LIGHTS OF OUR RIGHTEOUS TZADDIKIM

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 KI SISSA / PURIM 

_ CHASSIDUS ON THE PARSHA +

BROKEN TABLETS & BROKEN JEWISH HEARTS The only reason klal yisrael sinned was to teach us how to repent and do teshuva (Avoda Zara 4b) . he Slonimer Rebbe in Nesivos Shalom, points out that based on this Gemara, the parsha of the egel  the story of the sin of the golden calf , is in reality a parsha of teshuva . It contains T timeless lessons for us about repenting. He points out that when Hashem said to Moshe Rabbeinu that his nation had sinned , Moshe Rabbeinu had not yet broken the tablets. Moshe Rabbeinu did not break the luchos until he observed Am Yisr ael dancing and exulting before the golden calf. Why is it that Moshe Rabbeinu only broke the tablets when he witnessed the dancing? The Slonimer explains that within every sin, Hashem created the very an tidote to the act of transgression: Remorse. Even when a Jew sinks down to the lowest place , Hashem , in His Infinite Mercy, prepared a way back to return. This is teshuva. Teshuva is the remorseful , brokenhearted feeling of regret and the pangs of conscienc e that we feel after the sin. Once the transgression has been done, the very act of having sinned causes us to regret having done so . When we look back at what we did and are remorseful and brokenhearted , that in itself is the Teshuva built in to the act of sin that serves as an antidote and medicine. This is why Moshe Rabbeinu did what he did. Chazal credit Moshe Rabbeinu ’s smashing of the luchos as the most courageous act Moshe Rabbeinu ever did in his life. Chazal explain this as the meaning of the words in the pasuk (Devarim 34), the “strong hand,” described at the very end of Moshe Rabbeinu ’s life as one of his crowning achievements. Why was the breaking of the tablets so significant?

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The Nesivos Sholom points out that Moshe Rabbeinu waited to smash the luchos only once he saw Bnai Yisrael dancing with the calf. The reason why he did this was because he knew and understood the secret of Teshuva  the key to proper Teshuva is a remorseful, broken heart. When Hashem said to Moshe Rabbeinu, “Your nation has sinned,” he went to observe them  he thought he would surely find them rolling on the floor, beating their breasts in anguish and remorse over their grievous mistake? When he saw that not only weren’t they remorseful, but that they were dancing in joy and exulting  that is when he felt that hope had been lost, for proper teshuva and repentance requires remorse and a broken heart. This was when Moshe Rabbeinu did the most courageous thing. He took the luchos, the tablets that Hashem Himself had fashioned had engraved, and right before their eyes, he smashed them. And in effect, he broke their hearts. For what Jewish soul is not stirred nor moved by such a sight? In fact, the Torah testifies that when they saw this, they were so stricken with grief and remorse that they began to act as mourners. Moshe had succeeded in breaking their hearts by breaking the luchos. A shattered Torah is a shattered Jewish heart. It is only the Torah which could make the Jews repent and return. A shattered, broken heart will not be despised by Hashem (Tehillim 51). True teshuva comes from brokenhearted remorse and recognition of the depth of sin and only the power of Torah can make us understand this. nnn ON A PERSONAL NOTE the young man. Any Jew who has any Jewish feeling reveres a Torah scroll. This young man The aforementioned teaching of the too held the sacred object and stood there with Nesivos Shalom reminded me of an incident us as the rabbi’s face changed and he began to that will forever remain with me. shout and yell at the young man, “Now I want I was once asked by a Rav I knew to you to take this Torah and throw it to the help him out. The shul secretary had a son ground! Throw it down on the floor and stamp who was engaged to marry a nonJew. on it!” Obviously, the young man was horrified Nothing his mother said could convince him to and he actually began to shed tears and shake change his mind. The Rav invited this young his head. He stood there aghast, as the Rav man to shul one ordinary day when no one continued to yell and our hearts hammered. was there but us and another person. He took “YES! YES! Throw it down to the ground and us as his “witnesses.” He spoke warmly and stomp on it, because that is what you are doing kindly to the young man. Then, he told him to Hashem by marrying out of the faith!” that we were going to do something… He The idea of throwing down the Torah is dressed the young man in a yarmulke and a so abhorrent that no Jew would ever do such a Tallis and explained to him the great joys of thing. Of course, he did not throw it down. Judaism and Torah. Tearfully, he placed it back into the aron Wrapped in a Tallis, he led us all to the kodesh. I wish I could end off with a happy ark, and he opened the aron kodesh, kissed ending, but I don’t really know what happened and removed a Torah scroll and handed it to to that young man, and I think he might have

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Ki Sissa - Purim / [email protected] still married out of the faith. But even he could moment after…There is no denying that many not bear to throw the Torah to the floor as he sins feel good for a moment, at the time; but stood there wrapped in a Tallis with tears the moment after… once the deed is done… streaming down his face. that is when the pain, the anguish and the This is the message the holy Nesivos agony begins; pangs of regret, remorse and Shalom teaches us. When Moshe Rabbeinu pain! The pain of knowing you failed yourself threw down the luchos and smashed the and Hashem and the pain of wishing you tablets, he was casting the Torah down to the could take it back and never have done it. floor to break our hearts, for what Jewish heart Baruch Hashem, we have teshuva and does not shatter into thousands of fragments we can go back in time and repair, rectify and when the Torah is thrown on the ground, be whole again. That is the lie of the evil one  smashed and stamped on?! sin is good, like a nice chocolate pudding, Recently, as I drove down the road creamy and sweet. That is a lie, for the truth is towards the highway, I paused at a red light at that sin leads to pain, sadness, misery and the intersection and I was horrified by a depression. billboard I saw. It wasn’t an immoral image, As once again, enemies sit in Persia and however, in some ways, it was worse. There we have our own Modern day Amalek, Haman was a photo of some new chocolate mousse or and Achashveirosh to deal with  may Hashem pudding and next to it, it said in English, have mercy on us and help us do teshuva. And something like, “Tastes almost as good as a now, as Purim comes, we will once again sin!” I was really upset. accept His Torah with joy and happiness and When I thought about it, as the light return to Him and say, “Tatte I am back. I have changed and I sped on, it hit me that what come back to You. I am home.” And may we upset me most was that the message was such merit the coming of Moshiach through a lie!! It portrayed sin as something good and Teshuva Me’Ahava speedily in our days. tasty. The entire message of teshuva is the Amen! broken heartedness and remorse we feel, the nnn Purim It was the day of Taanis Esther and the whispered something into his ear. The Rebbe Jews of Berditchev began to gather in shul to stood up and walked out. All the congregants get ready to hear the reading of the Megillah. rose in his honor and watched in curiosity as The shul was rapidly filling up with men while he walked out the door towards his study. up above, in the women's gallery, the women Once inside, Rav Levi Yitzchak turned gathered as well, to hear the reading of to the woman who was waiting in his study, Megillas Esther. holding a recently slaughtered chicken. She As the congregation stood, waiting to was uncertain of the kashrus status of the bird begin the evening Ma’ariv services, the and she stood there, literally shaking with fear, shamash approached Rav Levi Yitzchak and hoping that the Rav would render his decision

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Ki Sissa - Purim / [email protected] that the chicken was indeed kosher. How she foods. He ransacked the kitchen and the pantry had worked tirelessly scrimping and saving until he found the pot of cooked chicken and until she had enough money to buy this soup and the stuffed carp gefilte fish and chicken! She shuddered to think what would packed them as well. Any delicacy and dish happen if… “Rebbe,” she cried out in her that Rav Levi Yitzchak saw entered the sack distress, “Oy Vey, I have a question, please!” until it was filled with a true Purim feast. Then, The Rebbe looked at her, examined the the Berditchiver tied up his sack, swung it over chicken for a few moments and sadly turned his shoulder and began to head for the address back to her and rendered the psak, “I am so of the woman which he had recorded. sorry… but this chicken is not kosher and may When he located the poor woman's not be eaten.” home, he entered and heard the weak voice of The poor woman's head began to spin; her sick, bedridden husband call out, “Baileh, her worst fears had been realized. “But Rebbe!” is that you? What did the Rav rule about the she cried, “with my last few coins I bought this question you had with the chicken?” he asked. chicken! My husband is frail, sick and weak. “A Freilichen Purim! A Freilichen Purim! He is bedridden and I was hoping to make him Happy Purim!” called back Rav Levi Yitzchak, some chicken soup to revive his soul! My “Hashem has sent you Mishlo'ach Manos – children have been waiting for some tasty Purim gifts, eat and rejoice!” soup. And now, what will be, Oy Vey,” she Saying so, Rav Levi Yitzchak spread out cried in distress, “what will I do now?” the tablecloth, set the table with all the food As she cried and sobbed, Rav Levi and delicacies and left the house, heading with Yitzchak tried to sooth and reassure her, “My joyful steps towards the shul. Meanwhile, the daughter, do not fear and do not worry! entire shul was full of impatient congregants Hashem always helps everyone and takes care who wondered where their Rav had vanished? of them. Surely, He will come to your aid as They wanted to break their fast and eat well, in your time of need. Please tell me your already. name and address.” After recording these As soon as Rav Levi Yitzchak entered, details, Rav Levi Yitzchak sent her on her way they began the Ma’ariv prayers. As was his to listen to the reading of the Megillah. yearly custom, Rav Levi Yitzchak himself read However, he himself did not go straight back the Megillah. That year, his reading was to shul. Instead, he went out into the empty special and infused with extra energy, joy and streets of Berditchev. Quickly, he made his way vitality  more so than usual. His face was to his own house. aglow with an inner light of holiness and When he came home, the frenzied sanctity, flowing from his heart as he recited preparations began. He pulled out a large the miraculous tale of Esther and Mordechai's white tablecloth and began to fill it like a victory  the salvation of the Jewish people and makeshift sack. In went all the food his wife Haman's downfall. had prepared for their own Purim feast  the Afterwards, when the Rebbitzen arrived challos, hamantaschen, cookies, fruit and other home from shul, she had a surprise waiting for

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Ki Sissa - Purim / [email protected] her. She approached the kitchen and the they sent him extra mishlo'ach manos that year pantry to prepare the meal and lo and behold, to make sure he and his family had a proper nothing was to be found! Where were the fish feast as well. Of course, they sent the poor and the chicken? What happened to the family gifts as well, and the Jews of Berditchev challos? Where had all the food gone? rejoiced! In a state of shock, she headed for her (Ma’asei Tzaddikim Purim p28 in the name of sefer husband's study where the answer awaited Chagei Yisrael U'Moadav) her, clearly etched on the Rebbe's glowing face. His countenance shown with that great holy Rav Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson of light of satisfaction she recognized so well. She Lubavitch, known as the Rebbe Rayatz, once realized who the thief and culprit was, and she said the following during the course of his quietly left the room, scraped together some Purim seudah: leftovers, added a little of this and a pinch of There are people who do not see evil in that and put together a meal of some sort. others. Meanwhile, the poor woman was busy The fact that the holy Berditchever telling all of her friends about the heavenly always advocated on behalf of and taught the Purim gifts, the shalach manos she received merits of others are not simply nice stories. from none other than Eliyahu HaNavi who Rather, they reflect the fact that he saw the delivered them and wished her husband a good that can be found within each and every happy Purim! However, the Jews of Berditchev one of us all. knew their Rav too well! They guessed that he (Likkutei Dibburim V Purim of 5691 / 1931 Chap 42:2) had trod in Eliyahu's shoes that night and so, nnn Y MASHAL UMELITZA Z THE CROWN AMONG THE RAGS lie in secret, watching and waiting for the There was once a king who needed to royal entourage to pass by. Then, they would relocate the capital of his kingdom to a new launch a surprise attack and steal his royal city. His ministers and courtiers gathered the secrets. And so, he hired the best guards and royal effects, all of his possessions and precious armed them well to protect and guard his things were accounted for, locked away in procession and all of his possessions while on chests and trunks and carted off to the new the road, en route to his new palace. destination. The king worried about his royal The matter did not end there. The documents. They contained state secrets and king’s greatest fear was the crown jewels. His matters of great importance. The king most valuable possession was the crown itself shuddered to think what would happen if and he was loathe to think what would happen these would fall into the hands of enemy if it was captured and stolen. His wisest diplomats. He was sure that there were spies advisers had a plan. His majesty’s men would lurking about and that through great skill and gather the foulest, dirtiest, smelliest old rags espionage they would send highway robbers to and wrap the crown in them. No one would 5
Ki Sissa - Purim / [email protected] ever guess to look there for the crown! And so, miss the opportunity. the crown jewels were secretly smuggled into The Kuzhmirer Rebbe told the the new royal capital, hidden among of bunch following parable: of dirty, moth eaten old rags and no one knew! There was once a man who saw a The Rebbes of Slonim would use this coach that was stuck in the mud. The horses parable to explain the way our sages protected pulled and pulled but to no avail. The coach the “Crown” of Hashem on Purim. The seforim was stuck. Then, someone brought a lever, and explain that on Purim we have an amazing using the lever and the jack, pried and pushed opportunity to ask Hashem and be answered. the coach out of the mud. A fool watching this This amazing opportunity, He grants us had an idea. He reasoned foolishly, that if one through the mitzvah of the mishteh hayayin. lever and jack could achieve what four horses The Zohar says that Yom KiPurim is on a lower harnessed to the coach could not, why not just status than Purim. On Yom Kippur, when we do away with the horses and harness four recite (nusach Sefard) Kesser  great, supernal levers and jacks to the coach instead?! With lights shine for us and their splendor grants us this irrational logic, he harnessed his coach to answers to our tefillos. This crown or Kesser, is four levers and jacks and thought that surely, revealed the entire day of Purim  for 24 he would be on his way. But, what a fool! Of hours. However, in order to protect the crown course the coach could go nowhere. from ‘bandits and thieves’  lowly people who When people saw him, they jeered at would misuse and abuse this, Chazal dressed him and yelled, “Fool! The lever and the jack the crown in a bunch of dirty old rags. They help you get out of the mud when you are ordered us to drink on Purim! stuck, but to travel, you need to harness (Be’er HaParsha Purim) horses!” He who knows how to drink and not So it is with drinking, said the become roaring drunk and sick  he can use Kuzhmirer. Sometimes, a person sinks into the that force to tap into the supernal realm muck and mire. His heart is sad and heavy, to known as “Ad Delo Yada,” a place that the lift his depression and ease his mood, he uses a seforim, (see Belavavi Mishkan Evneh lever to get himself out of the mud. A drink of Moadim), say, is beyond the difference brandy, some spirits and a l’chaim take him between good and evil (RADL”A – Reisha Delo out of the mud. However, someone who thinks Isyada). A place where the Arizal taught that he can use the lever and the jack in the place we can recognize the Divinity and Good sparks of horses to drive his coach all the time  is a even within the most dark and evil place. fool! However, most people only see the dirty, stinky (Divrei Yisrael Toras Kuzhmir) and smelly rags  the drunkenness, and they

nnn Y FROM THE MAGGID'S TABLE Z Rav Elimelech Biderman told the The first Gerrer Rebbe, author of following story: Chiddushei HaRim (Yahrzeit 23 Adar), used to

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Ki Sissa - Purim / [email protected] relate the following story about the holy Ba’al than sterling reputation, who knew how he Shem Tov to illustrate the same concept as the might abuse such a power?! Therefore, the mashal above, regarding drinking on Purim: stipulation and condition was made that he There was once a terrible sinner. This would become a roaring drunkard. He would Jew was such a sinner that he had saved up a be such a drunk that he would spend most of large sum of money just to go and sin. On his his life in such an alcoholic stupor that he way, he passed by a pit and emerging from the might almost never have clarity of mind or depths, he heard pitiful crying and moaning. understanding. And so it was. He went to see what it was and he discovered a One year, there was a terrible drought miserable family of impoverished fellow Jews and there was a desperate need for rain. The who had fallen on hard times. Unable to pay situation grew worse and worse. The the local poritz his taxes and dues, the local chassidim came and begged the holy Ba’al feudal lord had thrown them into the pit. Shem Tov to intercede and plead to Hashem There, imprisoned in his dungeon, the poor and rescind the decree… but their pleas fell on Jews were waiting for ransom. When he asked deaf ears. “I cannot help you,” explained the them how much they owed the poritz, he was holy Ba’al Shem Tov, “but I shall send you to quite astonished and simultaneously dismayed someone who can. Beware however, for he will that the amount of the debt matched his sinful appear to you as a drunkard, yet hidden savings to a penny! Now, an inner struggle of within, he has the power of prayer and opposing forces began, should he free the blessing to succeed in making it rain.” captives and redeem them, or should he ignore The chassidim traveled to the place the their pleas and be on his way, off to his holy Ba’al Shem Tov had described and they predetermined destination of sin. In the end, found him, the town drunk, lying in the gutter. his Jewish heart won, and he gave up all his Day in and day out, he would drink himself savings to redeem the Jewish captives and he into such stupors that he neither spoke saved the entire family’s lives. anything intelligible nor was he able to This act caused a great uproar on High recognize them or understand what they in the Heavens. A great dispute broke out wanted from him. Day after day, they observed among the ministering angels and the differing him, searching for that opening of lucidity of factions in the High Court of Heavenly Justice. mind. One morning, when he awoke, before he The sides of mercy and kindness wished to began his drink of the day, they finally caught award him with eternal salvation for this great him sober enough to hear them out. When he mitzvah done with selfsacrifice, yet the sides first heard their request, he laughed it off and of justice and judgment wanted to deal harshly reached for the next bottle. But the chassidim with him, for his past criminal record was were desperate and when they mentioned the besmirched with many misdeeds, sins and name of the Holy Ba’al Shem Tov and that he transgressions. Finally, the decision was to had sent them, the drunkard agreed to help grant him a boon  whoever he blessed and them. whatever he prayed for  his wish would be He wobbled to his feet and began to granted. However, due to his dark past and less

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daven for rain. As he said Mashiv HaRuach , a Purim  to safeguard the special gift, for the strong gust of wind blew. Soon it turned into a Megillah tells us that the KING promised roaring gale, bringing with it thick dark ra in (Esther 7:2), “Whatever is your wish , request it clouds. By the time his lips finished sounding and it shall be granted and given to you .” the words Morid HaGeshem, a torrential Hashem grants our pray ers and requests on rainfall had begun. Afterwards, he resumed his Purim as an especially auspicious time . life of drunkenness and so his power was Therefore, Chazal instituted the mitzvah to protected once more. drink so this power should not be abused. The Gerrer Rebbe used this tale to (Be’er HaChaim Purim p220) explain why Chazal instituted drinking on

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Y GEDGEDGED OLIM BE'MISASAM YOSER Z YAHRZEITS FOR WEEK FOLLOWING PARSHAS KI SISSA http://www.chinuch.org/gedolim_yahrtzeits/AdarI Biographical information and yahrzeits compiled by Reb Manny Saltiel and www.anshe.org

ththth + 181818 of Adar ~ Begins Sun day Night ( Mar 8th )  Rav Alexander Ziskind , born in Brzhen, but lived most of his life in Horodna (Grodno, Belarus) . He authored the mussar work, Yesod V' Shoresh Ha'avoda, a s well as Karnei Ohr, a commentary on the Zohar (1700-1794);  Rav Chanoch Henoch HaKohen , the Alexander Rebbe. He was a disciple of Rav Simcha Bun im of Pshis'cha, Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk and the Chidushei Ha Rim (1798-1870) ;  Rav Nachum Mordechai Friedman , the Tchortkover Rebbe (1946);  Rav Yechezkel Levenstein , Mashgiach of Ponevezh. He served as Mashgiach at the Mir in Eretz Yi srael, then upon the passing of Rav Dessler , at Ponevezh (1885-1974);  Rav Moshe Weber . He would go to the Western Wa ll from his home in Meah Shearim nearly every day to pray and to help visitors wrap tefillin. Less publicly, he distributed enormous sums of tzedakah to the city's poor. The Lubavitcher Rebbe said of him that he is one of the holiest and kindest people in the world. He published several volumes of Torah insights in Yarim Moshe ;  Rav Yitzchak Shlomo Zilberman (1928-2001). ththth + 191919 of Adar ~ Begins Mon day Night ( Mar 9th )  Rav Dovid of Dinov, father of Rav Tzvi Elimelech Shapira. Rav Dovid was the author of Tzemach Dovid and the son of Rav Tzvi Elimelech, the Bnei Yissoschar (1874);  Rav Meir Yechiel Haldshtok , founder of the court of Ostrovtze. A talmid of Rav Elimelech of Grodzinsk, a scion of the Kozhnitzer dynasty. Rav Meir Yechiel’s intricate sermons , which drew heavily on gematria, came to be known as "Ostgrovotze pshetlach." They have been collected in Meir Einei Chachamim, and his teachings on Bereishis in Ohr Torah (1851-1928) ;  Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld , Av Beis Din and Rav of Yerushalayim be fore the State of Israel was established (1848-1932);

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 Rav Yehuda Greenwald , Av Bais Din of Satmar, author of Shevet MiYehuda;  Rav Shmuel Engel . Born in Tarno, Galicia. Rav of Radomishla (Radimishla) from 1888. Authored Sheilos U'Teshuvos Maharash (1853-1935);  Rav Yitzchak Kalish , Amshenover Rebbe, New York. Son of Rav Yosef Kalish of Amshinov, grandson of Rav Menachem Kalish of Amshinov (1993);  Rav Yaakov Chaim Jofen (Yaffen), Rosh Yeshiva of Bais Yosef. He began giving shiurim at Yeshiva Bais Yosef, and continued to do so for the next sixty years (1917-2003). ththth + 202020 of Adar ~ Begins Tuesday Night (Mar 10 th )  Rav Meir Schiff , the Maharam Schiff. [6 th of Nissan according to Yated 2007] (1608-1644);  Rav Yoel Sirkes of Cracow, (the Bach), author of Bayis Chadash on the Tur, in which he traced each law to its source in the Gemara. In his youth, he studied under Rav Shlomo Leibush of Lublin and Rav Meshulam Feivush in Brisk. He had several rabbinic appointments throughout Poland, lastly as Chief Rav of Cracow in 1619. He was the teacher and father-in-law of Rav Dovid HaLevy, the Taz (1561-1641);  Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach , Rav in Shaarei Chesed neighborhood of Yerushalayim, author of Minchas Shlomo. His brother-in-law was Rav Shalom Schwadron. His piskei halacha on Shabbos are found throughout the sefer Shmiras Shabbos KeHilchasa, written by his talmid Rav Yehoshua Neuwirth (1910-1995);  Rav Raphael Blum , the Kashau Rav, who replanted his Chasidic community from Europe to Bedford Hills in Westchester County, NY (1910-2005). ththth + 212121 of Adar ~ Begins Wenesday Night (Mar 11 th )  Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk, author of Noam Elimelech. Learned under the Maggid of Mezritch. Among his students were Rav Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta, The Chozeh of Lublin, the Maggid of Kozhnitz, and Rav Menachem Mendel of Rimanov (1717-1787);  Rav Yitzchak Elchonon Spector , Rav of Kovno, Rav Itzele Ponevezher, Rosh Yeshiva in Slabodka and Ponevezh (1817-1896);  Rav Moshe Shmuel Glasner , a great-grandson of the Chasam Sofer. Was born in Pressburg and later moved with his family to Klausenberg, where his father served as Rav. Rav Moshe succeeded his father in that post in 1878. His best known work is Dor Revi'i on Tractate Chullin, in which he explains those places where Rambam's understanding differs from that of other Rishonim (1924);  Rav Shlomo Yosef Zevin , editor of the Talmudical Encyclopedia (1976);  Rav Yitzchak Horowitz of Stetchin. His father was a direct descendent of Rav Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz, and his uncle was the Imrei Noam of Dzikov. Rav Yitzchak was succeeded by his son Rav Yehuda, who moved to New York before passing away in 1982 (1862-1940);  Tchaber Rav of London (1989);  RebRebReb Avraham Dov Kohn , Principal of Gateshead Seminary;  Rav Doniel Schur . A strong presence in Cleveland’s Jewish community as a Rav, mohel and educator. He was appointed Rav of Bais Midrash Hagadol-Heights Jewish Center (2006). ththth + 222222 of Adar ~ Begins Thursday Night (Mar 12 th )  Rav Yaakov of Novominsk. Father of Rav Yehuda Aryeh Perlow of Vlodova (1878-1961) and Rav Alter Yisrael Shimon Perlow of Novominsk (1902);  Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein . Born in Bobroysk, author of the Aruch HaShulchan, Rav of Novardok for 34 years, father of Rav Baruch HaLevy Epstein (author of Torah Temima) and grandfather of Rav Meir Bar-Ilan, with whom he learned in Novardok (1829-1908);  Rav Eliezer Dovid of Radoshitz (1927);  Rav Avraham Dov Ber KahanaKahanaShapiroShapiro , Chief Rav of Kovno before and during World War II (1870-1943);  Rav ReuveReuvenn Grozovsky , Rosh Yeshiva Kamenitz and Torah Vodaas (1896-1958); 9
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 Rav Yisrael Moshe Dushinsky . Born in Chust, Hungary, to Rav Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky, Rav of Chust later to become Rav and Av Bais Din of the Eida Charedis of Yerushalayim. He became S’gan Bais Din after the Satmar Rebbe’s petira and the Av Bais Din in 1996 (1921-2003);  Rav Yeshaya Shimonowitz , Rosh Yeshiva Rav Yaakov Yosef, U.S. ththth + 232323 of Adar ~ Begins Friday Night (Mar 13 th )  Rav Chaim Cheikel (Chaikel) of Amdur (Indura). Born to Rav Shmuel in Karlin, he was a disciple of the Vilna Gaon, and later became a student of Rav Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezeritch. He authored Chaim VaChesed (1787);  Rav Yitzchak Yaakov Rabinowitz of Biala (Divrei Bina) (1905);  Rav Raphael Shapiro , the Toras Raphael, Rosh Yeshiva Volozhin (1837-1921);  Rav Michel Dovid Rozovsky . Born in Svarjen, near Stoibetz, he learned in Mir and Volozhin. After his marriage, he was appointed Rav in Grodna, in which capacity he remained for 40 years. He was the father of three sons - Rav Yehoshua Heschel, who served as Rav in Grodna, Rav Yosef, who served as Rosh Yeshiva of Ohr Yisrael in Petach Tikva and Rav Shmuel, who would become Rosh Yeshiva in Ponevezh in Bnai Brak (1869-1935);  Rav Yitzchak Meir Alter of Ger (Chidushei HaRim) (1799-1866);  Rav Shlomo Zafrani , born in Aram Soba (Aleppo). He became a close disciple of Rav Ezra Sha'in. Together with Rav Moshe Tawil, he founded the Degel HaTorah Yeshiva (1970);  Rav Yehuda Moshe Danziger (Danzcyger), Alexander Rebbe of Bnai Brak (Emunas Moshe) (1973);  Rav Yisrael Grossman . Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshiva Chabad for 30 years. He also served as a dayan for the Bais Din of Agudas Yisrael for over 40 years and later opened a Bais Din for monetary laws with Rav Betzalel Zolti and helped found Mifal Hashas (1922-2007).

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Y GEDOLIM BE’MASAYHEM Z STORIES & ANECDOTES

Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld ,,, 11191999ththth of Adar Av Bais Din and Rav of Yerushalayim

Before the modern Zionist movement this community lived in cities such as began at the end of the 19th century, there Yerushalayim, Tiberias, and Tsfas (Safed); was already a Jewish community living in the moreover, in Yerushalayim – during the Eretz Yisrael, and this community was 19th and early 20th centuries  they began to committed to the Torah path. This spiritual build new Jewish neighborhoods outside the community later became known as the Yishuv walls of the Old City. During this period, they HaYashan – the Old Settlement. Part of also began to establish agricultural settlements the Yishuv HaYashan had been living in the where people could work the Holy Land in the Land for many centuries. This ancient holistic spirit of the Torah. Rav Yosef Chaim community was reinforced by the followers of Sonnenfeld became a major leader of this the Ba’al Shem Tov and the Vilna Gaon who community, and he was very much involved in came to the Land in the late 18th and early the efforts to renew and strengthen Jewish life 19th centuries. The majority of the members of in the Holy Land. As Rav Yosef Chaim

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Sonnenfeld said, the Eretz Yisrael is “the Holy expense to improve the quality of my matzoh. Land, to which Hashem affords special Furthermore, I pray that Hashem grant me the supervision, from which blessing emanates to merit of having matzoh that meets the strictest the rest of the world, and in which Hashem’s standard, and I trust that Hashem will accept prophets foresaw the future happiness of all my prayer, for He knows how intense my humanity.” desire is to fulfill this mitzvah in the best Rav Yosef Chaim was born on the 6th possible manner. However, to obtain mehudar of Kislev, 5609 (1848), and he passed away on matzos at the expense of rebuking a poor the 19th of Adar II, 5692 (1932). We will laborer – the gain in terms of mitzvah quality share with you three stories which reveal his would be canceled out by the loss!” deep understanding of the ethical teachings of Rav Yosef Chaim did not want to halacha: achieve a higher standard of “kosher for It is written, You shall safeguard the Passover” matzoh at the expense of hurting the matzos (Exodus 12:17). In Hebrew, the worker’s feelings. Consideration for someone’s word matzos has the same letters as mitzvos; feelings is also a mitzvah, as the Torah states, thus, the sages explain that the verse can be “You shall not hurt the feelings of one another” read as, You shall safeguard the mitzvos. In the (Leviticus 25:17). Rav Yosef Chaim added that following story, Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld perhaps this is what the sages had in mind finds within this teaching of the sages an when they said that the words, safeguard the ethical message: matzos, can be read as safeguard the Rav Yosef Chaim took painstaking care mitzvos. This is to teach us, said Rav Yosef when baking his matzos to ensure that Chaim, to take the following approach: “When everything should proceed according to the baking matzos, one must remember that there strictest standards, beyond the minimum are other mitzvos besides matzoh in the Torah, requirements of the halacha. This stricter and that care should be taken to observe them standard is known as mehudar. It once scrupulously as well!” happened that one of those assisting him in  matzoh baking pointed out to him that one of A “chazzan” – cantor – is the person the workers who were kneading the dough who leads the congregation in prayer. Rav was not doing such a good job in terms of the Nachum Bergman served for many years as stricter standards. He suggested to Rav Yosef the chazzan on the High Holidays in the Chaim that the worker be admonished and Yerushalayim synagogue where Rav Yosef told to work faster and more efficiently. Chaim davened (prayed). He usually led the Rav Yosef Chaim declined, however, prayers during “Mussaf” – the concluding saying, “I refuse to distress a poor worker by section of the morning prayers. One year, Rav admonishing him to work harder than he Nachman Bergman passed away at the end of already does, just because I want my matzos to the month of Elul, just over a week before Rosh be a notch more mehudar! I, for my part, am Hashana. It was generally assumed that Rav willing to undergo the greatest effort and Nachman’s son, who although was quite

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Ki Sissa - Purim / [email protected] capable of leading the service, would not woman would certainly ache terribly. What succeed him that year, as there is a custom that greater honor for the congregation could there someone who is in a period of mourning does be than for it to ease her sorrow by letting her not lead the services on Shabbos or on a Yom hear the sweet tones of her son’s voice  so Tov (Festival). much like his father’s  take up the chant he The reason a mourner is not permitted had sung for so long. to be a chazzan on these holy days is out of Rav Yosef Chaim also told the respect for the feelings of the congregation, so congregants that the need to avoid causing that the mourner’s sadness not mar the joyous added grief to the widow takes precedence spirit of these days. Rav Yosef Chaim told over the usual custom, as causing pain to a the gabbaim – synagogue officials  who were widow constitutes a Torah prohibition (Exodus in charge of organizing the services that they 22:21). should not worry about who would serve as  chazzan on Rosh Hashana. The gabbaim A rich woman who had been married therefore assumed that Rav Yosef Chaim for many years without bearing children came would lead the prayers that year. to the Rav of Budapest with a large sum of On the first day of Rosh Hashana, Rav money. She wanted to donate the money to the Yosef Chaim went over to the departed Rav in order that he would daven for her to be chazzan’s son, Rav Shimon, and asked him to blessed with children. approach the podium and serve as chazzan for "I'll give you an eitzah" said the Rav. Musaf. The gabbaim – along with everyone "Send the money to Rav Yosef Chaim else in the congregation – were puzzled at the Sonnenfeld, the Rav of Yerushalayim. He's a Rav’s unconventional action. great Tzaddik, and Hashem will surely listen to After the services, Rav Yosef Chaim his tefillah and you'll merit Zera Shel Kayama." explained to the wondering circle of people The woman agreed to the Rav's who gathered around him the basis for his suggestion, and she sent the money to the Rav decision not to follow the usual custom. The of Yerushalayim. A few weeks passed and the reason a mourner is not generally permitted to husband of the woman came to the Rav, and lead the services on Shabbos and Yom Tov, he complained bitterly to him, "Why did you send explained, is out of respect for the feelings of the money without my knowledge?! I demand the congregation, so that the mourner’s that you send a letter immediately to the Rav of sadness not mar their spirit on these holy days. Yerushalayim requesting that he return the Imagine, however, how the unfortunate widow money." would feel if, at the point in the service where she had heard her husband chant with soulful The Rav was very upset by the tones the introductory prayer of husband's demand and said, "I'll give you the Mussaf, Hinnini HeAni MeMaas, she now whole amount from my pocket, as long as you heard a new and unfamiliar voice chant this don't demand the money back from the Rav of prayer. The heart of this so recently bereaved Yerushalayim." While they were still discussing the 12
Ki Sissa - Purim / [email protected] details of getting the money back, the postman and I request from the Rav that he return the arrived with an envelope for the Rav of money to the woman as quickly as possible. It Budapest. The Rav opened the envelope and should be understood that I didn't refrain from was astounded to find a letter in it from the the fulfilling the woman's request because of Rav of Yerushalayim accompanied by the full this. I davened fervently for her, and may my amount of money the man's wife had sent to tefillos be accepted before Avinu him. Sh’Beshamayim." The Rav had written, "I received the The above stories help to connect us to letter with the money enclosed. However, since the loving holiness of this great sage. Through the Rav wrote that the woman gave him the studying the lives and deeds of the great sages money, I suspected that she might have done of previous generations, we become their this without the permission of her husband. spiritual children, and this connection Because of this, I am sending back the money, becomes a source of blessing and merit for us. nnn Rav Dovid of DynowDynow,,,, 11191999ttththhh ooofofff AAAdAdddaaaarrrr Tzemach Dovid Once the chassidim sat in the Bais something as collateral for the loan. The way Midrash together next to the Rebbe's study of the world is that whoever holds on to discussing what would be better to serve collateral doesn’t take care of it well, till the Hashem? Would it be better to study and serve day he has to return it. Then, he cleans it off, Hashem late into the night or would it be dusts it and polishes it so that it looks good as better to go to sleep early and rise early for new before it is to be returned to its owner. avodas Hashem? Similarly, each and every one of us has a holy As they were discussing this, the soul, a neshama which Hashem has entrusted Tzemach Dovid's door opened and the Rebbe us with as collateral on loan from Hashem, so came in and said, “What are you doing here to speak. Therefore, each and every one of us now! Go to bed!” The chassidim got their must see to it that we safeguard the soul and at answer! least every evening when we give her back to Then, the Tzemach Dovid explained the our Maker, we should see to it that we clean avoda of sleep with a mashal, a parable: and keep the neshama pure from any stains that might besmirch her. A person once lent money and took

nnn Rav Yoel SirkisSirkis.... 22202000ttththhh ooofofff AAAdAdddaaaarrrr Bais Chadash – Bach on the Tur There is a wellknown story that in Krakow would come to the local butcher and Krakow, where the Bach was the chief Rav, baker and would be able to get free meat, there was a great rich man who used to feed bread and challos. No one in Krakow knew the poor in secret. Every week the poor of that the rich man was secretly funding this

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Ki Sissa - Purim / [email protected] charity. In fact, to the outside world the rich they realized who their true benefactor had man appeared stingy and tight fisted. When been  all too late! the charity collectors came around he ignored However, the Satan was given free them (having given all his charity money to reign to punish the townsfolk in Krakow for fund the poor people's food). He continued in their dishonor of the truly righteous rich man. this way for many years, no one knew his A great plague attacked the city and the death secret. The townsfolk assumed he was just a toll mounted daily. The city elders dispatched a wicked stingy old man. The rich man liked it representative to the Rav, Rav Yoel Sirkis better this way since he knew that any honor author of the Bach on the Tur. “Please holy he would have gotten in this world detracted saintly Tzaddik! Save us and all of Krakow! from his heavenly reward for charity. Before we have no choice but to demote you One day, the old rich man passed away. from the position of chief Rav and choose The Chevra Kaddisha knowing his openly someone who can save us!” they cried. The wicked ways as a stingy miser dug his grave Bach asked for three day’s time. He prayed and outside the cemetery gates, a spot reserved for asked Heaven to reveal the reason for the the wicked. Even the Shammas of the grave decree. When the Satan revealed to him the diggers gave the corpse' backside a good slap entire story, how the rich man had charitably and chuckled saying, “well in your lifetime, sustained the poor and destitute in secret and you never gave any charity, so let’s see you be how he had been buried in shame and charitable in the grave!” The townsfolk disgrace, he quickly summoned the elders and disparaged the dead man and accompanied the city council and explained the situation to with jeering, booing and hissing  he was them. Then, he and the elders, immediately buried amidst insults and dishonor. went to the bais hachaim. When they arrived Meanwhile in Heaven, his judgment was at the cemetery to disinter and remove the rich straight to Gan Eden, bypassing the Satan's man's body and rebury him in honor, the accusations for charity done in secret covers Shammas who had disparaged and ridiculed all sins and iniquities, and further he had the corpse died on the spot. They buried him shunned honor and suffered dishonor in instead in the spot reserved for the wicked death. outside the cemetery gates. They then reburied Meanwhile the poor came in droves the rich man in his proper place with honor begging for food and sustenance from the befitting a tzaddik. All thanks to the Bach's butcher and baker. The butcher and baker instructions based on the Heavenly revelation turned them away emptyhanded explaining he had. (The grave is visible until today.) that they had been giving them charity from a secret donor who was no longer around. Then nnn

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Rebbe Reb Elimelech of LizenskLizensk,,,, 22202000ttththhh ooofofff AAAdAdddaaaarrrr Author of Noam Elimelech

Who can comprehend the holiness and there was never another cantor like him in the sanctity of Rebbe Reb Elimelech? He and his world! famous and illustrious brother, the holy Rebbe Once, this chazzan visited our master Reb Zisha of Anippoli both sent themselves in the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk, there their youth into selfimposed exile, wandering proceeded to be a disagreement between Rebbe from city to city and country to country to Elimelech and his son, our master, Rav Elazar cause their brethren to repent and return to whether they should honor the chazzan by Hashem  to transform them into Ba'alei asking him to lead the services for Kabbalas Teshuvah and to purify the hearts of the Shabbos or not. The Rebbe Reb Elimelech was Jewish people, Bnai Yisrael, and to instill in afraid that the chazzan's singing would them the fear of His name and the love of interrupt and distract him from his holy ways. Hashem. The chazzan was accompanied by a twoman (Ohel Elimelech #1) choir of singers, with one called Bass and another Zinger. After much deliberation, they To truly understand the Rebbe Reb agreed to honor him to sing with his choir. Elimelech and the impact he had on chassidus, This was done in respect for the awe and we must understand that many of the masters reverence of the holy Ba'al Shem Tov, since this believed that the Rebbe Reb Elimelech had chazzan was known as the Ba'al Shem Tov's spiritual powers similar to the founder of chazzan. And they decided to honor him and chassidus, the holy Ba'al Shem Tov. And to whatever would be would be. understand some of what powers and lofty They began the Kabbalas Shabbos levels were attributed to the Ba'al Shem Tov, service and the Rebbe Reb Elimelech sent word we tell the following tale: to ask the Zinger to step down. They continued Rav Yitzchak Isaac Yehudah Yechiel of singing and finally the Rebbe Reb Elimelech Komarna, author of Heichal HaBrachah, wrote: could no longer contain himself and he sent My fatherin law and teacher, Rav Avraham word to ask both the cantor and the Bass Mordechai of Pintshov once related the accompaniment to step down as well. He following story. Once, one of our master’s  the explained that the great and holy spiritual Ba'al Shem Tov's students asked him what light and holy illumination which their holy occupation he should undertake and the Ba'al singing had brought down from the Heavens Shem Tov told him to become a chazzan. “But I was so strong and powerful that the Rebbe Reb do not know how to sing,” protested the Elimelech feared that his entire existence was student. “I will connect and bind you to the at stake and that his soul would simply expire! olam ha'niggun – the world of song,” the Ba’al For the rest of the entire Shabbos, he honored Shem tov replied. My fatherinlaw and the chazzan very much but did not allow him teacher told me that he knew this chazzan and to lead the services for fear that once again his

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Ki Sissa - Purim / [email protected] life would be at stake. On Motzai Shabbos, the entire Torah and in the languages of all the Rebbe Reb Elimelech called and sent for the creatures and the languages of the angels. He chazzan so that he might relate to the Rebbe was full of love and fear of Hashem and had some tales of the holy and lofty spiritual levels many virtues; he was pious, humble and full of and sanctity of the Ba'al Shem Tov. He told Ahavas Yisrael – one who loves Jews. And he great and wondrous tales the likes of which no said that any of the spiritual levels written ear had ever heard before and the primary praising the AriZal, were true regarding the thread that wove between them all was the Ba'al Shem Tov as well and that he even had Ba'al Shem Tov's great love and fear of more! Even though that which was committed Hashem. And how his lofty soul would rise up to writing regarding the AriZal was but a drop to all the higher realms even while he was in the ocean of the true level of the AriZal. awake and without stirring, and how he would He also retold how every Erev Shabbos gaze at the chambers of Torah and the Chariot. during Mincha, thousands and myriads of And how when he would recite the Hallel souls would come to the Ba'al Shem Tov HaGadol, he did not recite each verse until he requesting a tikkun to rectify the roots of their actually saw the angel associated with it and souls. heard his song and then he would sing it He also told the Rebbe Reb Elimelech together with him. how the Ba'al Shem Tov was able to see from His sanctity and separation from one end of the world to the other. And how worldly matters from the day he was born was once he was sitting together with his students legendary. He would speak with the souls of and he chuckled and laughed a bit. When the the Tzaddikim who had passed on as well as students asked the Ba'al Shem Tov why he with Eliyahu the Prophet and especially with laughed he explained: “In a certain city in a far the holy and Gdly AriZal who were all off land, a great minister spent many years to present with him at all times. Once, the holy build a beautiful palace. And just now a great Ba'al Shem Tov asked the AriZal why he and righteous Tzaddik was going to pray revealed Hashem's secrets in such an open Mincha, the afternoon prayer. Just then a great manner and not clothed through the avodah, downpour of rain began and the Tzaddik took the service of Hashem? The AriZal answered shelter from the deluge in that palace. When him, that had he lived just two more years he the Tzaddik left, after the rain had abated and would have succeeded in rectifying everything. he continued on his way to the synagogue, the The chazzan related how the Ba'al entire palace collapsed to the ground. How can Shem Tov's soul would sometimes rise to the I not laugh at the hidden manner in which this higher realms and leave his body lifeless, and world operates? The true purpose of this great how he would converse with the Moshiach and magnificent palace was only to shelter and with [Moshe] the faithful shepherd and that Tzaddik for a fleeting moment from the what they would answer him. He was an rain. In this way, the Tzaddik affected a tikkun, expert and knowledgeable in the work of and rectified all the stones and all the sparks Creation, the work of the Chariot – Masay within them. Why should they remain Bereshis and Masay Merkavah as well as in the standing for no purpose? Therefore, they all

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Ki Sissa - Purim / [email protected] fell down to the ground.” Afterwards this himself had also achieved, or similar to them. incident of the building's destruction was Afterwards, at a later date the chazzan printed in the newspaper gazettes and how it passed away and within thirty days of his somehow fell for no reason and it happened at passing on Erev Shabbos the Bass singer that time. returned from the mikva and came home. As He further told the Rebbe Reb he came home, he told his wife, “Quick, hurry Elimelech how our master the holy and Gdly and call the Chevra Kaddisha and tell the Ba'al Shem Tov upon seeing any piece of members of the burial society to come furniture or some vessel such as a table or immediately.” Saying so, he hastened to his bench, he would be able to discern the room and explained, “They have just honored thoughts that the artisan had had when he was my dear friend, the chazzan of the Ba'al Shem fashioning that vessel. At this, the Rebbe Reb Tov to lead the services for Kabbalas Shabbos Elimelech was greatly astonished. in heaven, and he does not wish to do so Afterwards, the chazzan stood on his without me.” He lay himself down in bed and feet and offered his testimony that once they passed away. were studying Torah before the holy Ba'al (From the Handwritten Manuscript of Rav Yitzchak Isaac Shem Tov and a holy fire blazed around them of Komarna – found in Introduction to Sefer Ba'al Shem and encircled them until they were so refined Tov on the Torah – Kuntres Meiras Enyaim # 27-32) that they received the Torah from the Ba’al Shem Tov just as the Jews had received it at His Praises Mount Sinai  with thunder and lightning and There is a tradition that the stars in the the strong sounds of the shofar's blast. It was sefer Noam Elimelech are there to signify any just like at Mount Sinai. The sounds [of the place where the author, Rebbe Reb Elimelech shofar and thunder] heard at Mount Sinai experienced an aliyas neshama  a journey of never ceased since they were Gdly sounds  the soul to the supernal realms or the and one needs sanctity and refinement to hear revelation of Eliyahu HaNavi. them even today. There is another tradition that the The holy Rebbe Reb Elimelech replied Rebbe Reb Elimelech appeared in a dream to that he had not merited this but that was no Rav Yehoshua of Belz and told him that anyone wonder since the holy Rav Yisrael Ba'al Shem who studies his words would be considered Tov was very, very great. Especially, since he one of his students. served Hashem on the banks of the Dneister which is a place of purity, and that he received Rav Yitzchak Isaac of Kalev wrote a Torah from the mouth of Achaya HaShiloni  300 page commentary to the sefer Noam happy is he who is human and merited this! Elimelech and did not print it when a heavenly Those who were present and understood what voice asked him to refrain from doing so. had been said, understood from this that all the Rav Chaim of Sanz wanted to write a other aforementioned forms of holiness and commentary to the Noam Elimelech the length lofty spiritual levels the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of the Bais Yosef on the Tur, however he refrained since he was afraid that he would

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Ki Sissa - Purim / [email protected] not correctly interpret its meaning. would have been alive during the time of the (Tagim, page 46) Prophets, he would have been a Prophet. And if The holy Divrei Chaim of Sanz related the Rebbe Reb Elimelech would have been alive in the name of the Holy Rav Naftali of Ropshitz during the time of the Avos (our patriarchs) that if the Rebbe Reb Elimelech had been alive then we would be saying “The Gd of during the time period of the Amoraim Elimelech,” just as we recite in our prayers “the (authors of the Talmud and Gemara) or Gd of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov.” Tanaim (authors of the Mishnah), he himself (Si’ach Zekainim I, page 6) would have been an Amora or Tanna; and if he nnn Y SEGULOS YISRAEL Z THE MEGILLAH ––– SEGULAH FOR TESHUVA, KAKABBBBBBAAAALLLLOOOOSS HATORAH The Tzaddikim say that the time of The Dzikover said, “I kept turning back Megillah reading is a segulah and an and forth not knowing who to observe, my auspicious time to make kabbalos and accept holy zeide reading the Megillah in purity and upon ourselves the Torah anew and to awaken sanctity, or this chassid pouring out his heart Divine mercy on High. and doing teshuva from the depths of his A story is told of Rav Yiddele Horowitz being. of Dzikov who once observed his holy zeide, The Bais Aharon of Karlin said the Ahavas Yisrael of Vizhnitz, reading the (Shabbos Zachor), that Tzaddikim say that Megillah, aflame with passion, burning with when they look into the Megillah they can see an inner flame of devykus to Hashem. As the the future and whatever will happen that year Rebbe, the Ahavas Yisrael, reached the pasuk is revealed to them in the Megillah. (Esther 3:3), “Maduah Atah Over Es Mitzvas In Eser Oros, it says that when Rav Levi HaMelech – Why do transgress the command Yitzchok recited the blessings of reading the of the king?” the chassid, Reb Shmuel Eliyahu Megillah, he grew so excited he would begin Shtern, applied that verse to himself. For to dance on the bimah and almost on the Tzaddikim say that whoever reads the Megillah! Megillah Lemafre’ah Lo Yatzo – whoever reads The heilige Berditchever Rav writes in the Megillah backwards does not fulfill his Kedushas Levi in Kedusha Rishona of Purim – obligation. In other words, if you read the Every Jewish heart should blaze aflame when Megillah as if it is telling a story of the past, a reading the Megillah. As well, when he hears piece of history  you have not read it the Megillah, he should have in mind that properly. The Megillah is a living story about right now, at this very moment, he accepts us and about today. Therefore, this chassid did upon himself the yoke of the Torah and just that and applied that pasuk to himself. Mitzvos. He should prepare himself by saying “Why?! Why did I go against the command of – the past is over and gone – Mah SheChalaf THE KING, HASHEM?!” And he tearfully began VeAvar Ayin – the past is gone. From now on, I sobbing and doing teshuva. accept upon myself the yoke of Torah and Mitzvos of Hashem Yisborach!

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To all my family and friends, We'd like to wish you a Simchas Purim. As

Chazal state that Purim is on a higher level than Yom Kippur (Yom Kippur is called "Yom Kippurim" - also translated as "a day like Purim" - meaning that Purim is the day we are cleansed and have tremendous ahava towards our Creator. Therefore, we have the unique ability to ask and pray to Hashem to grant us life, health, parnassa and nachas with the expectation of "all those that stretch their arms - are given". May we all be zoche to request the right things at the right time. As always, I'll be looking forward to those individuals that will be spending quite a bit of their time this Purim by the Rebbe - Rav Mordechai Steiner Shlit'a. May Hashem give him strength to continue giving berachos and may they be accepted quickly, Amen. Editor-At-Large

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the ,כ א אדר This Yortziet of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech, (begins Wenesday night, March 11th), I B”H will be tr av eling to Lizhensk to the Kever of the Noam Elimelech. Those interested may email their names to tal.zwe ck [email protected] and I wil l B”H mention their nam es at the Tzion HaKadosh. Donations to help defray the costs are welcome. Thank you

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לזכר ולעילוי נשמת ר ' שלו ב חיה רחל ומרת יוטא בת דבורה מרת ליבא חיה בת ר ' דוד ע ה"

Refuah Sheleimah In Loving Memory of Our Dear Father and Teacher

 Mordechai Tzvi Ben Mindel Esther Leah HaRav HaChassid Avraham Chaim ben Sholom and Frumit זיסל בת אידל סומא |  Zisel Bas Aidel Sima of Micula, Satmar ל''ז Goldenberg  Rivka Bas Malka - Gittel Bas Devora Besoch She'ar Cholei Yisrael A beloved talmid of ל''זצ HaRav Yechezkel Shraga Schonfeld ------and of the Holy Satmar Rav , ע''זי ”To subscribe and/or add to the Refuah Sheleimah list - Ba’al “Divrei Y oel

Please email: [email protected] לעילוי נשמת הרה ח'' ר' אברה חיי ר''ב שלו ל''ז נפטר מוצש ק'' ''כ א שבט תשס ו'' ת נ. צ. ב. .ה. לעילוי נשמת

Yaakov Naftali ben Avraham Hy”d לעילוי נשמת  ר ' שמעו ב ר ' ישראל ז ל"  Gilad Michael ben Ofir Hy”d  Eyal ben Uriel Hy”d

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“Zusha! Meilech! How Could You?” In the waiting room next to the maternity ward of many a hospital in Eretz Yisrael, you may find many copies of one particular sefer. Nurses will tell you about the segulah to place a copy beneath the laboring mother's head, for an easy delivery. This sefer is none other than the Noam Elimelech of the Rebbe Reb Meilech of Lizhensk. What makes it so powerful?

by Tal Zwecker They would yell at each other, "Zusha! Meilech! How could you do such a thing?" With heartrending moans, they would exclaim, In the waiting room next to the maternity ward of many a ""What will you answer to your Creator on the Day of Judgment?" hospitalElimelech in Eretz Yisrael, you may find many copies of one partic- They would cry over the gravity of the offense and how much ular sefer. Nurses will tell you about the segulah to place a copy they must repent. The person would then say to himself, sadly, "I beneath the laboring mother's head, for an easy delivery. (See also have sinned in this manner, and what will I say?" And so he insetI for other segulos.) This sefer is none other than the Noam would repent.4 of the Rebbe Reb Meilech of Lizhensk. What makes this sefer so powerful? Three Stories that are a Segulah for The author of the sefer Noam Elimelech was the holy Rebbe, Parnassah for Pesach Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk. A third-generation talmid of the Baal 1.) A certain Jew was selling brandy before Pesach, to provide Shem Tov, the Rebbe Reb Meilech was, in turn, rebbe and men- for the upcoming holiday expenses. He went from country to tor to many other famous rebbes as well as to countless chas- country, but at one border, the guards seized his barrel, since he sidim. lacked the proper licenses. The Jew quickly traveled to the Rebbe He was first initiated into Chassidus by his famous older Reb Meilech and poured out his heart. The Rebbe Reb Meilech brother, the Rebbe Reb Zusha of Hanipoli, who had made his told him to tell the guards to taste the contents of the barrel; it way to the Baal Shem Tov's successor the great Maggid of was only water. The Jew did as the Rebbe had told him. They Mezritch. There the Rebbe Reb Meilech, his brother Reb Zusha, were surprised to find that the Jew was telling the truth! They re- and many other famous rebbes such as Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of turned the barrel to him, but then he went back to the Rebbe, Berditchev, Rebbe Shmelke of Nikolsberg, Rebbe Menachem crying: "Now how can I provide for my family for the holiday? Nachum of Chernobyl, Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi (author of The barrel of brandy was my only way of earning a livelihood and the Tanya and founder of Chabad), and many others, all drank now it's full of water!" The Rebbe Reb Meilech told him to taste together from the wellsprings of Chassidus, as they learned from the contents of the barrel. To his delight, it was full of brandy the Maggid how to serve Hashem. once again! Among the most famous of the Rebbe Reb Meilech's 2.) A king lost his ring. He proclaimed that he would pay a talmidim are: the Ohev Yisrael Rav of Apta, Reb Mendel Rimi- handsome salary to everyone who searched for it. There was a nover, the Chozeh of Lublin, the Kozhnitzer Maggid, Rebbe Naf- poor Jew who had no money for Pesach. His wife advised him to tali Ropshitzer, and Rebbe Kalonymus Kalman Epstein. After the take up the king's offer. So he joined in the search, and with the Maggid's passing, the mantle of leadership in Galicia passed on money he earned, he bought all the necessities for Pesach. This to Rebbe Elimelech and most of the Maggid's students made Jew was also a generous fellow; he invited many guests for the their way to his doorstep.1 seder that year. A few stories about the Rebbe Reb Elimelech may afford Among the king's advisors was a wicked anti-Semite. On the us the merest glimpse of his greatness. elech. seder night he went to the Jew's home and peeked in through the His student, Rebbe Mendel of Riminov, used to say that only window. When he saw the Jew eating and drinking and not on erev Shabbos, after having immersed in the waters of the searching for the king's ring, he saw his chance. He quickly went mikvah, could he understand even a small section of Noam Elim- back to the palace. "Your Majesty," he said. "You've been fooled. 2 The Rebbe Eliezer of Dzikhov once dreamt that he saw a I'll show you!" The king followed his advisor to the house of the house full of sefarim. One volume was shining particularly poor Jew,and peered in the window. There was the Jew at a table brightly. He went to take the sefer to see why it was so shiny. He full of guests, eating and drinking like a king! Still, the king was dreamt that he was told that it was the sefer Noam Elimelech loath to think ill of his Jewish subject. He told the advisor, "This and that all the books that he saw in the house are all its com- Jew is probably interrogating these men to see if they know the mentaries.3 ring's whereabouts." The holy brothers used to travel together in self-imposed ex- This Jew's custom was that at "Dayenu," he would recite each ile. When the Rebbe Reb Zusha and the Rebbe Reb Meilech saw verse and all the guests would respond, "Dayenu." It so happened the mark of a sin on someone, they would begin to berate each that the advisor's name was none other than Dayenu. Just then, other as if they had committed the transgression themselves. they all answered in chorus "Dayenu!" The king's advisor paled.

32 3.30.05 19 Adar II 5765 33 “Zusha! Meilech! How Could You?”

The king understood this to mean that his coins had burst from it. The poritz then trusted advisor had in fact stolen the ring. admitted, "Now I truly see that it's Seven Segulos from the He commanded his royal guards to seize Hashem Who provides for us all." the advisor and jail him, and he con- Rebbe Reb Meilech fessed to the crime. Tzaddikim are Even Greater 3.) There was a certain Jew who in Death than in Life. worked hard for his landlord, the poritz. The Koznitzer Maggid taught, "My • In the name of Rebbe Mendel One day, the poritz said, "It's lucky for righteous rebbe, the Rebbe Elimelech, of Riminov: It's a segulah to awaken you that I support you. Otherwise, you said that all his life he yearned and de- a desire for repentance to visit the would starve!" In his simple faith, the Jew sired to depart from this physical world gravesite of Rebbe Elimelech of answered, "What are you saying? There's 8 and to stand in the source of holiness, Lizhensk. a G-d in Heaven and He provides for all without the gross material garb [of this • In the name of Rebbe Elim- His creatures. If the poritz won't serve as world]."5 elech: It's a segulah for an easy G-d's agent, G-d will find me another." The holy Rebbe Meir of Premishlan childbirth to eat something every The poritz angrily banished the Jew from used to say, "Whosoever wishes to really, motzaei Shabbos, in honor of the his property. truly attain fear of Heaven should go to Melaveh Malkah. And they should This occurred right before Pesach. the tzion, the gravesite, of the Rebbe Reb say that in honor of the mitzvah of This poor Jew now had no money to buy Meilech in Lyzhansk and pray there; then Melave Malka, G-d willing, they the necessary provisions. 9 his words will bear fruit." 6 will give birth without difficulty. The poritz had a huge treasury where It is a tradition passed down that the • It is a tradition and segulah he kept all his gold. He would go in from holy Rebbe Reb Elimelech promised that from the Rebbe Elimelech that one time to time to count and polish his coins. anyone who visited his gravesite would who says the entire sefer Tehillim He would spit on each coin and then pol- be delivered and attain salvation just as three times in one day is reckoned ish it till it shone. The poritz' pet monkey when the rebbe was alive. Further, that as if he fasted the entire week from would go with the poritz into the trea- that person would not die without having Shabbos to Shabbos.10 sury and watch him. He saw his master repented. This is why so many people • Two pages of Talmud, studied put the coins close to his mouth; he travel to his gravesite every year, on the with the commentary of the Rosh, is thought that the poritz was eating the 7 day of his yahrtzeit, the 21st of Adar. „ more beneficial than fasting.11 coins! Monkey see, monkey do. The • There are tzaddikim who hold monkey copied his master. It stole alone Sources: the opinion that the first edition of into the treasury and feasted on the gold 1. Ohel Elimelech #192 the sefer Noam Elimelech, which coins. The monkey ate so many coins that Mem Ches 2. Ohel Elimelech #193 was printed in the year Tav Kuf it died. 3. Ohel Elimelech #1 , is a segulah for a When the poritz came into his trea- 4. Ohel Elimelech #137 woman having difficulty in child- sury and saw the dead monkey, he didn’t 5. Koznitzer Maggid, in his sefer birth. She should place it in the bed, realize the cause of its death. His anger Avodas Yisrael. Parshas Chayei Sarah and she'll have an easy delivery.12 had not abated, and he commanded his 6. Eser Ataros 5:60, in the name of • There is a segulah from the servant to throw the monkey into the the sefer Divrei Yitzchak Kozhnitzer Maggid to recite three Jew's house, to teach him a lesson. "If I 7. Eser Tzachtzachos R' Elimelech well-known stories (reproduced don't provide for him, no one will!" The 1:78, Ohel Elimelech #261 above) related to Pesach, on the servant threw the monkey in through the 8. Eser Tzachtzachos #11 Shabbos when we bless the new window. When it landed, its stomach 9. Ohel Elimelech #57, in the burst and all the gold coins came pouring month of Nissan. The segulah is name of the sefer Divrei Yitzchak out. Then the Jew was able to buy an that the stories will bless the Jewish 10. Ohel Elimelech #70, in the abundance of provisions for Pesach. people with an abundance of provi- name of Rachmei haAv #57 On the seder night, the poritz sent his sions and necessities for the up- 11. Ohel Elimelech #104 servant to see how the Jew was suffering Ratzon HaAmiti coming Pesach. 12. Ohel Elimelech #289 without food. But the servant reported • The Rebbe Elimelech com- 13. Title Page to the pamphlet Yehi that the Jew's house was full of food and posed a prayer to say before pray- drink. The poritz later sent for the Jew ing. It is a segulah for those who say and asked him from where he'd had it with intense concentration daily, money. The Jew told the poritz how to be aided and helped from Heav- 13 someone had thrown a dead monkey en in all areas and needs. into his house and that hundreds of gold

34 3.30.05

THE PRAYER BEFORE PRAYING

The Sabba Kaddisha of Radoshitz, in his sefer, Niflaos (vol. 1, pp. 21– 22), recorded an amazing story about the formulation of this “Prayer Be- fore Praying.” The story goes like this: When he was a child, the Sabba Kaddisha was once visiting Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk. He was conversing with chassidim from the Rebbe’s inner circle in front of the Rebbe’s home when several extremely tall men came and hurried into the house. When they reached the doorway, they had to stoop down to enter since they were so unusually tall. The holy Rebbe closed the door behind them before the chassidim could catch a glimpse of their faces. They waited outside until the visitors left to see if they could rec- ognize them. Again the chassidim were astonished when the men left. They did so in such a hurry that they could not make out the men’s features and just saw their backs; they left so fast they almost vanished. The chassidim re- alized that something unusual had just taken place, and they decided to investigate and find out what had occurred. The elder chassidim among them approached the Rebbe and asked him to explain the strange incident. This is what the Rebbe told them: “When I realized that most people cannot concentrate properly on their prayers anymore due to the awesome burdens of earning a livelihood, and they lack the time and the understanding to concentrate fully, I decided to rewrite the standard formula for the prayers. I would write a new, short and concise version that would be equally understood and grasped by everyone. “The holy Members of the Great Assembly, the Anshei Knesses HaGedolah (the original authors of the standard prayers from the time of the Talmud), realized what I intended. They came here to ask me not to change even one prayer from their established formula. I took their counsel and discussed the matter with them. They advised me to establish a prayer to pray before the formal prayer service. This would help anyone who lacks the concentration and proper devotions that are necessary for all formal prayers.” This “prayer before prayers” is the Yehi Ratzon prayer printed in many siddurim in the name of Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk. 316 / MiPeninei Noam Elimelech

The Prayer Before Praying of the holy Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk May it be your will, Hashem, our G-d and the G-d of our forefathers, who listens to the sounds of our entreaties, pleas, and supplications and who listens intently to the prayers of His nation Israel with compassion: Prepare our hearts and organize our thoughts, and make our prayers flow fluently from our mouths and listen with Your ears to hear the sound of the prayers of Your servants who are beseeching You with cries of entreaty and a broken spirit. You are a merciful G-d, with Your abundant compassion and great kind- ness. Have mercy and forgive and pardon and atone for us and all of Your nation Israel. Forgive all that we have sinned, transgressing and vilifying ourselves while rebelling against You. For it is revealed and known before You that we did not, Heaven forbid, willingly and rebelliously sin and em- bitter the words of Your mouth and the words of Your Torah and Your com- mandments. Rather, it is because of the evil inclination, which constantly burns in our hearts restlessly without respite until it brings us into the clutches of the pleasures of this lowly world and its vanities. It continually confuses and confounds our minds and our thoughts. Even when we stand in prayer before You, pleading for our very souls, the evil inclination persistently confuses our thoughts with its tricks and ruses. We simply cannot stand up against him. Our minds and brains have weakened very much, and our power of endurance has faltered due to the numerous tragedies, hardship, and suffering that have befallen us and also due to the pressures, preoccupations, and lack of time. Therefore, You, com- passionate and graceful G-d, we ask of You: do as You have promised us through your faithful servant — “I shall show favor when I choose to show favor and I shall be merciful when I choose to show mercy” (Shemos 33:19). And our Sages teach (Berachos 7a) that this applies even to those who are un- worthy and undeserving. For this is Your way: to do good for both the wick- ed and the good people. Our moans and groans, our sorrows and pains, are revealed and known before You, as well as our conversation about how far we are from You and how hard it is for us to draw near and take part in serv- ing You. We wish to completely bond and sincerely connect our hearts with You. Oh! Woe to our souls! Oh! A very great woe is upon us, our Father in Heaven! The Prayer Before Praying / 317 תְּפִלָּ ה קֹדֶם הַתְּפִלָּה מֵהָרַב הַמְפֻרְסָם ִ אׁיש א׳ מוֹרֵנוּ וְרֵּ ַבנוּ רַבִּ י אֱלִ ימ ֶ ֶלךְ מִלִּיזֶענְסְק זְצַ״ל:

יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפ ָָנֶיך יי אֱלֹקֵינוּ וֵאלֹקֵי א ֵ ֲבוֹתינוּ, שוֹמֵַע קוֹל ׁשַוְעַת ע ִ ֲתירוֹת, וּמַאֲזִין לְ קוֹל תְּפִלַּת עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּרַח ִ ֲמים. ׁשֶתָּכִין לִבֵּנוּ ְ וּתכוֹנֵן מַח ְ ְש ֵ בוֹתי נ וּ וּת ַ ְׁשגֵּר תְּפִלָּתֵנוּ בְּפִינוּ. וְתַקִׁ ְשיב א ָָזְנְך ְ לִש ַמֹע בְּ קוֹל ת ִ ְּפלַּ ת עֲבָד ֶָיך הַמִּתְחַנְּנִים אֵל ֶָיך בְּ קוֹל ׁשַוְעָה וְרוּח נִשְׁבָּרָה. וְא ָּ ַתה ֵ קל רַחוּם, בְּרַח ֶ ֲמ ָיך הָרַבִּים וּבַחֲסָד ֶָיך הַגְּ דוֹלִ ים, ת ְ ִּמחֹל וְתִסְלַח וּתְכַפֵּר לָנוּ וּלְכָל הַנִּלְוִים אֵלֵינוּ וּלְכָל עַמְָּך ֵּ בית יִשְׂר ֵ ָאל, ֶ את כָּל ַ מה שֶּׁחָטָאנוּ וְה ֱ ֶעוִ י נ וּ וְ ה ִׁרְשַעְנוּ וּפָׁשַעְנוּ לְפָנֶיךָ, כִּ י גָּלוּי ַוְיָדוּע לְפ ָָנֶיך כִּ י לֹא בְּ מֶֶרֶד וּבְמַעַל חָלִ ילָה וְחָלִ ילָה מָרִינוּ אֶת ִּ פ ָיך וְדִבְרֵי ּ תוֹרָתְָך וּמִצְ ֶ וֹתיךָ, כִּי אִם מֵרֹב הַיֵּצֶר הַבּ וֹעֵר בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ ת ִ ָּמיד לֹא ַ יָנוּח וְלֹא ְׁ יִשקֹט, עַד אֲׁשֶר מְבִ יאֵנוּ אֶל תַּאֲוַת ָ העוֹלַָם הַשָּׁפֵל הַזֶּה וְאֶל הֲבָלָיו, וּמְבַלְבֵּל אֶת מַח ְ ְש ֵ בוֹתינוּ ת ִ ָּמיד, אֲפִלּוּ ׁבְּשָעָה ׁשֶא ְ ֲנַחנוּ עוֹמְדִים לְהִתְפַּלֵּל לְפ ָָנֶיך וּלְבַקֵּׁש עַל נַפְׁשֵנוּ, הוּא מְב ֵּ ַלְבל ֶ את תְּפִלָּתֵנוּ ֶ וְאת מַחְׁ ְש ֵ בוֹתינוּ ת ִ ָּמיד בְּ תַחְבּ ָ וּלוֹתיו, ֵ וְאין ָ אנוּ יְכוֹלִ ים לַעֲמֹד נֶגְדּ וֹ, כִּי נֶחֱלַׁש שׂ ֵ ִכְלנוּ ֵ וּמֹחנוּ (וְלִבֵּנוּ) ַ עד ְ מאֹד. וְכָׁשַל כֹּח הַסַּבָּל מֵרֹב הַצָּרוֹת וְהַתְּלָאוֹת וְטִרְדַּת הַזְּמַן. לָכֵן א ָּ ַתה קֵל רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן. עֲשֵׂה עִמָּנוּ כְּמוֹ ׁשֶהִבְטַחְתָּנוּ עַל יְדֵי נֶא ַ ֱמן בֵּיתְךָ: וְחַנֹּתִי אֶת אֲׁשֶר ָ אחֹן וְרִחַמ ִּ ְתי ֶ את א ֶ ֲׁשר אֲרַחֵם, וְא ְ ָמרוּ חֲכָמֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה: ַ אף עַל ִּ פי ׁש ֵ ֶאינוֹ הָגוּן וְאֵינוֹ ַ כְּדאי. כִּ י כֵּן ָדַּרְכְּך ֵ לְה ִ יטיב לָרָעִים וְל ּ ַטוֹבִ ים, כִּ י גָּלוּי ַוְיָדוּע לְפ ָָנֶיך אֶנְקָתֵנוּ וְצַעֲרֵנוּ ִ וְשׂ ֵ יחנוּ עַל א ֶ ֲׁשר ֵ אין אָנוּ יְכוֹלִים לְקָרֵב ע ֵ ַצְמנוּ לַעֲבוֹדָתְךָ, ַ וּלְדבֵּ ק לִ בֵּ נ וּ ְבּ ָך בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְת ִ ָמים. אֲה ָּה עַל נַפְׁשֵנוּ, אוֹי עָלֵינוּ ְ מאֹד, ַָ אבִ י נ וּ ׁשֶבַּשָּׁמַיִם. 318 / MiPeninei Noam Elimelech

Now, please awaken Your abundant compassion and kindness toward us. Drive out, chase away, and destroy our evil inclination from our midst. Re- buke and scold it,1 telling it to leave us and to cease tempting us away from Your service. Let no evil thought arise in our hearts, Heaven forbid, whether it is while we are awake or dreaming, and especially when we stand before You in prayer, and when we learn Your Torah, and when we are occupied in fulfill- ing Your commandments. Then may our thoughts be pure, clear, lucid, strong, true, and sincere, as You desire for us in good will. Awaken our hearts and the hearts of all Your nation Israel to unify You in truth and love; to serve You with integrity so that our service shall be accept- able before Your Throne of Glory. Establish Your faith in our hearts, con- stantly without stop, and may our faith in You be tied fast and strong as an immovable peg. Remove all barriers and partitions which separate us from You, our Father in Heaven. Rescue us from all obstacles, from failures and mistakes. Do not forsake us and do not abandon us and do not embarrass us. Be with our mouths when we speak, with our hands when we act, with our hearts when we think. Oh, our Father in Heaven! Aid us in meriting, Powerful One, O G-d full of mercy, to unify our hearts and minds, our speech and our deeds, and all our actions and feelings and emotions, whether we are aware of them or not [whether they are conscious or subconscious, voluntary or involuntary], re- vealed or hidden. May it all be unified for You in truth and sincerity, with no ulterior motives or invalid thoughts, Heaven forbid! Purify our hearts and sanctify us; douse us with pure water and cleanse us with Your love and compassion!2 Plant firmly in our hearts Your love and divine fear and reverence forever with no disruptions, at all times, every mo- ment and in all places. When we walk and when we sit, when we lie down and when we rise, the fire of the holy spirit should burn within us constant- ly. We are constantly sustained by You and Your greatness, love, and fear. And we are supported by Your holy Torah, both written and oral, hidden and revealed, and by Your commandments in order to unify Your great and awesome Name. Safeguard us from ulterior motives, from haughtiness and vanity, from anger, pedantry and bearing grudges, sadness, slander, and other bad charac- ter traits. Save us from all things that destroy and prevent Your pure, holy service which is so dear to us. The Prayer Before Praying / 319

וְעָּ ַתה ְּ תעוֹרֵר נָא עָלֵינוּ רַח ֶ ֲמ ָיך וַחֲסָד ֶָיך הַגְּ דוֹלִ ים וְהַמְרֻבִּים לְגָרֵׁש וּלְבַעֵר אֶת יִצְרֵנוּ הָרַע מִקִּרְבֵּנוּ, וְתִגְעַר בּוֹ ׁשֶיָּסוּר וְיֵלֵךְ מֵאִתָּנוּ, ַ וְאל ִ יָסית ָ אוֹתנ וּ לְהַדִּ ֵ יחנוּ מֵעֲבוֹדָתְָך חָלִ ילָה. ַ וְאל יַעֲלֶה בְּלִבֵּנוּ שׁוּם מַחֲׁשָבָה ר ָ ָעה הֵן בְּה ִ ָקיץ הֵן בַּחֲלוֹם חָלִ ילָה, בִּפְרָט בְּעֵת ׁשֶא ְ ֲנַחנוּ עוֹמְדִים בִּת ִ ְפילָּה לְפ ָ ָנֶיך, אוֹ ׁבְּשָעָה ׁשֶא ְ ֲנַחנוּ לוֹמְדִ ים ּ תוֹרָתְךָ, ׁוּבְשָעָה ׁשֶא ְ ֲנַחנוּ עוֹסְקִים בְּמִצְ ֶ וֹתיךָ, תְּהֵא מַחְׁ ְש ֵ בוֹתינוּ זַכָּה צְלוּלָה וּבְרוּרָה וַחֲזָקָה, בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְלֵבָב ׁשָלֵם, ָכִּרְצוֹנְך ה ּ ַטוֹב עִמָּנוּ. ְ וּתעוֹרֵר לְבָבֵֵנוּ וּלְבַב כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל עַמְָּך וּלְבַב כָּל הַנִּלְִוִים אֵלֵינוּ, וּלְבַב כָּל הַחֲפֵצִים בְּחֶבְר ֵ ָתנוּ, לְיַח ֶָדְך בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְאַהֲבָה, לְע ָָבְדְּך עֲבוֹדָה הַיְשָרָה הַמְקֻבֶּלֶת לִפְנֵי ֵּ כִּסא כְ בוֹדֶךָ. וְתִקְבַּ ע אֱמוּנָתְָך ֵּ בְּלִבנוּ ת ִ ָּמיד בְּלִ י הֶפְסֵק, וּתְהֵא אֱמוּנָתְָך קְשׁוּרָה בְּלִבֵּנוּ כְּיָתֵד ׁשֶלֹּא ת ּ ִּמוֹט, וְתַעֲבִ יר מֵעָלֵינוּ כָּל הַמָּסַכִ ים הַמַּבְדִּ ילִ ים בֵּינֵינוּ לְ ב ֵָינְך אָבִ ינוּ ׁשֶבַּשָמַיִם, וְתַצִ ילֵנוּ מִכָּל מִכְ שוֹל ָ וְטעוּת, אַל תַּעַזְבֵנוּ וְאַל תִּטְּׁשֵנוּ וְאַל תַּכְלִ ימֵנוּ, וּתְהֵא ִ עם פִּינוּ בְּעֵת ה ִּ ַטיפֵנוּ, ִ וְעם ֵ יָָדי נ וּ ֵ בְּעת מַעְבָּדֵנוּ, וְעִם לִבֵּנוּ ֵ בְעת מַחְׁ ְשבוֹתֵינוּ: וּת ֵּ ְזַכנוּ, אָבִ ינוּ ׁשֶבַּש ַ ָּׁמיִם ֵ קל מָלֵא רַחֲמִים, ׁשֶנְּיַחֵד אֶת לְבָבֵנוּ וּמַחְׁ ְשבוֹתֵינוּ וְדִבּוּרֵנוּ וּמַעֲשֵׂינוּ וְכָל ְּ ת ֵ נוּעוֹתי נ וּ וְה ׁ ַרְגָּשוֹתֵינוּ, הַיְדוּעוֹת לָנוּ ׁוְשֶאֵינָן יְדוּעוֹת לָנוּ, הַנִּגְלוֹת וְהַנִּסְתָּרוֹת, ׁשֶיְּהֵא הַכֹּל מְיֻחָד אֵל ֶָיך בֶּאֱמֶת וּבְת ִ ָמים בְּלִי שׁוּם מַחֲׁשֶבֶת פְּסוּל חָלִ ילָה, וְטַהֵר לִבֵּנוּ, וְק ֵ ַׁדְּשנוּ, וּזְרֹק ע ֵ ָלינוּ ַ מיִם ְ טהוֹרִ ים וְטַהֲרֵנוּ, בְּ אַהֲבָתְָך וּבְחֶמְלָתְךָ, וְתִטַּע אַהֲבָתְָך וְיִרְאָתְָך בְּלִבֵּנוּ ת ִ ָּמיד בְּלִ י הֶפְסֵק, בְּכָל עֵת וּבְכָל זְמַן וּבְכָל ָ מקוֹם, בְּלֶכְתֵּנוּ וּבְשִׁבְתֵּנוּ ׁוּבְש ֵּ ָכְבנ וּ וּ בְ ק וּ מֵנוּ, תִּבְעַר ת ִ ָּמיד ַרוּח קָדְשְָׁך בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ, וְנִש ָ ְׁענִ ים ת ִ ָּמיד בְּ ָך וּבִגְדֻלָּתְָך וּבְאַהֲבָתְָך וּבְיִרְאָת ָ ְך, וּבְ תוֹרָת ְָך ׁשֶבִּכְתָב ׁוְשֶבְּעַל ֶּ פה הַנִגְלֶה וְהַנִּסְתָּר, וּבְמִצְ ֶ וֹתיךָ, הַכֹּל לְיַחֵד שִׁמְָך הַגִּבּ וֹר וְהַנּוֹרָא. וְתִשְׁמ ֵ ְרנ וּ ִ מן הַפְּנִיּוֹת וְהַגֵּאוּת ִ וּמן הַכַּעַס וְהַקַּפְּדָנוּת וְהָעַצְבוּת וְהָרְכִילוּת וּש ָ ְׁאר מִדּ וֹת רָעוֹת, וּמִכָּל דָּבָר הַמַּפ ִ ְסיד עֲבוֹדָתְָך ה ְּ ַקדוֹשָה וְה ְּ ַטהוֹרָה, הַחֲבִ יבָה עָלֵינוּ. 320 / MiPeninei Noam Elimelech

Bring down upon us the influx of blessings and Your holy spirit so that we may cleave passionately to You in rapture. May we desire You more and more! Raise us up from one level to the next, until we merit to reach the level of our holy patriarchs Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov.3 Hear our prayers in their merit so that we may be answered whenever we beseech You, whether praying on our own behalf or on behalf of someone else from Your nation Israel, whether an individual or a group. Rejoice and glorify Yourself through us. May our prayers bear fruit above and take root below. Do not remember our sins and iniquities, especially the sins of our youth, as King David prayed: “The sins of my youth, remember not!” Tehillim( 25:7). Transform our sins and iniquities into merits.4 Bring down upon us always from the spiritual realm, from the world of repentance, the desire to repent and return to You wholeheartedly, to rectify and restore what we have damaged in Your pure holy divine Names. Protect and shield us from jealousy between fellows. Let not jealousy en- ter our hearts and may others not be jealous of us. On the contrary, place in our hearts the ability to see only the good in our friends and not their short- comings! May we speak to each other in a way that is straight and desirable in Your eyes. May there be no hatred between friends, Heaven forbid. Strengthen our ties and our bond to You with love, as it is revealed and known to You that we strive to give You only satisfaction and pleasure. This is our primary intention. If we do not have the intellect to properly direct our hearts to You, please teach us how to know in truth the intent of Your will, which is always for the best. Above all, we beg of You, plead before you, O G-d of mercy: accept our prayers with compassion and goodwill. Amen, may it be Your will. The Prayer Before Praying / 321

וְתַש ִּ ְׁפ ַיע ַרוּח קָדְשְָׁך עָלֵינוּ, ׁשֶנִּהְיֶה דְּבֵקִים בְּךָ, ׁוְשֶּנִּש ּ ְׁתוֹקֵק ת ִ ָּמיד אֵל ֶָיך ֵ יוֹתר וְיוֹתֵר. וּמִמַּדְרֵגָה לְמַדְרֵגָה תַּעֲלֵנוּ, ׁשֶנִּזְכֶּה ָ לבוֹא לְ מַעֲלַת א ֵ ֲבוֹתי נ וּ ה ְּ ַק ִ דוֹשים אַבְרָהָם ָ יִצְחק וְיַעֲקֹב, ָ וּזְכוּתם יַעֲמֹד לָנוּ, ׁשֶתִּש ַ ְׁמע בְּ קוֹל תְּפ ֵ ִלָּתנ וּ ׁשֶנִהְיֶה ת ִ ָּמיד נַעֲנִים בְּעֵת ׁשֶנִּתְפַּלֵל אֵל ֶָיך עָלֵינוּ אוֹ עַל שׁוּם אֶחָד מֵעַמְָּך יִשְׂרָאֵל, עַל ִ יָחיד אוֹ עַל רַבִּים. וְתִשְׂמַח וְתִתְפָּאֵר בָּנוּ, וְנַע ֶ ֲשׂה פְּרִי לְמַעְלָה וְשֹׁרֶׁש לְמַטָּה. וְאַל תִּזְכָּר לָנוּ ַ ח ּ טֹאתֵינוּ, וּבִפְרָט ח ַּ ַטאת נְעוּרֵינוּ, כְּ מַאֲמַר דָּוִד הַמֶּלֶךְ עָלָיו ה ָּ ַׁשלוֹם: ח ּ ַטֹאת נְעוּרַי וּפְׁשָעַי אַל תִּזְכֹּר, וְתַהֲפֹךְ ע ֵ ֲוֹנוֹתי נ וּ וּפְׁש ֵ ָעי נ וּ לִ זְ כ וּ ת , וְ תַש ִּ ְׁפ ַיע עָלֵינוּ ֵ מעוֹלָם הַתְּשוּבָה ת ִ ָּמיד הִרְהוּר לָשׁוּב אֵל ֶָיך בְּלֶב ׁשָלֵם, וּלְתַקֵּן אֶת א ֶ ֲׁשר פָּגַמְנוּ ְׁ בִּש ֶ מוֹת ָיך ה ְּ ַק ִ דוֹשים וְה ְּ ַטהוֹרִ ים. וְתַצִּ ילֵנוּ מִקִּנְאַת ִ אׁיש מֵר ֵ ֵעהוּ, וְלֹא יַעֲלֶה קִנְאַת אָדָם ַ על לִ בֵּ נ וּ וְ לֹא קִנְא ֵ ָתנ וּ ַ על אֲחֵרִ ים, אַדְּרַבָּ ה, ֵּ תן בְּלִבֵּ נוּ ׁש ֶ ֵֶנִּרְאה כָּ ל א ָ ֶחד מַע ַ ֲלת חֲב ֵ ֵרי נ וּ וְ לֹא ח ְ ֶסרוֹנָם, ׁוְשֶנְּדַבֵּר כָּל אֶחָד אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ בְּדֶרֶךְ הַׁיָּשָר וְהָרָצוּי לְפָנֶיךָ, ַ וְאל יַעֲלֶה שׁוּם שׂ ָ ִנְאה מֵא ָ ֶחד עַל חֲבֵרוֹ חָלִ ילָה. וּתְחַזֵּק הִתְקְּׁ ַשרוּתֵנוּ בְּאַהֲבָה אֵלֶיךָ, כַּאֲׁשֶר גָּלוּי ַוְיָדוּע לְפָנֶיךָ, ׁשֶיְּהֵא הַכֹּל נַחַת ַרוּח אֵלֶיךָ, וְזֶה עִקַּר כַּוָּנָתֵנוּ. ִ וְאם ֵ אין ָ לנ וּ שֵׂכֶל לְכַוֵּן אֶת לְבָבֵנוּ אֵלֶיךָ, אַתָּה תְּלַמְּדֵנוּ א ֶ ֲׁשר נֵדַע בֶּא ֶ ֱמת כַּוָּנַת רְ ָצוֹנְך הַטּוֹב. ַ וְעל כָּ ל זֹאת מִתְחַנְּנִים אֲנַחְנוּ לְפ ָָנֶיך קֵל מָלֵא רַח ִ ֲמים, ׁשֶתְּקַבֵּל אֶֶת תְּפִלָּתֵנוּ בְּרַחֲמִים וּבְרָצוֹן. אָמֵן כֵּן ִ יְהי רָצוֹן: Noam Elimelech Yalkut on Shabbos & Moadim

A Collection of Teachings, Stories and Parables of the Rebbe Reb Melech and the Rebbe Reb Zisha on Shabbos & the Holidays Chodesh Elul The Power of Elul – In the name of Rav Itzikil of Pshevorsk: Once during one if the days of the month of Elul the Rebbe Elimelech entered his Beis Midrash and approached one of the yungeleit, the youn men who sat and learned there and said to him: “Chodesh Elul – It is the month of Elul!” His knees began to shake and quiver in fear, his teeth began to chatter in sheer fright and he broke out in a sweat. Eventually he fainted and fell to the floor. All this happened simply from the Rebbe's pure statement that the month of Elul had arrived! (Shivchei Rebbe Elimelech Chap 3 p26) Rejoice over Forgiveness – Besulah Tismach BeMachol. This verse in Yirmiyahu 31:12 is usually translated as “The virgin shall rejoice in the circle [dance].” However the holy Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk saw in this verse a hint at the month of Elul, he read the verse as “The virgin which alludes to Elul, since the Mazal (the zodiac constellation) of Elul is the virgin, shall rejoice BeMachol – in the forgiveness, Elul rejoices when Hashem forgives the sins of Israel [who are repenting during this month]. (Bnei Yisaschar Elul 1:5) Animal Intelligence – On the first of Elul is the Rosh HaShana for the animal tithe. Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Shimon say it is on the first of Tishrei. (Rosh HaShanah 2a) Our master and teacher the righteous Tzadik Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk explained this Gemarra according to the manner of Remez using hints. The Zohar teaches us that the letter yud hints at the tithe (which is a tenth) which hints at the attribute of fear of Heaven. (See Zohar Parshas Naso 122b) The first opinion in the Mishnah is that whoever acts all year long like a fool and only wakes up on the first of Elul to repent and fear Hashem is acting like an animal that has no intelligence. This is the meaning of “On the first Elul is the RoshHaShana for the animal tithe, only a person who has animal intelligence wakes up so late to start repenting, since a person with human intellect should fear Hashem all year long. However the second opinion held by both R. Elazar and R. Shimon is that even someone who wakes up in Elul is still one of human intelligence, however someone who only waits till the first of Tishrei to wake up on Rosh HaShanah when the entire world is being judged, then he has only animal intelligence since we would need at least thirty days in advance to prepare! The words of the wise find favor. (Avodas Yisroel Parshas Re'eh sv Aser) Opening the Gates of Repentance – Rebbe Elimelech the author of the Noam Elimelech taught that Elul can be read as a compound work which means Alef – Lul. Alef refers to Hashem the Alufo shel olam – Master of the World. Lul means a coop or enclosure like a chicken coop. Elul therefore is a time when the Alef – Alufo shel Olam that is the Master of the World opens the Lul or enclosure for those who knock on its door begging Hashem to open wide the gates of repentance. Whoever attaches himself to that Alef – Alufo shel Olam that is the Master of the World, with rapture and dveykus merits that the gates of repentance hinted at in Elul are opened before him. (Yismach Yisroel Alexander Re'eh 40:1) Splitting the Heavens – The first Gerrer Rebbe the author of Chiddushei Harim said that in previous generations people would afflict themselves with great forms of suffering and self torture during the month of Elul. However Rebbe Elimelech used to say that he split open the very Heavens themselves in order that we would no longer need to resort to the method of self affliction, punishment and torture. (Siach Sarfei Kodesh I #88) Do not Disturb – Rebbe Elimelech's holy custom was that once Rosh Chodesh Elul arrived he would seclude himself meditating alone in his until after the holy day of Yom Kippur. He was extremely careful and adamant that he would not be disturbed with any requests of any kind unless they were extremely urgent such as matters of life and death heaven forbid. Only then we accept a kvittel – a note with a petition and a request. Even then, it would be done with the utmost brevity possible so as not to disturb nor interrupt his holy avodah. (Sippurei Tzadikim Zinkovitz #25 in the name of Rav Yisroel Avraham the son of Reb Zisha)

Teshuvah A Broken Heart – Once before Rosh HaShanah the Tzadik, Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk sat brooding and sighing to himself, "How can I ever face G-d on the day of judgment? Look how many sins I have transgressed!" He sat counting out his sins, one by one as was his holy custom. Finally he changed his tone and remarked: "If so, my broken heart will stand by me when I reach judgment day!" (Ohel Elimelech) - Yomim Noraim – S.Y. Agnon p. 30

Rosh HaShanah Additional Souls – When the YomTov holiday of Rosh HaShanah falls out on Shabbos (Rosh HaShanah 29b) The Rebbe of Alexander said in the name of the author of Noam Elimelech: It is known in the name of the AriZal that on Rosh Chodesh – the beginning of a new month one is given an additional soul called the nefesh yesayrah. On Yom Tov one is given a Ruach yesayrah – an additional spirit and on Shabbos one is given a Neshama yesayrah – an additional soul. When does a person receive all three additional dimensions of soul simultaneously – Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah Yesayrah? This occurs on the YomTov of Rosh HaShanah which falls out on Shabbos, since the sanctity of the new month, Rosh Chodesh Tishrei, YomTov and Shabbos all join together. (Chashvah LeTovah on Rosh HaShanah sv Yom Tov 18a)

A Fleeting Moment – Rav Zisha of Anippoli taught that on each of the four Rosh HaShannahs mentioned in the Mishnah a shefa of spiritual sustenance and abundant blessings awakens and rouses every Jewish soul. On the Rosh HaShanah of the month of Tishrei this continues unabated for two whole days straight. Whereas on the other Rosh HaShannahs this awakening lasts but a mere instant and one must be able to catch it before that fleeting moment passes by. (Yalkut Chassidim LeRosh HaShanah Rav Menachem Gutman p29)

High Holiday Poems & Liturgy – Our master the AriZal would pray with the Askenazi Jews during the Days of Awe and he would recite all the liturgical poems call piyutim that are found during the blessings of the Shema, and he held that this was not considered an interruption. Our master the holy Rav Yisroel Ba'al Shal Tov had the custom to refrain from reciting them. Our master the holy Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk had the custom to recite them on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur since the AriZal recited them then as well. (Shulchan HaTahor Siman 68:1-2) Tehillim – On Rosh HaShannah Rebbe Elimelech prayed Shacharis at dawn and he himself led the congregation as the Shaliach Tzibur. Before blowing the Shofar he would enter a special room and close the door behind him. The services ended one hour after midday. The festive Yom Tov meal lasted but a half hour. Afterwards he would himself stand in the Beis Midrash before the lectern and recite the entire sefer Tehillim in public with the congregation. (Ohel Elimelech 345-346)

Shofar The Kavanos of the Shofar – How are harsh judgments sweetened? This is accomplished through the Shofar. If we have in mind as we blow the shofar to fulfill the will of our Creator as my master the holy Rebbe Elimelech taught regarding the Gemarra (Rosh HaShana 16a) “Why do we blow [the shofar]? The Merficul G-d said to blow it.” The Rebbe Elimelech explained this to mean that the Gemarra asked why do we blow, asking what is the intention and meaning behind blowing the shofar? The Gemarra answers “The Merciful G-d said to blow it,” this means that this should be our primary intention and kavanah when we blow the shofar; namely to fulfill the will of our Blessed Creator, and since we blow the shofar in order to fulfill the will of our Blessed Creator, we thereby sweeten the harsh judgments and transform then into mercy. (Maor VaShemesh - Rosh HaShanah sv Ashrei Ha'am) The Humility of the Shofar – “Raise your voice like a Shofar,” (Yishaya 54:1) I heard from my teacher and master the holy man of G-d Rebbe Elimelech that just as the Shofar is not proud and haughty due to the sound that it produces even if it is pleasant and and fine. Similarly one who wishes to give mussar and lecture others as to how to improve their character and refine their traits should not be vain and proud at all. (Maor VaShemesh - Shemos sv VaYomer Moshe etc Mi Anochi)

Erev Yom Kippur Kaparos in Lizhensk – A day before Yom Kippur Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk was visited by a chassid, who pleaded and strongly entreated [the rebbe's gabbai] to be allowed to watch the Rebbe shlog kaparos (the custom where one waves a fowl over the head on erev yom kippur to symbolically take the place of one's sins).

As soon as the Rebbe Elimelech heard this he called the chassid in to him and told him to quickly take a trip and travel to such and such village situated not far from Lizhensk. Once there he should go to the local tavern. The chassid dutifully followed the rebbe's orders and when he entered the tavern he found it full with drunk peasants among whom the local innkeeper; a simple and ignorant looking Jew together his simple ignorant looking Jewess was busy serving and attending to. The chassid hid himself in a unnoticed corner and feigned sleep, keeping watch with one eye open and waited. . .

After midnight when the drunk peasants had stumbled and been pushed and shoved out the door, and the windows and doors were locked and barred, the chassid watched the simple innkeeper pacing back and forth until he said finally to his wife, “Bring , me the book from under the bed.” She schlepped an old well worn volume and handed it to him. The innkeeper sat down by the table and began thumbing through the worn pages reading aloud while turning page after page, “On this and this day of such and such week I did not properly attend to a poor traveler and so I failed to fulfill the commandment of welcoming guests, and on a different day I listened to the vulgar language of one of my customers, on another day I failed to concentrate during my prayers and I had foreign and extraneous thoughts,” and so on did the list of sins continue, since the ledger was a book full of the records of all the sins and transgressions that he had committed that past year. After reciting many of the sins, the innkeeper sighed deeply, and there were many times that he wept quite bitterly after reciting a particular sin.

After he had finished, the innkeeper once again motioned to his wife, to bring the second book which lay in the corner under the other bed. Again she schlepped a second old and worn volume and handed it to him. Once again he began to turn pages while reading aloud. This ledger contained an accounting listing all the woes, troubles and sorrows that had befallen the innkeeper and his family that year. The list was quite long since there did not seem to be any day that something had not befallen them. And when the innkeeper finished reading from the second book he lay his head down on the table, while deep in thought. Afterwards he looked up to heaven and declared, “Ribono Shel Olam! - Master of the World, I am quite guilty, I owe You quite a lot, but You also have a great debt that You owe me so to speak! I do not know whose debt is greater, whether min or Yours? The reckoning is simply too great and difficult to work out. Therefore Ribono Shel Olam! - Master of the World, let us make a trade, my debt for Your debt? This book for that book, my ledger of sins for Your ledger of troubles. “This is my exchange, this is my atonement,” said the innkeeper as he echoed the well known liturgy of the kapparos as the innkeeper swung the books above his head like one does with the kapparos chicken.

Afterwards the chassid traveled back to Lizhensk to Rebbe Elimelech. The Rebbe greeted the chassid with a smile, “Nu, so what did you see there?” The chassid told the Rebbe all he had witnessed. Rebbe Elimelech then said, “This complaint which the innkeeper had, King David had as well against the Ribono Shel Olam – The Master of the World, and that is the meaning if the verse in Tehillim 31 “Hashem all my sighs and desires opposite You are not hidden from You.” It is true that my desires oppose You, however my sighs are not hidden from You either. So let's make a deal and make an exchange. Now do you know how to truly shlog kapparos?”

(As heard from Rav Yechezkel Michelson, Fun Unzer Alten Otzar p33-34) Shemini Atzeres & Simchas Torah Drinking – By Rebbe Elimelech, at the end of Succos, during Simchas Torah it was absolutely forbidden to drink any alcoholic beverages until after the Hakafos – the circuits danced with the Torahs. This was done in order that no foreigner (that is the evil inclination) be mixed in with that holy joy. (Heichal HaBracha Parshas Shemini 76:2) [See also Hanhagos HaAdam #18 regarding drinking and our sages taught in Brachos (29b) Do not get drunk and you won't sin.] Reading of the Torah – The Nusach liturgy of the Hakafos circuits during the night of Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah as they were recited in the Beis Midrash of Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk, were printed in a special pamphlet in Klomzsh in TavReishPayHay by his grandson Rav Shimon Shif of Lizhensk who wrote on page 21-22 that the reading of the Torah on Simchas Torah night was divided as follows: Kohen – Parshas Naso Birkas Kohanim (BaMidbar 6:22-27). Levi Parshas Beha'aloscha (BaMidbar 10:29-36). Shelishi Parshas Chukas (BaMidbar 21:10-20) and Revi'i Parshas Balak (BaMidbar 24:1-5)

Shabbos Bereshis Liar! You have not even begun! – Rav Chanoch Henech HaCohen of Alexander said in the name of Rav Yakeli Mogalinitzer the son of the author of Noam Eliemelch: after the month of Tishrei which includes all the avodah, that is all the many forms of serving Hashem that we did. We now begin to read from Bereshis, which can be read as Brosh – which means “Bist Gevayzen A Ligner – You were a liar!,” since the truth is you have not even begun! (Chashvah LeTovah Likutim p35a)

Tevilas Mikveh The Fragrances of Gan Eden – Rav Menachem Mendel of Kosov author of Ahavas Shalom once related that he had heard from Rav Zechariah Mendel of Shandishov say: "I was once visiting our master the Rebbe Elimelech. When he returned from the mikvah on Erev Shabbos Kodesh and he lay himself down afterwards on his bed and exclaimed: "Who can withstand the scents and fragrances of the Garden of Eden!" (Ahavas Shalom Parshas VaYetzeh sv O Yomar)

The gaon Rav Pinchas HaLevi Horowitz of Kosov once related in the name of Rav Alter Menachem Dechner the Rav and Av Beis Din of Barhumt, how Rav Menachem Mendel of Kosov visited Rebbe Elimelech in his youth and he was allowed to enter the holy inner sanctum on Erev Shabbos Kodesh when rebbe Elimelech had returned from the mikvah on Erev Shabbos Kodesh and he lay himself down afterwords on his bed and exclaimed: "Who can withstand the scents and fragrances of the Garden of Eden!" (Ohel Elimelech p40 188)

The Mikveh aids in understanding Noam Elimelech – The Rebbe Rav Mendel Rimanover used to say that only on the eve of Shabbos, after immersing in the waters of the mikveh, could he understand a shtikel, a piece, of the Noam Elimelech (Ohel Elimelech 92)

The Mikveh Purifies – “He shall immerse himself in water and then don them” — this hints at the idea that one should not learn Torah or pray if the body is tainted and impure. If he needs to immerse [in order to become pure] then he should immerse himself [in the pool of the mikveh], thereby purifying himself so that the immersion, too, will be like a spiritual garment for his soul. This will protect him from nocturnal emissions and the need to immerse himself in the mikveh yet again. (Noam Elimelech - Achrei Mos)

The Mikveh Heals from Apostacy – The av beis din of Brezan related the following story which he himself heard: In the days of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech and his brother the Rebbe Reb Zisha, a grandchild of the gaon Rav Simcha HaKohen Rappaport, the av beis din of Lublin, became deathly ill. The doctors had given up all hope that the rav would ever recover. The patient’s mother begged her husband to allow her to travel to Lizhensk to ask Rebbe Elimelech for a berachah. Though he himself was a misnaged, an opponent of Chassidus, under the circumstances he allowed her to go.

When she arrived, she gave the Rebbe a kvittel (a note customarily given to the Rebbe with the name of the petitioner and his or her family so that the Rebbe should mention their name when praying on their behalf ). The kvittel contained the sick man’s name and the name of his mother. Rebbe Elimelech told her that if she wished her son to recover, she must promise that once he regained his strength he would come and be the Rebbe’s guest for Shabbos. If she would promise this, he would guarantee the rav’s recovery.

She promised, and the Rebbe told her to go home and rest assured that the rav would indeed recover his health. The Rebbe gave her a sign that this would come true: When she returned home she would find three expert physicians meeting there. They would all say that there was no hope left, and they would go home. But then they would come back and write her a prescription for medicine from which the rav would indeed recover. However, the doctor who would sign the prescription would die suddenly. The events transpired exactly as Rebbe Elimelech had predicted. When he had fully recovered, the rav traveled with his mother to Lizhensk to fulfill her promise, and they spent Shabbos with Rebbe Elimelech.

During that Shabbos, the Rebbe told his guest that he knew that in his youth the rav had studied philosophical works dealing with heretical questions against belief in G-d. This had brought him to lose faith in G-d and His holy Torah. This is what had caused his illness, and though he was now well, the root of his sickness had not been purged. The Rebbe told him he must travel to Hanipoli to Rebbe Elimelech’s brother Rebbe Zisha, where he would have a full recovery.

After Shabbos, the rav did as Rebbe Elimelech advised and traveled to Hanipoli. He arrived on Friday before daybreak and went to find lodgings at an inn. There he met an older man who welcomed him and called him by name. The rav was surprised to hear a stranger call him by name and he asked who the older man was. The man introduced himself: he was Reb Zisha, the brother of Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk.

“Come now, come with me to the mikveh,” Reb Zisha urged the rav. Awed by the Rebbe’s amazing intuition, the rav went with him. After they had immersed in the purifying waters, the rav could feel that all the questions, doubts, and lack in his faith that he had been harboring in his heart had dissipated.

“Now,” said Reb Zisha, “you are completely cured.” And so he was. (Menoras Zahav, p. 2; Ohel Elimelech 41)

The Mikveh Prepares for Torah Study – “It is impossible for a man to achieve complete awe and fear of Hashem unless he is meticulous about immersing in a mikveh, as Ezra instituted… If one prays and learns and is not careful in this, it is utterly impossible to achieve an understanding of Torah knowledge and mitzvah observance. Furthermore, if he studies the mystical writings of Kabbalah and he is impure, it can bring him to heresy. In earlier times, when the word of Hashem was precious and scarce, they did not understand the awe called ‘yiras haromemus’ at all. This is because they studied Torah but were not meticulous in mikveh. The cult of Shabbsai Tzvi (the false messiah), yemach shemam, became heretics in those days as a result of this: they studied Kabbalah while their bodies were in an impure state. “The world was desolate until the two great luminaries, the holy Ba’al Shem Tov and our master and teacher the Rebbe Elimelech came and opened the gate of Hashem so the righteous could enter. They taught that one should not even think or meditate on Torah thoughts until he immerses himself to be purified. The wise Sages of the Talmud had nullified this decree only because the majority of the public could not live up to it. However, those who wish to achieve Torah knowledge and pure mitzvah observance must be very careful in this… Thus we still see the holy light of these two luminaries shining in this world.” (Ma’or VaShemesh Parshas Emor) Shabbos Kodesh Transforming your Week into Shabbos –

The righteous Tzaddik must constantly be in a high state of deveikus, cleaving tightly to Hashem. * Thus it says that from there, the middle candle, he would begin [lighting the Menorah] — because he is constantly attached to the Shechinah, which dwells there. This is the level that one can achieve on Shabbos, and this is why a talmid chacham is called “Shabbos,” because his level of deveikus all week long is as great as it is on Shabbos.* This then is the interpretation of the verse “When you light the candles” — it hints at deveikus “toward the face of the Menorah,” meaning the middle candle which symbolizes the Shechinah. “All seven candles shall shine” means that you should also rectify all the days of the week so that they will shine together with Shabbos as one light [thereby elevating the weekdays to the level of Shabbos]. * (Noam Elimelech Beha’aloscha)

Count Down to Shabbos Kodesh –

This is the deeper meaning behind the commandment to “safeguard My Shabbosos” (Shemos 31:13). It ?My Shabbos.” Why does the verse use two tavs here — [ שבתי ] should really say “Shabbosai

Shabbos is completely enveloped in the aspect of love of Hashem, and a person must connect the Shabbos with the rest of the week, which represents the aspect of fear of Hashem. As we just learned, fear must spring forth from love. When we connect the holy Shabbos to the weekday, the love of Shabbos then precedes the fear of the weekday, and thus fear grows from love.

This is why we count the days of the week according to Shabbos, as we say each day, “Today is the first day from Shabbos [i.e., Sunday],” and so on for each day of the week. In this way, the days are connected to Shabbos, and love thus permeates the weekday as well, causing fear to grow from love. Once fear and awe of Hashem develop from love, then even the weekdays can be called “Shabbos” since they are also on the level of divine love. However, they never reach the level of Shabbos itself, because Shabbos is pure love and the weekday is only fear that developed from love. Thus the week becomes only a partial or miniature Shabbos. This is why the word Shabsosai is in the plural form in the verse “Safeguard My Shabbosos” — to hint at two Shabbosos, the weekdays and the day of Shabbos, because the weekdays can also be called “Shabbos,” as we just proved. Therefore the verse contains two tavs, alluding to the fact that the weekday is different and never quite reaches the level of Shabbos, which is pure love.

the [ שמר ] safeguard,” alludes to thought, as in the verse “And his father guarded“ , תשמרו The word matter in his thoughts” (Bereishis 37:11). This hints that love is mainly rooted in thoughts and contemplations of the heart, as we mentioned above. What emerges from this is that we must connect the weekday to the holy Shabbos in order to permeate the weekday with the love of Shabbos, so that the fear of the weekdays will grow from love of Shabbos. Thus it says in the verse in Tehillim, “Teach us to count our days.” Hashem in His great mercy has taught us to count the weekdays according to Shabbos — “Today is the first day from Shabbos [Sunday]” and so on — so that our fear and awe will spring from love, just as Hashem’s fear comes from His love for us. (Noam Elimelech VaYigash)

Wednesday A Taste of Shabbos –

One of Rebbe Elimelech’s chassidim related that every Wednesday, when they chanted the psalm of the day from the daily shacharis morning prayers, and they reached the verse of “Lechu neranenah...” they already felt a taste of Shabbos. (Eser Tzachtzachos 26; Ohel Elimelech 247)

Erev Shabbos Like Erev Yom Kippur –

Once, the Tiferes Shlomo, the Rebbe of Radomsk, inquired after a woman who was old enough to remember Rebbe Elimelech. He wanted to hear from her one tale about the Rebbe. She related to him that she used to be a maid servant in the Rebbe's household she related that on Friday the atmosphere in Lizhensk was like that of Yom Kippur. The whole town would gather together in the shul and say tehillim with tears and emotion. Then the Rebbe would give them a mussar schmuess. (Eser Tzachtzachos 11, 65)

In The sefer Ohr LaShamayim (Parshas Behar): “I heard in the name of the holy Rebbe Elimelech that erev Shabbos has the same aspect as erev Yom Kippur.”

The author of Chesed L’Avraham, Rav Azulai, asked Rebbe Elimelech after they had already entered the higher worlds, “How is it that I authored ten sefarim and merited that they are even studied in the heavens, but at the mere mention of the name of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech, there is a great tumult in the heavens? What did you do to merit this?”

Rebbe Elimelech answered, “Every erev Shabbos, my household was full of such awe that even the maids would fall down crying and begging each other for forgiveness saying, ‘Forgive me if I offended you all week long!’ They would cry and forgive one another as people do on erev Yom Kippur. This great feeling of awe emanated from me because of my awe of the approaching holy Shabbos day.” (Ohel Elimelech 197)

Shabbos is Coming –

The sound of Shabbos approaching rang in the Rebbe Reb Elimelech’s ears like a bell. When Shabbos would arrive, Rebbe Elimelech couldn’t stand the lofty sirens and heavenly tolling that he heard, warning of the arrival of the holy day. The sounds of the holiness of Shabbos caused him so much pain that he had to stop up his ears. Not only did the Rebbe shudder from the sound of the approaching Shabbos, but everyone in the house was seized with trembling and fear. The maidservants had to finish all their preparations before midday; if they did any type of work afterward, it would spill or fall from their hands. (Ohel Elimelech 30, and 229 in the name of the Koznitzer Maggid; Eser Tzachtzachos 41)

Shabbos Atones for the 39 Curses –

A piece of advice. The root of all sins comes from the original sin of eating from the tree of knowledge, which resulted in the land being cursed with thirty-nine curses which pollute man. When a person keeps Shabbos properly, safeguarding all of its laws and abstaining from the thirty-nine forbidden categories of work, he rectifies the thirty-nine curses, and all the klippos, the impure shells and husks, disperse. * This is why our Sages say, “Anyone who keeps the Shabbos, even if he worships idols like the generation of Enosh he is forgiven” (Shabbos 118b). * This is what Moshe Rabbeinu was hinting at when he spoke to the people [at the beginning of Devarim]; he was giving them these pieces of advice. [The gematria of ] “Eileh hadevarim — these words” alludes to safeguarding Shabbos with its thirty- nine categories of forbidden labor, as our Sages taught: “Rebbi said: ‘Devarim, hadevarim, eileh hadevarim’ — these are the thirty-nine categories of labor told to Moshe at Sinai” (Shabbos 97b). [Rashi explains on this gemara that the word devarim from the pasuk in Shemos 35:1 is plural. This .equals 36 אלה alludes to two. The extra hei of hadevarim in our verse makes three. The “extra” word Together this comes to 39, thus hinting at the thirty-nine melachos.] The other piece of advice mentioned above is alluded to in the words of the verse “kol Yisrael” — that Moshe spoke to “all the Jewish people” — because one should bind oneself to the entire collective of klal Yisrael. * This then is the meaning of our verse, “These are the words which Moshe spoke to all of Israel” — besides the piece of advice regarding “all of Israel” [that we should include ourselves among the collective nation], Moshe added “these words” — a second piece of advice that alludes to keeping Shabbos in order to rectify the original sin. * (Noam Elimelech Devarim)

Friday Night Glow –

Rebbe Elimelech taught that it is a sign that one’s week passed in holiness if he feels a spiritual glow on Friday night. (Nesiv Mitzvosecha, Emunah 4:2)

Shabbos Seudah – the Soup –

Before Rav Mendel Rimanover was revealed as a Tzaddik and Rebbe possessing ruach hakodesh, divine intuition, he appeared at Rebbe Elimelech’s table as just another chassid, a regular devoted follower.

One Shabbos, the Rimanover was sitting with all the other chassidim when the shamash brought in the Rebbe’s soup and placed it in front of the Rebbe. The Rebbe took the bowl of soup in his hands, overturned it, and spilled its contents onto the table. Suddenly gripped with fear, the Rimanover shouted, “Oy! Rebbe! Surely they will put us all in jail. You must stop immediately!”

The other guests almost burst out laughing at hearing such strange remarks coming from Reb Mendel, but they restrained themselves in the presence of their holy Rebbe. Rebbe Elimelech said to Reb Mendel, “Relax, my son, we are all safe. We are all here right now.” The others were astonished at the Rebbe’s remarks until Rebbe Elimelech explained what had transpired that had led him and Reb Mendel to say what they did.

“A high-ranking government official had decided to pass a harsh decree against the Jews. He had tried many times before, unsuccessfully, to write out charges and have the king stamp and seal them with his ring. Today he wrote out the charges once again, determined that this time nothing would stop him from carrying out his wicked plan. He was about to use sand to blot the ink and dry it when I overturned my soup bowl. The official became momentarily confused, picked up the inkwell instead, and proceeded to spill ink all over the accusatory letter he had just written! This young man,” the Rebbe concluded, indicating Reb Mendel, “was able to witness what I did, but only by divesting himself fully from the physical world. He forgot that we were in fact here in this room. He imagined that I had actually used my hand and physically overturned the inkwell. He became frightened, and in his terror he called out for fear that we would be arrested for my actions.”

Now everyone understood what lofty a level of ruach hakodesh this young man could perceive. (Ohel Elimelech 185)

Mussaf and Kedushas Keser –

The holy Rebbe of Kozmir related that the holy Rebbe Elimelech was once reciting the Kedushas Keser service in the Shabbos mussaf prayers, where we declare that we should crown Hashem just as the angels do in Heaven, and Rebbe Elimelech took out his pocket watch and glanced at it. Later he said, “I looked at my watch because I felt such sweetness when reciting the Keser I was afraid my soul would expire from the intensity of it. I felt that I had to look at some physical object from this world so that I could force my soul to remain in my body.” (Eser Tzachtzachos 42; Ohel Elimelech 31 from Mishmeres Isamar, Acharei Mos)

Shalosh Seudos – An Inheritance without boundaries –

There are two levels for Tzaddikim. There is the Tzaddik who serves Hashem out of fear all week long until Shabbos, and when Shabbos comes he serves Him out of love. This is because the aspect of Shabbos is that of love, and thus, through Shabbos, the Tzaddik comes to serve Hashem out of love. Then there is the Tzaddik who serves Hashem out of love during the week as well. Such a Tzaddik is called “Shabbos,” as the holy Zohar teaches, “A talmid chacham is called ‘Shabbos’ ” (Zohar III:29a). This is because Shabbos itself is an aspect of love, and since such a Tzaddik has the same aspect he is called “Shabbos” as well.

This is what the Sages meant when they said, “All who delight in Shabbos are given an inheritance without constraints” (Shabbos 118a). Nachalah, inheritance, can be read as a compound of “nachal Hashem,” the river of G-d, referring to the spiritual river that flows in the higher worlds from which the Tzaddik draws down the influx of divine blessing called shefa to klal Yisrael. The Tzaddik who is on the level of love, which is also the aspect of Shabbos, receives that influx of divine blessing without suffering or constraints. (Noam Elimelech Ki Savo) Melaveh Malka A segulah for an easy childbirth — eat every motza’ei Shabbos in honor of the melaveh malkah meal. (Ohel Elimelech 39)

Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk left this world on 21 Adar 5547 (1787) at the age of seventy. It is said that before his passing, Eliyahu HaNavi paid him a visit. Rebbe Elimelech asked the prophet to invite the holy Avos to see him. They all came except David HaMelech, who refused to come. He said he felt slighted because “the Rebbe did not honor me and he did honor my meal, the seudah of melaveh malkah, which escorts out the Shabbos Queen.

Therefore I do not wish to come.” Rebbe Elimelech promised David HaMelech that he would command his children and offspring to guard the path of Hashem and to honor the seudah of melaveh malkah as well. Upon hearing the Rebbe’s promise, David HaMelech consented to come and visit Rebbe Elimelech. (Ohel Elimelech 212) Rebbe Elazar, the son of Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk, was once staying in Koznitz for Shabbos. During the melaveh malkah meal escorting out the Shabbos Queen, several people came up to Rebbe Elazar and told him that they had been commanded to prepare an ice-cold mikveh for the Koznitzer Maggid by the Maggid himself. The Maggid was extremely weak and such an immersion would be dangerous for the Tzaddik; but orders were orders.

The Maggid had requested that the dangerously cold mikveh be prepared in order to fulfill a request that someone had given him on a kvittel that requested he aid a woman who was having difficulty in childbirth. Rebbe Elazar told them not to prepare the mikveh. It was unnecessary because she had already given birth. The next day, when Rebbe Elazar was in the presence of the Maggid, he asked him how Rebbe Elazar had succeeded in helping the woman so easily without the use of the cold mikveh. Rebbe Elazar answered that his father Rebbe Elimelech once told him to be scrupulously careful in melaveh malkah.

“I told my father that it was hard for me to eat on motza’ei Shabbos. However, he promised me that whatever I would wish to achieve I would succeed in doing if I made sure to eat melaveh malkah. Since I knew the mikveh was cold and the Maggid was in mortal danger, I used my father’s holy promise.” (Ohel Elimelech 285) Sample Selections - Parshas Toldos

“And he smelled the scent of his clothes.” (27:27)

I heard about the holy Rav Zusman (Rav Zisha of Anippoli) he once remarked regarding a man who was singing a moving song, a beautiful niggun to the words of “VeNislach – And they were forgiven,” which is recited in the Yom Kippur Kol Nidrei service and he (Rav Zisha) said: “Master of the World! - If the Jewish people had not sinned, how would there have been such a beautiful “VeNislach,” sung to you?”

This idea is somewhat explained in the Midrash (Bereshis Rabbah 65:22) And this is the meaning of “And he smelled the scent of his clothes.” This refers to the sins and transgressions when the Jewish people repent and do Teshuvah over them. This is hinted to by the statement of our Rabbis in Brachos (34b) “In the place where penitent Ba'alei Teshuvah stand, even completely righteous Tzadikim cannot stand.” Study Sanhedrin 37a which explains our verse “And he smelled the scent of his clothes.” “Do not read it as begadov – clothes rather read it as bogdav – traitors.”

(Toldos Yitzchak Ben Levi by Rav Yisroel of Pikov – Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev's son)

Parshas Bo

Even during the rest of the year, if ever a Jew needs Divine assistance and miracles to rid himself of wicked enemies, he should tell the miracles of the Exodus by which Hashem punished the Egyptians, and this will arouse Divine vengeance upon his present enemies, too.

Parshas Bamidbar

If they give him the name of a tzaddik who has already lived in this world, this will cause him also to become a tzaddik, because it has aroused the soul of the departed tzaddik in the Supernal World.