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)

 BALAK 

_ CHASSIDUS ON THE PARSHA + Dvar Torah

Torah and Business How good are your tents, O Yaakov, your dwellings, O Yisrael (24:5). This is the famous blessing that Hashem placed in the mouth of Bilaam regarding the Jewish people. Why is the residence of the Jewish people considered a tent when they are addressed as Yaakov and a dwelling place when they are addressed as Yisrael? We can see an allusion here, explains Rav Lev i Yitzchok, to the proper relationship of a Jew to his Torah learning and to his business affairs. Yisrael is a higher level than Yaakov, as is well-known. Therefore, the name Yisrael is used when speaking about Torah and the name Yaakov when speaking abou t business. Since tents are temporary dwellings, Yaakov is being told to make his business the subordinate part of his life, and since dwellings places are permanent, Yisrael is being told to make Torah learning the anchor of his existence, as the Mishnah states ( Avos 1:15), “Appoint times for Torah study.” n Story For the first few years after his marriage, Rav Levi Yitzchok and his wife lived in Levertov in the home of his father -in-law Reb Yisrael Peretz, a wealthy businessman who provided for all their needs so that Rav Levi Yitzchok could sit and learn Torah undisturbed. 1
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After a while, however, Reb Yisrael Peretz decided that he had done his share. “You know, I’m not such a young man anymore,” he said to Rav Levi Yitzchok. “I cannot continue supporting you indefinitely. It’s time you gave some thought to earning your own living. I gave you a large dowry, didn’t I?” “Yes, you did.” “Very well then, you need to learn how to put that money to work for you. Find a good business and invest. The annual trade fair in Leipzig is coming up soon. Take ten thousand silver rubles, and go to the fair. Find some good merchandise and invest in it.” “How will I know what is considered good merchandise?” “It’s true that you will need some experience for that. Otherwise, the merchants will swindle you. So I will send one of my employees with you to guide and advise you. I will also pay all the travel expenses.” A short while later, Rav Levi Yitzchok packed his bags left for Leipzig in faraway Germany together with his father-in-law’s employee. He took along a bag heavy with coins and several sefarim so that he could learn when he was not occupied with his business dealings. They arrived in Leipzig and settled into their lodgings. The next day, his companion awoke bright and early to be among the first to inspect the wares displayed at the fair. “You know something,” he said to Rav Levi Yitzchok, “there is really no point in your coming with me right now. Once I get a good idea of what is going on at this fair, I’ll come for you. In the meantime, keep the money here. You’ll bring it when you come.” “Suits me fine,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. As soon as the door closed behind his companion, Rav Levi Yitzchok opened the sefarim and was soon immersed in the world of Torah. Presently, however, he realized that he needed some sefarim that he had not brought with him. Surely, he thought, there must be a beis medrash stocked with sefarim here in Leipzig. He put the bag of coins into the deep pocket of his coat and went out to find the nearest beis medrash . After wandering for a while through the winding streets and asking directions from more than one person, he found a beis medrash that served his needs perfectly. That evening, his companion returned from the fair, but Rav Levi Yitzchok was nowhere to be seen. He waited for hours and went out looking for him, but could find no sign of him. Finally, he went to sleep. Just after dawn, he heard the door open, and Rav Levi Yitzchok appeared. “Where have you been?” he asked him. “In the beis medrash .” “All night?” “I lost track of time.” “How can you expect to do business if you are in the beis medrash all day and all night? Your father-in-law is paying all the travel expenses as well as my salary. We’ve been here for a full day, and we’ve still accomplished nothing. We have to find something today. What will we say to him if we return empty-handed?”

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“I understand.” “Stay here in the hotel. When I find something I’ll call you.” “What the use of sitting here in the hotel? You know where to find me. I’ll be in the beis medrash two streets over, and I’ll have the money with me. When you have something, come and get me.” After his companion left, Rav Levi Yitzchok caught a few hours of sleep, then he went off to the beis medrash again. Having been there the day before, he thought he knew the way, but before long, he was hopelessly lost in the vast labyrinth of Leipzig’s streets. Soon he found himself in a seedy neighborhood populated with drunks and vagrants. He needed help to get back to the city center, but he saw no one he could ask. Finally, he saw an open door and thought he might find more respectable people inside, but when he entered he saw it was a tavern filled with degenerate men and women far worse than those he had seen on the streets. He realized that Satan had enticed him there to lead him astray, and he immediately turned and fled into the street. Several of the people in the tavern followed him into the street and ran after him as he tried to escape. He ran as fast as he could, but they were faster. How could he get away from them? He reached into his pocket and pulled out the bag of coins. Without a second thought, he flung it at them. The money caught their attention, and they forgot about him. Relieved, he ran and ran until he was back in the center of the city. After asking for directions, he found the beis medrash . He entered the hallowed place and collapsed into a chair. Then he calmed himself, opened his sefarim and was quickly absorbed; his experience was no more than a bad memory. In the evening, his companion appeared in the beis medrash along with another man, whom he introduced as a textile merchant. “Let’s step outside,” he said. “We have to talk.” They stepped into a side room. “Well, we’ve had a good day at the fair,” he said. “I found this gentleman here who has some really excellent merchandise to sell, and if we buy all of it, he will give it to us at an exceedingly low price.” “That is wonderful news,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “But there is one problem.” “And what is that?” “I’ve lost the money.” The companion burst into laughter, and after a moment, the merchant began to laugh as well.” “You certainly have a great sense of humor,” said the companion. “I’m not joking,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “B-but how could you lose it?” they sputtered. “It happened.” “You’re really serious?” “Yes, I am.”

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“This is unbelievable. Reb Yisrael Peretz certainly has a fool for a son-in-law.” “There’s no need to worry,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “Someone will find the money and return it to me.” The companion snorted. “You’re living in a dream world. If you lose something in Leipzig during the fair you can be sure you’ll never see it again.” “We’ll see. In the meantime, there’s nothing more for us to do here, so let’s go home.” When they returned to Levertov nearly a week ahead of schedule, Reb Yisrael Peretz was all smiles. “You must have been very successful,” he said, “if you cut your trip so short. Tell about your business deals, my son.” “There were no business deals,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “Why not? You certainly had plenty of money, more than most buyers bring to the fair.” “I lost the money. So we returned home. But there’s is no need to worry. The Master of the Universe who watches over all of us will undoubtedly return the lost money.” Reb Yisrael Peretz was so furious he could hardly speak. “Get out!” he managed to say. “Get out of my house.” Rav Levi Yitzchok accepted his fate and headed for the beis medrash . During this time, one of the townspeople had a fire in his granary. Part of the grain had been designated for the squire who owned the land, which meant that the loss was not only borne by the merchant but also by the squire. Based on affidavits of false accusations, the squire became convinced that Reb Yisrael Peretz had caused the fire by using a Kabbalistic formula. Reb Yisrael Peretz vehemently protested his innocence, but to no avail. A date was set for a trial. Beside himself with worry, Reb Yisrael Peretz traveled to Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk to ask for his blessing and advice. “What shall I do?” he wailed. “Go home, and ask your son-in-law what you should do.” Reb Yisrael Peretz did not mention that he had driven his son-in-law from his home. He went home, dejected and bereft of hope. When the day of the trial drew near, he went to Lizhensk once again to ask for Rav Elimelech help. “Ask your son-in-law,” the rebbe replied. Once again, Reb Yisrael Peretz left without divulging what he had done. He waited in Lizhensk for two days, then he returned to the rebbe again. “Ask your son-in-law,” the rebbe said sharply. “Listen to his sage words as you would to the words of a prophet. Then do exactly as he says. Do not return to me unless you have done as I am telling you to do.” Reb Yisrael Peretz returned to Levertov and invited Rav Levi Yitzchok to his house for a meal. “Forgive me,” he said. “I’m sorry for what I did. It was wrong.”

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“I forgive you,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “And now I need your help.” “What do you need? If I can help you, I will.” “I am falsely accused of a crime,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok, and he gave the details of the story. “Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk said I should turn to you. So please help me. The trial takes place tomorrow.” “I will pray for you,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “I will ask the Master of the Universe to save you from the villains who have conspired against you.” That night, the courthouse of Levertov burned to the ground, and all the documents and the falsified evidence relating to the case against Reb Yisrael Peretz were incinerated as well. With no evidence, all charges were dropped. The next day, Reb Yisrael Peretz and Rav Levi Yitzchok traveled together to Lizhensk. As soon as they were shown into Rav Elimelech’s study, he handed Rav Levi Yitzchok the bag of coins he had lost in Leipzig. “Is this yours?” asked Rav Elimelech. “Yes, it is,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “How did my money get here from Leipzig?” “Last night, a woman came here holding the bag,” said Rav Elimelech, “but I could see right away that it was really a creature from the netherworld in the guise of a woman. She put the bag on the window sill and begged me to take it. I refused. So she told me the entire story of your unfortunate experience in Leipzig. She explained that you had thrown down the money to save yourself from spiritual contamination. Your pursuers grabbed the money, but from the moment they took it, they could found no rest. They were gripped by terrible fear and anxiety without cease. Realizing that their only hope was to rid themselves of the money, they dispatched her to Lizhensk to deliver the money intended for you.” 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

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tefilla . Rav Papo was the Rav of the city of Selestria in Bulgaria. Bulgaria was a part of the Ottoman Empire at the time. The tefilla of the Pele Yo’etz is reproduced and translated below, as a public service.

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

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

n n n n n Y GEDOLIM BE'MISASAM YOSER Z YAHRZEITS BEGINNING SHABBOS BALAK http://www.chinuch.org/gedolim_yahrtzeit/Tammuz Biographical information and yahrzeits compiled by Reb Manny Saltiel and www.anshe.org ththth + 11161666 of Tammuz ~ Begins Friday Night (Jun 25th )  Chur , son of Kolev and Miriam, killed by the Erev Rav for his protest against making the Eigel, (1309/2451 or 1312 BCE). Chur did his tikkun (correction) in allowing himself to be killed by the Erev Rav , while this was the mistake that Aharon made in not allow ing himself to be killed. Aharon saw the death of Chur and thought that he did not have to do the same action for his tikkun ;  Rav Shimon Moshe Diskin (b. 1932), son of Rav Yehoshua Zelig Diskin, Rav of Periaslov (Ukraine) and Pardes Chana, and grandson of Rav Shimon Moshe Diskin. He learned at Ponevezh and the Kaminetz -Knesses Bais Yitzchok kollel . He served for twenty -six years as one of the Roshei Yeshiva of Yeshiva Kol Torah , (5759/1999);  Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel ben Rav Yitzchok Meir, the Kapyscznit z Rebbe (b. 1888). Named after the Apta Rav , the Ohev Yisrael , of whom he was a direct descendant, he was born in Husyatin. His maternal grandfather was Rav Mordechai Shraga of Husyatin, son of Rav Yisrael of Ruzhin. He moved with his father to Vienna at the outbreak of World War I. He succeeded his father, Rav Yitz chok Meir, on the first day of Rosh HaShana 1936,

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his father’s petira . Only two years after Rav Avrohom Yehoshua became Rebbe , Yiddishe life was shattered by the German occupation of Vienna. The Rebbe was seized and forced to clean the streets to the amusement of the jeering Germans. On his arrival in America, the Rebbe settled in the Lower East Side of New York. The Rebbe was among the founding members of Chinuch Atzmai (semi-private religious school system in Eretz Yisrael), together with Rav Aharon Kotler. One of his most faithful followers was the Ponovezher Rav , Rav Yosef Kahaneman, (5727/1967);  Rav Aharon Yosef Bakst (Baksht), Hy”d . Rav of Shavel (b. 1867). Born in Ivye, as a young man in Volozhin, he caught the eye of Rav Yitzchok Blazer. He eventually moved to Kelm, where he became attached to Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv. He served in no less than thirteen cities, including Beisagola; Semiatitz; Tzaritzin; Poltave; Seduva; Lomza; and Suwalk. He came to Shavel in 1930. He was killed in the Holocaust together with his son- in-law, Rav Isaac Rabinowitz of Telz. He was the last Rav of Shavel, (5701/1941). ththth + 11171777 of Tammuz ~ Begins Motzai Shabbos (Jun 26th ) The 17 th of Tammuz is a morning-to-evening fast. The purpose of the fast is to remember the spiritual cause of the destruction of the walls of Yerushalayim as one step in the process of the destruction of the Bais HaMikdosh . This day should have been a day of happiness but we built the Golden Calf;  Rav Yehuda ben Rav Osher, son of the Rosh , a Talmudic Sage, (5109/1349);  Rav Salman Mutzafi (b. 1900), born in Baghdad to Rav Tzion Meir, who descended from an illustrious family of Torah scholars who first arrived in Baghdad during the Spanish expulsion. The person who had the greatest influence on Rav Salman during his childhood was the Ben Ish Chai . Every Shabbos , the young Salman accompanied his father to Baghdad’s main shul to hear the Ben Ish Chai ’s derosha , which lasted for two hours and was attended by over two thousand people. In 1934, he moved to Eretz Yisrael. For two full years, he studied the nine volumes of Siddur HaRashash , with all of its kabbalistic kavonos . It is said that his prayers have successfully saved the Jewish people on many occasions, (5735/1975);  Rav Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg (b. 1923). The Weinberg family is from the Slonimer Chassidic dynasty, a Lithuanian Chassidus . The approach and relationship of the Slonim Chassidim to Torah has been similar to the classic Litvishe approach. The founder of the dynasty was Rav Avrohom ben Yitzchok Mattisyohu Weinberg, the mechaber of Chessed L’Avrohom . As a youth, Rav Weinberg studied in the Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin Yeshiva in New York City under Rav Yitzchok Hutner, a talmid of the Alter of Slobodka. Rav Weinberg married the only daughter of Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman, the Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisrael of Baltimore and another talmid of the Alter. In 1964, Rav Ruderman sent him to Toronto, to preside as the Rosh Yeshiva of a branch that Ner Yisrael had established there several years earlier. Eight years later, when the Yeshiva in Toronto decided to become independent, he returned to Baltimore. Shortly before the petira of his father-in-law in 1987, Rav Weinberg was asked to preside as the Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisrael in Baltimore. He was a member of the Moetzes Roshei HaYeshivos of Torah Umesorah for many years, and was very active in expanding the projects of this important organization, (5759/1999);  Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Spiegel (b. 1937), Rav of the Romanian shul Kehal Shaarei Shomayim , son of Rav Moshe Menachem Spiegel, the Admor of Ostrov-Kalushin (formerly

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of Brownsville, later of the Lower East Side), and the grandson of Rav Naftoli Arye Spiegel, the former Rav of Ostrov-Kalushin in Poland; a talmid muvhok of Rav Aharon Kotler, (5761/2001). ththth + 11181888 of Tammuz ~ Begins Sunday Night (Jun 27th )  Rav Yehuda HaLevi Eidel [Edel] of Slonim, born in Zamosc, Galicia, in 1757 or 1759. His most famous work was Afikei Yehuda . His chiddushim on Seder Toharos was considered indispensable for anyone studying this topic. Rav Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk kept a copy on his table at all times. He also published a book on Hebrew synonyms called Redifei Maya , and his first book, Safa leNe’emonim , a treatise on grammar, was what caught the attention of the Vilna Gaon . He had five sons, all of whom became Rabbonim , (5565/1805);  Rav Avrohom (Maskileison) ben Yehuda Leib (b. 1788). He authored Maskil L’Eisan (chiddushim on parts of Moed and Kodoshim ); Be’er Avrohom (chiddushim on Shas ); Nachal Eison (chiddushim on the first two parts of Rambam ’s Yad Chazoka ) and Yad Avrohom (chiddushim on Yoreh De’a ; notes on Sifre ), (5608/1848);  Rav Moshe Dovid Ashkenazi , Rav of Toltshova-Tzefas, (5615/1855);  Rav Yaakov Arye Guterman (b. 1792). A Chassid of the Kozhnitzer Maggid , the Chozeh of Lublin, the Yid HaKodosh of Peshis’cha, and Rav Bunim of Peshis’cha, he took the mantle of leadership in Radzymin (Warsaw district) after the petira of the Vorka Rebbe in 1848. His divrei Torah were written in Bikkurei Aviv (on Chumash ) and Divrei Aviv (on Medrash for Sefer Bereishis ), (5634/1874);  Rav Yehoshua of Tomoshov, (5664/1904);  Rav Chaim Meir Yechiel ben Rav Dov Beirish Shapiro, (b. 1907), Naroler Rav who passed away just shy of his hundredth birthday. He was a grandson of the Rav of Narol, and a descendant of the Sar Sholom , the first Belzer Rav . When he was a young child, his family fled to Kashuai in Hungary, where his grandfather re-established his court. The family returned to Narol in 1924. After his grandfather’s petira , in a decision made by Gedolei Yisrael , Rav Chaim Meir was appointed Rav and Dayan in Narol despite his young age. He received heter horo’a from the Bais Din in Lvov, and became a posek for Belzer Chassidim . After the Nazi invasion in 1939, he fled with his family to Taprov, where his father-in-law lived, and stayed until the summer. In June, all Jews who didn’t have passports were seized by police and shipped to Siberia. The Naroler Rav ’s family managed to leave Siberia and reach Samarkand where survival was easier. In 1945, the Rav was permitted to leave Russia and go to the West. In 1946, he arrived in Antwerp, and began to give shiurim to the Belzer Chassidim who had arrived there. He was active among the refugees here too, helping to marry off orphans and setting up their homes. In 1948, the Naroler Rav moved to Brooklyn. A Belzer Bais Medrash was founded, and the Naroler Rav appointed at its head. He gave many shiurim , among them a shiur on Minchas Chinuch , which he consistently gave for over seventy years. On Rosh Chodesh Tammuz , 1972, the Naroler Rebbe left America and settled in Bnei Brak, where he founded the Naroler Bais Medrash . The Rebbe leaves behind his son Rav Berish, Rav of Narol. (Some say the 17 th of Tammuz ), (5767/2007).

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ththth + 11191999 of Tammuz ~ Begins Monday Night (Jun 28th)  Rav Yitzchok Isaac ben Rav Yoel Leib HaLevi Herzog was born December 3, 1888 (29 th of Kislev 5649) in Łom ża, Poland. He became chief Rav of Ireland and later Eretz Yisrael (1888–1959). His father, Rav Yoel Leib Herzog (1865 –1933) was chief Rav of Paris. From his birth until his sixteenth birthday, Rav Yitzchok studied at the feet of his father. He was given semicha by Rav Yaakov Willowski (the Ridbaz , mechaber of a peirush on the Yerushalmi ). In 1916, he was named chief Rav of Belfast, Ireland. Later he served in the same post in Dublin, and later he became chief Rav of all of Ireland. Following the passing of Rav Avrohom Yitzchok HaKohen Kook in 1935, Rav Herzog was invited to become Eretz Yisrael’s second Ashkenazi chief Rav . He served in that capacity from 1933 until his petira . He is the mechaber of the Heichal Yitzchok , (5719/1959) ;  Rav Yona Stenzel , initiator of Halocha and Mishna Yomi , (5729/1969);  Rav Bentzion Abba Shaul ben Rav Eliyohu, Rosh Yeshiva of Poras Yosef, great Sefardi Tzaddik who was recognized as one of the greatest Halachic authorites of his time, (5758/1998);  Rav Eliezer Yehuda ben Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, Rosh Yeshiva of Mir. His father was the Alter of Slabodka. He married the daughter of Rav Eliyohu Boruch Kamai ( Rosh Yeshiva of Mir) in 1903. Between 1939 and 1941, because many businesses were taken over by the Soviet government, the Mir Yeshiva left Belarus. Rav Finkel, many other Rabbonim and Yeshiva students went to Lithuania because that country was still independen t. The story of the escape of Mir Yeshiva to Shanghai during World War II has been the subject of several books. After the war, the Rabbonim and students founded the Mir Yeshiva in Brooklyn, New York. Rav Finkel survived to establish the Mir Yeshiva and mo ved the Yeshiva to Yerushalayim in 1944 , (5725/1967) . ththth + 202020 of Tammuz ~ Begins Tuesday Night (Jun 29th)  Rav Nosson Nota Hanover Hy”d ben Rav Moshe was a talmid of the Maharshal and mechaber of Yaven Metzula and Shaarei Tzion , a very popular kabbalistic sefer of tefillos and minhogim . He was killed by a stray bullet. ( Kabbola teaches that there are no stray bullets), (5443/1683);  Rav Yisrael of Rikel, murdered in Kavakaz, (5583/1823);  Rav Moshe Yehuda Twersky of Trisk-Chelm, mechaber of Imrei Mi , (5697/19 37);  Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Bloch , Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , brother of Rav Eliyohu Meir Bloch and second son of Rav Yosef Leib Bloch (1860 –1929). Upon his fater’s petira , Rav Avrohom Yitzchok assumed the leadership of both the Yeshiva and the city of Telz, altho ugh he was not yet forty. The Yeshiva ’s end in Europe began in the summer of 1940, when the Soviets, who had occupied Lithuania, ordered the Yeshiva closed. The Nazis entered the city on Rosh Chodesh Tammuz of 1941. After three terrible weeks of torture, o n the 20 th of Tammuz the Nazis massacred the male population of the city, including the Yeshiva ’s administration and student body. The women and children of Telz were killed on the 7 th of Elul . (2 nd of Tammuz , per Yated 2006), (5701/1941);

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 Rav Avrohom Chaim Na’eh , posek ; mechaber of Shiurei Torah and Ketzos HaShulchon (b. 1890), one of the leading poskim in Eretz Yisrael. His shiurim for units of measure are among the most well known, even by those who do not use them. He is the mechaber of Ketzos HaShulchon, Shiurei Torah and Gesher HaChaim . Born in Chevron to Rav Menachem Mendel Na’eh, Rosh Yeshiva of the Sdei Chemed ’s Yeshiva , Mogen Avos . Later, he studied at Rav Yehoshua Leib Diskin’s Yeshiva , Ohel Moshe , under Rav Yehoshua Leib’s son, Rav Yitzchok Yerucham. In 1912, he published his Chanoch LaNoar , which contains the laws necessary for bar-mitzva youths. With the outbreak of WWI, the Turks, who were in control of Eretz Yisrael, expelled anyone who did not possess Turkish citizenship. Most of the expelled Jews clustered in Alexandria. Rav Avrohom Chaim opened Yeshivas Eretz Yisrael there. This Yeshiva had two hundred avreichim and Talmidei Chachomim , who had been exiled from Yerushalayim, supported fully by Rav Avrohom Chaim during the entire war. There, he wrote Shenos Chaim , a special Kitzur Shulchon Aruch for Sefardi Jews. In Teves of 1918, he returned to Eretz Yisrael and served as safra de’daina (personal secretary) of the Eida Chareidis , under Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, the Rav of Yerushalayim. In 1948, he founded the Vaad HoRabbonim of Agudas Yisrael. Later, he helped found the chareidi weekly newspaper, Kol Yisrael (later still, he was one of the prime movers behind Hamodia ), (5714/1954);  Rav Hillel Lichtenstein , the Krasna Rav, (5739/1979);  Rav Chaim Shaul Karelitz (b. 1912), Av Bais Din of Badatz She’eiris Yisrael , Mashgiach Ruchani of Yeshivas Bais Meir and Talmud Torah Tashbar , nephew of the Chazon Ish , learned at Kosovo, Barnaovich (under Rav Elchanon Wasserman), Kaminetz (under Rav Baruch Ber Leibowitz), and Lomza in Petach Tikva, (5761/2001);  Rav Betzalel Rakow (b. 1927), born in Frankfurt, Germany. His father, Rav Yom Tov Lipman, studied in Volozhin under Rav Isser Zalman of Slutzk. After Kristallnacht , his family left via Antwerp to England, in 1939. Rav Betzalel learned at Rav Moshe Schneider’s Toras Emes , along with Rav Moshe Sternbuch and Rav Tuvia Weiss. By age eighteen, he became very close to Rav Elya Lopian and Rav Yechezkel Abramski. He then joined the Gateshead Kollel , marrying three years later. In 1956, he became the Rosh Yeshiva of Etz Chaim in Montreaux, Switzerland, where he developed a close relationship with Rav Yechiel Weinberg and the Brisker Rav . In 1963, he became the Rav of Gateshead, where he remained until his petira . He is the mechaber of Birkas Yom Tov . He was the brother of Rav Bentzion Rakow, Rosh Yeshiva of Chayei Olom Yeshiva , but he was also the Rav of Bais Medrash Heichal HaTorah and a leader of Agudas Yisrael in London, (5763/2003). ststst + 212121 of Tammuz ~ Begins Wednesday Night (Jun 30th)  Rav Shlomo Machlama of Chelm (b. 1717). Born in Zamosc, he became Rav of Chelm and Lvov (Lemberg), mechaber of Merkevet HaMishna , a work considered by many to be among the most important commentaries on Rambam ’s Mishneh Torah . He also wrote Kuntres Breichos Becheshbon , a collection of Talmudic math problems and their solutions, (5541/1781);  Rav Avrohom Matisyohu Friedman of Stefanest (Shtefanesht), Romania (b. 1848), only son of Rav Menachem Nachum (fourth son of the Rizhiner Rebbe ). He succeeded his father after the latter’s petira in 1869, (5693/1933).

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ndndnd + 222222 of Tammuz ~ Begins Thursday Night (Jul 1st)  Rav Shmuel ben Yoel ibn Shuiv, Rav in the Aragonese community of Salonica. His father, who was born in Spain and moved to Salonica in 1495, authored Olas Shabbos , Nora Tehillos and Ein Mishpot , (5288/1528) ;  Rav Mano’ach Hendel , mechaber of Chochmas Mano’ach , (5371/1611);  Rav Shlomo HaLevi ben Rav Meir of Karlin, Hy”d (born 1740 or 1738). A student of the Maggid of Mezritch, as well as of Rav Aharon the Great of Karlin, whom he succeeded in 1772, he was murdered al Kiddush Hashem , stabbed by a Cossack while in the midst of the Amida prayer. After his passing, Rav Aharon HaGodol ’s son, Rav Osher, became Rebbe , (5552/1792);  Rav Avrohom Grodzenksi , Hy”d . Mashgiach Ruchani of the Slabodka Yeshiva , murdered al Kiddush Hashem , along with his sons, Yisrael, Zeev and Eliezer, and his daughter, Miriam . A collection of his thoughts is recorded in Toras Avrohom . His last three years were spent in the Kovno Ghetto. An account of that period in his life was written by his daughter, Rebbetzin Wolbe, who became the wife of Rav Shlomo Wolbe, entitled Ve’emunos’cha Baleilos . On June 23, 1941 (27 th of Sivan ), German bombardment of Lithuania put a stop to the learning in Slabodka, as Kovno took the brunt of the attack, (5702/1942);  Rav Levi Yitzchok ben Rav Avrohom Noach Bender (born 1897). Born in Grodzisk (near Warsaw), he was sent to Yeshivas Mokov when he was ten, where he became drawn to Breslov Chassidus . The teachings of Rav Nachman (who was niftar in 1810) were transmitted chiefly by his talmid , Rav Nosson Sternhartz, who transcribed the Rebbe ’s teachings and conversations. After Rav Nosson’s petira in 1844, the torch of Breslov was carried on by a number of leaders, including Rav Nachman of Tulchin ( niftar 1884) and Rav Nachman of Tcherin ( niftar 1894). The fourth generation of leaders included Rav Yitzchok Breiter ( niftar around 1943) and Rav Avrohom Chazan (Rav Nachman of Tulchin’s son, niftar in 1917). Rav Levi Yitzchok, one of the fifth - generation leaders, was a talmid of Rav Avrohom Chazan. The sixth-generation leaders of our time include Rav Yaakov Meir Shechter (born 1931), one of the well-known Gedolim of Eretz Yisrael. After his father-in-law’s passing, Rav Levi Yitzchok moved with his family to Uman, where he remained for twenty years unt il 1936. After five years in Moscow, Rav Levi Yitzchok, his wife and his daughter moved to Tashkent in Uzbekistan, Central Asia. In 1945, the family moved to nearby Samarkand, known as the Yerushalayim of Uzbekistan, which had a much larger, loyal Jewish community. In 1949, Rav Levi Yitzchok arrived in Eretz Yisrael, where he helped build Breslov Chassidus into the vibrant community of today, and helped establish the main Breslov Bais Medrash , near the border of the Mea Shearim district, (5749/1989);  Chacham Yosef Yedid , Syrian Rav in America, (5776/2016). 

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

Y GEDOLIM BE’MASAYHEM Z STORIES & ANECDOTES Chacham Ben Tzion Abba ShaulShaul,, 191919 ththth of Tammuz Ambulances speeding down Geula’s Yisrael ) was an inherent part of Rav Ben Malchei Yisrael Street with their sirens Tzion’s every action. His love for others wailing are, sadly, not an uncommon sight. was so great that when he would see young Nonetheless, each time the wail of an children walking to cheder , their innocence ambulance was heard in the Geula-based and sweetness would cause his heart to Porat Yosef Yeshiva , its Rosh Yeshiva , Rav swell with a love for all of Klal Yisrael . Ben Tzion Abba Shaul, would bless the Before going to bed each night, he passing patient with a speedy recovery. would forgive all those who had wronged Then he would quietly resume his shiur or him during the day. He recited the studies. While it’s impossible to know what nighttime prayer “I hereby forgive all who effect these particular blessings had, it is angered me” not by rote, but with great well known that Rav Ben Tzion’s blessings sincerity. worked miracles. Once, someone greatly offended Rav “Why are your blessings so Ben Tzion. “Did you recite the prayer that effective?” a student once asked him. night?” a friend asked him. “To tell you the “Because I really love people,” was truth,” replied Rav Ben Tzion, “I found it his unassuming reply. very hard to forgive him. Twisting and This love for his fellow Jew ( Ahavas turning in bed, I said, ‘ Hashem , my anger 12
Balak / [email protected] is justified. But what should I do? Skip the settled in Yerushalayim, and became prayer?’ Then I sat up in bed and for a long followers of Rav Tzadka Chutzin. time struggled to judge that person Rav Eliyohu later married Banya, a favorably. When I was certain that I no woman who was very devoted to Torah . longer bore a grudge against him, I placed When her children returned home from my head on the pillow and recited the Talmud Torah , she would hug them and prayer.” say, “May you become Talmidei Rav Ben Tzion’s formula for Chachomim .” Her prayers were answered, developing and maintaining strong and all of her children become Talmidei interpersonal relationships was based on Chachomim . The fact that the entire family simple arithmetic: Instead of calculating remained Torah -observant during a period what others owed him, he would ask, when many families of Oriental and Sefardi “What do I owe others?” Then, backgrounds were lured into sending their enumerating all of the mitzvos between children to Zionist schools was highly man and his fellow, such as “Love your unusual. The fact that they became neighbor as yourself”; “Don’t despise your Talmidei Chachomim was even more so. brother in your heart”; “Don’t bear Rav Ben Tzion was born in the year 5684, slander”; “Don’t harbor vengeance”, he on the 29 th of Tammuz , the Yahrzeit of would say, “How can I be at odds with Rashi . He studied in the Bnei Tzion School people to whom I owe so much?” founded by Rav Moshe Porush. When Rav  Ben Tzion grew older, he helped Rav Porush recruit students for the school, Miraculous Beginnings saving many children from spiritual destruction. As was the case with many Gedolei Yisrael, prior to Rav Ben Tzion’s birth, As a youngster, he also studied miraculous events occurred to his parents. under Rav Yaakov Adas and Rav Tzadka These events seemed to foreshadow the Chutzin. But he reached the height of his greatness of the child they were destined to spiritual growth in the Porat Yosef Yeshiva , usher into the world. where he studied under its Rosh Yeshiva , Rav Ezra Attia, his primary mentor. The Rav Ben Tzion’s father, Rav Eliyohu, two were very close, and Rav Attia came to grew up in a small village in Iran. One day, regard Rav Ben Tzion as his successor. one of the Moslem rulers gave the Jews there an ultimatum: convert or leave the Whenever Rav Attia came up with a country. Rav Ben Tzion’s grandfather fled chiddush , he would discuss it with Rav Ben Iran with his family and boarded the first Tzion and anticipate his reaction. Rav Ben available boat to Eretz Yisrael. But instead Tzion, meanwhile, would tremble in awe of reaching Chaifa’s port, the boat crashed when he spoke with the Rosh Yeshiva . on the shore opposite Eliyohu’s Cave on  Har Carmel. Rescue squads arrived on the scene Marriage and Teaching and tossed the passengers into rowboats. In 5709, Rav Ben Tzion married Rav Eliyohu was also tossed into a rowboat, Hadassa, the daughter of Rav Yosef but he landed in the sea. A non-Jewish Sharbani, a great Torah scholar and son of sailor noticed the drowning child and the Mekubol Rav Yehoshua Sharbani, a dragged him out of the water, saving his student of the Ben Ish Chai . life. During that period, there were still After much wandering, the family no Bais Yaakov schools in Eretz Yisrael,

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Balak / [email protected] and the Sharabani daughters were medical records to the patient’s relatives. considered very unusual in that they In this case, the hospital staff went so far as wanted to marry Torah scholars. When to call in the police, and it was only due to Hadassa became engaged, people tried to the intervention of a community leader that dissuade her from marrying Rav Ben Tzion charges weren’t pressed against the family. because he planned to devote his life to In the end, the child recovered Torah study. But she ignored them. True to without the treatment, the consequences of her goal, she enabled her husband to study which may have been dire. Torah after their marriage even under the Rav Ben Tzion disagreed with most difficult circumstances. doctors on many different occasions, and Rav Ben Tzion earned his living as a his diagnosis would invariably prove to be teacher at the Bnei Tzion Talmud Torah . In correct. How was this possible? He never time, Rav Attia asked him to serve as Rosh studied medicine, nor did he have access to Yeshiva of Porat Yosef . But he refused to X-ray machines or ultrasound devices. As accept that position as long as his mentor, the Chovos HaLevovos says, “One who Rav Yehuda Tzadka, was alive. Instead, he lives a life of faith merits seeing without an agreed to serve as a Ram at the Yeshiva . eye, to hear without an ear. His soul sees” In his new role, Rav Ben Tzion (Sha’ar Cheshbon HaNefesh , Chapter 3). taught Choshen Mishpot and tested the Rav Ben Tzion also gave advice on students. He also delivered Torah shiurim family matters. His approach was in the Ohel Rochel shul , and gave Shabbos innovative and invigorating. lectures to hundreds of prominent young A father whose son had left Yeshiva Torah scholars. told Rav Ben Tzion, “My son’s a good-for- Following Rav Tzadka’s passing in nothing. He not only roams the streets, but 5743, he became Rosh Yeshiva of Porat he has even asked me to buy him a Yosef Yeshiva , a position he held until his motorcycle.” own petira fifteen years later. “Then buy him one!” replied Rav  Ben Tzion. Though surprised by Rav Ben Advice that Works Tzion’s reaction, the father decided to heed During Rav Ben Tzion’s tenure as his advice and bought his son a motorcycle. Rosh Yeshiva , people came to him not just When the young man saw that his father to learn Torah , but also to receive his was reaching out to him, he reacted in kind blessings and advice. and eventually returned to Yeshiva . Once, a father whose son was  critically ill came to Rav Ben Tzion. The doctors had recommended a treatment for “But I’m Not a Talmid Chochom” his son that was very risky, and he was Rav Ben Tzion’s ability to freely give unsure whether to give them the go-ahead advice and blessings was a natural to do it. outgrowth of his great Ahavas Yisrael . That “Take him out of the hospital,” Rav Ahavas Yisrael was coupled with an Ben Tzion advised him. equally great sense of humility. The father followed Rav Ben Tzion’s Rav Ben Tzion Mutzafi, Rosh advice, but it proved to be rather Yeshiva of the Bnei Tzion Yeshiva and the complicated. Taking a seriously ill patient son of the Mekubol Rav Suleiman Mutzafi, out of the hospital is no simple affair, since told the following stories to illustrate Rav in such cases hospitals refuse to release Ben Tzion’s humility: 14
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“In 5723, the Porat Yosef Yeshiva melech tosif – ‘Add days to the lifespan of decided that all of its Rabbonim and the king.’ teachers had to wear long rabbinical coats. “Rav Ben Tzion felt uncomfortable Rav Ben Tzion was very upset by this being honored in that manner. Pointing to decision. the groom, he said, ‘ Chosson domeh “‘You’ll get used to it. Everyone will l’melech – A groom is like a king. They are wear them,’ his colleagues consoled him. singing in his honor.’” “‘That’s not the point,’ he replied.  ‘How can I wear a rabbinical coat when I am not a Talmid Chochom ?’ Love of Hashem “His humility,” Rav Mutzafi When Rav Ben Tzion spoke about continued, “was even more apparent one love of Hashem , his eyes would glisten and Purim when, with every sip of wine, secrets his face would glow. seep out. What was the secret he revealed In his talks, he would advise his as he fulfilled the mitzva of the day? In students how to strengthen their fear of front of his guests, he said, ‘Pray for me, my Hashem . “Sometimes, a person searches friends. Pray that I merit knowing at least for mitzvos , but doesn’t know that there are one Halocha perfectly.’ hundreds at his fingertips,” he once said. “The same unassuming, self-effacing “If he avoids forbidden sights, he can earn manner was evident one evening when hundreds of mitzvos at one time.” someone accidentally locked the doors to After he recovered from a serious the Yeshiva ’s kitchen,” Rav Mutzafi added. stroke, he told his brother-in-law Rav “A hundred and twenty students were Reuven Sharbani, “When I was ill, what destined to go hungry that night, and the worried me wasn’t how long I will live, but bitul Torah would have been great. whether I would be able to stand before the “‘What do you suggest we do?’ I Heavenly Court and account for my deeds.” asked him.  “Taking some money out of his pocket, Rav Ben Tzion said, ‘Send a student Honoring His Parents and Wife to the bakery for pitas, and another one to Rav Ben Tzion went to great lengths buy falafel balls and some tomatoes.’ A to honor his parents. During the War of short while later, Rav Ben Tzion could be Independence he lived in the Katamon seen in one of the rooms, rapidly cutting neighborhood. Yet every Friday afternoon the pitas and filling them with falafel balls he would visit his parents in order to kiss and tomato slices. How stunned the their hands. His parents lived on the other students were when he personally served side of town, near the Jordanian border. each a portion, along with wishes to ‘enjoy Later on in the evening, he would walk it’. With breakneck speed, he finished his home in the dark, when it was extremely work and returned to his studies. That dangerous to be outside. evening, the students studied with added This practice was in line with the enthusiasm. Arizal ’s teaching in Shaar HaKavonos “When he recovered from a serious (71b) that a person should kiss his parents’ stroke,” Rav Mutzafi concluded, “he hands every Shabbos . nonetheless came to the weddings of his In addition, on Shabbos mornings, students. At one wedding, his arrival he would walk back to his parents’ aroused much excitement. Forming circles, neighborhood and pray in the Ohel Rochel the students began to sing Yomim al yemai shul founded by his father. 15
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The honor he showed his wife, more tefillos each day. It’s a privilege to Rebbetzin Hadassa, was also legendary. serve as a volunteer in Hashem ’s corps.” He would tell his students, “If a man  and woman deserve it, the Shechina rests between them. When the Shechina rests in His Approach to Torah Study your home, the Soton can’t enter it, nor can Rav Ben Tzion Mutzafi describes his poverty or illness. Honor your wife with experiences as Rav Ben Tzion’s student: your deeds, your thoughts and your speech. “Every day, a different student Buy her jewelry and items she likes, speak would be called upon to explain the sugya pleasantly and don’t upset her, think well being studied. He had to explain the entire of her and judge her favorably.” peshat , from its beginning in a very precise Rav Ben Tzion practiced what he and comprehensive manner, paying preached. attention to each Talmudic shakla and tarya . He also had to explain the reasoning Serving Hashem with Joy of the one who asked the question and that Rav Ben Zion served Hashem with a of the one who provided the solution, as joy and enthusiasm that was infectious, well as why it was impossible to resolve it and that penetrated his halachic rulings otherwise. and his advice to others. “He also had to know the Rashi , and He once explained the Halocha that not to skip a word, because there are no states that it is forbidden to ask a non-Jew extra words in Rashi . He had to understand to put out a fire on Shabbos , even if all of Tosafos , as well as why Tosafos differed one’s possessions are likely to be burned. A from Rashi , and how Rashi would stand up student was so enthused by the discussion to Tosafos ’ challenges. ‘Every question has that he actually envisioned himself in such an answer,’ he would say. ‘You must find it. a situation. “Studying Maharsha was a central “Kevod HaRav ,” he called out. “I and important part of the lesson. don’t understand. Am I supposed to sit Sometimes, Rav Ben Tzion wouldn’t state back and watch while everything I own his opinion on the sugya until we had goes up in smoke?” studied the Maharsha . “That’s not what I said,” Rav Ben “He taught us to probe the peshat Tzion replied. “I meant that one should and its many ramifications. During one dance, sing and rejoice at having merited to lesson, he asked an explosive question. We fulfill the pasuk , ‘You should love Hashem sat there, our mouths agape. Suddenly, he your G-d with all your heart, with all your stated two brilliant answers, and then a soul and with all your might ( me’odecha )’. straightforward one. He remained silent for According to our sages, me’odecha means a few moments and then said, ‘Know that one’s possessions.” the third answer is the only true one. The two others have external luster. I told them A newcomer to Torah once feared to you only in order to teach you not to be that the mitzvos would be too burdensome dazzled by glitter, but only by the peshat . It for him. Rav Ben Tzion encouraged him, must be absolutely true.’” saying, “There’s no reason to feel pressured. Every morning, volunteer to Although Rav Ben Tzion was well serve Hashem . Don’t obligate yourself, but known for his brilliance and clarity of volunteer. Volunteer to put on tefillin . It’s thought, he tried to remain unobtrusive not so hard. Here, let me show you how. and did not rush forward to issue halachic Volunteer to pray, adding on more and rulings. Until the passing of Rav Ezra Attia, 16
Balak / [email protected] he refused to issue halachic rulings even to humble and preferred spending his time his students or close acquaintances, out of within the four cubits of the Halocha , he respect for his mentor. did not hesitate to involve himself in After Rav Attia’s passing, he would communal affairs, especially in battles over discuss his halachic opinions with his religious matters. students, but only on a private basis. One He was one of the leaders in the day, Rav Yehuda Tzadka, the Rosh Yeshiva battle over the preservation of the sanctity of Porat Yosef , decided to put an end to all of Shabbos , and he bravely protested mixed that, and began to refer people to Rav Ben swimming pools and post-mortem Tzion, telling them that he was a great operations. halachic authority whose rulings they In 5732, he was at the forefront of should heed. He would say, “Rav Ben Tzion the battle against mandatory army service will refuse to issue a ruling. But don’t give for girls. Along with Rav Yehuda Tzadka, he in.” drafted a halachic ruling declaring that Rav Ben Tzion, who was a bit mandatory army service for girls was in the stymied by all this, asked Rav Tzadka how category of “be killed and do not he should relate to people who asked him transgress”. The text of his ruling was sent halachic questions. Rav Tzakda urged him, to all of the Torah sages in the country, and “You are well-versed in Halocha . Why was signed by four hundred Gedolei shouldn’t you issue rulings?” Yisrael . It was in this way that Rav Ben Rav Ben Tzion was also a leader of Tzion’s ability to become a great halachic Sefardi Jewry not just in Eretz Yisrael, but authority was brought to light. also in countries around the world. He  traveled to Iran, England, Italy, France, South America, Mexico, Panama, Columbia S.O.S.! and the United States, strengthening the Sefardi Jews of those countries. He Rav Ben Tzion was careful not to founded rabbinical courts for them and waste a moment of precious Torah study provided them with Shochtim , Mohalim time. One morning on his way to Yeshiva , and Rabbonim , thwarting assimilation and he saw a student examining a billboard the influence of heretical streams. poster. Suddenly, Rav Ben Tzion cried out: “S.O.S.! S.O.S.!” and continued on his way. In 5743, while delivering a eulogy at The student ran after him and breathlessly the funeral of Rav Yaakov Mutzafi, he asked, “What happened? Who needs help?” suddenly felt ill. A short while later he suffered a stroke. (He had suffered a heart “The entire world,” Rav Ben Tzion attack previously.) Although he recovered, replied. “If you don’t study Torah the world part of his body remained non-functional. will be destroyed. If you were an But this situation did not prevent him from ambulance driver or a paramedic, and were spreading Torah and from being involved summoned to save a life, would you stop to in public affairs. read the latest announcements? As a ben Torah your job is far more vital, because Above all, Rav Ben Tzion devoted his the world is maintained only in the merit of energies to the education of Jewish Torah study.” children, personally founding scores of Talmud Torahs throughout Eretz Yisrael.  He regarded strengthening the education of the younger generation as his primary goal. Communal Involvement Rav Ben Tzion, together with Rav Even though Rav Ben Tzion was 17
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Yehuda Tzadka and Rav Ovadia Yosef, ‘Linked to Klal Yisrael’ founded the Maayan HaChinuch On the last night of Rav Ben Tzion’s HaTorani , a federation for hundreds of life, one of the great Roshei Yeshiva of our Sefardi Talmud Torahs throughout Eretz times phoned and asked him a very Yisrael. He considered this enterprise his important question. The following day, the life’s work, and in its early stages, Rosh Yeshiva called back for a reply. From subsidized it himself. the weeping of Rav Eliyohu, Rav Ben Tzion’s One time, he saw a school bus only son, the Rosh Yeshiva understood what stopping beside a Talmud Torah . As the had occurred. children gleefully poured out of the bus, he The funeral of Rav Ben Tzion Abba th said to the person accompanying him, “Did Shaul, which took place on the 19 of you see how the doors of that bus opened? Tammuz , 5758, was attended by masses of It reminds me of the opening of the Aron Jews from all circles and sects. A brief glance at the list of Rabbonim who delivered Kodesh , upon the removal of a Sefer Torah . hespedim at the funeral and during the shiva I’m jealous of that driver. Those children week indicates that they represented the are heading toward Har Sinai now, where entire spectrum of Chareidi Jewry. At the they will receive the Torah.” funeral, everyone bemoaned the great loss to  Klal Yisrael . Rav Eliyohu, his son, was one of those How Can I Stay Home? who delivered a eulogy. After he had suffered his stroke and “My father,” said Rav Eliyohu, “did was confined to his home, the Hanhola of not belong to a particular circle. He was Lev L’Achim paid him a visit before their linked to Klal Yisrael . He drew everyone annual Asifa in Bnei Brak. They explained closer and loved all. He shared the suffering to the Rav that they realized that he would of the community, grieved over its pain, be unable to come and speak, since he participated in its sorrow and rejoiced on its could barely get around and speech was happy occasions. Everyone who encountered also very difficult for him. The Rabbonim him felt a close kinship with him, and Klal suggested that he send his son in his stead Yisrael ’s love for him was complete and genuine. Everyone loved him and Jews from to say a few words of greeting in his name. all circles came to pay him final respects.” He refused. Slowly, and with great On the last day of shiva , a miracle difficulty, he said to them, “If the occurred. A car loaded with explosives was organization that does so much for placed in the center of Yerushalayim. hatzolas Yaldei Yisrael is holding an Asifa , Suddenly, the car went up in flames. People I cannot stay home. I must be there.” And rushed over to save the driver, not realizing with extreme mesiras nefesh , he came. He that the car had been full of explosives – or was carried into a car, and from the car, that the driver had been a terrorist. entered the large hall in a wheelchair. Had the bomb exploded in the town’s Rav Aron Leib Steinman had already center as the terrorist had intended, an left the dais of the gathering to return home enormous disaster would have occurred. when he was told that Rav Abba Shaul was We don’t know what happened to all on his way from Yerushalayim. He returned those patients in the ambulances that sped to the dais, saying, “How can I leave if Rav past the Porat Yosef Yeshiva and received Ben Tzion is coming? I must stay and wait Rav Ben Tzion’s blessings. We also don’t for him to be mechabed him.” know what went on in Heaven at the end of the shiva after his passing. But we can  surmise. This article originally appeared in Yated Ne’eman - Matzav.com

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אל תירא אותו ( כא )'לד' כא Zera Do not fear him (21, 34) In Pirkei Avos (2:11), R' Yochanan Ben Zakkai asks his students what they think is 0 the most helpful trait for serving Hashem. He also asks them what they think is the most Shimshon detrimental trait for the service of Hashem. Most of the students say the positive and the  negative of the same trait. For example, R' Elazar says a good heart versus a bad heart. The opinion of R' Shimshon Ben Nesanel needs some clarification. For the positive Chukas trait he says that one must act based on his understanding of what the future of his actions will cause. For the negative trait, he says, one who borrows and does not pay back. A person

The Zera Shimshon, Rav Shimshon who borrows from a human is as though he borrows from Hashem. Such a person is referred Chaim ben Rav Nachmon Michoel to as a Rasha, a wicked person as the passuk in Tehillim says (37:21), 'The wicked person Nachmani, was born in 5467 (1706/1707) into an illustrious borrows and does not pay back while the righteous person is generous and giving' . The family with great Rabbinical commentaries try to understand how these two traits are connected. lineage. He studied the revealed and concealed parts of the Torah by the The Zera Shimshon explains the connection as follows. Torah greats of his day. The Arizal writes (Shaar HaGilgulim §36), that Moshe Rabbeinu was afraid to smite He served as Rav of Modena, Pisa, Sienna and Reggio, Italy, and was the giant, Og, the king Bashan since Og possessed a portion of the soul of R' Shimon Ben hinting to ש'מעו ב' נ'תנאל stand for בש recognized as a holy and pious Nesanel. This is hinted to in the word Bashan. The letters individual, as well as a tremendous 'possessed part of what would eventually become R ,( בש ) Torah scholar in all areas of Torah. the fact that Og, the king of Bashan He passed away on the 6 th of Elul Shimon Ben Nesanel's soul. This is why Hashem said to Moshe Rabbeinu, 'Do not fear him' . In 5539 (1779). His Seforim were named, Toldos later times, this soul was entrusted to R' Yochanan Ben Zakkai to rectify. This soul was to Shimshon (The ‘Offspring’ of soul of R' Shimshon Ben Nesanel, who became one of R' Yochanan Ben Zakkai's foremost Shimshon) on Pirkei Avos and Zera Shimshon (The ‘Seed’ of students. Shimshon) on the Parshi’os of the From this experience, R' Shimon Ben Nesanel learned how one must evaluate his Torah. In his introduction, he explains that since his only son had present actions based on how they will affect the future. This was evident from the fact that died during his lifetime, he wrote Moshe Rabbeinu was hesitant to kill Og, being that he possessed a soul that in the future his Seforim to perpetuate his own memory after his passing. would be a great Tzaddik. (In Moshe Rabbeinu's case, he actually saw what the future held. The following is his passionate For us, this would mean to be careful that we do not place ourselves in situations that could request to learn his works. “I implore of you with ten terms of lead to not doing the will of Hashem, or anything similar.) For this reason, R' Shimon Ben supplication to choose from my Nesanel taught that one must act while taking into account how his actions will affect the Chiddushim (novella) the piece that finds favor in your eyes, for your future. learning will sooth my soul etc… This is also why he teaches that a detrimental trait to the service of Hashem is one “This righteousness will stand by you forever – to ‘eat’ in this world, who borrows and does not pay back. A person who borrows from a human is as though he and be satiated in the next. In this borrows from Hashem. Such a person is referred to as a Rasha, a wicked person, as the merit, Hashem will repay you with children, health and sustenance. passuk in Tehillim says (37:21), 'The wicked person borrows and does not pay back while the “…and now my brothers and righteous person is generous and giving'. friends etc. do a true kindness, and with your eyes you will see children This is essentially what Og did. He was lent a holy soul from Hashem and did not and grandchildren surrounding rectify it. This is the equivalence of borrowing and not repaying. your table, houses filled with all that is good, wealth and honor will This is why R' Shimshon Ben Nesanel finds it relevant to add that one who borrows not cease from your children…” from a friend is as though he borrows from Hashem. This addition does not really make it לזכר נשמת worse of an injustice to borrow from someone without repaying. However, since it was R' רבינו שמשו חיי ב רב נחמ מיכאל ל"צז Shimshon Ben Nesanel's experience that directed him to teach this. And this experience בעל הזרע שמשו א"יעז

,included 'borrowing and not repaying Hashem', he added this point into his teaching. Thus ויה" ר שיתקיימו בנו ברכותיו של אותו צדיק .both the positive and negative trait that R' Shimon Ben Nesanel taught are in fact connected לזכות רחמי ב יוכבד שיזכה .This idea is further brought out by the passuk in Tehillim that he uses as his source לשוב בתשובה שלימה בקרוב Technically, he did not have to bring the end of the passuk, '...while the righteous person is לזכות רפואה שלימה משה generous and giving' , since his main point is to show that one who borrows and does not repay שניאור זלמ ב רחל is called a Rasha? The reason he brought it was to hint to R' Yochana Ben Zakkai who did not ולזכות רפואה שלימה משה ב borrow anything. Instead, he went out of his way to help rectify this soul and turned it into לאה the soul of a Tana, R' Shimon Ben Nesanel. זכות רבינו ימלי טוב בעד רבקה רחל בת שיינדיל בלומא לזרע של קיימא במהרה לזכות כל ע  ישראל ז כות רבינו יעמוד לר ' חיי דוד ב טויבא חוה וכל משפחתו להצלחה ברכה שפע רב וסייעתא דשמיא מרובה בכל מעשה ידיו ובכל העניני בכל מקו שה signup & dedications – [email protected]

Parshas Balak

How good are your tents O Yaakov, your tabernacles O Yisroel! The holy seforim teach us that when we say Yisroel, we are referring to a higher level as it says Bereishis 32:21 that Yisroel means to fight with angel and win, and Yaakov alludes to a lower level (like Ekev the heel). Rav Mordechai tells us that we all need to feel that Torah and mitzvos are our very lives, mamash! They are the most important thing that we live for and they must be our primary cause and objective. This should not be the case when it comes to mundane physical worldly matters that are the necessities and material needs for this world, these need to be secondary to the Torah and mitzvos that are primary. That is why the pasuk says how good are the tents because a tent is a temporary dwelling, and Yaakov refers to the lowly material matters of this world, that is temporal and fleeting. The pasuk continues saying that Mishkanos Yisroel, where avodas Hashem is represented by the symbolic mishkan, which has more permanence. This point is one we have to make and always remind ourselves that the entire purpose of this world is only to give Hashem nachas ruach and satisfaction, and we need to seize as many opportunities as we can to study Torah and fulfill mitzvos and do good deeds. By so doing we will draw near and attach ourselves to the Creator properly, Amen. And he took a javelin spear in hand.

The holy seforim explain what Pinchos had in mind is that he meant to accept upon himself the Ol Malchus Shomayim - the yoke of Divine kingship and by so doing to stop the plague. That is what is hinted at by the Hebrew word for a spear or javelin – romach, which hints at the 248 words in the three paragraphs of Keriyas Shema. And these 248 words correspond to our 248 limbs in our body, because by reciting the Keriyas Shema we merit to sanctify and refine our limbs and organs. Therefore, when we were tried by the test of Bilaam's terrible plot, Pinchos woke up and rose up to the occasion and accepted on himself Ol Malchus Shomayim, and thereby he brough a spirit of sanctity and kedusha down unto and over all of Klal Yisroel that entered their midst and stopped the plague, and all this was all accomplished by Pinchos. Now surely the Torah is eternal and therefore we must learn a lesson that applies to us nowadays from all this - and what we learn is that the power of Keriyas Shema has the segulah and ability to draw a person near to his Maker and close to his Creator. As Dovid haMelech said in Tehillim 144, that Hashem is close to all those who call out to Him sincerely. The holy seforim cite that Hashem is close to whoever calls out to Hashem with Keriyas Shema and acceptance of His yoke through Kabalas Ol Malchus Shomayim - that this is what brings us nearer and closer to Hashem, and Hashem is close to all who call out to him saying the concluding word of Shema - Emes - truth, which refers to those who daven in public with a minyan because individuals recite E"l Melech Ne’eman as a preface to their Shema to complete the required 248 words. But those who daven with the tzibur in a minyan complete the 248 words by hearing the Chazan's repetition of the 3 final words of Hashem Elokaychem Emes! This is hinted at by the forecited words of Dovid HaMelech that Hashem is close and near to all those who call out to him sincerely with the word Emes - referring to those who conclude their 248 words of Shema by hearing Emes recited by the Shatz, since they are davening with a minyan - which leads us to the conclusion that Hashem is closer and nearer to those who daven with a minyan. Because davening with a minyan brings us closer to Hashem and by reciting Shema in such a way, we complete all 248 letters that correspond to our 248 limbs and they are fulfilled, so that we merit to be able to overcome the forces of evil known as the sitra achra - the other side. This gives us the power to help us to overcome all the nisyonos - tests and trials that we endure and are put to nowadays in our modern society. Perhaps, we can further add based on the Bnei Yissascher's sefer Agra deKallah on parshas Bereishis 1:9, that Hashem said, ‘let the waters come together in one place’. He wrote to explain this based on earlier sources that all the pleasures of this world are referred to as water, based on the division where man's body is seen as made up of four essential elements: earth, air, fire and water, and when the balance is upset - so that the foundational element of water is strongest, this causes damage by awakening lust and desire for pleasures. However, there is advice and also a segulah that helps overcome this yetzer: to separate ourselves and abstain from pleasures and desires. It is well known that even sinners and criminals on the lowest level heaven forbid, still, and even so, deep in their hearts, the power of emunah and love for Hashem are entrenched because they heard at Har Sinai the words of Anochi Hashem and Lo Yiheyeh - the first two of the ten commandments from Hashem Himself, and this lodged itself in their hearts and gave them a special power of emunah and mesirus nefesh - self-sacrifice to lay down their lives for Hashem. So, that if a time comes when someone tries to heaven forbid cause them to give up their faith or convert, they are ready to lay down their lives willingly sanctify G-d's name and die for the cause rather than renounce their faith and give up their religion. And they are willing to suffer and endure even harsh torture and painful death, Heaven forbid, rather than renounce their Judaism. Now, if we reflect on this and take to heart just how much love for our Creator is deeply entrenched and fixed in our heart and soul, so that we are willing at any time to lay down our very lives for our faith and rather die - and by so doing we would off course be giving up all the pleasures and delights of this physical world in exchange for the love of Hashem our Creator. This should lead us to the following logical conclusion: if I willingly give up all worldly pleasure and lay down my life for Hashem, am willing to endure suffering and torture for His sake, and for His love, how then can I not quiet my lustful desire for a moment for some fleeting momentary desire?! When we take this to heart and consider this argument well, then at every opportunity, at any time it should be so much easier for us to overcome and defeat our yetzer hara and quell and silence our desires. Using this, we can explain the reason why we are commanded to recite Keriyas Shema twice daily with love, as is known that Shema symbolizes the concept of self-sacrifice and a willingness to lay down our lives with emunah and faith in Hashem. Therefore, the Torah commands us to daily recite the Shema, when we arise and get up each morning and again when we go to sleep each night, in order that we accept upon ourselves twice daily to be ready and willing to lay down our lives with self-sacrifice to sanctify the Divine Name of Hashem and give us the power to overcome and defeat the evil yetzer hara that constantly threatens us, all day long urging us to sin and pursue the fleeting pleasures of this world. This is what is hinted at in our aforementioned citation that the waters are to gather themselves into one place - when a person wishes to gather together all the worldly desires, delights and pleasures of this world, that are symbolized by the element of water, to one place - to that place where we recite the word - one - echad - in Keriyas Shema, when we are willing to accept suffering and even death upon ourselves for the sake of Hashem's oneness and unity, this allows us to easily overcome and defeat our desires and passions and cancel them. Those are the Bnei Yissascher’s words there in Agra deKallah. What we learn from this is that the primary purpose of our Keriyas Shema is to offer ourselves up willingly for Hashem's sake, to be ready to lay down our lives with self-sacrifice for emunas Hashem. This in turn sanctifies all 248 limbs to the Creator to help us defeat the sitra chara. May Hashem aid us to accept upon ourselves Ol Malchus Shomayim - the yoke of Hashem's kingship, properly so that we subjugate and overcome our heart's desires and thoughts and draw us close to Hashem until we merit to fulfill the pasuk that Hashem shall reign as King over all the land, and then on that day He and His name shall be One, with the coming of our righteous Moshiach speedily in our days, Amen.

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 Balak & Shiva Asar B'tamuz & The Three Weeks CHASSIDUS ON THE PARSHA

The Sigh - Krechtz Of A Jewish Businessman In The Marketplace Before Minchah

The Trisker Maggid (Magen Avraham Balak 22:2), said in the name of his father Chernobler Maggid, that the Ba’al Shem Tov once remarked: even a Jew whose entire day is spent in business and he is overburdened with buying, selling and trading in the marketplace and he might be so busy that he almost forgets that there is even a Creator, just then the day ends and the time for the Mincha prayers arrives, he suddenly remembers he has to daven! He moans and sighs deeply in his heart thinking, “How my day has has gone by, involved in worldly matters of no significance!?” He then runs off to some corner or side street and there, alone on the side, he davens mincha. Even if he doesn’t understand the words or what he is really saying - still, the Creator finds his prayers precious and dear and his sigh pierces the Heavens above!”

- 1 of 42 - The Three Weeks Correspond To The Three Festivals

Eleh hadevorim (1:1):

The heilige Ropshitzer points out in Zera Kodesh that Rashi here (ad loc) cites the Sifri, which lists seven transgressions that correspond to seven locations mentioned in our pasuk: Bamidbar, Ba’arava, Mol Suf, Bein Poron, Uvein Tofel Velovon, Vachatzeiros, Vedi Zohov. These locations where Bnei Yisrael angered Hashem, rebelled and sinned are explained respectively: The sin of angering Hashem in the Midbar (Shemos 16:3), the sin of Ba’al Peor in Shittim and Arvos Moav, for angering Hashem and rebelling at the Yam Suf (Shemos 14:11) and Tehillim (106:7) as explained in Archin 15a, by angering Hashem in the case of the Meraglim (spies) in the Midbar of Poron, by complaining about the Mon (Bamidbar 21:5), at the machlokes of Korach and at the sin of the Egel, the Golden Calf, as it says that they used the gold for idolatry (Hoshea 2:10).

The Ropshitzer says that we seek to mesaken (rectify) these seven sins, which occurred in these seven locations, through celebrating the seven days of Pesach, Shavuos and Sukkos. Although Shavuos has only one actual day of Yom Tov, the Ropshitzer points out that its korbonos (offerings) have seven days in which they can be made up (see Rosh HaShana 4b). Seven times three is twenty-one, corresponding to the three weeks or twenty-one days between the seventeenth of Tammuz and the ninth of Av. Why do days of mourning over the Destruction correspond to days of joy and festivity?

In the future [after the coming of Moshiach], explains the Ropshitzer, these three weeks will indeed be days of rejoicing and festivity; They will be days of Yom Tov just as the three festivals are and so they correspond to each other.

Stories on the Parsha & Shiva Asar B'Tamuz & The Three Weeks

- 2 of 42 - The Rebbe Who Didn’t Believe

The Tiferes Shlomo relates that the G-dly tzaddik, Rav Fischel of Strikov adamantly refused to believe that any Jew ever sinned. In fact, even if someone would report to him that a Jew had, Heaven forbid, transgressed a prohibition, he would deny their report. He countered: “No Jew could do an aveira (sin)!” This belief was due to his immense sanctity; he was so attached to Hashem and hisahavas Yisroel was so strong that he never saw anything negative in any Jew-- as it says inparshas Balak, “Lo hibit aven beYaakov v’lo roah amal b’Yisroel.” (Tiferes Shlomo Avos)

The Chozeh's Bed

Rav Pinchas of Ostila told how his father, Rav Yosef of Ostila, once learned that the Chozeh of Lublin was traveling and would be passing through Ostila and stopping there to rest.

Rav Yosef greatly wished for theChozeh to visit his home and began advance preparations to host this important guest. He knew that the Chozeh’s custom was that as soon as he arrived he would lie down for a rest from his journey and so he wished to prepare the proper bed for this purpose.

Rav Yosef hired a G-d-fearing carpenter to build a new bed expressly for the holy Tzaddik, the Rebbe of Lublin’s visit. He explained the reasons to the carpenter thus: “When the holy Chozeh lies down on another’s bed his holy senses are attuned to the spiritual vibrations of the bed. Sometimes if he finds fault with the impression left by the bed’s previous occupants he will call out and yell that the bed is painfully poking, prodding, and stabbing him! Therefore, I ask you, please immerse yourself daily in the mikveh before you begin your work and as you work think clean, pure thoughts.” At first the carpenter was fearful of performing such a delicate task; perhaps he was not up to par! Eventually, though, Rav Yosef convinced him to do so and he accepted the proposition. And so work began on the Chozeh of Lublin’s new bed.

The carpenter worked with a contrite, broken heart, humbled at working on so lofty a task, and he himself so lowly and unworthy of such a charge! “Just think what a holy Tzaddik will be resting and sleeping on this bed!” he kept telling himself as he worked.

Finally, the new bed was completed and the carpenter brought it before Rav Yosef. Rav

- 3 of 42 - Yosef was ecstatic. He outfitted the new bed complete with brand new linens, pillows, and blankets, as proper and fitting for a Tzaddik’s saintly repose, and then he locked up the room where the bed was, so that no one should enter to touch it or lie upon it even by accident.

After a few days of waiting with bated breath, the long-awaited moment of the Chozeh of Lublin’s visit arrived! The Tzaddik came to Ostila, and when he was invited to rest from his wearying journey in Rav Yosef of Ostila’s home, the Rebbe of Lublin accepted, to the delight of his host. “Please, Rebbe, come, I have prepared a room and bed for you to rest up from the long tiresome trip,” and so saying, Rav Yosef led the Chozeh to the room and new bed awaiting him.

However, no sooner did the holy Tzaddik lie down than he jumped up and cried out, “Gevald! Es shtecht mich! – Oy! The bed is stabbing me!” When Rav Yosef heard this, he was greatly astonished and alarmed. How could this be?

“Please, Rebbe, please relax and rest in my own bed.” Apprehensively, Rav Yosef offered his own bed to the Tzaddik. No sooner had the Chozeh of Lublin laid himself down on Rav Yosef Ostila’s bed, when a sigh of satisfaction escaped his lips, “Ahhh, now that’s better. Yes, this bed is massaging all of my tired limbs. I can feel the purity and sanctity seeping through me,” and to his host’s delight, theChozeh was soon fast asleep, resting peacefully in Rav Yosef’s own bed.

Rav Yosef was puzzled indeed, so when the Chozeh awoke and had finished resting, Rav Yosef posed the question to the Tzaddik. “Rebbe, I assure you that I have had this bed made brand new especially for you. I had this room sealed and barred, under lock and key; no one has entered and no one has ever used this bed before! In fact I hired a Jewish carpenter, a good, G-d-fearing man to build the bed. Whatever can have gone wrong?”

“No no, Heaven forbid,” answered the Tzaddik. “It’s not that the bed is not kosher; it most assuredly is. But every time I lay down I could feel the sadness and depression overtake me, paining me and poking me. This bed was made by a G-d-fearing Jewish carpenter indeed, but he was working on it all during the nine days betweenRosh Chodesh Av and Tisha B’Av. As he mourned the Churban, his dark, sad thoughts made an impression on the bed which I cannot stand to feel!” (Nifle’os HaRebbi p. 7 #5)

- 4 of 42 - Gedolim Be'misasm Yoser

Yahrzeits For Parshas Balak & Shiva Asar B'tamuz & The Three Weeks

Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel Kopycznitzer Rebbe (Tammuz 16)

One of the great Chasidic Rebbes that I was privileged to know was the Kopycznitzer Rebbe, Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel, zy’a. He embodied the royalty for which the House of Ruzhin is known. His presence was princely and regal, and he dedicated himself to illuminating the darkness of America’s spiritual desert, carrying American Jewry on his shoulders until his last days. The Rebbe was born in the town of Husyatin (pronounced ‘Shatin’), where his maternal grandfather was the Husyatiner Rebbe. His father was Rav Yitzchok Meir Heschel, who would later become the Kopycznitzer Rebbe. He was named for the Oheiv Yisroel of Apta, of

- 5 of 42 - whom he was a direct descendent. Like his Rebbe was freed, he said that he prayed illustrious namesake, the Rebbe’s very essence throughout his entire incarceration that he not was composed of love for his fellow Jews. His be released on Shabbos in order to avoid kind-heartedness was seen from an early age. desecrating the Shabbos by signing his name. When WWI broke out, like many Jews of that And indeed, he was freed on Motzei Shabbos. region, the family fled to Vienna. At that time, As the winds of war began blowing, and the the Austrian capital was teeming with refugees, authorities put a ban on Tefillah B’Tzibbur he and Rav Avrohom Yehoshua worked tirelessly listened to the directive of his uncle, the to provide them aid and comfort. Every day he Husyatiner Rebbe, and made plans for passage would go to the train station to greet the tired to America. The Rebbe had a sum of money that refugees who were arriving. He wouldwas just enough to cover the travel costs to personally help them with their baggage and in America. The night before his departure, an getting settled. From the moment they arrived, urgent matter of relief came to his attention, the Rebbe shouldered their burden, secretly and in his tremendous faith in Hashem, he leaving money under their doors. donated the entire sum to tzedakah, leaving In 1936, when his father passed away, Rav himself without a penny to his name. The next Avrohom Yehoshua was crowned as hisday, the local Chassidim heard about what he successor. For three years, he served as the had done, and a couple came before the Rebbe, Rebbe in Vienna. Like his father before him, and the wife set her jewelry down on the Rav Avraham Yoshua was venerated byRebbe’s table so that the Rebbe could pawn it. Chasidic and non-religious Jews alike, his home Upon arrival in New York in 1939, he settled on was a center for constant charitable activities, the Lower East Side. Almost immediately, the and as he personally attested some years later, Rebbe’s home began to serve as a place where he never slept a night with money in his every Jew could turn for help. The constant possession, having always distributed every last stream of young and old, the children, the Groschen to the destitute. teens, the newlyweds, and the senior citizens Rav Shlomo Lorincz relates: “Rav Yoel Pollack came to visit the Rebbe for Chizuk and advice. and Rav Eliezer Breuer were present when an S.S. officer approached the Rebbe with the Yisroel Safrin author. As featured in the intention of cutting off his beard. The Rebbe Monsey Mevaser, 'Klal Personalities' series held his beard with one hand, extended the other toward the S.S. hooligan, and said, “You Rav Dovid Heilpern (Tammuz 16) can cut off these two fingers, but not my Rav Menashe Eichenstein of beard.” The S.S. man was so frightened that he Ziditchov (Alfei Menashe) (Tammuz 16) left the Rebbe alone. At one point, the Nazis Chur ben Kalev (Tammuz 16) threw the Rebbe in jail. His Chassidim did everything they could to secure his release, and Rav Shimon Moshe Diskin (Rav of Periaslov & Pardes Chana, Rosh Yeshivas eventually, their efforts bore fruit. After the Kol Torah) (Tammuz 16)

- 6 of 42 - cheder and prepared the best foods to nourish Rav Aharon Yosef Bakst (Rav of Shavel) (Tammuz 16) me properly,” (Introduction toLevushei Mordechai).

Their efforts paid off. By the age of twelve he Rav Mordechai Leib Winkler (Tammuz 17) knew the two “gates” of Nezikin, Bava Kama and Bava Metziya, by heart and had already authored many insights and chiddushim. AUTHOR OF LEVUSHEI MORDECHAI

At this same age, his mother sent him off to Rav Mordechai Leib Winkler, the son of Rav meet and study under exceptional gedolim. His Naftali Hertz and Leah Winkler, was born in first stop was the yeshiva of Tapaltshan, where 5604 (1844) in Lepantavitsh, near Nitra. His he studied under his first rebbi, Rav Binyamin youth was characterized by an intense, burning Ze’ev Wolf Tirtzas, the Tapaltshaner Rav, a cheshek for Torah. He was always found in the disciple of the Chasam Sofer and author of beis medrash and his hasmadah knew no Tiferes Shabbos. bounds.

His second stop was the Yahane Yeshiva near His vast breadth and scope of Torah Shtampen, where he studied under Rav knowledge, which he acquired as a result of Mordechai Yehudah Glick (who was also a both his natural abilities and his intense efforts disciple of the Chasam Sofer) for fifteen years. in study, was deemed exceptional for his day. He also learned in Grossvarden at the yeshivah of Rav Yisrael Yitzchak Aharon Landesberg, a Although his parents were poor, they stretched talmid muvhak of the Chasam Sofer. themselves to augment the salary of his melamdim in order to optimize his education. Regarding these years of material deprivation, Rav Mordechai Leib testified: “I remember that studying Torah far from home, Rav Mordechai when I was a child in Lepanavitsh, although we reminisced, while delivering a hesped for his were poor, when it came to my education my former bench-mate and fellow student, the parents paid the melamed his wage as if they gaon Rav Elazar Loewe, Av Beis Din of Ungvar, were among the wealthiest people in town. Not how they “shared a dry crust of bread and a single Rosh Chodesh passed without my studied Torah together amidst poverty and parents presenting the full monthly payment. deprivation – Torah mitoch ha’dchak mamash!” The custom to give rebbi gelt was to them as if a mitzvah d’Oraisa, and they paid that fully as Rav Mordechai considered Rav Landesberg his well. Added to their monetary efforts, was their rav muvhak from whom he gained most of his physical investment in my education as well. wisdom and received semichah as well. The Because I was a weak and sickly lad, in the cold image of this rebbe would follow and guide him winter they carried me on their shoulders to

- 7 of 42 - for the rest of his life. (According to some in Mad during Chanukah of that year and sources, he studied under the K’sav Sofer as served there as spiritual leader, rav and rosh well.) yeshivah for 32 years until he passed away on the same day the luchos were broken, the 17th As all three of his rebbes were disciples of the of Tammuz 5692 (1932). Chasam Sofer, Rav Mordechai received his customs and modes of conduct from this line as well. As he wrote in the introduction to his magnum opus, Levushei Mordechai: “I merited Rav Yaakov Yosef Herman All for the Boss (Tammuz 17) to serve great gedolim, all of whom were disciples of the Chasam Sofer, and learned under them (their rebbi’s approach) to reach straightforward logical conclusions, insights and detailed investigations into the straightforward meaning of the Gemara and Rashi’s commentary, Tosefos and their super commentaries, all of which made a great impression upon me (and lead me) to teach my students from the very well from which I drank.”

In 5629 (1869), he married Rivka, the daughter of Rav Menachem Mendel Kroiz of Honiyad, Excelled in Hachnosas Orchim who stood by his side as wife and helpmate for sixty-three years.

In 5640 (1880), Rav Mordechai was appointed Rav Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg Rosh Rav of Brezava to succeed Rav Uri Miller, Yeshiva Ner Yisroel Baltimore (Tammuz author of Ben Uri, where he served the 17) community and taught talmidim for twenty-one years. Rav Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg (1923-1999). The Weinberg family is from the Slonimer chasidic In 5661 (1901), an important delegation headed dynasty, a Lithuanian chassidus. The approach by Reb Chaim Teitelbaum arrived from Mad to and relationship of the Slonim chasidim to ask him to serve as their rav. Besides Torah has been similar to the classical Litvishe providing his salary, they promised to support approach. The founder of the dynasty was Rav Rav Mordechai’s yeshivah, and after Avraham ben Yitzchak Mattisyohu Weinberg, considering their offer, he accepted. He arrived the author of Chessed L’Avraham. As a youth,

- 8 of 42 - Rav Weinberg studied in the Rabbenu Chaim Son of Rav Asher Berlin yeshiva in New York City under Rav .ה''ל Yitzchak Hutner, a talmid of the Alter of Born in Cologne, Germany 1270 Slobodke. Rav Weinberg married the only daughter of Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman, He studied under his father Rav Asher ben the rosh yeshiva of Ner Yisrael of Baltimore and Yechiel, the Rosh. another talmid of the Alter. In 1964, Rav he מ''ה he left for France, and in מ''ג Ruderman sent him to Toronto, to preside as In the year the rosh yeshiva of a branch that Ner Yisrael settled in Toledo, Spain. had established there several years earlier.Eight years later, when the yeshiva in When his father arrived in Spain and became Toronto decided to become independent, he Rav of Castilia Toledo, he continued his studies returned to Baltimore. Shortly before the under his father’s tutelage. petirah of his father-in-law in 1987, Rav Weinberg was asked to preside as the rosh he was appointed his father’s ה' פ''ב In 1321 yeshiva of Ner Yisrael in Baltimore. He was a assistant and after his father’s passing in 1327 member of the Moetzes Roshei Hayeshivos of he succeeded him asfter rRosh bBais ה' פ''ח Torah Umesorah for many years, and was very dDin and rRosh yYeshiva in Toledo., Tthe active in expanding the projects of this secular authorities likewise recognized and important organization. ratified his appointment as chief Rabbi of Castille.

Like his father, the Rosh, before him, Rav Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Spiegel (Tammuz 17) Yehudah was also given the power to judge capital offenses and mete out the death Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Spiegel (1937-2001), Rav penalty. He carried this out, like his father, of the Romanian shul Khal Shaarei Shomayim, even though it was not the halachic capital son of Rav Moshe Menachem Spiegel, the punishment and he writes his reasons for Admor of Ostrov-Kalushin (formerly ofaccepting the matter: Brownsville, later of the Lower East Side), and the grandson of Rav Naftali Aryeh Spiegel, the Since the Sanhedrin was disbanded, the laws of former Rav of Ostrov-Kalushin in Poland; a capital punishment ceased and the reason we talmid muvhak of Rav Ahron Kotler. do judge capital crimes in our courts is because we do so to set clear boundaries and prevent lawlessness and anarchy. and G-d gave this matter into the hearts of our rulers of this land Rav Yehuda ben Asher (Tammuz 17) to grant us this power to preserve us and weed out the wicked from our midst.

- 9 of 42 - This also saves many Jews from being tried for the world., Tthey were published under the capital offenses against our Torah laws in title, Zikaron Yehudah and Rav Yosef Karo cites gentile courts who would surely be put to death them in his sefer, Bais Yosef on the Tur. contrary to halachah and also allows us to put to death those criminals such as mosrim Among his disciples are the famed Rav (informers) whothat would otherwise go free, Menachem ben Zerach, author of Tzeida but our Torah does indicate that evenLaDerech and Rav Machir, author of Avkas nowadays they deserve the death penalty even Rochel. nowadays and in gentile courts they would go .ק''ט free. He passed away on 17 Tammuz 1349

However he also admonished the judges to use Rav Mordechai Leib Hertz (Levush such punishment as warnings and exile before Mordechai) (Tammuz 17) resorting to the death penalty. Rav Chaim Tzvi Monheimer (Av Beis Din of Ungar, Ein Habedolach) (Tammuz 17) When the Jews in Cordova complained about a brazen criminal who slapped one of the Rav Avrohom Tzvi Ungar (Machane dayanim and tore at his beard, Rav Yehudah Avrohom) (Tammuz 17) wrote to them that had such a thing occurred in Rav Yitzchok Rappaport (Batei Toledo they would have cut off his two hands Kehunah) (Tammuz 17) for the offense--, one for each slap he delivered!

When the leaders in Toledo considered asking him to change his ways in pesak halachah and Shmuel Shatin Katz Kos Yeshuos (Tammuz 18) to follow only the Rambam and imitate other kehilos in Spain who had done this, all in the name of less disputes and ending machlokes he Son of Rav Yosef Yuzpa Katz responded that his kehillah in Toledo was far superior and that other kehillos should imitate He was a disciple of Rav Yeshaya Segal Ish their rule of lawif anyone should change it Horowitz AvBeisDin Frankfurt and Pozna. should be they that imitated him. Following this voiced detraction, Rav Yehuda He threatened He served as AvBeisDin Dormstadt and after he served as AvBeisDin and rosh yeshiva תמ''ח to resign and leave to Seville, but t and so they relented, and doubled his salary, and fulfilled in the bais medrash ha’gadol of Frankfurt. his wishes-- so eager were they for him to remain and not depart and leave them. After his father-in-law, Rav Shmuel Chaim he served as , תס''דYeshayas, passed away on His teshuvos and responsa came from all over Chief Rabbi of Frankfurt in all matters until the

- 10 of 42 - when this position was then assumed Shev Yaakov, Rav Yaakov Kohen. In between תס''ו year by Rav Naphtali HaKohen, the author of each rav’s appointment, the Maharshashach Semichas Chachamim (who held the position faithfully served as interim Chief Rabbi, poskening, answering all halachic queries and .(תע''א until faithfully leading Frankfurt’s people. He was also author of the sefer Kos Yeshuos which was miraculously saved from fire that (See Chut HaMeshulash pp. 18-19) same year. On the 24th of Teves tragedy struck and a great fire raged through Frankfurt The Maharshashach passed away on the night laid to תע''טconsuming over five hundred homes along with of Shabbos Kodesh Chai Tammuz all their possessions and countless seforim. The rest in Frankfurt. fire lasted 24 hours and amazingly, the Maharshashach’s sefer, Kos Yeshuos, was recovered unharmed from the blaze. This, he describes in that sefer’s introduction. Rav Moshe Dovid Ashkenazi Toldos Odom (Tammuz 18)

The 24th of Teves was established in Frankfurt as a fast day to mourn the tragedy of the great Born in 5534/1774, Rav Moshe Dovid Ashkenazi fire, and the Maharshashach authored Selichos was a descendant of the Chochom Tzvi, the to commemorate the conflagration. Maginei Shlomo, the Taz and many other Gedolei Yisrael. His father, Rav Osher Anshel, (Some people fabricated a story accusing Rav was Rav in Razdil, but later moved to Lvov Naphtali Kohen, of being responsible for the (Lemberg) where he succeeded his own father, fire. Their claim was that he did this to prove Rav Moshe, as Rav. Rav Osher Anshel was one his mastery over the angels, but then,of the leading Rabbonim of the Va’ad Arba mistakenly summoned the angelic Prince of Aratzos. Fire instead of the angelic Minister of Water to put it out. The homeless masses believed the In 5573/1813, at the age of twenty-nine, Rav tall tale and even though his name was cleared, Moshe Dovid was appointed Rav of Toltshova, he left for Prague in order to distance himself Hungary, a position he held for forty years. from the episode. Interestingly, Rav Naftali During his tenure as Rav, he decreed many Kohen passed away on the same date as the takanos for the benefit of the community. He fire: the 24th Teves around eight years later in also taught bochurim. He was loved by the Constantinople en route to Eretz Yisroel.) entire community.

The next rav was Rav Avraham Broda, author of A gaon and Talmid Chochom, Rav Osher Anshel Aishel Avraham, and after he passed away in was respected by the generation’s Tzaddikim .he was succeeded by the author of Shu”t and Rebbes ,תע''ז

- 11 of 42 - In 5603/1843, at the age of seventy, Rav Moshe www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-18-tam Dovid decided to fulfill his life’s dream of muzjuly-16/ settling in Eretz Yisrael.

In advance of his trip, he sought the berachos of the Toras Chaim of Kossov, Rav Yisrael of Rav Yaakov Aryeh Gutterman Bikurei Aviv (Tammuz 18) Ruzhin and Rav Meir of Premishlan. When Rav Moshe Dovid came to Rav Meir Premishlaner, Rav Meir asked him to stay for Shabbos. Author of Divrei Aviv Bikurei Aviv Although he had planned to leave on Tuesday of that week, he acquiesced to the wish of Rav Son of Rav Shlomo Gutterman Meir and remained with him over Shabbos. Setting out for the port to board the next ship, Son-in-law of Rav Beirish Rav of Ritschival he heard the news that the ship he had planned in Vurka תקנ''ב to travel on sank. Born 1792

Rav Moshe Dovid stayed first in Yerushalayim. Rav Yaakov Aryeh became a talmid of the Later on he moved to Tzefas, where he was Chozeh of Lublin from a young age, as well as a appointed Rav of the Ashkenazi Kehilla. talmid of as the Kozhnitzer Maggid who participated in his chasuna, and also a chassid Active to the end, Rav Moshe Dovid served as of the Yid HaKadosh. sandak at a bris on the day of his passing.

Even back then, the Chozeh received him with th He was niftar on the 18 of Tammuz great hislahavus (enthusiasm) and declared 5615/1855, at the age of eighty-two, and was that he was possessed of a very lofty soul. The buried in the old cemetery of Tzefas. Chozeh predicted that as Rav Yaakov Aryeh would continue to grow in stature and actualize Rav Moshe Dovid wrote Be’er Sheva on the himself, he would amaze the entire world. Torah and Toldos Menachem on Shas.

After the passing of these rebbes, he continued His sons were Rav Shlomo, Rav of Bakshvitz; on to Rav Bunim of Peshischah who was among Rav Mordechai, Rav of Pistick; Rav Yoel, Rav of those who crowned Rav Yaakov Areyeh with the Zlotchov, and Rav Avrohom, who wasniftar mantle of leadership. young. His sons-in-law were Rav Yekusiel

Yehuda Teitelbaum, the Yetev Lev, and Rav The Radziminer once said about his rebbes and Yosef Yoel Deutsch. mentors:

Zecher tzaddik livrachah. The Chozeh hid himself under the guise of

- 12 of 42 - ruach hakodesh; the Yid HaKadosh hid himself His divrei Torah was collected and published in under the guise of genius and gaonus; however, Bikurei Aviv and Divrei Aviv. when it came to Rav Bunim, chassidim saw Chassidus in its original authentic form. He He passed away on erev Shabbos kodesh, Chai .laid to rest in Gensha Warsaw תרל''ד called him the heilige rebbe. When the rebbe Tammuz lost his eye sight, the Radziminer used to read him Midrashim. Among his disciples were: Rav Yaakov Yitzchok of Biala, Rav Yerachmiel Yisroel Yitzchok of After Rav Bunim’s passing, the Chassidus split; Alexander, Rav Hillel Moshe Meshel Gelbstein some went to the Kotzker and others travelled of Bialostock. to Rav Bunim’s son, Rav Avraham Moshe. Rav Yaakov Aryeh of Radzimin cosigned the letter His son, Rav Shlomo Gutterman of Radzimin, to preserve achdus and remained with Rav succeeded him. Bunim’s son, and after his passing, went on to Rav Yitzchok of Skver. After the Skver Rebbe passed away, many looked to him and saw him as the next leader, and so he began to lead his Rav Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapiro Naroler own followers as rebbe. Rebbe (Tammuz 18)

He was known as a miracle worker. Word of the Rav Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapiro (Naroler wonders he performed spread quickly and even Rebbe) (1907-2007). He was a grandson of the other tzaddikim and disciples of the Peshischa Rav of Narol, and a descendant of the Sar derech sent chassidim to him who were looking Sholom, the first Belzer Rav. When he was a for guidance and were in need or miracles. young child, his family fled to Kashuai in Hungary, where his grandfather re-established He served as Rav in Ritshival, assuming his his court. The family returned to Narol in 1924. father-in-law’s position, and afterwards when After his grandfather’s petirah, in a decision he became rebbe, he moved to Radzimin. made by Gedolei Yisrael, Rav Chaim Meir was appointed Rav and Dayan in Narol despite his and young age. He received heter horaah from the , תרי''טAfter the Kotzker passed away in after him, the Chiddushei HaRim of Ger in Beis Din in Lvov, and became a posek for m, many new followers and chassidimBelzer chassidim. After the Nazi invasion inתרכ''ו joined Radzimin. He was considered one of the 1939, he fled with his family to Taprov, where eldest rebbes, and during this period, he his father-in-law lived, and stayed until the prescribed kameo amulets and refuos to heal summer. In June, all Jews who didn’t have the sick. Stories of his wonders and miracles passports were seized by police and shipped to were collected and published as Maasim Siberia. The Naroler Rav’s family managed to leave Siberia and reach Samarkand where .תרע''דNoraim in Pietrokov

- 13 of 42 - survival was easier. In 1945, the Rav was Rav. permitted to leave Russia and go to the west. In 1946, he arrived in Antwerp, and began to give He learned under Rav Heschel in Cracow. shiurim to the Belzer chassidim who had Following the petira of Rav Heschel, Rav arrived there. He was active among theShmuel was considered the Posek HaDor. refugees here too, helping marry off orphans and setting up their homes. Among his noted talmidim is the Shach, to In 1948, the Naroler Rav moved to Brooklyn. A whom Rav Shmuel gave a warm haskoma on Belzer beis medrash was founded, and the the first edition of his sefer. Naroler Rav was appointed at its head. He gave many shiurim among them, a shiur on Minchas During the calamities of the rebellion of Chinuch which he consistently gave for over 70 Chmielnicki, known by the acronym of its years years. On Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, 1972, the as Tach V’Tat, 5408–9/1648–9, Rav Shmuel was Naroler Rebbe left America and settled in Bnei forced to flee. His two young daughters were Brak, where he founded the Naroler beis killed, his house was burned down and many of medrash. The Rebbe leaves behind his son Rav his seforim were destroyed. Berish, Rav of Narol. He settled in Poland, and was appointed Rav Chacham Bentzion Abba Shaul and Rosh Yeshiva of Nikolsburg. He visited (Tammuz 18) many kehillos, where he was always received Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel of with honor. Lieve (Tammuz 18)

Rav Avrohom Eitan (Maskil L'Eitan, He was a Talmid Chochom, a Rav and a Av Beis Din of Hardack) (Tammuz 18) Mekubal.

Rav Aharon Pressburger (Av Beis Din of Banihad, Pe'er Aharon) (Tammuz 18) Rav Shmuel was Rav in Brisk, Fiorda and Frankfurt. He expected to remain in Frankfurt, Rav Yehuda Halevi Eidel of Slonim but when Cracow invited him to come there, he (Afikei Yehuda) (Tammuz 18) agreed, explaining that he saw in this a Rav Yehoshua of Tomoshov (Tammuz continuation of his Rebbe’s life’s work. 18)

Rav Shmuel was niftar on the 19th of Tammuz 5436/1676, at the age of fifty-two.

Rav Aharon Shmuel Kaidanover Birkas Hazevach (Tammuz 19) He wrote several seforim: Birkas HaZevach on Seder Kodshim; Birkas Shmuel on the Torah; Teshuvos Emunas Shmuel, his responsa; and Rav Aharon Shmuel was born in 5384/1624 in Tiferes Shmuel, chiddushim on the Rosh. Kaidenov, where his father, Rav Yisrael, was

- 14 of 42 - His son, Rav Tzvi Hirsch, wrote Kav HaYoshor. Rav Emanuel of Pshedburz and Rav Aharon of Rav Nachum, the brother of the Shach, was his Cracow. son-in-law.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah. Rav Yisroel Horowitz (Tammuz 19) www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-19-tam muzjuly-17/ Son of Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Horowitz, the Chozeh of Lublin

The Chiddushei HaRim of Ger testified that Rav Rav Yisroel Horowitz (Tammuz 19) Yisroel did not need his father’s yichus since he was a mesechta – a tractate all his own! Son of Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Horowitz, the Chozeh of Lublin He married Chanah, the daughter of Rav Dovid who was the brother of Rav Moshe of The Chiddushei HaRim of Ger testified that Rav Pshevorsk, author of Ohr Pnei Moshe. Yisroel did not need his father’s yichus since he was a mesechta – a tractate all his own! After his father’s passing, many Chassidim wished to crown him as successor, yet he He married Chanah, the daughter of Rav Dovid adamantly refused. who was the brother of Rav Moshe of others say) תקס''בPshevorsk, author of Ohr Pnei Moshe. He passed away 19 Tammuz .(תקצ''ז after 1837 After his father’s passing, many Chassidim wished to crown him as successor, yet he His sons were: adamantly refused. Rav Dovid Kopel, Rav Shmuel Yeshaya, Rav .others say Zisha, and Rav Kalonymous Kalman) תקס''בHe passed away 19 Tammuz .(תקצ''ז after 1837 His sons- in- law were: His sons were: Rav Emanuel of Pshedburz and Rav Aharon of Rav Dovid Kopel, Rav Shmuel Yeshaya, Rav Cracow. Zisha, and Rav Kalonymous Kalman. Rav Yehoshua of Tomashov (Tammuz 19) His sons- in- law were:

- 15 of 42 - Son of Meshulam Zalman / His father was a Rav Sholom Dovid Stern (Leshed Ha'Shemen, Rosh Beis Din of Serdahli) community leader (Tammuz 19) Born in Vienna 1620 ש''פ (Rav Meir Teomim (Rav Peninim (Tammuz 19) He studied under Rav Yoel Sirkis, the author of Rav Yitzchok Eizik Halevi Herzog (Chief Rabbi of Israel) (Tammuz 19) Bach on the Tur, in his yeshivah in Cracow.

Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel (Rosh In he served as the Rav of Roiznitz תכ''ה (Yeshivas Mir) (Tammuz 19 as rav in Krotushin , תל''אMoravia, and from Rav Yona Stenzel (initiator of until his passing on 20 Tammuz .תמ''ט Halacha Yomi & Mishna Yomi) (Tammuz 19) He authored Ateres Zekenim on Shulchan Aruch.

Rav Nosson Nota Hanover Nathan Neta Hanower, Nasan Neta Hannover, Yaven Metzula (Tammuz 20) Rav Chaim Shaul Karelitz Av Beis Din She'eris Yisroel, Mashgiach Yeshivas Beis Rav Nasan Nota Hanover is best known as the Meir (Tammuz 20) author of the Historical Sefer Yeven Mezulah (published in Venice, 1653), andhere on Harav Chaim Shaul Karelitz was born on 8 Elul HebrewBooks that describes the atrocities 5672/1912. His father, Rav Meir, zt”l, the Rav suffering and massacres of the Khmelnytsky of Lachowitz, was highly regarded by Uprising in the Jewish communities during the the Gedolei Hador. infamous Bogdan Chmielnicki rebellion of 1648 As a child, Reb Chaim Shaul learned in Vilna גזירות ת"ח-ת"ט and 1649 and then in the Talmud Torah of Kovslova. In His other famous sefer isSha'are Tzion, a his youth, he learned for a brief period in the collection of mystical prayers Ramailles yeshivah in Vilna under Harav Meir Bassin, zt”l. Afterward he went to Baranovitch, where he learned under Harav Elchanan Wasserman, zt”l. Rav Menachem Mendel Auerbach Ateres Zekeinim (Tammuz 20) At 18 he moved on to Yeshivas Kamenitz, learning under Harav Baruch Ber Author of Ateres Zekenim Leibowitz, zt”l, for more than 10 years.

- 16 of 42 - When World War II broke out, he boarded the Harav Chaim Shaul Karelitz was a gaon in all very last ship from Vilna to Eretz Yisrael, aspects of Torah. Gedolei Yisrael praised his following most of his family who already lived vast Torah knowledge. He would learn with there. For a brief period he learned in Yeshivas tremendous fervor, deriving vigor from Torah Kamenitz in Yerushalayim; then, on the advice study. Even when deeply involved in efforts on of the Chazon Ish, zt”l, he moved on to Yeshivas behalf of the klal, he would withdraw into Lomza in Petach Tikvah. himself when he sat down to learn.

In Sivan 5702/1942, Rav Chaim Shaul married Rav Chaim Shaul was hospitalized for about a Leah, a”h, daughter of Harav Yehoshuamonth before his petirah. Berger, zt”l, and granddaughter of Harav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, zt”l. Their wedding took He was niftar on 20 Tammuz 5761/2001, and place in the home of the Steipler Gaon, zt”l, in was buried in the Ponevezer beis olam in Bnei Bnei Brak and was attended by the Chazon Ish. Brak.

After their marriage, the couple resided in Zecher tzaddik livrachah. Petach Tikvah, where Rav Chaim Shaul continued his Torah studies in the renowned hamodia.com Kollel Toras Eretz Yisrael, headed by Harav Yitzchak Katz, zt”l.

In 5715/1955, with the petirah of his father, Rav Betzalel Rakow Gateshead Rov, Birchas Yom Tov (Tammuz 20) Rav Meir, Rav Chaim Shaul moved to Bnei Brak to be near his mother, but he continued to travel every day to Petach Tikvah to learn in the kollel.

Rav Chaim Shaul was a member of the Tashbar Talmud Torah presidium and worked hard on behalf of the mosad. His other public activities included being a member of the presidium of Zeirei Agudas Yisrael.

In 5747/1987, Harav Eliezer MenachemRav Betzalel Rakow was born in 5687/1927 in Shach, zt”l, asked Rav Chaim Shaul to found Frankfurt. His father was Rav Yom Tov Lipman, She’aris Yisrael and its Vaad Hakashrus in who descended from the Tosfos Yom Tov. Eretz Yisrael. Even as a child he was graced with noble

- 17 of 42 - character and outstanding middos. Later, Rav Betzalel was asked to serve as Rosh Yeshiva of Etz Chaim in Montreux, Switzerland, His father, Rav Yom Tov Lipman, studied in where he had a great influence on Volozhin under Rav Isser Zalman of Slutsk. the talmidim. He developed a close relationship with Rav Yechiel Weinberg and the Brisker Rov. His father, Rav Yom Tov, was Rosh Yeshiva in Frankfurt. After Kristallnacht he managed to With the petira of his father-in-law, Rav Rakow flee Germany with his family via Antwerp to was asked to take over as Rav of Gateshead, a England. Arriving in London threadbare and post he held for the next four decades. As head penniless, Rav Yom Tov went to the Bais of one of the Diaspora’s most famous and Medrash before he had even arranged a place illustrious Torah Kehillos, his influence spread to sleep. through Europe and halachic questions reached him from around the world. Years later, Rav Betzalel would recall that during the war he was too frightened to be able Rav Betzalel was the Gateshead community’s to fall asleep at night, but as he tossed and central figure and his authority extended to turned in bed he would review his learning every aspect of life in bothruchniyus and from that day. in gashmiyus.

In London, he attended the Yeshiva Toras Emes His door was always open, and many of Rav Moshe Schneider, along with Rav Moshe approached with their she’eilos and for advice. Sternbuch and Rav Tuvia Weiss. He totally immersed himself in Torah study andRav Betzalel agreed to be head of the European accumulated a wealth of knowledge. By the age Agudas Yisrael in order to of eighteen, he knewSidrei increase achdus among Noshim and Nezikin by heart. He became close England’s chareidi communities. Every year he to Rav Elya Lopian and Rav Yechezkelwould appear at the Agudah convention in Abramski. Bournemouth, deliveringshiurei Torah and mussar talks to the delegates, and At that point he went on to thetransmitting his greatAhavas Gateshead Kollel where he learned under Rav Hashem and Ahavas Yisrael. Eliyohu Dessler, becoming his talmid muvhok. He is the brother of Rav Bentzion Rakow, Rosh Rav Betzalel married the daughter of the Rav of Yeshivas Chayei Olom. Gateshead, Rav Naftali Shakovitzky. After his marriage he continued his studies, focusing Rav Betzalel was niftar on the 20th of Tammuz mainly on Seder Kodshim. 5763/2003. He was seventy-six.

- 18 of 42 - After huge levayos in both Gateshead and London, his mitta was flown to Eretz Yisrael, where he was buried on Har HaMenuchos, near Rav Shlomo of Chelm (Tammuz 21) Rav Chaim Kreiswirth, zt”l, the late Rav of Antwerp. Born in Zamosc, he became Rav of Chelm and

Rav BetzalelLemberg. He author Merkevesis Ha'Mishnah, Vol the mechaber of Birkas Yom Tov. 2 among the most important perushim on Rambam’s Mishneh Torah. He also wrote

Zecher tzaddik livrachah. Kuntres Breichos Bechesbon, a collection of Talmudic math problems and their solutions. www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-20-tam muzjuly-18/

Rav Yechiel Rubin of Kolbasow Rav Shlomo Polyachek Meichitzer Ilui, (Tammuz 20) Meitscheter Illui (Tammuz 21)

Rav Moshe Yehuda Leib Twersky of Chelem (Imrei Mi) (Tammuz 20)

Rav Avrohom Chaim Naeh (Ketzos Hashulchan) (Tammuz 20)

Rav Yisroel of Rikel (Tammuz 20)

Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Bloch (Telsher Rosh Yeshiva) (Tammuz 20)

Rav Hillel Lichtenstein (Krasna Rov) (Tammuz 20)

Rav Avraham Matisyahu Friedman Stefanester Rebbe (Tammuz 21)

Succeeded his father after the latter’s petira in 1869

- 19 of 42 - in תרל"חRav Polyachek was born on 29 Kislev the village of Snicinjic near the town of Mołczadź in the Grodno region of the Czarist Rav Eliyohu Luantz Baal Shem of Vermeiz Russian Empire – the Pale of Settlement. By -Worms, Tzofnas Paneach (Tammuz 21) age 7 he was studying Gemara In Novordhak and Slonim and by 12, the young Ilui came to Son of Rav Moshe Ashkenazi Volozhin, where despite his young age, he was accepted by Rav Chaim Soloveitchik. At first (Not to be confused with the earlier famous Rav Rav CHaim asked where the young lad's crib Eliyahu Baal Shem of Chelm who was an was? After testing him however he remarked ancestor of Chacham Tzvi and Rav Yaakov that he even surpasses the level of Illui. Rav Emden. It is this earlier Eliyahu Baal Shem who Elchanan Wasserman Hy”d later testified that was famed for creating a golem.) Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, had said: “I have never in my life seen such a remarkable young genius .on 23 Iyar (שכד Born in Frankfurt (Circa 1564 as the Meischiter Illui.” He was descended from the famed Rav Yosseleh of Rosheim (some say he was Rav With the closure of Yeshivas Volozhin in 1852, Eliyahu Baal Shem’s grandfather) and from he went on to study under Rav Chaim Rashi. This leads us to his yichus as part of the Soloveitchik, in Brisk. Afterwards, Rav Shlomo famed Luria, family since Rav Yosselman was a moved to Vilna – and studied under Rav Chaim descendant of Rav Shlomo Schapira, Rashi the Ozer Grodzinski. Baalei Tosfos and they were named Luria for the French river bank. The family name Luantz At the young age of 29, Rav Shlomo became or Loanz is an acronym for Luria Ashkenazi Rosh Yeshiva in Lida, for 9 years. After the that Rav Yosselman often signed with. Russian Civil War, he left for Bialystok, where he taught at the yeshiva there. A year later he He studied under Rav Akiva of Frankfurt, Rav was invited to teach at Yeshivas Yitzchak Yaakov Ginzberg of Friedberg (a teacher and Elchanan in New York where he taught there rebbe of the Tosfos YomTov) and the Maharl of for about 6 years, until he passed away at the Prague. When he arrived in Poland he studied age of 51 on 20 Tammuz 5688. His chiddushim under the Chassid Rav Mendel Rav Avigdor’s were published and aspecial sefer was Rosh Yeshiva and of AvBeisDin of Cracow. It is released in his memory. said that this was his teacher in Kabbalah. https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=12 238&pgnum=1 To visit his kever at Mount He was a master at preparing manuscripts for Judah Cemetery - Ridgewood (Queens) please publication and when in Cracow he met Rav see http://kevarim.com/rabbi-shlomo-polachek/ Eliezer the brother of the Rema and the Chida in Shem haGedolim tells us how he prepared the manuscript of Darkei Moshe from the

- 20 of 42 - glosses written in the margins of Rav Moshe hamikdash and he would use and incorporate Isserles’ seforim. He published the same Darkei these tales and their moral lessons during his Moshe we use to this day, for which he writes derashos. (in his own introduction to Aderes Eliyahu) that he was given by Rav Eliezer as a gift the He was married twice once to Blumelin Rema’s manuscript commentary to the Zohar daughter of Rav Raphael and after she passed he married Yettel’eh who passed שצ which Rav Eliyahu later incorporated and away in .שצהpublished as part of his own sefer Aderes away 5 years later in Eliyahu. He left behind the following children known to He also prepared for publication and printed us: the Maharshal’s commentary Amudei Shlomo to the Semag and Shaarei Dura as well as the Yehuda Yoselin Yosef named after Rav liturgical poems of Rav Akiva of Frankfurt. Yosselman of Rossheim who was a Shatz in Magentza whose Yahrzeit is mentioned in the Unrest and expulsions plagued the Jews of memoir buch of Magentza as 5th day of Chol German lands. His wanderings across Europe .תלאHaMoed Sukkos, buried 17 Tishrei led him to meet the Maharal and study under Another son Dovid is known, as well as under him. He himself writes that he witnessed Menachem and a daughter Hindelin, who was Divine Providence and Hashgacha during all of the wife of Rav Uri Vibush. his travels when he was saved from bandits and armed robbers as well as other dangers. He He passed away on a Thursday 21 Tammuz finally arrived in Basel where he printed (others say 29 Tammuz but the account from several of his seforim such as Rinas Dodim on the pinkas chevra kadisha of Worms and Shir HaShirim as well as the poems and memoir buch of Magentza cited by Avrohom prayers of Rav Akiva of Frankfurt and the Epstein in his sefer Mishpachas Luria pg53 Amudei Shlomo of the Maharshal. at (ה'שצו (both say it was on 21 Tammuz)1636 age seventy two (See Ohr Chaim by Rav Chaim He was a master of Kabbalah and his use of Michel pgs 170,186) Divine Names, amulets and Kameos earned him the title Baal Shem. He served as Rav of several His seforim: cities and kehillos including Frankfurt, Fulda, Hanau, Worms. He also served as a chazzan, Aderes Eliyahu on Zohar (published), Rinas darshan and Rosh Yeshiva. His talmid Rav Dodim on Shir HaShirim (published), Michlal Yuzpa Shamash writes that Rav Eliyahu loved Yofi on Koheles (published), Maaglei Tzedek (a and collected many legends, stories and commentary to Midrash Rabbeinu Bachaya) An accounts from the ancient kehillah of Worms in unnamed commentary on Chovos HaLevavos older times since the times of the first beis (manuscript), Tzafnas Paneach on Tikkunei

- 21 of 42 - Zohar (manuscript), Commentary to Midrash Rabbah (manuscript), A Poem named Vikuach

Yayin imMayim with commentary (published). Rav Yitzchok (Tammuz 21)

TRANSLATOR’S NOTES: (Some have made come to the erroneous conclusion and mistook Son of Yissacher Ber that Rav Eliyahu Luantz Baal Shem of Worms and Rav Eliyahu Baal Shem of Chelm are one He was the father of Rav Yissacher Dov the and the same person (see Seder HaDoros, Sabba Kadisha of Radoshitz Tzemach Dovid both cited by Intro to new תק''ס edition of Aderes Eliyahu) and claimed that He passed away 21 Tammuz Chelm is a suburb of Worms. Other scholars Rav Shlomo Hakohen Rapaport and historians are however sure that they are (Mekovas Hamishneh) (Tammuz 21) in fact two different people (see Kelilas Yofi by Dembitzer and Ohr Chaim by Rav Michel, Rav Elozor of Poltichen (Pekudas Elozor) (Tammuz 21) Melitzei Aish and others). Worms is in Germany whereas Chelm is in Poland. Furthermore Rav Rav Mordechai Patani (Amira Eliyahu of Chelm’s (who was creator of the Dachya) (Tammuz 21) Golem) father was named Rav Aharon Yehuda and Rav Eliyahu Luantz of Worms’ father was named Rav Moshe. Tradition has it that Rav Rav Shlomo of Karlin Shema Shlomo Eliyahu of Chelm had no matzeiva in the beis (Tammuz 22) ha’chaim of Chelm whereas we know of and have photographic evidence for Rav Eliyahu Luantz’s matzeiva in Worms.) From the upcoming Me’Oros Kedushas Levi in English: Unfortunately we do not know the Yahzeit of Rav Eliyahu Baal Shem of Chelm, creator of the The Mesirus Nefesh and self sacrifice of the Golem and ancestor of the Chacham Tzvi and martyr Rav Shlomo of Karlin H"YD. so we will include his biography and family history here in the entry for his fellow Baal On the Shabbos before Rav Shlomo of Karlin Shem and conamed Rav Eliyahu Baal Shem left this world, he went outside before Kiddush Luantz of Worms. and passed by the stable where the horses are kept. When he entered his home he told those Rav Eliyahu Baal Shem was Rav of Chelm for assembled that "I have just heard from the almost his entire life. horses that there are ominous black tidings coming upon us."

- 22 of 42 - The next morning the local general gave his till finally on Thursday the twenty second of soldiers two hours of "free time" to do whatever Tammuz his pure and holy soul left this world. they pleased in Ludmir. They turned the town into a shooting gallery, firing randomly at the The story of how the Karliner met his end as a Jews, murdering, pillaging and ransacking the martyr begins beforehand. It was originally Rav place at will. Bullets flew through the air and Nachum of Czernoble who was imprisoned on a whizzed in all directions. The neighing of false charge of murder during one of the blood horses stampeding about and the crazed yells libels that some wicked goyim had concocted of the Cossacks mixed with cries and shouts of against him. When the Karliner together with terrified Jews who ran for their lives seeking others tried to free him through the usual cover. Many ran to seek refuge in Rav Shlomo means, they found tremendous opposition that of Karlin's beis medrash. was so uncharacteristic they realized it must be supernatural. They realized that it was Rav The Rebbe, according to most accounts, was in Nachum himself who did not wish to be freed. the midst of his prayers seemingly oblivious to Surely he was sitting in prison willfully as a the terror and fright of those around him. In sacrifice to nullify some harsh decree against fact, the Karliner went over to the aron kodesh Klal Yisrael. Rav Shlomo of Karlin convinced and opening it, he placed his head inside and him to agree to be released. When the continued to daven at a lengthy and leisurely Czernobler saw that the Karliner had pace. When the Rebbitzen who was greatly discovered his secret he said, "I had a hidden frightened saw what her husband, the Rebbe thought, which not even the angels discerned, had done, she ran over to him, thinking that he yet this holy Jew has seen it!" and agreed to must have fainted since he did not take his allow for his release. The Karliner later head out from the aron kodesh. She grabbed remarked, "He dropped that intention [to be a unto his coat and tugged gently to awaken him. martyr and sacrifice himself for Klal Yisrael] Roused from his devotions, the Rebbe removed and I picked it up!" his head from the holy ark, and just then a bullet fired through the window from one of the After the Karliner passed away, no one wanted rifles struck the Karliner in his foot. to tell Rav Nachum of Czernoble since the two had been so close. However, when Rav Nachum According to many at the very same moment closeted himself, hidden from the world for that the Rebbe was shot, the wild two hour three days straight they realized that somehow shooting spree ended as well. The doctors he must have found out. To try and appease claimed that they could operate but theand comfort the embittered bereaving Tzaddik, Karliner would not let them touch him. his followers told him that had the Karliner lived, in his place thousands of Jews would have The entire week he laid in tremendousbeen killed, yet he was not appeased. "Tens and suffering with the holy Zohar open before him tens of thousands!" they told him. Yet Rav

- 23 of 42 - Nachum remained inconsolable, "he alone is (Kisvei Rav Yoshe #22 p289, #36 p294, #38 equal to them!" he cried bitterly. Finally, when p295 and #65 p303; Toldos Shema Shlomo they told him that a forth of Klal Yisrael would Chapter 10 p141-143;) have been lost if the Karliner had not taken their place, he was consoled.

Before the decree had already been sealed and Rav Uri Shraga Feivel of Dubenka Ohr Hachochma (Tammuz 22) the fate of Rav Shlomo of Karlin decided, the matter was revealed from Heaven to the holy tzaddik Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, the Son of Rav Aharon who was a disciple of Rav advocate and defender of the Jewish people. Kehas of Verish, a talmid of the Bal Shem Tov The Berditchever stood against the decision and sought to nullify the decree. He was a talmid of the Chozeh of Lublin and of Rav Leib Sarahs’, as well as a colleague and When Rav Levi Yitzchok was told that if the friend of Rav Nota of Chelm. Karliner would live a great calamity would befall the people, he paid it no heed nor His awe of the Chozeh was so great that the attention, instead he continued to fight the intensity of the fear he experienced caused his decree; so great was the Karliner in his eyes. teeth to fall out!

Yet, when from Heaven the description of the He was rav in Krisnopol and afterwards in destruction was told to him, and compared to Tultshin and finally in Dubnaka. the deaths and destruction of thousands upon thousands, similar to the terrible decrees He wrote the sefer, Ohr HaChochma. known as Gezeiros Tach Ve'Tat (1648-1649 C.E., which began on 20th of Sivan) during the He passed away 22 Tammuz. horrible pogroms that stretched across Eastern Europe. Finally the holy Berditchever gave up and stopped trying to annul and cancel it. He was left with no choice but to accept the harsh Rav Shmuel Rav in the Aragonese decree. Community of Salonica (Tammuz 22)

The Tzaddikim said that Rav Shlomo Karliner The 22nd of Tammuz is the yohrtzeit of Rav was the Moshiach Ben Yosef of his generation Shmuel ben Yoel ibn Shuiv, Rav in the and that his martyrdom sanctifiedHashem 's Aragonese community of Salonica (1528). His name and atoned for their sins (just asfather, who was born in Spain and moved to Moshiach Ben Yosef is martyred and dies for Salonica in 1495, authored Olas Shabbos, Nora the sins of Klal Yisrael.) Tehillos, and Ein Mishpat.

- 24 of 42 - People respond to tragedy in different ways. full joy, but must take time during these days to There are those who maintain their equilibrium look at the broader picture of the suffering of and simply continue to function despite the the Jewish people and consider what Hashem is circumstances. There are those who are easily teaching us. overwhelmed by matters large and small. There is a another response which is a balance (Olas Shabbos; Derush L'Shabbas Eichah) between the aforementioned two, and these people are able to maintain some of their perspective even during times of tragedy and can focus on the larger picture. Rav Levi Yitzchok Bender (Tammuz 22)

Those who ignore tragedy and simply continue to function will never be able to derive the proper lessons from suffering. Those who responded to less significant suffering just as they do to the more significant find it almost impossible to function; life is filled with challenges large and small. There are those who say that even such a person can turn this into a positive trait by repenting whenever they confront a problem. However, I believe that a Rav Levi Yitzchak Bender (1897-1989). Born in person that repents in response to troubles at Grodzisk (near Warsaw), he was sent to every moment will never be able to focus on Yeshivas Mokov when he was ten, where he future growth but will instead be wrapped up in became drawn to Breslav Chassidus. The his problems, convinced that he is doing all teachings of Rav Nachman (who died in 1810) sorts of terrible things, and will never be able were transmitted chiefly by his talmid, Rav to move forward. Nasan Sternhartz, who transcribed the Rebbe's teachings and conversations. After Rav Nasan's The challenge is to take the third approach, passing in 1844, the torch of Breslav was that of people who are able to maintain their carried on by a number of leaders, including perspective and focus on the larger picture and Rav Nachman of Tulchin (died 1884) and Rav from the larger picture are able to discern at Nachman of Tcherin (died 1894). The fourth least a hint of Hashem's message through the generation of leaders included Rav Yitzchak suffering. Breiter (died around 1943) and Rav Avraham Chazan (Rav Nachman of Tulchin's son; died in This is the meaning of the Talmudic dictum that 1917). Rav Levi Yitzchak, one of the fifth- we should lessen our joy during the month of generation leaders, was a talmid of Rav Av. We cannot approach life with our regular Avraham Chazan. The sixth generation leaders

- 25 of 42 - of our time include Rav Yaakov Meir Shechter Rav Avrohom Grodzinski (Mashgiach (born 1931), one of the well-known gedolim of of Slabodka, Toras Avrohom) (Tammuz Eretz Yisrael. After his father-in-law's passing, 22) Rav Levi Yitzchak moved with his family to Uman, where he remained for twenty years until 1936. After five years in Moscow, Rav Levi Yitzchak, his wife and his daughter, moved to Tashkent in Uzbekistan, Central Asia. In 1945, the family moved to nearby Samerkand, known as the Yerushalayim of Uzbekistan, which had a much larger, loyal Jewish community. In 1949, Rav Levi Yitzchak arrived in Eretz Yisrael, where he helped build Breslav chassidism into the vibrant community of today, and helped establish the main Breslav beis medrash, near the border of the Meah Shearim district.

Rav Yisroel Yosef Av Beis Din of Radoshitz (Tammuz 22)

Son of Rav Eliezer Dovid of Radoshitz

A descendant of the Sabba Kadisha of Radoshitz and was laid תרצ''ז He passed away 22 Tammuz to rest in Radoshitz

Dovid Morgenstern of Kotzk (Ahavas Dovid) (Tammuz 22)

Rav Shmuel of Demvitz (Tammuz 22)

Rav Yitzchok Issac Langer of Stretin (Ken Tzipor) (Tammuz 22)

Rav Refoel Moshe Elbaz (Refoel Hamalach, Halacha L'Moshe) (Tammuz 22)

- 26 of 42 - Gedolim Be'Masayhem

Stories & Anecdotes

clothing will be made up of the which the Rebbe replied: “I Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel Kopycznitzer mitzvos and good deeds that will answer you in two ways:” Rebbe (Tammuz 16) he did in this world. Do you “Number One is “To love Rav want me to sit in Olam Haba Aharon Kotler, you don’t need An Old Hat with an old hat?” Ahavas Yisroel. The second thing is: When you look at the Two askonim once visited the Yisroel Safrin author. As face of a person entering the Rebbe. They told him that featured in the Monseydoor, you can see either the among the recently arrived Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' joy on his face or the troubles Holocaust survivors was an series and burdens he carries. When important rabbi who was I see the door open and the dressed in tatters, and that He's A Jew And I Will Love foot come through the door, I they were trying to collect for Him do not wait to see the face- I respectable clothing for him. say ‘Ehr Iz A Yid, Un Ich Gay A friend of mine from out of They then asked the Rebbe if Ehm Leib Huben”-He’s a Jew town attended Yeshiva Torah he could donate his old hat. and I will love him.”. Vodaath and befriended the The Rebbe went to the closet, Rebbe’s son, Zisha. He took out his new hat and gave Yisroel Safrin author. As became a Ben Bayis in the it to them. The askonim were featured in the Monsey home of the Rebbe on Henry embarrassed. “We meant that Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' Street on the East Side. To the Rebbe should give us his series witness the constant flow of old hat, the one he doesn’t use Yidden with all kinds of Tzoris, any more,” they explained. Please Don't Make Me Into my friend was moved to ask Replied the Rebbe, “In the A Liar the Rebbe- “How can the World to Come, a person’s Rebbe love every Yid?” To My friend further related a

- 27 of 42 - story: “A Jew came to the Hashem had mercy on me. He seemed a bit astounded to find Rebbe begging him to assure didn’t want the Kopycznitzer the Kopycznitzer Rebbe and him his daughter, suffering Rebbe to become known to the Potiker Rav standing at his from a kidney ailment ‘will’ one and all as a liar who door so early in the morning. have a refuah sheleima. The makes promises that he can’t “Rebbe, this is a business. She Rebbe replied, “She ‘should’ keep, so He heard myhasn’t paid the rent in six have a Refuah Sheleima.” The Tefillos.” months,” he told the Rebbe. Yid started crying and said: ”I “How much does she owe?” am not leaving until the Rebbe Yisroel Safrin author. As “Sixty dollars- that’s for six promises me that she ‘will’ featured in the Monseymonths.” The Rebbe took out have a refuah sheleima.” The Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' the money from his pocket and Rebbe said, “Who am I that I series gave it to the landlord. He can promise such a thing.” The then walked to his Bais man sat and cried bitterly for a Tzedek Lefanav Yehalech Medrash and walked back to long time. Finally the Rebbe bring another $60 to the A grandson, Rav Avrohom stood up and said: “Go home- landlord. He said, “I am Yehoshua Heschel writing in She ‘will’ have a refuah paying six months in advance. Hamodia’s Inyan Magazine, sheleima.” This young boy Now can she move back in?” related the following: “The heard the exchange, and after “Yes, yes, she can move back Potiker Rav was walking home the man had left, he in.” “Now let’s go daven,” he from the mikveh with the approached the Rebbe, asking told the Rav. Now I Rebbe on Henry Street on the “How could the Rebbe have understand the pshat in the Lower East Side when the such ‘koichois’ that he could pasuk ‘Tzedek Lefanav Rebbe said: “What’s going on promise such a thing?” The Yehalech’ – Righteousness there?” pointing across the Rebbe replied: “I don’t have goes before him.” The Rav street. A woman was sitting any special ‘koichois.’ I saw commented when he told the with shopping bags and other that this man would have story. The Rebbe was so things on the stoop. “Let’s go passed out if I did not promise careful in regard to shmiras over there and see what’s him. Afterward, I lift my hands einayim that he didn’t actually going on,” said the Rebbe. The to Hashem in Tefillah and I see the woman. His heart felt Rebbe said to the woman, cry: ‘Ribbono Shel HaOlam- I that this woman was sitting “What are you doing here am begging you Please do not outside at 6 am in the outside so early in the make me into a liar.” morning. Chessed was so morning?” She said, “The intrinsic in the Rebbe that his landlord put me out. I didn’t When a similar incident heart ‘saw’ her across the pay the rent.” “Where does he occurred with the Rebbe street. live?” She said, “here on the giving a havtacha, the Rebbe first floor.” So they knocked later said: “Apparently, Ich Bin A Pashuter Zelner on the door. The landlord

- 28 of 42 - Rav Shlomo Lorincz once Dedication To Chinuch knocked on people’s doors for asked the Rebbe why he was Atzmai hours each night to appeal for not a member of the Moetzes donations. Each month, ten Gedolei HaTorah. “In order to Among the countless stories thousand dollars had to be be a member of the Moetzes about the boundless Ahavas collected. Before Yom Kippur, Gedolei HaTorah,” he replied, Yisrael, incredible acts of Rav Aharon Kotler called the “one must be a Talmid chessed, and the miracles Rebbe and said the money Chacham.” On a different witnessed in the zechus of the must be sent immediately to occasion, he answered the brachos of the Kopycznitzer Eretz Yisroel for the teachers question thus: “Ich bin a Rebbe, zy’a are many that to be paid before Yom Tov, but pashuter zelner (I am a simple could easily fill entire volumes. he did not yet have the entire soldier). I am willing to do We share a few of those sum. Rav Aharon asked the whatever is asked of me, but I stories that contain pertinent Rebbe to please lend five leave the daas Torah to others. lessons. At a certain gathering thousand dollars to the cause, Whatever they decide, I’ll do.” of gedolei Torah at which both and he himself would make up Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l and the the difference. The Rebbe The Rebbes Brocha Kopycznitzer Rebbe were answered that there was no present, Rav Aharon turned to way he could take a loan since Rav Shneur Kotler related that the Rebbe and asked his he had not paid back the loan when his father, Rav Aharon opinion on the issue under from the previous month, but Kotler, was hospitalized for discussion. When Rav Aharon he agreed to raise the medical treatment, Rav was later asked why the requisite sum. On Erev Yom Aharon asked if anyone had Rebbe’s opinion was soKippur, as everyone was mentioned his situation to ‘the important to him, he replied: getting ready for the seudah Rebbe.’ “To which rebbe is the “The Torah was given to the hamafsekes, the Rebbe called Rosh Hayeshiva referring?” Jewish people in order to Reb Henoch Cohen, the asked one of his relatives. purify them- and thedirector of the Chinuch Atzmai When I say ‘the Rebbe’ Rav Kopycznitzer Rebbe hasAmerican office and requested Aharon retorted, I mean the purified himself.” Thethat he come at once. When Kopycznitzer Rebbe.” Rav Kopycznitzer Rebbe was the Reb Henoch arrived, the Shneur added that his father first one to volunteer for any Rebbe said to him, “Go to my sent every chassan in the holy undertaking, and he was table and gather up all the yeshiva to the Rebbe for a one of those who shouldered money that’s there.” Many bracha before the wedding. the burden of fund raising for Jews had come to the Rebbe Chinuch Atzmai. Together on Erev Yom Kippur, in order Yisroel Safrin author. As with Rav Aharon Kotler, Rav to receive a brocha and give a featured in The Monsey Moshe Feinstein, Rav Yaakov pidyon. Reb Henoch knew that Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' Kaminetzky and thethe money on the table was series Novominsker Rebbe, he

- 29 of 42 - the Rebbe’s means ofseries. the day of the party, the supporting himself for the next gentile fiance’s entire family half a year and he hesitated to A Jewish Neshama arrived at the Jew’s house. take it. But the Rebbe insisted, They sat down to the A man once came to pour out saying, “Don’t worry about extravagant meal, all the while his troubles to the Rebbe. His me.” So Reb Henoch took the joking boisterously. Those daughter had unfortunately money and indeed, it added up present stuffed themselves strayed so far from Judaism to the requisite sum needed with food and drink as though that she wanted to marry a for Chinuch Atzmai. they were in a saloon, until non-Jew. Her father begged they were completely her not to inflict such pain on Yisroel Safrin author. As inebriated. In their him, but to no avail. He featured in the Monsey drunkenness, they began to therefore decided to tell her Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' swear and curse the Jews. The that if she went through with series. father stood at the side and the marriage, he would cut off wiped the tears that streamed all contact with her. The Taxi Rides down his face. His daughter Rebbe heard the man out and sat at the head of the table, Whenever the Rebbe rode in a empathized with his pain. and there seemed to be no taxi, he always sat next to the After thinking the matter difference between her and driver, despite the fact that through, he said: “My opinion the rest of the guests. doing so might be unfitting for is that you should stop Eventually, everyone got up a Rebbe. Most of the drivers discussing the issue with your and went home. The turning were Jews, and his purpose in daughter. Don’t try to force point came a few hours later. sitting next to them was to her hand by threatening to cut The daughter turned to her engage them in conversation off contact with her. I will father. “I regret everything,” with the hope of having some advise you to do one thing,” she said. “I want to call off my influence on their religious continued the Rebbe. “Tell her engagement. I was born a observance. There were many that you want the engagement Jewess, and so I will remain cab drivers upon whom he party to be held in your home, for the rest of my life.” prevailed to start putting on and that you want the non- Needless to say, her father tefillin, and he himselfJewish man’s entire family to was ecstatic, and tears of joy purchased pairs of tefillin for participate, with no replaced the tears of pain he drivers who promised that exceptions. The party will not had shed earlier. He asked no they would put them on daily, take place until everyone can questions, but ran to the even if just for a few moments. come. Prepare a lavish meal Rebbe’s home in order to with abundant food and plenty thank him for the miracle that Yisroel Safrin author. As of liquor. With G-d’s help, he had performed. The Rebbe featured in the Monseyeverything will work out fine. was thrilled at the good news. Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' Just keep trusting Him.” On

- 30 of 42 - “Please,” he said, “sit down Yisroel (for whom I did until his final day, and this and let me explain why your ‘toivois’ on a regular basis in would come true. On 16 daughter had a complete business) saw me and singled Tammuz, 1967, the Rebbe was change of heart. Know that a me out. He rushed me up to by the Weissmandel family in Jewish neshama is always on a his father saying: “The Rebbe Monsey for some respite, higher level, no matter how far should please give this man a when he asked for the sefer a person has strayed. Your special brocha.” The holy Sha’ar Hagmul of the Ramban daughter’s soul cannot stand Rebbe took my right hand in which speaks of the reward for lowliness and lack of values. I between his two hands and Tzaddikim. In the midst of knew from the start that even said emphatically: “Di zolst learning the sefer, his holy if she married him, she would zoche zein tzu gitte zachen soul ascended to shomayim. find him insufferable once she bimheira bekurev” - “May you His sudden petira was a shock became familiar with his way merit good things speedily.” to all. An enormous levaya of life. What a shame it would That night was the “clincher” took place at the Kopycznitzer have been for the wool to be between my wife and I, as we Bais Medrash in Boro Park. lifted from her eyes only after spent many hours talking. My The Rebbe is interred in her intermarriage was a fait late wife and I were married Tiveria, in the accompli. “Liquor is one of the on Tu B’Av (15 Av) just after Husyatiner/Ruzhin Chelka, things that brings out a the Kopycznitzer Rebbe was among many Gedolei Yisrael, person’s true colors. That is niftar. We resided on the alongside his son, Rav Moshe the reason that I advised you outskirts of Boro Park and on Mordechai Heschel, who to make the party for the Shabbos I would walk to the succeeded him. The author entire family - in order to give Kopycznitzer Bais Medrash on and his family were zoche your daughter the opportunity 55th Street to daven. For the many times to be mispallel at to see their true ways within a first year there was no Rebbe, both Rebbe’s Kvorim when short period of time. And that until the Rebbe’s son, Rav visiting Tiveria. Tehei is exactly what happened.” Moshe Mordechai accepted Nishmasam Baruch! the leadership role. In the Yisroel Safrin author. As interim, in 1971 we moved to Yisroel Safrin author. As featured in the MonseyMonsey but returned for the featured in Monsey Mevaser Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' “upsheren” of our eldest son in 'Klal Personalities' series. series. a meaningful ceremony. In the Rebbe’s final years, Rav Rav Mordechai Leib Avrohom Yehoshua became On Purim Day of 1967, the Winkler (Tammuz 17) weak, yet he still soldiered on author stopped at the with his many activities. He Kopycznitzer Bais Medrash The Greatness Of Rav would say that he davened during the seuda and the Mordechai that he should remain active eldest son of the Rebbe, Reb

- 31 of 42 - Rav Mordechai’s firstAharon gifted them to his about many shailos and rabbinical position was in talmid! He didn’t merely grant intricate sugyos of Shas. The Meza-Telegd nearRav Mordechai a letter of Rav was so impressed that he Grossvarden, with the help of recommendation to be used as granted Rav Mordechai his rebbe, who gifted him the he set out on his own search semicha on the spot. Similarly, position in 5632 (1872) at the for a position; he gave away to Rav Avraham Yissaschar young age of twenty-eight. Rav him a portion of his own Leichtag also granted him Yitzchak Aharon entered the salary-paying constituents! semicha when Rav Mordechai gates of Meza-Telegd together (Temunas HeGedolim - Rav studied in his father-in-law’s with Rav Mordechai, telling Katzburg) town of Honiyad. the townspeople (who were under his jurisdiction as Rav of Before he assumed his first As was customary with other Grossvarden): “I come to you position, Rav Mordechai, in his disciples of the Chasam Sofer, twice a year to deliver a humility, turned to his rebbe Rav Mordechai established a derashah; this time myand protested, “They want me yeshivah, raising talmidim in derashah to you is: ‘A young to move there and assume the Torah study and spiritual rabbi stands before you, who rabbinate in two weeks, but growth. He also gave well- is fit to serve as the head of how can I be worthy of doing received derashos on Yamim your community. I ask that you so when I have not yet even Tovim and special occasions. hire him, placing the crown of received semicha ordination the rabbinate on his head!’” for hora’ah?!” Rav Yitzchak Rav Mordechai began to study The communityAharon replied to his student with other gedolim. He wholeheartedly accepted the that his having learned all of travelled to study with Rav Rav’s words and appointed Chullin, Niddah and Mikvaos Avraham Shaag of Kobelsdorf Rav Mordechai. His rebbe together with all theirwhen he learned that the eventually bestowed several commentaries by heart was latter was leaving for Eretz other small towns from within enough, and that he would Yisrael. He exchanged letters his jurisdiction to this favored write up the semicha and have and responsa with Rav young talmid chacham. his fellow dayanim sign it Yehoshua Aharon Weinberger without delay! of Margareten. He even wrote [This is a tribute not only to to Rav Simcha Bunim Sofer, Rav Mordechai’s abilities, but Rav Meir Perels, Av Beis Din the Shevet Sofer of Pressburg, to Rav Yitzchak Aharon’s of Kruli, once visited Rav regarding the practice he sterling middos. The custom in Yitzchak Aharon, who boasted found among the shochtim in those times was for a rav to how he’d given Rav Mordechai his province of Telegd, who reserve such covetedthe position as Rav of Meza- claimed that it was perfectly appointments for his sons and Telegd. Rav Perels tested Rav acceptable to kasher the meat sons-in-law, yet Rav Yitzchak Mordechai, and the two spoke above the thirteenth rib. This

- 32 of 42 - did not sit well with the young recovery. Then he would offended Rav Ben Tzion. “Did Rav, and when he wrote to the quietly resume his shiur or you recite the prayer that Shevet Sofer, despite how studies. While it’s impossible night?” a friend asked him. busy he was with his own to know what effect these “To tell you the truth,” replied communal affairs, promptly particular blessings had, it is Rav Ben Tzion, “I found it very responded, backing him up well known that Rav Ben hard to forgive him. Twisting and encouraging andTzion’s blessings worked and turning in bed, I said, supporting him to veto this miracles. ‘Hashem, my anger is justified. flawed practice. He asked But what should I do? Skip the shailos in STA”M to Rav “Why are your blessings so prayer?’ Then I sat up in bed Shmuel Ehrenfeld ofeffective?” a student once and for a long time struggled Mattersdorf, who responded asked him. to judge that person favorably. with respect and admiration, When I was certain that I no as did others who admired, “Because I really love people,” longer bore a grudge against supported and respected the was his unassuming reply. him, I placed my head on the new Rav and budding talmid pillow and recited the prayer.” chacham This love for his fellow Jew (Ahavas Yisrael) was an Rav Ben Tzion’s formula for inherent part of Rav Ben developing and maintaining Chacham Bentzion Abba Tzion’s every action. His love strong interpersonal Shaul (Tammuz 18) for others was so great that relationships was based on when he would see young simple arithmetic: Instead of Ahavas Yisroel children walking tocheder , calculating what others owed

The following stories originally their innocence and sweetness him, he would ask, “What do I appeared in Yated Ne’eman - would cause his heart to swell owe others?” Then, Matzav.com Newscenter with a love for all ofKlal enumerating all of the mitzvos Yisrael. between man and his fellow,

Ambulances speeding down such as “Love your neighbor Geula’s Malchei Yisrael Street Before going to bed each as yourself”; “Don’t despise with their sirens wailing are, night, he would forgive all your brother in your heart”; sadly, not an uncommon sight. those who had wronged him “Don’t bear slander”; “Don’t Nonetheless, each time the during the day. He recited the harbor vengeance”, he would wail of an ambulance was nighttime prayer “I hereby say, “How can I be at odds heard in the Geula-based forgive all who angered me” with people to whom I owe so Porat Yosef Yeshiva, its Rosh not by rote, but with great much?” Yeshiva, Rav Ben Tzion Abba sincerity. Miraculous Beginnings Shaul, would bless the passing Once, someone greatly patient with a speedy As was the case with many

- 33 of 42 - Gedolei Yisrael, prior to Rav Rav Eliyohu later married studied under itsRosh Ben Tzion’s birth, miraculous Banya, a woman who was very Yeshiva, Rav Ezra Attia, his events occurred to his parents. devoted to Torah. When her primary mentor. The two were These events seemed to children returned home from very close, and Rav Attia came foreshadow the greatness of Talmud Torah, she would hug to regard Rav Ben Tzion as his the child they were destined to them and say, “May you successor. usher into the world. become Talmidei Chachomim.” Her prayers were answered, Whenever Rav Attia came up Rav Ben Tzion’s father, Rav and all of her children become with a chiddush, he would Eliyohu, grew up in a small Talmidei Chachomim. The fact discuss it with Rav Ben Tzion village in Iran. One day, one of that the entire familyand anticipate his reaction. the Moslem rulers gave the remained Torah-observant Rav Ben Tzion, meanwhile, Jews there an ultimatum: during a period when many would tremble in awe when he convert or leave the country. families of Oriental andspoke with the Rosh Yeshiva. Rav Ben Tzion’s grandfather Sefardi backgrounds were fled Iran with his family and lured into sending theirAdvice That Works boarded the first available children to Zionist schools was During Rav Ben Tzion’s tenure boat to Eretz Yisrael. But highly unusual. The fact that as Rosh Yeshiva, people came instead of reaching Chaifa’s they becameTalmidei to him not just to learn Torah, port, the boat crashed on the Chachomim was even more so. but also to receive his shore opposite Eliyohu’s Cave Rav Ben Tzion was born in the blessings and advice. on Har Carmel. year 5684, on the 29th of Tammuz, the Yahrzeit of Once, a father whose son was Rescue squads arrived on the Rashi. He studied in the Bnei critically ill came to Rav Ben scene and tossed theTzion School founded by Rav Tzion. The doctors had passengers into rowboats. Rav Moshe Porush. When Rav Ben recommended a treatment for Eliyohu was also tossed into a Tzion grew older, he helped his son that was very risky, rowboat, but he landed in the Rav Porush recruit students and he was unsure whether to sea. A non-Jewish sailor for the school, saving many give them the go-ahead to do noticed the drowning child children from spiritual it. and dragged him out of the destruction. water, saving his life. “Take him out of the hospital,” As a youngster, he also studied Rav Ben Tzion advised him. After much wandering, the under Rav Yaakov Adas and family settled in Yerushalayim, Rav Tzadka Chutzin. But he The father followed Rav Ben and became followers of Rav reached the height of his Tzion’s advice, but it proved to Tzadka Chutzin. spiritual growth in the Porat be rather complicated. Taking Yosef Yeshiva, where he a seriously ill patient out of

- 34 of 42 - the hospital is no simple affair, A father whose son had left “In 5723, thePorat Yosef since in such cases hospitals Yeshiva told Rav Ben Tzion, Yeshiva decided that all of its refuse to release medical “My son’s a good-for-nothing. Rabbonim and teachers had to records to the patient’sHe not only roams the streets, wear long rabbinical coats. relatives. In this case, the but he has even asked me to Rav Ben Tzion was very upset hospital staff went so far as to buy him a motorcycle.” by this decision. call in the police, and it was only due to the intervention of “Then buy him one!” replied “‘You’ll get used to it. a community leader that Rav Ben Tzion. Everyone will wear them,’ his charges weren’t pressed colleagues consoled him. against the family. Though surprised by Rav Ben Tzion’s reaction, the father “‘That’s not the point,’ he In the end, the child recovered decided to heed his advice and replied. ‘How can I wear a without the treatment, the bought his son a motorcycle. rabbinical coat when I am not consequences of which may When the young man saw that a Talmid Chochom?’ have been dire. his father was reaching out to him, he reacted in kind and “His humility,” Rav Mutzafi Rav Ben Tzion disagreed with eventually returned tocontinued, “was even more doctors on many different Yeshiva. apparent one Purim when, occasions, and his diagnosis with every sip of wine, secrets would invariably prove to be 'But I'm Not A Talmid seep out. What was the secret correct. How was thisChochom' he revealed as he fulfilled the possible? He never studied mitzva of the day? In front of Rav Ben Tzion’s ability to medicine, nor did he have his guests, he said, ‘Pray for freely give advice and access to X-ray machines or me, my friends. Pray that I blessings was a natural ultrasound devices. As the merit knowing at least one outgrowth of his great Ahavas Chovos HaLevovos says, “One Halocha perfectly.’ Yisrael. That Ahavas Yisrael who lives a life of faith merits was coupled with an equally seeing without an eye, to hear “The same unassuming, self- great sense of humility. without an ear. His soul sees” effacing manner was evident (Sha’ar Cheshbon HaNefesh, one evening when someone Rav Ben Tzion Mutzafi, Rosh Chapter 3). accidentally locked the doors Yeshiva of theBnei Tzion to the Yeshiva’s kitchen,” Rav Yeshiva and the son of the Rav Ben Tzion also gave Mutzafi added. “A hundred Mekubol Rav Suleiman advice on family matters. His and twenty students were Mutzafi, told the following approach was innovative and destined to go hungry that stories to illustrate Rav Ben invigorating. night, and the bitul Torah Tzion’s humility: would have been great.

- 35 of 42 - “‘What do you suggest we do?’ in that manner. Pointing to the lengths to honor his parents. I asked him. groom, he said, Chosson‘ During the War of domeh l’melech – A groom is Independence he lived in the “Taking some money out of his like a king. They are singing in Katamon neighborhood. Yet pocket, Rav Ben Tzion said, his honor.’” every Friday afternoon he ‘Send a student to the bakery would visit his parents in for pitas, and another one to Love Of Hashem order to kiss their hands. His buy falafel balls and some parents lived on the other side When Rav Ben Tzion spoke tomatoes.’ A short while later, of town, near the Jordanian about love of Hashem, his eyes Rav Ben Tzion could be seen border. Later on in the would glisten and his face in one of the rooms, rapidly evening, he would walk home would glow. cutting the pitas and filling in the dark, when it was them with falafel balls and extremely dangerous to be In his talks, he would advise tomato slices. How stunned outside. his students how to strengthen the students were when he their fear ofHashem . personally served each a This practice was in line with “Sometimes, a person portion, along with wishes to the Arizal’s teaching in Shaar searches for mitzvos, but ‘enjoy it’. With breakneck HaKavonos (71b) that a person doesn’t know that there are speed, he finished his work should kiss his parents’ hands hundreds at his fingertips,” he and returned to his studies. every Shabbos. once said. “If he avoids That evening, the students forbidden sights, he can earn studied with added In addition, onShabbos hundreds of mitzvos at one enthusiasm. mornings, he would walk back time.” to his parents’ neighborhood “When he recovered from a and pray in the Ohel Rochel After he recovered from a serious stroke,” Rav Mutzafi shul founded by his father. serious stroke, he told his concluded, “he nonetheless brother-in-law Rav Reuven came to the weddings of his The honor he showed his wife, Sharbani, “When I was ill, students. At one wedding, his Rebbetzin Hadassa, was also what worried me wasn’t how arrival aroused much legendary. long I will live, but whether I excitement. Forming circles, would be able to stand before the students began to sing He would tell his students, “If the Heavenly Court and Yomim al yemai melech tosif – a man and woman deserve it, account for my deeds.” ‘Add days to the lifespan of the the Shechina rests between king.’ Honoring His Parents And them. When theShechina Wife rests in your home, the Soton “Rav Ben Tzion felt can’t enter it, nor can poverty uncomfortable being honored Rav Ben Tzion went to great or illness. Honor your wife

- 36 of 42 - with your deeds, yourto fulfill the pasuk, ‘You should paying attention to each thoughts and your speech. Buy love Hashem your G-d with all Talmudic shakla and tarya. He her jewelry and items she your heart, with all your soul also had to explain the likes, speak pleasantly and and with all your might reasoning of the one who don’t upset her, think well of (me’odecha)’. According to our asked the question and that of her and judge her favorably.” sages, me’odecha means one’s the one who provided the possessions.” solution, as well as why it was Rav Ben Tzion practiced what impossible to resolve it he preached. A newcomer to Torah once otherwise. feared that the mitzvos would Serving Hashem With Joy be too burdensome for him. “He also had to know the Rav Ben Tzion encouraged Rashi, and not to skip a word, Rav Ben Zion served Hashem him, saying, “There’s no because there are no extra with a joy and enthusiasm that reason to feel pressured. words in Rashi. He had to was infectious, and that Every morning, volunteer to understand Tosafos, as well as penetrated his halachic rulings serve Hashem. Don’t obligate why Tosafos differed from and his advice to others. yourself, but volunteer.Rashi, and how Rashi would Volunteer to put on tefillin. It’s stand up toTosafos ’ He once explained the not so hard. Here, let me show challenges. ‘Every question Halocha that states that it is you how. Volunteer to pray, has an answer,’ he would say. forbidden to ask a non-Jew to adding on more and more ‘You must find it. put out a fire onShabbos , tefillos each day. It’s a even if all of one’s possessions privilege to serve as a“Studying Maharsha was a are likely to be burned. A volunteer in Hashem’s corps.” central and important part of student was so enthused by the lesson. Sometimes, Rav the discussion that he actually His Approach To Torah Ben Tzion wouldn’t state his envisioned himself in such a Study opinion on the sugya until we situation. had studied the Maharsha. Rav Ben Tzion Mutzafi “Kevod HaRav,” he called out. describes his experiences as “He taught us to probe the “I don’t understand. Am I Rav Ben Tzion’s student: peshat and its many supposed to sit back and ramifications. During one watch while everything I own “Every day, a different student lesson, he asked an explosive goes up in smoke?” would be called upon to question. We sat there, our explain the sugya being mouths agape. Suddenly, he “That’s not what I said,” Rav studied. He had to explain the stated two brilliant answers, Ben Tzion replied. “I meant entire peshat, from its and then a straightforward that one should dance, sing beginning in a very precise one. He remained silent for a and rejoice at having merited and comprehensive manner,

- 37 of 42 - few moments and then said, Rav Ben Tzion, who was a bit vital, because the world is ‘Know that the third answer is stymied by all this, asked Rav maintained only in the merit of the only true one. The two Tzadka how he should relate Torah study.” others have external luster. I to people who asked him told them to you only in order halachic questions. RavCommunal Involvement to teach you not to be dazzled Tzakda urged him, “You are Even though Rav Ben Tzion by glitter, but only by the well-versed in Halocha. Why was humble and preferred peshat. It must be absolutely shouldn’t you issue rulings?” spending his time within the true.’” four cubits of the Halocha, he It was in this way that Rav Ben did not hesitate to involve Although Rav Ben Tzion was Tzion’s ability to become a himself in communal affairs, well known for his brilliance great halachic authority was especially in battles over and clarity of thought, he tried brought to light. religious matters. to remain unobtrusive and did not rush forward to issue S.o.s! He was one of the leaders in halachic rulings. Until the Rav Ben Tzion was careful not the battle over the passing of Rav Ezra Attia, he to waste a moment of precious preservation of the sanctity of refused to issuehalachic Torah study time. OneShabbos, and he bravely rulings even to his students or morning on his way to Yeshiva, protested mixed swimming close acquaintances, out of he saw a student examining a pools and post-mortem respect for his mentor. billboard poster. Suddenly, operations. Rav Ben Tzion cried out: After Rav Attia’s passing, he “S.O.S.! S.O.S.!” andIn 5732, he was at the would discuss hishalachic continued on his way. The forefront of the battle against opinions with his students, but student ran after him and mandatory army service for only on a private basis. One breathlessly asked, “What girls. Along with Rav Yehuda day, Rav Yehuda Tzadka, the happened? Who needs help?” Tzadka, he drafted a halachic Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef, ruling declaring that decided to put an end to all “The entire world,” Rav Ben mandatory army service for that, and began to refer Tzion replied. “If you don’t girls was in the category of people to Rav Ben Tzion, study Torah the world will be “be killed and do not telling them that he was a destroyed. If you were an transgress”. The text of his great halachic authority whose ambulance driver or aruling was sent to all of the rulings they should heed. He paramedic, and wereTorah sages in the country, would say, “Rav Ben Tzion will summoned to save a life, and was signed by four refuse to issue a ruling. But would you stop to read the hundred Gedolei Yisrael. don’t give in.” latest announcements? As a ben Torah your job is far more Rav Ben Tzion was also a

- 38 of 42 - leader of Sefardi Jewry not Rav Ben Tzion, together with was also very difficult for him. just in Eretz Yisrael, but also Rav Yehuda Tzadka and Rav The Rabbonim suggested that in countries around the world. Ovadia Yosef, founded the he send his son in his stead to He traveled to Iran, England, Maayan HaChinuch HaTorani, say a few words of greeting in Italy, France, South America, a federation for hundreds of his name. Mexico, Panama, Columbia Sefardi Talmud Torahs and the United States,throughout Eretz Yisrael. He He refused. Slowly, and with strengthening the Sefardi Jews considered this enterprise his great difficulty, he said to of those countries. He founded life’s work, and in its early them, “If the organization that rabbinical courts for them and stages, subsidized it himself. does so much forhatzolas provided them with Shochtim, Yaldei Yisrael is holding an Mohalim andRabbonim , One time, he saw a school bus Asifa, I cannot stay home. I thwarting assimilation and the stopping beside aTalmud must be there.” And with influence of heretical streams. Torah. As the childrenextreme mesiras nefesh, he gleefully poured out of the came. He was carried into a In 5743, while delivering a bus, he said to the person car, and from the car, entered eulogy at the funeral of Rav accompanying him, “Did you the large hall in a wheelchair. Yaakov Mutzafi, he suddenly see how the doors of that bus felt ill. A short while later he opened? It reminds me of the Rav Aron Leib Steinman had suffered a stroke. (He had opening of the Aron Kodesh, already left the dais of the suffered a heart attackupon the removal of a Sefer gathering to return home previously.) Although he Torah. I’m jealous of that when he was told that Rav recovered, part of his body driver. Those children are Abba Shaul was on his way remained non-functional. But heading toward Har Sinai from Yerushalayim. He this situation did not prevent now, where they will receive returned to the dais, saying, him from spreading Torah and the Torah.” “How can I leave if Rav Ben from being involved in public Tzion is coming? I must stay affairs. How Can I Stay Home? and wait for him to be mechabed him.” After he had suffered his Above all, Rav Ben Tzion stroke and was confined to his devoted his energies to the 'Linked To Klal Yisroel' home, the Hanhola of Lev education of Jewish children, L’Achim paid him a visit On the last night of Rav Ben personally founding scores of before their annual Asifa in Tzion’s life, one of the great Talmud Torahs throughout Bnei Brak. They explained to Roshei Yeshiva of our times Eretz Yisrael. He regarded the Rav that they realized that phoned and asked him a very strengthening the education of he would be unable to come important question. The the younger generation as his and speak, since he could following day, theRosh primary goal. barely get around and speech Yeshiva called back for a

- 39 of 42 - reply. From the weeping of Yisrael’s love for him was Rav Eliyohu, Rav Ben Tzion’s complete and genuine. only son, the Rosh Yeshiva Everyone loved him and Jews understood what hadfrom all circles came to pay occurred. him final respects.”

The funeral of Rav Ben Tzion On the last day of shiva, a Abba Shaul, which took place miracle occurred. A car loaded on the 19th of Tammuz, 5758, with explosives was placed in was attended by masses of the center of Yerushalayim. Jews from all circles and sects. Suddenly, the car went up in A brief glance at the list of flames. People rushed over to Rabbonim who delivered save the driver, not realizing hespedim at the funeral and that the car had been full of during the shiva week explosives – or that the driver indicates that theyhad been a terrorist. represented the entire spectrum of Chareidi Jewry. At Had the bomb exploded in the the funeral, everyonetown’s center as the terrorist bemoaned the great loss to had intended, an enormous Klal Yisrael. disaster would have occurred.

Rav Eliyohu, his son, was one We don’t know what happened of those who delivered a to all those patients in the eulogy. ambulances that sped past the Porat Yosef Yeshiva and “My father,” said Rav Eliyohu, received Rav Ben Tzion’s “did not belong to a particular blessings. We also don’t know circle. He was linked to Klal what went on in Heaven at the Yisrael. He drew everyone end of the shiva after his closer and loved all. He shared passing. But we can surmise. the suffering of the community, grieved over its {This article originally pain, participated in its sorrow appeared in Yated Ne’eman - and rejoiced on its happy Matzav.com Newscenter} occasions. Everyone who encountered him felt a close kinship with him, andKlal

- 40 of 42 - Segulos Yisroel

SEGULOS FOR PARSHAS BALAK & SHIVA ASAR B'TAMUZ & THE THREE WEEKS

Because Of Parshas Balak - Where Curses Are Transformed Into Blessings, Here Are Some Segulahs For Blessings And Curses:

Berachos

The Segulos Yisrael cites the Arizal that it is a segulah to recite all the blessings over food, drinks and fragrances with proper kavana and intention. He cites the sefer Negid uMetzaveh that this is because a reincarnated soul or gilgul may be found in the food and a proper beracha with kavana will uplift that neshama and give it a tikkun. (A lot of tzaddikim made all their berachos with a bencher – never by heart – i.e. Manchester Rosh Yeshiva).

Birchas HaMazon – Bentshing

It is a well-known segulah for Parnasah to recite the Birchas HaMazon blessing with kavana. (In the name of Rav Kanievski) [Again, using printed matter while reciting the beracha].

Beracha in the Home

The Segulos Yisrael also says that a segulah to have blessing found in one’s home is to honor his wife. As it says “uLeAvraham Heitiv beAvurah,” that Avraham was blessed through Sarah. (See also Bava Metziah 59).

Curses

The Segulos Yisrael teaches that there is an angel who stood by the altar and would swallow its

- 41 of 42 - ashes. This was the angel responsible for placing the curses into Bilaam’s mouth and for taking lost souls around the world. If a person should heaven forbid curse you, recite his name three times “Kariel” (Yalkut Reuveni Tzav). However, the Kaf HaChaim forbids this and says you should have the name in mind and not recite it, and it only helps if you heard the curse with your own ears.

- 42 of 42 - Weekly Bulletin on the Parshah s"xc Balak June 26th 2021 th Pachad David 16 of Tamuz 5781 Published by Mosdot “Orot Chaim U’Moshe” in Israel Under the auspices of Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita 909 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

Acting as One Preaches

"How goodly are your tents, O Ya'akov, your dwell- Yisrael's Torah study is not just crucial for them but it ing places, O Israel" (Bamidbar 24:5) sustains the entire world. So it follows that even the Balak son of Tzipor was afraid of Am Yisrael so he non-Jews are dependent on Am Yisrael's Torah study. sent messengers to Bilam, "the man with the open Therefore, he blessed them "How goodly are your eye", asking him to come and curse them. The verse tents, O Ya'akov" which refers to Am Yisrael's Batei states clearly the reason for Balak's fear, "Moav became Midrashot which sustain the world. very frightened of the people, because it was numer- Hashem wished that we too should realize what that ous" (Bamidbar 22:3). Chazal expound on this that the defiled non-Jew realized, thereby bringing abundant king of Moav was afraid of Bnei Yisrael's power since blessing on ourselves, just as Bilam blessed Am Yisrael Paris • Orh ‘Haïm Ve Moché they had an esteemed leader, Moshe Rabbeinu, who when he saw this. This is why the entire discussion 32, rue du Plateau • 75019 Paris • France merited talking with the Almighty. This is why Balak between Balak and Bilam is included in the Torah, which Tel: 01 42 08 25 40 • Fax: 01 42 06 00 33 sent messengers to Bilam, leader and prophet of the concluded with Bilam blessing Bnei Yisrael. [email protected] nations, thinking that he was fitting to stand up to Bnei We can ask why Bilam, who marveled at Am Yisrael's Yisrael and their prophet. modesty and Torah study for the sake of Heaven, did It is interesting to understand why Hashem wanted not think to repent? He saw the truth and deep inside Jérusalem • Pninei David Parshat Balak to be recorded in the Torah for all genera- recognized it, especially since he was a prophet and Rehov Bayit Va Gan 8 • Jérusalem • Israël tions. At that time, Bnei Yisrael sojourned in the Wil- merited the revelation of the Shechina. Chazal tell us Tel: +972 2643 3605 • Fax: +972 2643 3570 derness and studied Torah, unaware of the covenant (Sotah 11a) that Yitro and Iyov were both immersed in [email protected] taking place between Balak son of Beor, king of Moav, great impurity and served as advisors to Pharaoh, king and the wicked Bilam, the nation's prophet. If the To- of a land full of immorality. However, eventually they rah chose to write this section, it certainly contains a merited recognizing the truth and changed their ways. powerful lesson for all generations, as the Holy Zohar Ashdod • Orh ‘Haim Ve Moshe This makes it still harder to understand why Bilam, writes, "He looked in the Torah and created the world." Pharaoh's third advisor, remained wicked and did not Rehov Ha-Admour Mi-Belz 43 • Ashod • Israël Meaning, everything written in the Torah is meaningful change his ways despite recognizing the qualities and Tel: +972 88 566 233 • Fax: +972 88 521 527 advice for man. [email protected] distinctiveness of Am Yisrael. In addition, Chazal tell us When Bilam stood up intending to curse the Jewish (Zevachim 116a) that the nations of the world came to people, his curses were transformed into blessings and Bilam when they heard the noises at the time of the he declared, "How goodly are your tents, O Ya'akov, Giving of the Torah and asked him to explain these Ra’anana • Kol ‘Haïm your dwelling places, O Israel" (Bamidbar 24:5). This sounds. He answered them, "Hashem will give might Rehov Ha’ahouza 98 • Ra’anana • Israël verse is recited by Am Yisrael every morning and is to His nation, Hashem will bless His nation with peace" Tel: +972 98 828 078 • +972 58 792 9003 displayed by many Batei Knesset on a prominent sign (Tehillim 29:11). [email protected] on the wall. When the wicked Bilam noticed the en- The answer is, although Bilam was impressed by trances of Bnei Yisrael's tents did not face each other, he said: It is fitting for the Divine Presence to rest the modesty and Torah study of Bnei Yisrael, since he among these dwelling places. Apparently, the reason did not observe the end of his words "your dwelling why the Torah mentions the whole debate between places, O Israel", meaning he himself did not sit down Hilula Balak and Bilam was for the sake of this verse said by to study Torah, his amazement did not lead to deeds Bilam, "How goodly are your tents, O Ya'akov, your and a change in his ways. For a person to change he dwelling places, O Israel." must practice what he preaches (Yevamot 63b). His 16 – Rabbi Emanuel Mishali The Or Torah, written by the Mezritcher Maggid words must not be mere words but accompanied by 17 – Rabbi Shimon Bitton, Av Beit Din zy"a, writes that the entrances of Yisrael's tents refers deeds. Since Bilam only spoke well but did not possess Marseille, France to the words of Torah that spout from their mouths as the aspect of fulfilling his words, the end was that he 18 – Rabbi Yosef Kapach it says (Micha 7:5), "…the doorways of your mouth." remained with his wickedness. 19 – Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul, Rosh When Bilam saw Bnei Yisrael arguing in learning, not Unfortunately, I am accustomed to seeing many Yeshiva 'Porat Yosef' meaning to contradict or attack each other but out of people leaving a Torah lecture greatly inspired by the 20 – Rabbi Avraham Chaim Na'eh love and with the common goal of pursuing the truth, words of mussar I delivered, but sometime later when 21 – Rabbi Rachamim Nahori, Av Beit he understood that these people are fitting to have the I meet them I see that nothing has changed. This is Din of Paris Divine Presence rest among them, because their inten- because they lacked this aspect of putting what they 22 – Rabbi Manoach Hendel, author of tion is to increase the glory of Torah. Bilam understood learned into practice. They did not try to transform 'Chochmat Manoach' that what comes out of their mouths is not a show of their enthusiasm into actual deeds, and therefore as power but rather for the sake of Heaven, aiming to time passed their passion cooled without a change for reach the root of a Higher intellect. the better. One who tries to put his knowledge into Furthermore, the Gaon Rabbi Yehonatan Eibeshitz practice will merit the earth's wicked being afraid of zy"a writes that right then Bilam understood that Am him and unable to defeat him. Walking in their Ways Tidbits of faith and trust penned by Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita

Standing Steadfast in Faith A woman once came to me with her son in a wheelchair. With great anguish, she related that as a result of a terrible car accident, her son be- In Our Father's Path came paralyzed from the waist down. His doctors did not see any chance of recovery but she had faith in Hashem, the Healer of all flesh. She now A Person's Home is the Greatest Chesed Enterprise asked for my blessing, in the merit of my holy ancestors, for a complete in the World recovery for her child. The wicked Bilam looked at the tents of Yisrael and was impressed I thought of the Gemara (Berachot 5b) which relates that Rabbi Yochanan by the way they conducted themselves in their homes; how each was sick and could not get up, and Rabbi Chanina came to visit him. “Do you like hardships?” asked Rabbi Chanina. “Not them and not their reward,” family member was concerned about the other and tried to help responded Rabbi Yochanan. “Give me your hand,” Rabbi Chanina said. Rabbi him. This led him to declare, "How goodly are your tents, O Ya'akov, Yochanan placed his hand in the hands of Rabbi Chanina; miraculously he your dwelling places, O Israel" (Bamidbar 24:5). stood up and walked out. The Gaon Rabbi Reuven Elbaz shlita, in his sefer Mishkani Achare- I decided to try the same tactic. I told the boy to stand up and give me his cha, quotes the Chazon Ish zt"l who would say: People think Hashem hand. With tremendous effort, the boy tried to pull himself up and stretch looks at Am Yisrael as a whole and judges them in this way. But we out his hand to me. But then he fell back down into his wheelchair. must know that it is not so. Hashem considers each individual and I instructed his mother to tell him the story of Rabbi Chanina and Rabbi every single Jewish home. Therefore, each person must take care Yochanan every day and then tell him, in the language of the Gemara, “Hav that his private 'tent', the house he is building, should be founded li yadcha,” meaning, “Give me your hand.” She should force him to stand on foundations of chesed and modesty, so it can be said about him and, B’ezrat Hashem, would see salvation. "How goodly are your tents, O Ya'akov." Three years went by. Imagine how stunned I was to see this woman The Holy Ba'al Shem Tov zt"l said it is worthwhile for a person to together with her son, standing on his own two feet. She related, most come to This World for eighty years just so he can merit performing excitedly, how she had spent the last three years saying “Hav li yadcha” on even one act of chesed. And where is the best place a person can a daily basis. There were days when he flatly refused to comply. “See how do chesed? In his own home. the tzaddik’s blessing is helping,” he remarked sarcastically. “It’s so difficult A person's home is the biggest chesed corporation in the world; for me to stand up; why are you doing this to me?” everything depends on how he behaves with his wife and children. But the mother would not give up. She firmly believed the day would One who sees the way the Gedolei Yisrael conduct themselves in come when they would see a miracle. One morning, after she asked her their homes, merits the perception of how a Jewish home should son to stand, all were amazed to see him jump up easily and stand like a be run. healthy person. He shocked himself as well and began dancing and prancing about the house. The way Maran Rosh HaYeshiva, Chacham Rabbi Ben Tzion Abba I was impressed by the magnitude of the force of perfect faith, implanted in Shaul zt"l, conducted himself with his family members, was remark- the heart of every Jew, no matter how simple and ordinary. Chazal (Sanhedrin able. Although he was exceptionally great in Torah, yirat shamayim, 37a) comment on the verse in Shir Hashirim (4:3), “As many as a pomegran- the wisdom of Kabbalah and every good trait, one could not help ate’s seeds are the merits of your least worthy.” Even the unlearned of our being impressed by his simplicity and modesty. nation are as full of mitzvot as the pomegranate. Here is just one small story: There is no doubt that it was this woman’s faith which stood by her to One day the Rav was about to travel with his Rabbanit in a taxi. It see her son’s salvation. Although she did not see improvement for three was already hard for the Rav to walk and half his body was paralyzed. full years, she maintained her faith that the day would come when her son The taxi arrived and waited. The Rabbanit was not ready yet but the would stand on his feet. And it did. Rav had already gone downstairs. HaGaon Rabbi Reuven Elbaz relates: "I asked him: 'Why did Rab- The Haftarah beinu hurry down if the Rabbanit wasn’t ready yet?' "He replied: 'It is an honor for her to show her I am waiting for "The remnant of Ya'akov will be" (Micha 5-6) her.' Is there greater honor than that which the Rav accorded his The connection to the Parshah: The Haftarah speaks about the kindness wife, that he should be the one waiting for her and not, G-d forbid, that she should have to wait for him? This is how he fulfilled the Hashem performed with Am Yisrael by directing Bilam's heart to bless literal meaning of the Rambam's words (Ishut 15:19), 'Honor her the people. This is the same topic as the Parshah which tells us about the more than yourself.' two wicked people, Balak king of Moav and Bilam, who intended to curse "I merited spending time in his home and often saw how he would Am Yisrael. However, in the end, against his will, Bilam blessed them. help his wife. He would put on an apron and prepare the fish. His talmidim would enter and see their esteemed Rav standing in the Guard Your Tongue kitchen with an apron and cooking. Did this lower his esteem in their eyes? On the contrary, seeing a great Torah sage with excep- Judge Favorably or Rebuke with Respect tional yirat shamayim and middot, behaving with such simplicity, modesty and humility with his family members, only caused them If one who is known to transgresses a certain sin from time to time performs to regard him with even greater respect. a forbidden act, there is no obligation to judge him favorably. But, it is prefer- "When the wives of some Torah scholars ask them for help, able nevertheless to try and find some merit and assume that this time he did they claim it will disturb their learning. I am sure Rabbi Ben Tzion not transgress. In this case it is not necessary to rebuke him. never replied in this way to his wife. He put her before everyone If it is clear without any doubt that he indeed transgressed, the mitzvah of and treated her like his crown. offering rebuke applies and one must help that person overcome his Yetzer "This is how he lived his life and this is how he passed the mes- Hara through rebuking him in a respectable and pleasant manner. sage on to others, as they observed his behavior in his own home." Treasures Based on the teachings of Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pearls of the Parsha Pinto, shlita

Bilam's Name Shows His Essence "So now, please come and curse this people for me, for it is too powerful for me" (Bamidbar 22:6) This verse gives rise to two questions: First of all, why did Balak ask Bilam to come and curse Yisrael and Torah Protects and Saves from all Evil Mishaps not ask for a blessing for his own success? "He perceived no iniquity in Ya'akov, and saw no perversity in Israel" (is (Bamidbar 23:21 – מבורך Furthermore, why did Balak say, "whomever you bless will be cursed" while he should – יואר blessed and whomever you curse When Balak came to hear Bilam cursing Bnei Yisrael, Bilam offered is cursed" using the – מואר ,have either said "whomever you curse a parable and said, "He perceived no iniquity in Ya'akov, and saw no will – יבורך is blessed", or "whomever you bless – מבורך" same form as perversity in Israel. Hashem his G-d is with him, and the friendship of ?"will be cursed – יואר" be blessed", the same form as the King is in him." The meaning is, when "the friendship of the King is Rabbeinu Chaim ben Attar zy"a, the Holy Ohr HaChaim (see also Kli in him", when Bnei Yisrael study Torah and attain the level of "Who are Yakar) writes: "Bilam's blessing was like the blessing of a donkey." Bilam the kings? The Sages" (Gittin 62b), they merit the beginning of the verse had no power to bless. He could only curse since he had an evil eye "He perceived no iniquity in Ya'akov, and saw no perversity in Israel"; and knowledge of the most advantageous time to invoke G-d's wrath. no evil mishap will befall them even if the nation's greatest prophet will If someone came to Bilam for a blessing, since he was a sorcerer he try to curse them. would consider the person's mazal. If it showed that in the future he friendship can be re-arranged – תרועה One can add that the word would become rich, Bilam blessed him with wealth and the recipient -Torah seventy, referring to the Holy Torah that is ex – 'תורה ע to spell of the blessing thought he became wealthy due to Bilam's blessing. He pounded in seventy ways. Bnei Yisrael merit crowning Hashem as King did the same to Balak when he blessed him with kingship; he simply over them and being called princes when they engage in the Torah saw in his mazal that he was destined to become king. which is expounded in seventy ways. And then "Hashem his G-d is with This answers the above questions. Since Balak knew that Bilam him", they merit being saved from all mishaps. Similarly, the initials of and the friendship of the King is in him" have – ותרועת מלך בו" blesses" in accordance with the person's mazal, he did not ask for a the words" personal blessing. Rather he asked Bilam to come and curse the Jewish a numerical value of 48, corresponding to the 48 attributes with which King – מלך בו" people since this was his power. He personified his name, Bilam, an Torah is acquired (see Avot 6:6), while the final letters of expression of 'swallowing' and destruction. is in him", have the value 26 which corresponds to numerical value of .י-ה-ו-ה ,This is the meaning of "For I know." I, Balak, am aware of your Hashem's Name strengths; "whomever you bless is blessed", "blessed" in the past Bilam came to ruin and ended up aiding, for he gave us wonderful tense for he is already blessed – in accordance with his mazal. Only advice as to how to merit protection from Hashem. But despite the "whomever you curse will be cursed", in the future tense, for in truth truth emerging from his mouth, he himself remained wicked since he your singular power is to curse. did not put into practice what he preached. Also because he possessed A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity bad middot, including the ugly trait of pride, the root of all bad middot. "Bilam's anger flared and he struck the donkey with the staff" The Torah tells us that when Bilam was riding on his donkey, a (Bamidbar 22:27) Heavenly angel appeared in front of him and blocked his path. Since Why indeed did Bilam smite the donkey and not curse it, if it was there was a fence on either side, the donkey turned off the path and his mouth that had power? squashed Bilam's leg against the fence. One can say that this contained In the sefer Derech Sicha, Maran HaGaon Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky a hint for Bilam: He was now going to curse Yisrael Bnei but they have shlita quotes the words of the Midrash: Had he cursed the donkey, a special fence which surrounds and protects them which comes from he would have lost the power to curse Yisrael. This is the reason why the power of the Torah and mitzvot they observe. Bnei Yisrael created Elisha's stick was unable to resurrect the son of the Shunamit, for on fences and restrictions for the Torah and it is those fences that protect the way Gaichazi used its power to resurrect a dead dog. Since it had us from any evil. already been used for this purpose, its power terminated. Bilam did not want to put into practice what his intellect understood The following story is told about Rabbi Mordechai Banet zt"l. He and continued on his way until the donkey squashed his leg by the fence once wished to show appreciation to someone so he told him to buy and broke it. This was a hint that anyone who disturbs Torah scholars, a lottery ticket and promised that he will win. those who observe the mitzvot and make fences and restrictions for After the person bought the ticket, he picked lots in his house to see themselves, will eventually be punished for this. The angel revealed if he would really win, and indeed he drew his own number. himself to the donkey three times to hint to Bilam that Bnei Yisrael ascend To his surprise, he did not win the lottery. He complained to Rabbi to Yerushalayim three times a year and on these occasions draw upon Mordechai Banet, who responded in disbelief, "It cannot be you didn’t fistfuls of holiness. This holiness accompanies them further and causes win!" Upon investigation, the person admitted that he had picked lots in them to cleave to the Torah path, thereby affording them protection his own home to see if the number would really win. Rabbi Mordechai from any curse or damage he wishes to inflict on them. said, "Aha! You made yourself lose! I prayed that your number should The Kaf HaChaim, in his sefer Yismach Yisrael, offers the following be drawn and indeed it was!" explanation on the verse (Bamidbar 22:5), "He sent messengers to Bilam His End Will Be by the Sword son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the River." The word "Pethor" hints "Now, flee" (Bamidbar 24:11) to the mouth of Torah, while "nahar-River" hints to the waters of Torah that flow like a river. This teaches us that Bilam received a message from As an allusion, Rabbeinu Yosef Chaim, in his sefer Aderet Eliyahu, Heaven that he cannot curse Am Yisrael due to the power of their Torah, .sword – חרבflee, can be re-arranged to spell – ברח writes that the word but due to his evil middot Bilam did not understand the message. That is This is a hint that in the end he would fall prey to the sword, and why the donkey squashed his leg by the fence and broke it. But we can indeed he was killed as it says, "And Bilam son of Beor they slew with take a lesson from this that if we cleave to Torah with all our strength, the sword." all those who stand up against us will not succeed in overpowering us. A NOVEL LOOK AT THE PARSHA

that forewarned him, already at the seventh year in Korakin's wheat fields? beginning of Iyar, in the midst of the And the answer will be: Since seem- hot, dry weather, that rain was on the ingly there should be no connection, way. And so he harvested and went this is the great miracle… on to form the stacks of hay, storing Probably all have already forgotten them in his massive store house. All the strong rain that suddenly fell at this while his friends had not even the end of Adar of the previous sixth Who Has Counted the Dust of begun harvesting their huge hay year. It was an open miracle, for if not Ya'akov? fields. The final result astonished the for these rains, all the wheat that had "If you ask me, I personally do not farmers, no less the delegation of Rab- been sown would have been com- feel I have made any sacrifice in my banim who visited his fields. What was pletely lost. efforts to observe the mitzvot in gen- clear above all doubt was that Oded's While in the rest of the fields, the eral, and in particular my observance fields were the complete antithesis to saving of the wheat of the sixth year of Shemittah," relates R' Oded Korakin the drought that was announced in was how this miracle was experienced, from Ramat HaSharon. He regularly the South and North. The proof was, indeed a great salvation, for Oded Ko- hosts delegations of Rabbanim from Korakin immediately managed to sell rakin the miracle swept over into the all over the world in his fields and each all the hay stacked in his storehouse, seventh year. time anew succeeds in leaving them something no other nearby farmer "The rain was so strong that even moved; proving to them that despite managed to do… after this sixth year harvest, wheat all the decrees and attempts to uproot Although Oded Korakin and his remained in the fields. It sprouted Torah from Am Yisrael, the Jewish na- brother Michael, his partner in his ag- already in the sixth year and grew to tion survives and exists and with all ricultural efforts, were born as Jews in its best in the Shemittah year," relates its heart and soul desires to maintain the Holy Land and were exposed to a Oded. true closeness to Hashem, even if this Jewish way of life, they went through The rare sight of wheat standing tall closeness involves self-sacrifice. many encounters until they achieved in the middle of the winter was one of The mitzvah of Shemittah observed their lofty level of observing Shemit- the open miracles of the previous Sh- by residents of Eretz Yisrael, is referred tah, expressing complete readiness emittah year. Korakin's tractor workers to in Bilam's declaration "Who has to stop all work in their fields, spread worked in the fields with great energy. counted the dust of Ya'akov." As Rashi over more than 1,500 dunam in one of They took out all the water pipes so explains, who can count the number the most expensive zones in the Holy they wouldn't disturb the harvest… of agricultural commandments that Land. "If not for the constant support This harvest was, of course, used for Jews fulfil with the dust of the earth? we received from the Gedolei Yisrael, animal feed, but let us make a calcu- R' Odeds' story, publicized recently in we would never have arrived at where lation: We are talking about wheat the Kol Beramah magazine, serves as we arrived," they say. The love that that was not sown by the owners of testimony: is heaped on them and the blessings the field. In addition, in contrast to "Hashem was so kind to me that they are showered with during the vis- the other Shemittah observers who one needs to be blind not to see the its of the Gedolei Torah to their fields, sow wheat for animal feed, Oded did wonders and miracles." While he was is proof of their statement. not touch this wheat that grew and blessed from Above, his friends, the This past Shemittah, all those who sprouted by itself because of the rains local farmers of Kibbutz Yakum, also entered their fields were astonished of the sixth year. And now his fields look delighted… to see wheat stalks waving high in were full of tall stalks of wheat, allow- When the elderly farmer decided to the air. How did such high, plump ing him to sell the wheat as animal harvest his hay fields at the beginning wheat stalks grow for the Shemittah feed and earn a profit. of Iyar, during the sixth year of the observers in the seventh year? asked "Earn a profit?" the farmer, with his previous Shemittah cycle, his friends all the visitors. The great miracle that oc- tzitzit showing, is shocked. "It was not laughed at him. "What are you doing? curred in these fields, next to Kibbutz my profit and I have no interest in per- Why are you harvesting so early? Let Yakum, demonstrated the greatness sonal profit. The main gain here was the hay grow a little more!" The farm- of Hashem's goodness to "the strong the sanctification of Heaven's Name ers chuckled derisively and thought he warriors who do His bidding." You may that resulted from the miracle." had lost his mind. ask, what is the connection between But Oded did not listen to them. He the months of Adar and Nissan of the preferred to obey his sense of smell sixth year, to what happened in the Abraham's Legacy A Social Network for Prayer. Complete the book of tehillim 1000's of times a day collectively

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