Chassidus on the Chassidus on the Parsha +

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LIGHTS OF OUR RIGHTEOUS TZADDIKIM

בעזרת ה ' יתבר

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

Kedushas Levi, Parshas Noach (Bereishis 7:1)

KI SEITSEI 

_ CHASSIDUS ON THE PARSHA +

Spiritual Awakenings Professor Burchis was a famous Jewish member of the Communist Party, but he fell into disfavor with Stalin and was sent to a prison camp in Siberia on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. Although he was a prisoner, he was held in high esteem by the camp authorities and treated with deference and respect by the prison guards. The workload assigned to him was light; he was in charge of distributing prison garb and keeping a census of the prisoners. Moreover, he was allowed the rare privilege of receiving packages of food and toiletries from friends and family in Moscow. During this time, a new prisoner, a religious Jew with a long white beard, was brought to the camp. Professor Burchis surreptitiously observed the activities of this prisoner for a long time. One day, he approached him. “I have something for you,” he said, holding out a bottle of prune butter. “I received this in one of my packages, and I want to give it to you.” The religious Jew’s eye s widened with amazement. “You’re giving this to me? Why, this jar is worth its weight in gold here in the camp. I can’t accept such a gift from you. It is too much. You need it yourself.” “It’s not a gift,” said the professor. “It’s an offer of payment.” “Payment for what?” “My name is Burchis.”

1 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] “I know.” “Do you know the origin of my name?” “No.” “It is a contraction of boruch Hashem . You see, I am a descendant of the great Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev. Over the generations, unfortunately, my particular branch of the family has turned away from Hashem and the Torah . We’ve allowed ourselves to be caught up in the exciting new movements sweeping the world. We sacrificed our own heritage for those movements, and they betrayed us. I once thought that Communism was the salvation of humanity, but now I realize that it is the exact opposite.” He paused, and a distant look came into his eyes. “I am an old man, and I need to make amends. You have to help me, and the prune butter is my payment to you for my imposition.” “I will be glad to help you,” said the religious Jew, “and I don’t need any payment.” “Take it. It will make me happy to help a fellow Jew.” The religious Jew nodded and accepted the jar. “How can I help you make amends?” “I am ignorant,” said the professor. “I barely know the alef bais , and I cannot read Hebrew. Please teach me a short Jewish tefilla so that in the darkness of my solitude I can reach out to Hashem according to the traditions of my holy ancestors. I cannot come before Him with my own merits, because I do not have any. All I can do is come before Him with the merits of my ancestors, and therefore, I need to speak in their language, to say the kind of things that they would have said in this situation. Please teach me.” The religious Jew with the white beard and the professor sat together for a few days as teacher and pupil, but the going was painfully slow. The religious Jew tried to teach him to say Shema , but the professor could not formulate the words coherently. Both men were becoming frustrated. “Do you speak Yiddish?” the religious Jew finally said. “Yes, I do.” “Then I will teach you a tefilla in Yiddish. It is simple, but it touches the bare essentials. This is what you should say: ‘Master of the Universe, in the merit of Levi Yitzchok ben Sora Sosha, forgive my sins, and bring the Jewish people out of exile into Your holy Presence.’” The professor repeated the tefilla a number of times until it flowed easily from his tongue. Then he embraced and kissed his teacher. A few days later, he passed away peacefully in his sleep. n Dvar Torah The Torah tells us (22:6–7): “If you encounter a bird’s nest along the way, in a tree, or on the ground ... and the mother is roosting over the fledglings ... do not take the mother with the young. Send away the mother and take the young for yourself.” Although this pasuk is to be understood according to its plain meaning, it also carries an esoteric message. There are two ways, explains Rav Levi Yitzchok, in which a person can be inspired to a new spiritual awakening. One kind of inspiration comes from above ( isarusa dile’eila ), meaning that Hashem sends a feeling of inspiration to a person who has done nothing to elicit

2 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] it. The other kind of inspiration comes from below ( isarusa dilesata ), meaning that he can become inspired through the choices he makes. Hashem then “gives wisdom to the wise” (Doniel 2:21). When a person comes to a level of wisdom on his own he thereby elicits additional inspiration from above. Sometimes Hashem will send inspiration to a person who, like an infant, lacks the wisdom to seek it himself, but it is much preferred that the inspiration originate from below, that it be earned and deserved. As Dovid HaMelech said ( Tehillim 108:3), “I will awaken the dawn.” The dawn is the symbol of wisdom and enlightenment. It is better to awaken the dawn, to find wisdom in the darkness and thereby stimulate the dawn than to be awakened from a dark slumber by the dawn. This is the message implicit in our pasuk . “If you encounter a bird’s nest ( kan tzippor )” refers to a spiritual awakening, the word tzippor being a cognate of tzafra , the Aramaic word for dawn. If you suddenly feel a sense of inspiration that comes upon you “along the way”, on the path of righteousness that leads toward Hashem , or “on a tree”, the Torah, which is the tree of life, and “the mother is roosting over the fledglings”, the Shechina is sending down the inspiration because the fledglings are incapable of acquiring wisdom on their own, “do not take the mother with the young”. Do not sit back and let the inspiration continue to come from above. “Send away the mother and take the young for yourself.” Take this inspiration as a sign that you lack the wisdom to seek inspiration on your own, and make the effort to pursue the rest of your awakening through your own efforts. n n n

הילולא The anniversary of the petira of a Tzaddik is known as a Hilula , which means “A Day of Joy”. One of the tools that Kabbola teaches is to connect to a Tzaddik (righteous person). The method to connect to a Tzaddik is to adopt the following ritual: 1) Learn the anniversary of his petira or, if this information is not available, the days of Erev Rosh Chodesh , Rosh Chodesh and the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month can be utilized for a connection. 2) Light a twenty-five-hour candle in his or her honor. There is no specific berocha . Some say the following: This candle is being lit in the merit of ______. Others say that it is the custom within Klal Yisrael to light a yahrzeit candle on the day that a relative or a Tzaddik has passed away. The lighting has no accompanying blessing, and people would like to express themselves in a tefilla when lighting the candle. This is not only true on a yahrzeit but on every Yom Tov as well. The author of the Pele Yo’etz , Rav Eliezer Papo (1785–1828), did in fact compose such a tefilla . Rav Papo was the Rav of the city of Selestria in Bulgaria. Bulgaria was a part of the Ottoman Empire at the time. The tefilla of the Pele Yo’etz is reproduced and translated below, as a public service.

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

3 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] הַ רֵ ינִ י מַ דְ לִ יק נֵ ר זֶ ה לִ נ)מְ חַ ת ) לְ עִ יל) י נִ ְ מַ ת 0 בִ י / אִ מִ י מוֹ רָ תִ י / הַ צַ דִ יק ______/ֵ ַ ת ______, יְ הִ י רָ צוֹ מִ לְ פָ י3נֶ 'ה אֶ 'קֵ ינ) וֵא'הֵ י אֲ בוֹתֵ ינ) , ֶ ְ קַ ֵל ְרַ חֲמִ י, )בְרָ צוֹ /ָל מַ עֲ.ֶ ה הַ טוֹב ֶ נִי עוֹ.ֶ ה , ֵי ְמַחַ ָ בָ ה , ֵי ְדִ י)ר , ֵי ְמַ עֲ.ֶ ה וְ יִ הְ יֶ ה הַ /ֹ ל /ֹ לִ תכ)זְ ) לְ נ)מְ חַ ת ) לְ עִ יל) י לִ נְ ָ מוֹ ת עַ 3מְ יִ .ְ רָ לאֵ ), ִ פְ רָ ט לְ נֶ פֶ ר) חַ ) נְ ָ מָ ה ֶ ל 0 בִ י / אִ מִ י / י מִ אִ / י בִ צַ דִ יק ______. יְ הִ י רָ צוֹ ֶ ִ הְ יֶ נָ ה נַ פְ וֹ תֵ יהֶ , צְ ר) רוֹ ת ִ צְ רוֹ ר הַ חַ .י,יִ Translation: Behold I am lighting this lamp for the resting and uplifting of the soul of my father/my mother/the Tzaddik ______the son/daughter of ______. May it be Your will before you, Hashem , our G-d and the G -d of our forefathers, that all my good deeds w hether in thought, speech or action be done for a merit and a resting and an elevation of the souls of your nation Yisrael. It should be especially for the soul of my father/mother/the Tzaddik _____. May it be Your will that their souls be bound in the bon d of life. 3) Learn about the person including history, culture, writings and teachings. 4) Study some of his teaching or writings. See more at: www.yeshshem.com/hilulah.htm 

Y GEDOLIM BE'MISASAM YOSER Z YAHRZEITS FOR WEEK BEGINNING SHABBOS KI SEITSEI http://www.chinuch.org/gedolim_yahrtzeits/Elul Biographical information and yahrzeits compiled by Reb Manny Saltiel and www.anshe.org 13 th ~ Begins Friday Night (Aug 20th) Rav Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, mechaber of Ben Ish Chai , Od Yosef Chai , Rav Pe’alim , Ben Yehoyada , Aderes Eliyohu , and Imrei Bina , and many other works (1832–1904). Both his grandfather, Rav Moshe Chaim, and his father, Rav Eliyohu, served as Rav of Baghdad. Rav Eliyohu and his wife were childless for many years. Finally, ten years after their marriage, his wife made the long journey from Baghdad to Morocco to request a blessing from the renowned Rav Yaakov Abuchatzeira, the Abir Yaakov . The Tzaddik blessed her that she would give birth to a child who would one day illuminate the eyes of Jews everywhere. Less than a year later, she gave birth to a boy, who was named Yosef Chaim. As a child, he spent most of his time studying in his father’s large li brary. At the age of ten, he left the Sefardi cheder in which he learned and began to study with his uncle, the Tzaddik , Rav Dovid Chai Nissim. Rav Dovid later founded the famed Shoshanim LeDovid Yeshiva located in the Bais Yisrael section of Yerushalayim. When his father passed away, Rav Yosef Chaim was only twenty -five years old. Nevertheless, the Jews of Baghdad accepted him to fill his father’s position as Rav of Baghdad. His opinion on Halachic issues was sought throughout the Sefardi world and is stil l followed by thousands of people from these communities, and even outside these communities. Rav Yosef Chaim’s son, Rav Yaakov, succeeded him as Rav and Maggid of Baghdad. His main talmid was the Mekubol and Tzaddik , Rav Yehuda Moshe Petaya, (5664/1904); Rav Yaakov Yisrael Twersky of Tcherkas (Czerkass), son of the Maggid of Czernobyl and mechaber of Emek Tefilla , (5636/1876); Rav Yaakov Gezundteheit of Warsaw, (5638/1878); Rav Avrohom Yissochor Dov HaKohen Rabinowitz , the Chessed L’Avrohom (1843–1892),

4 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] the second Rebbe of Radomsk, following his father, Rav Shlomo HaKohen Rabinowitz (1801– 1866), the Tiferes Shlomo , (5652/1892); Rav Yerachmiel Moshe Hopstein of Kozhnitz (1860–1909). The scion of a long line of Kozhnitzer Rebbes , beginning with the Kozhnitzer Maggid through Rav Yechiel Yaakov, Rav Yerachmiel’s father. When Yerachmiel was only six years old, his father was niftar , and the Rebbetzin married Rav Aharon II of Stolin. Rav Yerachmiel was engaged to be married at the age of twelve, but the wedding was pushed off for two years, due to the untimely death of the Bais Aharon of Stolin and his son, Rav Osher. The following year, in 1875, Rav Yerachmiel returned to Kozhnitz to lead his flock of Chassidim , a job he performed for thirty-four years, (5669/1909); Rav Avrohom Fish , ben R’ Yosef Chaim (5758/1998). He was known as a tremendous Tzaddik and was said to have been the head of the 36 hidden Tzaddikim . It was said about him, that all those who were next to him in the camps during WWII made it out alive – and people knew to stay close to him. His Melave Malka’s were legendary and many people saw open miracles when attending them. He also did unbelievable amounts of chessed, especially with couples getting married who did not have money. He would purchase them fridges and ovens etc. Over the years, they eventually numbered in the thousands. He would say that to do chessed with one’s body was a Segula for salvations. As well, he said that the reason he was able to bring about so many yeshuos for people was in merit of the Tzeddaka he did specifically the fact that any Tzeddaka money he had he gave out immediately. Being that R’ Avrum (as he was affectionately known) passed away childless, it would be a great Chessed and Zchus for anyone who can light a candle on the Yortzeit and learn some Mishnayos Lezecher Nishmas Rav Avraham ben R' Yosef Chaim and his wife Fradel bas Sarah. He was particularly fond of the song Rachem Bechasdecha and at his kever there is a big sign that reads: “He (Rav Avrum) said, ‘Anyone who recites Rachem Bechasdecha etc. at this Kever three times and davens for the final redemption is guaranteed to see salvations” 14 th of Elul ~ Begins Motzai Shabbos (Aug 21st) Rav Yosef Yuska ben Rav Yisrael Ashkenazi, mechaber of Ohel Yosef , (5627/1867); Rav Yitzchok Gotinyu of Izmir, Turkey, mechaber of Bais Yitzchok , (5560/1800); Rav Yaakov Malul , Rav of Vezan, (5688/1928). 15 th of Elul ~ Begins Sunday Night (Aug 22nd) Rav Chanoch Henach Eiges of Vilna, mechaber of Marcheshes , talmid of Rav Alexander Moshe Lapidus at his kollel in Rassein, (5701/1941); Rav Yaakov Koppel Chassid , the Shliach Tzibbur and chazzan of the Ba’al Shem Tov and founder of the Kosov and Vizhnitz dynasties. Born in Kolomaya, Ukraine, he was able to trace his family tree through his father, Rav Nechemya Feivel, back to the Ba’alei Tosafos of Provence and beyond, to Dovid HaMelech . He was also a descendant of Rav Ovadia of Bartenura. His most famous work, Sha’ar Gan Eden , was printed posthumously in 1854. He also wrote a kabbalistic commentary on the siddur , Kol Yaakov , printed in 1859, based on the nusach of the Arizal , and a kabbalistic commentary on the Haggoda . Some of his Torah ideas are quoted by his son, Rav Menachem Mendel of Kosov, in his sefer , Ahavas Sholom ,

5 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] (5547/1787); Rav Moshe Alshakar , mechaber of Shailos U’Tshuvos Maharam Alshakar and Kol Bruei Maala Umata , a piyut of praises to Hashem , featured at the beginning of some siddurim , (5302/1542 or 5295/1535); Rav Meir Horowitz of Lebertov, (5601/1841); Rav Akiva Eiger (I), mechaber of Mishnas Rav Akiva , (5518/1758); Rav Avrohom Yaakov Horowitz of Provizna, mechaber of Tzur Yaakov , (5702/1942). 16 th of Elul ~ Begins Monday Night (Aug 23rd) Rav Avrohom Avigdor Nachum ben Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Don Landau, the Strikover Rebbe of Bnei Brak (1917–2001/5761). Born in Kinov, in the Ostrovtze region of Poland, his father, Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Don, served as Rav of the city. Avrohom was raised by his grandfather, Rav Elimelech Menachem Mendel. At the age of thirteen, Rav Avrohom began to study in the Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva . When World War II broke out, he was at his parents’ home and he escaped with his father to Lodz, from where the family fled to Warsaw, and from there, at the directive of his father, Avrohom fled to Baranowitz. A week after his arrival in Baranowitz he fled to Vilna, during Chanuka 1939. There, he began to study under the Griz (Rav Velvel Soloveitchik) of Brisk. In 1946, he married a great-granddaughter of the Chiddushei HaRim of Gur. After their marriage he learned that his father and eight of his siblings had perished in the Holocaust, and that only he and his sister remained alive from the entire Strikover dynasty. He became Rebbe of Strikov after World War II, first in Tel Aviv and then in Bnei Brak, (5761/2001); Rav Yitzchok HaKohen Shapiro , father-in-law of Maharam Lublin, (5342/1582); Rav Yosef Kovo , Rav in Salonika, Greece, (5487/1727); Rav Avrohom Naftoli Tzvi of Vermeiza (Worms), (5472/1712); Rav Tzvi Dishkis of Opotshna, (5615/1855); Rav Masoud Yona Edre’ei , the Tzaddik of Rosh Pina, (5728/1968); Rav Yechi Shnior , talmid of Baba Sali , (5754/1994). 17 th of Elul ~ Begins Tuesday Night (Aug 24th ) Rav Nosson Nota Shapiro , Maggid of Lublin, (5512/1752); Rav Yosef Yoska of Dubno, a talmid of the Maggid of Mezritch and mechaber of Yesod Yosef, an encyclopedic work on mussar , drawing heavily on the Zohar , (5560/1800); Rav Yaakov Koppel Reich , Rav of Budapest (1838–1929/5689), born in the city of Verboi to Rav Avrohom Yechezkel, who was the son of Rav Yaakov Koppel Charif, mechaber of Sefer Yaavetz on Chulin . He learned in Pressburg under the Kesav Sofer and in Grossvardein under Rav Yitzchok Aharon Landesberg. In 1860, he succeeded his father-in-law as Rav of Sobotitch. In 1872, he became Rav of Verboi, and in 1890, he was appointed Rav and Av Beis Din of Budapest, (5689/1929); Rav Yosef of Ostilla, (5590/1830). Rav Dovid Dov Ber Taub , Rav of Dabrizinsk, mechaber of Binyan Dovid , (5659/1899);

18 th of Elul ~ Begins Wednesday Night (Aug 25th ) On the 18 th of Elul , we celebrate the birthdays of Rav Yisrael Ba’al Shem Tov and Rav Schneur Zalman of Liadi. The Ba’al Shem Tov , founder of the Chassidic movement, was born in 1698 in Okup, a small town in the Carpathian Mountains of Poland. Rav Yisrael (born circa 1700) was born to poor and elderly parents, Eliezer and Sora, in a settlement near Okopy Świ ętej Trójcy, a newly built

6 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] fortress close to Kameni ec in the West Ukraine. Often called the Ba’al Shem Tov or the acronym Besh”t , he was not the typical mystical Rebbe . He is considered to be the founder of Chassidic Judaism. In 1703, Rav Yisrael became an orphan, and the Jewish community of Tluste (near Zalischyky) adopted him, providing him with his basic needs. Often, after the conclusion of his studies at the local cheder (Jewish elementary school), he would wande r into the fields and forests that surrounded the village to meditate and recognize the wonders of Hashem ’s creation. In 1710, he finished cheder and became an assistant to a melamed (instructor in cheder ). According to Chassidic lore, on his sixteenth bir thday, Eliyohu HaNovi appeared to him and described to him the great effects the tefillos of simple folk had in Heaven. During the many years that he lived in the woods and came into contact with the peasants, the Besh”t had learned how to use plants for h ealing purposes. The Besh”t was introduced to the secrets of Kabbola by Rav Odom Ba’al Shem of Ropczyce. Caring for the Jewish poor, a group of Tzaddikim encouraged Jews to move to agrarian lifestyles as alternatives to the chronic poverty which was the lo t of city Jews. In continuation of this policy, they decided that they needed to look after the educational needs of the children living in small farm communities. The Besh”t became the leader of this movement at the age of eighteen. Sometime in 1712, the Besh”t became a shamash (sexton) of the local shul . In the early 1700s, he formulated the approach of Chassidus , stressing the importance of serving Hashem with joy and warmth, humility and love of your fellow, and the necessity of having a Rebbe – a holy person who guides his followers on their spiritual journeys. After his passing in 1760, many of his talmidim established their own Chassidic courts. They all followed the Chassidic tradition, but each Rebbe developed a unique approach to Chassidus , emphasi zing a different aspect of the Ba’al Shem Tov ’s teachings. He was niftar of the 6 th of Sivan 5520 (May, 22 1760) [ Shavuos ]. Rav Schneur Zalman (affectionately known as the “ Alter Rebbe ”, “the Old Rebbe ”), creator of the Chabad branch of Chassidus , was born in Liozna, Belarus, in 1745. He was a talmid of Rav Dov Ber (the Maggid ) of Mezritch, the primary successor of the Ba’al Shem Tov , and after Rav Dov Ber’s petira in 1773, Rav Schneur Zalman established the Chabad movement. Chabad is an acronym f or three Hebrew words ( Chochma , Bina and Da’as ), which mean “intellect”, “understanding” and “knowledge”. Chabad Chassidus emphasizes the importance of studying and understanding the esoteric parts of Torah – which include concepts such as Hashem , the purpose of Torah and the uniqueness of the Jewish soul. Rav Schneur Zalman’s magnum opus, the Tanya , serves as the basic text of Chabad Chassidus . He also authored the Shulchon Aruch HaRav , a universally accepted codification of Jewish Law. These two luminarie s were both born on the same date, the 18 th of Elul . Elul is a month of teshuva , a month of “renewing our marriage vows”, as a nation with Hashem . It is a time to reignite the spark in our relationship with Hashem . The number eighteen has the numerical value of chai , the Hebrew word for “life”. Studying Chassidus , and living a life of Chassidus , breathes new “life” into Elul , and into our relationship with Hashem and his Torah . (www.askmoses.com/en/article/674,144488/Chai -Elul-the-18th-of-Elul.html); Rav Yehuda Loew , the Maharal (1525/5285–1609). Born in Posen, Poland, on the night of the Pesach Seder , to a distinguished family of Rabbonim that traced its ancestry to Dovid HaMelech , he was the youngest of four brothers. The Maharal married his Rebbetzin , Perel, at the age of thirty-two. He had six daughters and one son who was named after the Maharal ’s father, Betzalel. In 1553, he was elected Rav of Nikolsburg and the Province of Moravia, where he remained for the following twenty years. In 1573, he mov ed to Prague, where he opened a

7 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] Yeshiva . In 1592, the Maharal accepted the position of Rav in Posen, returning to Prague in 1598 to serve as its chief Rav . The Maharal castigated the educational methods of his day where boys were taught at a very young age and insisted that children must be taught in accordance with their intellectual maturity. One of his leading talmidim was Rav Yom Tov Heller, mechaber of the classic mishnaic commentary, Tosafos Yom Tov , who, in his introduction, informs us that the Maharal greatly encouraged group study of the Mishna . At the same time, he was fully conversant with the scientific knowledge of his time as well as friendly with some of the contemporary eminent scientists. His talmid , Dovid Ganz, worked in the observatory of Tycho Brahe, the distinguished astronomer. He was a prolific writer, and his works include: Tiferes Yisrael , on the greatness of Torah and mitzvos ; Nesivos Olam , on ethics; Be’er Hagola , a commentary on Rabbinic sayings; Netzach Yisrael , on exile and redemption; Or Chodosh , on the book of Esther ; Ner Mitzva , on Chanuka ; Gevuros Hashem , on the Exodus; and many others. Rav Kook stated that “the Maharal was the father of the approach of the Gaon of Vilna on the one hand, and of the father of Chassidus , on the other hand”. He has been described as a Mekubol who wrote in philosophic garb, (5369/1609); Rav Abdala (Abdullah) Somech , Rebbe of the Ben Ish Chai and head of Iraqi Jewry (1813/5573–1889/5649). Born in Baghdad, he traced his lineage back to Rav Nissim Gaon, head of the Yeshiva of Neharda’ah, (5649/1889); Rav Ze’ev Nachum Bornstein , mechaber of Agudas Eizov , Rav of Elkush and Biala, father of Rav Avrohom Borenstein of Sochatchov, the Avnei Nezer , (5645/1885) ( Hamodia 2005: 19 th of Elul). 19 th of Elul ~ Begins Thursday Night (Aug 26th ) Rav Yaakov of Orleans, one of the Ba’alei Tosafos and a talmid of Rabbeinu Tam, was killed with many other Jews in London during pogroms after the coronation of King Richard the Lion-Hearted, (4949/1189) (others say it was the 3 rd of Elul ); Rav Moshe Zvi Arye Bick (1911–1990/5750) was born in Medzbosz (Mezhibuzh), Ukraine, but grew up in New York, and is recognized as one of the first Gedolim to be raised on American soil. He studied under Rav Moshe Soloveitchik at Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yitzchok Elchonon Spektor and attended New York City public schools at night. At age twenty-one, Rav Bick was hired by a shul in the Bronx. While there, he founded schools for both boys and girls. Later, he moved to Boro Park. He was recognized as a master posek by both Chassidic and non- Chassidic communities, but never published his teshuvos . His father, Rav Chaim Yechiel Michel, was the last Rav of Mezhibuzh. Their family had been the heads of the Bais Din in Mezhibuzh for seven generations, since the days of the Ba’al Shem Tov . He is buried in Beth David Cemetery on Long Island, (5750/1990); Rav Hillel Vitkind , Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Hillel of Novardok-Tel Aviv in Bnei Brak. He and his Rebbetzin were moser nefesh for bochurim arriving on the shores of Eretz Yisrael. They lived a life of great poverty as a result of the tremendous expenses which they incurred for saving the bochurim , (5734/1974); Rav Chaim Benveniste (1603–1673/5433), a talmid of Rav Yosef Trani. Born in Constantinople, he was appointed Rav of Tita (near Izmir) in 1644. In 1658, he was appointed one of the Rabbonim of Izmir. He became an adherent of Shabsai Tzvi (1665–67) but subsequently repented. He authored Kenesses HaGedola , a digest of halachic material from the time of Rav Yosef Caro until his own time, (5433/1673) ( Hamodia 2005: 19 th of Elul ); Rav Elimelech Alter Paneth (“Reb Meilech”) , the Deizher Rebbe (1928–2005/5765). Born to Rav Yosef and Rebbetzin Lifash Paneth in Tekendorf, Romania, he lived with his family in

8 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] Paris after the War, before they all immigrated to the United States. He married Rebbetzin Yocheved in 1951, (5765/2005); Rav Moshe of Orzistchov ben Rav Pinchas of Ostroh, raised by the Shpole Zeide after being orphaned. 

Y HILLULA DE’TDE’TZADDIKAZADDIKA Z WHAT’S BEHIND YAHRZEIT MEANINGS & CUSTOMS In Shulchon Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 581:4, the Rema cites the Maharil who writes: “There are those who have the custom [on Erev Rosh HaShana ] to visit the kevorim and to say many techinos (supplications) and tefillos there, and they give tzedoka (charity) there to the aniyim (poor) (Kol Bo ). The Be’er Heiteiv (17) explains there that the Bais HaChaim is a place where the souls of the Tzaddikim reside and therefore it is a pure and holy place where tefillos are accepted more readily. He also says in the name of the Maharil that we should not make requests of the Tzaddikim but rather ask Hashem to fulfill our requests in their merit. He says in the name of the Shela that you should do hakofos, encircle the tziun and also give tzedoka before reciting techinos . In the name of the AriZal , you should not visit the same grave twice in one day. The Minchas Elozor (siman chaim ) [cited by Segulos Yisrael , # Kuf ] argues with the Maharil and cites many proofs from Medrash and Zohar that one may make requests of the Tzaddik (the niftar) that he should intercede and advocate on High on our behalf. Y GEDOLIM BE’MASAYHEM Z STORIES & ANECDOTES

Rav Avrohom Yissochor Dov Rabinowitz 131313 ththth of Elul The Chessed L’Avrohom of Radomsk Rav Avrohom Yissochor Dov Yissochor did not speak often in public, but HaKohen Rabinowitz was born on the 22 nd with time he began to deliver lengthy of Cheshvan 5604/1843 to Rav Shlomo, the Divrei Torah . He would quote from across Tiferes Shlomo of Radomsk. At the bris , the Torah spectrum. the Tiferes Shlomo spoke about the lofty Rav Avrohom Yissochor led the neshoma that had just entered the world. Chassidim for twenty-six years with love Rav Avrohom Yissochor learned and warmth. He was niftar on the 13 th of nigleh and nistar under his father, to Elul 5652/1892 at the age of forty-eight whom he was very attached. and was buried in the ohel of his father in On the 29 th of Adar 5626/1866, Radomsk. when Rav Avrohom Yissochor was just Rav Avrohom Yissochor’s Divrei twenty-two years old, his world darkened Torah were published under the title with the petira of his father and Rebbe . Chessed L’Avrohom . Despite his young age, he succeeded his His sons were Rav Yechezkel, the father as Rebbe , and many Chassidim Knesses Yechezkel , his successor as Rebbe traveled to his court in Radomsk. in Radomsk; Rav Nosson Nachum, Rebbe In the early years Rav Avrohom of Krimilov; Rav Shlomo of Elkush; Rav

9 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] Moshe Elimelech; and Rav Yaakov Yosef of Rav Mordechai Menachem Kalisch of Klabotzk, the mechaber of Emes L’Yaakov . Otwotzk. His sons-in-law were Rav Zechuso yogen oleinu Menachem Mendel Alter, Rav of Pavianitz; www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-13-elulseptember-8/ Rav Avrohom Kalisch of Amshinov; and  Rav Chanoch Henach Eiges of VilnaVilna,, 151515 ththth of Elul The Marcheshes Rav Chanoch Henach Eiges was appendix to the sefer . born in 5624/1864 in Raissen. His father In 5666/1906, with the petira of Rav was Rav Simcha Reuven Eidelman (Rav Shlomo HaKohen , the elderly Rav of Vilna, Simcha Reuven used a different last name, Rav Chanoch Henach and Rav Chaim Ozer probably due to fear of being drafted into Grodzinski were the acknowledged leaders the Russian army), known as Sar ben of the Torah community of Vilna. Chayal Ha’Adulami , by the Roshei Teivos During World War I, Rav Chaim of his name ( Sar , Simcha Reuven) and his Ozer was forced to flee Vilna, but Rav father’s name ( Chayal , Chaim Yehuda Chanoch Henach remained. Many Leib). bochurim from neighboring Yeshivos In his youth, Rav Chanoch Henach found refuge in Vilna, and Rav Chanoch learned in Raissen under Rav Alexander Henach said a shiur for them every week. Moshe Lapidos, mechaber of the mussar Rav Chanoch Henach was close with classic, Divrei Emes . A masmid , the young the Gedolim of his time, especially the talmid sat for hours on end in the Bais Chofetz Chaim . He was given a kibbud at Medrash . the bris of a grandson of the Chofetz From there, Rav Chanoch Henach Chaim . went on to learn in Brisk, where he was Initially, Rav Chanoch Henach close with Rav Yosef Dov, a relative. leaned toward the Mizrachi movement, but Later, Rav Chanoch Henach learned in 5689/1929, when members of Mizrachi in Kovna. Once when the Rav of Kovna, insulted Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski by Rav Yitzchok Elchonon Spektor, came into attempting to install one of their own as the Bais Medrash , he saw this bochur Rav of Vilna, Rav Chanoch Henach learning diligently. When Rav Shmuel officially announced that he was separating Zibertenski (Lubatcher), a Dayan in Vilna, from them. (Rav Aharon Rabinowitz, Rav asked Rav Yitzchok Elchonon to suggest a of Lida, left the Mizrachi for the same fitting chosson for his granddaughter, Rav reason.) Yitzchok Elchonon chose Rav Chanoch In 5691/1931, Rav Chanoch Henach Henach. printed the first volume of his work, the After the petira of Rav Shmuel Marcheshes . It was a two-part sefer of Zibertenski in 5658/1898, Rav Chanoch teshuvos in Halocha and chiddushim on Henach became a Rav in Vilna, and he held the Shas . These seforim made him famous the position for more than forty years. in the Yeshiva world; they became Rav Chanoch Henach made his standard learning material in the Yeshivos . name in the Torah world with the printing In 5695/1935 he published the second of his grandfather’s sefer, Olas Shmuel , in volume. 5661/1901, adding his own deroshos as an After the petira of Rav Chaim Ozer

10 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] in Av 5700/1940, Ra v Chanoch Henach on the 15 th of Elul 5701/1941. was considered by many of the bnei Torah Hashem yinkom domo . the senior Rav and Torah leader. www.hamodia.com/features/this-day-in-history-15-elulaugust-21/ He was killed al Kiddush Hashem  Rav Yaakov Koppel ChassidChassid,, 151515 ththth of Elul It once happened that Rav Yaakov was the consequence of his anger. Koppel Chassid entered a shul in a town he In despair, he decided to travel to had never been to before. The regulars the Ba’al Shem Tov . He had heard about were curious – who was he and why had he this great Tzaddik ; maybe he could help. come to their town? He was in a great “Rebbe , I have heard that you can perform hurry at the time and so he was relieved to miracles. I have been blind since I angered see a quorum of men already assembled, a certain hidden Tzaddik . My problem is ready to begin the morning tefillos . There that I don’t know who he is or where I can was no Rav there, and not wanting to wait, find him.” he ascended the bima . The “regulars” were The Ba’al Shem Tov replied, “The surprised and offended that this unknown man is my talmid , Rav Yaakov Koppel, and man presumed to lead the tefillos . After all, you sinned against him with your angry who was this fellow, who didn’t even have speech. Go to him and beg his forgiveness. the courtesy to wait a few minutes for the If he forgives you, your blindness will be Rav or the president of the congregation? cured.” The man indeed traveled to Rav He had already begun the morning Yaakov, who accepted his apology. His service when the president arrived. Seeing sight returned as quickly as it had a stranger at the bima , he rushed up to him vanished. and said, “What a chutzpa ! Who do you www.rabbishimon.com/tzadikim/showz.ph think you are to begin the tefillos before the p?p=koppel.htm Rav or I have arrived?” And he continued berating the man in this fashion. Rav The Ba’al Shem Tov once spent Yaakov, however, just kept silent. But his Shabbos in the town of Kolomaya, and on refusal to respond infuriated the president the night of Shabbos he sensed the even more and he blurted out, “Don’t you presence in the town of a holy soul see who’s speaking to you?” Finally Rav radiating great light. So he went out for a Yaakov replied in a quiet voice, “You also stroll to find that light. When he passed by do not see to whom you are speaking.” a certain home, he saw the light radiating from it; he also heard, within, the sounds of No sooner had those words been singing and dancing. Seeing that the door uttered than everything went dark before was slightly ajar, he went in and saw Rav the president’s eyes. He rushed to a doctor, Yaakov Koppel dancing in ecstasy before then to a specialist – to several specialists – his Shabbos table, which was laden with but no one could find a cause for his good food. sudden blindness. He tried every treatment that was suggested to him, but nothing Rav Yaakov Koppel sang and danced proved a cure. Then, it dawned upon him: for a long time until he finally stopped and when had his blindness begun? After he noticed the Ba’al Shem Tov . He welcomed had angry words with the stranger in the his guest warmly, and the Ba’al Shem Tov shul . Undoubtedly, he had offended a asked him, “Why do you sing and dance hidden Tzaddik with his words, and this this way before eating?”

11 Ki Seitsei / [email protected]

Rav Yaakov Koppel answered, Text of story excerpted by permission from “Before I partake of the physical food, I Jewish Tales of Mystic Joy by Yitzhak first stand in front of the table and absorb Buxbaum, JosseyBass, 2002 the food’s spiritual essence. Sometimes, I www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/385241/jewish/The- become so aroused that I sing and dance.” Table.htm  Rav Avrohom Avigdor Nachum LandauLandau,,,, 161616 ththth of Elul The Strikover Rebbe Rav Avrohom was born on the 11 th of a court. Instead, he founded an elite kollel . Shevat 5677/1917, in Kinov, in the In 5744/1984 he moved to Bnei Ostrovtze region of Poland. His father was Brak, where he reestablished his Bais Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Dan, Hy”d , son of Rav Medrash and founded Yeshiva Strikov. He Elimelech Menachem Mendel of Strikov. was sought after by Talmidei Chachomim Rav Avrohom, as he was called, was a child as well as by suffering, downtrodden prodigy who studied under leading Polish Yidden , all of whom valued his erudite Talmidei Chachomim . learning, his sage advice and his After becoming bar mitzva , he welcoming, listening ear. entered Yeshiva Chachmei Lublin and was Rav Avrohom was one of the rare a prime talmid of Rav Meir Shapiro, the Gedolim acclaimed equally by the world of Kaziglover Rav and Rav Shimon of Chassidus and the Litvishe Yeshiva world. Zelichov. There he grew in Torah , avoda For two generations, he was revered as one and middos . of the illustrious disseminators of Brisker In Kislev 5700/1940, obeying his Torah , while leading Chassidim respected father’s orders, Rav Avrohom fled Warsaw him as a brilliant scion of the Strikov for Vilna. Of all his family, only he and a dynasty. sister survived the war, while their parents The Strikover Rebbe ’s humility was and eight of their siblings perished, HY”D . extraordinary; he simply could not bear He eventually arrived in Eretz Yisrael and any kovod at all. He never had a settled in Yerushalayim. He used to say meshamesh — he opened his front door that everything in Eicha about the himself and answered his own telephone. slaughter and suffering of Yidden For most of his life, he wore a regular suit happened in World War II. instead of the usual Rabbinic garb In Yerushalayim, he grew close to (kapota ). He would even remove his and became a faithful talmid of the Brisker Rabbinical hat in public places so as not to Rav , Rav Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik. After stand out. his marriage to the daughter of Rav Meir When he moved to Bnei Brak, he Wydislavski, he found an apartment near would often be seen helping children cross that of the Tchebiner Rav , to whom he was the street. also close. For dozens of years he traveled by It took many years for Rav Avrohom bus, refusing to allow anyone to drive him. to recover sufficiently from his losses in Even in his later years, he would insist on World War II to be able to undertake the taking the bus from Bnei Brak to rebuilding of Strikover Chassidu s. When Yerushalayim. When a Chassid objected the time came, he moved to Tel Aviv and that buses were not respectable enough, the built a Bais Medrash , but did not establish Rebbe rejoined with humor that,

12 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] measuring by the size of his vehicle (a bus), on the Chassid ’s way home from work, he must be the greatest Rebbe around. giving no information that might lead to When the Rebbe did accept a ride, extra effort on the Chassid ’s part. he would travel only at the driver’s The Strikover Rebbe was niftar on convenience. When he lived in Tel Aviv, he the 16 th of Elul 5761/2001. was driven by a Chassid who worked in Tel Zechuso yogen oleinu . Aviv and lived in Bnei Brak, but he would www.hamodia.com/features/this-day-in-history-16-elulaugust-22/ never tell the Chassid when he needed a ride. He would only agree to be picked up  Rav Masoud Yona Edre’eiEdre’ei,,,, 161616 ththth of Elul The Tzaddik of Rosh Pina Rav Masoud Yona Edre’ei was born Eretz Yisrael and settled in Rosh Pina. He in 5674/1914 in the city of Deganah in wrote Sfas Emes , a compilation of Morocco. As a young bochur he moved to chiddushim and remozim on the Torah and Marrakesh, where he learned with Nach , and deroshos on a wide array of hasmoda in the local Yeshiva . topics. Rav Masoud served as a Rav , mohel Rav Masoud was niftar on the 16 th of and sofer . He was actively involved in the Elul 5728/1968 at the age of fifty-four and dissemination of Torah and gave berochos was buried on Har HaMenuchos in and help to whoever came to him. He Yerushalayim. delved into Kabbola beginning in his youth Zecher Tzaddik livrocha. and became known as a poel yeshuos www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-16-elulseptember-11/ (miracle worker). In 5710/1950 Rav Masoud moved to  Rav Yosef of OstillaOstilla,, 171717 ththth of Elul Rav Yosef was the son of Rav Rav Yosef was famous as a ba’al Mordechai of Neshchiz. He was born in mofes . Many traveled to his court for his 5623/1763 and named for his maternal wondrous yeshuos . grandfather, Rav Yosef Katzenelenbogen, During his tenure as Rebbe , the city Rav of Leshnov. of Ostilla became famous when his He married the daughter of Rav daughter married Rav Don of Radvill, a Yehuda Meir Shapira of Shpitovka, the son grandson of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta. This of Rav Pinchas of Koritz. wedding, known as the Ostilla chasuna , Rav Yosef was appointed Rav in was attended by hundreds of Rebbes . Ostilla in his father’s lifetime. After the While Rav Yosef was in Ostroha, for petira of his father on the 8 th of Nissan the wedding of his son, on the 18 th of Elul 5560/1800, Rav Yosef became Rebbe in 5590/1830, he was suddenly niftar , and Ostilla. was honored with a large levaya . He was Rav Yosef often went to the court of buried in Ostroha. the Chozeh in Lublin. The Chozeh held him When the family returned home to in high esteem, calling him “the Urim Ostilla they found his tzavo’a (will) , in V’tumim ”. which he explicitly wrote that he would like

13 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] a small levaya . of Radvill; Rav Levi Yitzchok of Kamin; and Rav Yosef’s sons were Rav Pinchas Rav Aharon Tzintz, Rav of Turbin. of Ostilla; Rav Mordechai of Ostilla; Rav Zechuso yogen oleinu . Levi Yitzchok of Stephin; and Rav Boruch www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-17-elulseptember-12/ of Kosnitin. His sons-in-law were Rav Don  Rav Dovid Dov Ber Taub ,,, 171717 ththth of Elul Rav of Dabrizinsk, Mechaber of Binyan Dovid Rav Dovid Dov Ber Taub, born circa Later, in 5620/1860, he became Rav 5587/1827, was the son of Rav Binyomin in Neustadt, where he led the kehilla and Zev. also headed a large Yeshiva . When he was still a young boy, he In 5635/1875, Rav Dovid Dov was became known for his dedication to appointed Rav in the city of Dabrizinsk, on learning and for his Yiras Shomayim . the border between Poland and Germany. It is told that when Rav Dovid Dov There, too, he founded a Yeshiva , which was just nine years old, Rav Yitzchok of attracted many bochurim . Vorka paid a visit to Zaloshin. The young Rav Dovid Dov was a Chassid of the Dovid, wishing to see the Rebbe ’s holy first Vorka Rebbe , and after his petira , of countenance during the davening (the his son, Rav Menachem Mendel of Vorka. Vorka Rebbe would cover his head with his Following the petira of Rav Menachem tallis ), crawled under the table and peeked Mendel, Rav Dovid Dov traveled to Rav up through the tallis to see the Rebbe ’s Dov Berisch of Biala, and after his petira , face. He related that he also saw the he traveled to Rav Yechiel, the Alter Rebbe Rebbe ’s limbs knocking against each other, of Alexander. in awe of Hashem . Chiddushei Torah of Rav Dovid Dov Rav Dovid Dov married the on many masechtos of Shas and Shulchon daughter of Rav Meir, son-in-law of Rav Aruch were published as Binyan Dovid. Moshe of Zaloshin, the Mishpat Tzedek . Many of his manuscripts were burned, Initially, not willing to be supported however, which greatly distressed Rav for learning Torah , he tried his hand at Dovid Dov. business. But seemingly it wasn’t meant to Rav Dovid Dov was niftar on the 17 th be; he was asked to serve on the Bais Din in of Elul 5659/1899 and buried in Zaloshin, as the city was short one of the Dabrizinsk. three Dayonim required for a Bais Din . Zecher Tzaddik livrocha . In 5615/1855, Rav Dovid Dov was www.hamodia.com/features/this-day-in-history-17-elulaugust-23/ appointed Rav in Shadek.  Rav Yehuda LoewLoew,,,, 181818 ththth of Elul The Maharal of Prague Rav Yehuda ben Bezalel Loew was twenties, he was invited to become the Rav born around the year 5285 (1525), probably in Nikolsburg, Moravia, a position which he in Posen. He became famous as a great held for about twenty years. His greatest Talmudic scholar at an early age. In his late fame, however, came to him as the spiritual

14 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] head of the Jewish community in Prague, and Nesivos Olam (“Ways of the World”), then the main center of central European reflect his saintly character. Jewry. In Prague, the Maharal established The Maharal of Prague must also the great Talmudic Academy known as the have been a master of Kabbola , for most of Klaus . (The ancient building of the Klaus the legends concerning him speak of his burned down about eighty years after his knowledge of the divine creation and the petira and was subsequently rebuilt and hidden ways of Hashem . The Maharal was named the Klaus Synagogue.) Among his credited with being a miracle worker. The famous talmidim were Rav Yom Tov most famous story is that of the Golem that Lipmann Heller and Rav Dovid Ganz, who he created out of clay and which he brought were among the most famous Talmudists to life by the use of Hashem ’s holy name. of their age. The Maharal won the The Maharal averted many calamities and admiration of his great contemporaries: blood libels through the Golem . Every Rav Shlomo Luria ( Maharshal ), Rav Meir Friday evening, he would remove the (Maharam ) of Lublin and others, who sacred amulet bearing the name of Hashem called him affectionately “the iron pillar from the Golem , in order that it might not supporting Yisrael”, “our breath of life” and profane the Shabbos . When the Golem had “the marvel of the age”. performed its mission, the Maharal laid it The Maharal also became famous away in the attic of the Prague shul. In later among non-Jews for his great secular years, a statue of Der Hohe Rav Uwe, knowledge of mathematics, astronomy and created by a famous Czech sculptor, was other sciences. He was a great friend of the placed before the new city hall of Prague. astronomers Tycho Brahe and Johannes Few among the great men of Jewish Kepler. They in turn introduced him to history have been the subject of so many Emperor Rudolph II. According to many popular legends as Rav Yehuda ben Bezalel legends, the emperor paid him frequent of Prague. He was said to possess great visits during the night, to discuss with him powers. One legend tells of the Maharal both politics and science, and Rav Yehuda showing the emperor his far-off castle by Loew made use of these excellent “television”. Another one tells of the connections to the advantage of his Maharal having brought down the spirits community whenever it was threatened by of the twelve sons of Yaakov Avinu in the attacks or oppression. presence of the emperor. Rav Yehuda Loew wrote many works But the Maharal has not become so on Rabbinic subjects, one of the most revered a figure among the Jewish people important of which is Gur Arye , a because of his supernatural powers. To us, commentary on Rashi on the Chumash . he is the man who, during one of the trying Some of his best works are on Jewish periods of Jewish history has done so much philosophy and ethics. In his writings and for his Jewish brethren, who was their teachings, he laid stress on understanding spiritual leader and their spokesman, and the simple literal meaning of the passages who, in his writings, has left us a wealth of studied, avoiding the complicated form of deep Jewish thought and moral teachings. study known as pilpul . He insisted that We do not think of the Maharal as the children should have a thorough knowledge creator of the Golem , but rather consider of the Chumash and Mishna before taking the light he has brought to Torah talmidim up the study of the Talmud . His writings, and the source of inspiration and faith particularly his commentary on Pirkei Avos contained in his ethical writings. (the Talmud ’s “Ethics of the Fathers”) and www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/111877/jewish/Rav- the collection of his lectures such as Yehuda-Loew-The-Maharal-of-Prague.htm Netzach Yisrael (“The Eternity of Yisrael”)

15 Ki Seitsei / [email protected]  law, who heard the story from the Maharal himself. After a soldier stole a loaf of bread Rav Yehuda Loew: the Maharal of from her bakery, h e threw her a saddle Prague – the Man and the Legend when she begged for compensation. In the Even until today, about four saddle were hidden gold coins. hundred years after his petira , few Gedolim The Maharal became Rav of capture the imagination like the Maharal Nikolsburg in Moravia and remained there MiPrague . Walking through the streets of for over twenty years until he came to the old city of Prague, you can hear the Prague. In Prague, he started a very hoofbeats of long ago. Step into the Alt -Neu successful Yeshiva and produced two shul and you can vividly see the Maharal famous talmidim , Rav Yom Tov Lipman sitting next to the Aron Kodesh before your Heller (the Tosafos Yom Tov ) and Rav ve ry eyes. Stand before his grave with your Dovid Ganz. The Maharal earned the great feet buried in six inches of snow and you respect of the leading Gedolim of his day, still feel the heat emanating from his very including the Rema , the Maharshal and alive kever . the Maharam Lublin. Surely the emperor with whom the The Maharal believed that a child Maharal had a private audience on the 3 rd must learn the fundamentals before of Adar , 5352/1592, according to his jumping into Gemora , including a strong famous talmid , the Tosafos Yom Tov , was knowledge of Chumash and Mishnayos . He deeply impressed by him. The great set up many Chevra Mishnayos to restore astronomers of his day, including Johannes the crown that had lost its luster. He was Kepler and Tycho Brahe saw him as a the driving force behind the Tosafos Yom friend. The Maharal ’s stature among men Tov ’s groundbreaking work on Mishnayos . was so great that he is the subject of many The Maharal is also one of the great legends including that of the Golem of influences on modern Jewish thought , Prague. True or not, the Maharal is a becoming the basis for both Chassidic and legend for the Torah he taught and left for non-Chassidic philosophy and even , to an the ages. extent, Kabbola . The Maharal was said to Rav Yehuda Loew was born be a great Mekubol , although he hid his anywhere from 1510–1525, to a ideas behind mundane language and disting uished family said to trace its roots avoided Kabbalistic terms. It is interesting back through the Reish Galusa in Bavel to note that the Arizal ’s Kabbola had not and to Dovid HaMelech . His older brother , spread to Europe yet in the days of the Rav Chaim ben Betzalel, was a talmid of Maharal . the Maharshal , as well as Rav Sholom The Shachne, together with the Rema , and was Maharal one of the great Gedolim of his day. was niftar The Maharal was engaged to be on the 18 th married at the age of fifteen . However , of Elul when his future father-in-law lost his 5369/160 fortune and could not keep his financial 9. The commitment, he wrote to the Maharal that Maharal he wa s free to marry anyone else he chose. wrote a The Maharal chose to keep his number of commitment and waited ten years for his landmark kalla until she miraculously became seforim , Alt-Neu Shul in Prague wealthy, as told by the Maharal ’s son-in- including his peirush on Rashi in Chumash , Gur

16 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] Aryeh ; his peirush on Aggoda in Shas ; ruler was in a conundrum and didn’t know Derech HaChaim , on Pirkei Avos; and who to believe. many more. The seforim he wrote are the One night before the trial, the ruler pulse of Yiddishe Hashkofa and give us an walked the streets and overheard some added dimension of life as Hashem ’s Jewish children playing “court”. One child nation. Maybe that’s what they meant when presided, while arguments were made by they said that he made a Golem come to other children pretending to be the two life. May the light of the Maharal live on claimants. The ruler amusedly stood by within us until the coming of the wonders listening to the proceedings. of Moshiach , Bimheira B’Yomeinu Amen ! After hearing both sides, the young www.revach.net/stories/gedolim-biographies/Rav-Yehuda-Lowy- judge asked them to bring a bowl of water. The-Maharal-of-Prague-The-Man-And-The-Legend/4061 “We will put the coins in the water. If oil  spots come floating to the top then we know the coins were handled by the oil The Young Rav Yehuda Loew Plays dealer and he is innocent. If nothing floats Child Judge Before the Ruler of the to the top we will know that the rightful City owner is the fragrance dealer and the oil In the marketplace in Prague, in merchant is a thief.” side-by-side stores with adjoining walls, The very next day during the real were stores owned by a crooked fragrance trial before a packed courtroom, after dealer and an honest oil merchant. The hearing both sides, the ruler asked for a Jewish oil merchant had a good reputation bowl of water...The oil merchant was and his business thrived, while the crooked proven innocent and the plot was fragrance dealer struggled to bring discovered. When all the townspeople customers into his store. praised the ruler for his incredible wisdom, One night, after the market was he said, “Do not praise me but the little boy closed, the fragrance dealer drilled a small who gave me the idea.” hole in the adjoining wall. He spent the That little boy whose name was Rav next several days observing the oil Yehuda Loew, said the Brisker Rav , is merchant. He noticed that each night the better known today as the Maharal oil merchant would count his daily revenue MiPrague . (Zichronam Li’Vracha /Uvdos and place it into a red pouch that he would V’Hanhagos L’Bais Brisk ) hide. This gave him an idea. www.revach.net/stories/story-corner/The-Young-Yehuda-Lowe- The next day he ran into the street Plays-Child-Judge-Before-The-Ruler-Of-The-City/4742 screaming that his money had been stolen  and that he suspected the oil merchant since he was the only one who knew that he Maharal MiPrague – The Magic of placed his money in a red pouch. Sure Turning Leah into Rochel enough, the police found the red pouch in Vayehi vaboker v’hinei hi Lea the store of the oil merchant. Because of (Vayeitzei 29:25). After the controversial their respective reputations, no one really chasuna where Yaakov was supposed to believed the fragrance merchant, but he marry Rochel, the Torah tells us: “When told a good story and a trial was set to take the morning came, behold it was Leah”. place. Rashi adds, “But at night it was not Leah, The talk of town was the big trial since Yaakov gave the simonim to Rochel.” and the streets were full of debate as to who What does this mean – at night it was not was the thief. Even the children talked Leah? Then who was it? voraciously about the upcoming trial. The

17 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] The Maharal MiPrague tells us that Perel into an engagement with the from here we learn a Maharal , Rav Yehuda was only fifteen very powerful lesson: years old. For the three years until the the Torah is the wedding, Rav Shmelke sent his future son- blueprint and central in-law to learn under the Maharshal in power of the world. He Przemysl, but in the meantime, the future says that the Halocha is father-in-law lost much of his fortune. that simonim When the Maharal turned eighteen, muvhokim are min Rav Shmelke wrote to him, explaining that HaTorah . This means he could not live up to his dowry that although the obligations, and therefore he was releasing Chachomim decree that the Maharal from any obligations toward we can return an Maharal’s Seat the engagement. If the young man wished aveida to the person to marry someone else, he was free to do who gives simonim , nevertheless it is still so. The Maharal wrote back that he was not clear that the item belongs to him not interested in going back on his word, without a shadow of a doubt. This can have and that he hoped Rav Shmelke would be ramifications in Halocha such as returning helped from Above. However, if the father a lost Get (divorce document). However, did not wish to keep his daughter waiting when a person gives simonim muvhokim , until he should regain his wealth, he should perfect, detailed and unique simonim , the find her another shidduch [match], and Gemora concludes that the item belongs to then the Maharal would know he was free. that person Min HaTorah , as these The mechutan [father-in-law to be] simonim are conclusive. remained poor, so much so that the kalla Since Yaakov gave Rochel simonim [fiancée] opened a small bakery to help her muvhokim , midinei Torah that night the parents. And so she stayed single for ten Kalla was actually Rochel, since she years. The Maharal likewise did not marry. presented the simonim that were unique to He sat and Rochel alone. It was only in the morning learned, and light, when Lea physically appeared before thus earned Yaakov, that Min HaTorah the Kalla was the title “Rav Lea! We can learn from this Rashi and the Leib Maharal what it means to have emuna in Bochur ”. the Torah . About the www.revach.net/avodah/olam-hatorah/Maharal-MiPrague-The- Maharal Magic-Of-Turning-Leah-Into-Rochel/4187 during those  years, the Rema , Rav Maharal’s Matzeiva The following story has been Moshe Isserles, excerpted from the English weekly quoted the pasuk: Harimosi bochur Hamodia , with a small supplement from mei’om, motzosi Dovid avdi – “I have an excellent biographical sketch by Ben raised a young bochur (i.e., unmarried Zion Bokser at Wellsprings. man) from the people, I have found Dovid

The Patience of the Maharal my servant ( Tehillim 89:20–21)”, for he was descended from Dovid HaMelech . When Rav Shmuel Shmelke Reich of Worms, who was great both in Torah and A war sprang up after those ten in worldly affairs, being wealthy, esteemed years and the advancing armies marched and close to the king, entered his daughter through Worms. As a cavalryman among

18 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] the rear guard rode p ast the open window 1544. Bride and groom, according to the of the kalla ’s shop, he pierced one of her Loew family chronicler, Meir Perles, were loaves with his spear. Perel ran after him, then thirty-two and twenty -eight years old crying out not to steal from a poor girl who respectively. Their marriage was a very was supporting her elderly parents. The happy one, and they were blessed with rider called back, “What can I do? I have no seven children: six daughters and a son. money and I am very hungry.’’ But then he One of the Maharal ’s sons-in-law, offered her one of the two saddles he was Rav Yitzchok HaKohen Katz, later noted sitting on, and tossed it roughly into her that his father-in-law had always refused to shop. join a Bais Din asked to break off When Perel went to pick up the engagements because of defaulted dowries. saddle, she saw gold coins peeking out of When such cases arose, the Maharal the split seams. She ran to tell her parents always tried to persuade the parties to of their good fortune, a nd how Hashem ’s maintain the engagement. If that failed, he salvation had come, and her father sent them to other Dayonim [judges]. immediately wrote to the Maharal to come Zechuso yogein oleinu – May the and marry her, since Hashem had Maharal ’s merits protect us! miraculously helped them cover the dowry www.heichalhanegina.blogspot.com/2007/08/patience -of- and pay for the wedding. maharal.html The marriage finally occurred in 

לזכר נשמת אמנו החשובה , נפש יקרה ועדינה אשה יראת ה ' ובעלת מדות טובות מרת זיסל ל''ז בת הרה" ה מו " ה מאיר זאב הכה כ " "ע ה הי ד" מעיר נירעדהאז יע א" ונכדת הרה" ק רבי אהר צבי טערקלטויב זי" ע מבריד אשת הרה" ח מו " ה אברה חיי ה"ע גאלדענבערג She was a Holocaust survivor who never let that period of time define her life. Although she lost most of her family - she claimed that Hashem gave her an amazing life. She had a unique knack of making everyone who encountered her feel like they were the most important loved person. Her inimitable smile never left her face. She transmitted a strong value system stressing Emunas Hashem and Tzadd ikim . Her love for stories of tzaddikim gave her chiyus and she conveyed that chizuk to anyone who met her. In her eighty-nine years of life, there wasn’t one person who had an untoward word or adverse feelings about her. She loved her family deeply and im mensely. May Hashem console her family and may . אמ , she be a constant melitza yeshura

( מתו אמונה טהורה ) בדר המסורה ( והתנהגה כאשה כשרה) לכל משפחתה , היא הודה היא הדרה 6 נקיה וטהורה היוצר וצר צורה ( וקיבלה הגזירה ) נפטרה בש" ט בת תשעי שנה ביו ד"כ לחודש כסלו ( ערב חנוכה ) שנת תשע"ח "לפ ק תמלי טוב בעד משפחתה היקרה ותקי לתחיה לק הימי מהרה ת 'ה'ב'צ'נ' 

19 Ki Seitsei / [email protected] A Tzaddik, or righteous person, makes everyone else appear righteous before Hashem by advocating for them and finding their merits. - Kedushas Levi, Parshas Noach (Bereishis 7:1) Parshas Ki Seitzei & Elul CHASSIDUS ON THE PARSHA

Rosh Hashanah And Sukkos Rebuilding Nukva And Surrounding Her With Protective Light

“When you build a new house, you shall make a guard rail for your roof, so that you shall not cause blood [to be spilled] in your house, that the one who falls should fall from it [the roof]. “(Devarim 22:8)

The Ramchal explains to us that the secret of the partzuf of Nukva is rebuilt anew on Rosh Hashanah is alluded to in our pasuk therefore all the residents of this world pass like sheep before Hashem on this day to be judged for their actions and to see how Nukva can be rebuilt to guide and lead them all year long.

As soon as she has been built up into a new structure and edifice, we must draw around her the surrounding lights called Oros Makifin in order that the external forces of darkness cannot grasp hold of her with their evil clutches.

- 1 of 39 - Therefore, we build a Sukkah right after Rosh Hashanah [and Yom Kippur] to achieve this surrounding light and protect the partzuf of Nukva from the chitzonim. This final building is only completed on Shemini Atzeres.

Therefore, Chazal say the zman of Sukkah lasts all seven days since so long as the edifice is not finished being completely built we can draw around her the oros makifin of the Sukkah to surround her with protective light. Our pasuk says “when you build a new home,” which is the secret of rebuilding the Nukva and then immediately “make a guard rail for your roof,” the roof is the secret of the three supernal attributes the sefiros that have the primary protection, “so that you cause no bloodshed in your home,” and prevent the external forces of evil from entering the edifice so that no one “should fall from there.”

The Ramchal explains further on the pasuk “Bais Yaakov lechu ve'nelcha BeOhr Hashem,” in (Yeshaya 2:5 ): All the souls and celestial lights are all surely contained within the Shechinah, therefore She is known as Bais Yaakov since Hashem places all into Her hands and She guides them all the higher and lower beings – elyonim ve'tachtonim.

She is compared to a house, like a Bayis where people place within their homes whatever they need and want, so is the Shechinah like a Bayis – a home where Hashem places all the soul and celestial lights of the higher and lower beings. Everything is handed over to Her and She guides all the creations and creatures of all the worlds based on how man operates. . .

The Shechina leads and guides all of our souls to completion and perfection so we can all leave the exile and go out of golus and the redemption of geulah can arrive. As Chazal say: Ben Dovid – the Moshiach cannot arrive until all the neshomos of the guf cease arriving. They are called collectively known as Bais Yaakov since Yaakov alludes to katnus – immaturity and small-mindedness however our positive actions help them reach gadlus – maturity and expanded consciousness – that is why the pasuk says – Bais Yaakov lechu – go out of golus for redemption, leave katnus behind and be repaired through the tikkun of gadlus. Then once repaired we can walk together beOhr Hashem - in the light of G-d.

The Secret Of Reading Parshas Zachor - To Remember

- 2 of 39 - Amalek To Cancel Their Power Of Forgetfulness

“You shall remember what Amalek did to you [on the way, when you went out of Egypt, how he happened upon you on the way and cut off all the stragglers at your rear,] when you were faint and weary, and he did not fear G-d.” (Devarim 25:17-18)

The Ramchal teaches us that Amalek represents the klippah that causes us to forget Hashem chas ve'shalom. Correspondingly, Hashem commanded us to remember Amalek, and to remember what they did to us, this conquers them and prevents them for causing us to forget, therefore we are commanded Zachor – Remember!

In order to rectify this, we are commanded to read Parshas Zachor annually from the Torah as Chazal say – Remember vocally with your mouth. This tikkun correspondingly defeats the klippah of Amalek because it directly repairs the kilkul and damage that they caused, their damage is that they caused us to be “faint and weary,” from Torah, this allowed them to grow strong and defeat us in battle, and against them to oppose them directly and defeat the, we therefore read vocally with our mouth from the Torah once a year to achieve this matter, and this helps us defeat and conquer their klippah.

“[Therefore,] it will be, when the Lord your G-d grants you respite from all your enemies around [you] in the land which the Lord, your G-d, gives to you as an inheritance to possess, that you shall obliterate the remembrance of Amalek from beneath the heavens. You shall not forget!” (Devarim 25:19)

Rav Moshe Dovid Walli teaches us further, from his rebbe the Ramchal, that it is well known that there is no more dangerous, powerful and difficult klippah than the klippah – the husk and shell of impurity of Amalek. The reason for this is that they grasp hold onto the inner essence the penimiyus of kedusha and prevents the attributes from uniting to achieve zivug.

To Merit The Light Of Life

Rav Itzikel of Skver used to ask, “How can anyone merit the Ohr HaChaim without studying the sefer Ohr HaChaim?!”

Nothing New to Add

- 3 of 39 - He also used to say, “After the Toldos Yaakov Yosef, the Meor Einayim and the Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh, there is nothing new to add! Everything is already written in these seforim.” He even asked his grandson, Rav Yosef Meir of Machnovka, that if he ever discovered any novel idea not found in one of these three seforim to come and tell him.

A Limud Zechus – a Meritorious Advocate

Rav Itzikel further said that the words of the Ohr HaChaim on Parshas Mishpotim are a great limud zechus – they advocate meritoriously on behalf of all Klal Yisrael.

Rav Yaakov Yosef of Skver used to say that every word of theOhr HaChaim is like a whole Torah in and of itself. He even said, “One cannot be a full-fledged Jew without studying this holy sefer!”

If ever a bochur suffered a downturn in his Yiras Shomayim, the Rebbe ordered him to study the Ohr HaChaim even on non-mussar topics, because he said that studying his holy words was a segula to work on the soul.

A certain Rosh Yeshiva from the Lithuanian schools once came with a talmid to Skver for Shabbos. The talmid was studying the sefer Ohr HaChaim that Shabbos. When the Rosh Yeshiva observed this he was displeased and told the talmid, “You are better off studying Gemora and Tosafos.” The Skver Rebbe, overhearing them, remarked, “How do you know that? Maybe he is better off studying the Ohr HaChaim?!”

Rav Neta Freund once told how every year on Simchas Torah, Rav Yaakov Yosef of Skver would complete the Ohr HaChaim and then begin studying it anew from Bereishis. He then danced with the sefer Ohr HaChaim in hand like we dance with a Sefer Torah. Whoever witnessed this event can begin to understand the profound connection that Skverer Chassidus has with the Ohr HaChaim.

(Sources: Hillula Kadisha p. 317–318)

The Beautiful Captive Soul

“If you see among the captives a woman who has a beautiful appearance” (21:11).

The Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh asks the obvious question: How can Hashem give us a mitzva to defile ourselves with a non-Jewish captive? How could it be that the same

- 4 of 39 - Torah, whose commandments are to subjugate our evil passions, would here give in to those very same desires and give its consent to them? Especially during a miraculous victory, where we witness Hashem’s victorious hand in battle – at such a high point how can it be that we should sink so low? During such a time we would expect a mitzva that adds sanctity and holiness and engenders greater attachment to Hashem, not an ugly act that surely defiles us, thereby distancing us from Hashem.

Whereas an argument could be made that on the battlefront one should permit consumption of non-kosher food to prevent starvation (see Rambam Chapter 8 of Hilchos Melochim), regarding this mitzva our sages say in Kiddushin 21b that the Torah spoke here regarding the yetzer hora, and so, says the Ohr HaChaim HaKodosh, wouldn’t we expect the Torah instead to command us to subdue the yetzer and conquer it at a time when our King is waging war for us?

He answers that the appellation eishes yefas to’ar is a term that means much more than just “a beautiful captive woman”. She is literally described as a woman with a beautiful appearance, this beautiful appearance being much more than just skin deep. In fact, the Ohr HaChaim reveals to us that this yefas to’ar – this beautiful appearance – is the rays of holiness of a hidden neshoma, a pure soul held captive within the body of this prisoner of war.

The Ohr HaChaim begins by revealing to us that Hashem has hidden ways in which He runs the world. One of these secrets is that He plants souls within bodies. Citing the Zohar Chodosh in Parshas Bolok, the Ohr HaChaim teaches us that when Odom sinned, some of the many holy, pure souls he contained were taken captive by the forces of evil and the “Other Side”. These are the souls of geirim (converts) who return to the fold of Klal Yisrael from among the nations of the world.

There were great Tzaddikim and Gedolei Yisrael whose souls came from geirim such as Rus the Moabite, Shmaya, Avtalyon and Onkelos. These are just a few examples of righteous converts with lofty souls who became Gedolim.

Another secret that the Ohr HaChaim reveals to us is that some holy and pure souls are held captive in impure bodies until they are released by being pulled free from their prison. They can only be freed by attraction to high levels of purity and kedusha. Like a magnet’s forces of attraction draws metals that share its affinity, so too does kedusha attract kedusha, removing it from its impure host. This was the deeper secret behind the story of Dina and Shechem the son of Chamor and why he was so attracted to her, for he

- 5 of 39 - contained within himself the soul of Rav Chanina ben Tradyon as explained in the writings of the Arizal (Likkutei Torah Vayishlach). That holy soul was attached to Dina and was then drawn from him.

There are other holy souls held captive among the klippos, those husks and shells of impurity that can guide and focus the intentions and actions of their hosts, and these are the souls of the geirim who, of their own volition, convert to Yiddishkeit from among the nations, such as Rus the Moabite and, as the Ohr HaChaim testifies about himself, “We ourselves have witnessed with our own eyes such geirim who come of their own free will to convert.”

The Ohr HaChaim explains that when we perform mitzvos the divine light of the Shechina clothes us and chases away all evil and darkness, as it says in Koheles 8: shomer mitzva lo yeida dovor ra – “he who performs the commandments shall know no evil”. Especially shluchim (agents) who are sent to perform mitzvos on behalf of others, as explained in Parshas Shelach, such shluchim are even protected from the evil yetzer when they are in the midst of performing their shlichus.

After understanding all this, says the Ohr HaChaim, we can perceive this mitzva as clearly as the midday sun. The pasuk says, “When you go out to war,” referring to a war that is a mitzva, setting the stage for us to be actively engaged in performing our holy duty. At this moment, therefore, when we take captives, we are again actively engaged in a mitzva (see Rambam Chapter 8 Hilchos Melochim). We are thus shluchim and protected from evil, so when we encounter among the captives a non-Jewish woman and we see that she is a yefas to’ar – that she has a radiant and beautiful appearance – we can surmise that it is not her external, physical beauty that we are seeing; rather, because we are actively engaged in a mitzva it must be the holy soul captive within her that we are seeing, that beautiful lofty soul is peeking out and displaying its radiance and beauty. This is the yefas to’ar that we see.

The very fact that at the moment you are engaged in a mitzva and surrounded by the Shechina’s light and radiance, you desire this beautiful woman proves that it is the captive soul’s beauty and not her physicality that you desire, because you are engaged in the shlichus of a mitzva and it must therefore be a positive desire that you feel. That is why the pasuk says, “You desired boh – “in her” – and not osah – “her”. It is the soul within her that you desire, the yefas to’ar, the goodly portion of the pure soul captive within her.

- 6 of 39 - As we explained, the holy soul, when freed from the clutches of the klippos, attaches herself to holiness in one of two ways: either it is freed and then it leaves its host, like in the story of Dina and Shechem, or, if the holy soul remains, she converts and the host becomes a Ger Tzedek like Rus the Moabite. The litmus test the Torah gives us now is to bring her home and shave her hair and fingernails. You must remove all exterior facades of physical beauty and see if she converts and if you still desire and love her. If she does convert, you may marry her, for her soul remains and she is a truly righteous convert. If not, that soul has left her. This will prevent you from desiring her for unholy purposes, for once you are no longer actively engaged in the mitzva of war, perhaps your yetzer will desire a non-Jewish wife. Once she is no longer physically attractive we will see if you are still attracted to her. If she converts and you wish to marry her, it proves that the attraction is toward the holy soul within her, which has made her a righteous convert. Stories on the Parsha & Elul

Without The Ohr Hachaim How Can You Be A Jew?

Rav Yaakov Yosef of Skver used to say that every word of theOhr HaChaim is like a whole Torah in and of itself. He even said, “One cannot be a full-fledged Jew without studying this holy sefer!”

Simchas Torah In Skver

- 7 of 39 - (Sources: Hillula Kadisha p. 317–318)

Elul In Mir

Rav Wolff Rosengarten Zt'l of Zurich went to learn for a short time in Mir Yeshiva, where he was drawn close by the mashgiach HaRav Yeruchom Leibovitz zt'l, who honored him with an aliya on Yom Kippur. Reb Yeruchom also seated Reb Wolff at the table for hisva'adim. (In Mir, the custom was that for the va'adim, which were informal mussar talks which the Mashgiach gave in his home, the outstanding and senior bochurim sat around the table while other bochurim stood around it.)

On Simchas Torah, Reb Yeruchom would deliver ashmuess before the beginning of the hakofos, and between each of the hakofos he spoke again briefly. The rejoicing in the yeshiva was extremely spirited and it would raise the bnei hayeshiva to sublime spiritual heights. To give some idea of the atmosphere, Reb Wolff would repeat some of the short thoughts he heard from Reb Yeruchom on the Simchas Torah that he spent in Mir.

The posuk says, "Hashem, remember us, may He bless; may He bless beis Yisroel . . . " Reb Yeruchom asked why the expression "may He bless" is repeated. He answered that when Hashem remembers us, that in itself is a blessing, hence the first use of the phrase. Then, we ask further, "May He bless beis Yisroel . . . "

Another of the things which Reb Yeruchom said on that Simchas Torah was, "The entire Torah is a match with which to kindle a blaze of love in the hearts of Klal Yisroel for their Father in Heaven!"

Reb Wolff related that a bochur once came to Reb Yeruchom during the aseres yemei teshuvah to ask for money from the yeshiva's TaT fund [which assisted impoverished bochurim with their expenses] to enable him to buy a new pair of shoes. Reb Yeruchom responded, "You don't need them. It's not so bad."

On motzei Yom Kippur, Reb Yeruchom called thebochur and gave him the money. In response to the bochur's amazement he explained, "You came during aseres yemei teshuvah in order to exploit my fear of the impending judgment to influence me to give you tzedokoh money. I didn't want that factor to affect my judgment." http://www.chareidi.org/archives5760/bechukosai/features.htm Gedolim Be'misasm Yoser

Yahrzeits For Parshas Ki Seitzei & Elul

- 8 of 39 - equivalent to Rabbi.) When his father passed away, Rabbi Yosef Chaim was only twenty five years old. Nevertheless, the Jews of Baghdad Rav Yosef Chaim of Baghdad Ben Ish Chai (Elul 13) accepted him to fill his father's place and Rabbi Yosef Chaim became the Rabbi of Baghdad. Chacham Yosef Chaim was a great leader who guided his people through a time of religious upheaval. His contribution to Jewry was not restricted to Baghdad. His opinion on halachic (Jewish law) issues was sought throughout the Sephardi world and is still followed by thousands of people from these communities. Indeed, his decisions are considered to be of halachic significance even outside of the Sephardi communities.

Chacham Yosef Chaim authored many works, both of halachah and agadah (sections of the Talmud that deals with esoteric, non-legal subjects). His most famous book isBen Ish Chai, a book based upon the weekly portion of the Torah with a discussion of the portion and practical halakhah. This book is considered the standard reference in all religious Sephardi homes and is studied by Jews worldwide. Due to the popularity of this book, Rav Yosef Chaim came to be known by it’s name and today he is referred to universally as the Ben Ish Chai.

His Segulos:

Segulah For A Beautiful Esrog Author of the Ben Ish Chai, Chief Rabbi of Baghdad, haChacham Yosef Chaim was born in ** See Appendix Below 1832 in the city of Baghdad where his father was the Rabbi. (Chacham [wise man] is commonly used among Sephardim as

- 9 of 39 - dynasties in Poland. Rav Avrohom Yissocharיהי רצון מלפניך ה' אלקינו ואלקי אבותינו שתברך כל was given the name Avrohom after Ravאילנות האתרוג, להוציא פירותיהם בעתם ויוציאו .Avrohom Dov Avritsher, author of the Bas Ayinאתרוגים טובים יפים ומהודרים ונקיים מכל מום ולא Chassidim present at the bris attested that theyיעלה בהם חזזית ויהיו שלמים ולא יהיה בהם שום saw the Tiferes Shlomo gaze into his baby son’sחסרון ואפילו עקיצת הקוץ ויהיו מצויים לנו ולכל face and smile with satisfaction at having ישראל אחינו בכל מקום שהם, לקיים בה מצות נטילה .down such a holy soul into this world עםbrought הלולב בחג הסוכות שיבוא עלינו לחיים טובים ולשלום כאשר צויתנו בתורתך ע"י משה עבדך ולקחתם Rav Avrohom Yissochar was a great Torah לכם ביום הראשון פרי עץ הדר וכפות תמרים וענף עץ ,scholar and a disciple of Rav Yisroel Yitzchokעבות וערבי נחל. ויהי רצון מלפניך ה' אלקינו ואלקי -the Av Beis Din of Melava. He was also wellאבותינו שתעזרנו ותסייענו לקיים מצוה זו של נטילת known for his ahavas Yisroel and his charitable לולב והדס וערבה ואתרוג כתיקונה בזמנה בחג הסוכות .natureשיבא עלינו לחיים טובים ולשלום בשמחה ובטוב לב ותזמין לנו אתרוג יפה ומהודר ושלם וכשר כהלכתו – he succeeded his father ,ו"תרכ/In the year 5626ויהי רצון מלפני ה' אלקינו ואלקי אבותינו שתברך כל as Rebbe of Radomsk. Despite his youth, hisמיני האילנות ויוציאו פירותיהם בריבוי שמנים וטובים brothers accepted his authority, and thousandsותברך כל הגפנים שיוציא ענבים הרבה שמנים טובים flocked to him. His divrei Torah on the Torah כדי שיהיה היין היוצא מהם מצוי לרוב לכל עמך ישראל ,and Moadim were published in two volumesלקיים בו מצות קידוש ומצות הבדלה בשבתות וימים .entitled Chesed LeAvrohom טובים ויתקיים בנו ובכל ישראל אחינו מקרא שכתב "לך אכול בשמחה לחמך ושתה בלב טוב יינך כי כבר רצה Rav Chaim Elazar Shapira of Munkatch met אלוקים את מעשיך" באתי לגני אחותי כלה אריתי מורי him in Carlsbad and publicized a heartfeltעם בשמי, אכלתי יערי עם דבשי שתיתי ייני עם חלבי .eulogy for him in Zichron Tzaddikim אכלו רעים שתו ושכרו דודים יהיו לרצון אמרי פי והגיון .לבי לפניך ה' צורי וגואלי His sons were Rav Yechezkel (his successor in Radomsk and author of Knesses Yechezkel), Rav Nosson Nachum of Krimolov, Rav Yaakov Yosef of Kalbotzek (author of Emes L’Yaakov), Rav Avrohom Yissocher Ber HaKohen Rav Moshe Elimelech Rabinowitz, and Rav Rabinowitz Chesed l'Avrohom, Radomsker Shlomo of Elkush. His sons-in-law were Rav Rebbe (Elul 13) Menachem Mendel Alter of Fabyanitz, Rav Avrohom Kalisch of Amshinov, and Rav Rav Avrohom Yissochar was born in the year Mordechai Menachem Kalisch of Otvozcek. His father, Rav Shlomo .(ג"תר/5603 (1843 HaKohen Rabinowitz (author of TiferesHe passed away on 13 Elul in the year and was laid to rest beside (ב"תרנ/Shlomo), was the founder of the Radomsk 1892) 5652 dynasty, one of the most important Chassidic his father in Radomsk.

- 10 of 39 - Rav Yaakov Yisroel Twersky of Cherkas Rafaels, although eventually the charges were (Shoshanas Ho'amokim) (Elul 13) proven false and they were released. According

Rav Yerachmiel Moshe Haufstein of to some accounts, Rav Boruch Mordechai tried Kozhnitz (Elul 13) to convince the Vilna Gaon that Chassidus had

Rav Gavriel Gestetner (Sifsei Gavriel, its merits and was a true Torah path; however, Av Beis Din of Sambathely) (Elul 13) the Gaon refused to hear his testimony, since he was deemed to be biased. Rav Yaakov Gezundteheit of Warsaw (Tiferes Yaakov) (Elul 13) In the year1801) 5562/ ), Rav Boruch ב"תקס (Rav Avrohom Fish (Elul 13 Mordechai was appointed Rav of the Chassidim in Bobruisk, a position he held for some 40 years. He remained a follower of Chabad after Rav Boruch Mordechai Etinga (Elul 14) Rav Shneur Zalman’s passing, and he acknowledged the authority of the Mittler Rebbe, Rav Dov Ber, as well as that of the third Rav Boruch Mordechai, the son of Rav Eliezer Rebbe, Rav Menachem Mendel (theTzemach Lazer Etinga of Lvov, was born in the year Tzedek). He wrote an approbation (haskama) to He was a child prodigy who .(ז"תקכ/5527 (1727 the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch HaRav. was renowned as “the illui of Svintzion”. Rav Boruch Mordechai learned Torah from the Rav Boruch Mordechai was renowned for his Vilna Gaon himself and served as Rosh Yeshiva. beauty and his wisdom. For many years, he His father-in-law was Rav Shmuel, the Av Beis greatly desired to move to Eretz Yisroel, Din of Vilna, and Rav Boruch Mordechai was although he only succeeded in doing so after appointed a dayan in Vilna after Rav Shmuel He .תריא/the age of 90, in the year1851 5611 .תקנא passed away in 5551 passed away in Yerushalayim on 14 Elul in the and was laid to rest on Har תריז/year 1857 5617 Due to the influence of Rav Michel Optzker, one HaZeisim, near the Ohr HaChaim. of the the Alter Rebbe’s greatest disciples, Rav Boruch Mordechai agreed to visit Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi. His first visit, in the year made a great impression on ,תקנג/5553 1793 him. By the time he returned to Vilna, he was an ardent chassid and follower of the Alter Rebbe - although he hid this from others. When the matter was found out, one of the misnagdim slandered him to the authorities on false charges. Rav Boruch Mordechai was jailed, together with another chassid, Rav Meir

- 11 of 39 - Elul 5627/1867.

Yehi zichro baruch. Rav Yosef Yaski Ashkenazi Ohel Yosef (Elul 14) www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-14-elul september-9/

His Segulos:

Segulah For Children Who Die Young And Pass Away To Survive

If someone's children die young (heaven forbid) and do not survive, then he should name his Rav Yosef Yoske was the son of Rav Yisrael future children with a given name that includes Ashkenazi, author of Halacha Adam M’Yisrael, Hashem's Name for example Raphael, Gavriel, his chiddushim on Mesechtos Berachos, Michoel, Yisroel, Shmuel or Yirmiyah, Shabbos, Eruvin, Pesochim and Rosh HaShana. Yeshayah, Eliyahu etc. (Segulos Yisroel) Rav Yisrael served as Rav in Zlavin and in Lokatch.

He was a grandson of Rav Avrohom Abele of Ludmir and Brobshov, who in turn was a Rav Akiva Eiger Mishnas DeRabbi Akiva, The Elder (Elul 15) grandson of Rav Meir Zak, theRav of Lvov (Lemberg). Rav Akiva was the eldest son of Tzippora. He married the daughter of Rav Shmuel, Rav in Tchorchkov and Zhvallin.

Rav Yosef Yoske was Rav in Fudamkin, near Brod. He was a Gaon in Torah, a Chassid, and a Kodosh. He authored Ohel Yosef on Mesechtos Rav Yisroel Yaakov Yokel Teitelbaum Berachos, Eruvin, Pesochim, Yoma, Sukka and Heitiv Eitiv (Elul 15) Beitza. His son, Rav Yitzchok Yaakov,Rav in Poritzen, published the sefer with an appendix Rav Yisroel Yaakov Yokel was born in of his own chiddushim. His father, Rav Shmuel .(תקצ"ח/5598 (1838 Teitelbaum of Gorlitz, was descended from the Rav Yosef Yoske was niftar on the fourteenth of Sighet-Uhjel dynasties. Rav Yisroel Yaakov

- 12 of 39 - became the son-in-law of his uncle, Ravone on Torah andMoadim and one on Yekusiel Yehudah Teitelbaum of Sighet, and chiddushim on Shas and responsa. was a chassid and follower of Rav Chaim Halberstam of Sanz (author of Divrei Chaim), Rav Yisroel Yaakov passed away on 15 Elul in .(תרפ"ד/who loved him very much. the year 1924) 5684

Rav Yisroel Yaakov,תרכ"ב /In the year5622 began serving as Rav in Berbesht. More than he succeeded his Rav Chanoch Henich Eiges Marcheshes ,תרמ"ט/years later, in 5649 25 (Elul 15) father in Gorlitz. After he had already accepted the rabbanus, Rav Baruch Halberstam arrived in Gorlitz and claimed the position as his own, causing a rift to develop between the Chassidim. Eventually, each side of the debate had their own shul, shochet and mosdos. Rav Baruch’s followers ultimately prevailed, leaving Rav Yisroel Yaakov with a minyan in his home (although, in the end, they built a beis medrash and תרנ"ד for him). He left Gorlitz 5654/in moved to Volova in the Carpathians, where he took up as Rebbe. His son, Rav Shlomo, remained in Gorlitz as Av Beis Din, and died during the Holocaust.

Rav Yisroel Yaakov’s other sons were Rav Moshe Dovid, Av Beis Din of Lapush; Rav Naftali of Nirbater; Rav Yitzchok of Reisha; Rav Chaim Yosef of Dinov; and Rav Menachem Mendel of Yerushalayim. His son Rav Aharon succeeded him in Volova.

His sons-in-law were Rav Raphael Gross (who succeeded him in Berbesht); Rav Aryeh Leibush Mordechai Halberstam; and Rav Yechiel Michel Teomim. his grandchildren published his ,תשל"ב/In 5532 Perhaps best known by the name of his sefer on sefer Heitiv Aytiv, consisting of two volumes:

- 13 of 39 - Responsa Marcheshes - Rav Chanoch Henich Rav Chanoch Henich made his name in the Eiges was born in 5624 (1864) in Raissen Torah world with the printing of his (Prussia). The Marcheshes was raised and grandfather’s sefer, Olas Shmuel, in 5661/1901, educated by his father. Recognized as a child adding his own deroshos as an appendix to the prodigy and possessing unusual talents. His sefer. father was Rav Simcha Reuven Eidelman was known as Sar ben Chayal Ha’Adulami, by the In 5666/1906, with the petira of Rav Shlomo Roshei Teivos of his name (Sar, SimchaHaKohen, the elderly Rav of Vilna, Rav Reuven) and his father’s name (Chayal, Chaim Chanoch Henich and Rav Chaim Ozer Yehuda Leib). He was a famed profilic writer Grodzinski became the acknowledged leaders and author of Tirosh on Midrash Rabbah, of the Torah community of Vilna. Shoshanim and haMisilos as well as Dorshei Rishumos he specialized in Chazal's Midrashei During World War I, Rav Chaim Ozer was Aggadah. forced to flee Vilna, but Rav Chanoch Henich remained. Many bochurim from neighboring In his youth, Rav Chanoch Henach learned in Yeshivos found refuge in Vilna, and Rav Raissen under Rav Alexander Moshe Lapidos, Chanoch Henich delivered a weekly shiur for mechaber of the mussar classic, Divrei Emes. A them. masmid, the young talmid sat for hours on end in the Bais Medrash. Rav Chanoch Henich was close with many gedolei yisroel of his generation, especially the Rav Chanoch Henach went on to learn in Brisk, Chofetz Chaim. where he was close with Rav Yosef Dov, a relative. Later, Rav Chanoch Henach learned in In 5691/1931, Rav Chanoch Henich printed the Kovna. Once when the Rav of Kovna, Rav first volume of his work, theMarcheshes . A Yitzchok Elchonon Spektor, came into the Bais two-part sefer of teshuvos in Halacha and Medrash, he saw thisbochur learning chiddushim on the Shas. These seforim made diligently. When Rav Shmuel Zibertenski him famous in the Yeshiva world; they became (Lubatcher), a Dayan in Vilna, asked Rav standard learning material in the Yeshivos. In Yitzchok Elchonon to suggest a fitting chosson 5695/1935 he published the second volume. for his granddaughter, Rav Yitzchok Elchonon chose Rav Chanoch Henich. After the petira of Rav Chaim Ozer in Av 5700/1940, Rav Chanoch Henich was After the petira of Rav Shmuel Zibertenski in considered by many of the bnei Torah the 5658/1898, Rav Chanoch Henich became a Rav senior Rav and Torah leader. He was martyred and posek in Vilna, and he held the position for al Kiddush Hashem on the 15th of Elul more than forty years. 5701/1941.

- 14 of 39 - Based youth I aimed to reach the heightson of the Ba’al www.hamodia.com/features/this-day-in-history- Shem Tov.” 15-elulaugust-21/ Many of his divrei Torah were published by his Rav Yaakov Kopel Chossid Hager (Elul grandson, Rav Yechiel Moshe of Yadimov, in 15) the seforim Niflo’os Chadoshos and Likkutim Rav Yitzchok Halevi of Brezna (Elul 15) Chadoshim, as well as Mishenes Moshe. Rav Bunim Menachem Mendel of Jaroslaw (Elul 15) His son Rav Yechezkel, Av Bais Din of Gritza, Rav Nachum of Borshtein (Imrei Tov) passed away during his father’s lifetime. His (Elul 15) son-in-law was the Rebbe, Rav Dovid, son of Rav Avrohom Yaakov Halevi Horowitz Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk. (Tzur Yaakov) (Elul 15)

Rav Avrohom Avigdor Nachum Landau Rav Tzvi Hirsch Greenwald Rav Hirschel Strikover Rebbe of Bnei Brak (Elul 16) Dishkes (Elul 16)

Rav Tzvi Hirsch was known by the name Rav Hirschel Dishkes. He was among the greatest Chassidim in his generation, despite his earning a living as a merchant. He was among the foremost talmidim of the Chozeh of Lublin and still he attached himself to the Yid HaKodosh and especially to the Rebbe Reb Bunim of Peshis’cha.

In 5587 he attached himself to his mechuton, Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, and became Harav Avraham was born 11 Shevat 5677/1917, among the foremost of his talmidim in Kotzk. in Kinov, in the Ostrovtze region of Poland. His father was Harav Yaakov Yitzchak Dan, Hy”d, He was a Godol BaTorah, but in the manner of son of Harav Elimelech Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, refused to serve in the rabbinate, Strikov, zt”l. Reb Avraham, as he was called, instead making his living selling imported was a child prodigy who studied under leading wines from Hungary to Poland. Polish talmidei chachamim.

He once testified regarding himself: “In my After becoming bar mitzvah, he entered

- 15 of 39 - Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin and was awelcoming, listening ear. prime talmid of Harav Meir Shapiro, the Kaziglover Rav and Harav Shimon of Zelichov. Reb Avraham was one of the There he grew in Torah, avodah and middos. rare Gedolim acclaimed equally by the world of Chassidus and the Litvishe yeshivah world. In Kislev 5700/1940, obeying his father’s For two generations he was revered as one of orders, Reb Avraham fled Warsaw for Vilna. Of the illustrious disseminators of Brisker Torah, all his family, only he and a sister survived the while leading chassidim respected him as a war, while their parents and eight of their brilliant scion of the Strikov dynasty. siblings perished, Hy”d. He eventually arrived in Eretz Yisrael and settled in Yerushalayim. He The Strikover Rebbe’s humility was used to say that everything in Eichah about the extraordinary; he simply could not bear slaughter and suffering of Yidden happened in any kavod at all. He never had a meshamesh — World War II. he opened his front door himself and answered his own telephone. For most of his life, he wore In Yerushalayim, he grew close to and became a regular suit instead of the usual rabbinical a faithful talmid of the Brisker Rav, Harav garb (kapota). He would even remove his Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik, zt”l. rabbinical hat in public places so as not to stand out. After his marriage to the daughter of Harav Meir Wydislavski, he found an apartment near When he moved to Bnei Brak, he would often that of the Tchebiner Rav, to whom he was also be seen helping children cross the street. close. For dozens of years he traveled by bus, It took many years for Reb Avraham to recover refusing to allow anyone to drive him. Even in sufficiently from his losses in World War II to his later years, he would insist on taking the be able to undertake the rebuilding ofbus from Bnei Brak to Yerushalayim. When a Strikover Chassidus. When the time came, he chassid objected that buses were not moved to Tel Aviv and built a beis medrash, but respectable enough, the Rebbe rejoined with did not establish a court. Instead, he founded humor that, measuring by the size of his vehicle an elite kollel. (a bus), he must be the greatest Rebbe around.

In 5744/1984 he moved to Bnei Brak, where he When the Rebbe did accept a ride, he would re-established his beis medrash and founded travel only at the driver’s convenience. When Yeshivas Strikov. He was sought afterhe lived in Tel Aviv, he was driven by a chassid by talmidei chachamim as well as by suffering, who worked in Tel Aviv and lived in Bnei Brak, downtrodden Yidden, all of whom valued his but he would never tell the chassid when he erudite learning, his sage advice and his needed a ride. He would only agree to be

- 16 of 39 - picked up on the chassid’s way home from Zecher tzaddik livrachah. work, giving no information that might lead to extra effort on the chassid’s part. www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-16-elul september-11/ The Strikover Rebbe was niftar on 16 Elul Rav Avrohom Naftali Tzvi Hirsch Halevi 5761/2001. Shpitz (Malei Tzion) (Elul 16)

Zechuso yagen aleinu. Rav Pinchos Chaim Halevi Ish Horowitz (Pischa Zuta, Rosh Beis Din of Kossov) (Elul 16) hamodia.com

Rav Mordechai Parnes (Elul 17) Rav Masoud Yonah Edre'ei Sfas Emes, The Tzaddik of Rosh Pina (Elul 16) His father was the Av Bais Din of Cracow, Rav Mordechai was the grandson of Rav Yehoshua Rav Masoud Yona Edre’ei was born inof Cracow, mechaber of the Maginei Shlomo. 5674/1914 in the city of Deganah in Morocco.

As a young bochur he moved to Marrakesh, His son Rav Elyokim Getz, Dayan of Poznan, where he learned with hasmoda in the local published his great-grandfather’s seforim, Yeshiva. Maginei Shlomo and Shu”t Pnei Yehoshua.

Rav Masoud served as a Rav, mohel and sofer. He was actively involved in the dissemination of

Torah and gave berachos and help to whoever Rav Dovid Dov Taub Rav of Dabrizinsk, came to him. He delved into Kabbala beginning Binyan Dovid (Elul 17) in his youth and became known as apoel yeshuos (miracle worker). Rav Dovid Dov Ber Taub, born circa 5587/1827, was the son of Rav Binyomin Zev. In 5710/1950 Rav Masoud moved toEretz Yisrael and settled in Rosh Pina. He wrote Sfas When he was still a young boy, he became Emes, a compilation ofchiddushim and known for his dedication to learning and for his remozim on the Torah and Nach, and derashos Yiras Shomayim. on a wide array of topics.

It is told that when Rav Dovid Dov was just nine Rav Masoud was niftar on the sixteenth of Elul years old, Rav Yitzchok of Vorka paid a visit to 5728/1968 at the age of fifty-four and was Zaloshin. The young Dovid, wishing to see the buried on Har HaMenuchos in Yerushalayim.

- 17 of 39 - Rebbe’s holy countenance during the davening Chiddushei Torah of Rav Dovid Dov on many (the Vorka Rebbe would cover his head with his masechtos of Shas and Shulchon Aruch were tallis), crawled under the table and peeked up published as Binyan Dovid. Many of his through the tallis to see the Rebbe’s face. He manuscripts were burned, however, which related that he also saw the Rebbe’s limbs greatly distressed Rav Dovid Dov. knocking against each other, in awe of Hashem. Rav Dovid Dov was niftar on the 17th of Elul Rav Dovid Dov married the daughter of Rav 5659/1899 and buried in Dabrizinsk. Meir, son-in-law of Rav Moshe of Zaloshin, the Mishpat Tzedek. Zecher Tzaddik livrocha.

Initially, not willing to be supported forwww.hamodia.com/features/this-day-in-history- learning Torah, he tried his hand at business. 17-elulaugust-23/ But seemingly it wasn’t meant to be; he was asked to serve on the Bais Din in Zaloshin, as the city was short one of the three Dayonim required for a Bais Din. Rav Yosef of Ostila (Elul 17)

In 5615/1855, Rav Dovid Dov was appointed Rav Yosef was the son of Rav Mordechai of Rav in Shadek. Neshchiz. He was born in 5623/1763 and named for his maternal grandfather, Rav Yosef Later, in 5620/1860, he became Rav in Katzenelenbogen, Rav of Leshnov. Neustadt, where he led the kehilla and also headed a large Yeshiva. He married the daughter of Rav Yehuda Meir Shapira of Shpitovka, the son of Rav Pinchas of In 5635/1875, Rav Dovid Dov was appointed Koritz. Rav in the city of Dabrizinsk, on the border between Poland and Germany. There, too, he Rav Yosef was appointed Rav in Ostilla in his founded a Yeshiva, which attracted many father’s lifetime. After the petira of his father bochurim. on the 8th of Nissan 5560/1800, Rav Yosef became Rebbe in Ostilla. Rav Dovid Dov was a Chassid of the first Vorka Rebbe, and after his petira, of his son, Rav Rav Yosef often went to the court of the Chozeh Menachem Mendel of Vorka. Following the in Lublin. The Chozeh held him in high esteem, petira of Rav Menachem Mendel, Rav Dovid calling him “the Urim V’tumim”. Dov traveled to Rav Dov Berisch of Biala, and after his petira, he traveled to Rav Yechiel, the Rav Yosef was famous as a ba’al mofes. Many Alter Rebbe of Alexander. traveled to his court for his wondrous yeshuos.

- 18 of 39 - During his tenure as Rebbe, the city of Ostilla became famous when his daughter married Rav Don of Radvill, a grandson of the Ohev Yisrael Rav Yehuda Lowy Maharal MiPrague (Elul of Apta. This wedding, known as the Ostilla 18) chasuna, was attended by hundreds of Rebbes.

While Rav Yosef was in Ostroha, for the wedding of his son, on the 18th of Elul 5590/1830, he was suddenly niftar, and was honored with a large levaya. He was buried in Ostroha.

When the family returned home to Ostilla they found his tzavo’a (will), in which he explicitly wrote that he would like a small levaya.

Rav Yosef’s sons were Rav Pinchas of Ostilla; Rav Mordechai of Ostilla; Rav Levi Yitzchok of Stephin; and Rav Boruch of Kosnitin. His sons- in-law were Rav Don of Radvill; Rav Levi Yitzchok of Kamin; and Rav Aharon Tzintz, Rav of Turbin.

Zechuso yogen oleinu. www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-17-elul september-12/

The Maharal was born in Pozna, Poland in the Rav Yosef Yoska Halevi of Rovno (Yesod Yosef) (Elul 17) year 5272 (1511) to a distinguished family of talmidei chachamim originating from Vermiza Rav Yaakov Koppel Reich (Av Beis Din of Budapest, Reb Koppel Reich) (Elul 17) (Worms). He was the youngest of four sons (see below). Rav Yekusiel Yehuda Rosenberg (Toras Yekusiel) (Elul 17) His father was Rav Betzalel (of Worms) ben Rav Rav Chaim Benveniste (Elul 17) Chaim ben Rav Betzalel, descendants of Rav Rav Nosson Nota Shapiro (Maggid of Yehuda Levai HaZakein, the elder of Prague, Lublin) (Elul 17) who hailed from a family of good pedigree. Their lineage traced back to Bustenai ben

- 19 of 39 - Chaninai of Bavel and to Dovid HaMelech. derech ha’limud as it was in earlier times of Chazal, and went to great lengths to reinstate THE BRACHAH FOR HIS BIRTH this path of learning, especially the study of mishnayos and chazarah, the practice of The Megillas Yuchsin (p.19) relates that Rav constant reviewing and revising. Betzalel of Worms, the father of the Maharal, had two brothers, Rav Yaakov and Rav Tzvi He had a major influence on many talmidim Helman, who were sent to study under the and disciples. Prominent among them, Rav Yom Maharshal, Rav Shlomo Luria (1510-1573). Tov Lipman Heller authored his magnum opus, When Rav Betzalel complained to his father, the commentary Tosafos Yom Tov on Mishnayos Rav Chaim, why he alone was not also sent off while under the tutelage of his mentor and to study in Poland his father responded that for master the Maharal to study the Mishnah. Rav his shimush – the service and the care he took Yom Tov Lipman describes in great detail all of him – he would be blessed with four the difficulties he had when studying the luminaries: The Maharal of Prague; Rav Chaim, Mishnah that led him to author the Tosafos Av Beis Din Friedberg and author of Sefer Yom Tov, all thanks to the influence of his HaChaim and Iggeres HaTiyul (6 Sivan); Rav rebbe and mentor, the Maharal (from the Sinai, Av Beis Din Nikolsburg and chief rabbi of Introduction to Tosafos Yom Tov on the Mehren (5 Elul); and Rav Shimshon, Av Beis Mishnah). Din Kremnitz. The Maharal bewailed and bemoaned again and The Megillas Yuchsin (p.21, in the footnotes again what he felt was the major failure of his from Tzemach Dovid by his talmid Rav Dovid generation in Torah study: the lack of study of Ganz) relates that the Maharal was Rav and Av Mishnah and the failure to do chazarah and Beis Din of Mehren (Moravia) for approximately review. twenty years. Following his time there, he founded a yeshivah in Prague, along with his The Maharal was a prolific writer, author and famed kloiz, for a period of “eleven years and publisher for his time. He was perhaps the first four years.” There is speculation as to what in Ashkenazi lands to publish a super/meta- “and four years” is referring to. It could be an commentary on Rashi’s commentary to the allusion to his departure from Prague, as he Torah, named Gur Aryeh. returned to Poznan (Posen, Poland) to assume the post of Av Beis Din and Rosh Yeshivah on 4 The Maharal passed away on Chai Elul 5369 Iyar 5352 (1592) and ultimately returned to (1609) and was laid to rest in the old cemetery Prague, where he passed away at a ripe old age in Prague alongside his wife, Pearl. of over seventy years. He left behind one son, Betzalel, a famed son- The Maharal was a strong proponent of the in-law, Rav Yitzchak Katz, and many talmidim,

- 20 of 39 - among them Rav Yom Tov Lipman Heller (6 Elul), author of the Tosafos Yom Tov, who was so influenced by his rebbe’s derech in learning Chacham Ovadia Avraham Yosef Somech (Elul 18) עבדאללה of the Mishnah that he authored his famous Zivchei Tzedek, Abdallah commentary, and Rav Dovid Ganz, author of Tzemach Dovid (8 Elul).

His Segulos:

The Mi She’berach Against Talking In Shul Of The Tosafos Yom Tov

** See Appendix Below

During the infamous pogroms of Ta”ch V’Ta”t (years 5408 and 5409 – 1648-1649) the Tosafos A renowned posek and educator whose Yom Tov fasted and beseeched that from on influence on Iraqi Jewry lasted for generations. High it be revealed to him why such terrible calamities had befallen the Jewish people. It Rav Ovadia Avraham Yosef Somech was born in Baghdad. His family meyuchasis to תקע"ג was revealed to him from on High that there was lightheaded, idle chatter in shul. People Rav Nissim Gaon Rosh Yeshivas Kharun spoke in shul and in the middle ofdavening , (Haggadah Shel Pesach Zivchei Tzedek). which caused a blemish in the letter “vav” and the word for speech, dibur, was transformed He studied under Rav Yaakov Bar Yosef into dever, a plague! When he learned of this, Harofeh, one of the gedolei dayanim of Iraq. he composed a special prayer (others say the Chacham Yaakov Bar Yosef Harofeh writes in Maharal composed it but the Tosafos Yom Tov his own sefer, Chelek Yaakov (parshas Noach), instituted and enacted its recitation in his that “Rav Abdallah Somekh is a my learned and kehillos. See the original nusach below) to help understood talmid muvhak.” increase the awareness of the power of silence in shul, the destructive nature of idle chatter, He married his cousin Sarah, the daughter of and talking in shul and during davening. It is his uncle Yitzchok. printed in many siddurim alongside the Mi Sheberach we recite on Shabbos after the Originally, he made a living as a merchant, reading of the Torah. however when in his twenties he witnessed first-hand the decline of Iraqi Jewry, he changed course. He began training young rabbonim to take on leadership positions and

- 21 of 39 - strengthen Iraqi Jewry to secure its future. He Ben Ish Chai as well. gathered ten avrechim and taught them with no personal expectation for remuneration.He passed away on a erev Shabbos, 18 Chai Philanthropist, Yechezkel ben Reuven Menashe, Elul 5649 (1889). He authored the sefer Zivchei supported the new venture kollel and in the Tzedek on Shulchan Aruch. he opened a formalbeis medrash to ת"ר year train rabbonim. The institution was named Medrash Abu Menashe and it supported the rabbinical academy and her student body. Rav Yisroel Moshe Lipschitz (Elul 18)

Rav Abdallah also moved all the students and Rav Yisroel Moshe was the son of Rav Yechiel disciples from Medrash Talmud Torah where Meir of Gustanin. In his youth, he met the the poor and orphans studied over to the new Kotzker Rebbe, and also travelled with his beis medrash and the gvir, Yechezkel, father to meet Rav Avrohom of Tshechanov and supported them and their families as well. Rav Yitzchok Meir of Ger (author of Chiddushei Eventually, the Beis Medrash grew until it was HaRim). renamed, Medrash Bais Zalka. Rav Somekh stood at the head as rosh yeshiva until his He was known as a Kotzker personality – hiding passing. himself away from the public and concealing his true spiritual heights. In his younger years, See also: Oros M’Mizrach by Aharon Sorski p. he was impoverished and often went hungry, 71 yet no one knew the extent of his neediness since he hid it so well. on תרמ"ט Rav Samekh passed away on Chai Elul motzei Shabbos. Rav Yisroel Moshe was ,תרמ"ח /In the year 5648 appointed Rebbe by many of his father’s One of the greatest Iraqi gedolim of the last Chassidim. He settled in Proshkuv, where he generations. Born in the city of Baghdad in ran his court until a ripe old age. He was 1813, he was a talmid of Rav Yaakov Rofeh. In succeeded by his son Rav Menachem Mendel. 1840 together with philanthropist Yechezkel Reuven ben Menashe he founded the first Rav Yisroel Moshe passed away on 18 Elul in yeshivah Midrash Abu Menashi. In 1854 they and was laid to rest in תרע"ח /the year5678 reopened a large shul and a new bais medrash Warsaw. Midrash Beit Zlicha, many great tzadikim learned there in Bavel such as Rav Eliyahu Mani of Chevron, Rav Yaakov Chaim Sofer author Kaf haChaim and the Ben Ish Chai. Rav Yitzchok Kaduri studied there later under the

- 22 of 39 - Rav Mordechai of Ostila, Rav Levi Yitzchok of Stefan, Rav Boruch of Kosnatin. His sons-in-law were Rav Levi Yitzchok of Kamin and Rav Rav Yosef Katzenelenbogen (Elul 18) Aharon Tzintz, Av Bais Din of Turbin.

Rav Yosef, born in approximately 5523/4 While attending the wedding of his son Rav (1763/4), was the son of Rav Mordechai of Boruch in Ostrog on 18 Elul, Rav Yosef was Neshchiz. niftar and was laid to rest in Ostrog with great honors (Mazkeres L’Gedolei Ostrog p. 287). He was the son-in-law of Rav Yehuda Meir of Only when they returned to Ostila and his last Shpetivka, the son of Rav Pinchas Koritzer. He will and testament were discovered, did they was appointed to serve as Rav of Ostila already see he had commanded his burial should be in his father’s lifetime and after 5560, took on simple and modest. Hashem, however, had the position of Rebbe as well. other plans for him and arranged matters so that his burial and levaya were honorable and As Rebbe he also traveled to the Chozeh and fitting. (Zichron Tov Michtovim 27) they developed a close, warm relationship. The Chozeh testified, “He is completely good,” and, “he is like the Urim and Thumim!” Rav Avrohom Shimshon Hakohen When his daughter married Rav Don of Radvil, Ashkenazi Katz Toldos Yaakov Yosef, the grandson of Rav Yehoshua Heschel of Apta, Siddur Rosh (Elul 18) the wedding in Ostila made Chassidic history. The town of Ostila became famous in Chassidic Rav Avrohom Shimshon HaKohen Ashkenazi tales and legends due to thischasuna that Katz of Rashkov was the son of Rav Yaakov catered to thousands of visiting Chassidim. It Yosef HaKohen Katz of Polnoy (author of Toldos was fondly known from then on in Chassidic Yaakov Yosef), one of the foremost disciples of lore as the great wedding at Ostila – der groisse the Baal Shem Tov. His paternal grandfather chasuna fun Ostila, or just as the Ostila was Rav Tzvi HaKohen, whose illustrious chasuna. One of the well-known widelyancestors included the mekubal Rav Shimshon publicized incidents was the defense of the of Ostropoli, Rav Yom Tov Lipman Heller (the Peshis’cha path ofChassidus , when the Tosefos YomTov), and Rav Yosef Katz (author of Chiddushei HaRim was sent to represent and Yesod Yosef). defend their derech in Chassidus against their detractors, who wanted to excommunicate Rav Avrohom Shimshon was sharp and them through acherem , which failed. intelligent, a master of Torah and a bastion of yiras shomayim and chassidus. Towards the Rav Yosef’s sons were Rav Pinchas of Ostila, end of his life, he moved to Eretz Yisroel, where

- 23 of 39 - he settled in Tiveria (Tiberias). published it in order to disseminate his teachings of Torah in thekollel in He moved to Eretz Yisroel before the year Yerushalayim; to give merit to the masses to ;still in the Baal Shem studyTov’s and teach, as I did in Tzfas and Tiveria – תק"ב/5502 lifetime. He returned home that same year, and and in order to dedicate to my memory, since I was astonished to discover that people had have left behind no living children. Instead, this already heard of the passing of Rav Elazar, Av shall serve as my monument. Signed, Avrohom Beis Din of Amsterdam; the Baal Shem Tov had Shimshon, son of the author Yaakov Yosef revealed this news to them through his ruach HaKohen of Polnoy, living in Tiveria and having hakodesh. now moved to establish my residence in Tzfas.”

After his return, he was appointed to the He passed away on 8 Elul (18 Elul?) in the year and was laid to rest in תקנ''ט(position of Rav of Rashkov, which had been his 5559 (1799 father’s city of rabbanus before he took up the Tiveria. he returned ,כתק"/rabbinate in Polnoy. In 5520 Rav Noach Avrohom of Dolina (Zrizusa to Eretz Yisroel. It is quite surprising that, D'Avrohom) (Elul 18) among the many collections of Chassidic letters Rav Zev Nachum Borenstein (Agudas to and from Eretz Yisroel during this time Eizov, Av Beis Din of Biala) (Elul 18) period, we do not find mention of Rav Avrohom Shimshon even once.

The edition of Toldos Yaakov Yosef published in Rav Meshulam Shraga Feivish Halpern (lists Rav Avrohom Shimshon as co- Sfas Emes (Elul 19 מ"תק/5540 publisher, along with his brother-in-law, Rav

Avrohom Dov. He is described as “theRav Meshulam Shraga was the son of Rav honorable Rav whose great light shines in Naftali Hertz Halperin of Brezhan and the son- Torah, yirah and Chassidus; the perfect sage in-law of Rav Asher Yeshaya of Ropshitz. He who pitched his tent in the Holy Land.” was also related through marriage to Rav Aryeh Leib of Vizhnitz, who was the grandfather of his It is wondrous indeed that among the many second wife. collections of Chassidic letters to and from Rav Meshulam Shraga was famed for his Eretz Yisroel we do not find mention of Rav modesty and humility. With warmth and love, Avrohom Shimshon even once. he drew people close from all walks and stations of society. He travelled to many In the copy of Toldos Yaakov Yosef that was tzaddikim, especially Rav Aryeh Leib of preserved in Yerushalayim, Rav Avrohom Vizhnitz, Rav Avrohom Dovid of Buczacz, Rav Shimshon writes, “This is the sefer written by Shimon of Yaroslav and others, all of whom are my father, mentor, master teacher and rebbe. I mentioned in his sefer Sfas Emes (not to be

- 24 of 39 - confused with the Gerrer Rebbe’s sefer by the same name). When Rav Meshulam Shraga’s father passed Rav Moshe Tzvi Aryeh Bick (Elul 19) the Chassidim asked Rav ,תרה /away in5605 Meshulam Shraga to take over as Rav of Brezhan, in the way that the position had been Rav Moshe Zvi Aryeh Bick (1911-1990). Born in inherited for the previous several generations. Medzbosz (Mezhbizh), Ukraine, but grew up in However, others in the community opposed this New York, he is recognized as one of the first decision. Ultimately, Rav Meshulam Shraga gedolim to be raised on American soil. He accepted only the appointment of Rebbe, as studied under R' Moshe Soloveitchik at the inherited from his father and father-in-law, and Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor made do without the title of Rav or Av Beis Din. and attended New York City public schools at His Torah is collected in his sefer Sfas Emes. night. At age 21, R' Bick was hired by a shul in On the title page, the sefer is described as the Bronx. While there, he founded schools for including ten ways to interpret the connection both boys and girls. Later, he moved to Boro between the last parsha of the Torah (V’Zos Park. He was recognized as a master posek by HaBracha) and the first (Bereishis); 26 ways to both chassidic and non-chassidic communities, interpret the large letter beis of the word but never published his teshuvos. bereishis; 32 ways to interpret the word bereishis; and other chiddushim on all five books of Chumash. The sefer earned the approbations of Rav Orenstein, Rav Rav Hillel Vitkind Rosh Yeshivas Beis Hillel Novardok-Tel Aviv in Bnei Brak Shimon Sofer, and the rebbes of Sadigura, (Elul 19) Tolna, Olesk, Vizhnitz and Sighet. Rav Meshulam Shraga’s sons were Rav Chananya Yosef, Rav Asher Yeshayahu, and Rav Rav Hillel Vitkind, Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Hillel of Avrohom Zerach Aryeh Yehuda LeibushNovardok-Tel Aviv in Bnei Brak. He and his Halperin, who succeeded him as Brezhaner Rebetzen were moser nefesh for bochurim Rebbe. His son-in-law was Rav Yaakov Yakovka arriving on the shores of Eretz Yisrael. They Halperin, author of Birkas Tov. His children lived a life of great poverty as a result of the from his second marriage were Rav Moshe (the tremendous expenses which they incurred for son-in-law of Rav Yitzchok Tzvi of Vilipoli) and saving the bochurim. three daughters. Rav Meshulam Shraga passed away on 19 Elul .תרלד / in the year 5638 Rav Elimelech Alter Paneth Reb Meilech, Deizher Rebbe (Elul 19)

- 25 of 39 - Rav Elimelech Alter Paneth (“Reb Meilech”) , the Deizher Rebbe (1928-2005). Born to Rav Yosef and Rebbetzen Lifash Paneth in Tekendorf, Romania, he lived with his family in Paris after the War, before they all emigrated to the United States. He married Rebbetzen Yocheved in 1951.

Rav Yisroel Dov Ber Gilerenter (Yashnitzer Rav, Ravid Hazahav, Devir Hamutzneh) (Elul 19)

Rabbeinu Yaakov of Orleans (Elul 19)

Rav Yosef Chaim Pack (Elul 19)

Gedolim Be'Masayhem

Stories & Anecdotes

Maggid’s inner circle of he could occasionally be Rav Boruch Mordechai disciples, and Chassidim spotted among the other Etinga (Elul 14) flocked to him to hear his vagabonds and beggars who repetition of the Maggid’s made their rounds begging for teachings. At some point, alms. From time to time, he WE WERE ONE however, he fell from grace would reveal hidden secrets Among the Mezritcherand ended up a drunk. and mysteries. Maggid’s disciples was one According to theTzemach great Rav known simply as Tzedek, the Maggid’s disciples Rav Boruch Mordechai of “the Rav of Wolpo” (his given used to say that “a worm was Bobruisk once noticed a name has long since been consuming him from within.” tattered stranger who forgotten). Originally, he was Whatever the case, the Wolpo somehow seemed nobler and among the greatest of the Rav became a wanderer, and loftier than the other

- 26 of 39 - wanderers and drunkards. Toras HaChassidus were all ignorance and was easily From watching his hidden one entity, united together as moved to tears. When he ways, Rav Boruch realized that a single reality. We need no davened, he poured out his this was none other than the writings or notes!” And, so soul before his Maker, and his Wolpo Rav – and when the saying, he grabbed back his sweet, sincere voice and beggar stepped outside, Rav satchel and departed.haunting melodies stirred even Boruch Mordechai couldn’t (Sippurei Chassidim, Torah the most hard-hearted of men. resist seizing the Wolper’s 19) satchel and excitedly The misnagdim saw in Zalman THE HALLEL OF THE HEEL searching its contents. Leib an easy target for their Perhaps somewhere among Reb Chaim Zelig, a peddler battles against the Chassidim, the odds and ends he would and wagon driver, was one of so they always had his find a long-lost Chassidic the Chassidim in Vilna. He and nickname ready: the “chassid manuscript! his workmen were known by Zalman Leib shmaiser!” the pejorative term Meanwhile, the beggar came “shmaiser,” meaning “one who When Rav Boruch Mordechai back inside. When he saw Rav whips the horses.” Zalman moved to Bobruisk with scores Boruch Mordechai going Leib, one of Chaim Zelig’s of families to head the flock of through his belongings, he workers, was particularly Chassidim there, Zalman Leib remarked: “What is hesingled out with this less-than- left his job of wagon driver searching my things for? Does honorable nickname.and shmaiser behind and he think perhaps I have stolen Orphaned from a young age, joined them. He rented a small something of his?” Zalman Leib’s job was to lead vegetable garden, which the cheder boys back and forth provided him with a meager “No, no,” Rav Boruchfrom school. He was a simple, income, and with his profits, Mordechai assured him, “I sincere yirei shomayim who he hired a melamed to teach apologize. I was just looking sat daily by the seforim, trying him a daily Torah shiur. Thus, for some notes, or perhaps a (and failing) to understand he was content. manuscript of Chassidus.” what he read. He primarily learned the YiddishFrom the time that Rav Boruch To this, the Wolper Rav translations of seforim and Mordechai had become an responded, “You! What do you some Tzena U’Rena. ardent follower of the Alter know? To you, Chassidim, Rebbe, his father-in-law’s Rebbes, and the teachings of Zalman Leib had joined the family had kept their distance Chassidus are three separate Chassidim, adopting their from him. Rav Boruch things. That is why you are style of davening as well as Mordechai’s brother-in-law, looking for a manuscript. But their customs and practices. the Rosh Yeshiva Rav Avigdor, us? We, the Maggid and his He was ashamed of his was especially ashamed of Rav

- 27 of 39 - Boruch Mordechai’s new moved his heart and stirred davener himself!” Chassidic outlook. within him feelings he didn’t know he had. Rav Avigdor At this public shaming, Rav Once, Rav Avigdor was visiting knew that Bobruisk was a Boruch Mordechai couldn’t Minsk, and when he heard center of Chassidus, and he hold back. He felt that such a how highly they praised Rav realized that this must be one remark was a slight not only to Boruch Mordechai there, he of the Chassidim, whose Zalman Leib, but also to all the decided to try to makemorning prayers were still sincere Chassidim, and even to amends. Rav Avigdor sent going on well past midday. the entire movement of word to his brother-in-law in Chassidus. Rav Boruch Bobruisk that he planned a When Rav Boruch Mordechai Mordechai retorted, “The heel visit, and Rav Borucharrived to greet him, Rav of a davener is very great – Mordechai arranged aAvigdor asked as to the and the Torah tells us that his welcoming committee of the identity of the tallis-clad form greatness benefits us in three best lamdanim and most whose tefillos left such an ways!” honorable citizens to properly impression. When he receive the visiting Rosh discovered that it was none The lamdanim of Bobruisk, Yeshiva. other than Zalman Leib who knew that their rabbi was shmaiser, he called out loud, an accomplished Torah scholar When Rav Avigdor arrived, he mockingly, “Is Zalman Leib and sage, understood that this was led to the beis medrash shmaiser also a davening was no offhand remark. They where he would be delivering Chassid? He is nothing more waited to hear what would a pilpul as his welcome than the heel of a davener!” follow. speech. The welcomingRav Baruch Mordechai committee directed him to the hesitated to respond; he had Rav Boruch Mordechai side room, reserved for guests, just repaired their relationship continued, “We learn in Pirkei where he could rest and and did not wish to reopen the Avos 3:1 about Akvaya ben refresh himself after his rift. Mehallel. This refers to the travels. It happened that the akev – the heel – of the side room was also used by Later, after Rav Avigdor had mehallel – the davener who those Chassidim whose tefillos concluded his welcome speech praises Hashem! Akvaya ben and devotions took extensive full of pilpul, derush and Mehallel teaches us three time, and required peace, aggada, he was in a jovial things to focus on so that we quiet and concentration. As mood. Gazing out at the will be saved from Rav Avigdor rested, he heard a audience, he spotted Zalman transgression: know from most lovely melody, a haunting Leib. Once again, he loudly where you come, and be not voice davening to Hashem remarked, “Here he is, none proud and arrogant; know to with deep yearning. The sound other than the heel of a where you are headed, and be

- 28 of 39 - not stirred by desire; and every Shabbos and diminished soldier, I beg you, I am a poor know before Whom you will Motzaei Shabbos) . girl and my parents are elderly one day stand in judgment, and destitute. The sale of this and so fear sin!” Meanwhile, four tragedies bread is our only source of befell the Maharal’s father-in- income. Please do not steal the (Sippurei Chassidim, Torah law to be in Prague, leaving only means of sustenance we 427) him penniless. He then wrote have!” The soldier replied, “I to his future son-in-law that he have not eaten for three days was no longer able to keep his and I am starving. Here, take Rav Yehuda Lowy Maharal MiPrague (Elul 18) promises for support. “I this coat as collateral, and if I therefore release you from this do not return with two coins shidduch and you are free to as payment for the loaf within THE MAHARAL’S MARRIAGE take another proposal.” The twenty-four hours you can Maharal responded, “I wish to keep the coat instead. The I heard the following story take your daughter for my kallah agreed, and when the from my forefathers . The shidduch and I will wait for soldier didn’t return, they Maharal married at age 32. He Hashem’s salvation. I will not found that the coat was lined was engaged to the daughter be unfaithful.” with gold coins! They wrote of Rav Shmuel ben Rav back to thechasan, the Yaakov, a great and wealthy Meanwhile, the kallah opened Maharal, that he was welcome community leader, nicknamed a small store selling baked to come back and proceed Reich Shmelke (Wealthy goods in order to have some with the chasunah because, Shmelke). He sent the means of support anddue to this miraculous Maharal to study in Premisla sustenance for her aging occurrence, they were wealthy at the yeshivah of the parents in such a direonce again. The kallah was Maharshal. emergency situation. then 28, and the Maharal was 32. Her name was Pearl, a This Reich Shmelke had a son One day, as thekallah sat flawless jewel (she is indeed named Yehoshua Shmelke’s, selling her baked goods, a buried next to the Maharal in who was the forefather of Rav soldier on horseback rode up the old Jewish cemetery in Shmelke of Ostrog and Rav and speared a loaf of bread on Prague; they share the same Shmelke Segal Horowitz, Av the sharp point of his sword matzeiva.) (Megillas Yuchsin, Beis Din Trani (ancestor of and prepared to gallop off with Gevuras Ari pp 20-21) Rav Shmelke Nikolsburger his prize. Terribly distraught, and his brother Rav Pinchas, TWO REBBES she grabbed hold of the author of Hafla’ah), the son of horse’s reins to restrain the Rav Yehoshua HaAruch Segal My rebbe from Peshischa said soldier, crying and pleading (nicknamed HaAruch –der that everyone needs to have with him, “Please my good hoicher because he grew taller two rebbes, one from this

- 29 of 39 - world and one from supernal preparations to host this Lublin’s new bed. worlds up above –Olam important guest. He knew that Ha’elyon. I understood that he the Chozeh’s custom was that The carpenter worked with a was referring to the Maharal as soon as he arrived he would contrite, broken heart, because he was telling us just lie down for a rest from his humbled at working on so lofty then how he had been to his journey and so he wished to a task, and he himself so lowly kever in Prague. He said that prepare the proper bed for and unworthy of such a he had studied the Maharal’s this purpose. charge! “Just think what a holy sefarim before davening and Tzaddik will be resting and that his tefillah that day was Rav Yosef hired a G-d-fearing sleeping on this bed!” he kept especially fluent and fluid. I carpenter to build a new bed telling himself as he worked. heard that when he was at the expressly for the holy Tzaddik, Maharal’s kever in Prague, he the Rebbe of Lublin’s visit. He Finally, the new bed was asked for three things and explained the reasons to the completed and the carpenter promised that if they were carpenter thus: “When the brought it before Rav Yosef. fulfilled he would publicize the holy Chozeh lies down on Rav Yosef was ecstatic. He great value of the Maharal’s another’s bed his holy senses outfitted the new bed sefarim (Ramasayim Tzofim on are attuned to the spiritual complete with brand new Tana Devei Eliyahu Chap 18, vibrations of the bed.linens, pillows, and blankets, cited in Gevuras Ari p10, Sometimes if he finds fault as proper and fitting for a footnote #24). with the impression left by the Tzaddik’s saintly repose, and bed’s previous occupants he then he locked up the room will call out and yell that the where the bed was, so that no Rav Yosef Katzenelenbogen (Elul 18) bed is painfully poking,one should enter to touch it or prodding, and stabbing him! lie upon it even by accident. Therefore, I ask you, please THE CHOZEH'S BED immerse yourself daily in the After a few days of waiting mikveh before you begin your with bated breath, the long- Rav Pinchas of Ostila told how work and as you work think awaited moment of the Chozeh his father, Rav Yosef of Ostila, clean, pure thoughts.” At first of Lublin’s visit arrived! The once learned that the Chozeh the carpenter was fearful of Tzaddik came to Ostila, and of Lublin was traveling and performing such a delicate when he was invited to rest would be passing through task; perhaps he was not up to from his wearying journey in Ostila and stopping there to par! Eventually, though, Rav Rav Yosef of Ostila’s home, the rest. Yosef convinced him to do so Rebbe of Lublin accepted, to and he accepted thethe delight of his host. “Please, Rav Yosef greatly wished for proposition. And so work Rebbe, come, I have prepared the Chozeh to visit his home began on theChozeh of a room and bed for you to rest and began advance

- 30 of 39 - up from the long tiresome made brand new especially for too long so that the flame trip,” and so saying, Rav Yosef you. I had this room sealed wasn’t properly illuminating led the Chozeh to the room and barred, under lock and the room, the table, or the and new bed awaiting him. key; no one has entered and seforim that the Tzaddik was no one has ever used this bed studying from. However, no sooner did the before! In fact I hired a Jewish holy Tzaddik lie down than he carpenter, a good, G-d-fearing Rav Yosef handed his holy jumped up and cried out, man to build the bed.father’s shneitz sherel – the “Gevald! Es shtecht mich! – Whatever can have gone small scissors used to trim the Oy! The bed is stabbing me!” wrong?” candle wicks that Rav When Rav Yosef heard this, he Mordechai Neshchizer himself was greatly astonished and “No no, Heaven forbid,” used to use – to his young son, alarmed. How could this be? answered the Tzaddik. “It’s Rav Pinchas, and asked him to not that the bed is not kosher; quietly tiptoe into the “Please, Rebbe, please relax it most assuredly is. But every Chozeh’s room and trim the and rest in my own bed.” time I lay down I could feel the wick to better illuminate the Apprehensively, Rav Yosef sadness and depressionpages of the seforim on the offered his own bed to the overtake me, paining me and table. Tzaddik. No sooner had the poking me. This bed was made Chozeh of Lublin laid himself by a G-d-fearing Jewish“When you see that the down on Rav Yosef Ostila’s carpenter indeed, but he was Chozeh is not totally immersed bed, when a sigh ofworking on it all during the in his learning and looking satisfaction escaped his lips, nine days betweenRosh about himself you can hand “Ahhh, now that’s better. Yes, Chodesh Av and Tisha B’Av. As him the scissors,” he said, but this bed is massaging all of my he mourned the Churban, his when Rav Pinchas tried to do tired limbs. I can feel the dark, sad thoughts made an so, the Chozeh pushed them purity and sanctity seeping impression on the bed which I away impatiently and through me,” and to his host’s cannot stand to feel!” (Nifle’os continued studying by the dim delight, the Chozeh was soon HaRebbi p. 7 #5) light. Rav Pinchas was fast asleep, resting peacefully terrified to have interrupted THE WAY TO CUT A WICK in Rav Yosef’s own bed. the Chozeh and so his father After the Rebbe arose from Rav Yosef approached and Rav Yosef was puzzled indeed, Rav Yosef Ostila’s bed, he tried the same tactic. Again so when the Chozeh awoke davened Mincha and sat down the Chozeh brushed the and had finished resting, Rav to learn before Maariv. As the scissors away, impatiently Yosef posed the question to sun set, the house grew dark. gesturing not to be disturbed. the Tzaddik. “Rebbe, I assure The Chozeh sat studying by you that I have had this bed candlelight and the wick was Rav Yosef couldn’t understand

- 31 of 39 - what was wrong. Surely the my hands absent-mindedly did Rav Pinchos Koretzer and Tzaddik needed better light to their work with askedno him, “Do you hear what study by. What could be wrong supervision! Then the wick that bird is saying?” He with the scissors? “Rebbe, do would be poorly trimmed and continued, “The bird is saying not worry. These scissors go out completely, and I would the pasuk, “Le’eleh techalek belonged to my holy father. He be left in the dark. I therefore ha’aretz (“Among these shall himself trimmed the wicks refrained from using the the land be divided”). Hearing with these shneitz sherel!” scissors to trim the wick. It is this, many of the guests forbidden for me to interrupt rejoiced, as they imagined The Chozeh turned to Rav my dveikus to Hashem. Unlike that, during this couple’s Yosef of Ostila and explained me, however, your father was lifetime, the great Division of his bizarre behavior. “Your able to focus and concentrate Eretz Yisroel would begin – a holy father, Rav Mordechai of his thoughts withoutsign of the imminent Neshchiz, was able to trim the disconnecting his dveikus. He redemption! wicks with these scissors. You could use those scissors, but I know what it says in the holy don’t have the power to do so! However, years later, when seforim, especially in the (Nifle’os HaRebbi p. 7 #5, Rav Avrohom Shimshon works of the Rambam, who Bais Tzaddik p. 16) decided to move toEretz says that every mitzva is only Yisroel, his wife protested and in order to facilitate the refused to go. The couple Rav Avrohom Shimshon rapture of cleaving in dveikus Hakohen Ashkenazi Katz appeared before Rav Pinchos to Hashem. This is why the Toldos Yaakov Yosef, of Koretz seeking a resolution Zohar names the 613 Siddur Rosh (Elul 18) to their marital strife. “What commandments as good pieces can I do?” Rav Pinchos of advice, for they advise us exclaimed. “This case has THE DIVISION OF ERETZ how to attach and cleave to YISROEL already been decided by the Hashem in dveikus. Now, if I holy Baal Shem Tov! At your Many tzaddikim attended the were to trim the wick of this wedding, he heard a bird wedding of Rav Avrohom candle, it would require me to saying “Le’eleh techalek Shimshon. The Baal Shem Tov pinpoint my thoughts on that ha’aretz” – and now I himself was the guest of very precise act. This understand that you shall be honor, and Rav Pinchos tzimtzum of concentration divided because of the Land of Koretzer was among the many would in turn interrupt my Israel that lies between you.” notables in attendance. As was dveikus and disconnect me! The halacha states that, if a customary, the chuppah was Because I could not allow my husband wishes to move to held outdoors in the courtyard thoughts to continue Eretz Yisroel and his wife of the shul. On the windowsill, wandering the supernal refuses to accompany him, she a bird stood merrily chirping. Heavenly planes above, while may accept aget (legally The Baal Shem Tov turned to

- 32 of 39 - divorce him) so he will be free to go. And so it was that Rav Avrohom Shimshon left for Eretz Yisroel alone. (Zechuyos Yosef)

- 33 of 39 - http://www.chassidusonline.com/tubeshvat.htm הליפת גורתאל האנ Prayer for an Esrog on 15 Shevat / Tu BiShvat

הליפת אל גורת אנ ה Shvat / Tu BiShvat 15

This prayer for a beautiful Esrog and song for Tu BiShvat was composed by the great author of Ben Ish Chai

HaRav Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad

The Bnei Yisaschar (Month of Shevat, 2:2) writes that "A person should pray on Tu BeShevat to find a kosher, beautiful, mehudar esrog with which to fulfill the mitzvah."

The Ben Ish Chai composed a special tefilah especially for the esrog and arba minim to be said on Tu BeShevat. He writes that "It is a tradition from the sages of Ashkenaz that on the 15th of Shevat we pray especially for an esrog that the Jewish people should find good and beautiful esrogim for the holiday of Succos."

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1 of 4 1/29/2010 3:17 AM http://www.chassidusonline.com/tubeshvat.htm הליפת גורתאל האנ Prayer for an Esrog on 15 Shevat / Tu BiShvat

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2 of 4 1/29/2010 3:17 AM http://www.chassidusonline.com/tubeshvat.htm הליפת גורתאל האנ Prayer for an Esrog on 15 Shevat / Tu BiShvat

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3 of 4 1/29/2010 3:17 AM http://www.chassidusonline.com/tubeshvat.htm הליפת גורתאל האנ Prayer for an Esrog on 15 Shevat / Tu BiShvat

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4 of 4 1/29/2010 3:17 AM THE MI SHE’BERACH OF THE TOSAFOS YOM TOV

Illustration 1: Mi Sheberach of Tosafos Yom Tov current version found in most Siddurim

During the infamous pogroms of Ta”ch V’Ta”t (years 5408 and 5409 – 1648-1649) the Tosafos Yom Tov fasted and beseeched that from on High it be revealed to him why such terrible calamities had befallen the Jewish people. It was revealed to him from on High that there was lightheaded, idle chatter in shul. People spoke in shul and in the middle of davening, which caused a blemish in the letter “vav” and the word for speech, dibur, was transformed into dever, a plague! When he learned of this, he composed a special prayer (others say the Maharal composed it but the Tosafos Yom Tov instituted and enacted its recitation in his kehillos. See the original nusach below) to help increase the awareness of the power of silence in shul, the destructive nature of idle chatter, and talking in shul and during davening. It is printed in many siddurim alongside the Mi Sheberach we recite on Shabbos after the reading of the Torah. We reproduce it for you here as well as its translation:

- 38 of 39 - He who blessed our forefathers, Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov, Moshe and Aharon, Dovid and Shlomo, shall bless all those who guard their mouth and tongue so as to not speak during the time of tefillah. May the Holy One protect them from all troubles and calamities and all affliction and sickness. May all the blessings written in the Sefer Torah of Moshe Rabbeinu, as well as the prophets and writings (of Tanach) descend to rest upon him. And may he merit to see children and grandchildren alive and well, and to raise them and marry them off to Torah, chuppah and good deeds. May he serve Hashem our G-d forever, fully, and purely, and sincerely. Let us say and answer Amen.

Illustration 2: Ancient Version of Mi Sheberach attributed to Maharal or Tosafos Yom Tov, his disciple

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ש לח תשלח את הא ( כב )'ז' כב Zera You shall surely send away the mother (bird) (22:7). The Gemara teaches (Brachos 33b): if someone says that the same way Hashem has mercy on the mother bird (by commanding us to first send away Shimshon the mother before taking the children) , He should also have mercy on us – we  are required to tell him to be quiet. The reason is that by saying so, this individual is turning Hashem’s commandments into simple acts of mercy, Ki Seitzei when in reality they are decree’s that are beyond our comprehension. The Zera Shimshon asks that the Medrash (Rabba 6:1) clearly The Zera Shimshon, Rav Shimshon contradicts this Halacha. The Medrash says that Hashem had mercy on the Chaim ben Rav Nachmon Michoel Nachmani, was born in 5467 birds as the passuk says etc. You shall surely send away the mother , implying (1706/1707) into an illustrious family with great Rabbinical that the underlying reason for this mit zva is mercy? lineage. He studied the revealed and concealed parts of the Torah by the Before answering, the Zera Shimshon brings another Medrash and Torah greats of his day. asks on it. The Medrash (ibid 3) says that in the merit of the mit zva of He served as Rav of Modena, Pisa, Sayna and Rigyov, Italy, and was Shilu’ach HaKen , one merits having children. The Zera Shimshon asks why is recognized as a holy and pious individual, as well as a tremendous the merit of fulfilling th e mitzva of Shilu’ach HaKen that one merits children? Torah scholar in all areas of Torah. He passed away on the 6 th of Elul The Zera Shimshon explains this specific reward based on yet another 5539 (1779). His Seforim were named, Toldos Medrash that says that by fulfilling the mit zva of Shilu’ach HaKen , one brings Shimshon (The ‘Offspring’ of Shimshon) on Pirkei Avos and Zera the arrival of Moshiach closer. Shimshon (The ‘Seed’ of Being that the Gemara says (Yevamos 62a) that Moshiach will only Shimshon) on the Parshi’os of the Torah. In his introduction, he come once all the neshamos have come through this world, it only make s explains that since his only son had died during his lifetime, he wrote sense that in the merit of Shilu’ach HaKen, which helps bring Moshiach his Seforim to perpetuate his own memory after his passing. closer, that one should merit having children and help all those neshamos The following is his passionate request to learn his works. that still have to come down to this world. “I implore of you with ten terms of To explain why this mitzva helps bring the arrival of Moshiach closer, supplication to choose from my Chiddushim (novella) the piece that the Zera Shimshon says as follows: finds favor in your eyes, for your learning will sooth my soul etc… The Zohar says (Chodosh Rus 77a) that when one sends away the “This righteousness will stand by you forever – to ‘eat’ in this world, mother bird, she is in such terrible pain that she wants to kill herself and the and be satiated in the next. In this merit, Hashem will repay you with angel that governs over the birds asks Hashem to have mercy on her. When children, health and sustenance. Hashem hears this request , He Himself feels mercy for the Jewish people that “…and now my brothers and friends etc. do a true kindness, and He destroyed the Bais HaMikdash and sent the Jewish people into exi le. This with your eyes you will see children and grandchildren surrounding is how the mit zva of Shilu’ach HaKen brings Moshiach closer. your table, houses filled with all that is good, wealth and honor will Therefore, although this mit zva does stir up Heavenly mercy on the not cease from your children…” Jewish people, th e mercy is only an outcome of the mitzva - not the reason לזכר נשמת .behind it. Thus, the Gemara and the Medrash do not contradict each other רבינו שמשו חיי ב רב נחמ מיכאל ל"צז The Gemara says that one should not say that the reason behind the mitzva of בעל הזרע שמשו א"יעז

ויה" ר שיתקיימו בנו ברכותיו של אותו צדיק Shilu’ach HaKen is a show of Hashem’s mercy since in fact it isn’t. The Zera Shimshon understands that t he Medrash on the other hand, is referring to the להצלחת .mercy that comes as a result of the mitzva, not as the reason for the mitzva האנשי החשובי שעל פי עידוד יצא הגליו מכח אל הפועל לעילוי נשמת דוד ב תמר בשורות טובות ישועות ונחמות לעילוי נשמת יעקב יצחק ב ר' בנימי

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Parshas Ki Seitze

When you go out to war against your enemies and Hashem your G-d delivers them into your hand.

Rav Mordechai cites the Midrash that says this all happened above and below. Rav Mordechai suggests a way to understand this Midrash; that perhaps based on the seforim we can say that there are two types of tzaddikim - one type of tzaddik sits and studies Torah and is involved in avodas Hashem all day, secluded in the tents of Torah without any contact with other people and secluded alone, however there are other tzaddikim, a second type, that while they are off course also involved in their personal avodas Hashem, however at the same time they also involve themselves with others. They rouse and strengthen them and their hearts to draw them near and bring them also closer to avodas Hashem. This is a harder and much more difficult avodah, since he must guard and protect himself from any negative outside influences. We can illustrate this by a mashal or parable:

When a person sweeps his home, he is off course cleaning the house. However, the broom itself surely gets filthy and dirty. So it is with regards to a tzaddik who is occupied with purifying others by drawing distant Jews back to their Heavenly Father, he must simultaneously guard and protect himself from their negative influence (lest like the broom he becomes sullied by the cleansing process), therefore the seforim teach us that although it is a great mitzvah to rebuke others that are not on the proper Torah path, however when it comes to actually going out and making Baalei Teshuvah, surely such an approach has its share of pitfalls and dangers. This is not the path and approach that has been taught to us traditionally since many such people can, heaven forbid, fall and end up losing much more than they gain, when they are negatively influenced by those very people that they are trying to influence. Rather, when we ourselves fulfill the Divine Will of ratzon Hashem even where we are, this itself automatically causes others elsewhere (even distant people we have never met or actually had contact with) to draw close and come near to Hashem. This is as is explained by the Divrei Yechezkel in the Shabbos Zemiros (Ki Eshmara Shabbos) on the words - "Al ken achabes libi ke'boris" I shall cleanse my heart like soap - and the wording is at first glance odd, since we would have expected it to

Page 1 of 3 say I shall clean out my heart with soap or using soap - be'boris, it seems to say ke'boris - that the heart is cleansed like soap is - whereas soap is a cleansing agent it is what does the cleansing and not what is itself cleansed?! His answer is that when a person fulfills the ratzon Hashem, he causes others to be strengthened as well, this is an automatic process, so that when I cleanse out my own heart - it in turns is transformed into a cleansing agent that now has the power to cleanse others!

This is what Dovid HaMelech meant in Tehillim 112 - I thank Hashem very much with my mouth and among the multitudes I shall praise him - which at first glance sounds like a contradiction since it opens with my own personal mouth praising and concludes among the multitudes?! Rather, the meaning is as we explained above regarding the soap or cleansing agent, that I praise and thank Hashem with my mouth and that in turn creates an automatic reaction that He be praised among the multitudes.

Therefore, we can also possibly suggest that he who serves Hashem properly and causes others to draw close and come near to Hashem as well so that they are brought back to teshuvah and repentance can then turn, in the supernal worlds, even have the merit to be able to free those wicked souls and release them from the purgatory of Gehinom!

As is well known from the story of how Rav Moshe Sassover emptied out Gehinom from souls after he passed away. How he refused to enter Gan Eden until he would be allowed to redeem the souls of those languishing in Gehinom and Hashem ruled in his favor that since he always worked so hard to redeem captives while he was alive down on earth, he would then have the merit to do so again on High. And so, they cooled down Gehinom and Rav Moshe Leib Sassover redeemed all the souls and emptied out Gehinom one last act of pidyon shevuim on his way to Gan Eden.

Perhaps, this applies to those who redeem captives in a spiritual manner as well, so that those who you help draw close and near to Hashem and help them repent and return to do teshuvah should also grant you the power and ability to redeem the souls of the wicked out of Gehinom.

In order to bring others to teshuvah and help them repent and return, you need not go and speak with them etc. Rather the avodah is that each and every individual must fulfil the Divine will of ratzon Hashem and this itself draws down a spirit of purity into the world. Surely, when a person witnesses his friends and fellows who are lazy and lax in their mitzvah observance, he needs to help strengthen their observance by speaking words of encouragement, however the primary objective of our avodah is as we explained that each of us needs to strengthen ourselves and rectify our own personal matters that need working on and fixing, and by doing so this itself automatically draws down an abundance of spiritual influx and blessings down into this world filling it with a spirit of purity.

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This then is what our pasuk means: "when you go out to war against your enemies," this hints at the ongoing war that we wage daily against our primary foe the evil yetzer hara we were struggle to win and be able to fulfill the ratzon Hashem, "and Hashem your G-d delivers him into your hands and you capture his spoils of war", that Hashem then grants you the ability to draw other souls close and near to avodas Hashem. That is what the meaning of the above cited Midrash we opened with was, that it said above and below, the Midrash means that even on High up above you too will then have the ability to redeem the wicked captive souls and take them out of Gehinom as we explained above.

If a man shall marry a new wife he shall be free to attend to his household for one year.

Perhaps we can suggest the following novel interpretation, says Rav Mordechai, for this pasuk as based on the holy seforim, that we know that a woman hints at the mazal of the zodiac constellation of the month of Elul - Virgo - the besulah. And the holy seforim cite the words of Chazal in the Gemara Berachos (61), that better to walk after a lion than to walk after a woman!

The zodiac constellation of the month of Av is Leo the lion and therefore we can say that Chazal hinted to us that better that a person repents and does teshuvah after the Leo the lion (referring to the month of Elul which follows after Av), rather than to go after a woman - the Virgo besulah of Elul which is the following month of Tishrei - in other words better do teshuvah in Elul than to wait for Tishrei!

The appropriate action for this time is that we strengthen ourselves in teshuvah towards the future, as is cited by the holy seforim that by our Divine service of avodas Hashem to fulfill the Divine will and do the ratzon Hashem properly, during this month we merit to rectify the whole entire [past] year! And we merit to receive an abundant influx of spiritual blessings and shefa for the whole entire upcoming year.

This can shed light on the words of Mishlei (18:22) that says Whoever finds a woman finds good - matza isha matza tov, that if we find Divinity and serve Hashem during the [time of] mazal besulah [in the month of Elul] then we find good - we merit all manner of positive shefa and abundance of blessings.

Perhaps, we can see this hinted at in our pasuk from the parsha as well: "if a person shall marry a new wife," if a person acquires for himself a new lease on his life and rectifies and fixes all his shortcomings - isha hints at the Virgo mazal besulah of Elul, then he is transformed into a brand new being by teshuvah and he merits to be naki - free and clear the whole year! This means that also the past year is cleansed of all sin and past transgressions and that he merits that the new upcoming year is also filled with a shefa and then we merit a sweet new year. May Hashem grant us the merit that we always fulfill His will and by so doing that we merit the rebuilding of the bais hamikdash speedily in our days, Amen.

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Weekly Bulletin on the Parshah s"xc Ki Teitzei August 21st 2021 13th of Elul 5781 Pachad David Published by Mosdot “Orot Chaim U’Moshe” in Israel Under the auspices of Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita 917 Son of the tzaddik Rabbi Moshe Ahron Pinto, zt”l, and grandson of the holy tzaddik and miracle-worker Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a MASKIL LEDAVID Weekly talk on the Parshah given by Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita

The Only Way to Strengthen One's Faith

"If a bird's nest happens to be before you on the heart with his questions: "Why do you sit and study Torah road, on any tree or on the ground – young birds or when you are surrounded by so many hardships? Do you eggs – and the mother is roosting on the young birds not see that the Torah you are constantly studying is not or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the protecting you in your time of need? Why continue? Get young. You shall surely send away the mother and take up and take a look at all those people who are not busy the young for yourself, so that it will be good for you praying or engaging in Torah yet they live successful lives. and will prolong your days" (Devarim 22:6-7) Look at all those who work on Shabbat and lead good The mussar commentaries interpret these verses with lives, while you and your family who are particular to a deeper meaning, beyond the actual mitzvah of shiluach observe every stringency, live in great poverty!" This is Paris • Orh ‘Haïm Ve Moché haken – sending away a mother bird and taking her young. the way of the Yetzer Hara. Inherent in this mitzvah is a wonderful lesson that we When a person arrives in the World of Truth, neither 32, rue du Plateau • 75019 Paris • France Tel: 01 42 08 25 40 • Fax: 01 42 06 00 33 must constantly review, particularly during the month of the money or honor he acquired with great toil will [email protected] Elul, a time of mercy and forgiveness. In this month we accompany him. It is the Torah and mitzvot alone that must strengthen both our faith in Hashem and our toil in remain as his eternal acquisitions. Therefore, when you Torah, because basic faith in Hashem, a true awareness are occupied with studying Torah, "a tree of life for those that all emanates from Him, requires constant reinforce- who grasp it", if the Yetzer Hara (the bird) approaches you Jérusalem • Pninei David ment, especially today when the Yetzer Hara tries in every and tries to disturb your learning, do not listen to him. Rehov Bayit Va Gan 8 • Jérusalem • Israël way to cool off our faith. Hurry to drive him away "and take the young for your- Tel: +972 2643 3605 • Fax: +972 2643 3570 The only way to strengthen one's faith is through toil- self." Cleave to the 'young', the talmidei chachamim. "Sit [email protected] ing in Torah. The combination of Torah and faith enables in the dust of their feet" and this will prolong your days man to serve Hashem with complete devotion, and he and you will see the fulfillment of the Chazal, "Fortunate will then be a source of pride to his surroundings. is the one who arrives in the World to Come with Torah study in his hand." Ashdod • Orh ‘Haim Ve Moshe Avraham Avinu was the pillar of faith, Ya'akov Avinu was the pillar of Torah, while Yitzchak's attribute was strength, In the same measure that man hurries to perform a Rehov Ha-Admour Mi-Belz 43 • Ashod • Israël the symbol of self-sacrifice. There were many scoffers mitzvah, so should he flee from sin and distance himself Tel: +972 88 566 233 • Fax: +972 88 521 527 from any form of it, because "sin rests at the door." If [email protected] in Yitzchak's generation who mocked and despised him for believing in One G-d, but Yitzchak and his household man allows the sin to approach him, even not intending stood as firm as a fortified wall against them. to transgress it, it presents great danger for him because as time passes he will grow accustomed to the presence Our holy forefathers are called "Ivriim – Hebrews" Ra’anana • Kol ‘Haïm of this sin and his yirat shamayim will slowly cool off. because with their faith in the Creator they stood on one And then the day will come when he will find himself Rehov Ha’ahouza 98 • Ra’anana • Israël side (ever in Hebrew), while the generation's wicked ones transgressing this sin against his wish, since the impurity Tel: +972 98 828 078 • +972 58 792 9003 stood on the other side. While Avraham Avinu brought [email protected] of the sin that was in the air clung to him and eventually his generation closer to the Shechina through his trait succeeded in trapping him in its net. If man does not of kindness and hospitality, Ya'akov Avinu aroused their hurry to flee from sin, he will quickly find his heart cold spark of faith by cleaving to the Holy Torah. to the service of Hashem and this coolness will bring him The Gemara (Sanhedrin 107a) refers to the Satan as a to neglect Torah and mitzvot. bird. In the above verses the Torah is warning man that if The mitzvah of shiluach haken is a mitzvah that de- Hilula the Yetzer Hara, compared to a bird, comes and tries to mands great faith, because it seemingly contains some slacken your avodat Hashem, do not follow him. Rather, form of cruelty towards the mother. Nevertheless, a 13 – Rabbeinu Yosef Chaim of Bavel, the you should send away this bird and don’t be tempted person should have no qualms about fulfilling it. He 'Ben Ish Chai' by the Yetzer Hara because he tries to make you lose should pursue it, and by fulfilling this mitzvah he will both This World and the Next. Once you have sent away 14 – Rabbi Mordechai Bardugo continue observing many other mitzvot. On the contrary, the 'bird', take the young – the Torah, mitzvot and good 15 – Rabbi Amram Ben Divan particularly because this mitzvah involves the danger of deeds, which are always fresh and new. This is how you arousing doubts, one must be particular to observe it, 16 – Rabbi Yehuda Pinto zy"a will merit both long life in This World and an inheritance strengthening one's faith and not asking questions. in the World to Come. 17 – Rabbi Daniel Pinto zy"a Fulfilling this mitzvah as the Torah specifies, without 18 – Rabbi Abdallah Somech, author of The Yetzer Hara lingers in anticipation for the one who any doubts, will merit a person the fulfillment of the Zivchei Tzedek studies Torah, waiting for him to end his learning so he continuation of the verses, "If you build a new house." He 19 – Rabbi Bechor Ahron Alnakaveh, can implant foreign ideas in his heart and cool off his will build himself up well and merit surrounding himself Av Beit Din Yerushalayim enthusiasm, thereby distancing him from Torah study with fences of Torah, rising in levels of Torah and yirat and mitzvah observance. shamayim. He will not serve Hashem as in the concept The Satan stands to the side and chirps like a bird, trying of "kilayim" (planting forbidden mixtures), sometimes to distract a person from his Torah study. Or, he chooses behaving appropriately and sometimes not, but he will to make his life difficult through challenges and suffering. be entirely upright. This will merit him with the reward With great impudence he then inserts reservations in his reserved for tzadikim in the World to Come. Walking in their Ways Tidbits of faith and trust penned by Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita

A Day of Reprieve from Worry and Grief One Friday, I was very concerned about a certain problem. I walked In Our Father's Path around the house finding no peace from worry. “Father, what are you so worried about?” my daughter asked, seeing Returning Lost Property Includes Lost distress written on my face. “Today is Erev Shabbat.” She pointed out Souls Too that it was getting late in the day. I immediately shook off my worries An innocent person walking down the street suddenly came and went about my Shabbat preparations. across a gold necklace abandoned in a corner. He took the I have a tradition from my father zy”a that Friday is a day desig- precious find and hung up a lost and found notice in central nated for helping in the house in honor of Shabbat. Father would locations in the area. A month passed, two months, but no do anything necessary in the house, never avoiding even the most one claimed the find. He hung up new notices; perhaps the unpleasant jobs. He declared that true honor is preparing the house old ones had been covered over or removed, but still to no avail. The months passed and he did not hear from anyone. for Shabbat. Suddenly, almost a year later, he received a phone call from One Friday, I worked especially hard to straighten up and clean the a stranger who told him he had lost a necklace in the exact house. My wife had pity on me and said, “What a shame to expend spot detailed on the notice. so much effort. As soon as you go to the Beit Haknesset for Kabbalat The finder asked for identifying details and indeed the Shabbat, the entire house will be overturned by the children. When description perfectly fit the necklace he had found. "You are you get home, there will be no trace of all your hard work!” invited to my house to retrieve your loss" the finder joyfully But I replied it was important to me that the house be neat and exclaimed, and fixed a time. tidy when I leave, as is fitting for a special guest. The day arrived; the stranger came and confirmed the necklace was indeed his. The finder then asked him to wait That Friday, as I prepared for Shabbat, I completely forgot about my a moment. He left his home and returned a short time later worries. On Motza’ei Shabbat, when my daughter reminded me about carrying bags full of delicacies and accompanied by another them, I told her I had gotten rid of them completely. The problems eight men. He quickly set the table and asked all those present did not go away, but the concern surrounding them did. to wash their hands and join him for a seudat mitzvah. As the This is the true solution for all of a Jew’s problems. Strengthening guests sat around and partook of the feast, they asked their host why he was celebrating. Had he completed a masechet? oneself in Torah and mitzvot, especially the mitzvah of Shabbat, the Maybe he wanted to recite the gomel blessing and it was a source of all blessing, has the power to remove anxiety from man’s thanksgiving celebration? heart. To their surprise, he replied that the seudah was in honor of the mitzvah he was about to perform: The mitzvah of "You The Haftarah shall surely return them." He took the necklace he had found and joyfully recited the verse, "May the pleasantness of the "Sing out, O barren one who has not given birth" (Yeshaya 54) Lord, our G-d, be upon us; our handiwork, establish for us; The connection to Shabbat: This Haftarah is the fifth of the seven special our handiwork, establish it" (recited before performing a 'Haftarot of Consolation' that are read beginning with the Shabbat following mitzvah) and then returned the find to its owner. Tisha B'Av. They are chapters of consolation for the Jewish people. "If this Jew was so delighted to return a material find," Rabbi Reuven Elbaz shlit"a points out, "how much should Ashkenazim continue with the next section, "O afflicted, storm-tossed we rejoice if we merit returning a spiritual find, a lost soul, one." to our Father in Heaven!" With Hashem's help, recent years have seen a great Guard Your Tongue awakening among Am Yisrael and tens of thousands of people wish to begin observing a religious way of life. What have we come to? Where has education and tra- Alleviating Pain dition disappeared to? What will be with our children? A person suffering emotionally or mentally can seek help even if it involves Questions such as these trouble many Jews and they speaking about people, which would normally be considered lashon hara. Of search for someone to lead them out of the dense, dark course, one must relate only that which is necessary. It is preferable, when pos- forest and return to the high road; to Torah, Shabbat, sible, to leave out the names of the ones involved. prayer and modesty. The Chafetz Chaim raises the possibility that if someone intends to allevi- Together with the great joy every religious Jew feels ate his concerns and seek relief, this is considered as a beneficial purpose as at the sight of the teshuva movement growing in front of our eyes, it is important that we not forget those who it says (Mishlei 12:25) "When there is worry in man's heart, he should talk it have been left behind. We must search for ways to bring out." Of course, this refers to particularly challenging situations and not daily them back. occurrences. "You shall surely return them to your brother!" Treasures Based on the teachings of Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pearls of the Parsha Pinto, shlita

Elevating One's Love for Hashem Over Love of One's Children "If a man will have a wayward and rebellious son, who does not hearken to the voice of his father and the voice of his mother" (Devarim 21:18) The Gemara (Sanhedrin 71a) says: "Rabbi Shimon said, there was never a The Fire of Torah Against the Fire of rebellious child and never will be. So why is it written in the Torah? So you can Temptation expound on it and receive reward." "When you will go out to war against your Other commentaries offer different explanations as to why the Torah writes enemies, and Hashem, your G-d, will deliver about an occurrence that will never take place. him into your hand, and you will capture his captivity" (Devarim 21:10) Rabbeinu Bachayai writes that there is great wisdom in this, for it teaches The Holy Alshich zy"a writes that this verse al- people about the greatness of the obligation to love Hashem. There is no stron- ludes to the Yetzer Hara against whom one must ger love than the love of a father and mother for their child. But the moment initiate war. Only if a person wages war against parents see their child transgressing a G-dly command, and behaving like "This him does he merit Divine Assistance in prevailing is his foolish way…" (Tehillim 49:14), they are obligated to feel that their love over this enemy, as it says "and Hashem, your for Hashem surmounts their love for their child, to the extent that they are G-d, will deliver him into your hand, and you will capture his captivity." required to bring him to be stoned by the Beit Din. Rabbi Yisrael Salanter in Igeret Mussar, de- We learn this concept from Avraham Avinu. Despite his strong love for his scribes at length the imaginary power of the only son, Yitzchak, nevertheless when Hashem commanded Avraham to bring Yetzer Hara. The Yetzer Hara paints a false picture Yitzchak as an offering, he immediately went ahead, for his love for Hashem of the enormous pleasure man will derive from was stronger than his love for his son. This is why Hashem describes him as the sin he is about to commit. Therefore, the way "Avraham, My beloved." With his devotion he publicized throughout the world to wage war against the Yetzer Hara is by painting for oneself a true picture of the great loss one will the importance of the obligation to love Hashem, which must surmount all suffer from this sin, and the great reward one will other loves. receive for abstaining. The Torah deems fit to write about the rebellious child to expound on the If a person creates accurate pictures in his mind, great obligation of loving Hashem, to the extent that parents must bring their Hashem promises that he will be successful in this precious son to be stoned. This is why Chazal say "Expound and receive reward." battle and not only will he prevail over the Yetzer Hara, but he will see the fulfillment of "and you The Days of Awe – Days of Building the World will capture his captivity." This means that all the "If you build a new house, you shall make a fence for your roof" (Devarim 22:8) forces of incitement for evil and forbidden lusts will be given over in his hands, as it says, "the Rabbeinu Ya'akov Abuchatzera zy"a writes in his sefer Petuchei Chotem that inclination of tzadikim is in their hands." He can if you build a house" have the same numerical value then use those powers for holiness, by depicting – תבנה בית" the words new" has the for himself images of the enormous reward that – חדש" this is Rosh Hashanah." And the word – זה ראש השנה" as this is Yom Kippur." This alludes to the fact awaits all those who abstain from sin and observe – זה כפר" same numerical value as the mitzvot. that the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are days when we Accordingly, a person must strengthen himself build the world anew. and use every spare minute to study the Holy Torah. He will then comprehend the power of Torah that until now was held captive by the ... The Sabbatical Year ... Yetzer Hara. Through going to the Beit Midrash and overcoming his Yetzer Hara, man releases the 1. The laws of Shemittah also apply to public or government-owned land. However, in certain situations, one can be lenient with government-owned land, for example captive from the hands of the Yetzer Hara. When he begins engaging in Torah with all his strength, when it comes to trimming hedges and other similar things. One must ask the advice he will recognize that it is more precious than of a Torah sage in each situation. pearls; and the more he engages in it, the more 2. The laws of Shemittah also apply to desert land and ownerless fields. Any work his enthusiasm and love for it will grow. forbidden in the seventh year may not be carried out in these places and its fruits The ability to overcome the temptations of the must be treated with the appropriate holiness. Some hold that the laws of Shemittah Yetzer Hara is only through love of Torah. When do not apply to an ownerless field, for the Torah writes "Six years you may sow your a person has a true desire to be victorious in field", meaning the field must belong to a specific person. this difficult battle, he arouses Heavenly mercy 3. The laws of Shemittah also apply to land that is hekdesh and subsequently to and he will succeed in capturing the Yetzer Hara, a garden in the courtyard of a Beit Knesset. Some disagree and say that the laws of even reclaiming the captivity of Torah. Then he Shemittah do not apply to land that is definitely hekdesh. will engage in Torah day and night, until he feels For any questions in practical application of these halachot, please consult a -rab a love and desire as strong as that which he feels binical authority. for his soulmate. A NOVEL LOOK AT THE PARSHA

However, man sometimes finds zin zt"l, in the 'Shemesh Tzedakah' himself facing adversity and in Beit Haknesset in Yerushalayim. those moments when he is in need This Beit Knesset, established by of salvation, he wishes to accept a Rabbi Tzedakah, comprised a G-d commitment upon himself. It may fearing community who merited be something he is capable of ful- children who were exceptional filling, or it may even be something talmidei chachamim. Among them Every Good Intention Should Be beyond his capabilities. was Rabbi Ya'akov Ovadiah zt"l, fa- Preceded by 'Bli Neder' It happens, Harav Mutzefi shlit"a ther of Maran Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef The mekubalim write that when points out, that people stumble zt"l, Rabbi Eliyahu Abba Shaul zt"l, a person vows to do something, an and promise things without hav- father of Maran Rabbi Ben Tzion angel is created. This angel has no Abba Shaul zt"l, and many other ing given it enough thought. Just soul. It has eyes, ears, and hands righteous individuals. meeting a chatan and declaring, but cannot move. It waits until the "You're a chatan? I'll pay for your Rabbi Tzedakah Chutzin liked to person fulfills his vow, when it is furniture!" is already considered vow but was meticulous about then granted a soul. a vow and one must keep one's keeping his word, and since the From where is this idea derived? word. Or in the face of hardship, verse says "It is better not to vow From Avraham Avinu. When he a person might promise that if he than to vow and not fulfil" (Ko- was about to slaughter his son recovers or merits relief from a helet 5:4) he would come to the Yitzchak, an angel appeared to him certain problem, he accepts upon Beit Knesset and when he saw the and said, "Do not stretch out your gabbai tzedakah collecting money himself to do such and such. But hand against the lad… for now I for hachnasat kallah or some other one must know that if he did not know that you are a G-d-fearing purpose, he would take out ten liras explicitly say 'bli neder' (this is not man, since you have not withheld from his pocket and wait. As the a promise), it is considered as a vow your son, your only one, from Me" gabbai approached him he would which cannot always be annulled. (Bereishit 22:12). announce, "I am hereby vowing The Gemara says (Nedarim 8a), HaGaon Rabbi Ben Tzion Mutzefi to give ten liras to tzedakah!" and "One who says I will get up early shlita writes in his sefer Doresh while uttering the words he would Tzion, that the angel meant to and study this chapter or this hand over the money. He did this so impart the following: Hashem told masechet, has vowed a great vow as not to risk being hindered from you, "bring him up there as an of- to the G-d of Israel." From here fulfilling his vow in any way! fering." Do not actually slaughter we can derive: If one approaches This custom is culled from a pure, him, but just bring him up there as a friend late at night and says, ancient source: from the time of an offering. And when you brought "Let's learn a daf Gemara/Shul- Hillel Hazaken. The Gemara (Ne- him up you fulfilled the mitzvah in chan Aruch/Chok L'Yisrael" but the darim 9b) testifies about him, "In its entirety. What is the proof? "You friend who is exhausted replies, "I all his days no man desecrated the have not withheld your son, your am too tired now. Tomorrow I will sanctity of his offering, for he would only one, from Me." I am the angel get up early and learn!" it is enough bring the unconsecrated animal to created from this mitzvah and I do that he said he will get up and the courtyard and there he would not lack anything. This proves that learn, even without "I promise", consecrate it." Out of fear of being you performed the mitzvah com- and the vow is already in force and prevented from bringing the offer- pletely. From here we learn that he is obligated to fulfil his words. ing and negating his vow, he would if one does not actually fulfil the Rabbi Ben Tzion Mutzefi shlit"a not designate it as a vow or a gift mitzvah, the angel (resulting from relates a story on this idea, heard [offering] until right before entering the vow) would be incomplete. from his father, the tzadik and me- the courtyard of the Beit Hamik- It is important to point out that kubal Rabbi Salman Mutzefi zt"l. dash, when he would declare, "This Chazal say it is incorrect to ac- After settling in Israel, he studied is a vow [offering]" or "This is a gift custom oneself to making vows. Torah under Rabbi Tzedakah Chut- [offering]!" לזיכוי הרבים, לתרומות ולהנצחות בטל': 052-7672739 brocha. the holinessof sheet inlightof holiness ofthis Please guardthe ָך בֹודֶ כְ ּסֵ י לִפְ כִ א נֵ One may quietly ask for a speedyOnemaya quietly forrecovery foronewhoneedsask it: The sources The [LIKE THE MIRIADS OF SWEAT PORES]. AND HE ATTACHES MY SPIRITUAL SOUL TO MY PHYSICAL BODY EVEN EVEN MYPHYSICALBODY TO SOUL MYSPIRITUAL ATTACHES ANDHE PORES]. SWEAT OF MIRIADS THE [LIKE ALSO RETAINS MY BREATH INSIDE ME,EVENTHOUGHMY AND BODY ISFULL OF APERTURES MANY HOLES HE WAYS. WONDEROUS IN NUTRIENTS THE FROM WASTES THE OF FILTERING THE CONTROLS HASHEM SO ARE FUNCTIONS BODILY OUR THOUGH [EVEN GLORY OF THRONE YOUR FROM US DOWN AT LOOKS WHO YOU, ONLY BEFORE AND MANYLIMBS WITH HIS BODY HE CREATED AND FROM NOTHING DETAIL INEVERY JEW EXACT AFFAIRS OF THECREATIONS, BUTOVERSEES WHO IS OURGOD. HE IS ALL-POWERFUL, AND CONTROLS ALL HIS I WOULDNOTBEABLETOCONTINUEEXIST ם קַ תְ הִ לְ ׁשָ ּיֵ אֶ אִי פְ ר לְ הִ תְ קַ ּיֵ ם בֹו רָ ּובָ א בֹו In theChareidimitisalsobroughtdownthatamitzvah LIFNEI KISEICHVODECHO U-VORO VO Asher Yotzor brocha Yotzor Asher THOUGH THEYAREOPPOSITES.INDEEDHECONSTANTLY PERFORMSMANYWONDERSFORUS. IY EFSHARLEHISKAYEM ORGANS HASHEM (of the interpretations) Socher Tov,70) me." said "ThereforeIamnotingandyoushallsave merit heissavedfromtroubles.DovidHamelech If apersonremembersG-d'swonders,inthis ד'

(The Chid'aobmaccordingtoErechNiflaos,Medrash LOWLY] is similar to the issimilar It isa HIM WITH NOURISHMENT, ANDHEALSOHIM WITHNOURISHMENT, SUPPLY HE DESIGNEDMAN'SORGANSTO WISDOM, ENORMOUS WITH HASHEM'S BESTOWED ONHIMGREATINTELIGENCE ינּו ֹלקֵ אֱ לֵיּ areaccording toRashi, Avudraham, Shulchan Oruch, BeitYosef, RM'A, Levush, the GR'A, Malbim, Ben Ish Chai, Rav Friedlander, Rav Pinkas, ELOKEINU mitzvas aseh mitzvas ׂשֹות לַ ּומַ עֲ יא לִ פְ ִי ַע שו BECHOCHMOH ה ּתָ אַ ת ה מָ כְ חָ ּבְח ְמ brocha ATOH UMAFLI LA-ASOS YOU fromtheTorahtorememberG-d'skindness,asitsays"And youshallremembertheentirejourney ב הַ נַ ּוָ ּבְ צַ יָ ּלֵ "אֲׁשֶר תר"כַ ו ַתה ל of יָ לּוי וְ ּגָ דּועַ SYSTEM ISREVEALEDAND THIS EXTRAORDINARY GOLUI VEYODUA Hagomel OR IFONEORGANWOULDBECOMEOBSTRUCTED SOURCE OF ALL SOURCE ם ד ם אֹו יִ הֶ מֵ חָ אֶ ּסָ תֵ ֶח ֵה UNDERSTOOD BORUCH רּוְך ּבָ ְּ BLESSINGS O YISOSEMECHODME-HEM because "four people areobligatedtogive There isno thanks" andapersonwho "four is one one – ofthem. was ill because (of the613mitzvahsofRabeinuYona) sicker thanthiscase ______bisoch shi'ar cholei Yisroel." cholei shi'ar bisoch ______"Yehi rotzon milfonecha shetishlach refua shleima mei'otzar matnas chinam bichesed u'vrachamim li li u'vrachamim bichesed chinam matnas mei'otzar shleima refua shetishlach milfonecha rotzon "Yehi Hagaon RavAYLShteinman

PERFECTION, SO THATEVERYLIMBWORKSPERFECTLY PERFECTION, SO WHO CREATEDTHE HUMAN BODYWITH GREAT ם ת ר ר אֲ יָ הָ אָ אֶ דָ צַ ׁשֶ ָצ ֶתה ָד ת ה ּלּו אֲפִ חָ אֶ עָ ׁשָע ֶח ת ַ ּכ רְ ּבִ ְּ )ספרד( ים יםחֲ לּולִ חֲ לּולִ ASHER YOTZARESHO-ODOM WHO CONTINUES RECREATING THE WORLD ALWAYS WAS,IS AND WILL BEFOREVER, AND MASTER OF THE WHOLE UNIVERSE WHO AFILOO SHO-OECHOS HEART, THELUNGS, THE STOMACH, THE THE E.G. ORGANS HOLLOW MANY AND . (Responsa MinHashomayim,34) CHALULIM EVEN FORASHORTTIME LIVER ANDTHEKIDNEYS. to rememberG-d'skindnessesanddeliberateuponthem. EVERY SECOND HASHEM ד' ם הֶ מֵ ד חָ אֶ חַ תֵ ּפָ יִ ם ׁשֶ אִ ם יִ ּפָ תֵ חַ אֶ חָ ד מֵ הֶ ם doctor tocurehimandthatitisagreatsegulahforgoodhealth SHE-IM YIPOSEACHECHODME-HEM BECAUSE IFONEOFTHEMWOULDOPENTOOMUCH longevity. "ThisdeedopenstheHeavenlygates." Our SagespraisedapersonwhomadetheAsherYotzorblessing while concentratingoneachwordandsaidhewouldnotneeda ORGANS OF EXCRETION TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY, EFFICIENTLY, FUNCTION TO EXCRETION OF ORGANS BIRDSAND ALL LIVING BEINGS [BYDIRECTING THEIR ANIMALS, HUMANS, ALL i.e. FLESH- ALL HEALS WHO HASHEM PROTECTSTHEMALLFROMSICKNESS] ר ּבָ כָ ל רֹופֵ א ׂשָ AND TO STAND BEFORE YOU [TO SERVE [TO YOU STANDBEFORE AND TO ROFEH CHOLBOSOR FOOD AND WINDPIPE FOOD AND THE ORGANS e.g. HISVALVES, MOUTHAND VEINS, HIS AND PIPELINESMANY APERTURES, AND VELA-AMOD LEFONECHO יָך נֶ פָ מֹדלְ עֲ לַ וְל ֲמדל ָנ ָ YOU [WHO IS HERE YOU [WHO IS HERE ים ים נְ בִ נְ בִ קָ קָ ִי ְק ִי LISTENING TOME] NEKOVIM ה ּתָ אַ ת WHO RULES OVER EVERY RULESOVER WHO KINGTHEWHOLEUNIVERSEOF FOR EXCRETINGWASTES ATOH ם הָ מֶ עֹולָ ְךלֶ ךה ֹל MELECH HO-OLOM … ". YOU] CREATURE (SeferCharedim,Chap.9) THE SOURCE OF THE SOURCEOF ALL BROCHOS BORUCH רּוְך ּבָ ְּ Nefesh Chaya,p.60) (RabbiPinkasob'm,

From the Letter of Sar HaTorah Maran Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlit”a מתוך מכתב שר התורה מרן הגאון רבי חיים קניבסקי שליט"א

“...How beneficial is this tefillah! as it consolidates in an outstanding manner the fundamentals of "...כמה תועלת יש בתפילה שלפנינו שבה מרוכזים באופן נפלא יסודות הבטחון המזכירים לאדם

bitachon, which remind a person of the true goal of all his hishtadlus. Anyone who recites it with מטרתם האמיתית של כל השתדלויותיו ובודאי כל האומר אותה בכוונה לפני עסקיו יראה ברכה

concentration before his dealings will certainly see great blessing in them, and “he will take pleasure

גדולה בהם ויתענג על ה׳ ויתן לו משאלות לבו." in Hashem and He will grant him his heart’s desires. ’”

”.According to the extent of one’s bitachon is the extent of one’s success“ "לפי גודל הבטחון כן הוא גודל ההצלחה"

)מרן החפץ חיים - ספר מחנה ישראל עמוד פז( (The Chofetz Chaim zt”l - Sefer Machaneh Yisroel pg. 87)

Before someone fulfills his obligation of hishtadlus, he should first be sure that he clearly understands קודם שיקיים האדם חובת ההשתדלות, עליו לברר לעצמו מטרתה. הרי אם גזר ,the purpose of such efforts. After all, if Hashem ordained that he be unsuccessful in a particular matter הקב״ה שלא יצליח בעניין זה, לא תעזור לו כל השתדלות שבעולם )מלבד ההשתדלות all the hishtadlus in the world will not help him (besides spiritual efforts, such as prayer, bitachon and -increased meritorious deeds), and if He decreed that he be successful, how will his hishtadlus add any בדברים רוחניים: תפילה, בטחון, והוספת זכויות(; ואם גזר שיצליח, מה תוסיף לו ?thing השתדלותו? אלא שגם אם נגזר שהאדם יצליח, עלולה הגזירה להשתנות אם לא The fact is that even if it was ordained that a person be successful, the decree may be amended if he יקיים חובת השתדלות. מצד שני, גם בהשתדלותו טמונה סכנה גדולה, שהרי כאשר does not fulfill his obligation of hishtadlus. On the other hand, hishtadlus carries its own dangers: if it was ordained that he succeed, the decree may be altered if he relies solely on his own efforts. Thus, it is נגזר שיצליח, הגזירה עלולה להשתנות אם ישים בטחונו רק בהשתדלותו. על כן incumbent upon him to have in mind that he is doing hishtadlus only so that if it was decreed that he be שומה עליו לכוון שעושה מעשה השתדלות רק כדי שאם נגזר שיצליח, אי השתדלותו .successful, the decree will not be forestalled due to his lack of hishtadlus לא תפריע לקיום גזירתו. היוצא מדברינו: איננו עושים השתדלות כדי להועיל The bottom line is: We do not do hishtadlus in order to help ourselves, but rather to prevent losing out לעצמנו, אלא כדי למנוע הפסד ההצלחה שכבר נגזרה. אך בשעה שמשתדל בדרכי on success that was already ordained for us. However, when a person is involved in hishtadlus according to the natural way of the world, it is difficult to remain focused on this truth. This prayer was composed הטבע קשה לאדם שלא להסיח דעת מהאמת הזאת, לכן נתנסחה התפילה הבאה – .for this very reason – so that one may pray to Hashem that this truth will remain ever clear to him כדי להתפלל להקדוש ברוך הוא שלא תמוש אמת זו מנגד עיניו. ,The Ramchal wrote (Derech Hashem 4:5): For the more a person becomes enmeshed in worldly matters כתב הרמח"ל )דרך ה' ד,ה(: "הנה, כפי מה שירבה להסתבך בעניני העולם, כך the more he is distanced from the Divine light and darkens himself even further. The Creator prepared the remedy for this, and that is for man to first come close and stand before Hashem and ask for all his מתרחק מן האור העליון ומתחשך יותר. והנה הכין הבורא יתברך תיקון לזה, והוא needs and cast his burden upon Him. This should be the first and foremost commencement of all our מה שיקדים האדם ויתקרב ויעמוד לפניו ית׳ וממנו ישאל כל צרכיו ועליו ישליך יהבו, hishtadlus, so that when a person is subsequently drawn after other types of hishtadlus – typical human ויהיה זה ראשית כללי ועיקרי לכל השתדלותו, עד שכאשר ימשך אח״כ בשאר דרכי efforts – he won’t get caught up and entrenched in physicality and materialism, since he preempted [this eventuality] by ascribing everything to Hashem. His decline thus will not be precipitous; instead it will be ההשתדלות שהם דרכי ההשתדלות האנושי לא יקרה שיסתבך וישתקע בגופניות .bolstered by this remedy that preceded it וחומריות, כיון שכבר הקדים ותלה הכל בו ית׳, ולא תהיה ירידתו ירידה רבה אלא Furthermore, the Mishnah Berurah wrote (1:13), “It is written, ‘He who [gathered] more [mohn] did not תסמך ע״י התיקון הזה שקדם לה". have extra and he who gathered less did not have less’ to teach that increased hishtadlus does not help ”.at all וכתב המשנה ברורה )א יג(: "כתיב המרבה לא העדיף והממעיט לא החסיר, להורות Hishtadlus is only “so that your aid will not arrive via a revealed miracle; rather, the main thing is to trust שאין ריבוי ההשתדלות מועיל מאומה". ההשתדלות היא רק "שלא יבוא עזרך בנס -in Hashem with all your heart, and do not rely on your wisdom, and do not engage in excessive hishtad נגלה, אמנם העיקר לבטוח בה' בכל לבבך, ואל בינתך אל תשען ולא תעשה יותר lus so that you will not think that your own power brought about your salvation” (Rabbeinu Zundel of Salant z”l, Ohr Yisroel §24). On the contrary, increased hishtadlus is only liable to cause harm, as the השתדלות שלא תחשב כחי ועוצם ידי היה לי לישועה" )רבינו זונדל מסלנט ז"ל, אור -Chovos Halevavos wrote (Introduction to Sha’ar HaBitachon): “Whoever trusts in anything besides Ha ישראל כד(. ואדרבה, ריבוי ההשתדלות יכול רק להזיק, כלשון חובות הלבבות shem, Hashem removes His providence from him…as it says (Yirmiyah 17:5): ‘Cursed is the man who )הקדמה לשער הבטחון(: "מי שבוטח בזולת ה' מסיר האלקים השגחתו מעליו... trusts in man and makes flesh his arm and whose heart turns away from Hashem.’” He should instead have in mind to discharge his obligation and cast his burden upon Hashem, Who wants what is good for ואמר )ירמיה יז ה(: ארור הגבר אשר יבטח באדם ושם בשר זרועו ומן ה׳ יסור לבו". .him even more than the individual does himself אלא יכוון לפרוע את חובו, ועל ה', הרוצה בטובתו יותר ממנו, ישליך יהבו.

נוסח התפילה Tefillas Hamishtadel

רִּבֹונֹו שֶׁ ל עֹולָם, אַתָ ה הּוא הַ זָן מִקַרְ נֵי רְ אֵמִ יםעַד יּבֵיצֵ כִ נִים וְ נֹותֵ ן לְכָל דאֶׁחָ וְאֶׁחָ ד דֵ י Master of the World, You are the One who gives sustenance [to all] from the horns of re’eimim to the eggs of lice and fulfills the needs of each and every person. I know that מַחְ סֹרֹו,יָדַעְתִ ישֶׁאַ הֲבָתְ ָךאֵ לַי חֲזָקָ המִ כָל אַ הֲבָהשֶׁ ןנִתַ רלְתָאֵ ּבָעֹולָם. ייָדַעְתִ שֶׁ רֹוצֶׁ ה Your love for me is stronger than any love that can be described in the world. And I know אַתָהּבְ יטֹובָתִ ּומִצְטַ עֵר ּבְצַ עֲרִ י יֹותֵ רמִמֶׁ נִי,שֶׁ הֲרֵ יאַתָ ה שָ רּוי עִמִ יּבְ כָל יצָרָתִ כְ מֹו שֶׁ נֶׁאֱמַ ר that You want what is best for me and are pained by my sorrows more than I am, for You )תהליםצא טו(: "עִ מֹו אָ ינֹכִ ּבַצָרָ ה". יָדַעְתִ י שֶׁאֵ ין עֹודמִ לְבַדֶׁ ָך ּוגְזֵרָתְ ָך הִ יאהַדֶׁרֶׁ ְך are present with me in all of my troubles, as it says (Tehillim 91:15): “I am with him in distress.” I know that there is none other than You, and it is only through Your decree that הַיְחִידָ הּבָּה אַשִ יג חֶׁפְצִ י, כְעִ נְיָןשֶׁאָמְ רּו זַ"ל )חולין ז ע"ב(: "אֵ ין אָדָ םנֹוקֵ ף אֶׁצְּבָעֹו I can achieve my objectives, as Chazal said (Chulin 7b): “A person bangs his finger in the מִ לְמַטָ האֶׁ לָא אִ ם כֵן מַכְרִ יזִ ין עָלָיומִ לְמַעְ לָה". עַל כֵן הִ נְנִי מַשְ לִיְך עָלֶׁיָך יְהָבִ י. אָ נָא ה', lower world only if it was decreed upon him in the Upper World.” Therefore, I cast my burden upon You. Please Hashem, in Your great mercy, as a father has mercy on his only ּבְרַחֲמֶׁ יָךהָרַ ּבִ ים,כְרַ חֵ ם אָ בעַל ּבְ נֹו יְחִ דֹו, שְ לַח ּבְרָ כָהּבְמַ יעֲשֵ ייָדַ ּובִפְרָ טּבְעִ נְיָן פְ לֹונִי child, bless my efforts, especially with regard to [insert requests], for I am in Your hands ]כאן יפרט בקשתו[, כִ י הִ נְנִי ּבְ יָדְ ָך לְבַד וְאֵ יןלְָך מַעְ צֹור לְהֹושִ יעַ בּבְרַ אֹו בִמְ עָט. וְעַתָ ה alone, and there is nothing that can prevent Your deliverance – through much or little אֶׁעֱשֶׁהדָבָר שֶׁ עַל יפִ טֶׁבַעהָ עֹולָם יְקָרֵ ב יאֹותִ לְהַשִ יג חֶׁפְצִ י, אַ ְךאֵ ינֶׁנִי עֹושֶׁ ה אֹותֹו מִ תֹוְך effort]. Now I will do something that, according to the natural order of the world, will] bring me closer to my goal, but I am not doing it out of belief that my actions can truly ּבִטָחֹון שֶׁהַמַ עֲשֶׁ הּבֶׁאֱמֶׁ ת יָכֹול לְהֹועִ יל לִי, כִ י ּבְ וַדַ אי אִ י ראֶׁפְשָ שֶׁ ריֶׁחְסַ המָ שֶׁ נִקְ צַ ב לִי help me, for it is certainly impossible that I will have any less than what was allotted for מֵרֹאש הַשָ נָה,ּוכְ מֹו שאז"ל )ביצה טז ע"א(: "כָל מְ זֹונֹותָ יושֶׁ לאָדָ םקְ צּובִ ים לֹו מֵ רֹאש -me on Rosh Hashana. As Chazal said (Beitzah 16a): “All of a person’s sustenance is or dained for him on Rosh Hashana.” And as they said as well (Yoma 38b): “No one can הַשָ נָה",וְכֵן אָמְ רּו)יומא לֵחַ ע"ב(: "אֵ ין אָדָ ם נֹוגֵעַ ּבְ מּוכָןלַחֲבֵרֹו אֲפִ לּו כִמְ לֹא נִימָ א". touch what is prepared for his fellow, even a hairsbreadth.” In fact, I could sit and do ּובֶׁאֱמֶׁ ת הָ יִיתִ י רַ שַ אי בלֵשֵ ּולְהִ ּבָטֵ לּוגְזֵרָתְ ָךהָ יְתָ המִתְ קַ יֶׁמֶׁ תמֵאֵ ,לֶׁיהָ םאִ לֹא שֶׁקָדַ ם -nothing, and Your decree would be fulfilled on its own, were it not for the penalty im posed on mankind (Bereishis 3:19): “By the sweat of your brow shall you eat bread.” Due הַקְ נָס לְכֹל ּבְ נֵי אָדָ ם )בראשית ג יט(: "ּבְ זֵעַת אַ פְֵךתֹאכַל לֶׁחֶׁ ם". ּובִשְבִ יל גְזֵרָתְ ָך הִ נְנִי to this decree, I am obligated to make some hishtadlus to obtain my needs, as Chazal said מְחֻיָב לְהִשְתַדֵ ל אֵ יזֹו הִשְתַדְ לּותלְצָרְ כִ י, ּוכְ מֹו שֶׁאָמְ רּו )ספרי(: "יָכֹול אֲפִ ילּו ביֹושֵ ּובָטֵ ל, Sifri): “I would think [this would be true] even if he sits and does nothing, but the Torah) תַלְמּוד לֹומַ ר: ּבְ כָל מִשְ לַחיָדְ ָך אֲשֶׁ רתַ עֲשֶׁ ה")דברים כח כ(. אַ ְךאֵ ינֶׁנִי מִתְ כַּוֵן teaches, ‘in all of your endeavors that you carry out’ (Devarim 28:20).” But my intention is not that my efforts are what will help me, but rather that my hishtadlus is required by שֶׁהִשְתַדְ לּותִ יהִ יא שֶׁ תֹועִ יל, אֶׁ לָא שֶׁהִשְתַדְ לּותִ י מֻכְרַ תחַ ּבְגִזְרַ תשָמַ יִם, וְכֵיוָןשֶׁאֶׁשְתַדֵ ל Divine decree, and with my hishtadlus I will discharge my obligation so that Your blessing אֵצֵא יְדֵ יחֹובָתִ י ּוכְבָר יִהְ יֶׁהמָ קֹום לְבִרְ כָתְ ָךשֶׁתִשְרֶׁ ה עֲלֵי )ע"פ לשון מסילת ישרים פרק -will have a place to rest upon me (adapted from Mesilas Yesharim, ch. 22). I am not mak ing this effort in the hopes that through it I will achieve any benefit that You have not כב(.אֵ ינֶׁנִי עֹושֶׁ האֶׁ ת מַ עֲשֵ ה הַהִשְתַדְ לּותּבְתִקְ וָה שֶׁדַרְ כֹואַשִ יגשּום טֹובָה שֶׁ לֹא גָזַרְ תָ decreed, because I know that actions will not help – only prayers, bitachon and increased שֶׁאֲקַּבֵל, יכִ יָדַעְתִ ישֶׁ לֹא יֹועִ ילּו מַ עֲשִ ים יכִ אִ ם תְ פִ לֹות,ּבִטָ חֹון וְ הֹוסָ פַת זְ כּויֹות, אַ ְך אֲנִי meritorious deeds [can do so]. Rather, I am making this effort only so that my negligence will not cause me to lose out on the good that You already ordained [for me]. Please Ha- עֹושֶׁה אֶׁ תהַמַ העֲשֶׁ קרַ כְדֵ י שֶׁ לֹאאַפְסִ יד ּבִפְשִ ייעָתִ אֶׁ תהַ טֹוב שֶׁכְבָר גָזַרְ תָ . אָ נָא ה', הֱיֵה shem, help me not lose sight of this truth even while I am making these efforts that may ָנא ְּב ֶׁע ְז ִרי ֶׁשלֹא ָתמּוש ֱא ֶׁמת זֹו ִמ ַמ ְח ַש ְב ִתי ַאף ְּב ָש ָעה ֶׁש ֶׁא ֱע ֶׁשה ַמ ֲע ִשים ֵאלּו, ֶׁש ְיכֹו ִלים seem as if they contradict this principle of faith. [Help me] not place my hope in man or לְהֵרָ אֹותכְ סֹותְרִ יםאֶׁ ת עִקָ רהָאֱ מּונָה הַ זֹאת, וְשֶׁ לֹא אֲקַ ּוֶׁה לְאִ יש וְ לֹא אֲ יַחֵ ל לִבְ נֵי אָדָ ם ,my confidence in human beings or rely on my own intelligence or strength. [Help me] not chas veshalom, cause You to remove Your special providence from me (see Chovos Hale- וְלֹא אֶׁשְ עַן עַלחָכְמָתִ יוְ כֹוחִ י וְ לֹא אֶׁגְ רֹםחַ סוְשָ לֹום שֶׁתָסִ יר הַשְ גָחָתְ ָך הַמְ תיֻחֶׁדֶׁ מִמֶׁ נִי vavos, Preface to Shaar Habitachon), so that I will be liable to lose out on the good that )עיין חובות הלבבות, פתיחה לשער הבטחון(, וְאֶׁהְ יֶׁהעָלּול לְהֶׁפְסֵ דהַ טֹוב שֶׁאַתָ ה חָ פֵץ You wish to give me, thereby, chas veshalom, causing You anguish even greater than my own distress. I will not fear, for You are with me, and I will not turn away from You, for לָתֵת לִיוְאֶׁגְ רֹוםלְָך צַעַר חַ ס וְשָ לֹום ריֹותֵ מְ צַ עֲרִ י. לֹא אִ אירָ יכִ האַתָ עִמָדִ י, לֹא אָ סּור You are my G-d. You have strengthened me and helped me and supported me with Your מֵ עָלֶׁיָךכִ י האַתָ אֱ ֹלהַ י, אִ מַצְתַ נִיאַ ף עֲזַרְ תַ נִיאַ ף תְ מַכְתַ נִיּבְ יָמִ יןצִדְקֶׁ ָך, יכִ האַתָ ה' אֱ ֹלהָ י ,right hand of righteousness, for You, Hashem my G-d, hold my right hand and tell me “Fear not, for I shall help you.” Strengthen and fortify my heart [so that] I will rely only on מַחֲזִ יקיְמִ ינִיוְ אֹומֵ ר לִיאַ לתִ ירָ א אֲנִי עֲזַרְתִ יָך. וְתַ חֲזֵק ּותְ אַמֵ ץ ילִּבִ וַאֲקַ ּוֶׁה קרַ לְָך וְ לֹא You and so that my soul will not be downcast, but rather I will have confidence in Hashem תִשְתֹוחֵחַ ינַפְשִ אֶׁ לָא אֲ ליַחֵ לָאֱ ֹלהִ ים, יכִ עֹודאֲ הֹודֶׁ נּויְשּועֹות פָנָי וֵאֹלהָ י. .for I will yet thank Him, for He is my salvation, the light of my countenance and my G-d Reb Shlomo Carlebach zt”l

on Parshat Ki Teitzie

.when you go out to battle your enemies ,"כי תצא למלחמה על אויביך" So here the Torah says When the Torah talks about someone going out to war, it writes it in singular. So, let me ask you friends, how can one Jew go out and conquer the world? It's crazy.

I want you to know, there are two struggles going on in our lifetime. One struggle is going on mamesh inside, deep inside. The struggle is when I don't even know if I want to be a Jew, I don't know if I should keep Shabbos. I don't know if I should be married to my wife or not. I already have grown up children, but I haven't decided yet if I should have had children. These are all real inside struggles. But then there is something else. It's when my inside is already fixed. It's mamesh clear to me in two million ways that I cannot move an inch away from the Torah... I just can't, even if I wanted to.

You know friends, let's say I decided to take off for a Shabbos and go into Tel-Aviv? Let me ask you, in all honesty - It's not even a question of choice. I look at my feet, they don't move... they don't move. You know why? What's the first sign if I make a covenant with G-d? - that there are certain things inside that I don't have to struggle about anymore. I'm a Yid. Inside, inside, I don't have to struggle anymore. Sure, it's hard. You have to make decisions every minute. G-d is testing you every second of your life. So, what I'm doing is only fixing the outside. It's clear to me; I cannot go Friday night and go to a discotheque in Tel Aviv. I can't. But you know something, I have choice when I am sitting by my Shabbos table. I can sit there and eat a meal, or I can mamesh keep Shabbos in the deepest depths.

G-d created the world in six days and on Shabbos He rested. What a sad translation! On Shabbos G-d gave the world a soul. On Shabbos, G-d created a world of souls, of depth, of tasting that which is most real.

Shabbos invites all those who need new energy, all those who have been broken by the world of the six days, who need the world of Shabbos to make their brokenness whole again.

Shabbos invites all those who have so far only felt the pain of life and are crying for the joy, the bliss, the unbelievable heavenliness of being alive in a world created by G-d.

Shabbos invites all those who are tired of walking slowly, who only cover a spiritual inch per lifetime on their journeys. Shabbos invites all those who have traveled through the valleys of sadness, of waiting and waiting all the time. Shabbos is to get to the top of the mountain in one second, and there discover even higher mountains that we may have never ever seen before.

Shabbos invites all those who know, who experienced so much sweetness, so much holiness in life, but it’s clear to them this cannot be all G-d wants to give them. Isn’t G-d infinite? Isn’t life infinite? Shabbos is the name of G-d.

Will you accept the invitation of Shabbos?

Won’t you come and taste a little bit of paradise?

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