva from the approaches to the present are HaRav Fishel published a booklet in which wisdom of the Kabboloh. Eisenbach, HaRav Yaakov its leaders set out its aims as Meir Shechter and HaRav follows. "First, the study of the "The yeshiva's intention is not Gamliel Rabinowitz. Since revealed Torah, as it is studied to provide its students with a HaRav Shlomo Zalman's in all the holy yeshivos, simple, superficial petiroh, his son HaRav[including] Shas in depth and understanding of the works of Shmuel, rosh yeshivas Maalos poskim. Second, the study of kabboloh, to afford a mere Hatorah, has served as the kabboloh, mussar and inquiry. glimpse, wherein lies the yeshiva's president. He asked [This is] the only place in the danger of stumbling — as a nephew of Reb Shlomo world where the Torah of Chazal put it, "He glimpsed Zalman who is a son-in-law of kabboloh is studied in an and was injured." Only Rav Refoel Dovid Auerbach, orderly manner, progressing extensive inquiry and in-depth Rav Yechezkel Schlaff of from simple teachings to more study of all the kabboloh London, to shoulder the difficult ones, taught by works ensures full, rounded burden of the yeshiva'stalmidei chachomim who are knowledge. This is what material and spiritual upkeep. qualified for the task. Yeshivas Shaar HaShomayim and its branches aim to Many avreichim spend many "A person doesn't always find provide." hours of the day learning the path that he ought to be revealed Torah in Shaar taking. For the want of a How a Yeshiva Looked a HaShomayim and the yeshiva mentor he might stray onto Hundred Years Ago has produced a number of tortuous sidetracks. Or, he Looking through several of the talmidei chachomim of stature, might go right inside without promotional publications as well as Torah disseminators enough advance preparation issued by Yeshivas Shaar and rabbonim. and lose his bearings due to HaShomayim for the Study of the powerful, intoxicating Revealed and Concealed There are several shiurim in aromas of PaRDeS [theTorah, one gets an impression the department for the study acronym of the initial letters of of what it was like to learn in of the concealed Torah,the four levels of Torah this unique yeshiva, which was arranged according to level. interpretation: pshat (simple fully operational before The first shiur is introductory, meaning), remez (allusion), yeshivos were patterned as

- 38 of 54 - they are today. Many aspects Yerushalayim. these parts of Torah may of how the yeshiva was run simply be superfluous. The were a function of the"Rabbinical lawyers — In laws that Chazal term circumstances at the time and addition to the Torah and "fundamental halochos" (Ovos do not necessarily have any ethical authority that our botei 3:18) have almost disappeared practical application in our din wield in the Diaspora, the from the vista of the holy times. It is interesting to beis din tzedek in the Holy Torah's splendor and follow the way in which things Land is invested with the legal wholeness. The arrangers of developed until theyauthority of the [mandatory the Talmud saw fit to assign so crystallized into the form that Palestine, pre-1948] state, by much space to the orders of we have them today. decree of the king, may his Kodshim and Taharos, even glory be exalted. The members though they already lacked In their prospectus, theof the beis din issue rulings on practical relevance in their yeshiva's founders provide the all matters pertaining to day. This department will following description of some inheritances, wills, marriage accept talmidei chachomim of the different "courses" the and divorce, alimony and the who are Cohanim and whose yeshiva offered. like. There is therefore a great occupation is Torah, who wish need for rabbinical lawyers to attain knowledge of Torah "The yeshiva for bochurim — who can act as advocates in in its entirety. This department will accept the botei din. The yeshiva has gifted and inspired youngsters therefore opened a special "The Department for the Study aged fifteen and sixteen who department whose purpose is of Kiddush Hachodesh and the have completed their studies to teach and train advocates in Principles of Fixing the in Talmud Torah and who want Talmudic law. CapableCalendar — The Jewish People to become halachic authorities youngsters who are gifted with are considered "a wise and for Klal Yisroel. Distinguished clarity of speech and with understanding people" rabbonim and scholars of sound logic, who are honest (Devorim 4:6) on account of Yerushalayim will deliver and of fine character, will be their expertise in this area. shiurim in gemora andaccepted. The shiurim will be The Rambam devoted an commentaries and in the on Shulchan Oruch, Choshen entire chapter to it in his poskim. Upon completion of Mishpat and Even Haezer. Mishneh Torah. This their course of studies, the department will accept talmidim will receive a"The Department for the Study talmidei chachomim from certificate attesting to their of Kodshim and Taharos — among the yeshiva's scholars competence to render rulings These two orders [of mishnah] who wish to learn the laws from the yeshiva's teachers are almost totally neglected by governing the fixing of the who themselves are rabbonim most scholars, to the point calendar and sanctifying the who occupy positions in where laymen suspect that new moon from the Talmud

- 39 of 54 - and the Rambam, in an orderly favor that Rabbi Amnon ever and methodical way. Rabbeinu Amnon Unesana requested from the Duke, and Tokef (Tishrei 1) the Duke never turned down "The Study of Kabboloh — his request. Thus, Rabbi Talmidei chachomim who are Amnon and his brethren lived RABBI AMNON OF MAYENCE trained and very solidly(CIRCA 4700-4800) BY peacefully for many years. grounded in all areas of the NISSAN MINDEL revealed Torah, and who have Now the other statesmen of More than eight hundred passed all the tests that prove the Duke grew envious of years ago there lived a great their suitability [for this study] Rabbi Amnon. Most envious of man in the city of Mayence from a spiritual standpoint, them all was the Duke's (Maintz). His name was Rabbi will be accepted. These secretary, who could not bear Amnon. A great scholar and a shiurim will be given daily by to see the honor and respect very pious man, Rabbi Amnon the greatest experts in which Rabbi Amnon enjoyed was loved and respected by Kabboloh, in the seforim of the with his master, which was Jews and non-Jews alike, and Ari and his talmid Rav Chaim rapidly developing into a great his name was known far and Vital zy'a. There are several friendship between the Duke wide. Even the Duke of levels in the yeshiva and those and the Rabbi. The secretary Hessen, the ruler of the land, who have passed the first level began to seek ways and means admired and respected Rabbi will ascend to succeeding to discredit Rabbi Amnon in Amnon for his wisdom, levels. Those who are capable, the eyes of the Duke. learning, and piety. Many a will become mentors and will time the Duke invited the convey their learning to One day, the secretary said to Rabbi to his palace and others. Others are involved in the Duke: consulted him on matters of editing the many manuscripts State. that the yeshiva publishes in "Your Highness, why should the field of Kabboloh. you not persuade Rabbi Rabbi Amnon never accepted Mechavnim is the term for Amnon to become a Christian, any reward for his services to those who have been like ourselves? I am sure that the Duke or to the State. From successfully tested by the considering the honor and time to time, however, Rabbi elder scholars of Kabboloh and many favors he has enjoyed at Amnon would ask the Duke to know how to focus their your generous hand, he will ease the position of the Jews in thoughts on Yichud Hashem gladly abandon his faith and his land, to abolish some of the and on the thoughts brought accept ours. decrees and restrictions which in the kabboloh literature." existed against the Jews at the http://chareidi.org/archives576 The Duke thought it was not a time, and generally to enable 7/rosh/RSH67features2.htm bad idea. When Rabbi Amnon them to live in peace and came to his palace the next security. This was the only

- 40 of 54 - day, the Duke said to him: of my forefathers. Do you want No sooner did Rabbi Amnon me to betray my people, my leave the Duke, than he "My good friend, RabbiG‑d! Would you want a man to realized his grave sin. "My Amnon, I know you have been serve you that has no respect G‑d!" he thought. "What have I loyal and devoted to me for for his religion, for the bonds done?! Am I lacking in faith many years. Now I wish to ask and ties he holds most sacred! and courage that I requested you a personal favor. Abandon If I betray my G‑d, could you three days for consideration! your faith, and become a good ever trust me never to betray Can there be any but one Christian like me. If you do, I you! Surely, the Duke cannot answer! How could I show shall make you the greatest mean it. The Duke is jesting!" such weakness even for one man in the whole of my State; moment! O, gracious G‑d, you shall have honor and "No, no," the Duke said, forgive me . . ." riches like no other man, and though he sounded a little next to me, you shall be the uncertain, for inwardly the Rabbi Amnon arrived home most powerful man in my Duke was pleased with Rabbi brokenhearted. He secluded land..." Amnon's reply. Rabbi Amnon himself in his room and spent hoped the matter was settled, the next three days in prayer Rabbi Amnon grew very pale. but when he arrived at the and supplication, begging For a moment he could find no palace the next day, the Duke G‑d's forgiveness. words to reply to the Duke, repeated his request. Rabbi but after a while he said: Amnon became very unhappy, When Rabbi Amnon did not and began to avoid visiting the arrive at the palace on the "O, illustrious Monarch! For palace, unless it wasthird day, the Duke became many years I have served you absolutely necessary. very angry, and ordered his faithfully, and my being a Jew men to bring Rabbi Amnon in in no way lessened my loyalty One day, the Duke, impatient chains. to you or to the State. On the at Rabbi Amnon's obstinacy, contrary, my faith bids me to put it very bluntly to him; he The Duke hardly recognized be loyal and faithful to the must either become aRabbi Amnon; so much did the land of my sojourn. I am ready Christian or suffer thevenerable man change in the and willing to sacrificeconsequences. course of the last three days. everything I possess, even my However, the Duke quickly very life, for you as well as for Pressed to give his answer brushed aside whatever the State. There is one thing, immediately, Rabbi Amnon feeling of sympathy he might however, that I can never part begged the Duke to allow him have felt for his erstwhile with - this is my faith. I am three days in which tofriend, and said to him sternly: bound by an unbreakable consider the matter. This, the covenant to my faith, the faith Duke granted him. "How dare you disregard my

- 41 of 54 - command! Why did you not you for disobeying my orders. When the cantor began to appear before, in time to give Your legs sinned against me, recite the Musaf prayer, Rabbi me your answer! For your for they refused to come to Amnon motioned that there be sake, I trust you have decided me; therefore your legs shall made an interval while he to do as I tell you. It will be be cut off! offered a special prayer to G‑d. bad for you otherwise. " Silence fell upon the With very faint signs of life, worshippers, and Rabbi Although Rabbi Amnon was the legless body of Rabbi Amnon began to recite now a broken man physically, Amnon was sent back to his Unetanneh Tokef ("Let us his spirit was stronger than home, to his grief-stricken express the mighty holiness of ever. family. It was the day before this day"). The congregation Rosh Hashanah. repeated every word, and their "Your Highness," Rabbi Amnon hearts went out to G‑d in answered him fearlessly, The news about Rabbiprayer and tears. "Kedusha" "There can be but one answer: Amnon's dreadful fate spread was then recited, followed by I shall remain a loyal Jew as throughout the whole city. the prayer of "Oleinu". When long as I breathe!" Everyone was horrified and the words "He is our G‑d, and distressed. It was a very tragic no other" were reached, Rabbi The Duke was beside himself Day of Judgment for the Jews Amnon cried them out with his with wrath. "It is now more of Maintz, who assembled in last remaining strength, and than the question of your synagogue the following passed away. becoming Christian. You have morning. disobeyed me by not coming The prayer 'Unetanneh Tokef' voluntarily to give me your Despite his terrible suffering, is now one of the most solemn answer. For this you must be Rabbi Amnon remembered prayers of Rosh Hashanah and punished . . ." that it was Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur. It includes the and he requested to be taken stirring passage: "Your Highness," Rabbi Amnon to synagogue. At his request, said, "By requesting three he was placed in front of the "On Rosh Hashanah it is days for consideration, I have Holy Ark. inscribed, and on Yom Kippur sinned gravely against my it is sealed: how many shall G‑d." All the worshippers, men, pass on, and how many shall women and children, wept be born; who shall live, and These brave words enraged terribly seeing their beloved who shall die; who in his time, the Duke even more. "For Rabbi in such agony, and and who before his time; who sinning against your G‑d," the never were any more heart- by fire and who by water; who Duke said angrily, "let Him rending prayers offered than by sword and who by beast; avenge Himself. I shall punish on that day of Rosh Hashanah. who by hunger and who by

- 42 of 54 - thirst; who by storm and who that the powers of those colleague of Rav Chaim by plague; who by choking and amulets to bring about refuos Halberstam of Sanz. Rav who by stoning... Who shall and yeshuos were due to Avraham was initially among rest, and who shall wander; Divine Names or other means the misnagdim, those that who shall be tranquil and who they disapproved of. There disagreed withderech shall be harassed; who shall were those that had epilepsy – ha’chassidus and opposed the be at peace and who shall the falling sickness, as it was Chassidim and their rebbes. suffer; who shall become poor, once known – and had been and who shall become rich; healed by Rav Avraham’s “Please come with me just who shall fall and who shall kameyos, so the tzaddikim once to Ropshitz to meet my rise... But repentance, prayer asked them to present the rebbe, Rav Naftali.” Rav and charity revoke the evil amulets for their inspection. Chaim pleaded with Rav decree!" But when the amulets were Avraham of Olynov again and brought before them and again to no avail – the latter The undying courage of Rabbi opened, they discovered that staunchly refused to agree to Amnon, the author of this rather than containing Divine travel to Ropshitz. Finally, prayer, serves as anNames or other Kabbalistic after much cajoling and inspiration to all of us. incantations, the amulets persuading, Rav Avraham simply had scrawled the agreed. Rav Chaim was overjoyed and Rav Avraham . ארחhttps://www.chabad.org/librar Hebrew letters such as Therabbanim were promised that they would go in ארש ארי y/article_cdo/aid/112497/jewis h/Rabbi-Amnon-of- visibly relieved. “Those are a few weeks’ time. Mayence.htm simply shorthand for the names of the Tannaim that he When the appointed date arrived, Rav Chaim of Sanz Rav Avraham Eisenberg mentioned while studying (Tishrei 2) Talmud on that day.” They turned to another good friend and colleague, Rav Yosef of ארח ארש אריexplained that stood for Amar Rav Chisda, Rudnik, and said: “Rav KOSHER KAMEYOS Amar Rav Sheshes, Amar Rav Avraham finally agreed to come with me to Ropshitz to Rav Avraham of Olynov had Yochanon, and they regretted meet my rebbe, but as this will the custom to give outhaving ever doubted Rav be his first visit, I am worried kameyos and amulets for Avraham or suspecting him of that perhaps no one there will blessings, protection and wrongdoing. (Eser Ataros 2:4) give him the proper attention, salvation for those in need. FIRST COMING TO ROPSHITZ or maybe his welcome won’t There were many other be warm enough and he will tzaddikim in the generation Rav Avraham of Olynov, the never agree to come again! who were very upset at him son of Rav Yitzchak Charif of Let us go with him together for doing so, as they assumed Samvur, was a good friend and

- 43 of 54 - and see to it that he receives a and began stroking his beard, warning was summarily proper warm welcome and due sighing and saying to himself delivered and Eliezer was attention,” Rav Yosef agreed (out loud): “Naftali, Naftali! dismissed. And this is how the to the plan and set off together Have your eyes seen how first visit between the disciple with Rav Avraham of Olynov white the hairs of your beard and talmid the Olynover Rav for Ropshitz. have grown? You have grown and his future rebbe, Rav old with age yet you have Naftali of Ropshitz, unfolded. When they arrived before the accomplished nothing! See (Ohel Naftali #292, pg 108). threshold of the Ropshitzer how the Olynover Rav, so THE CHUPPAH AND THE Rav’s room, Rav Chaim and much younger than yourself, FAVOR Rav Yosef were prepared to has already succeeded in enter and introduce their accomplishing so much more, Der groise chasunah friend and colleague as the would that it were so?! If only –Chassidim applied such a title Rav of Olynov so that he would I had been able to make such to specific auspicious receive the proper welcome. unifications as he has during occasions, weddings of To their astonishment and these few hours?!” With a sigh particular renown and surprise, he was ushered in of regret, the Rav concluded importance. Rav Meilech of ahead of them, as thehis lament and called his son Rudnik’s chasunah was one Ropshizter Rav rose from his over. Rav Eliezer of Dzhikov, such event that had earned chair and seated Rav Avraham Rav Naftali’s son, approached. that nickname and title. beside himself, a sign of Back then he was just a young respect and honor. “Baruch man full of life, and the Among the tzaddikim gathered HaBa, Olynover Rav!” greeted Ropshitzer told him: “See now, there to celebrate and officiate the Ropshitzer prophetically, we have an important guest was Rav Naftali Ropshitzer’s no introductions necessary! with us for Shabbos, the famed son Rav Eliezer of They sat there together for Olynover Rav,” the Ropshitzer Dzhikov and the Ropshitzter’s several hours, conversing in warned him with a wink. “Now talmid and disciple Rav secret matters. Afterwards the I know how much you like Avraham of Olynov. The Olynover Rav took his leave your little pranks and you are Olynover Rav was invited to be and the Ropshizter escorted always a troublemaker with mesader kiddushin and marry his guest to the gate of the the rabbanim and guests that the couple. He ascended to the courtyard. When he returned, come to visit here, but I am chuppah, grasped the goblet Rav Naftali extended his hand warning you full well this of wine in hand and . . . stood in greeting to his other two time! Give it up or you shall there frozen, rooted to the guests in turn, to Rav Chaim of regret it! He is a flaming fire; spot, unmoving . . . time Sanz and to Rav Yosef of guard yourself lest you are passed, no one dared interrupt Rudnik and then he sat himself scorched, touch not even the although no one understood down once again in his chair hairs of his beard!” This the delay. The Olynover Rav

- 44 of 54 - just stood under the wedding daughter (Ohel Naftali # 292 mean that all the others must canopy, wine in hand, waiting, pg 109). flee in fear, like the faint of deep in concentration, heart?” he asked rhetorically. DANCE, REJOICE! absorbed in his own holy He answered his own question thoughts, waiting silently, for Rav Avraham of Olynov was with a loud resounding what? No one knew. Time among the greatest talmidim declaration: “No! The war passed, one hour, two hours, and disciples of Rav Naftali must go on! Dance! Rejoice! people were getting restless Ropshitzer. He passed away Dance!!!!” but their respect for the on Simchas Torah in Olynov, Olynover Rav won out and and this is how it took place: The rebbe’s mysterious speech they waited. He stood still as a was understood by no one, but statue, not a hand or foot The Chassidim were merry they understood the rebbe’s moved, and then . . . just as making, throngs of dancers command all too well, and so suddenly he awoke and came and acrobatics ran through the they resumed their previous back to life. He proceeded to streets of Ropshitz on Simchas dance as before with even officiate as mesader kiddushin Torah. The circles ofgreater exuberance. Only and married the couple. No Chassidim gathered,afterwards did word reach one understood what had undulating in dance and song them of what their rebbe knew delayed the Olynov Rav. “No before the windows of the all along: the great tzaddik one but me,” explained Rav Ropshitzer beis medrash were and Rav of Olynov had passed Meilech of Rudnick, as he a sight to behold! The rebbe away and left this world. (Ohel repeated the story to his himself, Rav Naftali Horowitz, Naftali #45, pgs 23-24; MiDor Chassidim and followers as he stood by the window gazing Dor vol III, 2280) was accustomed to in later out at the joyful dancing years. “You have no idea what Chassidim, but not seeing Rav Yisrael Perlow the a heavenly favor the holy them; his eyes stared through Yanuka (Tishrei 2) tzaddik did for me there under them to some other far off my chuppah. During those two place, a sight only he could holy, hallowed hours, he see. Suddenly he raised up his THE CIGARETTES THAT SAVED THE DAY helped my two children live hand and silenced the and survive! Two hours of his merrymakers with a gesture to The traveler simply couldn’t tefillos for those twostop and cease. A fewunderstand the bizarre children!” As is known, Rav moments of tense silence behavior of the rebbe’s Meilech of Rudnik hadpassed and then the tzaddik gabbaim. Surely they fourteen children in hisspoke: understood that he had lifetime and only two survived travelled from far away – the famed Rav Elazar of “If a single mighty soldier falls expressly to see the tzaddik, Reisha and one other, a on the battlefield, does that but no matter what he said,

- 45 of 54 - they barred his entry and, well and prepare food and bachur to obey. smiling, informed him that his lodgings for him, under no room and lodgings had been circumstances should they The bachur took the proffered prepared for him, as if they allow him in to see the rebbe. pack of cigarettes and broke knew he was to arrive! But if Once the bachur showed up into a run to catch the train. the rebbe had ruach hakodesh just a few hours later, the As the rebbe predicted, the like he’d been told, then room gabbaim, althoughtrain was about to pull out and board was not what had accustomed to witnessing the from the station. The bachur brought him there. Surely the rebbe’s powers, werehurried onto the train and sat rebbe knew the true and astonished at this clear display down, his head spinning with terrifying reason that had of ruach hakodesh, and questions: Why did the rebbe brought him to Stolin. Earlier complied with the rebbe’s rush him so? What did he need that week, the dreadedexplicit instructions. The the cigarettes for? Where was missive had arrived; it was bewildered bachur had no this train headed? What would none other than an official choice but to sit and wait to be he do when he got to wherever letter requesting his presence called in for an audience. it was that he was going? before the Russian Military Eventually hisemunas Committee that would surely One evening, his wait finally chachamim calmed him down seal his bitter fate and induct came to an end. The rebbe and he resolved to put his him into the army. A fate from invited the bachur in, and if blind trust in the tzaddik. which few Jews ever returned, the boy was bewildered Having placed himself in the and those that did were never before, what happened next rebbe’s holy hands, he was the same. It was practically caught him completely off finally able to relax. He was impossible to keep Torah and guard. The rebbe turned to the awoken from his reverie by the mitzvos in the Russian army. bachur and said: “There is no conductor’s call, “Last stop, Surely the rebbe must be time for long discussions – everybody off!” When the train aware of this and if so, why time is of the essence. Here, arrived at the last stop, he was he barred entry? take this,” he said, and handed realized this must be his the bachur a pack ofdestination. He alighted the The rebbe, in fact, did know. cigarettes. The tzaddikplatform andproceeded to ask The Yanuka of Stolin had told withdrew his pocket watch, of the gentiles if there were his gabbaim a few hours glanced at the time and any Jews in the town. They earlier that a bachur would exclaimed, “Hurry, the train replied in the affirmative and arrive and request to see him leaves the platform in just a directed him to a nearby, well- regarding his conscription few minutes! Run and catch lit Jewish inn. Tired, hungry papers into the Russian army the train!” Without having a and as puzzled as before, he and that although they should chance to explain any of this knocked and was welcomed by greet him warmly, receive him bizarre behavior, he urged the the Jewish innkeeper. He

- 46 of 54 - explained that he was looking “Perhaps you happen to have such excellent high quality for a place to spend the night. some cigarettes for these cigarettes from?” they wanted The Jewish innkeeper was customers?” At first the to know. more than happy to give him bachur was afraid to give free room and board and put away the cigarettes that the “To tell you the truth I got him up for the night,rebbe had entrusted him with, them from my rabbi, the explaining how overjoyed he who knew for what lofty Stoliner Rebbe.” The bachur was to be able to properly purpose? But after theproceeded to tell them the fulfill the mitzvah ofinnkeeper realized that his whole strange story from his hachnasas orchim. As the guest had salvation in his conscription letter, to his bachur sat eating his evening pockets, he pleaded with the travels to Stolin for a bracha repast, a bunch of loud and bachur to at least part with and yeshua, to the rebbe’s raucous guests entered the half a pack. Thebachur parting gift of cigarettes in inn. As was their custom, the reluctantly agreed and the lieu of a bracha and the veiled three goyim ordered drinks innkeeper returned with relief mysterious instructions to and proceeded to enjoy the to his guests with thehurry and board the train. fare amid loud peals of cigarettes they had requested “You mean to tell us,” sneered laughter and drunkenearlier. one of the three drunks, “that camaraderie. “Innkeeper! We you believe in this rabbiner so want a smoke!” they called out As plumes and clouds of much that you travelled to him after their hearty meal and smoke covered the now from so far away and just like some more drink. “I am sorry,” relaxed forms of the drunken that boarded a train to who apologized the Jewishgoyim, they turned once again knows where, all so he can innkeeper, “but I don’t smoke to the innkeeper, but this time magically somehow get you myself and I seem to be out of with words of wonder and out of the military service?!” cigarettes for the guests.” But praise, “Where ever did you They laughed incredulously at his continued apologies fell on get such excellent high quality those silly Jews and their silly deaf and drunk ears. “We want cigarettes from?” they wanted rabbis! What a novel notion a smoke, get us someto know. The innkeeper indeed! “How much for the cigarettes now! If you haven’t apologized and explained how cigarettes?” they asked. got any, go out into the night he had gotten them from “Please accept them as a gift, I and get some! And don’t come another guest and had no idea did not pay for them either; back until you got them,” where they originally came the rebbe gave them to me.” added the drunks who had from. “Bring him here at This was to their liking, so become belligerent. The poor once!” they ordered. When the they thanked the bachur, paid innkeeper was at his wit’s end. bachur appeared before the the innkeeper and left. Helplessly he turned to his drunks they questioned him as guest, and asked the bachur: well. “Where ever did you get A few weeks after that strange

- 47 of 54 - episode, the bachur found explained and proceeded to ‘Mir huben es nuch keinmul himself in the Russian military ask no questions and write up nisht ungetin, far aich velen offices about to enter before an exemption letter, which mir es untihn – I have never the committee that would they handed to him signed and before used or worn them, but decide his fate: conscription or stamped. “You are not fit to for you I will put the glasses exemption. “Before you come serve in the army,” they on.’ s Rav Avraham Elimelech before the committee,”laughed and gave him the then donned the glasses of the explained the bored officer in letter that saved his life. Yanuka of Stolin over his holy charge of bureaucratic(Maasei Tzaddikim pg. 34) eyes and read my father’s procedures, “you need to go kvittel. I was born the next A CHANGE OF VIEW for a short medical year!” (Siach Zekenim, vol 4, examination. It is justThe chassid Reb Chaimpg 67) perfunctory as you seem to be Yitzchak Schwartz was in good health. Come back childless for over thirteen Rav Yitzchok Arye Zekel with the doctors’ letter in years since his wedding. In Leib of Worms Baal Shem hand.” He showed him to the 5683 (1922), he made his way of Michelstadt (Tishrei 3) office next door where three to chutz la’aretz to visit the Russian military doctors sat son of the Yanuka of Stolin, ELIYAHU HANOVI'S with clipboards in hand and Rav Avraham Elimelech of BERACHAH stethoscopes at the ready to Karlin during the first year of perform the obligatoryhis reign as rebbe after having According to family tradition, examination. succeeded his father, who Zekel Leib was born when passed away on the second Eliyahu Hanavi revealed All of a sudden the room day of Rosh Hashanah of that himself to his father Rav swayed and the bachur’s year. Mattisyahu as a guest on the vision went out of focus. It was night of Simchas Torah with utterly bizarre, it simply could “When my father handed the glad tidings. He said that he not be! But it was! Here stood rebbe his kvitel,” related his would have a son whose light the same three goyim who had son Reb Alter Avrahamwould illuminate the world as been drunk at the inn and Schwartz, “Rav Avraham a reward for Rav Mattisyahu’s enjoyed his prize cigarettes; Elimelech told my father the mesirus nefesh for the honor the doctors stood before him following: ‘Der Tatte zichrono and glory of Torah in his town open-mouthed with shock, just livracha hut mir iber gelazt and for ensuring that his own as shocked as he was to see zeine brilen, mir zalen leinen home was a bastion of Torah them. They began to laugh in dem a kvitel – My father z”l, and kedushah. with one another andthe Yanuka of Stolin, left me REB ZEKEL LEIB'S YOUTH dispensed with the exam. “No his eyeglasses with which to exam needed for you,” they read a kvittel.’ Then he added, By age five he was already a

- 48 of 54 - recognized illui. The local Hirsch; a daughter who community in Michelstadt squire heard about the young married Shimon Mozes; and could not care for them all. genius and challenged him to another daughter, Gertrude Rav Zekel Leib therefore took a discussion. Young Zekel won Genendel, the wife of Eliyahu care of all their needs, fed and the argument. When he was Tzadok. [de2] housed them, and taught them 15, he was accustomed to stay both the revealed and hidden up all night and then continue At age 18, he was already a traditions of Torah. Some of his Torah learning by day. At master of Kabbalah. By age his students known to us ,he thirty he lived an ascetic life include: Rav Mordechai Ber ,(תקמ"ד (age 16, in1783 moved to Frankfurt. There, he separated from all the delights later Rav of Buttenhausen of studied with Rav Pinchos of this world. He vowed to Wurtemberg; Rav Eliezer Horowitz, author of Hafla’ah. adhere to a Vegan diet-- not to Blumenthal; Rav Moshe Adler, He continued on to the yeshiva consume any food that came a chazzan and shalich tzibur, of Rav Noson Adler infrom any living thing. This vow and Rav Itzik ben Rav Chaim. Frankfurt, and according to of refraining from eating meat, some traditions, he studied fish, eggs, milk, and butter While the yeshiva flourished, together with the Chasam etc. was undertaken for Rav Zekel Leib met with Sofer. He remained there for mystical Kabbalistic reasons. vehement opposition from the five years. His rigorous daily His diet consisted of bread, maskilim. They libeled him regimen included long hours fruits, vegetables, black coffee regarding his asceticism and of intense Torah studied and water. On Shabbos, he ate his involvement with the paired together with regular pea soup. Around this time, he mysticism of Kabbalah, and fasts and various forms of self- also stopped shaving his even managed to have him affliction in order to sanctify beard. jailed. They opposed his himself. yeshiva and complained about During this period, he opened the financial burden of Rav Zekel Leib married at a a yeshiva in his parents’ sponsoring [de3] foreign to former home in which he lived students. With these (תקמ"ט (young age, in 1789 Adelheid, the daughter of Rav (he inherited his childhood challenges mounting, it Isaac Reiss, a wealthyhome in Michelstadt) and became impossible for Rav Frankfurt merchant. Rav where there was a shul Zekel Leib to continue serving Horowitz, author of Hafla’ah attached. Students flocked to as the rav in Michelstadt. His served as mesader kiddushin. the yeshiva from far and wide. wife passed away, and a year After 20 years of marriage, in They came from Baden, later, following her yahrzeit in Bavaria, Bayern, Wurtemberg , he left Michelstadt for תק"ע his wife passed ,(תקסט (1809 away leaving him with five and Kurhessen until there Manheim. It was there that he o[de1] rphaned children to were about seventy talmidim. effected a cure for his first care for. They were: Yaakov The small, twenty family mentally ill patient. This

- 49 of 54 - opened the door for him to They noted that his Kabbalistic He fasted for almost forty help cure others and begin activities and folk healing years. His son, Michoel, תקע"זearning a living as a healer. were dangerous and they testified that from Most of the monies that were libeled him as a fraud. 1817)), for three years gifted to Rav Zekel Leib for his straight, his father fasted all services went to support his He was renowned as a week long from Shabbos to yeshiva and his talmidim. charitable donor and he fed Shabbos and did not sleep in a Likely, it was here that he and clothed the poor and bed. All this was in order to became famed as a “Baal indigent while he himself cancel the negative decrees Shem.” He became engaged to subsisted on a meager diet of against Ashkenazi Jewry which seventeen-year-old Chana bread and water. He also he foresaw. Specifically, he Benzinger and upon returning gained the reputation as being revealed to Rav Zekel Leib and to Michelstadt, married her. a fine physician. He was Dovid Meir and Meir They had ten sons whose learned in the art of healing Beerfelden predictions of names are known (at least and herbal medicine and also impending pogroms. These three died in their parent’s cured the mentally ill by use of calamities indeed came in the When .(תק"פ (lifetime: Yitzchok, Shmuel, and Divine Names and kameos that year 1820 Meir). The other children he wrote. Among theviolence did rage in the area, were: Matisyahu, Yitzchok, thousands of requests for he told the Jews of Michelstadt Yidel, Michoel, Shimon, Wolf prayers that arrived daily not to worry and, in fact, the Raphael and Avrohom, a ben were, notably, those sent by authorities managed to stem zekunim born when Rav Zekel Rav Yaakov Kopel Bamberger the onslaught and the Jews Leib was sixty-one years old in of Worms, Rav Yosef, son of remained unharmed. Rav Akiva Eiger of .תקפ"ט the year Halberstadt, Rav HirschHe lived with great self-denial THE MACHLOKES WITH Traube of Manheim, Rav MISNAGDIM while managing to feed the Gerschon Yehoshafat ofpoor. He not only ensured that Upon his return Halberstadt,to Rav Shmuel they had plenty of quality food Michelstadt, he requested of HaLevi of Weisbaden and Rav but was also careful to treat the authorities in power to be Kopel Levenstein of Gailingen. them with great honor. appointed as the rav and From outside of Germany, we AvBeisDin of Michelstadt and find the Chasam Sofer and the Many handwritten journals Erbach. His opponents, the Chiddushei HaRim and other have been passed down misnagdim wrote to the gedolim who recognized Rav through his family containing Darmstadt governmentZekel Leib’s greatness and hundreds of names of authorities and voiced their wondrous abilities and sent petitioners, their locales, and opposition to his installation as him petitioners for help and their requests, for which he the official rav on the payroll. advice as well. took upon himself hundreds of

- 50 of 54 - hours of special learning the next day on Tzompriests. They all spoke of his sessions and shiurim to help Gedaliah, the 3rd of Tishrei middos and merits, especially He his chesed towards Jews and . תר"ח,(them. So, besides his use of (others say the 4th use of kameos and segulas, was buried according to his gentiles alike. and his reputation as a miracle tzava’a two days later. Some THE SEGULA OF HIS TZION worker, we can conclude that eight hundred people from far many were saved andand wide attended the levaya, Rav Zekel promised that delivered by Rav Zekel Leib’s and among the mourners were whoever comes to daven at his powerful limud haTorah as Jews and non-Jews alike. kever, his tefillos will be well. Besides family and talmidei answered. To this day, many yeshiva, his levaya waspeople report yeshuos that His journals are filled with attended by Rav Tzvi Binyamin have come about as a result of advice and detailed shiurim in Auerbach, the rav ofdavening at his kever. When Torah. They also a repository Darmstadt who eulogized him World War I broke out, both of secular wisdom. His vast with the first hesped, followed Jews and gentiles who had library in the yeshivaby the members of his kehilla. been conscripted to go off and contained many German The large contingent of non- fight, came to his tziyun to language volumes from which Jews who came --priests, a invoke merit for their he imparted knowledge. special delegation sent by the wellbeing. According to Graf of Furstenau–Erbach, and accounts they all returned In his final years he became ill the local councilmen—isalive and whole. and was often confined to bed. explained by the fact that the HIS DESCENDANTS Yet, despite being sick and rav was recognized and weak, he continued to learn respected by all for his charity One of Rav Zekel’s most well- Torah and impart [de1]and healing work with non- known descendants was his shiurim in order to effect merit Jews as well. son-in-law, Rav Eliyahu for his petitioners. Strauss, whose son was the Rav Zekel stated in his tza’ava gvir, Rav Shmuel Strauss, a On the final Rosh Hoshana of that his aron be carried by follower of Rav Simche Zissel his life, as he lay in his sickbed hand-- and not as the Reform Ziv of Kelm. Rav Shmuel aware that his end was near, did which was by wagon—and purchased the Strauss he asked to hear Shofar. The that groups change places to compound in Jerusalem were baal tokeia, however, was allow many to merit carrying many tzaddikim and baalei unable to blow even a single him. After Rav Auerbach of mussar resided. Rav Shmuel sound! At this, the Baal Shem Darmstadt’s hesped, he was was also a great supporter of remarked, “If you cover my eulogized by two otherBatei Machseh and other face, you will be able to blow.” rabbonim and teachers from charitable institutions in And so it was! He passed away Michelstadt followed by two Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

- 51 of 54 - Rav Shmuel’s son-in-law was writing after the fire and what trusted gabbai he travelled to Rav Yaakov Rosenheim, whose little remains was published by Austria. They arrived when a grandson, Rav Elyakim ben Machon Yerushalayim in a holiday was taking place and Dovid Shlesinger, inherited single volume containing some the streets were filled with Rav Zekel Leib’s otzar seforim chiddushim on Shas, Shulchan thousands of celebrating and later publicized them Aruch, teshuvos and derashos Christians . Their lives were through Machon Yerushalayim as well as a book of journaling, now in danger, for any Jew together with Rav Yitzchok insights, and directives. caught in the streets during Karniel of Zurich. such a gathering was THE BAAL SHEM AND THE endangering his life. THE FIRE AND HIS SEFORIM BISHOP AND WRITINGS Rav Yitzchok Aryeh, the Baal Rav Zekel Leib sent the gabbai Rav Zekel Shem of Michelstadt, known to forward through the throngs ,(תקפ"ה (In 1825 Leib began to have a recurring many as Rav Zekel Leib of worshippers and presented nightmare that a fireWormser, had an extremely a letter demanding that his consumed his home and talented talmid who had been former talmid meet with him. burned all of his belongings. converted by missionaries to Despite the danger at the He told his son, his nephew, Christianity. The former talmid time, the Baal Shem was met and childhood friend Berele rose in high ranks as a priest with no interference or malice, Bernheimer about the dream, until he was appointed a and neither was his emissary. but since it was his childhood bishop in Austria.The missive bearing the home that he inherited from Nonetheless, the Baal Shem warning for his former talmid his parents and had been in never gave up hope and stayed was to step down from the use as a shul, he did not want in touch with his former podium and come see him at to sell it. Unfortunately, the disciple, sending him letters of once. dream came true. In Elul or heartfelt rebuke and hoping Tishrei (September) of that that one day he would repent “Tell the Baal Shem that I am year, most of his writings went his ways and return to his about to conduct mass and up in flames in a fire that people. And one day, that hope after the prayer service I will consumed his home. Most of materialized. come.” The Baal Shem heard his seforim and writings were the message and sent his lost in a conflagration that A letter arrived from the emissary back with the swept through twenty other penitent priest, expressing his demand that he appear houses. Thanks to monetary regret over converting and his immediately, with no delay. gifts and insurance Rav Zekel desire to come back to When the priest heard this, he Leib purchased a new home to Judaism. Rav Zekel Leib paled. Claiming that he house both his family and the immediately packed up his suddenly felt ill, and was yeshiva. Rav Zekel continued belongings and along with a unable to conduct the

- 52 of 54 - ceremonies, he excusedhis dismay, the Baal Shem’s as if his soul was placated. himself, stepped down from gabbai suddenly could not “Here my good man; you have the podium and followed the remember a single story! His earned your reward, for I was emissary away from the memory had been wiped clean that Bishop. It was me all crowds. by some strange phenomenon. those years ago who you and “I apologize but somehow I the Baal Shem rescued from After meeting with the Baal cannot remember anything to apostasy in Austria. Shem’s at his lodgings, he tell.” vanished and all knowledge of “This is what happened after his whereabouts vanished with His host calmed him. “Don’t my clandestine meeting with him. worry; you are surely tired the Baal Shem. He from your long journey. Now commanded me to and do After the Baal Shem of rest up and tomorrow you will teshuvah and to quickly Michelstadt passed away, his try again.” escape. The Baal Shem gabbai travelled across explained to me that the Ashkenaz and he would relate Though the gabbai could not indication that my misdeeds tales and wonders of the Baal explain it, all Shabbos long he were atoned for would be the Shem to all his hosts as the could not recall any story day when I would hear my own Baal Shem had requested of about his rebbe Rav Zekel story told to me by another. him. One day, he heard that in Leib. On motzei Shabbos he This would serve as a sign that faraway Italy there lived a apologized and prepared to my teshuvah was complete. I wealthy banker who would pay leave. The banker was sorely have been searching for that handsome sums for anyone disappointed, but nothing special someone, sending out who could relate a story about could be done. Still, the word, asking for tales of the the Baal Shem. The gabbai banker said, “Will you perhaps Baal Shem, and offering my having been the Baal Shem’s try once more to remember rewards--and then you came! right-hand man made his way some small tale before you When you arrived, I to Italy sure that if anyone depart tomorrow morning?” recognized you and thought could tell tales of his rebbe it my teshuvah had finally been would be him. After Shacharis, as the gabbai accepted on High. But when I was about to take his leave, it saw that you could neither When he arrived, Menashe the happened! The gabbairemember me nor my story, I banker welcomed him with remembered one story --—the realized I had not tried hard open arms, smiling. After tale about the former Bishop. enough. Apparently, my making him comfortable at the It was this tale that the gabbai teshuvah was still incomplete. Friday night Shabbos table, he told his host, Menashe the All Shabbos long, I asked the gabbai to regal his banker. Menashe’s face now strengthened my resolve to do family with tales. However, to shone with a curious delight, true teshuvah. I spent all

- 53 of 54 - Shabbos and motzei Shabbos davening and crying out to Hashem. And, finally, the sign has arrived from your very lips; your mouth speaks my salvation!” (Baal Shem of Michelstadt p. 22)

- 54 of 54 -

והכי א חיי 'ל( )'ב Zera For it is your life (30:2) Tosfos writes (Kiddushin 34a) that if this passuk refers to studying Torah, then

Shimshon women should also be obligated to study Torah since everyone needs the blessing of life?  Tosfos infers (in the first explanation) that this passuk therefore cannot be referring to the study of Torah, rather, it refers to the keeping of the Mitzvos. In fact, the Gemara (ibid) learns that women are obligated in the Mitzva of Mezuza from the fact that the passuk Nitzavim links the Mitzva of Mezuza to long life (Devarim 11:21). Thus, had the reward for learning Torah been the blessing of life, women would have also been included in the The Zera Shimshon, Rav Shimshon Chaim ben Rav Nachmon Michoel obligation. As a result, Tosfos explains the abovementioned passuk to be referring to the Nachmani, was born in 5467 keeping of Mitzvos in general. The passuk is saying that the Torah teaches you the (1706/1707) into an illustrious family with great Rabbinical Mitzvos, and observing them is your life. lineage. He studied the revealed and concealed parts of the Torah by the The fact that the merit of Torah study is not life, as deduced by Tosfos from this Torah greats of his day. passuk, is also seen from other sources. (It is important to note that there are in fact, many sources that learning He served as Rav of Modena, Pisa, Sayna and Reggio, Italy, and was Torah adds life. Therefore, the words of the Zera Shimshon need to be understood in the proper context. As well, the Gemara recognized as a holy and pious individual, as well as a tremendous Kiddushin clearly says that there is NO reward in this world for the fulfillment of the Mitzvos. His words are being written here as he Torah scholar in all areas of Torah. says them and his intention will become clearer towards the end of the Dvar Torah.) He passed away on the 6 th of Elul 5539 (1779). The passuk writes about the keeping of the Mitzvos (Vayikra 18:5), "You shall live His Seforim were named, Toldos Shimshon (The ‘Offspring’ of by them" . The Sages learn from here that one should not give up his life to keep the Shimshon) on Pirkei Avos and Zera Mitzvos (barring the three cardinal sins). Regarding Torah study however, we find the Shimshon (The ‘Seed’ of Shimshon) on the Parshi’os of the Gemara that says (Berachos 63b), that the Torah is only acquired by one dies over it. The Torah. In his introduction, he Gemara in Shabbos (83b) elaborates and explains that even on one's death bed he is explains that since his only son had died during his lifetime, he wrote required to study Torah. As well, the Zohar (introduction 7a), seems to imply that there his Seforim to perpetuate his own memory after his passing. is a certain level of reward for the fulfillment of Mitzvos in this world, whereas for the The following is his passionate study of Torah, the reward is kept entirely for the world to come. request to learn his works. “I implore of you with ten terms of The reason for this is that we, the Jewish people, are hired workers of Hashem. supplication to choose from my He hired us, by promising reward, to do the Mitzvos. The halacha is that a hired worker Chiddushim (novella) the piece that finds favor in your eyes, for your gets paid when he finishes the job (Baba Metzia 65a). Therefore, with regards to the learning will sooth my soul etc… “This righteousness will stand by fulfillment of Mitzvos, especially those that can only be performed once in a lifetime or you forever – to ‘eat’ in this world, not that often, once the person does them, he is worthy of being rewarded (whatever level of and be satiated in the next. In this merit, Hashem will repay you with reward is attainable in this word) . Torah study however, is endless. A person is obligated to study children, health and sustenance. until the minute he passes away. Therefore, his job only ends when his life does. This is “…and now my brothers and friends etc. do a true kindness, and why the reward for Torah study is entirely for the world to come. with your eyes you will see children and grandchildren surrounding There is one way though that one can receive reward for Torah study even in this one's reward is based on the effort and , לפו צערא אגרא ,(your table, houses filled with all world. The Mishna says (Avos 5:22 that is good, wealth and honor will not cease from your children…” exertion. If a person puts in more than usual effort to learning Torah, then for that added .effort he can get reward even in this world לזכר נשמת רבינו שמשו חיי ב רב נחמ מיכאל ל"צז ,It seems that the Zera Shimshon learns that the keeping of Mitzvos brings the blessing of life to those that fulfill them) בעל הזרע שמשו א"יעז

even in this world. This is not the ultimate reward for the Mitzvos since that is reserved for the world to come as the Gemara in ויה" ר שיתקיימו בנו ברכותיו של אותו צדיק Kiddushin teaches that the reward for fulfilling the Mitzvos is given out in this world. With regards to Torah study, although many זכות רבינו זיע" א ימלי טוב sources DO point to the fact that one merits life, this cannot be the reward available in this world since reward is payment and בעד ד ב שרה ותמר חי ה ה payment only comes when the job is done and concerning Torah study the job only end when a person passes away. It is possible that בת רחל ו כל משפחת The problem the Gemara had was that how could the Torah command only men . ע חיי היא למחזיקי בה it is an effect, as the passuk says ולרפואה שלימה במהרה לירחמיאל to do Mitzvos and give life as a reward, women as well also need life? The Zera Shimshon is saying that since the life that comes from דניאל ב טובה באשא בתו שאר (Torah is not it's reward, it is not a valid question. My understanding of his words חולי ישראל ז כות רבינו יעמוד לר ' חיי דוד ב טויבא חוה וכל משפחתו להצלחה ברכה שפע רב ולעילוי נשמת רחל בת שמואל וסייעתא דשמיא מרובה בכל מעשה ידיו ובכל העניני הנולד מ מלכה וראוב ב דוד הנולד מ יוכבד ת.ה.ב.צ.נ. לזכר נשמת מלכה ברכה בת הרב נחו ישראל ת .ה.ב.צ.נ.

signup & dedications – [email protected] Weekly Bulletin on the Parshah s"xc Nitzavim September 4th 2021 27th of Elul 5781 Pachad David Published by Mosdot “Orot Chaim U’Moshe” in Israel Under the auspices of Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita 919 Son of the tzaddik Rabbi Moshe Ahron Pinto, zt”l, and grandson of the holy tzaddik and miracle-worker Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a MASKIL LEDAVID Weekly talk on the Parshah given by Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita

The Lights of Creation Are Aroused

Chazal say (Pesikta Rabati 46) that Adam HaRis- any trace of sin, particularly these days are called hon was created on the sixth day of the creation 'the days of repentance'. It is a time in which the which is in fact the first day of Rosh Hashanah, untainted lights of creation are awakened and is since creation began on the twenty-fifth of Elul. therefore an auspicious time to repent. Repentance This is mentioned in the Mussaf prayer of Rosh is carried out through accepting positive undertak- Hashanah, "This day is the anniversary of the start ings upon ourselves and pleading for forgiveness of Your handiwork, a remembrance of the first day." through the selichot prayers. It is a time in which it The start of Your handiwork refers to the day Adam is easy for us to repent for our sins and stand before Paris • Orh ‘Haïm Ve Moché HaRishon, the handiwork of Hashem, was created. Hashem pure and clean, just as in the six days of 32, rue du Plateau • 75019 Paris • France How was man created? Chazal tell us (Pirkei creation when the entire atmosphere was free of Tel: 01 42 08 25 40 • Fax: 01 42 06 00 33 any imperfections and filth. [email protected] D'Rabbi Eliezer 11) that Hashem gathered dust from the four corners of the world and then created man. Furthermore, staunch tzadikim are blessed with The reason being if man dies in some place in the an inner inspiration of lofty lights and holiness during these days of forgiveness preceding Rosh Jérusalem • Pninei David world, that ground cannot say, you do not belong to my earth – go away. Rather, wherever he dies Hashanah and similarly during the month of Tishrei. Rehov Bayit Va Gan 8 • Jérusalem • Israël This stems from the power of the holy lights and Tel: +972 2643 3605 • Fax: +972 2643 3570 the land will absorb his dust and he can be buried [email protected] anywhere in the world. sparks which illuminated the world during its very first days of creation, prior to Rosh Hashanah. As we explained, the days preceding Rosh Ha- shanah are days of creation since Hashem began However, although there is a feeling of great Ashdod • Orh ‘Haim Ve Moshe creating the world on the twenty-fifth of Elul. And awakening in the air, we must realize that it is not easy to attain this lofty feeling of holy sparks and Rehov Ha-Admour Mi-Belz 43 • Ashod • Israël then, on the sixth day of creation which was Rosh Tel: +972 88 566 233 • Fax: +972 88 521 527 Hashanah, Adam HaRishon was created and on the repentance. Each person must ensure he fulfills the [email protected] very same day he sinned by eating from the Tree dictum "Create for Me an opening like the eye of a of Knowledge. Hashem judged him right away and needle" and then he will see the fulfillment of "and then I will create for you an opening that wagons in the merit of Shabbat who advocated for Adam, Ra’anana • Kol ‘Haïm and carriages can enter" (Shir Hashirim Rabba Ch. he was not sentenced to death (Pesikta Rabati 46). Rehov Ha’ahouza 98 • Ra’anana • Israël 5:2). A person will feel the inspiration of Elul accord- Tel: +972 98 828 078 • +972 58 792 9003 This is what the holy Shabbat said to Hashem: ing to the degree of his desire and will. [email protected] If Hashem will kill Adam and Chava on that same The main thing is that each person must repent day, before the arrival of Shabbat, who will observe wholeheartedly, regret his bad ways and undertake the holy Shabbat and announce in the future that positive commitments. Then Hashem will create a Hashem created the world in six days and rested on wide opening for him and he will be successful in his the seventh? And how will Hashem find rest on the Hilula repentance. As the verse says (Malachi 3:7), "Return holy Shabbat if the crown and goal of creation, the to Me and I will return to you." If you take the first one into whom Hashem breathed a living soul and step and return to Me, I will return to you. We can 27 – Rabbi Sar Shalom, the Admor an element of His G-dly essence, is no longer alive? of Belz also be encouraged by the Chazal (Yoma 38b), "One 28 – Rabbi Yitzcahk Akarish It follows then that all this happened on Rosh who wishes to purify himself is assisted." Meaning, 29 – Rabbi Shlomo Amralyo, author of Hashanah. On Rosh Hashanah Adam was judged Hashem helps him achieve his goal when there is 'Responsa Kerem Shlomo' and Hashem allowed him to remain alive so he can sincere desire; he must truly want. 1 – Rabbi Yehuda Ayash guard the Shabbat day. With Hashem's kindness, He We should keep in mind that this time of the year 2 – Rabbi David Rappaport also created garments of skin for Adam and Chava is a most auspicious time for repentance and draw- 3 – Rabbi Yosef Vital so that they should not walk around naked (Bere- ing closer to Hashem, as the verse says (Yeshaya 4 – Rabbi Avraham ben Yechiel ishit 3:21), meaning they should not be naked of 55:6), "Seek Hashem when He can be found; call mitzvot (Bereishit Rabba Ch. 19:6). So in fact, in the upon Him when He is near." Chazal explain (Rosh merit of observing Shabbat, the Shabbat guarded Hashanah18a), this refers to the ten days between Adam HaRishon for eternity. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur when "Hashem is Since during the creation, the days preceding close to all who call upon Him; to all who call upon Rosh Hashanah were unsoiled and pure, free of Him sincerely" (Tehillim 145:18). Walking in their Ways Tidbits of faith and trust penned by Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita

More Precious than Pearls Someone once asked me for a blessing for success in his In Our Father's Path business. He added that if Hashem would help him in a spe- cific transaction, he would give me a tithe of his profits as a donation toward our Torah institutions. Why Did HaRav Yehuda Tzedakah Never Require a Loan? G-d's blessing is promised to all those who observe the Torah and I blessed him in the merit of my ancestors zy”a and told mitzvot, as stated in this week's Parshah, "That which I commanded you him Hashem will shower him with blessing in the merit of his today, to love Hashem, your G-d, to walk in His ways, to observe His com- pledge to tzedakah. This is indeed what happened and he met mandments, His decrees, and His ordinances; then you will live and you with tremendous success. will multiply, and Hashem, your G-d, will bless you in the Land to which He came to my home to fulfill the second half of the deal you come, to possess it." (Devarim 30:16). and contribute a very sizeable sum to our cause. All the way Do we really appreciate Hashem's blessing? Are we aware of the correct to my house, he kept picturing the look of joy on my face way to thank the Source of all blessing? upon seeing such a vast amount of money donated on be- HaGaon Rabbi Yehuda Tzedaka zt"l, Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef, would half of our institutions. One can imagine his disappointment often discuss the special value of thanking Hashem properly. He was ac- when I did not show even a hint of a smile upon receiving customed to saying that many countries in the world are blessed with the contribution. material abundance – wealth and assets – but food is not in abundance. “Honored Rav,” he expressed his surprise, “the entire way Why? Because they do not recite enough blessings! Blessings are the pipe here, I imagined how happy you would be with my donation. through which all abundance flows! But I see your face is as peaceful and serene as before. Is there He personally testified: "Despite the meager monthly salary that was perhaps something wrong with the money?” my lot, I never found myself in the position of requiring a loan, while I “There is nothing wrong with your money. But you must was often approached by neighbors who wished to take a loan from the realize the only thing worth getting excited over is Torah study gemach to be able to finish the month. This phenomenon teaches us that and mitzvah observance. In This World, money comes and everything is dependent on the blessing which rests in your money. In our money goes. ‘Here today, gone tomorrow,’ as the saying goes. case, our money was blessed." In his modesty, he attributed this merit to “But Torah and mitzvot are eternal. They are the only things the Rabbanit a"h, who was always careful to recite birkat hamazon with that stand by a person for eternity. This is why I don’t get concentration, word for word, as one counts precious stones. carried away by monetary contributions, although they are He recited every blessing with due seriousness, aware of the One he the bread and butter of our institutions. If you want to see was thanking, saying each word aloud so he could hear what his lips were me getting excited, bring me a Jew who has strengthened saying. If someone from the Porat Yosef Yeshiva would bring him a cup himself in his avodat Hashem and mitzvah observance. His of tea, he would first recite the blessing to Hashem and have a sip. Only deeds will cause me tremendous pleasure, more than all the after that would he thank the one who brought him the drink. money in the world!” The story is told that one of his family members, a Kohen, once visited Rabbeinu and was offered a drink. He expressed his thanks and then re- cited the shehakol blessing and drank. Rabbeinu remarked, The Haftarah "Do you wish to lose the priesthood?" Seeing that he did not understand, Rabbeinu explained his "I will rejoice intensely with Hashem" (Yeshaya 61) intention: Chazal tell us Hashem wished to give the priesthood The connection to Shabbat: This is the seventh and last of the 'Seven to Shem son of Noach as it says (Bereishit 14:18), "But Mal- Haftarot of Consolation' that are read beginning with the Shabbat following kitzedek… he was a priest of G-d." However, since he blessed Tisha b'Av. Avraham before blessing Hashem, He gave the priesthood to Avraham. Because Malkitzedek said "Blessed is Avram…and blessed be G-d, the Most High" and not the other way Guard Your Tongue round, priesthood was taken from him. Human Error? "You too," concluded Rabbeinu, "must remember that first of all one must bless G-d and only after that say thank If a store owner short-changes a customer or charges him for an item he did you to man." not buy, one is forbidden to derive from this incident that he is dishonest or He often quoted the following idea in the name of Rabbi negligent. Rather one must attribute it to human error. Sasson Mordechai Moshe zt"l (a distinguished Sage from However, if this kind of thing happens often, one must bring it to the stor- Baghdad who lived two hundred and fifty years ago). In eowner's attention, with a warning that if it continues, this practice will have to his sefer Tehilla L'David he brings the verse, "I will exalt be disclosed to his customers. If there is still no change, one is then obligated to You, My G-d the King, and I will bless Your Name forever warn customers to check their change and receipts. and ever" and explains that first of all a person must think about Hashem's greatness and loftiness, remembering One is forbidden to hint that the store owner is dishonest, even if there is room before Whom he stands, and only after that bless His to suspect that this is the case. To take the necessary precautions, it is enough Name. With this recognition, his blessings will have value for the customers to think he is negligent (or has trouble calculating correctly). and become an eternal asset for him. Treasures Based on the teachings of Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pearls of the Parsha Pinto, shlita

Negative Amazement "And you saw their abominations and their detestable idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold that were with them" (Devarim 29:16) Since idols have no substance, there seems to be no difference whether The Ten Days of Repentance they are made of wood or stone, silver or gold. So why does the Torah detail "You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem, your G-d" (Devarim29:9) the materials they are made from? The Holy Zohar writes: "'You are standing here Rabbi Shlomo Tzadok shlit"a explains that the Torah mentions the materi- today' – this refers to Rosh Hashanah." The word als to hint that even just being impressed by the amount of silver and gold "today" alludes to the Day of Judgement when all mankind stands before Hashem, waiting to hear they are made from, or by the artistry with which they were designed, is their verdict. Nevertheless, we trust in Hashem, also completely forbidden. certain we will emerge worthy. During these special days between Rosh Ha- Why? shanah and Yom Kippur, Hashem is particularly Just paying attention and dwelling on these matters can cause one to stray. close to His children. This can be compared to the Similarly, it is silver and gold and the inherent success that leads a person king's servant who is accustomed to communicat- ing with the king through his viceroy. However, to follow the abominations and detestable idols of the nations. there is one day in the year when the king himself The Closer One Draws, the More One Understands approaches the servant, allowing him to ask for whatever he wishes. "You shall return and listen to the voice of Hashem" (Devarim 30:8) Throughout the year we pray and cry out to Since the Torah said previously "And you will return unto Hashem, your Hashem, but who knows if we deserve to be an- swered? And even if we are worthy, Hashem may G-d" it seems that they have already repented. So why does the verse repeat still decide to say no. But this time of the year is "You shall return and listen to the voice of Hashem?" a particularly auspicious time, for just as we are standing before Hashem, He too stands close to Rabbi Shlomo of Radomsk zt"l, in his sefer Tiferet Shlomo, explains that us, answering our supplications with mercy. before repenting a person still does not realize the greatness of his sin be- This is the meaning of "Atem – You are standing cause he is far from Hashem and immersed in his ways. Only after repent- here today." Atem has the same letters as emet ing and coming closer to Hashem, does he begin to understand the great – truth. When a person calls out to Hashem in all sincerity, asking for forgiveness and accepting blemish he caused with his sin. He now does not suffice with his original upon himself from now on to sincerely improve repentance, but feels the need to repent once more. his ways, he is included among "Hashem is close to all who call upon Him; to all who call upon The cycle continues. The more he repents and draws closer to Hashem, Him sincerely" (Tehillim 145:18) and Hashem will the clearer is his understanding that he must now repent even more before certainly answer his prayers and requests. Hashem. If a person repents sincerely at this time when Hashem is close to all those who call out to Him, and he feels he is standing in Hashem's presence, ... The Sabbatical Year ... he has no reason to be afraid of the Satan. Even though the Satan has proof of our previous erro- 1. During Shemittah one may plant fruits or vegetables in water if it contains no neous ways, committed even though we promised mixture of earth at all (hydroponics, where seeds are placed on nets under which to improve, and even though he can prove that we there is water mixed with nutrients necessary for the plant). The Torah only prohibits do not always fulfil our promises or do not even planting in earth which is considered as ground, but planting in water alone does not intend to fulfil them, which puts all our future come under this category. commitments in doubt, nevertheless at this time 2. So for example, during Shemittah one may place an avocado pit in a pitcher of of the year Hashem is not deterred by the Satan water. It is also permissible to place hummus seeds on wet cotton wool for this is not and instead covers up his words and accusations. included in the prohibition of planting, even though it will sprout leaves. On Rosh Hashanah man has the power to 3. One may place flowers in a vase with water, including closed flowers or roses, rectify all the prayers he did not pray properly even though the water will cause the petals to open. Some say that if the flowers are throughout the entire year. This is why we anoint in a flower pot, one must place a barrier between the flower pot and the ground. Hashem as King on Rosh Hashanah. Since during Floor tiles are considered a barrier. the year we did not always connect with Hashem For any questions in practical application of these halachot, please consult a -rab through prayer, on Rosh Hashanah we rectify all binical authority. the 'anointing' that was only lip service. A NOVEL LOOK AT THE PARSHA

tailor wasted no time in informing him: "You even the king's tailor! Now you are telling are going to work with all the lads here." me he doesn't even know how to thread a "I am a prince. I am not doing any such needle?! So what does he know? What did thing!" he protested. you manage to teach him in the first two "You are a prince? You were a prince! You terms? In what area does he excel?" are now staying in my house and you will The tailor replied: "My master, the king, work like everyone else. No work – no food." I will immediately explain my teaching He chose no food. He was not prepared to method that has proven itself. A tailor may work. He went on a hunger strike but quickly be inclined to sit at home, bored. How can he Rosh Hashanah is Not Just motivate himself to sew? How can he help Melodies realized he had no way out. The next morn- ing, he approached the production line and himself not cut in the wrong place due to Rosh Hashanah is a time for advancement. began working. lack of concentration? By singing melodies We must accept some commitment upon to himself. So in the first trimester I teach Three months passed. The king received a ourselves and not suffice with trivial matters. my students all the melodies of the High letter from the tailor: "Your son completed In the sefer Doresh Tov, the Dubna Maggid Holy Days. And so while he sews, he sits the first three months with honors; scored brings a wonderful parable explaining this and sings to himself "Master of forgiveness, one hundred percent. Send me three hun- idea. A king had a pampered, only child. His Who examines hearts…" and this motivates dred and thirty-three rubles." grades were low and his behavior was also him to work. At the end of the second trimester the not up to par, nevertheless, his father loved "In the second trimester I take suit mate- king once again received a certificate: His him since he was his only child. rial and mark cutting lines with chalk. The son excelled and completed the second The king's advisors approached him and students are then required to cut with pre- trimester with distinction, way above the declared: "Our master, the king. If you want cision according to my markings. Your son other students. this son to eventually inherit the throne, excelled in the second trimester, my master The king took a handkerchief and wiped we have one piece of advice for you: Send the king! You have no idea how he tears. away his tears. Finally, someone is managing him away from home to learn a profession. Right, left, in two minutes the whole thing Maybe this will help him take hold of him- to educate the boy, his only son… is torn up! He tears even in places I did not self. If you do not do this now, it will soon He impatiently waited for the end of the mark. He is a champion at tearing… be too late." year and his son's return. But the end of the "In the third trimester I take the needle The king realized his son was slowly de- year arrived and no letter was forthcoming. and thread and explain to them how to sew. teriorating and if he wished to save him, he He waited another three months but still did And here, I must say, he had no idea what I must indeed listen to their advice despite the not hear from the tailor. was talking about!" difficulty. In the middle of the night he gave his In the absence of phone lines and over- The king listened in astonishment and son a strong alcoholic beverage and as soon come with worry, the king decided to find then replied, "Dear tailor! Did I send you as he was deeply asleep, he lay him down out for himself how his son was faring. my son so you should teach him High Holy inside the chariot and dressed in his royal He travelled through the night in his royal Days melodies? Did I need you to teach him clothing, travelled with him to the far end of chariot and finally arrived at the tailor's how to tear material? At the palace he was his country. At six in the morning he arrived at home. "How is my son doing? Why did you already a master at this… He would tear a distant town and noticed a sign proclaiming: not send me the certificate from the third carpets and curtains like a professional… I "Tailor – New Clothes and Repairs." trimester?" he demanded to know. brought him to you so you would teach him to sew some small item, or repair some small The king waited a little longer until the "Your son?" replied the tailor, "My master, item. If you did not teach him even this, what hour was right to knock on the door. The the king. Can you see this piece of marble? did you teach him?" tailor opened up and was shocked to see the I will succeed in teaching the marble to sew king standing there. 'My master the king! To quicker than I will succeed with your son! The king lowered his head and burst out what do I owe this honor?" For half a year I am trying to explain to him crying: "What an unsuccessful child I have! Melodies he knows, to tear he knows, but "I have an only son and I want you to teach how to thread a needle. The needle breaks, if he does not even know how to sew, even him the trade!" the thread snaps, the finger is pricked, but it doesn’t go through. A blocked head! I something small, what is it all worth?" "There's no way I can teach him just like never met someone with such comprehen- The Dubno Maggid explains the moral: that. It takes an entire year!" sion difficulties as your son! He cannot even Rosh Hashanah arrives and we sing the ap- "It takes a year to learn how to sew?" thread a simple needle with a simple thread. propriate melodies. But Rosh Hashanah is wondered the king. Twenty needles already broke; there is no not just a day for melodies. Some observe "Yes." more thread and he still cannot get it right!" Rosh Hashanah by dipping an apple into "And how much do you charge?" "Excuse me?" claimed the king in surprise, honey, but this Holy Day is not just for cut- "My master the king will pay the same as "When you wrote to me after the first tri- ting apples… everyone else. One thousand rubles for the mester that he completed his studies with Rosh Hashanah is a time when we must year, including food and shelter." honors, I thought he was going to become a progress, when we must advance even in The king agreed. He made sure the tailor world famous tailor! In the second trimester some small way. If we do not do even this, would treat his son well and then left. you wrote he is doing better than any other what have we accomplished?! At eight o' clock the son finally woke up student and I thought to myself, he will Hashem begs, "Return to Me!" Take a and found himself in the tailor's home. The certainly become an expert tailor – maybe small step forward!

Parshas Nitzavim

You are all gathered, together today before Hashem your G-d. Perhaps this pasuk hints to us to prepare ourselves for the upcoming Rosh HaShana as is cited in the holy Zohar, that when the pasuk uses the expression "this day – Ha’Yom," it always hints at Rosh HaShana. And as the pasuk hints at the fact that all of you are gathered before Hashem standing in judgment on Rosh HaShana, therefore stand before Hashem your G-d and do your hishtadlus to fulfill His Divine Will, before you stand and are judged, and by so doing it will set you up as a nation. We need to take advantage of these days before Rosh HaShana by Torah study, davening and doing all we can to fulfill ratzon Hashem, and by so doing we can achieve all manner of goodness.

The chassidishe seforim teach us, that although it says in Shulchan Aruch that three days before Rosh HaShana, the shaliach tzibur needs to prepare himself and separate himself, abstaining from this world all in order to prepare for Rosh HaShana, however because nowadays the Ba’al Tefillah does not actually fulfill the requirements of his congregation by actually praying for them and on their behalf, instead each one of us fulfills their own prayers, so nowadays each one of us needs to prepare themselves three days before Rosh HaShana. Rav Mordechai tells us, 'I saw that in the holy seforim such as Ma’or Va’Shemesh, he teaches how the entire year all follows the lead of Rosh HaShana, it all depends on how we are on Rosh HaShana, because the body follows the lead of the head – gufa basar reisha gerira (the body of the year follows the lead of the head of the year). It also says there that "that by coronating Hashem as king during those 48 hours of the two days of Rosh HaShana and by so doing we merit to fulfill Hashem's Divine will for the whole entire year," as the Talmud Yerushalmi says that ‘whoever sleeps on Rosh HaShana has a sleepy mazal all year long,’ meaning that whoever is batel on Rosh HaShana and sleeps through it is as if his mazal goes to sleep! The most important thing to remember then, is that we need to seize the opportunity and take advantage of the time especially on Rosh HaShana to crown Hashem as king and fulfill His Divine will. Perhaps we can find this hinted at in the pasuk Koheles (2:14) the wise man has his eyes in his head, that a wise man knows everything depends on Rosh HaShana and therefore he knows and understands that by fulfilling Hashem's Divine Will properly [on Rosh HaShana] we merit to fulfill His Will for the entire rest of the year as well, and the primary objective is to merit coronating Hashem as King over us and over all of the whole entire world with the revelation of G-d's glory and the honor of Heaven, Amen.

Page 1 of 1

Pirkei Avos – Chapter 1

Be diligent and slow to judge and establish many students and disciples. Rav Mordechai explained this Mishnah based on the holy Zohar's teaching that whoever merits the masses and benefits the public has the power to abolish and cancel harsh decrees. This is what our Mishnah means that you can end up cancelling the judgment even that it has been decreed - it can be waited out and abolished and cancelled. This is all achieved through zikui haRabbim - giving benefit and merit to the masses. Therefore, we can reread the words of our Mishnah Misunim baDin as tell the din “maton” - order the judgment to halt and wait! By so doing you effectively cancel it and abolish the decree, and this achieved by - establishing many students and disciples. Make a fence around the Torah.

Based on a well-known idea from the holy seforim that Chazal say that the Torah draws us near to Hashem and it protects us and saves us from all manner of pain and anguish. This is however only true on condition that we act properly, since if that is not the case, then the Torah study and mitzvah observance go instead to the external outside forces of darkness called the chitzonim as it says in (Tehillim 50:16) “to the wicked saith Hashem who are you to recite with My laws?” Regarding this matter, our prophets called out (Yermiyahu 4:3) “Plow for yourself a furrow, and do not sow upon thorns." However, when we accept upon ourselves to erect fences and barriers and to safeguard and protect our avodas Hashem and our Torah and mitzvos, then the Torah sanctifies us. We can perhaps find this hinted at here in the words of our Mishnah: erect a fence - erect fences and barriers to protect your avodas Hashem and Torah. Then your Torah can save you and protect you from the evil yetzer hara, as Chazal teach us in (Kiddushin 30b) “I created the yetzer hara and I created the Torah as an antidote.” This is best understood in light of what Chazal say in (Berachos 5a) “If a person sees that pain and suffering befall him, he should examine his deeds - if he examined them and found nothing wrong, he should assume that he has neglected Torah study.” There is a well-known question - what does it mean that he examined and did not find anything? The meaning of this is based on what we see in the holy seforim, that if he finds no sins after soul searching that he should assume it is neglect of Torah study - this should be interpreted to mean that he attaches no significance or importance to his studies and considers them as acts of frivolity, heaven forbid. That although he does in fact study a lot and spends time engaged in Torah study, his study has no value or significance because it was not done properly and he failed to fulfill the conditions before studying, he failed to set up those guardrails and failed to erect a protective fence or barrier around his studies and around his avodas Hashem and to study with reserve and humility. Even though none of these things are themselves considered sins, still, nonetheless they cause his Torah to lose significance, heaven forbid, as we explained above. He used to say that the world stands on three things on The Torah, and on The Avodah and on Gemilus Chassadim:

Page 1 of 2

Abraham's Legacy A Social Network for Prayer. Complete the book of tehillim 1000's of times a day collectively

Let’s storm the Heaven’s together – Join today!! WHAT IS ABRAHAM’S LEGACY? Creating Technology that Enables us to Serve Hashem as One.

Never worry about breaking up the book of tehillim again. With Abraham’s Legacy you can complete the book of tehillim thousands of times a day collectively with the entire world. Simply tap to pray and Abraham’s Legacy will give you the next chapter in the global count.

Abraham’s Legacy is a 100% leshem shamayim initiative created in memory of Avraham ben Pauline A’H.

A Social Network for Prayer. When someone’s life is in the balance every tefillah counts!

PRAY

Click to pray and receive the next chapter in the global count.

STATS

Track how many books have been completed, chapters read, countries reading and people reading around the globe.

NOTIFICATIONS

Set up daily notifications reminding you to read tehillim.

ehsm whvh okug rfzk - ,nab hukhgk `qec oa `pipg iax `pzd

r''if d''dllwevf awri 'x w''dxd oa miig dyn iax w''dxd xihqrxrwn xrpiihy dyn 'x w''dxd oa diryi iax w''dxd r''if d''dllwevf

yhiee`n`xa` dyn 'x w''dxd oa lieep`f miig iax w''dxd r''if d''dllwevf uipaixn on` l`xyi lk lre epilr obi lecbd ezekf

kwwz ouka vwwun ic ohhj ovrct jwwvrv kwwz ivfv ctz rhtn rwwvun ,c kxhz ,rn kwwz ohhj ovrct jwwvrv ic ouka rwwvun kwwz ohhj ovrct jwwvrv ic ctz rhtn ejmh rwwvun kwwz chhk whrt rwwvun ,c tkhhc vra ,rn

vrvnc ihnhv .ek ukrudk ouehu vrehv u,jpan sgc cuy .hknh MENTION THIS AD FOR 10% 0FF YOUR FIRST ORDER*

WE ARE YOUR one-stop-shop TO MARKETING SUCCESS

WE ARE A ONE-STOP ADDRESS FOR ALL YOUR MARKETING, GRAPHIC DESIGN, PRINTING & MAILING NEEDS. We take care of all details from start to finish - under one roof.

MARKETING DESIGN PRINT MAIL

845.369.9600 | [email protected] | www.Ramapost.com | 382 Route 59 Suite 264, Airmont, NY 10952 בס''ד

MITE A LI D N E UM V B A E H R

W O O F N RECEIVE A

E Y

W

D L

L

L

O FREE A COVID-19 A A C N V S C O I A R STOREE E T A P I A L E T A VACCINE E N Y TOWN R B D E L 2 N T E 1 AFTER EACH A IN T R TI D O VE VISIT! ONALLY AN ANYONE O NEED CARE? WE’RE HERE!

Last patient Sun. 12 pm - 12 am check-in is 10 Mon. - Thu. 2 pm - 12 am minutes before Fri. 12 pm - 8:30 pm hours listed Shabbos/Sat. 5 pm - 1 am 1 Main Street • Monsey, N.Y. 10952

WE’RE EASY TO REMEMBER.... 59 + 306 = 365 845-CARE-365 | 845-371-7200 ב״ה

MELES TI S

C

U E

S C T I V O R M E R S E

TIME AND ATTENDANCE FOR HEALTHCARE

• Timekeeping | Scheduling | Accruals | PBJ • Superb CUSTOMER SERVICE to achieve your goals • Manage Union, DOH and DOL requirements • Interface with your existing payroll system • Track staff overages and avoid costly OT • Robust analytics and custom reporting • Extended support hours, including legal holidays

REDUCE PAYROLL COSTS BY CONTROLLING BUDGETED LABOR RAMAPOST.COM WWW.SBVWM.COM • 914.777.2121

Important Notice

Beginning with Parshas Bereishis, we will be sending out the new formatted MeOros via email on a weekly and daily email yartzeit reminder. Anyone who is not signed up will not receive any emails.

We wish you a K’Siva Chasima Tova.