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)

DEVARIM

_ CHASSIDUS ON THE PARSHA + Dvar Torah Inspiring Stories The fifth and final book of the Torah begins with the words eileh hadevorim , these are the words. Chazal have stated in a number of places that the use of the word eileh , these, without the prefix vav , indicates that what follows supersedes what came before it. In what way does Devorim supersede what preceded it? We can gain some insight, comments Rav Levi Yitzchok, from the words of the Zohar regarding the rule of Chazal that “if an element ( prat ) could have been subsumed as part of its general principle ( klal ) but was nonetheless presented on its own, it is meant to shed light on the entire principle.” Reading this rule in its mystical sense, the Zohar sees the general principle as the Torah withi n which resides the totality of all existence in all its details and elements. The element that has been singled out from this general principle is the narrative part of the Torah . The stories we are told are lengthy and elaborate, and they are certainly m eant to teach religious values and morals. The characters that populate these books are held up as paradigms of good and evil and the stories of their lives teach us valuable lessons. But all the numerous, seemingly extraneous details in these stories do n ot contribute to the teaching of these lessons. Therefore, they are clearly repositories of innumerable mystical secrets, which can be discovered by a close study of the esoteric facet of the Torah . If so, we can assume that the

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Devarim / [email protected] same concept also applies to the rest of the Torah , that every word has hidden mystical meaning as well as that which meets the eye. Sefer Devorim is the farewell soliloquy that Moshe delivered to the Jewish people on the last day of his life, and as such there is a shift in the complexion of the content. The first four books were replete with narratives about the forefathers of the Jewish people and accounts of their redemption from Egypt and their forty-year sojourn in the wilderness. Devorim , however, is full of rebuke, admonition, laws, covenants and blessings. The episodes mentioned in passing in context are not described in great detail, because they are not the focus of Devorim . Why is this so? It is because the people had reached a different level when they stood on the Plains of Moav and listened to Moshe speak. The earlier generation had been slaves steeped in the lowest levels of depravity, and in order to elevate them spiritually they had to be told inspiring stories that would serve as parables for them. But the people who heard Devorim had progressed to a higher level, and therefore the Torah could be presented in its pure form. This is the line of generational demarcation that the word eileh indicates. n Story Bands of Jewish thieves roamed the countryside surrounding Berditchev, spreading fear and trepidation among the towns and villages, but as a general rule they avoided the Chassidim of Rav Levi Yitzchok. They had had some unfortunate experiences in coming up against him, and had learned their lesson. Nonetheless, the Chassidim made every effort to avoid encounters with the thieves, because they could not be trusted to adhere to their self- imposed restrictions. One day, a young Chassid informed Rav Levi Yitzchok that he would be traveling for a few days on business through the neighboring villages, and asked Rav Levi Yitzchok for his blessing. Rav Levi Yitzchok blessed him warmly and also issued a warning. “Be careful,” he said. “You will be carrying money with you, and there are thieves in the area. When you stay overnight in an inn, make sure you take a private room. Lock the door, and do not let anyone in after dark, no matter what they tell you.” The young man set out on his travels. The winds were icy and strong, and toward evening, a freezing rain began to fall. That night, following Rav Levi Yitzchok’s advice, he rented a private room in a roadside inn. He settled in, locked the doors and prepared to retire for the night. Just as he had closed his eyes and dozed off, there was a light knock on the door. Thinking it might have been an error, he rolled over and went back to sleep, but the knocking continued insistently. Finally, he got up and went to the door. “Who is there?’ he asked without opening the door. “You don’t know me,” said a voice quivering with age. “I am a traveler, an old man, and I’ve stopped at this inn for the night. They tell me that they have no more rooms to rent, that all the rooms are occupied. But what am I supposed to do? Sleep in a wagon in the rain?” “So what do you want?” “Could you let me in please? Let me share your room for the night.”

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“Why my room?” said the young man. “There are other rooms in the inn. Why don’t you ask some of the other guests to let you in?” “I would,” said the old man. “But the innkeeper says that you are the only one with a private room. All the other rooms are fully occupied, but there is an extra bed in your room. Please let me sleep in it. I promise I won’t bother you.” “I’m sorry. I can’t let you in. My Rebbe has told me not to open the door for anyone.” “Please have mercy on an old man. I’m not just anyone. I am a fellow Jew, probably the age of your mother and father, and I am desperate. I’m sure that if you could ask him now he would tell you to let me in. It is really a matter of life and death.” The young man’s heart melted at the mention of his parents, and he opened the door. The old man standing before did indeed seem totally harmless. The young man offered him the second bed and kept a watchful eye on him until he went to sleep. Before long, the old man was fast asleep and snoring gently. Satisfied, the young man went back to sleep. A few minutes later, the old man opened his eyes and peered at the sleeping form of his host. Then he crept out of bed, lifted the young man’s wallet from the pocket of his coat and tossed it out the window, where his accomplices were waiting. Having accomplished his mission, he returned to bed, snuggled in under the covers and sank into a peaceful slumber. In the morning, the young man awoke to find the old man fast asleep, his lips fluttering noisily with every breath. He smiled and prepared for the day. He picked up his coat and reached for his wallet, but to his utter consternation, the pocket was empty. He searched every corner of the room, including the baggage of his guest, but there was no sign of his wallet. The old man stirred and rubbed his eyes. “What is going on?” he muttered. “Why are you making so much noise?” “My wallet is missing.” He glared at the old man with suspicion. “Did you take it?” The old man recoiled in horror. “How can you accuse me of such a thing? After you were so kind to me last night, would I repay you by robbing you? I’m insulted. Anyway, if you wish you can search my bags.” “I already did.” “And did you find anything?” “No.” “There you have it. I’m sorry for your loss, but don’t blame me.” The young man returned to Berditchev in a despondent mood and immediately reported on his experiences to Rav Levi Yitzchok. “You should have heeded my warning,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “Anyway, don’t worry. You’ll get your money back.” Rav Levi Yitzchok sent his attendant to summon the leader of the Jewish thieves and the members of his band. A few hours later, they stood before Rav Levi Yitzchok in his study. The attendant remained in the room standing near the door. “I want you to return this man’s money right now,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “We know nothing of his money,” said the leader of the thieves. 3
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“I ask you again to return the money.” “And we say again that we do not have it. Is there any evidence that we took it?” “You know and I know that you have it. “We do not.” “I command you to return the money.” “We don’t have it.” “Very well, I’ll tell you a story. Listen carefully, because there is a hidden message in the story.” The thieves fidgeted uncomfortably, but the attendant leaned forward to hear every word. “There was once a villager who became very attached to me,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “He begged me to give him something of mine that he could have as a keepsake. At first I refused, but he begged and begged until I finally relented. So I gave him one of my old pipes. He was grateful and said he would always cherish the pipe. But then someone stole the pipe, and he came to me in tears. So I told him to go to the second to the last house at the end of the market street and count the rafters of the roof. The pipe, I told him, is in behind the fourth rafter.” As soon as the attendant heard these words, he understood that this was where the money was hidden, and he immediately went off to recover the stolen money. Meanwhile, Rav Levi Yitzchok ordered the thieves to remain in his study until the attendant returned. The money was indeed exactly where Rav Levi Yitzchok had said it would be. The attendant returned to Rav Levi Yitzchok’s study and placed the money on his table. The young Chassid danced with joy, and the thieves were crestfallen. “You should not have refused to return the money,” Rav Levi Yitzchok told them. “Your denials forced me to tell a story that unnecessarily tapped my mystical power to draw the information I wanted from your minds. For this you will be punished. You will all be reduced to abject poverty and die in prison, each and every one of you.” Years later, a Jewish man was called to a prison to help a dying Jewish prisoner say his final confession. This man then told Rav Nachum Eliyohu, a Chassid of the Kobriner Rebbe , about his visit to the prison. He was led into a dank prison cell and saw an emaciated man lying on a narrow cot. He sat down beside the dying man and started to say the Shema with him. “Not yet,” said the dying man. “I want to tell you a story.” With great difficulty and occasional pauses to catch his breath, he went on to tell the story of the Jewish thieves who had stolen the money of Rav Levi Yitzchok’s Chassid . “The punishment has been carried out,” he concluded. “All the others have already died penniless and in prison. I am the last one left, and in a few minutes, I too will die in prison.”

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הילולא The anniversary of the petira of a Tzaddik is known as a Hilula , w hich 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 avail able, 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 themse lves in a tefilla when lighting the candle. This is not only true on a yahrzeit but on every Yom Tov as well. The author of the Pele Yo’etz , Rav Eliezer Papo (1785–1828), did in fact compose such a tefilla . Rav Papo was the Rav of the city of Selestria in Bulgaria. Bulgaria was a part of the Ottoman Empire at the time. The tefilla of the Pele Yo’etz is reproduced and translated below, as a public service.

Hebrew Tefilla for Lighting a Yahrzeit or Hilula Candle הַ רֵ ינִ י מַ דְ לִ יק נֵ ר זֶ ה לִ מְ נ חַ ת לְ עִ יל י נִ ְ מַ ת ) בִ י / אִ מִ י מוֹ רָ תִ י / הַ צַ דִ יק ______/ֵ ַ ת ַ /ֵ ______1ְ 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 כבד יְ הִ י רָ צוֹ  מִ לְ פָ י2נֶ ‘ה אֶ /קֵ ינ וֵא/קֵ י אֲ בוֹתֵ ינ , 1ְֶ קַ ֵ ל ְרַ חֲמִ י בְרָ צוֹ !ָל מַ עֲ#ֶ ה הַ טוֹב ֶ (נִי עוֹ#ֶ ה , ֵי ְמַחַָ בָ ה , ֵי ְדִ י ר , ֵי ְמַ עֲ#ֶ ה וְ יִ הְ יֶ ה הַ !ֹ ל לִ זְ כ ת לְ מְ נ 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 / צַ דִ יק ______. יְ הִ י הִ יְ . רָ צוֹ  ֶ 1ִ 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 sou l of my father/mother/the Tzaddik _____. May it be Your will that their souls be bound in the bond of life. 3) Learn about the person including history, culture, writings and teachings. 4) Study some of his teaching or writings. See more at: www.yeshshem.com/hilulah.htm

Y GEDOLIM BE'MISASAM YOSER Z YAHRZEITS BEGINNING SHABBOS DEVARIM http://www.chinuch. org/gedolim_yahrtzeits/Av

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Biographical information and yahrzeits compiled by Reb Manny Saltiel and www.anshe.org  8th of Av ~ Begins Friday Night (Jul 16th )  Rav Shmuel Shmelke Toibish , Rav of Yas (Jassi), mechaber of Chayei Olam ; Milchamos Hashem ; and Mitzvas Chalitzah , (1865);  Rav Yehuda HaLevy of Ragoza, founder of the Jewish yishuv in Yafo, (1878);  Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv , the Alter from Kelm (1824-1898/5658). After his marriage, he moved from Kelm to Kovno where he became a talmid muvhak of Rav Yisrael Salanter. In 1862, he opened the Talmud Torah of Kelm, in order to combat the growing influence of haskala . About fifteen years later, he and his yeshiva were denounced as anti-government, and Rav Simcha Zissel had to change his last name from Broide to Ziv. His talmidim included Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel (the Alter of Slobodka), Rav Yosef Yoizel Horowitz (the Alter of Novardok), Rav Aharon Bakst, Rav Reuven Dessler, and his son Rav Nachum Ziv. The yeshiva was always highly restricted and at most it held thirty to thirty-five talmidim ;  Rav Shmuel Luvtzar , mechaber of Olas Shmuel , (1898);  Rav Shimon Agasi was born in Baghdad (1852-1914). His family originated in Persia. In Persian, his name Agasi, means commissioner, a position some of his forebears, who were very wealthy and influential, had occupied in their native land. Rav Shimon's father, Rav Aharon, had been a very successful businessman who imported paint from India. At the age of eleven, Shimon began to study in Baghdad's Medrash Talmud Torah, founded by Rav Abdallah Somech. It developed rapidly to become the top Torah institution in the city, where over three thousand students studied free-of-charge. Among those who learned there were Rav Eliyahu Mani (the chief rav of Chevron), the Ben Ish Chai and Rav Salman Mutzafi. In 1865, a man, named Yitzchok Luria, came to Baghdad and attempted to open an Alliance school, which offered secular studies and tried to modernize the lifestyle of its students. However, Baghdad's sages placed a cheirem on the school and thwarted his efforts. From Medrash Talmud Torah, Rav Shimon proceeded to its adult division, Beit Zilcha, where he became one of its finest students. His main mentors in Beit Zilcha were Rav Abdallah Somech's two best students, Rav Shmuel Majled and Rav Nissim HaLevi. At the age of seventeen, Rav Shimon began to study Kabbalah from Rav Chaim Vital's Eitz Chaim . A number of years later, he joined the Chacham Yitzchok yeshivah, founded by Rav Yitzchok Berabi Mordechai Sasson, another of Baghdad's great sages. Among its illustrious students were Rav Yehuda Petaya; Rav Dovid Sofer Rav Rafael Shlomo Laniado Rav Nissim Kadouri and Rav Yitzchok Nissim. In 1898, his oldest son, Aharon, passed away on Purim of that year. Rav Agasi was the mechaber of Shem MiShimon ;  Rav Meilech Silber , menahel of the Yeshiva of Eastern Parkway (1970). Born in Nuremberg, Germany, his lifetime of serving his fellow Jews began at the age of seven. Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Klein, leader of the Adas Yisroel community in Nuremberg, would send him on secret missions in the early morning hours, going to the houses of poor families, leaving an envelope full of money on the step, knocking on the door, and then running away as fast as he could. With the advent of World War II, the Silber family moved to America, settling in the Bronx. He learned at different periods in RJJ, Torah VoDa’as and Yeshiva Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin. He also served as National Director of Pirchei Agudas Yisroel, as well as Head Counselor of Camp Agudah. In 1946, Rav Meilech was sent by Rav Hutner to a new yeshiva in the Crown Heights neighborhood which was searching for a principal. At the time, the yeshiva consisted of ten kindergartners, two teachers and, now, a principal. From this humble beginning grew the renowned Yeshiva of Eastern Parkway. Throughout the next twenty-five years, Rav Meilech 6
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built the yeshiva into a dynamic force in Torah education. Today, Yeshiva Zichron Meilech, under the leadership of Rav Chaim Leib Epstein, takes its name from Rav Meilech and strives to continue in his path;  Rav Menucham Mekaalov , Sephardic sage. He is the mechaber of Be'er Menucham , (5698 / 5698);  Rav Yom Tov Daynun , Sephardic sage. He is the mechaber of the Sefer Kvod Yod Tov , (5583 / 1823);  Rav Shlomo Zalman Levi , Rav of Zlotchov; Rav Chanoch Henich Dov Zilberfarb , the Koidenover Rebbe (1978).  9th of Av ~ Begins Motzai Shabbos (Jul 17th )  Rav Yaakov Yitzchok ben Rav Avrohom Eliezer HaLevi Horowitz, the Chozeh of Lublin (1754–1815/5575), eighth generation from the Shela HaKodosh and talmid of Reb Shmelke at Nikolsburg and Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk. Many of his insights were published posthumously in Divrei Emes , Zichron Tov and Zos Zichron . He was able to “see” from one end of the world to the other. He blessed some enemies that they would not be able to eat on the day of his Hilula . This was not understood until people realized that his Hilula was a fast day, (5575/1815);  Dr. Leo (Shmuel) Deutschlander (1888–1935), one of the founders of the Bais Yaakov movement. Born in Berlin, Dr. Shmuel’s father was niftar when he was five years old, and his mother just two years later. In addition to his Torah chinuch , he studied in the Universities of Berlin, Warburg and Gussen, earning a doctorate in German history and literature. Following World War I, after Lithuania proclaimed its independence, he was invited to head the Yavne religious school system in the Jewish Ministry of the new republic, a position he retained from 1919 to 1922. He was later instrumental in allocating funds to Sora Schenirer’s first Bais Yaakov in Cracow, (5695/1935);  Rav Yitzchok Nissim , Rishon LeTzion (1896–1981). Born in Baghdad, he came to Yerushalayim in 1925. In 1955, he was chosen as the Rishon LeTzion and the chief Rav of Eretz Yisrael and he held this position until 1972. He was the Rebbe of Rav Mordechai Eliyohu. He published two volumes of responsa, under the name “Good Wine” ( Yayin HaTov ), (5741/1981);  Rav Gavriel “ Malach ” ben Rav Dovid Horowitz of Moglenitza. He was a talmid of the Ohev Yisrael of Apta, the Maggid of Kozhnitz and his son, Rav Moshe Elyokim Briah and Rav Chaim Meir of Moglenitza. He helped put together the writings of the Maggid of Kozhnitz, (5618/1858);  Rav Moshe Dovid Lida of Weisslitz, mechaber of Migdal Dovid , (5588/1828);  Rav Yitzchok Yosef Zilber (1917–2004), born in Kazan, Russia, to Rav Ben Tzion, who had studied in the Slabodka Yeshiva . Rav Ben Tzion taught Torah to his son, despite Soviet Russia’s Mandatory Schooling Law. During the 1920s, in the Soviet Union, all the Jewish schools were closed, and those caught studying or teaching Torah were exiled to Siberia. At the age of fifteen, Rav Yitzchok Yosef delivered shiurim throughout the city. At one point, he was arrested for his kiruv activities and thrown into prison. On Purim of 1953, when he was still in prison, Rav Yitzchok Yosef assembled fifteen Jews and taught them about Megillas Esther . In 1972, Rav Yitzchok Yosef finally received an aliya permit.  When he arrived in Eretz Yisrael, Rav Yitzchok Yosef took his son, Ben Tzion, to Mea Shearim. While there, he met Rav Beinish Finkel, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Mir , with whom he became very close. Although Rav Yitzchok Yosef was overjoyed to be in Eretz HaKodesh , he

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was deeply disturbed by the fact that, during that period, very few Russian-born Jews kept Torah and mitzvos . Then and there, he launched an amazing array of activities on behalf of his Russian brothers. As in Russia, he would travel long distances to draw young Russians, who were scattered all over the country, closer to Torah . One of those young people was Eliyohu Rips, currently a professor of worldwide fame who lectures on the subject of the Bible Codes. Soon after his aliya , Rav Yitzchok Yosef became a Mashgiach Ruchani in Yeshivas Dvar Yerushalayim , headed by Rav Boruch Horowitz. In that Yeshiva , he paid special attention to its Russian ba’alei teshuva . Over the years, he assisted and inspired all the organizations for Russian immigrants, among them Shamir , Shevut Ami , Ohr Avner and the Russian departments of Ohr Same’ach , Machon Lev and Aish HaTorah . Today, Toldos Yeshurun sponsors kollelim in Tel Aviv, Chaifa, Ashdod, Netanya, Ofakim, Beitar, Beit Shemesh, Neve Yaakov, Netivot and Modi’in, while Rav Yitzchok Yaakov’s daughter, Chava Kuperman, runs a network of shiurim for women, (5764/2004).  10 th of Av ~ Begins Sunday Night (Jul 18th)  Yissochor ben Yaakov Avinu; he was also born on this day, (1564 BCE);  Rav Don Yitzchok Abarbanel , (1437–1508). Rav Yitzchok was born in Lisbon, Portugal, to an illustrious Sephardi family that traced its lineage back to Dovid HaMelech . His grandfather, Rav Shmuel, escaped from Seville, Spain, when the Catholics destroyed the Jewish quarter, mudering many Jews. When Rav Yitzchok was only twenty, he completed his first book, Ateres Zekeinim , and began to work on his famous commentary on the Torah . In the summer of 1471, following the victory of King Alfonso V over Morocco, an emissary of the Moroccan Jewish community, Emmanuel ben Yitzchok, approached Rav Yitzchok with a plea to assist in the ransom of 250 Jewish would-be slaves. Rav Yitzchok was not only successful, he added his own funds to supply food and medicine. Rav Yitzchok served as treasurer to King Alfonso until he was forced to move to Castile (Spain) and he eventually entered the service of Ferdinand and Isabella in 1484. In March 1492, an edict was issued expelling the Jews from Spain, after the conquest of Granada. Despite his political influence he was unable to prevent the expulsion in 1492 and refused the king’s offer to remain at his post, choosing instead to throw in his lot with his people. On Tisha B’Av , he led 300,000 Jews out of the country. Only 10 percent reached safe shores. Rav Yitzchok found asylum in Naples, where he remained for seven years, until the French invaded. He then fled to Corfu and finally – in 1503 – to Venice, where he was niftar . He was buried in Padua. Most of his writings were composed in his later years when he was free of governmental responsibilities, (5268/1508);  Rav Masoud Chai Roke’ach , mechaber of Ma’aseh Roke’ach on Rambam , (5528/1768);  Rav Shimon Ziat , one of the Rabbonim of the Aram Tzova (Aleppo) community in Eretz Yisrael (1905–2000). When he was very young, his father passed away and, at the age of fourteen, he fled to Mexico City due to the hunger that prevailed in Syria after the First World War. His mentor was the Mekubol Rav Mordechai Attias. In 1961, he moved to Eretz Yisrael with his entire family, settling in Bnei Brak, where his sons founded Torah institutions and taught Torah , (5760/2000).  11 th of Av ~ Begins Monday Night (Jul 19th)  Rav Yitzchok Blazer , mechaber of Pri Yitzchok and Kochvei Ohr (1837–1907/5667). One of the leading talmidim of Rav Yisrael Salanter, he wrote Ohr Yisrael , based on his Rebbe ’s letters and Rav Salanter’s sefer , Pri Yitzchok . Rav Yitzchok was born in Vilna, married at the age of fifteen, and moved to Kovno. At the age of twenty-five, he became the Rav of St. Petersburg

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(hence his “other” name, Rav Itzele Petersburger), a position he held for sixteen years. He spent the last three years of his life in Yerushalayim, (5667/1907);  Rav Aharon Perlow , the Stoliner-Warsaw Rebbe , (5702/1942);  Rav Hillel ben Rav Meir HaLevi Malisov of Paritsch, best known as Rav Hillel Paritscher (1795–1864/5624). He was a talmid of the Bas Ayin , the Czernobyler Maggid , the Mitteler Rebbe and a Chassid of Rav Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, the Tzemach Tzedek . He was one of the greatest Tzaddikim in Chabad at the time and was like a Rebbe in his own right. He authored Pelach HoRimon (a work of deep Chassidic thought), Imrei Noam , Likutei Biurim (a commentary on various works of the Mitteler Rebbe of Lubavitch) and Ma’amar Hishtat’chus . He was also a talmid muvhok of Rav Avrohom Dov, Rav of Zhitomir. He served as Rav of Paritch, and later succeeded Rav Boruch Mordechai in Bobroisk, (5624/1864).  12 th of Av ~ Begins Tuesday Night (Jul 20th)  Rav Zevulun Arye Graz (1904–1989). Born in Ozband, Lithuania, to Rav Yosef Nesanel, a talmid of the Alter of Kelm and, for a while, the Menahel Ruchani of the Telz Yeshiva . As a youngster, Rav Zevulun Arye studied for a while in Kelm, and then under Rav Eliyohu Lopian in Telz. In 1924, he joined a group of Telz talmidim in Eretz Yisrael to study in the Knesses Yisrael Yeshiva in Chevron, a branch of Slabodka. After the massacre of 1929, the survivors left Chevron and settled in Yerushalayim. Rav Zevulun Arye moved back to Lithuania in 1931, married, and delivered shiur at Yeshiva Ohel Moshe . Later, Rav Zevulun Arye studied in the Kovna kollel of Rav Avrohom Kahana-Shapiro, the Dvar Avrohom . In 1939, when the Nazis overran Lithuania, Rav Zevulun Arye, who already possessed Palestinian citizenship, headed back for Eretz Yisrael. Upon arriving, he moved to Chadera, where he stayed for ten years. Rav Tzvi Yehuda Meltzer, the brother-in-law of Rav Aharon Kotler, was Rav of Pardes Chana at that time. Opening a branch of the Kletzk Yeshiva in Pardes Chana, he invited Rav Zevulun Arye to deliver shiurim there. When Rav Tzvi Yehuda moved his Yeshiva to Rechovot, he asked Rav Zevulun Arye to join him there, too. Every Erev Shabbos , Rav Zevulun Arye would return from Rechovot to his home in Chadera for Shabbos , in an armored vehicle that protected him from Arab snipers, (5749/1989);  Rav Binyomin Wolf Lev , mechaber of Shaarei Torah , (5589/1829);  Rav Arye Leib Katzenelenbogen , Rav of Brisk. He was known as the Rav of Vilna, (5597/1837);  Rav Moshe Ber ben Rav Aharon of Stolin, a grandson of Rav Shlomo of Karlin, (5607/1847);  Rav Efraim Zalman ben Rav Menachem Manish Margolies, son-in-law of the Trisker Maggid , (5646/1886);  Rav Yeshaya Weltfried of Kalisch, a descendant of the Chozeh of Lublin on his mother’s side. He married the daughter of Rav Yechiel Danziger, the first Alexander Rebbe , and eventually moved to Kalisch, where he established his court. He was niftar a month before the onset of World War II, (5699/1939).  13 th of Av ~ Begins Wednesday Night (Jul 21st)  Rav Yehuda Leib Pesach ben Rav Avrohom of Lipsk (5625/1865);  Rav Yaakov Dovid ben Rav Menachem Mendel Hager (the Tzemach Tzaddik ) (5625/1865);  Rav Yosef of Chelm ben Rav Mordechai “ Mayim Amukim ”, talmid of the Chozeh ;  Rav Yisrael Shmuel ben Rav Arye Leibush of Tamoshov, grandson of Rav Yosef of Chelm, whose Hilula is also the 13 th of Av , (5629/1869);  Rav Yaakov Yosef ben Rav Moshe of Orzetchov;

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 Rav Eliyohu Maaravi , a great leader of Mekubolim in Yerushalayim, (5715/1955);  Rav Yosef Eliyohu Henkin , Posek and Menahel of Ezras Torah (1881–1973/5733). Born in the Mohilev province of Russia, he studied at the Mir Yeshiva at the age of fifteen. Soon after, he became the youngest talmid in the Yeshiva of Slutzk headed by Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer. In 1923, Rav Henkin was on the verge of being deported to a Soviet labor camp, when he escaped to the United States. After being detained on Ellis Island for five weeks, he obtained a rabbinic position on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Shortly thereafter, Rav Henkin published his important work on the laws of marriage and divorce, entitled Perushei Ivra . In 1925, he was appointed executive director of the charitable organization Ezras Torah . He would remain in this position for forty-eight years. The halachic rulings in the Ezras Torah calendar are Rav Henkin’s, based on his work, Edus Le’Yisrael . He is buried on Long Island in Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, New York. He was niftar after Mussaf Shabbos Nachamu . One of the sure signs of a Tzaddik is to pass away on a Shabbos , (5733/1973);  Rav Mordechai ben Rav Avrohom Banet of Nikolsburg, Hungary, (born 1753), mechaber of Parshas Mordechai , (5589/1829);  Rav Nosson Nota Shapira , mechaber of Megaleh Amukos and Ranav Ofanim (1585– 1633/5393). Eliyohu HaNovi is said to have visited him regularly. Son of Rav Shlomo Shapira, and grandson of Rav Matisyohu ben Yosef Treves of Provence (1325–1382) who was appointed Chief Rav of Paris by Charles V. The Shapiro family comes from the German town of Speyer from where the founder of the family escaped at the time of the First Crusade in 1096, (5393/1633);  Rav Yosef Greenwald of Pupa, mechaber of Vayechi Yosef and son of Rav Yaakov Yechezkel Greenwald, the previous Pupa Rebbe , mechaber of VaYagged Yaakov , and grandson of Rav Moshe Greenwald of Chust, mechaber of Arugas HaBosem , (5744/1984).  14 th of Av ~ Begins Thursday Night (Jul 22nd)  Rav Yosef Naftoli Stern , Rosh Yeshivas Pressburg in Yerushalayim, (5731/1971);  Rav Tzvi Hirsch ben Rav Aharon Friedman of Liska, Hungary (1798–1874/5634). Rav Tzvi Hirsch spent several years at the court of the Yismach Moshe , who played a dominant role shaping his life. He was also a talmid of the Divrei Chaim and the Rebbe of Rav Shayele Kerestirer. Rav Tzvi Hirsch authored Ach Pri Tevua and HaYoshor VehaTov , (5634/1874);  Rav Yitzchok of Mezritch, a talmid of the Chozeh of Lublin, (5586/1826);  Rav Yitzchok ben Rav Sholom Yosef Friedman, the Bohusher Rebbe (1903–1992/5752), born in Spikov, Russia into the Rizhiner dynasty, (5752/1992).

Y HILLULA DE’TDE’TZADDIKAZADDIKA Z WHAT’S BEHIND YAHRZEIT MEANINGS & CUSTOMS When a tzaddik passes away and leaves this world, his soul ascends on high; she rises up above and is closer to those supernal worlds surrounding the Throne of Glory, and then Hashem announces and calls to Yaakov Avinu, “My beloved son, you suffered because of your children and now Ploni ben Ploni, this tzaddik whose name is So-and-so, has come to this world. The neshama is adorned with many jeweled decorations and bedecked and bedazzled with his Torah study and mitzvos which he fulfilled as well as his good deeds and actions. It is proper and fitting that you go out to greet him with joy and happiness and say Shalom to him, and I Myself and My glory will come with you and greet him with a shining countenance with

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Torah and awe and reverence” as it says Tehillim (24:6) Those who seek your face, Yaakov Selah , it does not say mevakesh , singular but rather mevakshay in plural which connotes Hashem and Yaakov Avinu as well. And who sees them go out and does not join them? So many myriads of flocks of angels join the throngs of greeters and well-wishers and they each depart through their gate, and the souls of other tzaddikim see the gates open and they open their mouths and declare “Shalom, peace be upon you and Shalom to your Torah , and happy and praiseworthy are you, and happy and praised are those that gave birth to you, come to your chamber and enter. Beautiful canopies are ready for you." And on that day they announce on High in all the heavens that only the Torah and novel chiddushim which this tzaddik studied and originated and taught during his lifetime, only that should be studied. They recite his chiddushim as one recites the kesubah at a marriage under the canopy of the chupah before a bride and groom on the day of their chasuna (Kav HaYashar 79).

Y GEDOLIM BE’MASAYHEM Z STORIES & ANECDOTES Rav Simcha Zissel ZivZiv,,,, 888ththth of Av The Alter of Kelm Of the three leading students of Rav I know differently now?; and (3) One's Yisrael Salanter, founder of the mussar study should always include stripping away movement, Rav Simcha Zissel was the one the veneer and getting to the essence of the who Rav Yisrael expected to carry on the topic. movement. Rav Simcha Zissel devoted his Rav Simcha Zissel taught that the entire adult life to Rav Yisrael's teachings. whole world is a classroom where one can Though he never held any official position, learn to improve his character and increase when he was offered the rabbinate of St. his belief in Hashem . Such study was not Petersburg, he recommended his friend limited to books or to Torah sources. Of Rav Yitzchak Blazer instead. His students course, worthwhile lessons do not come included many of the mussar greats of the merely from observation. Rather, intense next generation: Rav Nosson Zvi Finkel of reflection is required. Also, one must Slobodka, Rav Yosef Yoizel Horowitz of realize that this study never ends. This is Novardok, Rav Aharon Bakst, Rav Reuven why Torah scholars are called Talmidei Dessler (whose son authored the classic Chachomim (students of wise men). Rav Michtav M'Eliyohu ), Rav Nachum Ziv, and Simcha Zissel used to quote Socrates, who Rav Hirsch Broida. said that true wisdom is knowing that one The historian, Rav Dov Katz, doesn't know. summarized Rav Simcha Zissel's approach Rav Simcha Zissel was very sickly to mussar (character improvement) as his whole life. Therefore, much of his consisting of three guiding principles: (1) teaching was through letters that he wrote One should become emotionally involved to his students, rather than in person. (He in his studies, whether joyful or sad; (2) also encouraged his followers to establish One should ask himself after everything he groups to strengthen each other and review learns, what did I think before, and what do his teachings.) Only a small portion of his 11
Devarim / [email protected] written legacy has been published (based actions and had discovered that he never on T’nuat HaMussar ). made even the slightest movement without www.breslev.co.il/articles/breslevpedia/rabbi_simcha_zissel_ziv.as first having thought about it. The Alter did px?id=1289&language=english nothing without forethought. He didn’t open an eye or move his little finger without a reason or without preparation. No Movement Without Reason Everything was calculated, befitting the level of an earlier generation. Wondrous stories circulated in Kelm about the amazing degree of control that “‘So,’ Rav Doniel concluded, ‘how the Alter had over his every limb and over can we imagine that we are capable of each of his senses. Rav Yeruchom would fathoming someone who didn’t move his extol this ability, describing how every little finger without thinking about it first?’ movement that the Alter made was the ” result of forethought. Even the movements Among Rav Yeruchom’s discourses, of his eyes were carefully controlled. we find the following comments on this For example, the Alter never let his subject: gaze wander sideways. When he needed to “The Alter of Kelm explained the look at something that was to one side of meaning of the terms kallus rosh him, he turned his whole body in that (irreverence) and koved rosh (decorum) as direction and looked at it straight on. being simple translations. Kallus rosh , he Generally in Kelm, turning one’s head to said, is exactly that: having a light head, the side, unless it was for a very good while koved rosh is also just that: having a reason, was considered something to be heavy head. A person whose head is full of ashamed of. wisdom doesn’t turn it sideways and he Rav Nosson Wachtfogel, who was doesn’t laugh readily. When looking at a mashgiach in Lakewood, related the layabout, however, one sees what he’s like following: in a moment. From the way he moves it’s clear that he isn’t weighed down with any “My teacher, Rav Doniel kind of content. His head is quite simply Movshovitz, who was one of the leaders of light. At every rumor and every slight noise, the Kelm Talmud Torah, never refrained his head wags” ( Da’as Torah , cheilek III, from discussing any topic that cropped up, 117). even when there was a widely held preconceived view on the matter . . . Whatever the subject, Rav Doniel would The Alter : A Brief Biography examine and argue and would try to establish the truth. Yet, when the Despite the fact that there is scarcely discussion turned to some aspect of the a Yeshiva bochur or seminary graduate Alter ’s conduct or outlook, he would annul who has not heard of the Alter of Kelm, his own opinion and would stake his very relatively few know much about him, for soul in order to fathom the Alter ’s thinking. example, what his family name was. He toiled in order to comprehend the Alter , Rav Simcha Zissel was born in 5584 whom he considered to be someone that it (1824) in Kelm. His father, Rav Yisrael, was imperative to understand. belonged to the well-known Lithuanian “When asked to explain his special Broide family. His mother, Chaya, was approach to the Alter ’s conduct, Rav Doniel descended from Rav Tzvi Ashkenazi, said that his great admiration for him arose author of Shu”t Chacham Tzvi . after he had monitored his movements and Rav Simcha Zissel married Chaya

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Leah, daughter of Rav Mordechai of Vidzh, There was a main study hall, smaller rooms a small town adjacent to Kelm. Following for shiurim , a dining room and his marriage, he traveled to Kovno, where dormitories. he studied Torah and mussar under his Five years later, the Alter had to foremost mentor, Rav Yisrael Salanter, in return to Kelm. This time, the move was Rav Tzvi Neviezer’s Beis Medrash. Rav dictated by his failing health, which began Yisrael later sent him to Zagor, to reinforce to deteriorate in 5641 (1881), and which the Beis HaMussar that had been opened necessitated his spending long periods in there. For a time, he delivered shiurim in his home, which was in Kelm. Bochurim the town of Kretinga. from the town and the surrounding areas After he had spent almost a year in gathered around him and the town once St. Petersburg, then the largest city in again became a mussar center. Czarist Russia, the communal leaders From his home in Kelm, the Alter brought Rav Simcha Zissel a signed continued operating the Talmud Torah in document of appointment as their Rav. He Grobin, where he put his distinguished son, was unwilling to accept a rabbinical Rav Nochum Zev Ziv, in charge. However, position, however, and he proposed his running the institution from a distance friend, with whom he had learned in proved too difficult and Rav Simcha Zissel Kovno, Rav Yitzchok Blaser, for the decided to close the Yeshiva. He sent a position. member of his family to consult Rav Yisrael When he was almost forty years old, Salanter who was then in Germany. Rav Simcha Zissel resolved to open the Rav Yisrael dismissed the idea out of Talmud Torah of Kelm. The Haskola was hand and the Talmud Torah remained open gaining ground everywhere and there was a in Grobin until 5646 (1886). In that year, real danger of mass defection from the state of the Alter ’s health almost religious life in Lithuania where, just fifty collapsed and his doctors warned him that years earlier, the Gaon of Vilna and his there was real danger to his life if he immediate disciples had lived and worked. continued making the supreme effort that The Talmud Torah opened in the continued running of the institution in approximately 5622 (1862) and it attracted Grobin demanded. The Alter was young students, thirteen and fourteen years instructed to rest a lot and to go for walks. old. The Alter wanted to shape the At this point, he was forced to close the personalities of his students and develop Talmud Torah in Grobin. both their Torah knowledge and their With the closure of Grobin, the focus progress in mussar so that they would be of his work shifted back to Kelm, which able to resist the harsh spiritual winds that now reassumed its former prominence. The were then blowing. Alter established a group that was known Some ten years later, in 5632 (1872), as Devek Tov , comprised of his foremost he purchased a plot of land upon which he talmidim . He shared a special relationship erected a building for the Talmud Torah. with the group’s members, and he worked However, just a few short years later, in on writing out his discourses for them, 5636 (1876), trouble began when the which demanded more strength than he institution was denounced to the had. authorities, which began to watch it closely A number of his talmidim settled in and to hound it. The Alter decided to open Eretz Yisrael in 5652 (1892), opening the elsewhere, in Grobin, in the Kurland Beis HaMussar in Yerushalayim, under the province. He arranged for the purchase of a Alte r’s aegis and with his support. Several fine building, situated in a spacious yard. 13
Devarim / [email protected] years later, in 5657 (1897), the famous wisdom from him in the proportion that a Yeshivas Or Chodosh was opened in talmid receives from his teacher, as Chotzer Strauss in the Old City. The opposed to one who receives only a little. It Yeshiva was headed by the Rav of is impossible to call the one the Rebbe and Yerushalayim, Rav Yosef Chaim the other his talmid , for there is a great gap Sonnenfeld. between them.” The Alter passed away on Erev {By Tzvi Munk-Shema YYisrael Network - Tisha B’Av 5758 (1898), shortly after Matzav.com Newscenter} having recited the morning Krias Shema . He was niftar while in the middle of Ezras Avoseinu , bringing the first glorious Alter Of Kelm - The Torah Is Yekkish chapter of the history of Kelm mussar to a And The Hadas Is A Shoteh close. The Alter of Kelm, Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv (Broide) was zealous about punctuality and order. This is one of the Why Was He Called “The Alter”? things that clearly marked a talmid from The source of the title Der Alter , by Kelm. Rav Chaim Zaitchek says which most people refer to Rav Simcha (HaMeoros HaGedolim ) that we see this Zissel, is not generally known. One of the over and over in the Torah. A moment in Talmud Torah’s best-known talmidim , Rav time marks the difference between Shabbos Chatzkel Levenstein, once explained the and Chol (weekday), between Skila (the name’s significance: death penalty of stoning) and life. The The Alter of Kelm didn’t feel worthy width of a hair makes all the difference in of being considered a talmid of Rav Yisrael rendering an animal kosher or treif . One Salanter, despite the fact that the latter was step separated between the Machaneh universally regarded as having been his Levia and Machaneh Shechina , which had main Rebbe. Rav Simcha Zissel was of the life-threatening implications. A Kohen opinion that only someone who has could not do a Levi's job and a Levi could acquired Torah from his Rebbe can be not do a Kohen 's. Order and exactness is a counted as a talmid . Although he esteemed pattern that is seen throughout the Torah. Rav Yisrael highly, he felt that so long as he The Alter of Kelm once commented did not adopt his Rebbe’s conduct as his that a Hadas must have each row of three own and try to follow in his path in at least leaves coming out from the same exact some small degree, he should not regard place on the branch. If two leaves come out himself as his talmid . Out of respect, Rav from the same place but the third comes Simcha Zissel would refer to Rav Yisrael as out just above the other two, it is not called Der Alter , meaning “the Elder”. a Hadas Posul but rather a Hadas Shoteh . Eventually, Rav Simcha Zissel’s own Step out of line and you are not posul , you talmidim started referring to him by this are an absolute fool! name. Far from Kelm, the town’s name was www.revach.net/daas-torah/pearls-of-wisdom/Alter-Of-Kelm-The- added. Torah-Is-Yekkish-And-The-Hadas-Is-A-Shoteh/4658 The Alter himself writes: “Not everyone who listens to a great man can be called his talmid , as I heard about Rav The Alter Of Kelm Pays A Heavy Chaim [of Volozhin], who said that he Price With A Smile could not be called a talmid of the Gaon. Rav Simcha Zissel and another This is because a talmid is one who receives famous Rav were traveling together when

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Devarim / [email protected] they came across an inn. The proprietor of worried about stealing, since you ate and the inn came running out excitedly, did not pay?" Surprised, he reminded the screaming, "The great Rabbonim are here!" Alter that she refused to let them pay and She led them into the inn and that the honor was her payment. prepared for them a hearty meal. During "True" said the Alter , "but if you the meal she sat with them and recounted noticed, she was flattered by all the to them in great detail about how her fruits attention she received while telling her were blossoming and the calves were stories. This was her payment. You, by not growing, as well as the welfare of her ducks listening, did not pay anything!" ( Holchei and chickens and her onion and potato Nesivos - Rav Yitzchok Ovadia) harvest. Surely the Alter of Kelm who was The other Rav did not pay much Kulo Torah would have gladly paid the attention to her idle chatter and looked into price of the meal in order to learn, as did a sefer as she spoke. The Alter of Kelm on his companion. What he did not trade for the other hand paid careful attention and the opportunity to learn a blatt Gemara, interjected from time to time with was the chance to make another Jew feel questions and comments. important. For him, that was worth the When they were about to leave and precious time that he spent listening to offered to pay, the hostess refused their farm life from another Jew. payment, saying that it was a great honor www.revach.net/avodah/ahavas-yisroel/The-Alter-Of-Kelm-Pays-A- for her to serve them. After they left, the Heavy-Price-With-A-Smile/3858 Alter asked his companion, "Are you not

Rav Yaakov YitzchokYitzchok,, 999ththth of AvAvAv The Heilige Chozeh or Holy Seer of Lublin Rav Yaakov Yitzchok, the Chozeh of Lublin, thousands of Chassidim flocked to Lublin, is one of the truly beloved figures of him to savor his teachings and to be Chassidus . He merited the title of Chozeh , warmed by his saintly presence. Among his which means “seer”. The Chozeh was able ardent followers were such Chassidic to look into the future. He could see, it was luminaries as Rav Ya’akov Yitzchok said, from one end of the world to the (HaYehudi HaKodosh ), Rav Simcha Bunim other. He could see events taking place far of Peshis’cha, Rav Meir of Apta, Rav Dovid away from where he was sitting. On the day of Lelov, Rav Moshe Teitelbaum of Ujhel, he left the world (9 th of Av ), he prophesied Rav Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, Rav Naftoli of that a hundred years from that day, the Ropshitz, Rav Klonymos Kalman of Cracow Russians would lose their rule over Poland. (Ma’or VaShemesh ), Rav Sholom of Belz, And so it was to the date: on July 20, 1915 and many others. (9th of Av ), the Austrians conquered His writings are contained in three Lublin, and the Chozeh ’s prophecy was books: Divrei Emes , Zos Zikaron and noted in the Polish newspapers. Zikaron Zos . A talmid of the Maggid of Mezritch, www.breslev.co.il/articles/breslevpedia/reb_yaakov_yitzchak_the_ he continued his studies under Reb chozeh_of_lublin.aspx?id=1175&language=english Shmelke of Nikolsburg and Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk. After he moved from Lanzut to

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The One That Nearly Got Away left the kitchen, knew nothing of this By Rav Shlomo Yosef Zevin unobtrusive sign. Rav Yaakov Yitzchok was visiting At the Shabbos table, Zalmanyu Mezritch for the first time. He was still a watched the waiters closely, and sure very young man, not yet renowned as the enough, the marked piece was being served Chozeh of Lublin, and his intention was to to some stranger who was seated next to study at the feet of Rav Dov Ber, the the newcomer. But no sooner did he take it Maggid of Mezritch. up than he was overcome by a feverish As soon as he arrived, on a Friday trembling, and was unable to eat. He afternoon, he went straight into the kitchen pushed his plate aside – right in front of and told those who were busy cooking the the newcomer, who duly ate it. Shabbos meals: “I am accustomed to And that is how Zalmanyu removed personally taking some part in the all doubts as to the stature of his new preparation of the fish that I am to eat on colleague. Shabbos . With your permission, I would Reproduced from A Treasury of Chassidic Tales by Rav S. Y. Zevin, like to maintain that custom today too.” with permission of the copyright holders, ArtScroll /Mesorah He then took up a piece of fish, Publications, Ltd. salted it, put it down, and went on his way. www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2220676/jewish/The-One- The talmidim of the Maggid who had That-Nearly-Got-Away.htm watched this little incident were somewhat surprised, and asked each other: “What makes this young man think that precisely The Clock of the Chozeh this piece of fish is going to be served to In one of his travels, Chassidic him? Obviously, it will be mixed up among master, Rav Dov Ber of Radoshitz, all the other pieces. They are all being happened to stay the night at a wayside cooked together, and it will all be divided inn. In the morning, he sought out the up and served by the waiters to the various innkeeper. people who will be sitting at the Rebbe ’s table!” “The clock,” he asked excitedly, “the clock you have hanging in my room – And so they dismissed the where is it from? Where did you get that newcomer’s action as bizarre, or worse: wonderful clock?” pretentious. Now, one of these talmidim was “Why,” said the surprised innkeeper, a young man known “it’s quite an ordinary clock. There are affectionately by his hundreds like it hanging in homes colleagues as throughout the country.” Zalmanyu – the same “No, no,” insisted Rav Dov Ber. who was later to “This is no ordinary clock. You must find become famous as Rav out for me where this clock comes from.” Schneur Zalman of If only to humor his guest, the Liadi, the mechaber of innkeeper made some inquiries, which the Tanya . This young yielded the information that this clock had man tied a short piece of thread to that once belonged to the famed “Seer of chunk of fish, in order to be able to trace it Lublin”, Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Horowitz. An – as is done with certain other species of heir of the “Seer” had been forced by migratory fish – to its precise destination at poverty to sell all his possessions, and so the table. The newcomer, of course, having the clock had passed from owner to owner

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Devarim / [email protected] until it came to hang in one of the particularly distraught. After all, Chassidic guestrooms of the inn. tradition attaches great significance to this “Of course!” exclaimed Rav Dov Ber humble dish. They tried to secure some upon hearing the clock’s history. “This onions by every means they could think of, clock could only have belonged to the but to no avail. Someone even managed to Chozeh of Lublin. Only the Chozeh ’s clock plod his way through the snowdrifts to a could mark time in such a manner! few of the local farmers, but they didn’t have any onions either. “Your standard clock,” he explained to his host, “strikes such a mournful tone. On Friday morning, one of the ‘Another hour of your life has passed you leading talmidim of the Seer, Rav Naftoli of by,’ it says. ‘You are now one hour closer to Ropshitz, rose early as usual to make his the grave.’ But this clock proclaims: way to the Rebbe ’s shul and pour out his ‘Another hour of golus (exile) has gone by. heart in tefilla to the Creator. On his way You are now one hour closer to the coming home he passed through the marketplace, of Moshiach and the Ge’ula ...’ where he unexpectedly came upon a peasant farmer with a sack filled with “All through the night,” concluded onions! Rav Dov Ber, “whenever this clock sounded the hour, I leaped from my bed and danced “Wow!” said Rav Naftoli to himself, for joy.” struck by a bold idea. “This is exactly the www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/63473/jewish/The- opportunity I’ve been waiting for! Boruch Clock.htm Hashem !” He approached the gentile and offered to buy the entire sack. The farmer well knew the value of his precious merchandise, and had been looking The Onion Plot forward to making a tidy profit. He wasn’t By Rav Yerachmiel Tilles going to compromise now. No wholesale Blizzards and storm winds had discounts! He stated an outrageously high pounded Lublin and the surrounding price. To his great surprise, Rav Naftoli countryside for several weeks. The roads instantly agreed and handed him the were piled so high with snow that no one money. was able to go anywhere. This meant that But that wasn’t the end of the the farmers were unable to reach the city surprises. “I’d like to buy your fur coat and with their produce, and food supplies were hat too,” Rav Naftoli added. The farmer dwindling rapidly. couldn’t believe his ears. Astonished, he Many items were completely refused. How could he possibly return lacking, such as onions. There weren’t even home in the freezing cold without his coat any onions to use in the tasty foods and hat? But the wad of bills in his prepared in honor of Shabbos . This fact customer’s outthrust hand argued constituted a near-tragedy, because in persuasively, and the second deal was also Lublin the mixture of chopped eggs and quickly struck. Rav Naftoli strode home onions, known in Yiddish as eiyer-un-tzibl , with his sack of onions and unusual new was considered a nearly indispensable items of apparel. ingredient of the holy day. The Jews of Later that day, a farmer appeared Lublin could remember occasions when outside the Seer’s door. He was clothed in there was no meat, or no fish, but whoever furs, peasant-style, with a huge hat heard of being without onions? covering his forehead and upper face, and The household of the famous with boots covered in mud. In the language Tzaddik , the Seer of Lublin, was and intonation of a gentile farmer he called 17
Devarim / [email protected] out, “Onions! Onions for sale!” the reason at once. “How much do you Chassidim came pouring from every want for your onions?” he queried the direction. Everyone wanted onions in farmer. honor of the holy Shabbos . They crowded “One moment. Not so fast,” the around the onion seller, attempting to peasant replied coarsely, holding up his bargain with him. He refused to budge hand as if to ward off the Rebbe ’s offer. from his price. Then, suddenly, he “I’m frozen stiff. I need a proper drink to announced that he was stopping for the warm me up.” day. No more onions! It was clear that he didn’t have in The Chassidim pleaded with him. mind a cup of tea. The Seer instructed his “But we still have to get some for the attendant to serve the man some whiskey, Rebbe . He is a great, holy man. Blessings and a brimming shot glass was quickly set will shower upon you, if only you will allow down in front of the farmer. us to buy onions for him.” “That’s all?” cried out the farmer, as “If he is as special as you say, I’ll sell if insulted. “Just this little cup?” to him,” rejoined the farmer, “but only if I “Give him the whole bottle, and let can sell them to the holy man directly, in him do as he likes,” said the Rebbe , turning person, face-to-face.” away. The Chassidim were shaken. How Now the onion seller seemed could they bring such an unrefined mortally offended. “What! You think I’m a character to the Rebbe ? After a few drunkard?” he shouted angrily. “I’ll show moments of confusion, they realized they you! I’ll go home. I won’t sell you had no choice. A gala delegation led the anything!” He tied up the sack and fastened onion-laden peasant to the Seer’s house. his garments, as if preparing to leave. When they came in, the Seer was The Chassidim hurriedly attempted busy polishing his unique kiddush cup, as to soothe him, anxiously muttering words he did every Friday before Shabbos . This of appeasement. Finally he calmed down. was an extraordinary chalice, exquisitely Then he smirked. “I’ll tell you what,” he crafted of pure gold, with intricate offered. “I’ll sell you my onions if, and only engravings depicting famous sites in the if, you fill this goblet with whiskey for me to Holy Land such as the Western Wall, the drink.” He pointed at the Rebbe ’s golden Tower of David and the Mount of Olives. cup shining on the table. Many rumors surrounded this The Chassidim drew back, aghast. kiddush cup and its history. It was said that From this holy kiddush cup, which no one the Seer had inherited it from one of the dared touch except the Tzaddik , this great Chassidic masters of the previous uncircumcised, drunken peasant should generation, and whoever was privileged to imbibe his crude booze? They offered him make a blessing over its contents and drink other cups and glasses, bigger ones, singly from it benefited infinitely. Not that this and in combination, but he was stubborn. merit was easy to come by. The Seer did not “Only from this one, like I told you. allow anyone else to use it, or even touch it. Otherwise I go home.” The whole week it stood in a locked They tried again to dissuade him, cabinet, until Friday, when he would polish but nothing worked. He simply refused to it until it glistened and sparkled on the budge. With trembling hands and heavy white Shabbos tablecloth. heart, the Seer himself filled the precious When his Chassidim brought in the vessel with the coarse fluid and, with a gentile with his sack, the Seer understood helpless shrug, presented it to the farmer. 18
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The latter lifted it with his right hand, more so than his usual Friday night squeezed his eyes shut, and with great dveikus . His body was present but his mind concentration and intensity called out, and spirit seemed worlds away. “Boruch atah… shehakol nihya bidvaro .” Suddenly in the midst of this, the Everyone was struck speechless. Chozeh began to sing a beautiful, Only the Seer, after a quick stare, realized otherworldly tune that no one recognized. what had taken place. A broad smile spread The Chassidim around him bent over to across his face. “ L’chaim, Rav Naftoli! You listen and their hearts melted from the are so clever; it must be that you deserve to sweetness of this tune. The Chozeh then drink from this cup. L’chaim !” finished singing and slowly came to, www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1399/jewish/The-Onion- regaining his consciousness. Plot.htm At that point his close talmid , Rav Naftoli of Ropshitz, asked him what had happened. The Chozeh said, “During the Biographical notes: Seudas Shabbos , my dveikus carried me to worlds far away. Suddenly, I heard the Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Horowitz singing of Malochim in the Pamalya Shel (1745–1815), known as the “Seer of Lublin,” Maala . Tens of thousands of Malochim was the successor to Rebbe Reb Elimelech were singing LoKeil Asher Shovas in a tune of Lizhensk (1717–1787), and a major so sweet that a mere mortal cannot fathom. personality in the spread of the Chassidic I stayed there and listened. The visions that movement throughout Poland. I saw and the sounds that I heard brought His talmid , Rav Naftoli of Ropshitz me to state of dveikus that I almost could (who was born on the very day of the Ba’al not come back. Shem Tov ’s passing, 6 th of Sivan 1760, and “Suddenly an old man approached passed away in 1827), became the Rebbe of me and screamed at me, ‘Have you many thousands of Chassidim . He was forgotten that you still haven’t said Bircas noted for his sharp wit and humor, and his HaMozon ?’ At that point I immediately elusive, shining aphorisms. awoke and I started Bircas HaMozon . This Note: We sing this Niggun as I niggun that you heard me sing is the learned it from the Sulitza Rebbe and he niggun I heard from the Malochim . told me this same story: Until today this heavenly niggu n can still be heard in the shuls of Ropshitz and Sanz. And everyone who hears it feels the Chozeh The Of Lublin and the Story pure heavenly spirit that hovers over it. LoKeil Asher Behind the Sanzer www.revach.net/shabbos/zemiros/The-Chozeh-Of-Lublin-The- Shovas Story-Behind-The-Sanzer-LaKeil-Asher-Shavas/4618 The descendants of Ropshitz and Sanz sing a special tune to the tefilla in Bircas Kerias Shema , LoKeil Asher The Old Harp Shovas . This niggun came from the Chozeh of Lublin and the sefer Otzar HaChaim The famed Chozeh of Lublin would brings the following story regarding its sometimes interrupt his tefillos to take a origin. pinch of tobacco. One of his talmidim noticed that and found it disrepectful. So One Friday night at his tisch , the the Chozeh told the following story: Chozeh of Lublin had his eyes closed and appeared to be in a different world, even A king heard an old harp player in the street and summoned him to the 19
Devarim / [email protected] palace. There he played and the king loved past. The next morning, the servants in the his melodies, but it was annoying that the house wanted to send him on his way due old man had to interrupt his songs to his strong odor. The Rebbe said to them, frequently to tune his rickety instrument. “Don’t wake him; let him sleep until he When the king made a remark about that, wakes up on his own. Hashem provided me the harpist answered him: with the opportunity for hachnossas “Your Majesty, I’m sure that my orchim , and you want to ruin it and snatch lord, the king, has lavishly outfitted it away from me?” ( Nifle’os Harebbi , chamber orchestras with new expensive Siman 90). instruments. But if it pleases my lord the king to listen to the tunes of an old man, His Majesty will have to put up with the Empty Bottles on a Window Ledge limitations and peculiarities of my art and By Rav Yerachmiel Tilles of my tools.” The year was 1814. Moshiach fever The Chassid understood. was in the air! The evil Napoleon had been By: Shoshannah Brombacher - defeated and imprisoned. Rav Levi www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/278839/jewish/The-Old- Yitzchok of Berditchev had passed away a Harp.htm few years earlier, and beforehand he had sworn that he would give the righteous in Heaven no peace and would refuse to enter The Chozeh of Lublin Takes Matters Gan Eden until the coming of Moshiach into His Own Hands was decreed. The Yid HaKodosh of Peshis’cha had also recently passed away, Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Horowitz, the just months before. The Chassidim knew it Chozeh of Lublin, kept an open house. He was so he could be their advocate in the himself served his guests, who were from upper worlds at this crucial time. all walks of life. One day a poor man came to the house and the Rebbe served him a The Chozeh of Lublin lived meal. When the guest had finished his constantly in a state of expecting Moshiach . meal, the Rebbe cleared the table and Now, he decided, had come the time for the brought the empty plate and utensils into final effort. He engaged in special tefillos , the kitchen. The poor man was astounded meditations and unifications of the Holy and said, “ Rabbeinu , I understand that the Name, and linked his endeavors with those Rebbe occupies himself with hachnossas of another great Rebbe and his close friend orchim in order to fulfill the mitzva . But from Yeshiva days, the great Maggid of why does the Rebbe clear the table himself? Kozhnitz, and two of their talmidim , the Doesn’t the Rebbe have gabboim in the Maor VaShemesh and Rav Naftoli Hertz of house? Borizan. Together, the four Tzaddikim decided the propitious moment would be The Rebbe answered, “Taking out on Simchas Torah , when all Jews would be the shovel and the pan from the Kodesh in a state of merit, after passing through Kodoshim on Yom Kippur was also the Days of Awe and Judgment. honorable avoda for the Kohen Godol .” “When we have a good Simchas On another occasion, a guest arrived Torah , then we will also have a good Tisha in the middle of the night. The Chozeh b’Av ,” the Chozeh remarked…. tended to him himself, serving him a meal and preparing his bed. The guest was During the day of Shemini Atzeres , unrefined and his strong smell indicated the Chassidim made many “ L’Chaims ” that he had neglected to bathe in the recent (toasts) at the Chozeh of Lublin’s house.

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The empty bottles were lined up on the fifteen years he had lived there, he had ledge of the window in the Rav ’s room. never even once gone next to the window to “When we have a good Simchas Torah , look out. Besides, the ledge of the window then we will also have a good Tisha b’Av ,” was higher than the height of a person, and the Chozeh remarked cryptically. the empty bottles were also still standing After the hakofos on Simchas Torah there, undisturbed. night, the Chozeh told the Chassidim who They searched around the house for were in the large shul adjacent to his room several hours. Finally, one Chassid heard a that they should keep a careful eye on him. groan nearly a hundred feet (thirty meters) But everything that happens is from from the house. He approached in the dark Hashem , and it was as if the happy, and asked, “Who is there?” Back came the celebrating Chassidim were deaf; not one frightening answer, “Yaakov Yitzchok ben paid attention to the Rav ’s request. Seeing Mittel.” The Chozeh lay in a heap on the this, the Rav told his wife she should watch ground, severely injured. over him in his room. But “if Hashem is not After the immediate uproar, the guarding the city, a guard is of no use” leading Chassidim held a lottery among (Tehillim 127:1). themselves for who would hold the Unbeknownst to the Chozeh , the Tzaddik ’s feet, who his arms, and who his Maggid of Kozhnitz had passed away on head, as they carried him to the house. The Erev Sukkos . Chassid who merited holding his head saw At the house of the Maor that his lips were moving. He bent over him VaShemesh a stone was thrown, shattering and realized the Rav was murmuring the glass of the window. His reaction: “Who Tikkun Lea from the Midnight Prayer, can imagine what is happening in Lublin?” lamenting the destruction of the Bais While Rav Naftoli Hertz was dancing HaMikdosh . He looked at the clock and and singing with his followers, in the saw it was exactly 11:00 p.m., the hour that manner prescribed by the Holy Ari of the Rav personally would always start the Tzefas, a fire broke out suddenly in his Midnight Prayer. “Look how the Rav serves house. Everyone managed to run out safely, Hashem , even in such a situation,” he but one young girl was badly burned. whispered to his companions. The Rav was nowhere to be He had been called into judgment for attempting to force Heaven to allow the found…Back in Lublin, the Chozeh was Redemption… immersed in tefilla , alone in his room, with tears flowing down his cheeks. Suddenly, The Chozeh was in critical condition. the Rav ’s wife, the Rebbetzin , who had He revealed that he had been called into been standing near his door, thought she judgment for attempting to force Heaven to heard a child crying and knocking at the allow the Redemption, and it had been front door. She went to open it, but no one decreed that he be slammed to the ground. was there. When she returned to her post, Fortunately, he said, the Maggid of the Rav was nowhere to be found – neither Kozhnitz had spread his cloak and eased in his room nor anywhere else in the house. his fall; otherwise there would not have The only possibility was that he had gone been an unbroken bone in his body. That is out of the window, on his own, or...The how he became aware that the Maggid had Rebbetzin began to scream. The Chassidim passed on. “If Heaven had not prevented came running immediately. They realized me from knowing,” he said, “I would never this was no simple matter. The Rav could have started.” not have fallen or jumped – in the entire When the opponents of the Chozeh

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Devarim / [email protected] heard of the Rav ’s “accident”, they drank Tisha b’Av . wine in celebration of his demise. When the First published in Kfar Chabad Magazine from Sipurei Chassidim- Chozeh was told of this, he said, “On the Moadim , page 367–8 (not included in the English edition!) day I actually leave this world, they won’t www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/380048/jewish/Empty- even drink water.” Bottles-on-a-Window-Ledge.htm The Chozeh never recovered from his “fall”. He passed away the following RRRavRav Don Yitzchok Abarbanel (Abravanel)(Abravanel),,,, 101010 ththth of AvAvAv his brethren in other lands. As well as being a loyal and strictly When Alfonso V died and Don Joao religious Jew, Rav Don Yitzchok was a II succeeded to the throne of Portugal, Rav great scholar, Don Yitzchok’s fortune changed. In the commentator and year 5243, Don Joao II began a policy that philosopher, and played aimed at getting rid of the nobility, and an important role in particularly the ministers of state who had European history. He served his father. Rav Don Yitzchok learned was the last of the long just in time that the king had beheaded line of great Jewish several of the highest ranking officers, and leaders and heroes of that he was slated to share a similar fate. the Spanish Golden Age. He was on the way to answer the king’s call, He was born into a when, on learning what awaited him, Rav wealthy and learned Don Yitzchok fled to Toledo in Spain, family in Portugal. His father, Rav Yehuda, where his family had once lived. was state treasurer of Portugal, and a great Accompanied by his wife and two children, favorite of Alfonso V, king of Portugal. Rav Abravanel arrived in Toledo almost Don Yitzchok received a thorough Jewish penniless, as the ungrateful Don Joao had education, and took a keen interest in confiscated all his wealth. languages and philosophy. Later he Rav Don Yitzchok quietly obtained a succeeded his father in the service of the position with a Jewish banking firm, and king. was glad to have time to pursue his studies In spite of his fame and wealth, Rav and literary work. He continued his Don Yitzchok never forgot his humble commentaries on the Tanach which he had brethren, and used his vast wealth to been forced to interrupt because of the support the needy. Thus, when Alfonso pressure of state affairs. He wrote his captured the town of Arzilla in Morocco, commentaries on Yehoshua , Shoftim and and there were two hundred and fifty Jews Shmuel , but when he began his among the prisoners. Rav Don Yitzchok commentaries on the book of Melochim , appointed twelve representatives to gather his scholarship was again interrupted, funds to redeem them, and he himself was when Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain the greatest donor. When the captives were summoned him to take over the state redeemed, he supported them from his treasury, because they knew that they could own means for about two years, until they find no greater financial genius. In the very learned the language and could earn their same year when the notorious Torquemada own livelihood. Rav Don Yitzchok also used became head of the Inquisition in Spain, his great influence to better the position of Rav Don Yitzchok officially became

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Devarim / [email protected] treasurer to the king and queen, two years served both him and his son Alfonso II who before the expulsion of the Jews from succeeded to the throne in 1494. Spain. Unfortunately, Naples was captured by When that terrible decree of King Charles of France in the following expulsion (except those who would give up year, and King Alfonso II fled to Sicily. Rav their faith) became known, Rav Yitzchok Yitzchok accompanied His Majesty into tried hard to avert the catastrophe. He exile, and continued to serve him with a begged the king and queen to reconsider fatherly devotion, until the exiled king died. their cruel decree, and he offered a huge Then Rav Yitzchok left for the island of sum to the king’s treasury. The king and Corfu in the Mediterranean. queen turned a deaf ear to all his personal Having lost all his wealth to the pleas and declined his gifts of money. French conquerors, Rav Yitzchok once On the 9 th of Av, 5252 (July 30, more suffered poverty and hardship. He 1492), Rav Yitzchok and his family were on moved to Monopoli, a town in the kingdom the march with the rest of their co- of Naples, and eight years later finally religionists. The unfortunate refugees settled in Venice. It was not long before the finally reached Naples in Italy. When rulers of Venice invited him to the council Ferdinand learned that the Jews had found of state, and Rav Yitzchok became one of a haven in Naples, he urged the king of the leading statesmen of the Venetian Naples (also called Ferdinand) not to Republic. Here in Venice, Rav Yitzchok permit the refugees to remain in his land. passed away in the year 5269, at the age of The young king of Naples, however, seventy-one, deeply mourned by the Jewish ignored the protest and demands of the and non-Jewish citizens of Venice. The cruel rulers of Spain. Moreover, he invited leading rulers of Venice attended his Rav Yitzchok to the royal house and funeral, and he was laid to rest in Padua. appointed him as his adviser. Rav Yitzchok Rav Masoud Chai Roke’achRoke’ach,, 101010 ththth of AvAvAv Mechaber of Ma’aseh Roke’ach on Rambam Rav Masoud Chai Roke’ach was the local kehilla grow in Torah and mitzvos . son of Rav Aharon. He was born in Izmir, Later, Rav Masoud settled in Turkey, about 5450/1690. Livorno, Italy, where he sat on the Bais Din He learned under Rav Chaim with Rav Yaakov Lusinah and Rav Yitzchok Abulafiah in Izmir, and then under Rav Inrikis. Yitzchok HaKohen Rappaport, mechaber Rav Masoud wrote numerous of Botei Kehuna . seforim . The most famous is Ma’aseh Rav Masoud moved to Eretz Yisrael, Roke’ach , a three-volume work on the where he was known as one of Rambam ; he also wrote Divrei HaBraisa , Yerushalayim’s Torah giants. He commentaries on the five Megillos , and corresponded in halocha with Rabbonim in Chiddushei Hashem on the Gemora . Many Italy and Izmir. other works are still in manuscript form. Sent to Libya to raise funds for the Rav Masoud was niftar on the tenth community in Yerushalayim around of Av 5528/1768, in Tripoli, Libya. 5500/1740, Rav Masoud was asked to stay Zecher Tzaddik livrachah. on and serve there as Rav . During the time www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-10-avaugust-6/ he spent there, Rav Masoud helped the 23
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Rav Yitzchok Blazer (Peterburger) ,,, 111111 ththth of AvAvAv Mechaber of Pri Yitzchok and Kochvei Ohr Rav Yitzchok Blazer was born in Rav Yitzchok would become his successor. Shnipshok, near Vilna, on Rosh Chodesh Rav Yitzchok spent the last few years Adar 5597/1837. His father was Rav of his life in Yerushalayim, where Rav Shlomo. Rav Yitzchok was a child prodigy, Shmuel Salant requested his help with and when he was just fourteen, his father community affairs. published a kuntres of his chiddushim . Rav Yitzchok was niftar on the After his marriage at the age of eleventh of Av 5667/1907 at the age of fifteen, Rav Yitzchok moved to Kovno. He seventy, and was buried on Har HaZeisim . learned in the Bais Medrash of Rav Yisrael Rav Chaim Berlin related that Rav Salanter. Yitzchok left a request that no hespeidim be At twenty-five, by order of Rav delivered for him. Rav Chaim Berlin asked Yisrael, Rav Itzele, as he was fondly known, Rav Shmuel Salant if they were required to was appointed Rav of Petersburg, a abide by the humble last wishes of Rav position he held for sixteen years. He is Yitzchok Blazer, since it would be called after that city. meritorious to be maspid a person of his Subsequently, he returned to Kovno. stature. Rav Shmuel Salant ruled that In 5636/1876, Rav Yisrael Salanter had indeed they were obligated to heed his final established a kollel there; its purpose was wishes. A few days after his petira , Rav to produce Rabbonim and Dayonim by Chaim Berlin related that Rav Itzele came supporting and guiding exceptional to him in a dream and thanked him for Talmidei Chachomim. The project received honoring his request. the blessing and support of Rav Yitzchok Rav Chaim then asked Rav Itzele Elchonon Spector, Rav of Kovno. It was what issues of halocha the Bais Din Shel joined by such luminaries as Rav Naftoli Ma’ala is stringent about. Rav Itzele told Hertz (later Chief Rav of Yaffo), Rav him that a human being cannot fathom the Naftoli Amsterdam, Rav Chaim (Telzer) depth and detail of the Heavenly judgment. Rabinowitz, and Rav Yosef Yoizel Horwitz, They were particularly exacting on the the “ Alter of Novardok”, among others. purity of a person’s speech. This, coming The kollel was eventually named from a person who had mastered the art of Kollel Knesses Bais Yitzchok , in memory of silence! Rav Yitzchok Elchonon. The true glory of Rav Yitzchok wrote Pri Yitzchok on the kollel was realized under the leadership Shas and also brought to print Ohr Yisrael , of Rav Yitzchok Blazer, whose rousing the derashos in mussar of Rav Yisrael lectures were the kollel’s life force. Salanter. As one of the leading and most Zecher Tzaddik livrachah. famous talmidim of Rav Yisrael Salanter, www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-11-avaugust-7/ founder of the Mussar movement, it was to be expected that after Rav Yisrael’s petira , Rav Hillel ParitscherParitscher,,,, 111111 ththth of AvAvAv Rav Hillel of Paritsch and Malisov, his youth, he was a talmid and Chassid of was born in Khometz, Russia, in 1795. In Rav Mordechai of Chernobyl, but was

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Devarim / [email protected] drawn toward Chabad Chassidus by his to the Bais HaMikdosh . Rav Hillel had a study of Tanya and an encounter with Rav scholarly question on the subject, which he Schneur Zalman of Liadi. In 1815, he began had diligently rehearsed, in order to discuss to travel regularly to Rav Dov Ber of it with the Rebbe . Lubavitch and, after the latter’s passing, From his hiding place, Rav Hillel was a Chassid of Rav Menachem Mendel of heard the Rebbe enter the room. But before Lubavitch. Rav Hillel served as Rav in the he could make a move, he heard Rav towns of Paritsch and Babruisk. He passed Schneur Zalman exclaim: “If a young man away in Kherson in 1864. He is the has a question regarding ‘Appraisals’, he mechaber of Pelach HoRimon , a book of had best first evaluate himself!” Chassidic philosophy. The prodigy under the bed fainted on the spot. When he came to, Rav Schneur Zalman was gone… The Prodigy Under The Bed www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/42969/jewish/The- Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Prodigy-Under-The-Bed.htm Rebbe (Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com) Rav Hillel of Paritsch (1795–1864) was one of the many scholars of his day to Tailor to the Rescue join the Chabad Chassidic movement. For Rav Hillel of Paritsch was renowned many years, he was a devoted talmid of the for his punctilious observance of the second and third Rebbes of Chabad, Rav mitzvos , prepared to risk his life for the DovBer and Rav Menachem Mendel of merest detail ordained by Chazal . The Lubavitch. Czarist regime of his day decreed that all As a young man, Rav Hillel heard of Jews were to shave off their peyos , and the founder of Chabad Chassidus , Rav some unscrupulous informer told the local Schneur Zalman of Liadi, and sought to authorities that Rav Hillel’s peyos were still meet with him. But the opportunity seemed intact. They decided to shear them off by forever to elude the young prodigy: no force, but Rav Hillel covered them tightly sooner did he arrive in a town that Rav with his hands to protect them. The Schneur Zalman was visiting, than he was soldiers drew their swords and forcefully informed that the Rebbe had just left. began hitting his hands and head, causing Finally, he managed to locate Rav Schneur him to scream. His neighbor, a Jewish Zalman’s lodgings before the Rebbe was tailor who had a good relationship with the due to arrive. In order to ensure that he officers in charge, heard him and came would not, once again, somehow miss his running, and after promising them gifts, opportunity, Rav Hillel crept into Rav convinced them to leave. Grateful for his Schneur Zalman’s appointed room and hid help, Rav Hillel blessed the man, and under the bed, determined to make the promised him that “after a hundred and acquaintance of the great Rebbe at last. twenty years” he would be rewarded by In anticipation of his encounter with being buried next to him. Rav Schneur Zalman, Rav Hillel had [Rav Hillel once explained that his “armed” himself with some of his dedication to maintaining his peyos and achievements in Talmudic study. At that beard came from having seen a hand- time the young scholar was studying written essay of the Tzaddik Rav Pinchas of Maseches Erachin (Appraisals), the section Koretz, in which he wrote that adopting of the Gemora which deals with the laws of non-Jewish clothing styles and appearance how to appraise the value of one’s pledges was the fiftieth Gate of Impurity, which

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Devarim / [email protected] would have rendered the Jews unable to be who had passed away in the communal redeemed from Egypt, had they fallen one poorhouse – that such a one should be more level (into it). buried next to the Tzaddik ? Similarly, in the times preceding the It was too late, though, to change revelation of Moshiach , there will be an things: the Torah would never allow it. At endeavor to make the Jews change their least let them find out just who this clothing and appearance, and individual was. His identification papers unfortunately it will succeed. Only in the disclosed his name and that of his father, merit of those individuals who refuse to and the fact that he came from Paritsch. change their appearance even at the risk of The communal worthies of Kherson their lives will all the Jews be blessed with therefore wrote to their counterparts in the Ge’ula . Rav Hillel concluded, “Anyone Paritsch, asking to be told at least whatever who had this manuscript would of course they knew about this man. be willing to give up his life for the sake of The answer from Paritsch identified traditional Jewish dress and appearance.”] him clearly: he was a retired tailor, who Many years passed. Rav Hillel, in the had been traveling in order to live with one meantime, became Rav of Babruisk, and of his children. They added that this same would travel every year around the tailor had many long years earlier been provinces and to the cities of Kherson and promised by Rav Hillel that “after a Yekatrinoslav, teaching Torah as well to hundred and twenty years” he would be the farmers of the Jewish agricultural brought to rest next to his own resting colonies, who greatly admired him. In the place. summer of 1864, at age sixty-nine, he And so, the decades-old promise of suddenly fell ill while staying in Kherson – Rav Hillel of Paritsch came to fruition. which is very far from Babruisk and Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from Lma’an Yishme’u #78, and from Paritsch in White Russia – and was niftar Sipurei Chassidim , as translated by Uri Kaploun in A Treasury of there. Chassidic Tales (Artscroll). On the following day, amidst www.ascentofsafed.com/Stories/Stories/5772/737-16.html widespread mourning, he was brought to burial, and his talmidim and admirers flocked there for many years thereafter to Shabbos daven at the graveside of this Tzaddik . The Anguish Of Sometime later, on a bitterly cold Rav Hillel of Paritsch used to spend and stormy day, an unknown elderly a substantial part of every year traveling traveler passed away in the town’s through the towns of the southern parts of communal hostelry. The Chevra Kaddisha Russia in order to give instruction in the (Jewish Burial Society) prepared his body applied ethics of Chassidus , and to arouse and took him to be buried, intending to people to repentance wherever the need place him in the section for unknown arose. people. However, due to the fierce winter He once arrived in a town where the snow, they unknowingly buried him near Jewish tavernkeepers kept their businesses Rav Hillel. A day or two later, it was open on Shabbos . Rav Hillel was shocked noticed that the new grave had been dug to hear this, and invited them all to meet right next to the resting place of the him. When he had explained to them what illustrious Rav Hillel. When the facts came a serious matter this was, they all to light, a great hubbub arose in town: was undertook to conform to proper observance it proper that an unknown traveler whom – on one condition: that he persuade a no respectable citizen even knew, a nobody certain wealthy tavern-keeper, whose 26
Devarim / [email protected] turnover was the highest in town, to do nothing – and now, when the holy day was likewise, for otherwise they would not be over, he said these words usually uttered able to survive competition with him. The only on Shabbos ! Tzadddik thereupon sent for that man – Rav Hillel continued: “If Shabbos once, twice, three times – but the wealthy itself will no longer have cause to cry out tavern-keeper ignored the invitation. against him, then healing will come soon! Rav Hillel stayed on in the town for Go along and tell him that if he gives a Shabbos . In the morning, the wealthy solemn handshake in the presence of three tavern-keeper suddenly suffered witnesses that he will close his business on increasingly severe pains in the stomach, Shabbos , then he will be cured.” and his wife, fearing that they were brought Three Chassidim hastened to his on by the disrespect her husband had bedside to convey the Rav ’s message – and shown the Tzadddik , hastened to seek him he earnestly gave his word of honor. out, so that he should intercede on his His illness passed, and the sanctity behalf. While Rav Hillel was at the Shabbos of Shabbos in that town became something midday meal surrounded by a large noteworthy indeed. company of Chassidim , she burst into the Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the rendition in A room, and, with tears in her eyes, implored Treasury of Chassidic Tales (Artscroll), as translated by the the Rebbe to give her husband his blessing incomparable Uri Kaploun. for a speedy recovery. www.ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=269-15 The Tzaddik remained silent. His Chassidim were dismayed: “Rebbe , at least give the blessing that is NIGGUN by Rav Hillel Paritscher traditional in such cases on the holy day – ‘It is Shabbos , when one may not cry out; www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/1407 healing will come soon!’” 18/jewish/Nigun-Dveikus.htm But Rav Hillel said not a word. The This typical heartfelt melody is woman left bitterly disappointed, and her divided into three sections. The melody husband’s pains grew worse. begins with soft, moving, devotional tones, On Motzo’ei Shabbos , the Tzadddik reaches its highest spiritual degree in the was discoursing with his Chassidim at a third part, and then returns to the second table on which stood a samovar, in part. The talmid now resolved to rededicate fulfillment of the Talmudic dictum: “Hot this entire being and connection to the beverages after the departure of Shabbos Eternal, through his complete devotion to serve as a cure.” In ran the same woman, the study of Hashem ’s Torah and strict weeping and wailing, begging the Tzaddik observance of His commandments. to have pity on her husband and to daven This is one of the original for him. Lubavitcher melodies ascribed to Rav Hillel Rav Hillel simply said: “It is Paritscher, who lived more than a century Shabbos , when one may not cry out; ago. He was both a great scholar of Torah healing will come soon.” and Chassidic teachings and a composer of The Chassidim were amazed. On many Chassidic melodies. Shabbos itself the Tzaddik had said

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Rav Yeshaya Weltfried of KalischKalisch,, 121212 ththth of AAAvAvvv Rav Yeshaya was a son of Rav Rebbe , and resided in Dzunska-Walya, Avrohom Moshe of Rosphsha, a where he was commonly referred to as Rav descendant of Rav Yeshaya of Pshedborzh. Yeshaya of Walya. On his mother’s side, he was a descendant Eventually he moved to Kalisch, a less of Rav Yaakov Yitzchok, the Chozeh of primitive city, where he was the first Lublin. Chassidic Rebbe ever. The Rebbe was well- Their forebear, Rav Yeshaya of loved by his followers, stirring their souls Pshedborzh became a Chassid under the and bringing them ever closer to Hashem influence of Rav Dovid of Lelov, who with his moving tefillos . In addition to his traveled with him to the Chozeh . The own Chassidim, he was revered as well by Chozeh would refer to Rav Yeshaya as “my many Alexander Chassidim, since he was seforim shrank ”, and Rebbe and talmid the son-in-law of Rav Yechiel of Alexander. maintained a strong bond. Rav Yeshaya The Rebbe would say that when a Yid became Rav in Pshedborzh, one of the came to his court thinking that he could be ancient kehillos in Poland. After the petira helped by the Rebbe , and even spent of the Chozeh , Rav Yeshaya became a money for that purpose, then the Rebbe Rebbe , as well, as Chassidim began flocking had to do all in his power to help him. to him. He was niftar about a month before He was succeeded by his son, Rav the outbreak of World War II. A large Emanuel, who, in turn, was succeeded by number of his descendants were murdered Rav Avrohom Moshe of Rosphsha, the al kiddush Hashem , although one son, Rav father of Rav Yeshaya of Kalisch. Yechiel, had moved to Eretz Yisrael before Rav Yeshaya, carrying the illustrious the war, while another, Rav Chaim, name of his great-grandfather and survived the Holocaust, and was niftar in emulating the holy ways of his forebears, 5757/1997 in Eretz Yisrael . was from his youth a kodosh v’tohor and a Zechuso yagen aleinu. fervent oved Hashem. www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-12-avaugust-8/ He married the daughter of Rav Yechiel Danziger, the first Alexander

Rav Mordechai Banet of NikolsburgNikolsburg,,,, 131313 ththth of AvAvAv Mechaber of Parshas Mordechai and Techeiles Mordechai Rav Mordechai ben Rav Avrohom years old to his grandmother at Nikolsburg. Banet (1753–1829) was a Talmudist and There Rav Gavriel chief Rav of Moravia born at Csurgó, a Markbreiter provided small village in the county of for the tuition of the Stuhlweissenburg, Hungary. gifted child for a period of six years, and then sent him to A gifted child Ettingen, Alsace, the As Rav Banet’s parents were very Rav of which place poor and consequently unable to engage a was Rav teacher, they sent their son when only five Markbreiter’s 28
Devarim / [email protected] brother-in-law. The latter became Rav eulogized him and called him Ben Yochid Banet’s teacher, and took great delight in Le’Kudsho Berich Hu (an only child his talmid ’s wonderful development. At to Hashem), meaning that no one was his Rav Banet’s bar mitzva celebration his equal. teacher showed the guests, to their great astonishment, three of the boy’s manuscripts: a commentary on the His Works Chumash , a commentary on the Pesach Although Rav Banet’s works are Haggoda , and novellae on the Talmud . neither numerous nor exhaustive, they are From his thirteenth to his fifteenth among the classic products of Talmudic year, Rav Banet devoted himself exclusively literature in the eighteenth century. They to the study of the Tenach , with the aid of are: the Meforshim (Jewish commentaries) and • Biur Mordechai (“The of the Haggoda in Talmud and Medrash ; Commentary of Mordechai”), his strictly halachic studies he completed Vienna, 1813, a commentary on later in the Yeshiva of Rav Yosef Steinhardt Mordecai ben Hillel’s at Fürth, where he remained three years. compendium; He then went as a chover to Prague, where • Mogen Avos (“Shield of the Rav Meïr Karpeles started a private “klaus ” Fathers”), Zolkiev, 1835, a treatise for him; though Rav Yechezkel Landau (the on the thirty-nine acts prohibited Noda B’Yehuda ) conducted a large Yeshiva on Shabbos ; in the same city, a number of able • Har haMor (“Mountain of Talmudists came daily to hear Rav Banet’s Myrrh”), responsa, with allusion discourses. After staying in Prague for two to the rabbinical explanation of years, he married Rebbetzin Sora Finkel the name Mordechai as mora (nifta r 1828), the daughter of a prominent dakya (“pure myrrh”); well-to-do citizen of Nikolsburg. Here he • Parshas Mordechai (“The settled in 1773, and within a year was made Explanations of Mordechai”), Av Bais Din . Szigeth, 1889, responsa; Thirteen years later, he accepted the • Techeiles Mordechai rabbinate at Lundenburg in Moravia, which (“Mordechai’s Purple Garment”), he held for six months, when he resigned to Lemberg, 1892, halachic and become Rav at Schossberg, Hungary. His haggadic discourses. stay in his native country was short, and in All these works clearly show Rav 1789 he was appointed Rav of Nikolsburg Banet’s keenness, wide knowledge of and chief Rav of Moravia. Later on, he also rabbinical literature, and, what is more received offers from Pressburg and Cracow, important, his logical and strictly scientific but yielding to the solicitations of his method. In contrast to his friends, Rav congregation, he remained at Nikolsburg. Moshe Sofer and Rav Akiva Eiger, who He was niftar in Carlsbad on August 12, were casuists, Rav Banet avoided casuistry 1829, where he had gone for treatment. His in discussing involved halachic questions, body was buried temporarily at gaining his ends by means of a purely Lichtenstadt, near Carlsbad, but seven critical explanation and a systematic months later was permanently interred at arrangement of the matter. An excellent Nikolsburg, in accordance with his will. example of Rav Banet’s criticism is his His friend and colleague, the letter to the chief Rav of Berlin, Rav Tzvi famed Chasam Sofer , had the highest Hirsch Levin, whom he tries to convince of esteem for him. The Chasam Sofer the spuriousness of the collection of

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Devarim / [email protected] responsa Besomim Rosh . This collection especially with regard to the instruction of was published by Rav Shaul Berlin, Rav children, show the strong influence that Levin’s son, as the work of Rav Osher ben modern views had upon him. He wrote a Yechiel ( Parshas Mordechai, No. 5; catechism for religious instruction and Literaturblatt des Orients, v. 53, 55, 140). A submitted it in manuscript to the comparison of Rav Banet’s criticism on the government. To judge from the letter work with Zunz’s remarks on it (Ritus, accompanying it, Rav Banet’s views on the pages 226–228) cannot fail to excite education of the young were sensible and in admiration of Rav Banet’s method. accordance with the spirit of the time. Superiority of his Style Opposes Religious Reform Rav Banet’s works differ in other Nevertheless, Rav Banet, respects from those of his contemporaries. conscientiously opposing the new His style is clear and elegant, and his tendency, declared every reform in language is a pure Hebrew. Moreover, Rav religious observance to be wrong and Banet’s attitude toward the strict harmful. Thus, in a letter to the Orthodoxy of his friends and colleagues government concerning the introduction of was exceptional, and may be attributed to German into divine service (ib. pages 38– his knowledge of modern thought 42), he wrote in favor of the preservation of (compare his letter to Rav Tzvi Hirsch Hebrew. His attitude is significant in view Levin in Literaturblatt des Orients, v. 54). of the fact that, many years later, Rav These characteristics gave him an Zacharias Frankel used the same independent position in the struggle arguments in the convention of Rabbonim between Orthodoxy and the so-called at Frankfurt-on-the-Main, 1845; and “spirit of enlightenment”. events have proven the truth of the prophecy made by Rav Banet: that if the tefillos are said in another language, few Views on Education Jews will care to study Hebrew, and Frequently Rav Banet showed an familiarity with the Hebrew Scripture will insight lacking in his opponents. In his gradually cease. memorial to the government on the Although Rav Banet was education of Rabbonim (printed in Toldos independent in his attitude, his learning Mordechai , pages 35–37), he remarked and high character gained for him many that if the course of studies which the faithful friends among young and old. Even gymnasium demanded of candidates for all the Chassidim respected him, and Rav Dov other professions were required of a Ber, the “middle Rav ” of Chabad , speaks rabbinical candidate, the latter would be fit highly of him in a letter (as of 1906) in the for anything except the rabbinate. Still, far possession of J. L. Sossnitz of New York. from objecting to a secular education for Compare also Weiss, Zikronotai, pages 77– Rabbonim , as he was understood to do (see 81. Löw, Gesammelte Schriften, ii. 190 et seq.), he favored it; but he thought that a Rav The communities of Lichtenstadt should first of all possess sufficient and Nikolsburg contended for the honor of knowledge of rabbinical matters; and he interring his mortal remains, and the proposed that a rabbinical candidate dispute which later arose over the should devote his time chiefly to Jewish exhumation of the body was fought with subjects until his eighteenth year. His the weapons of learning, and figures in the opinions concerning the duties of a Rav , responsa literature of the time.

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it was determined that the only kappora Rav Mordechai Banet was a talmid (absolution) that he could get was by being of the famed Rav Ezekiel Landau (Noda buried next to her in the cemetery for six B’Yehuda ) and was considered the Godol months. And so it was: after six months his HaDor of his time. He was the one who holy body was removed and reinterred in gave the Chasam Sofer semicha . Rav Nikolsburg. Mordechai was the Rav in Nikolsburg and Following is the text of his matzeiva in the last years of his life, he fell sick and – denoting part of this story: moved to Lichtenstadt (near Carlsbad) for The tombstone of the legendary Rav treatments. Mordecai ben Avrohom Banet on the When he was niftar , the people in Rabbinic Hill at the Jewish cemetery in Lichtenstadt buried him quickly because Mikulov (Nikolsburg), Czech Republic. they wanted him to stay in their town. [Editor’s note: Several years ago, I When the people in Nikolsburg found out made the trip to Nikolsburg to daven at his what had happened, they caused an uproar kever . We arrived very late at night in the – until the question if they should reinter bitter cold and him came before the Chasam Sofer . In his wandered the teshuva (responsa), he ultimately gives cemetery aimlessly three reasons why it is mutar to reinter searching for his him in Nikolsburg (even though it was a kever in the near- very unpopular thing to do – because it pitch darkness. We gave the non-Jews ammunition to reinter were almost at the bodies at their own discretion). point of leaving, He also notes in his lengthy when we quickly responsa, that the people in Nikolsburg are davened to be not to be believed that Rav Mordechai zoche to say a few wanted to have his body returned – chapters of because he states that Rav Mordechai had Tehillim at his affirmed in his lifetime that whoever will kever . Within seconds, we turned to the need salvation after his petira , should just next row, and there, right in front of us, come to his kever and his tefillos will be was his kever . I can attest that there is a answered – and that incentivizes the palpable spiritual high at his kever ]. people of Nikolsburg to try to have him buried near them. However, while he was The Chasam Sofer was known to writing the responsa, the Chasam Sofer fell write his responsa very quickly without any asleep. In his dream, Rav Mordechai afterthought or regret. Once, an issue with appeared to him and told him that he did an aguna was presented to him, and as was indeed want to return to Nikolsburg – but his custom he wrote a quick response and Hashem wanted him to be buried in handed his response to his son, Rav Lichtenstadt for the following reason: Shimon, to deliver it to the Bais Din in When he was a young man, the Nikolsburg. Rav Shimon thought that since shidduch to the girl that he was to marry this was a grave and important matter, he was broken. This girl suffered would delay fulfilling his father’s errand, embarrassment due to this fact and later because perhaps his father rushed the married the Rav in Lichtenstadt. Rav response and might want to clarify or Mordechai further related that with the change it later. A few days later, the help and tefillos of the Rav of Lichtenstadt, Chasam Sofer asked his son if he had

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Devarim / [email protected] delivered the responsa. His son replied in the negative and explained his reasons. The Rav Mordechai once went away on Chasam Sofer proceeded to tell his son the summer “break” with his good friend, the following: “In every generation, Hashem Chasam Sofer , for a mere few weeks. When puts a Godol HaDor who has Siyata they returned, Rav Mordechai related to his dishmaya and the halachic responsa will son that the pair covered the complete be in accordance with Hashem ’s will. In Talmud Bavli , Talmud Yerushalmi , this generation, I was chosen for this task. Shulchon Aruch , Rambam , Ramban and Please deliver the responsa immediately.” Kisvei HaAri HaKodosh – then stopped When the lengthy responsa was himself and said to his son that he had received by Nikolsburg’s Bais Din , Rav “spoken and revealed too much already”. Mordechai Banet opened up the letter and just read the last few lines of the halachic decree. When the Bais Din questioned Rav We would like to convey our special Mordechai about why he had not read the thanks to Rav Mayer Reichberg ( ah brider ) whole p’sak din , he replied, “In reality, I and the elusive Rav D. (who refuses to be only need to see the last line, if the Chasam named publicly) for their tremendous help Sofer said muttar or ossur – and that with Rav Banet’s biography. May Hashem would be enough. However, I read a couple bless them in the zechus of these holy of the last lines because reading the ksav Tzaddikim to receive a profusion of shefa , yad (handwriting) of the Chasam Sofer brocha v’hatzlocha . brings about tremendous Yiras Shomayim .

Rav Nosson Nota ShapiraShapira,,,, 131313 ththth of Av Mechaber of Megaleh Amukos Since he merited having Torah sefer : “Every night, the Megaleh Amukos ugedula bemokom echod , both Torah and would rise at chatzos (midnight) to cry and earthly wealth, the Megaleh Amukos never lament the loss of the Bais HaMikdosh . On took wages or benefited in any way from one such night, Eliyohu HaNovi appeared the public purse. For this reason, his words to him and informed him that the same were readily accepted by all and he song that he was singing down in this fearlessly proclaimed his daas Torah , world, the malochim were singing unlike other Rabbonim who perhaps were simultaneously in the heavenly spheres afraid to jeopardize their posts and before HaKodosh Baruch Hu , ‘and since livelihoods. As his son wrote in the you are so beloved, I will reveal to you introduction to his sefer : “Money means some Heavenly secrets.’” nothing to him, just as in the days of King Of his holiness, the Divrei Chaim of Shlomo.” Sanz revealed that anyone needing a His matzeiva is engraved with a few yeshua in Cracow would go to the house of short sentences, one of them being: “They Rav Nosson Nota and give over his name or say of him that Eliyohu ( HaNovi ) spoke to the name of the person in distress. Without him face-to-face.” a word of tefilla on the Rav’s part, the Consistent with this sentence are the person was already helped just in his facts written in the introduction to his zechus .

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According to the Sar Sholom of Belz, that was perhaps even stranger than the his lifetime was a glorious era for Yidden , man himself. Confident and soft-spoken, when such great luminaries lit up the he asked to buy the empty burial plot next Jewish world. The Bach and the Turei to that of the Megaleh Amukos . Zohov were among those who led Klal “What!” the gabbai almost Yisrael at the time, their holiness radiating exploded. “The audacity to request such a to such an extent that in Heaven it was thing. Who says that you are worthy of decided that the time was ripe to bring the burial next to the greatest of greats!” final Redemption. With that, the gabbai drove the However, the Soton asked to be young man away, only to have him return a allowed one more chance to try to test the few days later with the same request. Gedolei HaDor . Begging the gabbai to have mercy on him, Initially, the Soton came to the he entreated that he sell him the plot. As Bach , telling him that he was a malach who the man continued to plead, a plan began wanted to teach him secrets of the Torah , to form in the head of the gabbai : just as the Maggid learned with the Bais The treasury of the Chevra Kaddisha Yosef . However, the father of the Bach is empty at the moment. I am already appeared to him in a dream, cautioning getting on in years while this fellow looks him to ignore this spirit. young and healthy. I’ll sell him the plot Next, the Soton went to the Megaleh and by the time he grows old and passes Amukos with the same ruse, but Rav on, I’ll have long passed away and the Nosson Nota felt immediately that this was Chevra Kaddisha will have to decide how no holy malach . Recalling signs he had to deal with the situation. learnt from Eliyohu HaNovi , he confirmed With only the four walls to witness his suspicions and drove the Soton away. the deal, a deal was made. The stranger Thus the Soton tried one Godol after paid and acquired the burial place next to another until he reached Shabsai Tzvi, who the Megaleh Amukos . too had great potential. The Soton had The satisfaction of the gabbai was, finally found his victim. Shabsai Tzvi fell however, short-lived. On that very day, the for his disguise and accepted him, leading young man passed away, suddenly and to the devastating cult that led so many mysteriously. At a loss, the gabbai of the Yidden astray and, in effect, bringing a Chevra Kaddisha weighed up the facts. third churban upon Klal Yisrael . Was it allowed at all to place an unworthy stranger next to the holy tziun ? It was not even a favor for the man himself if he did Although the conclusion to the not deserve it. Anyway, the money he paid following story is still shrouded in mystery, went to tzedoka , and nobody knew about it gives us a fraction of an insight into the the sale. He would just keep quiet and bury holiness of the Megaleh Amukos and those him somewhere else. connected to him physically and in spirit. So, the man was buried by the Following the petira of the Megaleh Chevra Kaddisha in an ordinary plot of the Amukos on the thirteenth of Av 5393 Cracow cemetery. (1623), a young stranger whom no one That night, as the gabbai lay asleep, seemed to know appeared in Cracow. the dead man appeared to him in a dream. Soon after, the gabbai of the Chevra “I made a deal with you,” he Kaddisha of Cracow was surprised to see complained, “and you have not kept your this newcomer at his door with a request 33
Devarim / [email protected] part of the deal. I am therefore summoning he was worthy of being buried next to the you to the heavenly court.” Megaleh Amukos . However, he refused to In a cold sweat, the gabbai awoke. give his name. After a few minutes, he forced himself to “According to din ,” announced the calm down and decided to try to forget the Bach , “the sale ought to be valid. However, whole thing. But night after night, the man since we have no idea who this avreich is, was haunted by the same recurring dream and perhaps he is unsuitable to be the whose truth he knew only too well. neighbor in death of our holy Rav , zt”l , in Brokenhearted and gripped with which case fear and remorse, the gabbai went to the it would be new Rav of Cracow, the Bach , and an affront hesitantly told him the whole story. to the Trembling, the gabbai waited as the kovod of holy Bach deliberated for a few moments. the “If the avreich comes to you again,” Megaleh instructed the Bach , “tell him that the Amukos to Torah is not in Shomayim and that if he honor the wants to summon you to a din Torah he sale, we should come to the head of the Bais Din of will not do Cracow on a certain date.” the job ourselves. When the dream recurred that night, Instead, we the gabbai gave over the message of the will leave open the grave of the avreich and Bach and the avreich agreed to appear in the space next to Rabbeinu . If you are Cracow’s court. worthy to be next to the Megaleh Amukos , On the agreed-upon day, a partition go over yourself to the place that you was set up in the Bais Din . Those present bought. If not, we are free of our waited with bated breath until they heard a obligations in this transaction.” rustling sound from behind the mechitza , Following the instructions of the indicating that the deceased complainant Bach , the Chevra Kaddisha opened both had arrived. The Bach stood up and places. They were shaken to discover the commanded that he present his case, and next morning that the kever of the young when he had done so, the Bach turned to man was empty, while the plot next to the the gabbai . Rav had been filled. “What do you have to say in your Understanding that the unknown defense?” spirit had been a Tzaddik nistar , but still “It is true that I sold him the plot, unaware of his name, his matzeiva was but I never had the remotest intention to engraved as follows: “Here lies the bury him there,” stammered the gabbai . “I unknown avreich , yo’id olov rei’o — his only did it because the coffers of the neighbor the Megaleh Amukos testifies to Chevra Kaddisha were empty and the man his greatness.” was so insistent. I don’t even know his His talmid – the famed Chasam name, for he refused to tell me.” Sofer – was known never to give expressive Turning back toward the partition, titles to people. However, on his Rebbe he the Bach asked the spirit to reveal his conferred the title of Malach Elokim – identity so that they could find out whether “angel of Hashem”.

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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 Devarim & The Three Weeks & Tisha B'av CHASSIDUS ON THE PARSHA

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).

- 1 of 38 - 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.

Treasures Locked And Hidden Away

In his comments to the Haftora, the Ropshitzer points out that when a person has precious treasures and valuable secrets, he locks them up using the best locks and means to prevent their theft and abuse by others. So too did Hashem take the goodness hidden within the twenty-one days of the three weeks we call Bein HaMetzorim and locked them up behind the strongest lock and barrel, hidden away within a period of time that appears on the outside to be a time of pain, mourning and sadness. The Ropshitzer says that this is hinted at in the pasuk in Tehillim 73:1, ach tov leYisrael – that ach is really good for Bnei Yisrael. Ach is spelled alef kaf, which equals twenty-one in gematria, hinting at the twenty-one days of Bein HaMetzorim, which are actually as good and joyous as the twenty-one days between Rosh HaShana and Shemini Atzeres. However, these twenty- one days are so good that Hashem locked them up and hid them away until in the future we will deserve and benefit from them.

The Ropshitzer also tells us that the month of Av is so named because Av means a merciful and loving father, alluding to the mercy a father has for his children. In addition, Av is spelled using the alef bais in order, another hint at mercy (when letters are straightforward this alludes to mercy, when backwards, to harsh judgment).

The Meraglim Caused Moshe’s Death And Prevented Him From Entering The Land

“Because of you Hashem was angered at me” (1:37).

- 2 of 38 - The Ohr HaChaim is puzzled by Moshe’s claim that Hashem was angered at him because of the incident of the spies known as the Meraglim. Where, he asks, do we find that Hashem was angry at Moshe for the incident of the Meraglim? He takes issue with the Ramban’s commentary that there was another reason for anger, since the plain flow of the pasuk indicates that this anger was because of the Meraglim.

The Ohr HaChaim explains that Hashem’s anger at Moshe was because of the Meraglim in an indirect manner. There were several events whose cause and effect created this situation. First, the Meraglim spied out the land and brought back a negative report, which caused Bnei Yisrael to sit down and cry (Bamidbar 14:1). This senseless crying in turn caused a decree that we would now cry for all subsequent generations on that very night of Tisha B’Av (Taanis 29a).

The Ohr HaChaim explains that had Moshe in fact entered Eretz Yisrael he would have built the Bais HaMikdosh and it never would have been destroyed, since no nation could have laid a hand upon it. The Medrash Tehillim 79 tells us that we rejoice over the Destruction, calling it a Mizmor leAsaf rather than a Kina, a song rather than a dirge, because we are happy that Hashem poured out His wrath and anger on a building made of sticks and stones, rather than destroying the entire Jewish people. If Moshe had entered Eretz Yisrael and built the Bais HaMikdosh it could not have been destroyed and Hashem’s anger would instead, Heaven forbid, be poured out against the Jewish people, leading to their destruction, Heaven forbid.

It was therefore Hashem’s decree because of the Meraglim that ultimately led to Moshe’s petira, preventing him from entering the land and building the Bais HaMikdosh so that it would not be eternal and could be destroyed instead of the Jewish Nation. Now we understand Moshe’s statement: “Hashem was angry at me because of you – because of the incident of the Meraglim, which led to the decree of Tisha B’Av, which led to the destruction of the Bais HaMikdosh instead of Klal Yisrael, necessitating that I be forbidden to enter Eretz Yisrael to prevent me from building an eternal, indestructible, final Bais HaMikdosh, saving Bnei Yisrael themselves from destruction. Had the incident of the Meraglim never taken place, Moshe would have entered Eretz Yisrael with Bnei Yisrael and built the eternal Bais HaMikdosh, but because of the Meraglim there was evil and sin and the Bais HaMikdosh would be destroyed.

We might ask, Wasn’t Moshe prevented from entering the land due to the incident at Mei Meriva (“Waters of Strife”) when he struck the rock? The Ohr HaChaim explains that had Moshe sanctified Hashem’s name, Bnei Yisrael would have overcome the sin of the

- 3 of 38 - Meraglim. However, the incident of Mei Meriva lacked Kiddush Hashem. Had Moshe done what he was supposed to do, Bnei Yisrael’s purity would have reached such a high level that it would even have surpassed the level they were on before the Meraglim. Then the oath preventing Moshe from entering the land would have been anulled and Moshe would have come into Eretz Yisrael and built the eternal Bais HaMikdosh.

Where Are You? Hashem Searches For Us As We Search For Him In Golus

The heilige Ropshitzer cites the Medrash Eicha 1:1 that three nevi’im (prophets) all prophesied using the term Eicha. They were: Moshe, Yeshaya and Yirmiya. The Zera Kodesh points out that in the Medrash Bereishis Rabba (19:9) Chazal tell us that Hashem hinted regarding the Churban (Destruction) even to Odom HoRishon, when Hashem called him (Bereishis 3:9) asking Odom, “Ayeka – Where are you?” Ayeka is spelled exactly the same as Eicha, the lamentation over the Destruction. [The Medrash tells us that Hashem also lamented over Odom’s sin using Eicha.]

Says the Ropshitzer, Hashem is calling to each one of us, “Ayeka – Where are you? Hashem is searching for us, as it says in Hoshea 9:10 “like grapes in the desert I found Yisrael.” Then Hashem will find us, so to speak, and rejoice with us, since we searched for Him during the Golus, and we ask, “Ayei mekom kevodo – Where is His place of glory?” In the future Hashem will find us and we will find Him. Then we will be reunited and declare (Yeshaya 25:9), “This is Hashem, the One we were hoping for!”

Moshe, Yeshaya and Yirmiya all prophesied with Eicha, each saying a different pasuk of lamentation: Eicha esa, Eicha hoyisa and Eicha yoshva. The acrostic formed by the initial letters of each word following Eicha spells the roshei teivos Ayei – Where are You, Hashem? This hints at our search as we seek Hashem, saying, “Where is the place of Your glory?” Then Hashem seeks and asks where we are, just as He asked Odom HoRishon, “Where are you?”

The Ropshitzer seeks to understand the concept of reward and punishment. First, he points out that the two seem to be self-contradictory. Hashem is called ne’eman leshalem sochor (faithful to pay reward) (see, for example, Bamidbar Rabba 10:1) and yet He is also known as ne’eman lifroa (faithful to collect) (see Avos DeRabbi Nosson 16:5). How do we resolve this seeming contradiction?

- 4 of 38 - Furthermore, if we posit that Hashem created the world in order to reward us, it means the world was created to benefit us, so how can there be any punishment? Isn’t the very concept of punishment or collection of dues owed against the concept of a world created for our benefit?

Since the world was created for Bnei Yisrael, anyone standing in their way or seeking to harm them will be and should be punished, and that is only right. However, this does not explain why we, Bnei Yisrael, ever get punished. The Zera Kodesh answers that what appears to be a punishment is actually a benefit for us. This is similar to a parent who punishes his child out of love for the child and care for his well-being and growth, as it says (Devorim 8:5), “Just as a parent disciplines his child, so does Hashem your G-d discipline you”. And the pasuk also rejoices over such disciplinary measure when it says (Tehillim 94:12), “Happy is the man whom Hashem disciplines”. This is the primary good. In the future, says the Ropshitzer, all hidden benefits and good will be revealed and all the things Hashem did to us in Golus will be understood and seen as invaluable.

When the nations of the world observe that even in Golus we have not forsaken Hashem, they too admit that we deserve only good. This is how the Ropshitzer understands the pasuk in Eicha (1:3): “All her pursuers caught up to her between the straits” – that during the three weeks known as Bein HaMetzorim, even our enemies recognize that we are a holy nation that never forsakes Hashem. This is why Hashem can simultaneously be faithful to reward and faithful to collect dues. Both stem from the desire to benefit us; the concept of reward and punishment are then two ways that achieve the same result: to get us closer to Hashem and attach to Him in dveikus.

Ayn Od Milvado

THE FAMOUS SEGULA FROM NEFESH HACHAIM of AYN OD MILVADO “There is a great inyan and wondrous Segulah to remove and cancel any judgments from you and to sway the will of others so that they cannot control you and have no effect on you at all whatsoever.

When you establish this idea and make its place in your heart permanent and say to yourself that “Hashem is the only true real G-d and there is none besides Him and no other force or power in this world or any other realm at all – Ayn Od Milvado Yisborach Shemo shum koach ba’olam vekol haolamos kelal,” everything is filled only with His oneness and simple unity. If you nullify yourself in your heart completely and pay no

- 5 of 38 - attention at all to any other force or power or will in this world, and subjugate yourself and attach your pure thought and mind only unto the Master of the World blessed is He, then He shall grant you success and fulfill your needs and all other external forces shall be cancelled and nullified and they shall be unable to act or do anything to you at all. (Nefesh HaChaim Sha’ar 3 Chap 12)

The Nefesh HaChaim discusses a Gemara regarding a woman who wished to take the dust from the feet of Rabi Chanina to perform witchcraft and kill him. Rabi Chanina granted her permission, for he was confident that he had enough merits that she would not succeed. The Gemara asks: How could Rabi Chanina not be frightened of this power of evil? Rabi Chanina knew: “Ein od milvado—There is none other than He.” The forces of impurity don’t harbor power of their own. Hashem is the One Who gave them the ability to override the forces of nature, but without Hashem, they are helpless. Thus, Rabi Chanina believed with singularity of thought that nothing other than Hashem possesses any power at all. Therefore, he was sure that the witchcraft would not overcome him.

Story Rav Shapira related how when the Griz HaLevi Soloveitchik came before the draft board and he was worried that he would be drafted into army service his father Rav Chaim ordered him to use this segula from the Nefesh haChaim. He also told in the name of Brisker Rav that one he escaped from Warsaw during the second World War and the Nazi may their names be blotted had already conquered half Poland, and all the ways and roads were swarming with the Nazi murderers he constantly concentrated on this segula non stop. When for one moment he had a momentary lapse of concentration, a wicked Nazi attacked them, immediately he resumed his focus on the segula of the Nefesh HaChaim and they were saved. (YALKUT LEKACH TOV DEVARIM 4:35) Stories on the Parsha & The Three Weeks & Tisha B'Av

The Chozeh's Bed

- 6 of 38 - 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 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,

- 7 of 38 - “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)

Reb Simchah Zissel married Chaya Leah, daughter of R’ Mordechai of Vidzh, a small town adjacent to Kelm. Following his marriage Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv Broide Alter of Kelm (Av 8) he travelled to Kovno, where he studied Torah and mussar under his foremost mentor, HaRav Yisroel Salanter zt’l, in R’ Tzvi Neviezer’s beis Born one of the three hamedrash. HaRav Yisroel later sent him to תקפ"ט foremost talmidim of HaRav Yisroel Salanter Zagor, to reinforce the beis hamussar that had been opened there. For a time, he Reb Simchah Zissel was born in 5584 (1824) in delivered shiurim in the town of Kretinga. Kelm. His father, R’ Yisroel, belonged to the well-known Lithuanian Broide family. His After he had spent almost a year in St. mother, Chaya, was descended from HaRav Petersburg, then the largest city in Czarist Tzvi Ashkenazi zt’l, author of ShUT Chacham Russia, the communal leaders brought Reb Tzvi.

- 8 of 38 - Simchah Zissel a signed document ofFive years later, the Alter had to return to appointment as their rov. He was unwilling to Kelm. This time, the move was dictated by his accept a rabbinical position however, and he failing health, which began to deteriorate in proposed his friend, with whom he had learned 5641 (1881), and which necessitated his together in Kovno, HaRav Yitzchokspending long periods in his home, which was Blaser zt’l, for the position. in Kelm. Bochurim from the town and the surrounding areas gathered around him and When he was almost forty years old, Reb the town once again became a mussar center. Simcha Zissel resolved upon opening his great endeavor, the Talmud Torah Fromof his home in Kelm, the Alter continued Kelm. Haskoloh was gaining groundoperating the Talmud Torah in Grobin, where everywhere and there was a real danger of he put his distinguished son, Reb Nochum Zev mass defection from religious life in Lithuania Ziv zt’l, in charge. However, running the where, just fifty years earlier, the Gaon of Vilna institution from a distance proved too difficult and his immediate disciples had lived and and Reb Simchah Zissel decided to close the worked. yeshiva. He sent a member of his family to consult HaRav Yisroel Salanter who was then in The Talmud Torah opened in approximately Germany. 5622 (1862) and it attracted young students, thirteen and fourteen year olds. The Alter HaRav Yisroel dismissed the idea out of hand wanted to shape the personalities of hisand the Talmud Torah remained open in Grobin students and develop both their Torahuntil 5646 (1886). In that year, the state of the knowledge and their progress in mussar so that Alter’s health almost collapsed and his doctors they would be able to resist the harsh spiritual warned him that there was real danger to his winds that were then blowing. life if he continued making the supreme effort that the continued running of the institution in Some ten years later, in 5632 (1872), he Grobin demanded. The Alter was instructed to purchased a plot of land upon which he erected rest a lot and to go for walks. At this point, he a building for the Talmud Torah. However, just was forced to close the Talmud Torah in a few short years later, in 5636 (1876), trouble Grobin. began when the institution was denounced to the authorities, who began to watch it closely With the closure of Grobin, the focus of his and to hound it. The Alter decided to open work shifted back to Kelm, which now elsewhere, in Grobin in the Kurland province. reassumed its former prominence. The Alter He arranged for the purchase of a fine building, established a group that was known as Devek situated in a spacious yard. There was a main Tov, comprised of his foremost talmidim. He study hall, smaller rooms for shiurim, a dining shared a special relationship with the group’s room and dormitories. members, and he worked on writing out his

- 9 of 38 - discourses for them, which demanded more served as National Director of Pirchei Agudas strength than he had. Yisroel, as well as Head Counselor of Camp Agudah. In 1946, Reb Meilech was sent by Rav A number of his talmidim settled in Eretz Hutner to a new yeshiva in the Crown Heights Yisroel in 5652 (1892), opening the beis neighborhood which was searching for a hamussar in Yerushalayim, under the Alter’s principal. At the time, the yeshiva consisted of aegis and with his support. Several years later, 10 kindergartners, two teachers and, now, a in 5657 (1897), the famous Yeshivas Orprincipal. From this humble beginning grew the Chodosh was opened in Chotzer Strauss in the renowned Yeshiva of Eastern Parkway. Old City. The yeshiva was headed by the rov of Throughout the next 25 years, Reb Meilech Yerushalayim, HaRav Yosef Chaimbuilt the yeshiva into a dynamic force in Torah Sonnenfeld zt’l. education. Today, Yeshiva Zichron Meilech, under the leadership of Rav Chaim Leib The Alter passed away on erev Tisha B’Av 5758 Epstein, takes its name from Reb Meilech and (1898), shortly after having recited thestrives to continue in his path. morning Krias Shema. He was niftar while in the middle of Ezras avoseinu, bringing the first glorious chapter of the history of Kelm mussar to a close. Rav Chanoch Henich Dov Zilberfarb Koidenover Rebbe (Av 8)

Harav Chanoch Henoch Dov Zilberfarb was Rav Meilich Silber (Av 8) born in Koidenov in 5650/1890. His father was Harav Meshulam Zalman Yosef of Toporow, the Rav Meilech Silber, menahel of the Yeshiva of son-in-law of Harav Aharon of Koidenov. Eastern Parkway (1970). Born in Nuremberg, Germany, his lifetime of serving his fellow Jews Harav Meshulam Zalman was famed for began at the age of 7: Rav Avrohom Yitzchok his avodas Hashem, to such a degree that the Klein, leader of the Adas Yisroel community in Alter of Slabodka, Harav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, Nuremberg, would send him on secret missions used to send bachurim to Koidenov to see how in the early morning hours, going to the houses he recited Krias Shema and davened. Reb of poor families, leaving an envelope full of Meshulam Zalman stamped his feet so hard money on the step, knocking on the door, and in hislahavus that the wooden floor where he then running away as fast as he could. With the stood had to be periodically replaced. It took advent of World War II, the Silber family moved him two hours to recite Kiddush Levanah, even to America, settling in the Bronx. He learned at in the freezing cold of mid-winter. different periods in RJJ, Torah Vodaas and Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin. He also Reb Meshulam Zalman was appointed Rebbe

- 10 of 38 - after his father-in-law was niftar on 26 Elul After entering his sukkah, Reb Chanoch 5657/1897. Henoch seized the person’s hand and said to him, “Listen carefully, I’m not going to lie in Reb Chanoch Henoch married the daughter of the sukkah. Believe me that I never say Birkas Harav Mordechai Yosef Moshe Moskowitz of HaTorah without seeing the letters of the sefer Sulitza. Torah before my eyes.”

After the petirah of his father-in-law, on 11 But, despite his blindness, his memory did not Sivan 5689/1929, Reb Chanoch Henoch was fail him, and he was able to recite appointed Rebbe in his stead in Butashan, many Gemaras by heart without making a Romania. In no time he became one of that mistake. country’s most famed Rebbes. Reb Chanoch Henoch was niftar on 8 Av During World War II, thousands of Romanian 5738/1988, at the age of 87. Jews were banished to work camps; those who remained in towns needed a special permit. To Zechuso yagen aleinu. shelter someone without such a permit put one at risk of being banished oneself. Despite this hamodia.com danger, Reb Chanoch Henoch sheltered dozens of illegal refugees in the spacious cellar of his home throughout the war years supplying not only their physical needs but providing spiritual Rav Shlomo Zalman Levi Rav of Zlotchov succor and comfort as well. (Av 8)

In 5708/1948, Reb Chanoch Henoch leftRav Shlomo Zalman Levi was the oldest son of Communist Romania, moved to Eretz Yisrael Rav Avrohom Levi. He was named for his and re-established his court, opening a beis paternal grandfather, Rav Shlomo Zalman, who medrash in Tel Aviv. His arrival was cause for was niftar when Rav Avrohom was still young. much joy amongst the Koidenov Chassidim in His brothers were Rav Nachum of Shadik the country. (Shadika), who later lived in Yerushalayim; Rav Asher Lemel of Galin; Rav Yaakov Yehuda of Even though Reb Chanoch Henoch was totally Sleshin; and Rav Yisrael. blind during the last 20 years of his life, he would always stare into the sefer Torah before Rav Shlomo Zalman was born in Warsaw during saying Birkas haTorah as if he werethe time that his father learned there with Rav scrutinizing its words. One Sukkos someone Shlomo Zalman Lifshitz, the Chemdas Shlomo. asked him the reason for this strange custom. Later, Rav Avrohom returned to his native Posen.

- 11 of 38 - Rav Shlomo Zalman married the daughter of Rav Shlomo Zalman left manuscripts of Rav Chaim Nachum Margulies, the son-in-law chiddushim on many masechtos, but they were of Rav Ephraim Segal, Rav of Kviel. His zivug not printed. Some of his chiddushim are quoted sheini was the daughter of Rav Binyomin Wolf in other seforim. Traube, Rav of Kalish. Rav Shlomo Zalman had one son-in-law, Rav Rav Shlomo Zalman was appointedRav in Michoel Dov Weingott, Rav in Loivitch and Zlotchov, near Kalish. mechaber of Agudas Ezov Midbari.

An outstanding masmid, he also secretly did Zecher tzaddik livrachah many acts of tzedaka and chessed. www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-8-avau Rav Shlomo Zalman was considered to have gust-4/ Ruach HaKodesh. It is related that one time, Rav Shimon Agassi (Av 8) during his shiur in his Yeshiva in Zlotchov, a group of six doves landed on the window of the Rav Menachem Brody (Rav of Kaliv, Bais Medrash; one flew away. Rav Shlomo Be'er Menachem) (Av 8) Zalman instructed the talmidim to continue to Rav Boruch Mordechai Frankel of learn on their own, while he himself set out to Kleinwardein (Av 8) gather his brothers and travel to the home of Rav Michoel Glucklich of Nanash their sister in Kletshev who had passed away. (R'Michoel Nanasher) (Av 8) They arrived just in time for the kevura. When Rav Yehuda Halevi of Ragoza (Av 8) asked how he had known, Rav Shlomo Zalman Rav Shmuel Luvtzar (Olas Shmuel) (Av replied that the six doves on the window 8) corresponded to his family — five brothers and Dr. Leo (Shmuel) Deutsclander (Av 8) one sister — and when one bird flew away, he understood that his sister had passed on.

Another time, after a shiur, Rav Shlomo Zalman Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Halevi Horowitz instructed one of thebochurim to recite Chozeh m'Lublin (Av 9) Kaddish. Then he told the bochur to return home, and the bochur found that his mother had passed away. When asked how he knew, Rav Shlomo Zalman replied that his eyes saw further than the eyes of other people.

Rav Shlomo Zalman was niftar on the eighth of Av 5591/1831, during a cholera outbreak.

- 12 of 38 - Son of Rav Avraham Eliezer and Sprintza Matil Rabbah 18:62, Niflaos HaRebbe 163) approximately). He was raised in the After the Maggid’s passing on 19 Kislev, Rav) תק''ז Born home of his maternal grandfather, Rav Yaakov Yaakov Yitzchok returned to study under the Kopel Likover. Rebbe Shmelka. He moved from Shinova to Nikoslberg where he studied under Rav Levi At age 14 he studied in Rav Tzvi Hirsch Yitzchok of Berditchev until he moved from Meiselish’s yeshiva in Zolkava where he studied Zelichov to Pinsk. There, he studied under the together with the Rav’s son Rav Avigdor Rebbe Reb Meilech of Lizensk. Meislish --who later serve as AvBeisDin Bilgoria-- and their friendship lasted their The Chozeh of Lublin was known to say "I set entire lives. aside a specific time every day in order to give thanks to Hashem for sending down to this From Zolkova he left for Rav Shmelkaworld the great and holy neshama (soul) of the Nikolsberger’s yeshiva which was at the time in Rebbe Levi Yitzchak." (Tiferes Shlomo Ki Savo, Shinova. The Chozeh became a favorite pupil Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 4:45) and it was here that he acquired a great amount of wisdom and most of his skills in His Children: learning. Rav Yisroel of Lublin 19 Tammuz; Rav Yosef of Two stories regarding his time in yeshivah are Turtshin (p. 110 Encyclopedia of Chassidus no date given); Rav תקמ''ב-תקע''ח related below in the section of stories. 1782-1818 Avraham; Rav Tzvi Hirsch; Meir Sholom HIS MARRIAGE His son-in-law Rav Shmuel of Reisha, who He married Tehillah Sprintza the daughter of married his daughter Sarah Tzirel Rav Hirsch of Lanczut.

After she passed away, the Chozeh used the method known as sheilos chalom (a dream Rav Yitzchok Yosef Zilber (Av 9) quest) where he asked a question and was answered in his dream. With this method, he Rabbi Yitzchak Zilber, a Russian-speaking came to wed his second wife. This second Rabbi and halachic authority, founded the marriage was to Baila, the daughter of Rav Russian-speaking religious community in Eretz Meir of Mast, a descendant of the Pnei Yisrael. Yehoshua. He sent Rav Naphtali Ropshitzer and Shimon of Zelichov to complete the shidduch. Rav Yitzchok Zilber, native of Kazan, Russia (Ramasayim Tzofim on Tanna Dvei Eliyahu descends from a distinguished family

- 13 of 38 - of rabbanim. put her candles on the table because up until a few minutes before Shabbat, Rav Zilber was Rav Zilber was born months before the Russian performing brit milas there. Revolution in 1917. His father refused to allow him to attend the local anti-religious school and Rav Zilber was also moser nefesh to help instead taught him at home. Russian women receive gittin. He went to great lengths, searching for missing husbands all By the time he was 15, Rav Zilber was over the world. giving shiurim throughout the city, despite the fact that it was against the law. His brilliance He died a few hours before Tisha B'Av 5764 helped him gain admittance to university, (2004). The fast notwithstanding, a huge where he trained as a mathematics professor. number of people gathered for his funeral which turned into a mourning for the After World War II, Rav Zilber was imprisoned destroyed Temple. in Stalin's gulag, where, despite the inhuman conditions, he managed with great mesirat His cause is countinued by his children and nefesh to remain Shomer Shabbat. talmidim. His only son – Rav Ben Tzion Zilber – took up the place of his late father as the leader After he was released, he went back to Kazan. of Toldot Yeshurun. His daughter – Rebbetzin There he refused to let his children go to school Chava Kuperman – is leading various programs on Shabbat, and the KGB wanted to take his for women. children away from him. He fled to Tashkent and, in 1972, he moved to Israel. By then, he breslev.co.il had completed Shas several times. Even his son Ben Tzion, the present leader of Toldot Yeshurun, was able to learn half of Shas by heart while growing up under Soviet Rav Moshe Dovid Lida (Av 9) persecution.

Rav Moshe Dovid Lida was born in 5540/1780. Once in Eretz Yisroel, Rav Zilber was shocked He was a grandson and namesake of Rav at what he found - people everywhere were Moshe Lida, Rav of Amsterdam, noted mekubol being mechalel Shabbat. He recalled how when and author of several seforim. he first arrived in Yerushalayim, there wasn' t a single baal tshuva among Russian immigrants. From his youth, he was noted for his intense tefilla and Avodas Hashem. He worked to reverse this trend by reaching out to the local Russian population. There were Rav Moshe Dovid traveled to the court of the times on Friday night when his wife could not Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk, and became

- 14 of 38 - his devoted Chassid. After the petira of the Many of his Torah thoughts and talks were Rebbe Reb Elimelech, Rav Moshe Dovid compiled and published as Sefer Migdal Dovid. became the Chassid of the Chozeh of Lublin. He was also a Chassid of the Yid HaKodosh of Zechuso yagen aleinu. Pshis'cha. www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-9-avau The Chozeh would send many young Chassidim gust-5/ to learn from the ways and teaching of Rav Moshe Dovid. Among his talmidim were Rav Yitzchok of Vorka; Rav Klonimus Kalman, the Ma’or VaShemesh; and Rav Meir of Apta, the Rav Dovid Chavilio (Av 9) Or LaShamayim.

A chassid and mekubal, a disciple of Rav Later, Rav Moshe Dovid was appointed Rav in Binyamin and Rav Meir HaLevi from whom he Weisslitz, near Krakow. Although the town was learned the kabbalah and secrets of the hidden small, it became famous due to theTzaddik Torah. who resided there.

According to the Chida, Rav Duvid merited Rav Moshe Dovid was noted for his emotional kedusha and very lofty levels such that he had a tefillos and for histzedaka works. Many heavenly teacher in the former of an angelic traveled to him to receive his berachos, which maggid. were known to work wonders. he lived in Jerusalem together with his תי''ב In In the summer of 5588/1828, Rav Moshe Dovid mentors and rebbes, however, due to the riots traveled to the resort city Altendorf, in and pogroms they fled Eretz Yisroel. Rav Dovid Hungary, where he suddenly passed away on left for Turkey were he passed away on Tisha the night of Tishah B’Av, at the age of just B’Av, 9 Av 1661 in Izmir. תכ''א forty-eight. It has been noted that he thus shares the same yahrzeit as his Rebbe, the Chozeh of Lublin. His son Rav Yehuda Chavilio was also a great chacham and Torah scholar

Rav Moshe Dovid was buried there, and his Rav Amram ben Diwan (Av 9) kever became a noted place of tefilla. Rav Dovid Forkes (Av 9)

His son was Rav Chaim, while his son-in-law, Rav Yaakov Yitzchok (Zos Zikoron) (Av 9) Rav Aryeh Leibish of Zhelichov, succeeded him as Rav in Weisslitz. Rav Yitzchok Zekil Halevi Shpitz Pollack (Av Beis Din of Banihad) (Av 9)

- 15 of 38 - Rav Yitzchok Nissim (Rishon L'Tzion) in Yerushalayim around 5500/1740, Rav (Av 9) Masoud was asked to stay on and serve there as Rav. During the time he spent there, Rav Masoud helped the local kehilla grow in Torah and mitzvos. Rav Shimon Ziat (Av 10) Later, Rav Masoud settled in Livorno, Italy,

Rav Shimon Ziat, one of the rabbonim of the where he sat on the Bais Din with Rav Yaakov Aram Tzova (Aleppo) community in Eretz Israel Lusinah and Rav Yitzchok Inrikis. (1905-2000). When he was very young, his father passed away and, at the age of 14, he Rav Masoud wrote numerous seforim. The most fled to Mexico City due to the hunger which famous is Ma’aseh Roke’ach, a three-volume prevailed in Syria after the First World War. work on the Rambam; he also wrote Divrei His mentor was the mekubal Rav Mordechai HaBraisa, commentaries on the five Megillos, Attias. In 1961, he moved to Eretz Yisrael with and Chiddushei Hashem on the Gemora. Many his entire family, settling in Bnei Brak where other works are still in manuscript form. his sons founded Torah institutions and taught Torah. Rav Masoud was niftar on the tenth of Av 5528/1768, in Tripoli, Libya.

Zecher Tzaddik livrachah

Rav Masoud Chai Rokeach Ma'aseh Rokeach (Av 10) hamodia.com

Rav Menachem Ibn Zerach (Tzeido Rav Masoud Chai Roke’ach was the son of Rav Laderech) (Av 10) Aharon. He was born in Izmir, Turkey, about Yissocher ben Yaakov Ovinu (Av 10) 5450/1690. Rav Aharon Yosef Shmuel Segal (Av Beis Din of Trenshin) (Av 10) He learned under Rav Chaim Abulafiah in Rav Don Yitzchok Abarbanel (Ateres Izmir, and then under Rav YitzchokHaKohen Zekeinim) (Av 10) Rappaport, mechaber of Botei Kehuna.

Rav Masoud moved to Eretz Yisrael, where he was known as one of Yerushalayim’sTorah giants. He corresponded inhalocha with Rabbonim in Italy and Izmir.

Sent to Libya to raise funds for the community

- 16 of 38 - as Chief Rabbi of St. Petersburg at a time when it was the capital of Russia , a position he took at the behest of his Rebbe Rav Yisrael Salanter Rav Yitzchak Blazer Rav Itzele Peterburger, Kochvei Or (Av 11) at age 25, which he held for 16 years.

Subsequently he returned to Kovno taking over the kollel that his rebbe Rav Yisrael Salanter founded there in 5636; Thekollel was eventually named Kollel Knesses Bais Yitzchak.

He spent the last 3 years of his life in Yerushalayim where, together with Rav Shmuel Salant, zt”l they took care of the community's many needs. Rav Yitzchak passed away on 11 Menachem Av 5667 - 1907 at the age of 70 and was laid to rest on Har HaZeisim. When the gaon Rav Chaim Berlin, asked Rav Shmuel Salant, if they were required to bound by Rav Yitzchak's request, that no hespedim or eulogies be delivered, Rav Shmuel Salant ruled that they were obligated to follow his final wishes. A few days after Rav Yitzchak Blazer's passing, Rav Chaim Berlin dreamed that Rav Itzele came to him and thanked him for honoring his request.

Rav Hillel Halevi of Paritsh Reb Hillel Paritsher, Pelach Harimon (Av 11)

Author of Pri Yitzchak, Ohr Yisrael and Kochvei Ohr. Rav Itzele was born in Shnipishok, near Vilna, on Rosh Chodesh Adar 5597. He was an important leader of the early Mussar movement and one of the leading disciples of Rav Yisrael Salanter. He married at the age of 15, and Rav Hillel was known as a tzadik and half a moved to Kovno. He is also sometimes referred rebbe! Rav Hillel was born in Khmilnyk, to as Rav Itzele Peterburger due to his position Ukraine, and grew up in Chemtz (in the vicinity

- 17 of 38 - of Minsk). He was a talmid of the Alter Rebbe, near Vilna, on Rosh Chodesh Adar 5597/1837. Rav Shneur Zalman the founder of Chabad, His father was Rav Shlomo. Rav Yitzchok was a through studying Tanya, and later a disciple of child prodigy, and when he was just fourteen, his son Rav DovBer the Mittler as well as his his father published akuntres of his successor the Tzemach Tzedek. He served as chiddushim. the Rav of Paritch (Parwich), near Minsk, Russia, and Bobroisk, Belarus. He authored After his marriage at the age of fifteen, Rav Chassidic teachings on Chumash printed and Yitzchok moved to Kovno. He learned in the published as Pelech HaRimon. See Bereishis Bais Medrash of Rav Yisrael Salanter. here https://www.hebrewbooks.org/21290, VaYikra At twenty-five, by orderhere of Rav Yisrael, Rav https://www.hebrewbooks.org/16006 and Shir Itzele, as he was fondly known, was appointed haShirim Rav of Petersburg,here a position he held for https://www.hebrewbooks.org/15637. sixteen years. He is called after that city.

And a collection of his teachings was published Subsequently, he returned to Kovno. In as Imrei5636/1876, RavNoam Yisrael Salanter had https://www.hebrewbooks.org/21952 established a kollel there; its purpose was to produce Rabbonim and Dayonim by supporting He also authored two perushim on Rav Dovber, and guiding exceptional Talmidei Chachomim. the Mittler's seforim, a commentary on Sha'ar The project received the blessing and support HaYichud and a commentary on Kuntres of Rav Yitzchok Elchonon Spector,Rav of HaHispa'alus Kovno. It was joined by such luminaries as Rav https://www.hebrewbooks.org/43257. Naftoli Hertz (later Chief Rav of Yaffo), Rav Naftoli Amsterdam, Rav Chaim (Telzer) You can listen to two Niggunim - Hasidic Rabinowitz, and Rav Yosef Yoizel Horwitz, the melodies composed by Rav Hillel Paritsher here “Alter of Novardok”, among others. https://www.chabad.org/multimedia/music_cdo/ aid/4771664/jewish/Nigun-Reb-Hillel- The kollel was eventually named Kollel Knesses Paritcher.htm and Bais Yitzchokhere , in memory of Rav Yitzchok https://www.chabad.org/multimedia/music_cdo/ Elchonon. The true glory of thekollel was aid/140718/jewish/Nigun-Dveikus.htm realized under the leadership of Rav Yitzchok Blazer, whose rousing lectures were the kollel’s life force.

Rav Yitzchok Blazer Kochvei Or (Av 11) As one of the leading and most famous talmidim of Rav Yisrael Salanter, founder of the Mussar movement, it was to be expected that Rav Yitzchok Blazer was born in Shnipshok,

- 18 of 38 - after Rav Yisrael’s petira, Rav Yitzchok would www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-11-ava become his successor. ugust-7/

Rav Aharon Perlow (Stoliner-Warsaw Rav Yitzchok spent the last few years of his life Rebbe) (Av 11) in Yerushalayim, where Rav Shmuel Salant requested his help with community affairs.

Rav Yitzchok was niftar on the eleventh of Av Rav Yeshaya Weltfried (Av 12) 5667/1907 at the age of seventy, and was buried on Har HaZeisim. Rav Yeshaya was a son of Rav Avrohom Moshe

Rav Chaim Berlin related that Rav Yitzchok left of Rosphsha, a descendant of Rav Yeshaya of a request that no hespeidim be delivered for Pshedborzh. On his mother’s side, he was a him. Rav Chaim Berlin asked Rav Shmuel descendant of Rav Yaakov Yitzchok, the Chozeh Salant if they were required to abide by the of Lublin. humble last wishes of Rav Yitzchok Blazer, since it would be meritorious to bemaspid a Their forebear, Rav Yeshaya of Pshedborzh person of his stature. Rav Shmuel Salant ruled became a Chassid under the influence of Rav that indeed they were obligated to heed his Dovid of Lelov, who traveled with him to the final wishes. A few days after hispetira , Rav Chozeh. The Chozeh would refer to Rav Chaim Berlin related that Rav Itzele came to Yeshaya as “my seforim shrank”, and Rebbe him in a dream and thanked him for honoring and talmid maintained a strong bond. Rav his request. Yeshaya became Rav in Pshedborzh, one of the ancient kehillos in Poland. After the petira of

Rav Chaim then asked Rav Itzele what issues of the Chozeh, Rav Yeshaya became a Rebbe, as halocha the Bais Din Shel Ma’ala is stringent well, as Chassidim began flocking to him. about. Rav Itzele told him that a human being cannot fathom the depth and detail of the He was succeeded by his son, Rav Emanuel, Heavenly judgment. They were particularly who, in turn, was succeeded by Rav Avrohom exacting on the purity of a person’s speech. Moshe of Rosphsha, the father of Rav Yeshaya This, coming from a person who had mastered of Kalisch. the art of silence! Rav Yeshaya, carrying the illustrious name of

Rav Yitzchok wrote Pri Yitzchok on Shas and his great-grandfather and emulating the holy also brought to print Ohr Yisrael, the derashos ways of his forebears, was from his youth a in mussar of Rav Yisrael Salanter. kodosh v’tohor and a fervent oved Hashem.

Zecher Tzaddik livrachah. He married the daughter of Rav Yechiel

- 19 of 38 - Danziger, the first AlexanderRebbe , and Ozband, Lithuania, to Rav Yosef Nesanael, a resided in Dzunska-Walya, where he was student of the Alter of Kelm and, for a while, commonly referred to as Rav Yeshaya of Walya. the menahel ruchani of the Telz yeshivah. As a youngster, Rav Zevulun Aryeh studied for a Eventually he moved to Kalisch, a less primitive while in Kelm, and then under Rav Eliyahu city, where he was the firstChassidic Rebbe Lopian in Telz. In 1924, he joined a group of ever. The Rebbe was well-loved by his Telz students to Eretz Yisrael to study in the followers, stirring their souls and bringing Knesses Yisrael yeshivah in Chevron, a branch them ever closer to Hashem with his moving of Slabodka. After the massacre of 1929, the tefillos. In addition to his ownChassidim, he survivors left Chevron and settled in was revered as well by many AlexanderYerushalayim. Rav Zevulun Aryeh noved back Chassidim, since he was the son-in-law of Rav to Lithuania in 1931, married, and delivered Yechiel of Alexander. shiur at Yeshivah Ohel Moshe. Later, Rav Zevulun Aryeh studied in the Kovna kollel of The Rebbe would say that when a Yid came to Rav Avraham Kahana-Shapiro, the Dvar his court thinking that he could be helped by Avraham. In 1939, when the Nazis overran the Rebbe, and even spent money for that Lithuania, Rav Zevulun Aryeh, who already purpose, then the Rebbe had to do all in his possessed Palestinian citizenship, headed back power to help him. for Eretz Yisrael. Upon arriving, he moved to Chadera, where he stayed for 10 years. Rav He was niftar about a month before the Tzvi Yehuda Meltzer, the brother-in-law of Rav outbreak of World War II. A large number of his Aharon Kotler, was Rav of Pardess Channah at descendants were murderedal kiddush that time. Opening a branch of the Kletzk Hashem, although one son, Rav Yechiel, had yeshivah in Pardess Channah, he invited Rav moved to Eretz Yisrael before the war, while Zevulun Aryeh to deliver shiurim there. When another, Rav Chaim, survived the Holocaust, Rav Tzvi Yehuda moved his yeshivah to and was niftar in 5757/1997 in Eretz Yisrael. Rechovot, he asked Rav Zevulun Aryeh to join him there, too. Every Erev Shabbos, Rav Zechuso yagen aleinu. Zevulun Aryeh would return from Rechovot to his home in Chadera for Shabbos, in an www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-12-ava armored vehicle that protected him from Arab ugust-8/ snipers.

matzav.com

Rav Aryeh Leib Katzenelenbogen (Av Rav Zevulun Aryeh Graz (Av 12) Beis Din of Brisk Lita) (Av 12)

Rav Zevulun Aryeh Graz (1904-1989). Born in

- 20 of 38 - gifted child for a period of six years, and then sent him to Ettingen, Alsace, the Rav of which place was Rav Markbreiter’s brother-in-law. Rav Mordechai Bennet Har Hamor, Rav of Nikolsburg, Magen Avos (Av 13) The latter became Rav Banet’s teacher, and took great delight in his talmid’s wonderful development. At Rav Banet’s bar mitzva celebration his teacher showed the guests, to their great astonishment, three of the boy’s manuscripts: a commentary on the Chumash, a commentary on the Pesach Haggoda, and novellae on the Talmud.

From his thirteenth to his fifteenth year, Rav Banet devoted himself exclusively to the study of the Tenach, with the aid of the Meforshim (Jewish commentaries) and of the Haggoda in Talmud and Medrash; his strictly halachic studies he completed later in the Yeshiva of Rav Yosef Steinhardt at Fürth, where he remained three years. He then went as a chover to Prague, where Rav Meïr Karpeles started a private “klaus” for him; though Rav Yechezkel Landau (the Noda B’Yehuda) conducted a large Yeshiva in the same city, a number of able Author of Parshas Mordechai and Techeiles Talmudists came daily to hear Rav Banet’s Mordechai. discourses. After staying in Prague for two years, he married Rebbetzin Sora Finkel (niftar Rav Mordechai ben Rav Avrohom Banet 1828), the daughter of a prominent well-to-do (1753–1829) was chief Rav of Moravia born at citizen of Nikolsburg. Here he settled in 1773, Csurgó, a small village in the county of and within a year was made Av Bais Din. Stuhlweissenburg, Hungary.

Thirteen years later, he accepted the rabbinate A gifted child at Lundenburg in Moravia, which he held for six months, when he resigned to become Rav at As Rav Banet’s parents were very poor and Schossberg, Hungary. His stay in his native consequently unable to engage a teacher, they country was short, and in 1789 he was sent their son when only five years old to his appointed Rav of Nikolsburg and chief Rav of grandmother at Nikolsburg. There Rav Gavriel Moravia. Later on, he also received offers from Markbreiter provided for the tuition of the

- 21 of 38 - Pressburg and Cracow, but yielding to the Sofer semicha. solicitations of his congregation, he remained at Nikolsburg. He was niftar in Carlsbad on Rav Mordechai was the Rav in Nikolsburg but August 12, 1829, where he had gone for in the last years of his life, he fell sick and treatment. His body was buried temporarily at moved to Lichtenstadt (near Carlsbad) for Lichtenstadt, near Carlsbad, but seven months treatments. later was permanently interred at Nikolsburg, in accordance with his will. When he was niftar on 13 Menachem Av, the people in Lichtenstadt buried him there quickly His friend and colleague, the famed Chasam because they wanted his merit to stay and Sofer, had the highest esteem for him. The protect their town. When the people in Chasam Sofer eulogized him and called him Nikolsburg found out what had happened, they Ben Yochid Le’Kudsho Berich Hu (an only child raised an uproar – and the question of should to Hashem), meaning that no one was his they reinter him came before the Chasam equal. Sofer. In his teshuva (responsa), he ultimately gives three reasons why it was mutar to reinter Although Rav Banet’s works are neitherhim in Nikolsburg. And so it was: after six numerous nor exhaustive, they are among the months on Zayin Adar his body was removed classic products of Talmudic literature in the and brought forth and then on Sunday 12 Adar eighteenth century. his holy body was re-interred in Nikolsburg.

Rav Banet’s works differ in other respects from those of his contemporaries. His style is clear and elegant, and his language is a pure Rav Sir Moses Montefiore (Av 13) Hebrew. Moreover, Rav Banet’s attitude toward the strict Orthodoxy of his friends and Sir Moshe (Chaim) Montefiore (1784-1885). colleagues was exceptional, and may be Born in Livorno, Italy, of Sephardic descent, he attributed to his knowledge of modern thought traced his lineage back to the exiles from the (compare his letter to Rav Tzvi Hirsch Levin in Spanish Expulsion. When he was still a young Literaturblatt des Orients, v. 54). These child his family resettled in England. Young characteristics gave him an independent Moses became a member of the London Stock position in the struggle between Orthodoxy and Exchange at a time when there were only 12 the so-called “spirit of enlightenment”. licensed Jewish brokers in all of England. In a matter of a few years he had amassed great Rav Mordechai Banet was a talmid of the wealth and had become a member of the famed Rav Yechezkel Landau (Noda B’Yehuda) London Aristocracy. In 1812, he married his and was considered the Godol HaDor of his wife Judith, whose sister was the wife of Reb time. He was the one who gave the Chasam Nathan Meyer Rothschild, one of the wealthiest

- 22 of 38 - Jews in Europe at the time. Sir MosesDamascus blamed the Jews for his eventually became the stockbroker for his disapperance and claimed that they killed the brother-in-law and as a result of theirmonk to use his blood for matzos. Prominent partnership they amassed a tremendousDamascus Jews were imprisoned and tortured. fortune. In addition, he was a partner in a large Many died and some, who could not withstand insurance company as well as a gas company the torture, “confessed” under duress to the that introduced gas lighting to many of the crime. Upon learning of it, Sir Moses traveled major cities of Europe. Sir Moses also had a to Damascus to save the country and the honor hand in building railroads and many other of the Jewish people. In 1846, Sir Moses was industrial and financial enterprises. As the invited by the Russian government to visit years passed, Moses and Judith grew together Russia in connection with its Jewish situation. in their Yiddishkeit. In 1837, Montefiore was Upon returning to London, he demanded equal appointed Sheriff of London. In the same year, rights for the Jews and stressed that it would Queen Victoria, who had recently ascended the also be an economic blessing for the country. British Throne, awarded him the honorary title Montefiore’s 100th birthday was celebrated as of Knighthood, bestowing upon him the title an official holiday in London and he was “Sir” Moses. In 1846, he was elevated to the accorded great honor by both Jew and non-Jew rank of Baron. By the time he was 41 years old, alike. The Montefiores died childless, but they Sir Moses, with his wife’s encouragement, left behind a legacy of tzedaka and chesed that decided to retire from business affairs and endures to this very day. devote the rest of his life, time and Rav Nosson Nota Shapiro (Megale considerable resources to Jewish affairs. The Amukos) (Av 13) welfare of the Jewish People became his sole business for the next 60 some years and his list Rav Yosef Greenwald (Rebbe of Pupa, Vayechi Yosef) (Av 13) of accomplishments is truly magnificent. When he was appointed as Sheriff of London, he Rav Yehuda Leib Peasch Primer of Lipsk (Av 13) specifically wrote in his contract that he would be absolved from working on Shabbos and yom Rav Yehoshua Feinberg (Av Beis Din of Averitch, Zichron Yehoshua) (Av 13) tov. He also specified that he was to be absolved from entering a Church on non-Jewish Rav Yosef Eliyohu Henkin (Menahel of Ezras Torah, Edut L'Yisroel, Perushei holidays. Even when he was traveling, he Ivra) (Av 13) almost always made sure to travel with an Rav Tzvi Hirsch Friedman of Liska (Ach entourage of at least 10 Jews to ensure that he Pri Tevuoh) (Av 14) would have a minyan. He also took one of the Rav Pinchos Eliyohu Dembitzer (Rosh many sifrei Torah that he owned along with Beis Din of Krakow, Givat Pinchos) (Av him. In 1840, a monk named Thomas14) disappeared from his home several weeks Rav Yitzchok Friedman (Bohusher before Pesach. The French Counsel inRebbe) (Av 14)

- 23 of 38 - Rav Yosef Naftali Stern (Rosh Yeshivas Pressburg in Yerushalayim) (Av 14)

Gedolim Be'Masayhem

Stories & Anecdotes

of him, he turned his whole try to establish the truth. Yet, Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv body in that direction and when the discussion turned to Broide Alter of Kelm (Av looked at it straight on. some aspect of the Alter’s 8) Generally in Kelm, turning conduct or outlook, he would one’s head to the side, unless annul his own opinion and

NO MOVEMENT WITHOUT it was for a very good reason, would stake his very soul in REASON was considered something to order to fathom the Alter’s be ashamed of. thinking. He toiled in order to Wondrous stories circulated in comprehend the Alter, whom Kelm about the amazing Rav Nosson Wachtfogel, who he considered to be someone degree of control that the was mashgiach in Lakewood, that it was imperative to Alter had over his every limb related the following: understand. and over each of his senses. Rav Yeruchom would extol this “My teacher, Rav Doniel “When asked to explain his ability, describing how every Movshovitz, who was one of special approach to the Alter’s movement that the Alter made the leaders of the Kelm conduct, Rav Doniel said that was the result of forethought. Talmud Torah, never refrained his great admiration for him Even the movements of his from discussing any topic that arose after he had monitored eyes were carefully controlled. cropped up, even when there his movements and actions was a widely heldand had discovered that he For example, the Alter never preconceived view on the never made even the slightest let his gaze wander sideways. matter . . . Whatever the movement without first having When he needed to look at subject, Rav Doniel would thought about it. The Alter did something that was to one side examine and argue and would nothing without forethought.

- 24 of 38 - He didn’t open an eye or move rumor and every slight noise, Zissel’s own talmidim started his little finger without a his head wags” (Da’as Torah, referring to him by this name. reason or without preparation. cheilek III, 117). Far from Kelm, the town’s Everything was calculated, name was added. WHY WAS HE CALLED 'THE befitting the level of an earlier ALTER'? generation. The Alter himself writes: “Not The source of the title Der everyone who listens to a “‘So,’ Rav Doniel concluded, Alter, by which most people great man can be called his ‘how can we imagine that we refer to Rav Simcha Zissel, is talmid, as I heard about Rav are capable of fathoming not generally known. One of Chaim [of Volozhin], who said someone who didn’t move his the Talmud Torah’s best- that he could not be called a little finger without thinking known talmidim, Rav Chatzkel talmid of the Gaon. This is about it first?’ ” Levenstein, once explained the because a talmid is one who name’s significance: receives wisdom from him in Among Rav Yeruchom’s the proportion that a talmid discourses, we find theThe Alter of Kelm didn’t feel receives from his teacher, as following comments on this worthy of being considered a opposed to one who receives subject: talmid of Rav Yisrael Salanter, only a little. It is impossible to despite the fact that the latter call the one the Rebbe and the “The Alter of Kelm explained was universally regarded as other his talmid, for there is a the meaning of the terms having been his main Rebbe. great gap between them.” kallus rosh (irreverence) and Rav Simcha Zissel was of the koved rosh (decorum) as being opinion that only someone who By: Tzvi Munk-Shema Yisrael simple translations. Kallus has acquired Torah from his Network ~ Matzav.com rosh, he said, is exactly that: Rebbe can be counted as a Newscenter having a light head, while talmid. Although he esteemed koved rosh is also just that: Rav Yisrael highly, he felt that Rav Yaakov Yitzchak so long as he did not adopt his having a heavy head. A person Halevi Horowitz Chozeh whose head is full of wisdom Rebbe’s conduct as his own m'Lublin (Av 9) doesn’t turn it sideways and and try to follow in his path in he doesn’t laugh readily. When at least some small degree, he THE CHOZEH'S BED looking at a layabout,should not regard himself as however, one sees what he’s his talmid. Out of respect, Rav Rav Pinchas of Ostila told how like in a moment. From the Simcha Zissel would refer to his father, Rav Yosef of Ostila, way he moves, it’s clear that Rav Yisrael as Der Alter, once learned that the Chozeh he isn’t weighed down with meaning “the Elder”. of Lublin was traveling and any kind of content. His head would be passing through is quite simply light. At every Eventually, Rav SimchaOstila and stopping there to

- 25 of 38 - rest. par! Eventually, though, Rav Rav Yosef of Ostila’s home, the Yosef convinced him to do so Rebbe of Lublin accepted, to Rav Yosef greatly wished for and he accepted thethe delight of his host. “Please, the Chozeh to visit his home proposition. And so work Rebbe, come, I have prepared and began advancebegan on theChozeh of a room and bed for you to rest preparations to host this Lublin’s new bed. up from the long tiresome important guest. He knew that trip,” and so saying, Rav Yosef the Chozeh’s custom was that The carpenter worked with a led the Chozeh to the room as soon as he arrived he would contrite, broken heart,and new bed awaiting him. lie down for a rest from his humbled at working on so lofty journey and so he wished to a task, and he himself so lowly However, no sooner did the prepare the proper bed for and unworthy of such a holy Tzaddik lie down than he this purpose. charge! “Just think what a holy jumped up and cried out, Tzaddik will be resting and “Gevald! Es shtecht mich! – Rav Yosef hired a G-d-fearing sleeping on this bed!” he kept Oy! The bed is stabbing me!” carpenter to build a new bed telling himself as he worked. When Rav Yosef heard this, he expressly for the holy Tzaddik, was greatly astonished and the Rebbe of Lublin’s visit. He Finally, the new bed was alarmed. How could this be? explained the reasons to the completed and the carpenter carpenter thus: “When the brought it before Rav Yosef. “Please, Rebbe, please relax holy Chozeh lies down on Rav Yosef was ecstatic. He and rest in my own bed.” another’s bed his holy senses outfitted the new bedApprehensively, Rav Yosef are attuned to the spiritual complete with brand new offered his own bed to the vibrations of the bed.linens, pillows, and blankets, Tzaddik. No sooner had the Sometimes if he finds fault as proper and fitting for a Chozeh of Lublin laid himself with the impression left by the Tzaddik’s saintly repose, and down on Rav Yosef Ostila’s bed’s previous occupants he then he locked up the room bed, when a sigh of will call out and yell that the where the bed was, so that no satisfaction escaped his lips, bed is painfully poking,one should enter to touch it or “Ahhh, now that’s better. Yes, prodding, and stabbing him! lie upon it even by accident. this bed is massaging all of my Therefore, I ask you, please tired limbs. I can feel the immerse yourself daily in the After a few days of waiting purity and sanctity seeping mikveh before you begin your with bated breath, the long- through me,” and to his host’s work and as you work think awaited moment of the Chozeh delight, the Chozeh was soon clean, pure thoughts.” At first of Lublin’s visit arrived! The fast asleep, resting peacefully the carpenter was fearful of Tzaddik came to Ostila, and in Rav Yosef’s own bed. performing such a delicate when he was invited to rest task; perhaps he was not up to from his wearying journey in Rav Yosef was puzzled indeed,

- 26 of 38 - so when the Chozeh awoke davened Mincha and sat down the Chozeh brushed the and had finished resting, Rav to learn before Maariv. As the scissors away, impatiently Yosef posed the question to sun set, the house grew dark. gesturing not to be disturbed. the Tzaddik. “Rebbe, I assure The Chozeh sat studying by you that I have had this bed candlelight and the wick was Rav Yosef couldn’t understand made brand new especially for too long so that the flame what was wrong. Surely the you. I had this room sealed wasn’t properly illuminating Tzaddik needed better light to and barred, under lock and the room, the table, or the study by. What could be wrong key; no one has entered and seforim that the Tzaddik was with the scissors? “Rebbe, do no one has ever used this bed studying from. not worry. These scissors before! In fact I hired a Jewish belonged to my holy father. He carpenter, a good, G-d-fearing Rav Yosef handed his holy himself trimmed the wicks man to build the bed.father’s shneitz sherel – the with these shneitz sherel!” Whatever can have gone small scissors used to trim the wrong?” candle wicks that RavThe Chozeh turned to Rav Mordechai Neshchizer himself Yosef of Ostila and explained “No no, Heaven forbid,” used to use – to his young son, his bizarre behavior. “Your answered the Tzaddik. “It’s Rav Pinchas, and asked him to holy father, Rav Mordechai of not that the bed is not kosher; quietly tiptoe into theNeshchiz, was able to trim the it most assuredly is. But every Chozeh’s room and trim the wicks with these scissors. You time I lay down I could feel the wick to better illuminate the know what it says in the holy sadness and depressionpages of the seforim on the seforim, especially in the overtake me, paining me and table. works of the Rambam, who poking me. This bed was made says that every mitzva is only by a G-d-fearing Jewish“When you see that the in order to facilitate the carpenter indeed, but he was Chozeh is not totally immersed rapture of cleaving in dveikus working on it all during the in his learning and looking to Hashem. This is why the nine days betweenRosh about himself you can hand Zohar names the 613 Chodesh Av and Tisha B’Av. As him the scissors,” he said, but commandments as good pieces he mourned the Churban, his when Rav Pinchas tried to do of advice, for they advise us dark, sad thoughts made an so, the Chozeh pushed them how to attach and cleave to impression on the bed which I away impatiently andHashem in dveikus. Now, if I cannot stand to feel!” (Nifle’os continued studying by the dim were to trim the wick of this HaRebbi p. 7 #5) light. Rav Pinchas wascandle, it would require me to terrified to have interrupted pinpoint my thoughts on that THE WAY TO CUT A WICK the Chozeh and so his father very precise act. This After the Rebbe arose from Rav Yosef approached and tzimtzum of concentration Rav Yosef Ostila’s bed, he tried the same tactic. Again would in turn interrupt my

- 27 of 38 - dveikus and disconnect me! followers,” answered Rav longing. Derech Yivchar by Because I could not allow my Menachem Mendel ofRav Chaim Betzalel Paneth of thoughts to continueRymanow, “study in depth Tash and son of the Mareh wandering the supernalhalocha and Tosfos.” Yechezkel}) Heavenly planes above, while HOW TO EAT A TEFILLA my hands absent-mindedly did “If so,” replied the Chozeh, their work with “thenno they are indeed true The Heilige Ropshizter used to supervision! Then the wick Chassidim!” (Bais Menachem daven quite quickly while the would be poorly trimmed and 5:2) Chozeh of Lublin, who was go out completely, and I would also one of the Ropshizter’s be left in the dark. I therefore Similarly, regarding the study rebbes, davened quite slow. refrained from using the of halocha and Tosfos, Rav The Ropshizter once led the scissors to trim the wick. It is Menachem Mendel ofChozeh’s minyan and as usual forbidden for me to interrupt Rymanow said that he never despite his best to keep a my dveikus to Hashem. Unlike understood the secret of the slower pace to match his me, however, your father was matter until recently, that rebbe’s he still finished able to focus and concentrate those laws and halochos quickly. Why do you daven so his thoughts withoutforgotten during the aveilus fast? Asked the Chozeh. As disconnecting his dveikus. He over Moshe (see Temura 16a) usual the Rophitzer answered could use those scissors, but I were returned to us by Osniel back with wit and jest, “If one don’t have the power to do so! ben Kenaz during the days of likes the food he gobbles it up (Nifle’os HaRebbi p. 7 #5, Sefiras HaOmer. Therefore, it quickly – (alluding to his love Bais Tzaddik p. 16) is a minhag Yisrael, which has for each and every word of the status of Torah, to study davening),” “Ahh I see,” TRUE CHASSIDIM halocha and Tosfos during replied the Chozeh, “I too like Rav Yaakov Yitzchok, the these holy days. (From the the fare, however I prefer to Chozeh of Lublin once asked letter Igeres HaKodesh of Rav savor each morsel and draw Rav Menachem Mendel of Yechezkel Paneth ofout the flavor in each Rymanow if he had any Karlsberg, originally published mouthful!” The Ropshizter, followers and Chassidim? in Shu”t Mareh Yechezkel though would not be “Yes, we do,” responded Rav Siman 104 {it is known that outsmarted or outdone his Menachem Mendel. on the thirty-fourth day of the retorted jest followed: “Rebbe Omer, the yahrzeit of Rav your food is piping hot and so “And in what way are they Menachem Mendel ofyou need to eat it slow, Chassidim?” inquired the Rymanow, they found the whereas my own . . .” (Luach Chozeh further. Divrei Chaim of SanzhaHillula) reviewing this teshuva and his “Our Chassidim, myeyes poured forth tears of

- 28 of 38 - A DISTANT RELATION Jew walk out so despondent achieved the salvation, let me and with his face so down, he just ask you one thing, tell me, Rav Elimelech Biderman approached him asking the if this wasn’t one of Naphtali’s shared the following story: matter. The Jew spilled out all tricks?!” There was once a Jew who his woes concluding with the desperately needed a yeshuah, THE ONE THAT NEARLY GOT story of his failed reminder of salvation for some personal AWAY his and the rebbe’s family ties. matter and so as was Smiling Rav Naphtali said to By Rav Shlomo Yosef Zevin customary he wrote down his the Jew, “Don’t worry I know name and his request on a slip just the thing, soon the rebbe Rav Yaakov Yitzchok was of paper known as a kvitel and will go an daven mincha, while visiting Mezritch for the first approached the reknowned he is in the midst of the time. He was still a very young tzadik the holy Chozeh or Seer afternoon prayers when he man, not yet renowned as the of Lublin. However, when he recites the first blessing of the Chozeh of Lublin, and his entered the rebbe’s inner silent amidah he will say the intention was to study at the sanctum and placed the kvitel words “G-d of our forefathers, feet of Rav Dov Ber, the before the tzadik and G-d of Avraham, G-d of Maggid of Mezritch. petitioned him for salvation to Yitzchok and G-d of Yaakov,” answer his request, the tzadik listen in and seize theAs soon as he arrived, on a remained silent. The Jew moment, as soon as the rebbe Friday afternoon, he went understood that his salvation says that, whisper back at him straight into the kitchen and must be far and distant and his own words of retort, “Nu told those who were busy difficult to achieve, therefore its just a distant relation!” cooking the Shabbos meals: “I he tried his luck another way, Surely that will work!” said am accustomed to personally he reminded the Chozeh that the Ropshitzer. The Jew did taking some part in the they were related, Rebbe what he was told and as the preparation of the fish that I please help one of your own tzadik davened when he am to eat on Shabbos. With flesh and blood! He pleaded. reached the place in the your permission, I would like The truth was that they were prayers where we remind to maintain that custom today related through being second Hashem of our zechus avos too.” and third cousins through and we mention our forefather their shared grandparents and the patriarchs the JewHe then took up a piece of so the Chozeh answered back whispered to the rebbe “Nu its fish, salted it, put it down, and “Nu it’s a distant relation.” just a distant relation!” After went on his way. The talmidim And left the matter settled. the prayers the Chozehof the Maggid who had The Jew turned away sadly approached the Jew and watched this little incident and left. Just then the delighted him by saying, “you were somewhat surprised, and Chozeh’s disciple the holy Rav have succeeded and you have asked each other: “What Naphtali of Ropshitz saw the

- 29 of 38 - makes this young man think was seated next to thewhy does the Rebbe clear the that precisely this piece of fish newcomer. But no sooner did table himself? Doesn’t the is going to be served to him? he take it up than he was Rebbe have gabboim in the Obviously, it will be mixed up overcome by a feverishhouse? among all the other pieces. trembling, and was unable to They are all being cooked eat. He pushed his plate aside The Rebbe answered, “Taking together, and it will all be – right in front of theout the shovel and the pan divided up and served by the newcomer, who duly ate it. from the Kodesh Kodoshim on waiters to the various people Yom Kippur was also who will be sitting at the And that is how Zalmanyu honorable avoda for the Kohen Rebbe’s table!” removed all doubts as to the Godol.” stature of his new colleague. And so they dismissed the On another occasion, a guest newcomer’s action as bizarre, Reproduced from A Treasury arrived in the middle of the or worse: pretentious. Now, of Chassidic Tales by Rav S. Y. night. The Chozeh tended to one of these talmidim was a Zevin, with permission of the him himself, serving him a young man knowncopyright holders, ArtScroll meal and preparing his bed. affectionately by his/Mesorah Publications, Ltd. The guest was unrefined and colleagues as Zalmanyu – the his strong smell indicated that THE CHOZEH OF LUBLIN same who was later to become he had neglected to bathe in TAKES MATTERS INTO HIS famous as Rav Schneur OWN HANDS the recent past. The next Zalman of Liadi, the mechaber morning, the servants in the Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Horowitz, of the Tanya. This young man house wanted to send him on the Chozeh of Lublin, kept an tied a short piece of thread to his way due to his strong odor. open house. He himself served that chunk of fish, in order to The Rebbe said to them, his guests, who were from all be able to trace it – as is done “Don’t wake him; let him sleep walks of life. One day a poor with certain other species of until he wakes up on his own. man came to the house and migratory fish – to its precise Hashem provided me with the the Rebbe served him a meal. destination at the table. The opportunity for hachnossas When the guest had finished newcomer, of course, having orchim, and you want to ruin it his meal, the Rebbe cleared left the kitchen, knew nothing and snatch it away from me?” the table and brought the of this unobtrusive sign. (Nifle’os Harebbi, Siman 90). empty plate and utensils into the kitchen. The poor man was IN HEAVEN THEY ALSO At the Shabbos table, astounded and said,ANSWER AMEN Zalmanyu watched the waiters “Rabbeinu, I understand that closely, and sure enough, the At that time when Rav Yaakov the Rebbe occupies himself marked piece was being Yitzchok, the Chozeh of with hachnossas orchim in served to some stranger who Lublin, was studying in the order to fulfill the mitzva. But

- 30 of 38 - yeshivah of the Rebbe Reb JUST PULL MY SLEEVE 2:3, Zikaron Tov Dveykus 2) Shemlka of Nilosberg, the The Chozeh received one HIS HOLY EYES yeshivah was located in other special appointment Shinova. Many other great From a young age he already from his rebbe, Reb Shmelka talmidim studied there as well began to accept upon himself of Nikolsberg. It was his job to such as the Berditchever Rav various customs and practices remind the rebbe if he lost his (Rav Levi Yitzchok, author of to rise in levels of holiness and dveykus. Every so often the Kedushas Levi), Rav Yisroel sanctity. By age twelve he had learning got so intense that the Kozhnitzer Maggid, Rav taken upon himself not to gaze the rebbe, Reb Shmelka was Shlomo of Keshanov, and further away than outside his worried that due to his others. immediate four cubits of concentration on the technical space. Furthermore, he began points of the sugya, he might The custom in the yeshivah wrapping his face and lose his dveykus to Hashem. was that one talmid was covering his eyes, shielding He therefore asked his prize chosen who would lead the them with a handkerchief like pupil a favor: “If it seems to recitation of Birchos a blindfold so as to safeguard you that I am so deeply HaShachar – the morning his eyes from gazing around engrossed in the learning that blessings to which the rosh unintentionally. He walked I have lost my dveykus in the yeshiva, the Rebbe Reb around in this manner for Creator, please wake me up Shmelka would respond and many years. According to and remind me immediately by answer Amen. some, this was his conduct for pulling on my sleeve.” seven long years until his Once Rav Yaakov Yitzchok eyesight dimmed. (Esser Oros And so it was that while the joined the student body, he 22 Niflaos HaRebbe 106) talmidim were engrossed was selected for this together with Rav Shmelka in prestigious position. Some of During one of Reb Zisha of a particularly deep and intense his peers were openly jealous Anipoli’s wanderings during sugya that it appeared to the of this special attention he his self-imposed exile, he Chozeh that Rav Shemlka had received. When Rav Shmelka reached Yozepaf, the home of indeed lapsed in his dveykus. observed this, he told them, Rav Avraham Eliezer However no sooner than he “Do not be jealous. I have Horowitz, the father of Rav had moved towards the Rosh chosen him to answer Amen to Yaakov Yitzchok, who would Yeshiva with intent to pull on his Birchos HaShachar grow up to become the Chozeh his sleeve the rebbe, Reb because the entire heavenly of Lublin. Shmelka recovered himself. hosts – the famalia shel He turned to the Chozeh and ma’alah answer Amen to his Rav Zisha, as was his custom, replied affectionately, “Don’t Birchos HaShachar as well!” seated himself at the very worry my son, I reminded (Eser Oros 18) back of the beis medrash near myself!” (Shemen HaTov Vol

- 31 of 38 - the stove, a place reserved for rebbe, Rav Levi Yitzchok of chose to attached Himself to beggars and wanderers. No Berditchev who onceus Bnei Yisroel forever.” sooner did the young ten-year- complained during a visit, “Did old child, Yaakov Yitzchok you ever see by us such open Rav Shmuel of Shinova in his walk by, when the holy Rebbe displays of ruach hakodesh?!” commentary, Ramasayim Reb Zisha, wrapped in his Tzofim, tells us the following tallis, turned his eyes towards “If the rebbe wishes me to related story: the young man. The tzaddik’s cease and desist he should say holy eyes locked their gaze so and I will at once stop Rav Moshe Reb Zalman once intensively upon those of the revealing things using ruach observed the holy Chozeh of Chozeh and stared deep into hakodesh.” “No, you can Lublin take a shmek tabak a his soul. continue in your way,” said the pinch of snuff in the midst of Berditchever Rav before he davening as was his custom. No sooner did their locked left. Reb Moshe disapproved of this gaze cease when the child’s practice and told the rebbe, it eyes began to tear and weep The Chozeh’s son turned to his isn’t proper to interrupt the uncontrollably for an hour or father in wonder and asked davening to do so. two until eventually, they him: “If he really would have began to trickle with tears of insisted that you stop, would The Chozeh responded with blood! When this occurred the you have stopped using ruach the following parable: Rebbe Reb Zisha healed him hakodesh to reveal things?!” and declared: “I have given There was once a great king you the nefesh and ruach of “This too did I see with my who was passing by the your holy soul; now turn to my ruach hakodesh--that he would marketplace when he brother, the Rebbe Rebnot insist and let me continue observed a poor musician who Melech, and he will give you in my way,” replied the sat playing his fiddle. The the neshamah!” From that Chozeh! (Esser Oros 6, Niflaos musician was an expert and point onwards the Chozeh’s HaRebbe 97) his beautiful playing captured soul was bound up with the king’s heart. His music HASHEM PREFERS US TO Chassidus. (Esser Oros 21, found such favor in the king’s HIS ANGELS EVEN WITH THE Ohel Elimelech 219, Niflaos INTERRUPTIONS eyes that the king appointed HaRebbe 105) him as the personal musician The Tanna Dvei Eliyahu to the royal court. RUACH HAKODESH teaches that “Hashem tied Himself to us with a knot or a The Chozeh openly revealed Every day he would enter the crown that extends from one things which demonstrated his king’s chambers and serenade end of the world to the other. ruach hakodesh. This practice the king with his beautiful He left behind the 496,000 of did not sit so well with his music. It was also a daily ritual ministering angels and instead

- 32 of 38 - that at some point the fiddle’s “So too with us,” said the Rav Dov Ber opened his eyes. strings required tuning and Chozeh. “Hashem lacks no His fever broken, he called mending. Sometimes a string thousands of angels tothose gathered around his would snap or go out of tune serenade and praise Him on bedside and urged, “Quick! in the midst of a song. High, yet still he chose us, Rush to the mikvah and save a Bnei Yisroel, with all our Jewish life! He certainly And so, the newly appointed imperfections and faults. deserves it!” And so, the royal fiddler would sit and Surely He can suffer our Chozeh saved the Maggid’s tune or fix his fiddleinterruptions to tune and life. (Kisvei Rav Yoshe Shuv of sometimes for hours while the prepare ourselves for Him!” Brisk 28) king waited to hear his FISH L'KUVED SHABBOS melodious music. (Ramasayim Tzofim on Tanna KODESH Dvei Eliyahu Rabbah Chapter One of the king’s courtiers 6:13) Rav Yaakov Yitzchok, the asked the musician if he didn’t Chozeh had the custom to salt SAVED BY THE CHOZEH'S think it was disrespectful and the fish himself in honor of MIKVE even treasonous of him to Shabbos. He did so while still have to make the king wait The first time Rav Yaakov wrapped in his tallis, crowned day after day while heYitzchok arrived in Rovna to with his tefillin and meditating adjusted his fiddle strings? see Rav Dov Ber, later known on special yichudim – lofty as the Mezritcher Maggid and unifications of the Divine ‘Listen,’ answered the royal successor of the Baal Shem attributes after Shacharis. We fiddler, ‘the king has many Tov as the leader of the ourselves witnessed this as groups of musicians at his Chassidic movement, the well as heard from others’ holy disposal--whole orchestras and Maggid was bed ridden with a mouths as well. bands. Wouldn’t it more make life-threatening illness. sense that the king would He once invited Rav Hirschel enjoy their music more so than Rav Yaakov Yitzchok wasted of Zidatshuv to come and mine? However, he delights in no time and headed straight taught him the secret of me and my fiddle more than for the mikvah whereupon he salting fish in honor of all of them. Having chosen me immersed himself in the Shabbos Kodesh (Rav Yitzchok over them, he can suffer freezing cold waters as an act Isaac of Komarno’s testimony waiting for me to tune my of self-sacrifice to add merit in Shulchan HaTahor 250:3 instrument for him too. If not, and heal the sick tzaddik. and Neziv Mitzvosecha he would surely have chosen Emunah 6:5) them over me, don’t you The waters were so icy that he agree?’ fainted. No sooner had he When Rav Yaakov Yitzchok passed out when the Maggid, arrived in Mezritch for

- 33 of 38 - Shabbos to the Maggid’s table, then handed the Chozeh his hesped at his levaya. He then Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi, own salted shtickel fish! “That posed the following question the author of the Tanya and is when I knew I was in the to the departed tzadik: "What Shulchan Aruch was there. presence of someone great was the Heavenly tribunal - The Bal HaTanya saw him indeed!” declared the Baal the Beis Din Shel Maalah most enter the kitchen and say to HaTanya. (Niflaos HaRebbe stringent and machmir on. Rav the cooks, “I always have the 186) Itzele replied that a human custom to salt my own piece of being cannot imagine the HE IS JUST LIKE HIS NAME fish that I will eat in honor of judgments of the Heavenly Shabbos.” Rav Alexander Zisha of Platzk Tribunal. They are especially and Rav Feivel of Gritza were exacting on the purity of a Rav Shneur Zalman was colleagues, they studiedperson’s speech. This was observing this strangetogether in the yeshivah of coming from a person who had behavior wondering what Rav Yaakov of Lisa, author of mastered the art of silence! would happen on Shabbos Chavas Daas. They became since this piece would get disciples of the Chozeh of Rav Hillel Halevi of Paritsh mixed up and cooked with all Lublin. One day they brought Reb Hillel Paritsher, the others. So, he took a piece the Chiddushei HaRim’s kvitel Pelach Harimon (Av 11) of string and tied it around the to the Chozeh who remarked fish to mark the fish that the upon reading the name on the TAILOR TO THE RESCUE Chozeh had salted. note, “He is just like his name, Meir: he shines all of the Rav Hillel of Paritsch was On Shabbos as the talmidim worlds with light!” From then renowned for his punctilious sat around the table and the on, the Chiddushei HaRim, the observance of themitzvos , fish was distributed, Rav founder of the Gerrer dynasty, prepared to risk his life for the Shneur Zalman watched and held himself a disciple and merest detail ordained by waited. Sure enough, the fish talmid of the Chozeh. (Meir Chazal. The Czarist regime of with the string tied around it Einei haGola pp. 54-55, 144) his day decreed that all Jews ended up in the plate of the were to shave off their peyos, Chozeh’s neighbor and not on and some unscrupulous Rav Yitzchak Blazer Rav his own plate. However, the Itzele Peterburger, informer told the local man lifted his fork to eat it, Kochvei Or (Av 11) authorities that Rav Hillel’s but mysteriously lost his peyos were still intact. They appetite. decided to shear them off by MASTER OF SILENCE force, but Rav Hillel covered “Here,” the neighbor said to Rav Chaim Berlin dreamed them tightly with his hands to the Chozeh, “you eat this fish that Rav Itzele Peterburger protect them. The soldiers because I cannot eat it.” He thanked him for not saying a drew their swords and

- 34 of 38 - forcefully began hitting his refuse to change theirunknown elderly traveler hands and head, causing him appearance even at the risk of passed away in the town’s to scream. His neighbor, a their lives will all the Jews be communal hostelry. The Jewish tailor who had a good blessed with the Ge’ula. Rav Chevra Kaddisha (Jewish relationship with the officers Hillel concluded, “Anyone who Burial Society) prepared his in charge, heard him and came had this manuscript would of body and took him to be running, and after promising course be willing to give up his buried, intending to place him them gifts, convinced them to life for the sake of traditional in the section for unknown leave. Grateful for his help, Jewish dress people.and However, due to the Rav Hillel blessed the man, appearance.”] fierce winter snow, they and promised him that “after a unknowingly buried him near hundred and twenty years” he Many years passed. Rav Hillel, Rav Hillel. A day or two later, would be rewarded by being in the meantime, became Rav it was noticed that the new buried next to him. of Babruisk, and would travel grave had been dug right next every year around theto the resting place of the [Rav Hillel once explained that provinces and to the cities of illustrious Rav Hillel. When his dedication to maintaining Kherson and Yekatrinoslav, the facts came to light, a great his peyos and beard came teaching Torah as well to the hubbub arose in town: was it from having seen a hand- farmers of the Jewishproper that an unknown written essay of the Tzaddik agricultural colonies, who traveler whom no respectable Rav Pinchas of Koretz, in greatly admired him. In the citizen even knew, a nobody which he wrote that adopting summer of 1864, at age sixty- who had passed away in the non-Jewish clothing styles and nine, he suddenly fell ill while communal poorhouse – that appearance was the fiftieth staying in Kherson – which is such a one should be buried Gate of Impurity, which would very far from Babruisk and next to the Tzaddik? have rendered the Jews unable Paritsch in White Russia – and to be redeemed from Egypt, was niftar there. It was too late, though, to had they fallen one more level change things: theTorah (into it). On the following day, amidst would never allow it. At least widespread mourning, he was let them find out just who this Similarly, in the timesbrought to burial, and his individual was. His preceding the revelation of talmidim and admirers flocked identification papers disclosed Moshiach, there will be an there for many yearshis name and that of his endeavor to make the Jews thereafter to daven at the father, and the fact that he change their clothing and graveside of this Tzaddik. came from Paritsch. The appearance, and unfortunately communal worthies of Kherson it will succeed. Only in the Sometime later, on a bitterly therefore wrote to their merit of those individuals who cold and stormy day, an counterparts in Paritsch,

- 35 of 38 - asking to be told at least He once arrived in a town she burst into the room, and, whatever they knew about this where the Jewishwith tears in her eyes, man. tavernkeepers kept their implored the Rebbe to give her businesses open on Shabbos. husband his blessing for a The answer from Paritsch Rav Hillel was shocked to hear speedy recovery. identified him clearly: he was this, and invited them all to a retired tailor, who had been meet him. When he had The Tzaddik remained silent. traveling in order to live with explained to them what a one of his children. They serious matter this was, they His Chassidim were dismayed: added that this same tailor all undertook to conform to “Rebbe, at least give the had many long years earlier proper observance – on one blessing that is traditional in been promised by Rav Hillel condition: that he persuade a such cases on the holy day – ‘It that “after a hundred and certain wealthy tavern-keeper, is Shabbos, when one may not twenty years” he would be whose turnover was the cry out; healing will come brought to rest next to his own highest in town, to do likewise, soon!’” resting place. for otherwise they would not be able to survive competition But Rav Hillel said not a word. And so, the decades-old with him. TheTzadddik The woman left bitterly promise of Rav Hillel of thereupon sent for that man – disappointed, and her Paritsch came to fruition. once, twice, three times – but husband’s pains grew worse. the wealthy tavern-keeper Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles ignored the invitation. On Motzo’ei Shabbos, the from Lma’an Yishme’u #78, Tzadddik was discoursing with and from Sipurei Chassidim, Rav Hillel stayed on in the his Chassidim at a table on as translated by Uri Kaploun town for Shabbos. In the which stood a samovar, in in A Treasury ofChassidic morning, the wealthy tavern- fulfillment of theTalmudic Tales (Artscroll). keeper suddenly suffered dictum: “Hot beverages after increasingly severe pains in the departure ofShabbos THE ANGUISH OF SHABBOS the stomach, and his wife, serve as a cure.” In ran the Rav Hillel of Paritsch used to fearing that they were brought same woman, weeping and spend a substantial part of on by the disrespect her wailing, begging the Tzaddik every year traveling through husband had shown the to have pity on her husband the towns of the southern Tzadddik, hastened to seek and to daven for him. parts of Russia in order to give him out, so that he should instruction in the applied intercede on his behalf. While Rav Hillel simply said: “It is ethics of Chassidus, and to Rav Hillel was at the Shabbos Shabbos, when one may not arouse people to repentance midday meal surrounded by a cry out; healing will come wherever the need arose. large company of Chassidim, soon.”

- 36 of 38 - The Chassidim were amazed. response to his son, Rav On Shabbos itself the Tzaddik Rav Mordechai Bennet Har Shimon, to deliver it to the had said nothing – and now, Hamor, Rav of Nikolsburg, Bais Din in Nikolsburg. Rav Magen Avos (Av 13) when the holy day was over, Shimon thought that since this he said these words usually was a grave and important uttered only on Shabbos! THE SIGN LANGUAGE OF matter, he would delay TZADIKIM fulfilling his father’s errand, Rav Hillel continued: “If because perhaps his father The Chofetz Chaim related Shabbos itself will no longer rushed the response and might regarding Rav Mordechai have cause to cry out against want to clarify or change it Benet – that Rav Benet’s him, then healing will come later. A few days later, the talmidim noticed how he had soon! Go along and tell him Chasam Sofer asked his son if the custom to draw the shapes that if he gives a solemn he had delivered the responsa. of letters with his finger in the handshake in the presence of His son replied in the negative air. They paid careful close three witnesses that he will and explained his reasons. The attention and realized that he close his business on Shabbos, Chasam Sofer proceeded to was drawing the pasuk (from then he will be cured.” tell his son the following: “In Tefillos Yomim Nora’im): every generation,Hashem Ashrei Ho’Ish She’Lo Three Chassidim hastened to puts a Godol HaDor who has Yishkachecha U’Ven Adam his bedside to convey the Siyata dishmaya and the Yis’ametz Boch – “Happy is he Rav’s message – and he halachic responsa will be in who does not forget You earnestly gave his word of accordance with Hashem’s (Hashem), and the man who honor. will. In this generation, I was strengthens himself in You”, chosen for this task. Please reminding himself never to His illness passed, and the deliver theresponsa take his mind off his Creator. sanctity of Shabbos in that immediately.” town became something THE KSAV YAD noteworthy indeed. (HANDWRITING) OF THE When the lengthy responsa CHASAM SOFER BRINGS was received by Nikolsburg’s TREMENDOUS YIRAS Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles SHOMAYIM Bais Din, Rav Mordechai from the rendition in A Banet opened up the letter The Chasam Sofer was known Treasury of Chassidic Tales and just read the last few lines to write his responsa very (Artscroll), as translated by of the halachic decree. When quickly without any the incomparable Uri Kaploun the Bais Din questioned Rav afterthought or regret. Once, Mordechai about why he had an issue with an aguna was not read the whole p’sak din, presented to him, and as was he replied, “In reality, I only his custom he wrote a quick need to see the last line, if the response and handed his

- 37 of 38 - Chasam Sofer said muttar or He also notes in his lengthy could get was by being buried ossur – and that would be responsa, that the people in next to her in the cemetery for enough. However, I read a Nikolsburg are not to be six months. And so it was: couple of the last linesbelieved that Rav Mordechai after six months his holy body because reading the ksav yad wanted to have his body was removed and re-interred (handwriting) of the Chasam returned – because he states in Nikolsburg. Sofer brings aboutthat Rav Mordechai had tremendous Yiras Shomayim. affirmed in his lifetime that Following is the text of his whoever will need salvation matzeiva – denoting part of FIRST IN LICHTENSTADT after his petira, should just this story: THEN IN NIKOLSBURG come to his kever and his Rav Mordechai was the Rav in tefillos will be answered – and [Editor’s note: Several years Nikolsburg and in the last that incentivizes the people of ago, I made the trip to years of his life, he fell sick Nikolsburg to try to have him Nikolsburg to daven at his and moved toLichtenstadt buried near them. However, kever. We arrived very late at (near Carlsbad) forwhile he was writing the night in the bitter cold and treatments. responsa, the Chasam Sofer wandered the cemetery fell asleep. In his dream, Rav aimlessly searching for his When he wasniftar , the Mordechai appeared to him kever in the near-pitch people in Lichtenstadt buried and told him that he did darkness. We were almost at him quickly because they indeed want to return to the point of leaving, when we wanted him to stay in their Nikolsburg – butHashem quickly davened to be zoche to town. When the people in wanted him to be buried in say a few chapters of Tehillim Nikolsburg found out what had Lichtenstadt for the following at his kever. Within seconds, happened, they caused an reason: we turned to the next row, and uproar – until the question if there, right in front of us, was they should reinter him came When he was a young man, his kever. I can attest that before the Chasam Sofer. In the shidduch to the girl that he there is a palpable spiritual his teshuva (responsa), he was to marry was broken. This high at his kever]. ultimately gives three reasons girl suffered embarrassment why it is mutar to reinter him due to this fact and later in Nikolsburg (even though it married theRav in was a very unpopular thing to Lichtenstadt. Rav Mordechai do – because it gave the non- further related that with the Jews ammunition to reinter help and tefillos of the Rav of bodies at their ownLichtenstadt, it was discretion). determined that the only kappora (absolution) that he

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ו זדי הב א( )'א' Zera Shimshon0 And Di Zahav (1:1)

 Before entering Eretz Yisroel, Moshe Rabbeinu rebuked the Jewish people for their conduct throughout their wanderings in the desert. However, Moshe Devarim Rabbeinu did not list their sins outright. Rather, out of sensitivity to the honor of the Jewish people, he hinted to them by mentioning the places that the sin The Zera Shimshon, Rav Shimshon occurred. Chaim ben Rav Nachmon Michoel Nachmani, was born in 5467 (1706/1707) into an illustrious Di Zahav hints to the sin of the golden calf. Di Zahav means, ample gold. family with great Rabbinical lineage. He studied the revealed and Rashi explains that by mentioning the location Di Zahav, Moshe Rabbeinu subtly concealed parts of the Torah by the rebuked the Jewish people for the sin of the golden calf which was a result of Torah greats of his day. He served as Rav of Modena, Pisa, being given so much gold by Hashem. Sienna and Reggio, Italy, and was recognized as a holy and pious From this we learn an interesting aspect of how Hashem runs the world. individual, as well as a tremendous Torah scholar in all areas of Torah. He passed away on the 6 th of Elul Technically, Hashem should not have given the Jews so much gold when 5539 (1779). His Seforim were named, Toldos they left Egypt since this is what caused them to make the golden calf. Had Shimshon (The ‘Offspring’ of Hashem given them less gold, they would have not had so much gold and Shimshon) on Pirkei Avos and Zera Shimshon (The ‘Seed’ of parting with it for the sake of the golden calf would have been much harder. If so, Shimshon) on the Parshi’os of the Torah. In his introduction, he why did Hashem give them so much gold, knowing that it would result in the explains that since his only son had terrible sin of the golden calf? died during his lifetime, he wrote his Seforim to perpetuate his own memory after his passing. The Gemara says (Sota 11a), that the enormous amount of gold that the The following is his passionate Jewish people were rewarded with at the Yam Suf was in the merit of the request to learn his works. “I implore of you with ten terms of dedication that the Jewish women showed to their husbands when their supplication to choose from my Chiddushim (novella) the piece that husbands were slaving for the Egyptians. finds favor in your eyes, for your learning will sooth my soul etc… Since this reward was rightfully deserved, Hashem does not withhold “This righteousness will stand by you forever – to ‘eat’ in this world, rightfully deserved reward from any person. If they merited the reward, then and be satiated in the next. In this merit, Hashem will repay you with Hashem gives it (obviously this is up to Hashem to decide when to reward children, health and sustenance. someone in this world for their actions since as we know, most of the time, one “…and now my brothers and friends etc. do a true kindness, and does not receive reward for their actions in this world). with your eyes you will see children and grandchildren surrounding However, after receiving the reward it is up to the receiver to use the your table, houses filled with all that is good, wealth and honor will reward properly. This the passuk teaches in Hoshe'a (14:10), 'the ways of Hashem not cease from your children…” are just; the righteous walk in them and the wicked stumble in them' . The reward is לזכר נשמת given and it is up to those that receive it to act with it appropriately. Just because רבינו שמשו חיי ב רב נחמ מיכאל ל"צז one may sin with it is not a reason for Hashem to withhold it. In the case of the בעל הזרע שמשו א"יעז

ויה" ר שיתקיימו בנו ברכותיו של אותו צדיק golden calf it was the men that took the gold and used it for sin. Nevertheless, although Hashem knew this would be the outcome of the ample gold He gave the לזכות רחמי ב יוכבד שיזכה Jewish people, He gave it to them and it was their job not to sin with it at a לשוב בתשובה שלימה בקרוב .further date לזכות רפואה שלימה משה שניאור זלמ ב רחל ולזכות רפואה שלימה משה ב זכות רבינו ימלי טוב בעד רבקה רחל בת שיינדיל בלומא לזרע של קיימא במהרה לאה ז כות רבינו יעמוד לר ' חיי דוד ב טויבא חוה וכל משפחתו להצלחה ברכה שפע רב וסייעתא דשמיא מרובה בכל מעשה ידיו ובכל העניני לזכות כל ע  ישראל בכל מקו שה

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Parshas Devarim Shabbos Chazon

The Greatest Shabbos of the Whole Year In the Ohev Yisroel by the Apta Rav as well as in other holy seforim, they teach us that Shabbos Chazon is in fact the highest and loftiest Shabbos of the whole entire year, greater than all the other Shabbosos! Perhaps, we can explain this based on what the holy seforim say regarding the Shabbos before Pesach which is named Shabbos haGadol - because Pesach is a time of great awakening down here below for the Jewish people, when we left Egypt and escaped from the fiftieth gate of impurity and entered the fifty gates of kedusha and holiness. And since the Zohar teaches that all the blessings depend on Shabbos, worldly material berachah as well as supernal spiritual blessings, we find that Shabbos is the source for the bounty of all blessings and it itself is the source of the influx of blessings for Pesach, and therefore we name that preceding Shabbos before Pesach as Shabbos haGadol which is the source of Pesach's blessings. And so we can say regarding the Shabbos that precedes Tisha BeAv, where the early sources teach us that when Moshiach arrives Tisha BeAv will be transformed into a holiday and will be a Yom Tov like Pesach. As it says in the Navi Michah 7:15 - "as in the days of the Exodus from the land of Egypt, I shall show you wonders," and surely we will have then a great light as is explained in the Midrash that we will be able to see from one end of the world to the other, as the Navi says in Yeshaya 11:9 "and the entire land will be filled with the knowledge of Hashem". Since we anticipate the coming redemption in these days, especially on Tisha BeAv which is an auspicious time for being remembered and redeemed, as Chazal say in Midrash Eichah 1:27 that Moshiach was born on Tisha BeAv and that is why we call that Shabbos Chazon which means a prophetic vision - and the shefa and influx that vision has already been already fulfilled; since Moshiach shall arrive

Page 1 of 2 to enlighten us with the hidden light so that it will illuminate for us and we can see from one end of the world to the other, and on that Shabbos this vision has already been seen and sent and this is why it is named Shabbos Chazon. Therefore, it is a great and lofty Shabbos, more so than all the other Shabbosos that year, because it shines with the light of geulah and redemption. Based on this we can explain the Zohar - they asked Rabi Shimon where is the geulah hinted at in the Torah? Rabi Shimon answered that wherever the greatest hester panim is, wherever Hashem seems most hidden that is where the geulah and redemption are hinted at. Perhaps, suggests Rav Mordechai, that we can say that this also refers to Tisha BeAv which is the greatest day of hester panim, when Hashem seems most hidden for the entire year, it is such a dark day that our eyes are dimmed and darkened and we mourn the destruction of churban bais hamikdash. Specifically on that very day that appears to us so dark and dim, the light of the geulah is shining, as Chazal say that Moshiach himself is born on that day. Furthermore, in Taanis 30b, Chazal say that whoever mourns over the bais hamikdash destruction will merit to see its happy joyful rebuilding and rededication, and the commentators paid special attention to the fact that Chazal said that he will merit to see it - in the present tense which seems to indicate that we will see it immanently. So based on what we explained we can say that by mourning and paining ourselves over the destruction, while anticipating for the coming redemption, means that we merit immediately that on that day the geulah shines. Now during these days when we pain ourselves waiting and anticipating for the coming redemption the time is auspicious as a segulah that we merit it, and then when the geulah arrives Tisha BeAv will be a great day that has been transformed from sadness and mourning into a day of happiness and rejoicing. May we all merit that day when the Divine knowledge of Hashem fills the entire world with great light and Hashem should help and aid us all that we merit the right preparation before the coming of that great and awesome day, when the honor and glory of Heaven is revealed, in all its full splendor speedily in our days, Amen.

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Weekly Bulletin on the Parshah s"xc Devarim July 17th 2021 8th of Av 5781 Pachad David Published by Mosdot “Orot Chaim U’Moshe” in Israel Under the auspices of Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita 912 Son of the tzaddik Rabbi Moshe Ahron Pinto, zt”l, and grandson of the holy tzaddik and miracle-worker Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a MASKIL LEDAVID Weekly talk on the Parshah given by Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita

The Yetzer Hara – Both Brother and Foe

"You shall command the people, saying, 'You are Esav represents the Yetzer Hara, therefore Moshe passing through the boundary of your brothers the told Bnei Yisrael they shouldn’t think they can kill the children of Esav, who dwell in Seir; they will fear you, Yetzer Hara or terminate his presence, because This but you should be very careful'" (Devarim 2:4) World is also the dwelling place of the Yetzer Hara, as Moshe Rabbeinu warned Am Yisrael when they cross per Hashem's wish. the border of Seir they must be careful not to provoke In fact, This World belongs more to the Yetzer Hara than the children of Esav. They should also be particular to to man, for Ya'akov and Esav made a clear allocation be- pay for any food and drink they take from them. It seems tween them: This World belongs to Esav while the World surprising that Moshe Rabbeinu calls the children of Esav, to Come belongs to Ya'akov, the pillar of Torah. Since it Paris • Orh ‘Haïm Ve Moché "your brothers." Do not Chazal say (Sifri, Beha'alotcha 69), is impossible to completely rid This World of the Yetzer 32, rue du Plateau • 75019 Paris • France It is a rule that Esav hates Ya'akov and constantly seeks to Hara, one should treat him as a brother who occupies Tel: 01 42 08 25 40 • Fax: 01 42 06 00 33 kill him? So why did Moshe see fit to call them brothers, the same house. A brother one does not send away, but [email protected] a term symbolizing peace and unity? we must defeat him through studying the Holy Torah, for Chazal say (Kiddushin 30b), Hashem created the Yetzer when the voice is the voice of Ya'akov, the hands of Esav Hara and counter to it created the Torah, a remedy for are not capable of overcoming those who study Torah. Jérusalem • Pninei David the ailments of the Yetzer Hara. In Hashem's eyes, the The more a person prevails over his Yetzer Hara, the existence of the Yetzer Hara in This World is essential, more he elevates himself. But at the same time one must Rehov Bayit Va Gan 8 • Jérusalem • Israël for without it man would not have free choice whether Tel: +972 2643 3605 • Fax: +972 2643 3570 always remember the Yetzer Hara does not disappear to follow the path of good or evil; he would be drawn [email protected] completely; he only changes his form and place and one only to the good. It is only in the merit of the Yetzer can never know how and when he will surprise us. The Hara who tries to influence a person to take the path of power of the Yetzer Hara grows outside the walls of the evil, that man is faced with the choice whether to obey Beit Hamidrash, therefore when one closes ones Gemara Ashdod • Orh ‘Haim Ve Moshe it and pursue evil or follow Hashem and His Torah and and leaves the study halls, one must continue to engage thereby earn reward. Rehov Ha-Admour Mi-Belz 43 • Ashod • Israël one's head and thoughts in words of Torah, then the Tel: +972 88 566 233 • Fax: +972 88 521 527 Man's reward in the World to Come grows in accor- power of Torah will stand for him to overcome the Yetzer [email protected] dance with the enormity of the test he withstands. And Hara and thereby increasing his reward. the stronger a person's desire to overcome his Yetzer This is why Moshe Rabbeinu called the children of Seir Hara, the more Hashem helps him, for one who wishes "brothers." Even though one must be vigilant of them and Ra’anana • Kol ‘Haïm to purify himself is assisted (Shabbat 104a). The more a their influence, nevertheless it is only through them that person studies Torah while in Yeshiva, the greater is his the power of free choice exists in the world, and if one Rehov Ha’ahouza 98 • Ra’anana • Israël protection from the Yetzer Hara even when he leaves its succeeds in defeating them one is granted great reward. Tel: +972 98 828 078 • +972 58 792 9003 gates, since the Torah he studied continues to accompany [email protected] and protect him when he comes face to face with the Moshe Rabbeinu also added (Devarim 2:6), "You shall Yetzer Hara. purchase food from them for money so you may eat; also water shall you buy from them for money so you This is what Hashem said to Moshe (Devarim 2:3): may drink." "Kesef – money" is derived from the term "Enough of your circling this mountain; turn yourselves "kisufin – longing", as David Hamelech expressed (Tehillim northward." Meaning, until now you sat round the 84:3), "My soul yearns, indeed it pines, for the courtyards Hilula mountain and engaged in Torah, until the place became of Hashem." The Jewish soul longs and yearns to cleave sanctified through your Torah study and was considered to the Holy Torah which is more valuable than all the 8 – Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi, Rav of Jaffa like a Yeshiva, a place designated for studying the Holy silver and gold in the world. So if we are to defeat the Torah. The Yetzer Hara already learnt that in this dwelling 9 – Rabbi Bentzion Moshe Yair children of Esav who are compared to the Yetzer Hara, Weinstock place of yours around the mountain, he has no power to we must possess a longing for the Holy Torah, for it is make you stumble because your Torah protects you, so 10 – Yissachar son of Ya'akov Avinu a"h only with the power of the Torah that man can overcome he is afraid to start up with you. But if you want to double 11 – Rabbi Moshe Malka, Rosh Yeshiva the Yetzer Hara. 'Ohel Moshe' your reward and strengthen yourselves in Torah in a more intense fashion, you must travel away from this place, It follows then that the Yetzer Hara is both a brother 12 – Rabbi Chaim Kohen Perachia, while holding on to the Torah, and turn northward to and a foe. On the one hand it entails great danger to a per- the 'milkman' the place where the Yetzer Hara is found, called 'tzafon – son's spiritual state, but on the other hand without it the 13 – Rabbi Natan Neta Shapira, author north' (Succah 52a), which can also mean hidden, as the world cannot exist. And in its merit man has free choice of 'Megaleh Amukot' Yetzer Hara is very underhand... Only when you journey and can elevate himself in Torah and yirat Shamayim, if 14 – Rabbi Mordechai Bardugo, the away from the protective walls of the Yeshiva, does the he knows how to protect himself from it and emerge Marbitz battle with the Yetzer Hara become difficult and more victorious. The choice is in our hands – whether to suc- acute. But then, if you are victorious, your reward grows cumb to the counsel of the Yetzer Hara, or fight against in proportion, for the greater the test, the greater reward it through Torah study. And Hashem assists those who you receive in return. choose to fight against the Yetzer Hara and subdue it. Walking in their Ways Tidbits of faith and trust penned by Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita

Cushioning Tragedy with Blessing When I visited Poland in 1994, I was accompanied by the chaz- In Our Father's Path zan of the Aleppo Beit Haknesset, Mr. Meir Abadi, together with a female relative. He related that this woman’s son had been Sincere Crying and Pleading Versus Unjustified involved in a horrific car accident and was lying in a hospital bed, Crying unconscious. The doctors did not have much hope for his recovery. On the verse (Bamidbar 14:1), "The entire assembly raised up When I heard this story, I instructed Mr. Abadi and his relative and issued its voice; the people wept that night" Chazal expound to go down to the ground floor of the building we were in and (Ta'anit 29a): Rava said Rabbi Yochanan said, that day was Tisha recite Tehillim on behalf of this young man for the next fifteen B'Av. Hashem said to them, 'You wept without a cause, I will minutes. After that they should return to my room. In the merit establish [this night] for you [as a time of] weeping throughout of Tehillim said with a broken heart, my holy ancestors zy”a would the generations!" serve as advocates for the boy before Hashem. The root of the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash and source They did as I suggested. When they came back up, I handed of our long, bitter exile, explains the Maggid, HaGaon Rabbi the chazzan a piece of paper on which I had written a blessing. I Elimelech Biderman shlit"a, is a lack of faith. Their needless crying told him to hurry to the hospital and place the paper under the demonstrated they had complaints against Hashem. Since they blemished their complete faith that Hashem is with them always boy’s pillow. in every situation, the terrible Churban came about. The chazzan did not believe he would be allowed to approach This teaches us that one of the main rectifications regarding the boy who lay in intensive care, but he went anyway. Divine the Churban must be strengthening our faith in Hashem, the intervention was at play, opening all doors before him. Within a Merciful Father, who seeks our good at every moment, and not short time, the paper was under the boy’s pillow. give in to unjustified crying. Even though strengthening our faith A few hours later the miracle occurred. The boy opened his eyes is a lifelong effort and there is no moment one is not obligated and asked for a drink. After a short time, he was transferred to to implant complete faith deep inside, nevertheless during these a regular ward. With Hashem's kindness, he merited a complete days when we are mourning the Churban whose root is unwar- recovery. ranted crying, we should put extra focus on this service. I am often overwhelmed by the power of pure faith. But many The following story took place one Tisha B'Av during the Ho- times, the Satan is involved and one may find the more one prays, locaust, related by the granddaughter of HaGaon Rabbi Hillel of the more problems arise. The main thing is not to despair of Kalmia zy"a. Like thousands of our brethren, she was separated Heavenly mercy and continue praying and hoping for Hashem’s from her mother and husband and sent to one of the camps. On Tisha B'Av morning, the Nazis ordered all the inmates to salvation. stand at attention in the courtyard. It was a clear day with nary a cloud in sight. The Haftarah The wicked Nazis ym"sh instructed them to sit down on the "The vision of Yeshayahu" (Yeshaya 1) ground, covered with jagged, sharp stones which pierced their The connection to Shabbat: The Haftarah speaks about the punish- legs. They then treated them to a 'performance' by the best of ment that will befall Bnei Yisrael due to their sins – the destruction of their musicians, deliberately delighting in upsetting them with the Beit Hamikdash. This is the third of the three special Haftarot Chazal music on this bitter day of Tisha B'Av. established to be read during the three weeks leading up to Tisha B'Av. This woman could not bear the great humiliation and cried out from the depths of her heart: "Father in Heaven! Do not act for Guard Your Tongue my sake, not even for the sake of Your people Yisrael, but for the sake of Your honor. Open up the heavens and pour down heavy Lashon Hara from an Educator rain which will end this terrible desecration of Your Name." An educator often has to discuss his students' progress and challenges with Within a few moments, dark clouds appeared in the skies. the parents, other teachers or principal. A lack of clear guidelines as to what Hashem opened up the heavens and heavy rain began to fall. constitutes lashon hara can lead to a permissive atmosphere where everything The wicked Nazis took themselves and their instruments and is discussed with everyone. We may also come across the other extreme, in bolted. The Jews sighed in relief and were able to return to their which the educational efficiency of the instructor is impaired due to a simplistic barracks. The woman related that during the entire period of approach of guarding one's tongue. the war, this incident was a great source of strength for her and As a general rule, one can say that matters concerning education are consid- fortified her belief that our Father, our Shepherd, is watching ered as beneficial speech which permits discussing a student's shortcomings over us every step of the way. She saw how despite the great with relevant parties. However, one must be particular to observe the condi- concealment, Hashem listens to the pleas of those who cry tions that permit speaking lashon hara for a beneficial purpose. out to Him. Treasures Based on the teachings of Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pearls of the Parsha Pinto, shlita

One Repeats Something Important "These are the words Moshe spoke to all Israel, on the other side of the Jordan" (Devarim1:1) The Book of Devarim is also called Mishna Torah – a repetition of the Torah, since before his death Moshe Rabbeinu repeated the entire Torah to Am Yisrael. Torah Has the Power to Protect from Why did Moshe Rabbeinu have to repeat the entire Torah before his death? No Sin doubt during their forty years of wandering in the Wilderness Moshe Rabbeinu Parshat Devarim usually falls close to Tisha B'Av, reviewed the Torah with Bnei Yisrael. And even if there is benefit in an additional the day the Beit Hamikdash was destroyed. The review of the Torah, why did it have to be written anew in the Book of Devarim? inherent connection between Parshat Devarim HaGaon Hatzadik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto shlit"a answers this question: and Tisha B'Av lies in the fact that since Am Yis- Hashem wanted to teach Am Yisrael that a Jew merits understanding the Torah rael were not particular about engaging in the and observing its mitzvot appropriately only when he reviews his learning time Holy Torah, as a result they stumbled with the after time without interruption. For when one reviews and repeats something, it sin of lashon hara. This led to baseless hatred, demonstrates appreciation for it. Something one does not like or appreciate, one the Shechina was exiled from their presence and does not repeat; something important and valuable one repeats again and again. they were exiled from their land (see Yoma 9b). If someone wishes the Torah to penetrate his heart and become an inseparable This teaches us an important lesson. Torah has the part of him, he must review "These are the words." In this way he demonstrates power to protect man from sin and enables him appreciation for the Torah and will merit the Torah being absorbed into his bones. to guard the purity of his mouth. However, when Whatever I Have is as Precious as Gold man is lax in using his mouth for Torah study, he "Between Paran and Tophel, and Lavan, and Chazerot, and Di-zahav" (Devarim begins to use it for secular matters and quickly 1:1) deteriorates from bad to worse, stumbling with the prohibitions of lashon hara, motzi shem ra, Rabbeinu Chaim ben Attar zy"a in his sefer the Holy Ohr Hachaim, brings several false oaths and other similar sins. explanations on this verse. On the words "And Di-zahav" [lit. abundance of gold] he expounds, "One should not enthusiastically pursue things that seem important to We know that when Hashem offered the Torah one who loves the fortunes of This World, for one who follows his heart's desires to Bnei Yisrael, they declared (Shemot 24:7), will nullify his avodat Hashem. Man must be satisfied with just the essentials, alluded "we will do and we will obey." This means they to by the words "Di-zahav", meaning he should say 'enough' to gold. wholeheartedly accepted upon themselves to He also offers a different explanation, "He should consider all he has as sufficient, study and observe the words of the Holy Torah, as if he possesses much gold, in line with the Mishna (Avot 4:1), 'Who is rich? He even before they knew what it entailed. In fact, who is happy with his lot.' In this way he will turn his heart to the lofty service of since Bnei Yisrael's declaration was like an oath, Hashem, the Living G-d." as their offspring we are obligated to abide by this oath and not G-d forbid desecrate it, so as not to Rebuke Before Death is Considered as a Will transgress the command (Bamidbar 30:3), "he "It was in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first of the month" shall not desecrate his word." (Devarim1:3) The Navi tells us (Yirmiyahu 34:8-22) that in Rashi explains that Moshe only rebuked Bnei Yisrael close to his death. Who did he the time of king Tzidkiyahu Am Yisrael observed learn this from? From Ya'akov who only rebuked his children just before his death. the Torah law and released their servants in the We find that Yehoshua, Shmuel and David also followed this conduct. seventh year. However, shortly thereafter they Rashi adds there are four reasons why one only offers rebuke close to one's death. changed their minds and took their servants back. One reason is so he should not find himself rebuking and repeating the rebuke. When Hashem saw Bnei Yisrael profaning the To- ,You rah law and even going back on their own words – הוכח תוכיח" The difficulty is however, that to the contrary, the verse says shall reprove your fellow" (Vayikra 19:17) and Chazal explain the double expression He punished them for this, measure for measure signifies one should rebuke even one hundred times. and brought about that they too became slaves The Oznaim L'Torah explains there is a difference between rebuke given by a to the nations of the world. father to his son or Rav to his talmid, and rebuke offered to one's fellow. This demonstrates the severity of profaning the Particularly regarding a fellow Jew there is an obligation to rebuke even one hun- words of the Holy Torah. Bnei Yisrael added to dred times, but with a father and son or Rav and talmid, where the son is obligated their sin by not only disregarding the Torah law, to honor his father and the talmid is obligated to honor his Rav, we are afraid that but also desecrating their words. Despite at first if the father/Rav rebukes his son/talmid repeatedly, they will grow accustomed to deciding to release the servants, they changed not listening and begin to consider the prohibited act as something permissible, as their minds and quickly brought them back. Since is the case when a transgression is repeated. This is why a father and Rav should Hashem saw His sons were profaning His and their not rebuke repeatedly. own words, He decided to punish them with the However, the time before the passing of a father or Rav, is a beneficial opportunity full severity of the law and therefore destroyed to offer rebuke. These parting words are considered like a will and are generally the Beit Hamikdash and exiled them from their taken to heart more than regular rebuke. Land. A NOVEL LOOK AT THE PARSHA

aware that "anger lingers in the bosom He smiled and returned my greeting. of fools" (Kohelet 7:9). At this moment And I continued gently: "Do you know, one is forbidden to rebuke; anything said there is a law concerning watering on will be of no benefit at all. No rebuke Shabbat… It is comparable to sowing in the world enters the heart of one on Shabbat." who is angry. One must give him time He immediately replied: "G-d forbid. I to calm down, to drink a cup of coffee know it is forbidden to sow, I am just wa- Learn How to Rebuke and have a bite of cake, and only once tering… The unfortunate flowers, in this As part of Moshe's rebuke he men- he is relaxed and satisfied can one begin heat, forty degrees, they can wither… I tioned "Di-zahav", referring to the act speaking to him. am not doing anything, just watering of making the Golden Calf. "Moshe said Even then, one must act wisely and them a bit so they shouldn't die… to Hashem: The abundance of silver first begin with light conversation. He spoke with such innocence; I could and gold You gave Am Yisrael until they Ask him how his child is doing in the not believe my ears... He was certain he said enough, caused them to make the Talmud Torah. Is everything okay with was strictly observing the Shabbat. He Golden Calf" (Yalkut Shimoni remez him? Hashem is so kind to you. How goes to the Beit Knesset, makes Kiddush, 797). many children are on the streets, and eats cholent, and only waters the flowers It seems the essence of this rebuke is you Hashem blessed with diamonds! a bit so they shouldn’t perish… Moshe declaring Am Yisrael not guilty. He must love you dearly! And then I told him: "Do you want the flowers to Rather, it was the abundance of gold by the way to slip in, "…about what live while you yourself may die?" that led them to make the Golden Calf! happened yesterday, I know you are He invited me inside to explain fur- Our great Sages were always particu- certain so and so is guilty, but…" and ther. I accepted his invitation and began lar to observe the mitzvah of "You shall so forth, with wisdom and intuition. speaking to him. It turned out he had reprove your fellow", but at the same But not when he is angry, for then no idea it was forbidden to water on time they preserved the honor of those nothing will help. Shabbat. "Believe me, I had no idea!" on the receiving end and also ensured Offering rebuke is one of the hardest he apologized. "I am Shabbat observant others would not humiliate them. things. Moshe Rabbeinu did not rebuke and do not even use electricity. I had no Our Sages said (Yoma 9b): "Why was Am Yisrael the entire forty years they idea about this prohibition…" the second Beit Hamikdash destroyed? wandered in the Wilderness for good We studied the relevant laws and Because of baseless hatred." There was reasons. Sometimes we are shocked to he thanked me greatly. He eventually hatred among them and they were not see people doing certain things, but be- understood that it was a forbidden act prepared to forgo to one another. They fore rebuking them harshly it is advisable but I gave over everything pleasantly, not were not wise enough to understand to speak to them and try and understand in a way that would have caused him to that the one who forgoes and forgives what brought them to act in this way. react: "You don’t tell me what to do!" gains the most! Sometimes the responses are surprising How did I achieve this? Because my first The Gaon Rabbi Reuven Elbaz shlita, and totally unexpected! reaction was to greet him respectably with 'Shabbat Shalom'! Rosh Yeshiva of 'Ohr HaChaim' and one The Flowers will Live and You Will When we know how to speak to those of the greatest machzirei b'teshuva of Die? our generation – who studied well the who are far from the truth and treat As a bachur, relates HaGaon Rabbi halachos and details of the mitzvah them with honor and love, we merit Reuven Elbaz shlit"a, one Shabbat I was of rebuke – enlightens us in his sefer drawing them closer. There is no doubt, Mishkani Acharecha with several points at my parent's home in Teveria. Leav- there are many ways to offer rebuke, but to take into account concerning this ing the Beit Knesset Shabbat morning, we have found rebuke presented in this mitzvah. He begins by stressing that I noticed one of the congregants who fashion is more easily accepted and suc- the timing of the rebuke must also be had prayed with us watering his garden. cessful. The Jews we come into contact chosen with the utmost care. I was shocked. A Jew who prays in the with are not heretics, they are Jews who Beit Knesset watering his garden on First of all, we must know there are are lacking knowledge but possess faith Shabbat?! times unsuitable for rebuke. The Mishna that is dormant in their hearts and only says (Avot 4:18): "Do not appease your I could have shouted at him: "Fool! You needs awakening. "Should you wake or fellow in the time of his anger." Some- deserve to be stoned! You are watering rouse the love" (Shir HaShirim 2:7). times a person makes belligerent state- your garden on Shabbat!" But G-d for- ments: "I will not allow them… I will bid! This is not the way to rebuke! take this till the bitter end…" And those I passed by and called out: "Shabbat around try to stop him: "What do you Shalom! It was so nice to see you in the think you are doing?" But one must be Beit Knesset!" The Journey Is Coming To An End By: Rabbi Yaacov Haber

I’m feeling okay about the nine days this year. Even Tisha B’Av! That may sound radical, so let’s explain why.

The Talmud (Yoma 5) describes a scene toward the desecration and destruction of the Beis HaMikdash by the Babylonians. According to the Medrash in Eicha, a few years before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, our unfriendly neighbors, Moab, (today’s Jordan) broke into the Holy of Holies and found the Cherubim embracing each other. They then took out the Holy Ark and paraded it through the streets showing, what they thought, a repugnantly sensual artifact which was at the root of Judaism. They were eager to discredit the holiness of the Jewish people. The Aron was apparently recaptured by King Yoshiahu and hidden from the Babylonians, and remains hidden until this day.

We know that the position of the Cherubim in respect to each other was a Heavenly indicator of the spiritual status of the Jewish people. If we were doing G-d’s will, the Cherubim would face each other, if not, they faced in opposite directions. So what is the meaning of finding them in embrace when the Beis Hamikdash was on the brink of destruction, when we were obviously not doing the will of Hashem?

The four exiles of Jewish history – Bavel, Madai, Yavan and Edom are hinted to right at the beginning of the Torah, in the second pasuk of Bereishis. These Exiles are also hinted to in the first four words of the Parsha that speaks of Exile, Masai, where the first words are an acronym for Edom, Madei, Babel and Yavan. In other words, the journey through the desert from Egypt to Eretz Yisrael, with all its 42 stops, is also referring to the much larger picture of the story of Jewish history. Indeed, from the beginning of the Torah we see this is the story of the World and the entire Creation.

The Exiles, pain and struggling that the Jewish People incurred throughout history were not just a punishment, they were a process. When you view something as a process, every point within that process takes on a different significance. One cannot see this significance if looking at that very same struggle in isolation. Something may look bad or destructive if viewed locally, yet prove to be a vital step towards a positive outcome in the end, when one looks at a whole panorama of events in history.

The Vilna Gaon comments, that in fact all 42 stations of Parshas Masei are present in everyone’s individual life. We all have our struggles. One needs to take a step back and view the whole of our life as a journey with a destination. Only at the end of the journey can one look back and understand the significance of each event, of each part of the timeline.

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The Piacezner Rebbe once commented that when he looks back, he has a greater appreciation of the things in his life that didn’t work out than for those parts of life that did!

As far as the process goes, today we are standing on the threshold. We look back and see a history full of pain and destruction; of pogroms, expulsions, and libels. So many good people didn’t survive the torture of Galus. But today we have, (and live) in Eretz Yisrael. We have made it to the brink of the final stage of the whole of the history; the history referred to right at the beginning of the Torah and again in the Parsha of Masei. Hashem has brought us through the travails of those thousands of years of history back to Eretz Yisrael. We made it! We are approaching the finish line. Now, we can anticipate the coming final stage of our history.

So what of the embracing Cherubim?

Before a man leaves on a long journey away from home, he is required to show intimate affection to his wife. This affection accompanies the couple through their state of separation and keeps them until they can be together again. The Cherubim reflected exactly that – Hashem hugged us goodbye. Good luck on our long and arduous journey. As we headed off into the longest and deepest exile the Cherubim embraced! I’m so waiting for that embrace which says, “Welcome back – welcome home!”.

Devarim-Chazon

“Chazon Yeshayahu”. A vision of Yeshayahu! The Medrash [Shir Hashirim Rabbah Ch. 3] taught that there are ten levels of prophecy. Sometimes prophecy comes in a dream, sometimes as a feeling and sometimes as a voice. Which kind of prophecy was the harshest? Rabbi Eliezer says that a ‘chazon’ prophecy, a vision, is the harshest of all. In such a prophecy, the prophet not only heard the message; it was shown to him.

There is no comparison between hearing and seeing. Yeshayahu saw a vision of the Churban, he saw the long suffering of Galus and he saw the pain of Yerushalayim. When we hear about the damage we are causing, it is nowhere near as strong as when we see the damage. There is nothing like a ‘Chazon’ to shake us to the core.

There were times in history when we heard about churban, and there were times when we saw churban. People that went through concentration camps, ghettos and persecution during the Shoah saw. My generation, growing up, only heard about the suffering and pain.

The Piasetzner Rebbe wrote the Eish Kodesh while living in the Warsaw Ghetto. The Rebbe explained that actually living in the ghetto taught everyone that the distances between hearing, seeing and experiencing are far greater than anyone can imagine. In the years before the war, “when we studied the passages about the great sufferings of the

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Destruction, [as described] in the words of the Prophets and the Rabbis, we thought that we had some concept of what had transpired at the time, and on occasion we even cried. But now we see that to hear about sufferings and tragedies is quite a distance from seeing them and certainly from personally experiencing and suffering them.”

“Chazon Yeshayahu,” Yeshayahu saw the destruction. This was the harshest form of prophecy.

Why was Yeshayahu given a vision? The Piasetzner explains that “Isaiah received a vision because the Jewish people lost their vision! We lost the vision of our true goals in life, and we lost our sight of the truth. We lost our sight of the suffering we were causing one another and we no longer heard each other’s cries. We did not hear Hashem crying. We did not hear the cries of the orphans and the widows. We did not hear our souls crying.” (Quoted and translated by Rabbi Shalom Brodt).

Today again we are having a Chazon and it is very painful.We are in the midst of a war hearing of the loss of our brothers and sons daily. We are living with sirens and fear. We are isolated and lonely.

Why the Chazon? Why so harsh? We are receiving a vision because we lost a vision.

What should our vision be? Close your eyes and visualize what we, the Jewish people, should look like. Education should be with warmth and love for every child. Every child should be considered a gem, period. There should be a desperate sense of importance given to unity. We should think a hundred times before doing or saying something which is divisive. We should all be counted on for our honesty and integrity. Eretz Yisrael should be the center of our lives – every other existence should be considered b’dieved. When we lose these basic visions, we get a painful Chazon. Let us resolve to restore our vision of Torah and be granted by Hashem a new vision of Eretz Yisrael and the Jewish people at peace.

Shabbos Devarim

In today’s parsha — and for most of the Book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) — Moshe gives the Israelites a long speech, on the East Bank of the Jordan, prior to his death and their entry into the Holy Land, and after forty years’ wandering in the desert. A major portion of his speech is devoted to reviewing the history of their wandering, and, in particular, cataloguing their sins and shortcomings on various occasions during this period. We may ask: why did he wait so long before reprimanding them in this way? There is, after all, a mitzvah to reprimand someone who has done, or is about to do, something wrong (“Hocheach tochiach es-amisecha”, “Thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbor”, Lev. 19:12).

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Rashi explains that Moshe was following the example of Yaakov, who only rebuked his sons when on his deathbed. The reason he had not rebuked Reuven, for example, earlier, was that he had feared that if he had done so, it would cause a rift between father and son, to the extent that Reuven would leave him and join his brother Esau, who stood for exactly the opposite of what Yaakov stood for. Moshe was presumably afraid that, with most Israelites probably on a lower moral level than Reuven, and Moshe being less eloquent than Yaakov, any attempt by him to reprimand the Israelites before this moment would be equally doomed to failure. So, he delayed forty years before carrying out the mitzvah of “hocheach tochiach”! This indicates how delicate the performance of this mitzvah is, and how careful we should be with it.

The Gemara (Erchin 16) quotes Rav Tarfon as saying: In our generation, there is no-one capable of giving a rebuke. Rav Elazar ben Azaria argues: No, the problem is that there is no-one capable of receiving it. Rav Yochanan ben Nuri argues: You are both right: no-one nowadays is capable of either giving or receiving a rebuke! What does this say for our own, orphaned, generation? We should be extremely careful about the performance of this mitzvah. The Gemara (Yebamos 65) says that if you have reason to believe your rebuke will not have the desired effect, then you must not make it! The point here is that you must not think: “Well, now it’s up to him to accept my rebuke, or not; if he doesn’t, he doesn’t; in any case I’ve done my duty by admonishing him.” The fact is, you may have done a whole lot of damage by admonishing him! You may have embarrassed him — a serious sin by itself — and you may have driven him away from Judaism.

With Tisha Be’Av approaching, we must think about the reasons for the destruction of the Temple. The Gemara gives many reasons for this, but they all seem to have a common theme: a lack of concern for other people, particularly for their feelings, even in the process of performing some mitzvah. We should all take this lesson to heart. The late Rav Kook said: There is only one sure cure for the sin of “sinas chinam” (causeless hate), and that is “ahavas chinam” (causeless love).

Rabbi Yaacov Haber has been a leading force in Jewish community and Jewish education for over forty years. He lived and taught in the United States, Australia and in Israel. He is presently the Rav of Kehillas Shivtei Yeshurun, a vibrant community in the center of Ramat Bet Shemesh, Israel, and serves as the Rabbinic guide to many of its wonderful organizations. ~ www.yaacovhaber.com

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