Mattos Chassidus on the Massei ~ Mattos Chassidus on the Parsha +

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)

 MATTOS ~ MASSEI 

_ CHASSIDUS ON THE PARSHA + Dvar Torah – Mattos

Keep Your Word The Torah states (30:3), “If a man takes a vow or swears an oath to G -d to establish a prohibition upon himself, he shall not violate his word; he shall fulfill whatever comes out of his mouth.” In relation to this passuk , the Midrash quotes from Tehillim (144:4), “Our days are like a fleeting shadow.” What is the connection? This can be explained, says Rav Levi Yitzchok, according to a Gemara ( Nedarim 10b), which states, “It is forbidden to say, ‘ Lashem korban , for G-d − an offering.’ Instead a person must say, ‘ Korban Lashem , an offering for G -d.’ Why? Because he may die before he says the word korban , and then he will have said the holy Name in vain.” In this light, we can understand the Midrash. The Torah states that a person makes “a vow to G-d.” This i s the exact language that must be used, mentioning the vow first. Why? Because “our days are like a fleeting shadow,” and there is always the possibility that he may die before he finishes his vow and he will have uttered the Name in vain. n Story The wood chopper had come to Ryczywohl from the nearby village in which he lived, hoping to find some kind of employment. But now it was already Friday, and he still had not

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] found any work at all. He was at his wits’ end. What kind of a Shabbos would there be in his home if he didn’t even have enough money to buy candles? Would they have to sit in the dark and think about the hunger in their bellies? On Friday afternoon, just as he was about to return home empty-handed, he found a job chopping wood for a few hours. The work earned him six coins. What could he get for six coins? Well, he could buy candles for two coins. For two more, he could buy wine for Kiddush. And for the last two coins he could buy two challos . He was satisfied. This was better than he had expected only a few hours earlier. During this time, Rav Levi Yitzchok, still young and unknown, was the rav of Ryczywohl. As the woodchopper was walking back to his home in the nearby village, Rav Levi Yitzchok stepped out into the street. “Young man,” he called out, “please come over here.” The woodchopper saw Rav Levi Yitzchok and was impressed with his holy appearance. He walked over and said, “Yes? Can I help you?” “Actually, you can,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “If you would do me a favor and being me a glass of hot tea from the inn, I promise you a portion in the Next World.” The woodchopper considered the offer and decided to accept it. The rav did not seem like a man who made promises frivolously. He bought the tea with two of his six coins and brought it to Rav Levi Yitzchok, who drank it and thanked him. “You’ve given me strength and life,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “And now, if you bring me another glass of tea, I’ll give you many blessings for you and your family.” The woodchopper thought it over, and once again, he finally decided to accept the offer. Although he was leaving himself with only two coins, the prospect of blessings for himself and his family was too appealing to forgo. Rav Levi Yitzchok drank the second glass and said, “That was very good. If you bring me another glass of tea, I will bless you, your family and future generations.” The woodchopper was sorely tempted, but he could leave himself with no money at all. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I have only two coins left, and if I buy you the third glass of tea, I will not even be able to buy candles in honor of Shabbos. My family will have to sit in the dark.” Rav Levi Yitzchok nodded and smiled at him. “Tell me,” he said. “How do you earn your basic bread?” “I have a milk cow,” said the woodchopper. “Sell your cow after Shabbos, and come back here in your Shabbos finery with the money from the sale in your hand. Come to my house, and I will fulfill my promise to you. I will keep my word.” The woodchopper went home to his village and told his wife everything that had transpired. She was not happy that he spent most of his money on tea for the rav , but she was especially upset by the idea of selling the cow. “Did you agree to do that?” she asked. “I didn’t say that I wouldn’t.” “But that’s ridiculous. How can we sell our cow? How will we live? How will we feed

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] our children? And how do you know what he is going to tell you to do with the money? Maybe he’ll just tell to keep buying him one glass of tea after another.” “I’ll tell you what,” said the woodchopper. “I won’t go out to look for a customer for the cow, but if someone comes and asks to buy it, I’ll sell it to him.” On Sunday morning, a well-dressed man appeared at the woodchopper’s door. “Would you by any chance have a cow for sale?” he asked. “Yes, I do,” said the woodchopper. “How much do you want for the cow?” The woodchopper thought for a moment. The cow was not worth more than fifteen or twenty silver coins, but the man apparently wanted it. “Forty-two silver coins,” he said. “Forty-two? That’s a little too much. How about twenty-five?” The woodchopper stood his ground. If this man had been sent by Heaven to buy his cow, he would not be deterred by the higher price. “Forty-two,” he said, “and not a penny less.” “Very well. We have a deal.” The woodchopper dressed in his Shabbos clothes, took the forty-two coins in hand and set off for Ryczywohl. When he arrived, he searched for the rav , but he was nowhere to be found. In the meantime, his attention was drawn to an event that was taking place in the town square. A crowd had assembled for the auctioning of a piece of property. Some of the squires in the area were also there to bid. Suddenly, the woodchopper felt an urge to bid on the property. The registration fee was forty coins, which he paid, leaving him with only two coins in his pocket. Nonetheless, he was soon bidding vigorously against the merchants and squires who had come with pockets full of money. The squires grew concerned that the well-dressed young man would win the bidding. At first, they tried to dissuade him by offering him one hundred rubles to refrain from further bidding, but he refused to be dissuaded. He continued to bid the price up. Every time someone made a bid, he bid higher. Annoyed, they decided to put this young upstart in his place. They would bid the price up to stellar heights, and then they would stop, leaving him with the winning bid. The auctioneer would demand payment in full right away, and since he would certainly not be able to pay, he would lose the sale and forfeit his registration fee as well. They pushed the bidding up until the woodchopper bid ten thousand rubles, and then all bidding suddenly stopped. The auctioneer announced that the woodchopper had won the bidding and that the full amount of the money had to be delivered by that evening. The squires went off to the tavern to celebrate. Meanwhile, the woodchopper went to the Jewish inn where he could buy something to eat. As he sat there, he wondered if he had made a mistake in declining the squires’ offer of one hundred rubles to desist. But then he decided that he should continue to trust in the Almighty as he could see the hand of divine providence in the events that were transpiring. As he sat there, a priest came into the inn and asked the owner if he had seen the

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] Jewish man who had won the bidding at the auction. The owner pointed out the woodchopper, and the priest came over and sat beside him. “I have a confidential matter to discuss with you,” he said. “Can we talk here?” “Yes.” “Then discuss.” “I was actually interested in that property on which you were bidding, but priests are restricted from participating in public auctions. It would seem to me that you do not have the money to pay for it. Am I correct?” “You are.” “Then I have a proposal for you,” said the priest. “I will give you the money, and you sign over half the property to me. We will be partners.” The woodchopper stroked his chin. “You know, the property is really worth much more than I bid. The others stopped bidding against me only because they thought I couldn’t pay up. But it is a bargain at the price I bid.” “So what are you saying?” “I’m saying that I agree to your proposal … but on the condition that you give me an additional thousand rubles right now.” “Done,” said the priest. They shook hands and drew up a document commemorating their agreement. That evening, the squires were amazed when the woodchopper appeared with the entire sum he had bid for the property. They sighed in resignation. Somehow, the young Jew had managed to pull off the purchase, and there was nothing they could do about it. The sensation of the auction did not last long. A new sensation took its place minutes after the purchase was concluded. Apparently, the priest who had spoken earlier with the woodchopper has died suddenly. The doctors diagnosed a virulent contagious disease. The body of the priest was quickly removed beyond the city limits, where he was buried that very night in his clothes. The document of partnership in his pocket went to the grave with him. The woodchopper was in a daze. It was incredible. In one day, his fortune had turned completely around. He was now the sole owner of a very valuable piece of property, and he also had a thousand rubles in his pocket to boot. As he walked away, he met the young rav. “Congratulations,” said Rav Levi Yitzchok. “I am very happy for you. But I want you to know that had you brought me that third glass of tea, your success would have come much more easily. But you have passed your test well. Go home, and may you continue to prosper always.” n Dvar Torah – Massei Journeys of Extraction In describing the travels of the Jewish people upon leaving Egypt, the Torah begins

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] with a certain phrase and then reverses it ( Bamidbar 33:2), “And Moshe recorded their exits and journeys ( motza’eihem lemas’eihem ) according to the word of G-d, and there are their journeys and exits ( mas’eihem lemotza’eihem ).” The posuk begins with exits followed by journeys and concludes with the two reversed, journeys and exits. Why the reversal? It can be said, explains Rav Levi Yitzchok, that the purpose of all those forty-two encampments on the way to Eretz YYisrael was to extract the nitzotzos , the sparks of holiness, trapped in the klippos , the contaminated husks, in those locations; the avodah that the Jewish people performed in those places had the effect of releasing the sparks from their captivity. That is why some encampments lasted for a long time, while others were comparatively brief. It all depended on the depth of the entrapment and the difficulty of the extraction. This is what the Torah is saying here. Moshe recorded their exits, motza’eihem , which can also be translated as their extractions, a reference to the work of extracting the sparks, which was the purpose of their journeys – to fulfill the word of G-d. Now the Torah goes on to enumerate their journeys, which were undertaken to effect the extractions. n Story

Without offering any explanation, Rav Levi Yitzchok hired a wagon and, accompanied by a group of his students, set out for an undisclosed destination. As they traveled, he gave the wagon driver directions, and several hours later they arrived at a village. Outside the village, there was an estate belonging to a German businessman on which there are a number of grain mills. The estate was managed by an overseer, a brutal and arrogant man. Many of the Jews living in the area had been employed in the mills when they first opened, but when this overseer had taken over the management, he dismissed all the Jewish employees. When Rav Levi Yitzchok and his entourage entered the village, he directed the driver to a particular house. As they pulled up, a burly man with a mustache and long curly hair emerged to confront them. It was the overseer of the estate. He was accompanied by a large black hound that snarled and barked at the new arrivals. What are you doing here?” he shouted. “Get off my property.” “We need a place to pray,” one of the students told him, at Rav Levi Yitzchok’s direction. The overseer became enraged. He pulled a pistol from his belt and pointed it at the wagon. “Leave now,” he said, “or I will shoot.” Rav Levi Yitzchok indicated to the driver to remain there. The overseer pointed at the wagon and pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. He tried again and again, but the pistol would not fire. Finally, he pointed it at the ground and tested it again. The pistol fired. The bullet whizzed from the barrel, struck a rock and ricocheted into the hound, killing him instantly. The overseer recoiled in shock. Rav Levi Yitzchok leaned forward and said, “Can we stop here to pray?” The overseer took one look at Rav Levi Yitzchok, and the blood rushed from his face. A terrible fear and trepidation such he had not felt in a very long time gripped his heart.

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] Many years earlier, as a soldier in the German imperial army, he had once had occasion to come into the presence of the Kaiser himself, and he had been overwhelmed by awe. The feeling he experienced when he saw Rav Levi Yitzchok was similar but much more intense. “Who is this man?” he whispered to one of the students. “This is Rav Levi Yitzchok, the rav of Berditchev.” “Oh, I’ve heard of him. He is said to be a very holy man.” “He is.” “What does he want?” “He wants to stop here to pray.” “Tell him that he is welcome,” said the overseer. “And tell him that he and his people are invited to stay overnight. I’ll send one of my men to take care of the driver and feed the horses.” Several Jews living in the next village came to the overseer’s house when they heard that Rav Levi Yitzchok was staying there. There was now a minyan for Minchah . Night fell, and it was time for Maariv . Rav Levi Yitzchok began with the words “ vehu rachum yechaper avon — for He is merciful and forgives sins.” He sang the words with an ethereal melody full of yearning and hope that gradually turned joyful and exhilarated. As Rav Levi Yitzchok sang, the overseer stood in the doorway, his face a tableau of turbulent emotions. It was as if he were struggling to control an inner conflict. Suddenly, as if a dam had burst, he began to weep and wail. He sat on the floor, his shoulders trembling, his eyes streaming with tears, and when Maariv was over, he approached Rav Levi Yitzchok with great timidity. “Holy rav,” he said in halting Yiddish, “I am also a Jew. I grew up in Germany in a wealthy family with not much connection to my religion. After I enlisted in the imperial army, I completely turned my back on the religion of my ancestors. I married a German woman and had German children. I became quite German myself to the point that I even hated all Jews. But now I realize that I have gone far astray, and I want to return to being a Jew. No, it is more than that. I want to be fully Jewish, more Jewish than I have ever been.” Rav Levi Yitzchok nodded. “Come to Berditchev,” he said, “and I will help you.” n n n

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

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

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

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

n n n n n Y GEDOLIM BE'MISASAM YOSER Z YAHRZEITS BEGINNING SHABBOS MATTOS MASSEI http://www.chinuch.org/gedolim_yahrtzeit/ Av Biographical information and yahrzeits compiled by Reb Manny Saltiel and www.anshe.org ststst + 111 of Menachem Av ~ Begins Friday Night (Jul 9th )  Aharon HaKohen (b. 1395) [the only Yahrzeit mentioned in the Torah ]. Aharon, who lived during the Exodus from Egypt, was the brother of Moshe and Miriam. He was chosen to be the first Kohen of the newly emerging Jewish nation. Aharon was known for bringing peace between husbands and wives and between neighbors and friend s. It pained Aharon to see broken relationships and he, on his own, would do his best to repair any relationship on the verge of breaking. When he explained to one party that the other side regretted the misunderstanding and the argument, it caused that pe rson to want to continue the relationship. Peace is a very important foundation of society. Without peace between man and his neighbor, society could not exist. Without peace between nations, progress and individual welfare cannot exist. Peace, whether between men or between Hashem and men,

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] is of paramount importance, (2488/1272 BCE);  Elozor ben Aharon HaKohen ;  Rav Chaim of Krasna, (5553/1793);  Rav Yaakov ben Rav Attar, a Sefardi Sage. He wrote the sefer Bais Elokai Yaakov ;  Rav Shmuel ben Rav Dovid Tzvi Ehrenfeld (b. 1805), mechaber of Chasan Sofer , and Rav in Mattersdorf. He was also known as the Deer of Arnaflid and grandson of the Chasam Sofer , (5643/1883);  Rav Yaakov Moshe Shurkin , Rosh Mesivta Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin, student of the Chofetz Chaim , (5723/1963);  Rav Yehoshua Heschel ben Rav Elozor ( niftar early 1700s). He was the Rav of Dubna after Rav Yosef Yoska, the Yesod Yosef ;  Rav Nosson Nota ben Rav Yosef of Averitch, a talmid of the Ba’al Shem Tov and father-in- law of the Bas Ayin. He did not sleep on Shabbos because it says Veshomru Vnei Yisrael es HaShabbos – “You should watch the Shabbos ", (5545/1785);  Rav Osher Ginzburg , son of Rav Arye Leib, the Shaagas Arye , (55o2/1742);  Rav Aharon ben Rav Moshe Goldstein, Rav of Breslov. He was one of the main students of Rav Nachman of Breslov. Rav Nachman said that he used his ancestral merits to bring Rav Aharon to Breslov and that Rav Aharon went to his chuppa with a "clean garment". He and Rav Naftoli were the two witnesses to Rav Nachman's famous promise to pull out of Gehinnom anyone who gives tzedoka and says Tikkun HaK’lali at his kever . His son, Rav Tzvi Arye, succeeded him. Rav Tzvi's son was Rav Nachman of Tcherin, (5605/1845);  Rav Aharon ben Rav Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, son of the Divrei Chaim , (5663/1903);  Rav Menachem Nachum ben Rav Yehuda Leib of Kobrin-Bialystok, a talmid muvhok of the Yesod Ho’Avoda of Slonim, (5678/1918);  Rav Shlomo Halberstam (b. 1908), son of Rav Ben Zion, grandson of Rav Shlomo, founder of the Bobov dynasty. At the outbreak of World War II, he and his father escaped to Lemberg. On the 4 th of Av 1942 his father was killed, and Rav Shlomo escaped to the Bochnia Ghetto. In Bochnia, the Rav lost his Rebbetzin and two children. He managed to escape with his only surviving child, Rav Naftoli Tzvi, to Budapest, and then to Bucharest. Rav Shlomo is believed to have been the last remaining Chassidish Rav to have survived the Holocaust. He remarried after the war and rebuilt Bobov into one of the largest Chassidish communities in the world. Born in the Galicia region of central Europe, Rav Halberstam arrived in the United States in 1946, alone and indigent, after his group was largely obliterated by the Nazis. During the war, Rav Halberstam dressed up as a nun in order to rescue other Jews, hiding them in the false bottom of a coal truck. Rav Halberstam is widely credited with rebuilding the Bobover community in the United States. There is a book, Nor the Moon by Night , about his experiences during the Holocaust. It was mentioned many times after his passing that it was no coincidence that his Yahrzeit is the same as Aharon HaKohen 's because he was the consummate ohev sholom v'rodef sholom and was loved by all, (5760/2000). ndndnd + 222 of Menachem Av ~ Begins Motzai Shabbos (Jul 10th )  Rav Aharon ben Rav Moshe Tumim (b. 1630). A Rav in Prague from 1659 to 1672, Rav Aharon became Rosh Yeshiva in Worms in 1672. He wrote Mateh Aharon on the Haggoda . In 1687, he accepted a position as Rav of Cracow, but because of political circumstances, he delayed his departure until 1690. Shortly after he left Worms, the city was destroyed by the

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] troops of King Louis XIV. He served in Cracow for four months before a Polish nobleman, while visiting another region, had him arrested for no reason, and placed on a horse to bring him to jail. On the way, he fell off many times. They put him right back on until, as a result of the torture, he died from his wounds, (5450/1690);  Rav Aharon Yosef Baksht , known in mussar circles as Reb Archik (b. 1863). Born in Iyola, Lithuania (near Vilna), an only child to Rav Yeshayohu Baksht, he left home to study in Volozhin when he was fourteen. After studying under Rav Yitzchok Blazer at Halvoyas HaMeis Yeshiva in Slabodka for three years, he transferred to the Bais HaTalmud in Kelm and became one of Rav Simcha Zissel’s most outstanding talmidim . After his marriage, he took his first rabbinical post in Bisgola, near Shavli. Thereafter, he served at Simiatitz (1896–1901), Volgograd (later known as Stalingrad), Shadova, Suvalk, and eventually, in 1926, in Lomza, where he also founded a Kollel . In 1937, he moved to Shavli to replace Rav Meir Atlas and founded a Yeshiva . He was shot and murdered by the Nazis. Sadly, his many chiddushim and commentary on the Yerushalmi were also destroyed, (5701/1941);  Rav Gedalia Silverstone . Born in Eastern Europe in 1871, he studied in the Yeshiva of Telshe under Rav Eliezer Gordon. In 1901, Rav Silverstone became chief Rav of Belfast, Ireland. In approximately 1906, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he served several congregations, including Tifereth Yisrael (which was then Orthodox) and Ohev Sholom . During the 1930s he settled in Eretz Yisrael. His works include Bais Meir ; Yeshua Gedola ; Pirchei Aviv ; Sukkas Sholom and a Haggoda commentary entitled Korban Pesach , (5704/1944);  Rav Moshe ben Rav Avrohom Stern, the Debrecziner Rav , mechaber of Be’er Moshe . Born in 1914 in Neuhaizal, Slovakia, on Hoshana Rabba , his father, Rav Avrohom, was the Rav of Neuhaizal, a historian and mechaber of the seforim Gapei Eish on the Shas ; Shulchan Eish and Melitzei Eish . After learning with his father and grandfather, Rav Moshe left Neuhaizal to study in Yeshivas Pressburg , headed by the Chasam Sofer 's great-grandson, Rav Akiva Sofer, the Daas Sofer . Rav Moshe married a daughter of Rav Mordechai Nissan HaKohen Strasser, a grandson of the Chasam Sofer . After his marriage, he moved to Debrecen, Hungary's second largest city, where Jews had been barred from living until 1840. Debrecen had served as the capital of Hungary twice, once in 1849, and a second time, in 1944. In Debrecen, he was appointed a Posek and Dayan . By 1941, 9,142 Jews lived in Debrecen and comprised about 7 percent of its population. After the war, about 4,640 Jews returned to Debrecen, making it the largest Jewish community in the area. Rav Moshe restructured the kehilla . Together with the Admor of Erlau, he even founded a Yeshiva in Budapest. In about 1950, Rav Moshe was invited to be the Rav of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he stayed for a year. Soon afterward, Rav Moshe moved to New York and established his Kahal Yesodei HaTorah , whose congregants were mostly immigrants from Hungary. In 1969, Rav Moshe began publishing his sefer of responsa Be'er Moshe . Another of Rav Moshe's seforim is his Kuntrus Ha'Electric where he discusses the dozens of shailos involved with electricity, such as accepting testimony over the phone and setting up alarms to work on Shabbos , (5757/1997). rdrdrd + 333 of Menachem Av ~ Sunday Night (Jul 11th )  Rav Shimshon ben Rav Pesach of Ostropoli Hy"d , respected by both Ashkenazi and Sefardi Rabbonim for his explanation of the Ari HaKodosh commentary on Pesach and the Ten Plagues in Egypt. There is a famous promise in his commentary on Pesach that anybody

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] who reads the commentary even once each year and on Erev Pesach will be saved from any accident or strange death for the whole year. Rav Shimshon, along with ten thousand Jews of Polana, died al kiddush Hashem , in the Chmielnicki massacres, (5408/1648);  Rav Shimshon Bachrach of Nicholsburg, son of the Chavos Yair , (5481/1721);  Rav Gedalia Aharon ben Rav Yehoshua Rabinowitz of Monastrich Hy"d , killed in a pogrom in Uman with seven hundred others, (5679/1919).;  Rav Dovid Shapira ben Rav Pinchas Leib, (5694/1934);  Rav Chaim Yechezkel Taub of Ozorov ben Rav Yisrael of Modzitz, (5698/1938);  Rav Yehoshua Heschel HaLevi ben Rav Chaim Shmuel Horowitz Hy"d , a descendant of the Chozeh (Seer) of Lublin, (5703/1943);  Rav Moshe Sitrin , a known Sefardi sage. He wrote the Sefer Be'er Moshe . He lived in the city of Medabartzin, (5757/1997);  Rav Yaakov Landau , son of the Noda BiYehuda , (5582/1822);  Rav Shmuel Bornstein (also known as Rav Shmuel Salir), mechaber of Shem Mishmuel and Rebbe of Sochaczev (Sochochow) (b. 1855), son of the Avnei Nezer , (5687/1927);  Rav Yitzchok ben Rav Mordechai Twersky, the first Skverer-Kishinev Rebbe in America. Known as Reb Itzikel Skverer, he left Ukraine and came to America, arriving in 1923. Eventually he settled in the Boro Park section of Brooklyn, (5701/1941);  Rav Eliyohu Moshe Shisgal [Schisgal]. Learned with Rav Shlomo Heiman at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas . He married Faye Gittel Feinstein, daughter of Rav Moshe Feinstein, (5633/1973). ththth + 444 of Menachem Av ~ Begins Monday Night (Jul 12th )  Rav Menachem Azaria ben Rav Yitzchok Brechya deFano (from Pano) (b. 1548), Italian Mekubol , known as the Rema MiPano , (5380/1620);  Rav Tzvi Meir HaKohen Rabinowitz , Av Bais Din of Radomsk. His father was the Tiferes Shlomo , Rav Shlomo HaKohen of Radomsk, (5662/1902);  Rav Efraim ben Rav Yechezkel Taub of Kuzmir, (5664/1904);  Rav Refoel ben Rav Mordechai Ankawa (also spelled Ankavah or Encouau) of Morocco, (1848–1935) was the chief Rav of Morocco and a noted commentator, Talmudist , Posek , and mechaber . Born in Sale, Morocco, in 1848, he was known to the Jews of North Africa as Malach Refoel (the Angel Refoel). In 1880, he became president of the Bais Din in Sale and founded a Yeshiva there. In 1918, he was appointed the first president of the high rabbinical court of Rabat, Morocco. He published numerous works on jurisprudence, including Karne Re’em (Yerushalayim, 1910); Hadad Vetema (Yerushalayim, 1978); Paamonei Zohov (Yerushalayim, 1912) and Paamon Verimon (Yerushalayim, 1967); some of them continue to be regarded as authoritative. His funeral, on August 2, 1935, was attended by over fifty thousand followers. His grave became a place of Jewish pilgrimage. Rav Ankawa is survived by hundreds of descendants today, mostly in Eretz Yisrael, France and the United States. Leading Rabbonim refer to his books as sources for contemporary Jewish legal works, (5695/1935);  Rav Refoel ben Rav Mordechai Ankawa  Rav Benzion Halberstam of Bobov, Hy”d , mechaber of Kedushas Tzion , a commentary on the Torah . He was born in the year 1874/5634 in Bokovosk, Galicia, to Rav Shlomo Halberstam, a grandson of Rav Chaim of Sanz. In 1893, Rav Shlomo moved to Bobov and appointed his son, Rav Benzion, Rav of the town. His father’s work with youth was sadly

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] cut short when he passed away suddenly in 1905, at the age of fifty-eight. On the following Shabbos , Rav Shlomo’s brothers appointed Rav Benzion the Bobover Rebbe at the age of thirty-one. He followed in his father’s footsteps by focusing on the youth. He was murdered with twenty thousand Jews after being forced to dig a mass grave in a forest outside Lvov (Lemberg). Rav Benzion was survived by two sons – Rav Shlomo Halberstam, the Bobover Rebbe (niftar 2000) [who rebuilt Bobover Chassidus in the United States], and Rav Yechezkel Dovid ( niftar 1978), as well as seven daughters, the oldest of whom was Devora Lea Twerski of Milwaukee, (5701/1941);  Rav Eliyohu Glucksman (b. 1921), Dayan of the Washington Heights (New York) community, teacher at Bais Yaakov and Rika Breuers Teachers Seminary. Born in Berlin, he escaped to England in 1938, where he studied under Rav Eliyohu Dessler. He later immigrated to Eretz Yisrael, where he learned at Bais Yosef , Petach Tikva, and then ten years in Bnei Brak at Kollel Chazon Ish (5764/2004). ththth + 555 of Menachem Av ~ Begins Tuesday Night (Jul 13th )  Rav Yitzchok Luria Ashkenazi from Tzefas, the Arizal (b. 1534), born in Yerushalayim, son of Rav Shlomo Luria Ashkenazi, who is believed to be descended from Rav Yechiel Luria, Av Bais Din of Brisk and mechaber of Chochmas Shlomo on Shas and Yad Shel Shlomo . His father passed away shortly after his birth, and Rav Klominus taught him. He and his family moved to Egypt when Rav Klominus passed away. There he learned with Rav Dovid ben Zimra, the Radvaz , from age fourteen. Among the other talmidim was Rav Betzalel Ashkenazi, mechaber of Shita Mekubetzes . He moved to Tzefas at age thirty-six, in the same year that the Ramak , Rav Moshe Cordovero, was niftar . He was niftar two years later, (5332/1572);  Rav Gedalya Chiyun . Born in Turkey, he founded Yeshivas Bais Kel (in 1732), whose talmidim studied Kabbola according to the approach of the Arizal . His teacher was the great Mekubol Rav Chaim Alfandari. His greatest student was Rav Sholom Sharabi ( Rashash ) of Yemen (5 th of Av , according to Yated 2007), (5510/1750);  Rav Meir Berabi , Rav of Pressburg and mechaber of Chiddushei Maharam Berabi , (5549/1789);  Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzensky of Vilna. Born in Ivye in 1863, a small town near Vilna where his father (a talmid of Rav Yisrael Salanter) was Rav for forty years, preceded by his grandfather who had also served as Rav there for forty years, Rav Chaim Ozer was gifted with an infallible memory, never experiencing “forgetting”, as he himself remarked, until his old age. At fifteen years of age, he went to the Yeshiva of Volozhin and was immediately accepted into Rav Chaim Brisker's select group. He married the daughter of the Vilna Dayan , Rav Lazer, son-in-law of Rav Yisrael Salanter, at the age of twenty. Two years later, his father-in-law passed away, and he then took the position of Dayan in Vilna, and over the next fifty-five years, became the unofficial Rav of Vilna. His only child, a girl of seventeen, became ill, was bedridden for three years, and passed away at twenty. Rav Chaim Ozer was one of the founders of Agudas Yisrael and was the pillar of the movement throughout his life. One of the Gedolei HaDor of his time, he was very close with the Chofetz Chaim . He was a great Tzaddik and an absolute genius, with a reputation for, among other things, being able to write two separate things at a time using his right and left hands simultaneously. He authored Sheilos Utshuvos Achiezer . With his petira , the Jewish people lost three giants in ten months, the others being Rav Shimon Shkop, Rosh Yeshiva in Telshe for twenty-five

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] years and in Grodno (9 th of Cheshvan ) and Rav Boruch Ber Levovitz of Kamenitz (5 th of Kislev ), (5700/1940);  Rav Ezriel Hildesheimer , Rav of Adas Yisrael of Berlin (b. 1820), the first Rosh Yeshiva of the Berlin Rabbinical Seminary, and formerly Rav of Eisenstadt, Hungary. The Berlin Seminary, which was created in response to the growth of Reform in Germany, continued in existence until the late 1930s under the leadership of such figures as Rav Dovid Zvi Hoffman (until 1921), Rav Avrohom Eliyohu Kaplan (until 1924) and Rav Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg [another source claims 4 th of Tammuz ], (5659/1899);  Rav Chaim of Krasna, a talmid of the Ba’al Shem Tov , (5553/1793);  Rav Binyomin Paler (b. 1908), a talmid muvhok of the Brisker Rav , Rav Yitzchok Zev HaLevi Soloveitchik. His mother was a direct descendant of the Rema . Born in Brisk, Rav Binyomin studied in Toras Chessed of Rav Moshe Sokolovski, mechaber of the Imrei Moshe . In 1931, he transferred to the Yeshiva of Rav Velvel Soloveitchik, the Rav of Brisk. He traveled with the Mir Yeshiva to Shanghai, where he drew close to the mashgiach , Rav Yechezkel Levenstein. After the war, he arrived in the United Sates and founded the Bais HaTalmud Yeshiva in Brooklyn. Soon afterward, he married the daughter of Rav Shmuel Ehrenfeld of Mattersdorf. In 1967, he founded the Mekor Chaim Yeshiva , where he taught for over thirty years, (5760/2000);  Rav Shimon Nosson Nota Biderman . Born in Teverya in 1930 to Rav Yaakov Yitzchok, the Admor of Lelov, a descendant of the first Lelover Rebbe , Rav Dovid, who himself was a talmid of the Chozeh of Lublin. When his father was niftar in 1981, Rav Shimon Nosson Nota became Admor and opened Mosdos Ohr Yaakov in his father’s memory; these included kollelim and chessed organizations, (5764/2004);  Rav Yechiel Michel Dorfman . One of the leaders of Breslov, he married the granddaughter of Rav Avrohom Sternhartz. He used to risk his life to take people to Rav Nachman's tziun in Uman. He spent time in Russian prisons and Siberia, and was the guardian of Rav Nachman's kever during the post-World War II Communist regime. He was instrumental in building the new kloiz (shul) in Uman. He had a rigorous schedule of Torah and Avoda until the end of his life, (5766/2006);  Rav Aharon Shakovitzky . Born in 1911 to Rav Binyomin Shakovitzky, the Maggid of Minsk, Rav Aharon traveled alone to Eretz Yisrael at the age of twelve to study under Rav Leib Chasman at Yeshivas Chevron . He survived the Chevron Massacre of 1929 and later lived in the home of Rav Yechezkel Sarna. After marrying, he and his wife lived in Tel Aviv and later in Bnei Brak. He studied with hasmoda and yegia his entire life, never wanting to take on the burden of the rabbinate, (5765/2005). ththth + 666 of Menachem Av ~ Begins Wednesday Night (Jul 14th )  Rav Yaakov Cohen Yonoson , a Sefardi sage. He wrote the sefer Seed of the Peace , (5696/1936);  Rav Yehoshua Greenwald , Av Bais Din of Chust . After suffering the horrors of World War II, he followed the Rambam ’s advice and wrote that “strolling in beautiful gardens, looking at pleasing works of architecture, and being surrounded by beautiful objects alleviate depression and expand one's mind, (5729/1969);  Rav Arye Finkel , Rosh Yeshiva of Mir-Brachfeld, (5776/2016);  Rav Shlomo Zalman HaKohen (Hanau) Katz of Frankfurt-on-Main, mechaber of Binyan Shlomo , a work on Hebrew grammar, (5506/1746).

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] + 7th of Av ~ Begins Thur sday Night (Jul 15th )  Rav Moshe ben Amram Greenwald (or Grunwald) of Chust, the Arugas Habosem (1915). A disciple of Rebbe Yehoshua Rokeach of Belz. His son, Rav Yaakov Yechezkiya, became the Pupa Rebbe;  Rav Pinchos of Sokolivka Hy"d (1919 / 5679) ben Rav Gedalia Aharon of Linitz. Rav Pinchos'l was both uncle and father –in–law to the Maonstrishter Rav Yehosua Heshil Rabinowitz. Along with other Jews, he was killed by the Ukranians during the Russian Revolution in a pogrom in the streets of Uman;  Rav Simcha Bunim Ehrenfeld of Matters dorf, son of Rav Shmuel Ehrenfeld. Rosh Yeshiva of the Chasan Sofer yeshiva. Mechaber of Ma'aneh Simcha , (1926);  Don Yosef Hanasi ;  Rav Shmuel , son of Rav Yitzchok Isaac Yankowitz, Rishon LeZion Rebbe, (1999);  Rav Shalom Noach Brazovsky , the Slonimer Rebbe (1911-2000/5760). Born in Baranovich (today in Belarus), where his father, Rav Moshe Avraham, was the Rosh Hakahal . Baranovich was the home of the Slonimer Rebbe, Rav Avraham Weinberg, and his yeshiva, Toras Chessed. (Rav Weinberg, kno wn as the Bais Avraham, was a great -grandson and namesake of the first Slonimer Rebbe, known as the Yesod Ha'avodah. Rav Brazovsky's mother was a granddaughter of Rav Hillel, a brother of the Yesod Ha'avodah.) The future Rav Brazovsky studied in Yeshivas T oras Chessed under its rosh yeshiva, Rav Avraham Shmuel Hirshovitz (a grandson of Rav Eliezer Gordon of Telz), and its mashgiach , Rav Moshe Midner (a grandson of the Yesod Ha'avodah and a student of Rav Chaim 'Brisker' Soloveitchik). He thus absorbed Talmu dic studies in the Lithuanian style with traditional chassidic teachings. Shortly before his own passing in 1933, the Bais Avraham recommended to his cousin, Rav Avraham Weinberg of Teveryah that he take Rav Brazovsky as a son-in-law. (Rav Avraham's brothe r was the father of Rav Yaakov Weinberg, the late rosh yeshiva of Ner Yisrael, and Rav Noach Weinberg, founder of Aish HaTorah.) His father-in-law was the Birchas Avraham. On Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, 1941, Rav Brazovsky opened the Slonimer yeshiva in Yerusha layim. With the exception of the Yesod Ha'avodah, none of the Slonimer Rebbes or their predecessors, the rebbes of Lechovitch and Kobrin, committed their teachings to writing. As part of his effort to rejuvenate Slonimer chassidus, Rav Brazovsky was respon sible for collecting the oral traditions ascribed to these leaders in works such as Divrei Shmuel and Toras Avos . Rav Brazovsky also authored many volumes of his own teachings, including the seven -volume Nesivos Shalom – one of the more popular chassidishe seforim of our time. Rav Brazovsky served as the Slonimer Rebbe from his father-in-law's petira in 1981.  Y HILLULA DE’T ZADDIKA Z WHAT’S BEHIND YAHRZEIT MEANINGS & CUSTOMS The Maharil, in Hilchos Taanis, teaches us that the reason why there is a custom to visit the Bais hachaim on a fast is because “this place is the resting place of the Tzaddikim and is therefore sanctified, pure and holy and our tefillos are more readily heard, accepted and

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] answered when davened on holy ground. When you daven there, do not make requests of the dead who are buried there; rather ask Hashem to answer you mercifully in their merit. Then circle around the graves and donate charity before reciting tefillos.” בית הקברות הוא מקו מנוחת הצדיקי ומתו כ הוא מקו קדוש וטהור התפילה נתקבלה ש יותר , א אל ישי מגמתו נגד המתי , א יבקש מהשי“ ת שית עליו רחמי בזכות הצדיקי שוכני עפר , ויקי הקברות , וית צדקה קוד שיאמר התחינות. The Zohar in VaYeira page 71 teaches us that if we suffer any calamity or tragedy we have the custom to go and daven at the kevorim of Tzaddikim . The reason for this is that we approach them with fasting, remorse and repentance, and we have in mind that the departed souls ask and daven for us before Hashem on High, as opposed to the prohibition against speaking to the dead which is an idolatrous practice where the idol worshippers sought out the impure dead souls and bodies using sorcery and witchcraft. Instead, beseech our Tzaddikim who, in gan eden , are truly alive, and ask through tefilla and fasting and teshuva alone. 

Y GEDOLIM BE’MASAYHEM Z STORIES & ANECDOTES Rav Aharon HalberstamHalberstam,, 1, 1 ststst of Menachem Av Rav of Sanz, son of the Divrei Chaim Rav Aharon Halberstam was born in to Rav Aharon being imprisoned for six 5586/1826, in Rudnick. His father was Rav weeks. Chaim, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. Rav Aharon wrote down many He was a talmid of his father, and chiddushei Torah , but shortly before his would also travel to the courts of other passing, he burned all his manuscripts. leading Rebbes , among them Rav Tzvi After taking ill, Rav Aharon traveled Hirsh of Rimanov, Rav Dovid of Tolna, the to Vienna to meet with doctors. He was Sar Sholom of Belz and Rav Avrohom of niftar as he made his way home, on Rosh Trisk. Chodesh Av 5663/1903, at age seventy- Rav Aharon married the daughter of seven. He was buried in the ohel with his the nogid Rav Yaakov Weinberger of father, in Sanz. Dukla. Rav Aharon’s sons were Rav Shmuel In 5617/1857, Rav Aharon was Shmelke; Rav Shalom, who served as Rav appointed Rav in the city of Sanz. in Pikli and Sanz; and Rav Aryeh Leibish of Following his father’s petira (25 th of Sanz-Gribov. His son-in-law was Rav Nissan 5636/1876), Rav Aharon was the Moshe Halberstam of Bardiov. only son who was not appointed Rebbe. He Some of his Divrei Torah were refused to accept the Chassidim who came published in Megged Eretz , by Rav Aharon to his house. Halberstam of Biale-Bilitz (a great- During his tenure as Rav, Rav nephew) and in other seforim as well. Aharon applied a cherem against one of the Zecher tzaddik livrachah. residents of the city, who refused to accept www.hamodia.com/features/this-day-in-history-1-avjuly-8/ the ruling of his Beis Din . This incident led

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] Rav Yaakov Moshe ShurkinShurkin,,,, 111ststst of Menachem Av Rosh Mesivta of Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin Rav Yaakov Moshe Shurkin was the but he couldn’t get the right papers, so he younger son of Rav Michel Zalman, born in went first to Eretz Yisrael. In Yerushalayim, 5662/1902. He was born in Podobranka, a he became close with Rav Isser Zalman small village deep in White Russia. His Meltzer. original surname was Shur, which was later Two years later, he went on to changed, most likely to evade the Russian America. There, he married the daughter of military draft. Rav Yaakov Kantorovich. Rav Yaakov, an He was descended from a prominent uncle of Rav Moshe Feinstein, had been Chabad family in Podobranka. His Rav of Timkavitch in Russia. When the maternal grandfather was Rav Zalman communists took over, all Rabbonim were Freidin, son-in-law of Rav Zalman Chaikin in danger. Rav Yaakov and Rav Moshe of Podobranka. escaped to America, and Rav Kantorovich Rav Levi Yitzchok Schneerson was became a Rav in Trenton, New Jersey. He also a grandson of Rav Zalman Chaikin; he authored Tzilusa DeShmaatsa on the Shev and Rav Yaakov Moshe’s mother were first Shmaatsa , Chiddushei HaGra and other cousins. His son, the Lubavitcher Rebbe , seforim . At his petira he was buried in and Rav Yaakov Moshe, were second Trenton; later, with a psak from his cousins. nephew Rav Moshe, the aron was moved to When Yaakov Moshe became bar Chelkas HaRabbonim in Beit Shemesh. mitzva, Rav Michel Zalman was suddenly Rav Yaakov Moshe was a Rosh niftar . Now a young orphan, Rav Yaakov Mesivta in Yeshiva U’Mesivta Rabbeinu Moshe decided to go to Radin, where he Chaim Berlin from its founding in learned with extraordinary hasmada under 5698/1938 until he was niftar on Rosh the Chofetz Chaim for the next fifteen Chodesh Av 5723/1963, at sixty-two. He years. During his years in Yeshiva, his was buried in Beth David cemetery in mother also passed away. Elmont, Long Island. Rav Yaakov Moshe was zocheh to be Several volumes of his shiurim on one of those who took part in the tahara of masechtos have been published as Shiurei the Chofetz Chaim. Many years later Rav Rav Yaakov Moshe . Mendel Zaks , son-in-law of the Chofetz His son, Rav Michel, shlit’a , is a Chaim and Rosh Yeshiva in Radin, wrote Rosh Yeshiva in Toras Moshe in the nusach for the matzeiva of Rav Yerushalayim. Shurkin. Zecher tzaddik livrachah . In 5693/1933, Rav Yaakov Moshe www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-1-avjuly-28/ tried to leave Europe and go to America,  Aharon HaKohenHaKohen,, 1, 1 ststst ofofof Menachem Av Born: Egypt, 1406 BCE. / Niftar : Hor Sephirah of Hod . HaHar, 1283 BCE. The Arizal says that Aharon Prophet, brother of Moshe Rabbeinu HaKohen, was Haran (brother of Avraham and Miriam the Prophetess, the first Kohen Avinu) in his previous life. Haran (same Gadol (High Priest). The chariot for the letters as Aharon, without the Alef ) had to

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] correct an element of idol worship when they fell on their faces, as it is committed by Adam, but he failed. As written, Moshe and Aharon fell on Aharon he should have also sacrificed his their faces (Bamidbar 14:5), and life, like Chur ben Miriam did, in order to whereas Yehoshua and Calev were stop the sin of the Golden Calf from taking answered when they rent their place, in order to do a correction garments (Ta'anis 14b); concerning idol worship. Mistakenly, he  He loved peace and pursued it, loved thought that Chur's death accomplished people and drew them close to the that. ( Sha'ar HaGilgulim page 95, 114) Torah (Avos 1:12); Though all of his intentions had  Aharon never said to a man or been pure, trying only to hold off the Erev woman, "You have sinned". Moshe, Rav (Mixed Multitude) long enough to give however, rebuked them ( Sifra Moshe a chance to return to the camp and Shemini 1). When Aharon went on restore order, still, it had been his hand his way and a wicked person that had worked the gold. Aharon HaKohen encountered him, Aaron greeted was punished for his mistake, to lose all his him. The next day, that man wanted four sons. Moshe prayed for him and to commit a sin, but thought, "Woe succeeded in saving two of them. is to me! How will I raise my eyes afterwards and look at Aharon? I am Aharon was later reincarnated as ashamed before him, for he greeted Yaabetz HaShofet (another name for me" ( Avos d' Rav Nasan 12:3). Othniel ben Kenaz), he returned again as

Tula ben Puah HaShofet, he reincarnated again in Shmuel HaNavi (Samuel the When two people quarreled Aharon Prophet), reincarnated again in Aviyah son went and sat down with one of them and of King Yerovam, reincarnated again in said to him, "My son, know that your friend Uriah HaKohen (who was killed by King has said, 'I am ashamed before him because Yehoyakim, and by that was atoned for I have sinned against him.' "Aaron would having to be killed in the Golden Calf sit with him until he had dispelled the ill incident) and reincarnated again in feeling from his heart. Then Aaron would Zechariah HaNavi. ( Shaar HaGilgulim , go and sit with the other one and say to Hakdama 33). him, "Know that your friend is saying, 'Woe is to me! How shall I raise my eyes and look Aharon's wife Elisheva was later reincarnated as Batsheva, the soul mate of at my friend? I am ashamed before him because I have sinned against him.' Dovid HaMelech. ( Kisvei HaAri - Shaar "Aharon would sit with him until he had HaPsukim , Shmuel II) dispelled the ill feeling from his heart.

 Three good leaders arose for Bnei When the two friends later met, they Yisrael, Moshe, Aharon, and Miriam embraced and kissed each other (ibid. (Ta'anis 9a); 12:3);  There were seventy small courts  There were thousands in Bnei over which Aharon was appointed Yisrael who were called by the name (Zohar 3:20:1);  The merit of Moshe and Aharon was of Aharon, for if not for Aharon, they would not have come into the world. enough to redeem Bnei Yisrael (Shemos Rabbah 15:3); Aharon made peace between  Not all are answered when they fall husband and wife so that they came on their faces in prayer, and not all together, and they named the child when they rend their garments. that was born after him (ibid. 12:3); Moshe and Aharon were answered 16
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 Aharon tied a rope of iron about his In one year three righteous people were waist and went around to all the niftar – Moshe, Aharon, and Miriam. houses of Bnei Yisrael. To whoever Three precious gifts that had been given was ignorant he taught Krias Shema through them were canceled: the manna , and prayer, and whoever could not which was in the merit of Moshe, the pillar learn Torah he taught Torah (Tanna of cloud, which was in the merit of Aharon, d'Bei Eliyahu Rabbah , ed. Meir Ish and the well, which was in the merit of Shalom ); Miriam. All of them were removed in the  When Moshe spoke, Aharon would same month ( Sifri Devarim 305). bend his ear to listen in awe, and May the merit of the tzaddik Aharon Scripture considers it as if he heard HaKohen protect us all, Amen. directly from the Holy One, Blessed www.rabbishimon.com/tzadikim/showz.php?p=aharon.htm is He ( Mechilta Bo 3).  Rav Shlomo HalberstamHalberstam,,,, 111STSTST of Menachem Av Bobover Rebbe Remembering the Bobover Rebbe: 2 relive the image of my father, it is definitely Articles (Edited for Length) the enthusiasm and bren that comes to Rav Shlomo Halberstam, the mind,” said Rebbetzin Sara Meislish, Tzaddik that rebuild the Chassidic sect of daughter of Rav Shlomo Halberstam, the Bobov, and made it again into a dynasty previous Bobover Rebbe. “It was a privilege after World War II. He saw a world in its for him to do a mitzvah. He lived from devastation and presided over its mitzvah to mitzvah.” renaissance, teaching the new generation Rav Halberstam the lessons that had sustained the old. “He lost his wife and most never forgot where he came from, never of his children during accepted the American way,” recalls one of the Holocaust. Yet his chassidim. when he came to “Someone once said something that America with his eldest he disagreed with, and he argued son, Rav Naftuli, to vehemently. ‘How can you express such an rebuild his life and the opinion? It must be because you grew up life of Bobover here, in the land of Coca-Cola! How can Chassidus, his you understand the way things ought to dedication to mitzvos be?’ ” never wavered. “Whether he was lighting He strove to create a Bobov that Chanukah licht , baking matzos on Erev would match the Bobov that had been Pesach or shaking a lulav and esrog on destroyed, working assiduously to build, Succos, thousands of people were that his father would have been proud of. inspired,” she recalled. The Jewish He once jokingly commented that “I strive Observer wrote: ‘His simcha and fervor to preserve my father’s minhagim , but I do were the same whether he was making have one tradition that I haven’t received Kiddush before thousands of people or at from my father: my father never owed his own table with two guests.’ millions of dollars for his mosdos ." “Once, when he was in his eighties, “When I close my eyes and try to he was in Florida for a vacation and had to have a cataract removed. Never had he had 17
Mattos - Massei / [email protected] any medical procedure done on him, and earth. Man can be killed, but his soul is he was frightened. My sister flew down to eternal, and no murderer or evildoer in the be with him. The doctor saw his fear and world can harm the soul. said, ‘Rebbe, don’t worry. I’ve been doing “Today, Naftoli, I am your father this operation for so many years that I can and you, my son, can still fulfill the do it with my eyes closed.’ mitzvah of kibbud ov , which is one of the “My father turned to my sister and most stringent laws in the Torah. his gabbai and said, ‘Did you hear that? Tomorrow, apparently, both of us will be I’ve been putting on tefillin for seventy-two sacred souls in Shomayim . My son, how years, and I still can’t do it with my eyes great is the merit of a Jewish soul that closed.’ Each time he put them on, it was fulfills the mitzvah of, ‘I shall be sanctified like the first time.” among Bnei Yisrael.’ Tomorrow, if such is Rebbetzin Meislish also described the will of Hakodosh Boruch Hu, both of us her father’s love for the mitzvah of tzedaka , will merit fulfilling the mitzvah of which had him give away hundreds of ‘Venikdashti Besoch Bnei Yisrael. thousands of dollars in charity. He taught Tomorrow we will fulfill this great mitzvah. her the proper use of money at a young age. In these last minutes of our lives I have one Once he took her to the home of a wealthy request of you, my son. I want you to fulfill benefactor. “Ooh, Tatte , what a house,” the yet another mitzvah of kibbud ov vo’ei m little girl whispered admiringly. “Does it before they kill me. I want Naftoli to obey help?” the Rebbe replied. “Does it help our me. Do you promise to obey me?” avodas Hashem ? The Eibishter should “Yes, my father,” Naftoli answered, save me, my children, my grandchildren and the and all our generations from such a house!” Bobover The Bobover Rebbe miraculously Rebbe survived the horrors of the Holocaust. He continued: was confronted with death on many “Naftoli, my occasions, and was prepared to sanctify dear one, Hashem’s Name with his own death. He recall experienced obvious miracles which could Simchas fill volumes, teaching how the hand of Torah in Hashgocho accompanied him throughout Bobov and the entire Holocaust, helping him renew the the Bobover dynasty after the war. tremendous simcha we felt when we An astounding chapter of his life danced during hakofos with the Torah in during the Holocaust focuses on his rescue our hands, or the simcha of the baking of of Jewish children. In superhuman ways, matzos on erev Pesach, and all of the with enormous mesiras nefesh , he saved simcha with which a Jew should observe Jewish lives, hiding people at the risk of his every single mitzvah, especially that of own life. kiddush Hashem . We have only a few more hours in which to live—a few more hours Once the Rebbe was caught along until morning. The only mitzvah we can with his son, Rav Naftoli, and was certain still fulfill is that of kiddush Hashem with that he they would be killed in the morning. all our heart. The murderers will torture He approached his beloved son, and with me with bitter and harsh torments because einayim kedoshos welling with tears, he they will want to know the identities of the said: “Naftoli, my dear son, know that the smugglers and those who make counterfeit body of a Jew is corporeal—dust from the affidavits. I won’t say a thing. I will only

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] shout ‘ Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu was like a father to them, instilling them Hashem Echod ’ until my soul departs from with new spirit and drawing them close to my body. When you see my tremendous him as if he were their father. suffering, don’t pay attention to it. Just In time, he traveled to London to shout, ‘ Shema Yisrael ’ too, and don’t fear participate in the Agudas Yisrael Knessia anything in the world. Strengthen yourself and from there continued to America. and don’t cry then, because if you cry you Immediately upon his arrival in the United might confuse me at this great, sacred States he sent visas to his students and son, moment. Naftoli, that is my final request to and brought them to America. you. Will you listen to me?” The Bobover Rebbe's purpose in Naftoli burst into uncontrolled tears, going to London was to revive the Torah and in a choked voice said: “ Tatte , I will world and the Chassidic Bobov community. ask the murderers to kill me first, because I The Bobover Rebbe, who agreed to fill the surely won’t be able to watch you suffer.” place of his father as Admor because his They prepared themselves for the Chassidim begged him to do so, began to mitzvah of kiddush Hashem . On the way to lead his flock. Masses of survivors from the scaffold they were saved at the last Bobov began to stream to him, impressed moment, and returned to the camp in by his sichos , which they felt were Bochnia. comparable to those delivered by his A Hungarian affidavit in hand, the illustrious forbears, the founders and Admor managed to escape from the camp, leaders of Bobover Chassidus. and in roundabout ways he reached Kashoi Under his leadership, Bobover and Budapest. After the Nazi Invasion, he Chassidus gradually grew and thousands of went on to Grosswardein. During the days families numbered themselves among his of wrath he truly drank the bitter cup until followers. He established a new generation its last dregs, losing his wife and two of his of avreichim and Torah scholars imbued children. with exalted spiritual aspirations. He led When he reached Romania he, his flock with compassion and endless together with a representative of the Red mesiras nefesh , influencing them in Armada headed by a Jew disguised as a ruchniyus and helping them with priest, made valiant efforts to save Jews. gashmiyus . They helped save hundreds of children. Jews from all sects and circles During the period in which the Bobover streamed to Borough Park to his large Beis Rebbe was in Bucharest he helped HaMedrash. He was a talmid chacham , thousands of Jews who had arrived in and his gift of speech and humility, he Romania after the Holocaust: in both resolutely succeeded in reviving the spirits ruchniyus and gashmiyus . While he was in of many Jews after the Holocaust, drawing Romania he managed to obtain a certificate them closer to Hashem . stating that he was an Italian citizen, and www.vosizneias.com/18763/2008/08/01/borough-park-ny-the- thus received a permit to go to Bari, a city legacy-and-life-of-rabbi-shlomo-halberstam-zt%E2%80%9Dl-the- in northern Italy. tzadik-that-rebuild-the-bobov-dynasty-in-america/ In the camps in Italy, scores of  orphaned children and lone young men who had lost their families clustered The Rebbe was known for his around him. He arranged for a G-d fearing tremendous concern to preserve shalom shochet to come from Rome and took care and avoid machlokes , as can be seen by the of their material and spiritual needs. He following stories.

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One time, in the middle of the night, help Yidden in whatever way possible. a person who fixed glass professionally Many stories are told of his mesiras nefesh received a call from the Rebbe. The Rebbe to save as many people as possible during explained that someone had smashed his the Holocaust. window in the middle of the night. (The One such story took place when the person did it because he didn’t agree with a Rebbe was in the relative safety (at least at policy of Bobov.) If the window was not that time) of Romania. He knew that his fixed immediately, in the morning, people relatives were still in Hungary and were in would see it and be upset, and they would grave danger. He received money from get involved in machlokes . To avoid this, Mrs. Shternbuch, which helped him pay the Rebbe felt that it was necessary to have someone to take him into Hungary and the window fixed right away. attempt to save his family. This person said The glacier at first thought it was a that he would go into Hungary on prank phone call. After several calls of condition that they would leave the very which he hung up the phone on the Rebbe, next day. As it turned out, one family he ascertained that it was the Rebbe. After member was missing and the Rebbe completing the work during the night, the wanted to stay another day to try to locate Rebbe wanted to pay him. The glacier her. The person helping the Rebbe said that refused payment from the Rebbe – just he wouldn’t do this and that he would leave requesting that the Rebbe attend his without them. While the family was simchas . The Rebbe agreed – on condition discussing what to do, the missing family that the glacier vow never to reveal the member showed up, explaining that her story of the broken window. father, the Kedushas Tzion, had come to For the rest of the Rebbe’s life, he her in a dream, telling her to join with the attended the simchas of the glacier (even rest of her family. though he wasn’t even a chassid). After the Holocaust, the Rebbe Chassidim always wondered why the Rebbe continued his mesiras nefesh , helping attended the glacier’s simchas while he many Yidden rebuild their lives, both wasn’t so meticulous with other people’s physically and spiritually. On the West Side simchas . After the Rebbe’s petira , the of Manhattan, where his kehillah was glacier came to be menacham avel – and located for a while, he would even clean the said that now that the Rebbe was niftar , he mikvah himself, if necessary, in order to is released from his vow and proceeded to make sure that it would be available for tell the whole story. use. Another time, someone had One Shavuos night, people noticed published pashkevillin (flyers condemning how the Rebbe left the Beis HaMedrash others) against the Bobover Rebbe. The every hour for a couple of minutes. He later Rebbe was afraid that this would lead to explained that this enabled those who felt machlokes and he therefore gave the they had to leave not to be embarrassed, as following message at a Rosh Chodesh tish : the Rebbe wasn’t in the Beis HaMedrash. “I have been mochel the one who spread Even when the Rebbe had to give these pashkevillin . However, if anyone tochacha , rebuke, it was done in a way that decides to start fighting with those it was clearly coming from ahava , love. spreading them, I will not be mochel them One time, a person did work on the in this world or in Olam Habah.” Of course, kitchen of one of the Rebbe’s chassidim after this shmuess , nobody continued the and wasn’t paid. When the Rebbe heard machlokes and eventually it died down. about this, he called in the chassid to speak The Rebbe was also moser nefesh to 20
Mattos - Massei / [email protected] to him, explaining that he (the Rebbe) in-laws had already honored a different needed advice about construction on his rebbe with this kibbud . When the family own kitchen. The Rebbe asked if he could met with the Rebbe and apprised him of see the chassid’s kitchen. When the Rebbe the situation, he said that he would be came to this person’s house, he saw that happy with the bracha of Sos Tosis the work was done properly and that the Vesageil Ha’akarah (the barren one should chassid didn’t have any complaints against rejoice, referring to Eretz Yisrael and the one who did the work. At this time, the Yerushalayim). One of the family members Rebbe mentioned that he had heard how didn’t have any children and answered a the chassid didn’t pay, and that if he loud Amein. About a year later, he had wanted Hashem to bestow on him good children. things, he should treat other people The Rebbe also exemplified the properly by paying them for a service middah of umekarvan laTorah , bringing rendered. Shortly afterwards, the chassid people close to Torah . The menahel in a paid up. This episode showed how the certain large yeshiva once spoke to the Rebbe looked at both sides of the story Rebbe and the Rebbe mentioned that he before deciding what had to be done, and was planning on giving a certain amount of he delivered his tochacha in a way that it money to the yeshiva. When the menahel would be accepted. came back at a later time, he said that he Someone once asked him how a was there to collect the chov (debt). The rebbe spends his vacation. The Rebbe Rebbe said that to give money to a yeshiva answered that in the city, he must limit the is a zechiya (opportunity) and not merely amount of time he davens so as not to an obligation. impose on others who are waiting for him When he was building the Bobover to finish. When he goes on vacation, kehillah after World War II, the Rebbe however, he can daven as long as he wants. went to South America to raise money. On The Rebbe was once visiting Shabbos, he expected to see one of his someone and was served food. After he acquaintances, but the person didn’t show finished eating and making brachos , the up. On Motza’ei Shabbos, this person came, Rebbe was asked to give a bracha to the and when he was asked where he was on one who gave him the food, as that person Shabbos, he explained that he went to his hadn’t had any children yet. The Rebbe company to work on Shabbos. said, “I had you in mind when I said Borei Embarrassed, the person excused his Nefashos (which means creating souls). conduct by saying that the company’s The Rebbe’s gabbai then asked if he could equipment was very old and he therefore also get a bracha , as he also didn’t have any couldn’t afford to close on Shabbos. The children. Again, the Rebbe answered that Rebbe asked how much money it would he had him in mind when he said the word cost to purchase new equipment and was rabbos (meaning many) in the bracha of told an amount that was exactly the same Borei Nefashos . A year later, one of these as all the money he had raised during the chassidim had a boy and the other had a previous couple of days. Immediately, he girl. Eighteen years later, they married each turned over all the money to this person. other, fulfilling the bracha of Borei This man became a shomer Shabbos and Nefashos Rabbos . raised a wonderful Torah’dike mishpacha . One of the Rebbe’s chassidim was a His home in Brooklyn, New York, yasom and he mentioned to the Rebbe that was a beacon where he received everyone he wanted him to be mesader kiddushin at with a special glow and with unusual his wedding, not knowing that his future nobility of spirit. His pleasantness had a

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] profound influence on all who visited him Torah. The Admor of Bobov, his tradition and was the source of the tremendous and legacy, left a deep impression on the admiration people displayed for him. entire generation in America. He was deeply attached to all of the www.matzav.com/the-bobover-rebbe-rav-shlomo-halberstam-ztl-on- Gedolei Yisrael, Roshei Yeshiva and his-11th-yahrtzeit Admorim , who held him in high esteem. Yated Ne'eman - www.vosizneias.com He maintained close contact with them in all the battles for Kodshei Yisrael and  Rav Aharon Tumim of Cracow ,,, 222ndndnd of Menachem Av Rav Aharon Tumim of Cracow was from Worms by a few years, leaving in born in 5390/1630. His father, Rav Moshe 5450/1690. Shortly thereafter, the city was Tumim, was Rav in Mehrin. His paternal destroyed by the troops of King Louis XIV grandfather was Rav Shimon Tumim of France. Lemil, one of the Gedolim of Vienna. Rav Aharon was Rav in Cracow for Rav Aharon married the sister of barely four months when a Polish Rav Eliezer HaLevi Ettinger, of Holleschau, nobleman had him arrested. He was killed Austria. on Shabbos Parshas Mattos Masei , second From 5419/1659 to 5432/1672, Rav of Av , 5450/1690, in Chmielnik, and buried Aharon was Darshan and Maggid Shiur in in Pintchov, where the local Rav was his Prague. Later, he became Rav and Rosh brother-in-law (his sister’s husband), Rav Yeshiva in Worms, Germany. He was an Yehudah Leib Tzintz of Holleschau. acknowledged Talmid Chochom with a Rav Aharon wrote two seforim : phenomenal memory. Matteh Aharon on Haggada shel Pesach , After the petira of Rav Mordechai and Bigdei Aharon on Torah . Deitches, Rav of Cracow, Rav Aharon was Hashem yinkom damo. chosen to take his place. He was to move www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-2-avjuly-29/  there in 5447/1687, but because of political circumstances, he delayed his departure  Rav Shimshon of OstropoliOstropoli,,,, 333rdrdrd ofofof Menachem Av Based on Rav Bumbach’s biography on Rav fortified walls. The murderous hordes Shimshon in Sefer Nitzotzay Shimshon headed straight for the shul . Rav Shimshon On the bitter day of the 3rd of Av in was in the shul with three hundred the year 5408/1648, the Cossacks and followers, all of whom are said to have been Tartar forces conquered the fortified city of Chachomim Gedolim . They were all Polnoa with the help of the Ukrainian dressed in burial shrouds and wrapped in guards who were supposed to be guarding talleisim ; they were butchered Al Kiddush the cities from the invaders. According to Hashem in the midst of davening . the testimony of Rav Nosson Nota There is a Matzeiva for Rav Hanover, Rav Shimshon was in the city of Shimshon in the center of Ostropoli and it Polnoa at the time, since many Jews had seems that his coffin was transferred to fled there seeking protection within its Ostropoli once calm returned to the area. About the murder of Rav Shimshon, 22
Mattos - Massei / [email protected] the Chozeh of Lublin writes that Rav became one of the foremost Mekubolim of Shimshon was Moshiach ben Yosef and was his time. therefore killed, as we know will happen to Ostropoli, a town situated in the Moshiach ben Yosef. (The neshoma of plains of Eastern Ukraine, became Rav Moshiach is found in every generation.) Shimshon’s home when he was appointed The Chozeh even writes that since as the town’s Maggid. He was fondly known Moshiach ben Yosef (Rav Shimshon) was by all as “Rav Shimshon Maggid” (the killed, this misfortune will not repeat itself preacher). Rav Shimshon also headed a when Moshiach finally comes. His words Yeshiva in Ostropoli in which he taught his are quoted by Rav Tzodok HaKohen of Talmidim both the revealed and hidden Lublin and the Damesek Eliezer of parts of Torah. A few of his Divrei Torah Komarna. The truth is, that even while Rav that are printed today are thanks to the Shimshon was alive, it was known that he notes of his Talmidim. possessed the neshoma of Moshiach ben Rav Shimshon’s greatness in both Yosef. Had his generation only merited… the revealed and hidden parts of Torah, Many of Rav Shimshon’s desendants coupled with his exalted levels of Kedusha were great Rabbonim in their own rights. and his brilliant mind, caused his fame to Some of the more well-known ones include: spread across Europe. We can catch a Rav Yoel Ba’al Shem of Zamotch; Rav glimpse of his greatness by seeing some of Leiber HaGodol of Berditchev; Rav Yaakov the unparalleled praises the Gedolim of his Yosef of Polnoa, one of the greatest time wrote about him. They testified that talmidim of the Ba’al Shem Tov ; Rav he learned with, and merited many Yaakov Shimshon of Shpotivka; and Rav revelations in the secrets of Torah from, Shlomo Eliyashiv known as the Leshem Eliyohu HaNovi. He also learned with (Rav Eliyashiv’s grandfather), to name just Malochim and Maggidim, who taught him a few. many secrets. Some Gedolim even wrote: Rav Shimshon of Ostropoli, born in “All of his words are prophecy”. He also approximately the year 1599, was one of merited many revelations of the secrets of the greatest Torah giants and Mekubolim the Torah in dreams. In one place, Rav of his time. He was named after his Shimshon writes how the Megaleh grandfather, Rav Shimshon of Kremnitz, Amukos, Rav Nosson Nota of Krakow, one of the four brothers who were all appeared to him in a dream and explained Gedolei HaDor, the most well known of to him a difficult piece of liturgy. whom was the Maharal of Prague.  During the forty-eight short years that Rav Shimshon lived, he reached levels His Torah in Torah and Kedusha that were nothing Rav Shimshon’s ability to explain short of legendary. As a youngster, he the most cryptic passages of Gemora and began studying Torah under his father’s Zohar gained him unique recognition tutelage. He is also assumed to have worldwide, and many Talmidei learned under Rav Nosson Nota of Austra, Chachomim sent him letters asking him to the author of the Tzon Kodoshim on Seder enlighten them on difficult passages they Kodshim. had come across. The majority of Rav Rav Shimshon’s entry into the study Shimshon’s writings that exist today are of the hidden parts of Torah began when he derived from the many letters Rav was relatively young, as he himself writes Shimshon wrote to those who entreated (Don Yodin): “I began learning Kabbola at him to explain difficult passages in the a young age and toiled immensely to Torah. The most famous of all Rav master the ‘Chochma’. Eventually, he Shimshon’s writings is his letter called 23
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“Ma’amar Sod Etzba Elokim” that many of the Torah luminaries of that time acted study on Erev Pesach. (This letter will be passively toward his find. discussed shortly.) Many seforim use Rav Shimshon’s Aside from his many letters, Rav Torah as an example of the wondrous Shimshon authored many works, which secrets hinted to in every word of Torah (as include: Don Yodin, Machaneh Don, Ben can be seen from the Ma’amar Sod Etzba Mano’ach, Nezer Elokim, Shemesh Elokim). Wherever there is a vort from Rav U’Mogen, Shemesh Nogah, VaYizrach Shimshon, all the Torah greats after him HaShemesh, Mincha Shelucha, and Ateres expound on them and use his words to Paz. Sadly, only the small work Don Yodin explain many other concepts, as his words survived the pogroms of 1648-49. Rav always open new worlds. These Gedolim Shimshon’s magnum opus was his include the Chida, the Vilna Gaon, the commentary on the Zohar, Machaneh Don. Chasam Sofer, the Bnei Yissoschor and While this sefer is reported to have been many others. Today, the majority of Rav printed once, the Shomer Emunim writes Shimshon’s Divrei Torah on the parshi’os that there is a tradition that it mysteriously have been collected into one volume called vanished off the face of the earth, and all Nitzotzei Shimshon by a descendant of Rav those people searching for it have all Shimshon, Rav Avrohom Yaakov Bumbach turned up empty-handed. The B’nei of Yerushalayim. Yissoschor writes that the reason Rav  Shimshon’s Torah was lost was due to the generation’s inadequate worth to receive Tach VeTat such revelations. The Ba’al Shem Tov As the years tragically referred to as (1698-1760) said that the mere study of the Tach VeTat (5408-09/1648-49) Machaneh Don has the power to bring the approached, Rav Shimshon repeatedly Final Redemption closer; many Gedolim preached that the year 5408 (1648) was went to great lengths to try to find it, but very apropos for the Final Redemption. In were unsuccessful. fact, the Zohar (Toldos 139b) clearly speaks It is worthwhile to quote one excerpt about this year as the year of the Geula. that does exist from Sefer Machaneh Don. However, the Gemara (Sanhedrin 97a) Rav Shimshon writes, almost prophetically teaches that the Final Redemption will only (Machaneh Don 295b), based on an Arizal come with teshuva and therefore, and a series of gematrios, that in the regardless of how appropriate a given year seventh century of the fifth millennium may be for redemption – if the Jews do not (sometime in the 5600s/1840-1940) a repent, the Geula will not come. Moreover, certain Rav will claim to have rediscovered the seforim write that if a year is fitting for the long-lost techeiles but his claims will Moshiach to come and the opportunity is not be so quickly or unanimously accepted. missed, that year becomes one of This find will ultimately hasten the Final catastrophe for the Jewish people. This is Redemption. Rav Shimshon ends off by what Rav Shimshon preached during the writing: May Hashem forgive me for years preceding 1648, begging the Jews to revealing this. These almost-prophetic do teshuva. Rav Shimshon found sources words were written some time before the for this year in the Torah (see Nitzotzei year 1648! Amazingly, during the year 1888 Shimshon, Vayikra 16:3) and even said that (5648), after extensive research, the Haman’s plot to annihilate the Jews was Radziner Rebbe claimed to have found pushed off to the year 5408 (1648) – and techeiles resulting in many people wearing should the Jews not do teshuva, the year the newly found techeiles. But, as Rav would be catastrophic. This too Rav Shimshon wrote many years earlier, most Shimshon found hinted at in the Megilla 24
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(see Nitzotzei Shimshon, Beshalach 17:16). the testimony of Rav Nosson Nota Unfortunately, even with the awakening Hanover, Rav Shimshon was in the city of that Rav Shimshon’s impassioned Polnoa at the time, since many Jews had preaching brought about, the years 1648- fled there seeking protection within its 49 became known in the annals of history fortified walls. The murderous hordes as one of the bloodiest times for the Jews headed straight for the shul. Rav Shimshon since the destruction of the Bais was in the shul with three hundred HaMikdosh. followers, all of whom are said to have been The Ramchal writes (Derech Eitz “Chachomim Gedolim”. They were all Chaim) that Rav Shimshon asked the Soton dressed in burial shrouds and wrapped in why the Jewish nation is more persecuted talleisim; they were butchered Al Kiddush than any other nation. The Soton answered Hashem in the midst of davening. that if the Jews would give up the Mitzvos There is a Matzeiva for Rav of Shabbos, Mila, and the study of Torah, Shimshon in he would leave them alone. Rav Shimshon’s the center of response was that thousands upon Ostropoli and it thousands of Jews would die and not one seems that his word of the Torah would be nullified. coffin was Although it seems that Rav transferred to Shimshon’s sermons did not arouse the Ostropoli once people enough, or perhaps the decree had calm returned already been approved by the Heavenly to the area. Court (there seems to be an agreement About about this in the seforim), Rav Shimshon the murder of was informed in a dream that if four of the Rav Shimshon, Torah giants of that generation would allow the Chozeh of themselves to die, each one would atone for Lublin writes one fourth of the number of Jews who were that Rav supposed to be killed. The story goes that Shimshon was one of the Gedolim refused, saying that he Moshiach ben still had a major contribution in Halacha to Yosef and was give to the Jews. Some of the names of the therefore killed, four Gedolim mentioned have been proven as we know will by historians to be highly improbable for happen to many reasons (Shach); others, deemed Moshiach ben simply impossible (Rav Lieber HaGodol of Yosef. (The Berditchev). Thus, although the legend is Neshoma of believed to be true, it remains unknown as Moshiach is found in every generation.) to who these Gedolim were and who The Chozeh even writes that since actually refused. Moshiach ben Yosef (Rav Shimshon) was  killed, this misfortune will not repeat itself when Moshiach finally comes. His words The 3 rd of Av are quoted by Rav Tzoddok HaKohen of On the bitter day of the 3rd of Av in Lublin and the Damesek Eliezer of the year 1648 / 5408, the Cossacks and Komarna. The truth is, that even while Rav Tartar forces conquered the fortified city of Shimshon was alive, it was known that he Polnoa with the help of the Ukrainian possessed the Neshoma of Moshiach ben guards who were supposed to be guarding Yosef. Had his generation only merited… the cities from the invaders. According to Many of Rav Shimshon’s desendants 25
Mattos - Massei / [email protected] were great Rabbonim in their own rights. In fact, the Ga’avad of Erloi, Rav Some of the more well-known ones include: Yochonon Sofer, attributes his salvation Rav Yoel Ba’al Shem of Zamotch; Rav from the concentration camps to the merit Leiber HaGodol of Berditchev; Rav Yaakov of learning the Ma’amar. He tells how, on Yosef of Polnoa, one of the greatest Erev Pesach in the year 1944, due to the disciples of the Ba’al Shem Tov; Rav panic and confusion that reigned, he and Yaakov Shimshon of Shpotivka; and Rav his grandfather, Rav Shimon Sofer, then Shlomo Eliyashiv known as the Leshem the chief Rav of Erloi, forgot to adhere to (Rav Eliyashiv’s grandfather), to name just their yearly practice of reciting the a few. Ma’amar. Rav Yochonon remembered on  Erev Rosh HaShana and immediately recited the Ma’amar. His grandfather did Ma’amar Sod Etzba Elokim – The not remember – and was murdered by the Erev Pesach Letter Nazis. Among the letters that survived In the year 1891, Rav Choviv Chaim from Rav Shimshon’s correspondence is Dovid Sutton, the Av Bais Din of Teveria the well-known “Ma’amar Sod Etzba and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Eliyohu Elokim”. This lengthy and complex, yet HaNovi, published a sefer called Shemesh enlightening, Ma’amar (exposition) was U’Mogen on this wondrous letter of Rav written to explain a cryptic passage written Shimshon, written solely to explain the by the Arizal concerning the Ten Plagues. deep concepts discussed by Rav Shimshon. The Ma’amar was revealed to Rav These explanations are necessary to fully Shimshon in a dream. At the end of the understand the depths of Rav Shimshon’s Ma’amar, Rav Shimshon writes: “After this words in his Ma’amar. This work has (the revelation of the Ma’amar), I was recently been translated into English. informed of the following secret: anyone  who studies this Ma’amar properly at least once a year and especially on Erev Pesach, Stories will merit great things. He will be saved The Shivchei HaBa’al Shem from all misfortunes and will not die a Tov relates how the Ba’al Shem Tov one strange death. No man will dominate him, passed through Ostropoli and kept on all his enemies will fall before him, and he looking intently at a certain garbage heap. will tread in all of their high places. In He later explained that that site was the every direction he turns, he will be place where Rav Shimshon’s Bais Medrash successful and will prosper in all of his once stood and he was able to see the pillar endeavors, until the coming of Moshiach.” of Rav Shimshon’s Torah, which he said Learning through this letter on the rose from the ground to the very heavens. Erev Pesach has become a custom of many, as Rav Shimshon prescribes, and many Rav Yosef Shaul Natanzon (the attest to having merited blessings and Sho’el U’Meishiv) of Levov would tell the salvation owing to its study. following story: It was revealed to Rav In an astonishing testimony, the Shimshon that in the World to Come, he individual who reprinted this Ma’amar would be next to the not-yet-famous Rav after the Second World War testifies as Hershele of Krakow. Rav Shimshon wanted follows: “I, the one printing this, witnessed to see exactly what Rav Hershele was like, with my own eyes, how in the year 1944 in so he disguised himself as a simpleton and Hungary, the times were very dark because made his way to Krakow. When he arrived of the Nazis. However, all those who said at Rav Hershele’s house, he told Rav this Ma’amar were saved.” Hershele that he was not well and 26
Mattos - Massei / [email protected] proceeded to throw himself on Rav to show him what a Talmid Chochom he Hershele’s bed with his dirty and mud- was. splattered clothes. Without showing any signs of being upset, Rav Hershele tended When he came to Rav Shimshon’s to all the “sick” man’s various needs. At house, Rav Shimshon asked him who he midnight, Rav Hershele began to recite was. He answered that he was the son-in- Tikkun Chatzos with such devotion and law of so-and-so, the town’s gevir, and he amid such tears that Rav Shimshon wanted to speak to Rav Shimshon in realized what a worthy individual Rav learning. Rav Shimshon understood what Hershele was; Rav Shimshon then revealed the man’s real intention was and excused his true identity. himself for a minute, saying he would be back shortly. The Brisker Rav would tell the The young man waited and waited following story: Rav Shimshon of Ostropoli for Rav Shimshon to return – but Rav decided to write a commentary on Shimshon simply did not come back. The Chumash (some say Shas) based on young man decided to go for a walk in front Kabbola. After modifying the first few of Rav Shimshon’s house. Lost in thought, pieces a number of times, he realized that he walked until he entered a forest. Before what was staring back at him was none he knew it, he was lost. He tried retracing other than Rashi’s commentary on the his steps but every turn he made just took Torah. In fact, there are a few instances him deeper and deeper into the forest. As where Rav Shimshon explains Rashi’s night fell, he reached the edge of the woods words based on Kabbalistic ideas. and entered a large town that seemed to host a large Jewish population. A Jewish There was a rich man from the man approached him and asked where he city of Ostropoli who had an only daughter. was from. He answered that he was from When the time came to marry her off, her the nearby town of Ostropoli. The man had wealthy father searched for a worthy Torah never heard of Ostropoli and invited him to scholar whom he would enable to continue eat something and sleep in his house for his Torah studies, undisturbed by financial the night. Having nowhere to go, and not worries. Soon enough, such a young man remembering that he was married, the came along; the couple married and settled young man accepted the offer of this in Ostropoli. The young Talmid Chochom, generous individual. The next morning, he who was blessed with a sharp mind, woke up and went to learn in the local Bais studied Torah diligently day and night. His Medrash. At night, his host invited him proud father-in-law wanted to show him again to eat and sleep in his house. This off to Rav Shimshon and asked his son-in- continued for close to a month until his law to strike up a conversation in learning benefactor, who had taken a strong liking with Rav Shimshon to show him the extent to this young man, offered him his of his Torah knowledge and his deep grasp daughter in marriage. Having forgotten his of everything he learned. The son-in-law, past, our young friend readily agreed and however, was not willing to do so, since he married his benefactor’s daughter. He lived held that Rav Shimshon was not a Lamdon happily near his in-laws and soon his wife (learned person), and the conversation gave birth to a son. A few years later, would not bring his proud father-in-law another son was born to him. Time passed any honor. The father-in-law, though, did and this young family once went on an not relent, and eventually this young man outing near a river. The two boys were agreed, making his way to Rav Shimshon, playing near the water and before their parents could do anything, they were

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] suddenly swept away by the current. Their teshuva of the Jewish people only father jumped in to try to save them but intensifies during these days! The Soton could not find them! After much fruitless explained that not being one to sit back and searching, he found himself on the other let his endeavors go to waste, he filed a side of the river, standing in front of a complaint in the Heavenly Court that it familiar-looking house. wasn’t fair that the Jews could get away so Looking up at the window, he saw easily; he was thus given permission to none other than Rav Shimshon knocking cause the ship that was carrying their on the glass and calling him inside to Esrogim to sink, not allowing any of the discuss the topic he had come to talk about. Jews to fulfill the precious Mitzva of the Glancing at his watch he realized that no Arba Minim. Needless to say, the Soton was more than a few minutes had passed, and very pleased with himself. this whole vision that seemed to span a few During Sukkos, Rav Shimshon met years was, in reality, the doing of Rav the Soton a third time – this time, the Shimshon. Embarrassed, the young man Soton looked gloomy again. When Rav realized that he should not have tried Shimshon asked the Soton what the matter belittling Rav Shimshon, and left without was this time, the Soton explained to him saying anything. The Ba’al Shem Tov is said that his plan had backfired. Now that there to have commented that he was able to were almost no Esrogim in the whole accomplish such a feat while someone was country, the Jews had paid astronomical asleep but to cause someone to envision amounts of money to buy the few Esrogim something while he was awake – that, he that were available. Not only that, but was unable to do. people were standing on line waiting for Rav Shimshon once met the hours every day to get a turn to shake the Soton during the month of Elul and the Arba Minim for a few seconds. The Soton Soton was not wearing a happy expression. ended by saying that each shake “broke his Rav Shimshon asked him what the matter bones”. was and he responded that business was at Rav Shimshon was once asked a standstill, with all the Jews repenting for via a heavenly agent if he would prefer all the bad things he had made them do meriting children who would be world- throughout the year. All his hard work was famous in their greatness, or that his merit going up in smoke. be divided throughout the generations to protect the Jewish people until the coming Rav Shimshon met the Soton again of Moshiach. He chose the latter. May his during the Asseres Yemei Teshuva, but this merit indeed serve as a shield over all of time the Soton seemed excited. Confused, Klal Yisrael until the coming of Moshiach, Rav Shimshon inquired about the change speedily in our days. of the Soton’s mood; if anything, the  Rav Ephraim Taub of KuzmirKuzmir,,,, 444ththth ofofof Menachem Av Rav Ephraim Taub was the son of Rav Rav Ephraim lived in Shenenah, then Yechezkel of Kuzmir and the son-in-law of later in Kuzmir. Later, he moved on to Rav Nosson Dovid Rabinowitz of other cities. He lived in Bloina, Nadrazin, Shidlovtza. Yablona and Prague. After the petira of his father on the 15 th Some of the Divrei Torah of Rav of Shevat 5616/1856, Rav Ephraim was Ephraim were published in the seforim of appointed Rav . his father. 28
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Rav Ephraim was niftar on the 4 th of Shenenah. Av 5664/1904. Zechuso yagen aleinu. His sons were Rav Menachem Dovid, www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-4-avjuly-31/ Rav in Prague; Rav Eliezer Shlomo, Rav in Walmin; and Rav Yerachmiel Tzvi, Rav in  Rav Meir BerabiBerabi,, 555ththth of Menachem Av Rav of Pressburg Rav Meir was born in 5485/1725 in was for one year. Afterward, Rav Meir Berabi, near Halberstadt in Germany. His became Rav of Pressburg, Hungary, a parents were Rav Shaul and Rebbetzin position he held for the next twenty-five Yentlichi. years, until his passing in 5549/1789. At a young age, his father sent him Rav Meir was zocheh to teach many to learn under Rav Tzvi Hirsh Charif, Rav talmidim in all the communities where he of Halberstadt, who put immense efforts was Rav. Many of them went on to become into this talmid. leading Rabbonim and Gedolim. From there, Rav Meir continued on Rav Meir was close with many of the to the Yeshiva of Rav Yaakov Paprish, Rav generation’s Gedolim and frequently of Frankfurt-am-Main. He stayed in this discussed with them she’eilos, most notably Yeshiva for two years, advancing in Torah. with the Noda B’Yehuda. After a two-year stay in Frankfurt, he Rav Meir was known as a Rav who returned to Halberstadt. always sought peace and harmony in all the At the age of thirteen, in 5498/1738, communities where he officiated. It is Rav Meir married Rebbetzin Elkeli, the related that one year, on Yom Kippur night, daughter of Rav Michel of Halberstadt. He the inhabitants of the city were waiting for dedicated himself solely to learning Torah, Rav Meir to arrive in shul for davening. In thanks to the support of his brother-in-law, the meantime, he was standing outside, Rav Nosson. trying to make peace between two long- Even at this young age, Rav Meir time enemies, telling them that davening was already known as an outstanding wouldn’t begin until they made peace; they Talmid Chochom. Eventually, he was heeded his words and Kol Nidrei appointed Dayan in the city, and in commenced. 5517/1757, when Rav Moshe Brisk, the local In 5549/1789, Rav Meir took ill. He Rav, was niftar, Rav Meir was asked to fill was niftar on the 5th of Av 5549/1789, at his place, which he did for the next six the age of sixty-four. years, until 5523/1763. Zechuso yagen aleinu. In 5523/1763, Rav Meir was www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-5-avaugust-1/ accepted as Rav in Hali, Germany, but this  Rav Yitzchok Ben Shlomo LuriaLuria,,,, 555ththth ofofof Menachem Av Ari HaKodosh - AriZal “Rav Elozor of Bartosa used to say: Give Him what is His, for you and whatever

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] is yours are His” ( Avos 3:8). headed to the local grocery, where he When Rav Ovadia Yosef used to purchased food and provisions. He took teach Pirkei Avos he would illustrate the these and the rest of the money and went above Mishna with the following story: off to find Rav Yaakov Altretz lying on the Once, when the Arizal was studying floor in misery and hunger. Rav Yaakov the secrets of was a water carrier by trade and that Torah morning his clay pails with which he would together with draw water from the well had fallen and his talmidim , broken. He was left with no means to all of a purchase new ones and no means of sudden he support. He had no money and no food, paused and and had not eaten that day. recited the Rav Yitzchok grasped Rav Yaakov by blessing over the hand, helped him get up and sat him at bad news, “ Boruch Dayan HaEmes – the table. He revived him with food and Blessed is the True Judge.” drink and presented him with provisions to “I hear a heavenly voice that a sate his hunger and slake his thirst. He also decree has been proclaimed in the Heavens gave him the rest of the money so that he above,” he said, quoting Doniel 4:14. “‘By could now purchase new pails to draw the decree of the wakeful ones is the matter water from the well and continue to earn a and by the word of the holy ones is the living. Finally, he asked him to daven to edict.’ It has been decreed that a swarm of Hashem for forgiveness for Tzefas that the innumerable locusts will overrun the city of decree should be canceled. “Because of you Tzefas and devour all vegetation and all a terrible decree has been cast against fruits and trees, as well as all the plants Tzefas that a plague of swarming locusts growing in the fields. The residents will devour our food. Now ask Hashem to have starve and be left without sustenance! This mercy. Please, from now on, be careful how will all come to pass because of one poor you complain Tzaddik , a Talmid Chochom named Yaakov and what you Altretz, who is fasting and wallowing on the say against ground with complaints against Hashem Hashem ’s that he is left bereft of all livelihood and ways,” Rav means of support and no one has any Yitzchok said to mercy on him. Hashem cannot bear to Rav Yaakov. He remain silent because of this pauper’s accepted the rebuke and promised to never prayers and sufferings, and His anger has do it again. He got up and tearfully been kindled against the residents of davened , asking Hashem to annul the Tzefas, his neighbors, since no one is doing decree and remove His anger from the anything to help the pauper and no one people of Tzefas. pays attention to him or his plight. This is Afterward, Rav Yitzchok Kohen the decree, and now, my brothers and returned to the Arizal and related what he friends, I ask you to make a collection for had done and what had happened and the tzedoka and send one of us to purchase Arizal said, “Know now that your tzedoka food and provisions; the rest of the money, for the poor man has canceled the decree of give to this poor man immediately to ease the locust plague. Thank goodness for his pain and suffering and end his hunger.” Hashem ’s mercy and kindness!” They Rav Yitzchok Kohen quickly got up, resumed their study once more, when all of gathered money from the chevraya and a sudden the sky darkened. All the 30
Mattos - Massei / [email protected] talmidim became worried and terrified at But the original meaning is the correct one, the sight of clouds of innumerable locust and to this day Rav Yitzchok Luria is swarms flying over the city, darkening the universally referred to as the "Holy Ari ". skies of Tzefas.  “Do not be alarmed, and don’t worry,” the Arizal reassured them. “As I The Ari was born in Yerushalayim in said, the decree has been annulled. The 1534. By the time he was eight, he was locusts just haven’t yet received the recognized as a wonder -child, a prodigy message.” As soon as he had said this, a who already outshone the greatest minds of great gust of wind came from the sea and Yerushalayim. At this tender age, he had cast the entire swarm of locu sts into the already mastered the intricacies of the depths of the ocean, where they all Talmud and committed dozens o f volumes drowned; not one of them set foot in to memory. Tzefas. Hashem saved the residents of The Ari 's father passed away while Tzefas in the merit of the tzedoka and he was still a child. Under the pressure of chessed that they did for Yaakov Altretz. poverty, his mother went to Egypt, where Rav Shlomo Shlumiel they lived with her brother, Mordecai was an eyewitness who Frances, a wealthy tax agent. The Ari 's testified as to the brilliance continued to shine. The y oung veracity of these events prodigy was placed under the tutelage of and was personally Rav Betzalel Ashkenazi (1520 -1592), best acquainted with the known for his important Talmudic pauper, who was a commentary, the Shita Mekubetzes Tzaddik and Chassid (Embracing System). There is also evidence and well versed in the that the young lad also studied under the Torah by heart. great Radbaz , Rav Dovid ben Zimri (1480 - Afterward, he was 1573), who was then the chief Rav of Cairo. appointed Av Bais Din in By the time he was fifteen, his expertise in Tripoli. Thus was Talmud had overwhelmed all the sages in fulfilled the dictum of Chazal in Avos : Egypt. According to a reliable account, the “Whoever fulfills the Torah in poverty shall Ari himself also wrote a large Talmudic in the end fulfill it in wealth”. ( Anaf Etz commentary around thi s time. Had he Avos p. 181–182) remained nothing more than a Talmudic  scholar, he would have joined the ranks of the greatest of all times. Rav Yitzchak Luria (1534 -1572), The Chida said on him that the way renowned as the greatest Mekubol of he reached such a high level was that modern times, is commonly known as the Eliyahu HaNavi purified him with ashes of ARI , an acronym standing for Elohi Rav a Parah Adumah. T he Arizal is respected Yitzchok - the G-dly Rav Yitzchok. No other and accepted by all the great Rabbonim of master or sage ever had this extra letter, the Ashkenazim (chassidim and non - standing for Elohi , prefaced to his name. chassidim), Sefardim and Teimanim. This is a sign of what his contemporaries Besides Kabbalistic Seforim, the Arizal is thought of him. Later generations, very often quoted in halachic works, such fearsome that this appellation might be as the Magen Avrohom, Be'er Heitiv an d misunderstood, said that this alef stood for Mishna Berura. He is the foremost Ashkenazi , indicating that his family had Kabbalist of the last five-hundred years and originated in Germany, as indeed it had. was a Gilgul (reincarnated spark) of Rebbe

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Shimon Bar Yochai. brief stay there, he had assembled a group At this time he married his uncle's of approximately a dozen disciples, with daughter. At age seventeen, he disc overed Rav Chaim Vital at their head, and they the Zohar , obtaining continued to review his teachings. For the his own manuscript most part, it was Rav Chaim who put them copy. Later, he spent into writing. The main works are: Etz fifteen years Chaim (Tree of Life) and Pri Etz Chaim meditating, at first with (Fruit of the Tree of Life), as well as the his master, Rav Betzalel Eight Gates , which deal with everything Ashkenazi, and then from Bible commentary to divine alone, reaching the highest levels of inspiration and reincarnation. kedusha . Eventually, he spent two years The Ari also authored the litu rgical meditating in a hut near the Nile, utter ly poems " Azamer Bishvachin" , "Assader isolated, not speaking to any human being. Lis’udossa" and "Benei Heichola ", sung at The only time he would return home would the three Shabbos meals respectively and be on Erev Shabbos , just before dark. But included in nearly every Chassidic and even at home, he would not speak. When it Sephardi Siddur. was absolutely necessary for him to say The teachings of the Ari have been something, he would say it in the fewest afforded status as a primary authority , on poss ible words, and only in Loshon the same level as the Zohar itself. Every HaKodesh . custom of the Ari was scrutinized, and It is accepted that the Ari became many were accepted, even against previous worthy of Ruach HaKodesh . At times, practice. The great Polish codifier, Rav Eliyohu HaNovi revealed himself to him Avrohom Gombiner (1635 -1683), author of and taught him the mysteries of the Torah . the Mogen Avrohom (Shield of Avrohom), Every night his soul ascended to heaven. takes the Ari 's personal customs as legally Angels would escort him, asking which binding precedents. In deciding disputes academy he chose to visit. Sometimes it that had remained unresolved for would be that of Rav Shimon bar Yochai. centuries, he often cites the Ari 's custom as He also visited the academies of Rav Akiva the final authority. The fact that the Ari and Rav Eliezer HaGodol , and on occasion had acted in a certain manner was enough the academies of the Nevi’im . to convince this tough-minded legalist that At the end of this period, he received this was the correct opinion. a command from Eliyohu HaNovi to go to There are a select number of Eretz Yisrael . He arrived in Tzefas during individuals who live on a plane so high the summer of 1570, and began by above the rest of humanity that it seems concealing his gifts completely. He was that they are a completely di fferent, higher only there a short time when the Ramak species of being. They teach, yet we grasp (Rav Moshe Cordovero, 1522-1570), head but little, and from the few crumbs that we of the Tzefas Mekubolim , di ed on June 26, catch, we can build mountains. Such a 1570 (23 rd of Tammuz , 5330). By person was Rav Yitzchok Luria, the holy identifying the heavenly pillar of fire that ARI , the Lion of Tzefas. followed the great Mekubol ’s funeral (Compiled from Meditation and Kabbalah procession, the Ari established himself as by Rav Ary eh Kaplan and from other the new leader. sources) The Ari passed away on July 15,  1572 (5 th of Av , 5332), barely two years after he had arrived in Tzefas. During his 32
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There is a famous story about his people's thoughts, often before the thought birth. The Arizal was born in Yerushalayim even entered their minds. He knew future to Rav Shlomo Luria who was a very pious events, was aware of everything happening individual. It is said that Eliyahu HaNavi here on earth, and what was decreed in used to reveal himself to him. His mother Heaven. was also extemely pious. When the Arizal He knew the mysteries of gilgul was born, Eliyahu HaNavi appeared to his (reincarnation), who had been born father and instructed him not to perform previously, and who was here for the first the Milah (circumcision) till he sees him in time. He could look at a person and tell him the shul. On how he was connected to higher spiritual the eighth day, levels, and his original root in Adam. The the father did Ari could read wondrous things [about not see Eliyahu people] in the light of a candle or in the HaNavi in the flame of a fire. With his eyes he gazed and shul and would was able to see the souls of the righteous, not proceed. both those who had died recently and those The who had lived in ancient times. With these congregation departed souls, he studied the true did not understand why there was a delay, mysteries. but he would not be rushed. Eliyahu From a person's scent, he was able HaNavi deliberately delayed coming, in to know all that he had done (see Zohar , order to see if the father would follow his Yenuka volume III page 188a). It was as if instructions. When he finally arrived he the answers to all these mysteries lay instructed the father to sit on the chair with dormant within him, waiting to be the child in his hands. Eliyahu HaNavi sat activated whenever he desired. He did not on the father and took the baby into his have to seclude himself to seek them out. own hands. No one, not even the Mohel could see Eliyahu HaNavi, except the All this we saw with our own eyes. father. When the Milah was completed, he These are not things that we heard from returned the baby to the father and told others. They were wondrous things that him that a great light would shine forth had not been seen on earth since the time from this child which would illuminate the of Rav Shimon bar Yochai. None of this whole world. was attained through magic, Heaven forbid. There is a strong prohibition against  these arts. Instead, it came automatically, as a result of his saintliness and asceticism, Rav Chaim Vital writes in the after many years of study in both the Introduction to Sha’ar HaHakdomos: ancient and the newer Kabbalistic texts. He The Ari overflowed with Torah . He then increased his piety, asceticism, purity was thoroughly expert in Scripture, and holiness until he reached a level where Mishna , Talmud , Pilpul , Medrash , Eliyohu would constantly reveal himself to Aggada , Ma'aseh Bereishis and Ma'aseh him, speaking to him "mouth to mouth", Merkova . He was expert in the language of teaching him these mysteries and secrets. trees, the language of birds, and the speech (Translated by Rav Moshe Miller) - www.ascentofsafed.com/cgi- of angels. He could read faces in the bin/ascent.cgi?Name=Ari manner outlined in the Zohar (vol. II, p. 74b). He could discern all that any  individual had done, and could see what Arizal Rav they would do in the future. He could read The To Chaim Vital - Stop

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Looking At Me so much honour towards Rav Shmuel, Rav Shmuel Hominer in Olas something that he had never done on HaTamid brings the following story about previous occasions when he would come the Arizal's kavanos HaTeffila . One and go. Shabbos , Rav Chaim Vital had a terrible The Arizal replied that he had not pain in his eyes. He went to ask his Rebbe stood up for him (i.e. Rav Shmuel) but the Arizal why this was happening. rather that he had stood for Rav Pinchas The Arizal told him that one of the ben Yair (the father-in-law of Rabi Shimon reasons is because Rav Chaim davened in bar Yochai, the author of the Zohar who the same Shul as the Arizal and always sat had lived some 1,500 years before!) The on to the Arizal's right side. He would stare Arizal explained that Rav Pinchas ben Yair at the Arizal to learn all his hanhagos in had entere d together with Rav Shmuel great detail. The Arizal would have Holy because of a Mitzvah that he had done. It kavanos during his teffila which brought was a Mitzvah that Rav Pinchas ben Yair down on him a great light from above, was accustomed to do. which Rav Chaim Vital should not have When Rav Chaim Vital heard this, looked at. he ran to greet him ( Rav Shmuel) and The Arizal told Rav Chaim Vital that created a friendly atmosphere and repoire he should not look at him during Shema , with him. Sai d Rav Chaim Vital, "By my when he bows by Modim , and when he life, my master, tell me what Mitzvah did answers Kadosh , Kadosh , Kadosh by you do today, that which the Rav spoke Kedusha . These were the three most about?" Rav Shmuel responded, "I arose awesome kavanos . Rav Chaim Vital early in the morning to go to shul (the followed his Rebbe's instructions and his synagogue) as is my custom - to be counted eyes became better. as one of the first of the first ten to arrive. I www.revach.net/tefilah/tefila/The-Arizal-To-Rav-Chaim -Vital-Stop- heard a voice crying greatly coming from Looking -At-Me/4161 one of the houses. And so I turned towards there to know what was happening. I  entered and saw that everyone was crying, since it had happened that thieves had Chessed True come that past evening, and they stole all It happened once that Rav Shmuel their clothes and everything that they had Ozeida entered before the holy Arizal . The owned, and my mercy was aroused. And so Rav (the Arizal ) stood up in front of him I removed my very own garments and I and then seated him to his right. He spoke gave them to them - and the proof of this is with him about all his needs, to such a that I am currently wearing my festive degree that the events happening were Shabbos clothing." rather astounding in front of all those When Rav Chaim Vital h eard this, present. When he left, Rav Chaim Vital (the he kissed him upon his hand and blessed student par excellence of the Arizal ) asked him! him what www.dwellingplacebelow.blogspot.co.il/2008/05/story-of-holy-arizal-true-compassion.html was special  about the The students of the Arizal discover a day, that unique household the Arizal When the Maharshal heard of the had given wonders that the Arizal was performing in

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Tzfas, he feared these miracles were black were picked up by a passing cloud that took magic and seriously considered them all the way to Lublin and deposited excommunicating the Arizal and his them - not surprisingly - at the entrance to disciples. The Arizal became aware of this the synagogue where the Maharshal development and decided to send his two prayed. They arrived exactly on time for the most important students to Lublin to afternoon mincha prayer. present his teachings to the Maharshal and The sudden appearance of these two prevent such a terrible mistake. The Jews of holy countenance dressed in the disciples were great righteous men in their impressive garments of 16th century Tzfas own right, none other than Rav Chaim Vital caused quite a stir. As a result of a certain (who was later to become the chief incident which then took place in the shul disseminator of the Arizal's teachings in (a long story in itself), the Maharshal North Africa and the Mideast) and Rav understood that these were very special Yisrael Srug (who would be the major and holy visitors indeed. exponent in Europe). The two men introduced themselves [The " Maharshal ", Rav Shlomo and their mission. They told the Maharshal Luria, was one of the leading Torah that only that morning had they left Tzfas scholars of the sixteenth century. His and, as proof, their Israeli food was still writings are studied and venerated still warm. The Maharshal asked them to reveal today. He served as rav and head of the the teachings of their master, the Arizal , so rabbinical court in Lublin, one of the most that he could judge for himself. "So secret important centers of Jewish life at that and holy are the teachings," explained the time. He was a relative of Rav Yitzchak visitors, "that we can reveal them only in an Luria, probably his great uncle.] isolated location, away from over-sensitive  ears." They went down to the Maharshal's As a reward for your efforts, you may dark basement. As soon as the tzaddikim visit the Moshiach of our time… began to relate the teachings of their As "payment" for the trip, the Arizal master, the whole room lit up. Afterwards, revealed to them a deep secret: the name the Maharshal declared that his attitude and whereabouts of the Moshiach ben had changed. He promised them that not Dovid of their generation. In every only had he given up any idea of declaring a generation, the Arizal explained, a ban, but from then on he would consider Moshiach descended from Dovid and a himself to be one of the Arizal's great Moshiach descended from Yosef is born. If admirers. In desperation, they revealed to the generation is undeserving, they pass the rav the true nature of their mission… from the world without revealing The Arizal's two disciples went on to themselves. "The current candidate to be Tisavitch to claim their reward. Upon Moshiach ben Dovid is called Rav Eliyakim arriving, however, they found Rav ben Shmuel and lives in the village of Eliyakim's whereabouts to be unknown. Tisavitch which was not far from Lublin. Indeed, his very existence was seriously After finishing your mission, as a reward doubted by even the most informed elders for your efforts, you may visit the Moshiach of the town. The Tzfas Kabbalists of our time," said the Arizal to his students proceeded to the house of the local rav and as he blessed them on their departure. asked him about Rav Eliyakim, the son of Rav Chaim and Rav Yisrael set out, Shmuel, but to no avail. In desperation, taking with them special delicacies of Tzfas, they revealed to the rav the true nature of hot from the oven. Shortly thereafter they their mission. 35
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After much effort on the part of After the funeral, Rav Chaim and many different people, they finally Rav Yisrael went to visit the widow in her succeeded in tracking down the elusive Rav mourning. They questioned her about the Eliyakim. Needless to say, the two visitors deeds of her husband. wasted no time making their way to his "I married very young," his wife home, along with the Rav of Tisavitch who replied. "All those years my husband was insisted on accompanying them. very ill. I myself provided whatever living Once at the house of the acclaimed we had. Most of the time he lay in bed. Moshiach ben Dovid of the generation, to However, right before Shabbos there would their surprise they found only one small always be a drastic change - the house room, two broken down beds, and one would become wider and longer, and a fully table ready to fall apart and a chair. Rav set table with the best of Shabbos dishes Eliyakim himself lay in bed, and his wife would appear. Then a group of very holy was at the stove which stood in the middle looking visitors would arrive, always of the house. bringing with them a Torah scroll. My After being greeted by the hosts, husband would become strong and healthy who were surprised but excited to have and together with the guests, would spend visitors, especially the rav and such holy the entire Shabbos in prayer, study and looking travelers, the guests introduced eating the three traditional meals. After the themselves: "We are the students of the Motza’ei Shabbos prayer …the house would holy Ari , from the holy city of Tzfas, in the shrink back to its weekday size… holy land of Eretz Yisrael, and we have "After the Motza’ei Shabbos prayer been told that you are our generation's and Havdala , the house would shrink back candidate for the task of Moshiach ben to its weekday size, the guests would Dovid." disappear and my husband would return to  his bed. This was the schedule every week since our marriage." As a result of this secret becoming "Why didn't you ever tell anyone uncovered …I must depart from the about this wondrous miracle?" she was world… asked. Seeing how amazed everyone was by "Oh! The Ari and his revelations! He what she had so innocently told, she has done me and himself great damage," explained, "I know that a bride is like a Rav Elyakim exclaimed. "As a result of this queen and the groom is like a king. secret becoming uncovered," he continued, Therefore, I assumed that this happens in "I must depart from the world. My last every Jewish household, on every Shabbos request is that you personally take charge after the wedding!" of the funeral and all involved. On the The author notes that as of the time gravestone please write: Here lies a truthful of his writing, a gravestone with the above and honest man. 12 Elul 5332." inscription could still be found in the With these words, Rav Eliyakim ben Jewish cemetery of Tisavitch! Shmuel passed away, leaving behind him a Translated by Yehuda Rubin of Elon Moreh, rewritten by Rav Yerachmiel Tilles world unworthy of Moshiach . (There are www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/379599/jewish/Visit-to-the- Hidden-Mashiach.htm some who say that this revelation had such a tragic end because of the presence of the  rav of the town; had the Arizal's pupils come by themselves, the result would have An Accompanying Soul been different.) It happened on the 29 th of the

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Jewish month of Menachem Av , Erev Rosh could no longer contain himself and asked, Chodesh Elul , 5331 (1571). "I want you to go "What have I done to deserve this unusual to Kfar Avnis," said Rav Yitzchak Luria, the show of respect and welcome?" holy Ari , to his main disciple, Rav Chaim "My dear disciple," Rav Yitzchak Vital, "to pray at the graves of Abaye and replied, "The deference I showed you was Rava," He taught him the special yichudim in respect for Benayahu ben Yehoyada who ('Unities') which were necessary, what he accompanied you when you entered." had to learn and the prayers he was to say, Rav Chaim was surprised and asked, so that his soul would become bound up "But I only visited the tombs of Abaye and with two of the greatest Talmudic sages, Rava. Their spirits should have escorted thus enabling him to understand the me. How did Benayahu's spirit become secrets of Torah which they were then entwined with mine?" discussing in the Heavenly yeshiva . The Ari explained, "The souls of Rav Chaim went to Kfar Avnis. The these two Talmudic greats are sparks of the sun beat down upon his head and he soul of Benayahu, the chief sage and stopped to rest on a mound of stones just general at the time of Dovid HaMelech , and outside the village of Biriya. While sitting the order of study and prayer which I told there, he reviewed all the things his master you to go through at their grave is fitting had taught him so that they would flow for his soul also. Tell me, did you, smoothly when the time would come to somewhere on your way to Kfar Avnis, stop prostrate himself on the grave. to review what I had taught you?" When he arrived, he fulfilled his Rav Chaim nodded his head. "Then," master's instructions. He prayed, said the Ari , "surely the spot where you prostrated himself and concentrated upon stopped off must be the precise location of all the esoteric words which the Ari had the tomb of Benayahu ben Yohoyada. That prepared for him. Suddenly, he felt his is how his soul came to be bound up with heart open up within him and deep secrets yours!" became clear which he would never have understood by his own efforts. Some time later, the Ari and his disciples visited many tombs. Along the Rav Chaim returned to Tzfas in way, between Kfat Biriya and Kfar Avnis, excellent spirits and went at once to tell his Rav Chaim saw the mound of stones where master what he had succeeded in learning he had rested on his previous trip. As the since last seeing him. When he knocked group passed this spot, the Ari stopped and upon the Ari's door and entered, he found said to his followers, "See, this is the grave him surrounded by the group of people of Benayahu ben Yehoyada. Let us pray who always attended his lectures. The Ari here, for we will then merit the revelation looked up at Rav Chaim standing in the of profound things from him." doorway and rose in his honor, exclaiming aloud, " Baruch haba ! Blessed is he who has Only then, did Rav Chaim fully come. Welcome!" He made a place for Rav understand what his master had told him Chaim right next to his own seat. Rav on that Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul . Chaim realized that this betokened [Adapted by Rav Yerachmiel Tilles from: something, for his master had never shown "The Arizal - The Life and Times of Rav him such deference before. Yitzchak Luria" ( Mesorah ).] When the listeners had gone, he www.ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=407-50 

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Rav Shalom Noach BrazovskyBrazovsky,,,, 777ththth of Av Slonimer Rebbe – Author of Nesivos Shalom Through his voluminous writings, course) the Torah lessons that he (the Rav Brazovsky was among the most Rebbe) delivered every Shabbos. These influential of contemporary Chassidic notes later became the book Bais Avrohom . Rebbes, and his impact was felt among Shortly before his own passing in 1933, the Chassidim and non-Chassidim alike. A Bais Avrohom recommended to his cousin, leading Lithuanian (i.e. non-Chassidic) Rav Avrohom Weinberg of Teveryah to take Rosh Yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael reportedly Rav Brazovsky as a son-in-law. (Teveryah referred to Rav Brazovsky's work Nesivos was home to many Slonimer Chassidim, Shalom as the Mesillas Yeshorim of our including Rav Avrohom's brother, the times. ( Mesillas Yeshorim is a classic father of Rav Yaakov Weinberg, the late mussar work written in the eighteenth Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisrael, and Rav century.) Noach Weinberg, the late founder of Aish Rav Brazovsky was born on the 14 th HaTorah.) of Av , 5671 (August 8, 1911) in Baranovichi In 1940, Rav Brazovsky was (today in Belarus), where his father, Rav appointed Rosh Yeshiva of the Lubavitcher Moshe Avrohom, was the Rosh HaKohol Yeshiva Achai Temimim in Tel Aviv. On (president of the Jewish community). Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan 5702 (October 21, Baranovichi is best-known to many as the 1941), he opened the Slonimer Yeshiva in home of Rav Elchonon Wasserman and his Yerushalayim with five students. As had Yeshiva, but it was also the home of the been the case in Baranovich, the Yeshiva Slonimer Rebbe, Rav Avrohom Weinberg, offered traditional Chassidic teachings and his famed Yeshiva, Toras Chessed. alongside Talmudic lectures, using the (Rav Weinberg, known as the Bais Lithuanian style of analysis. Rav Brazovsky Avrohom , was a great-grandson and also could be found sitting with the namesake of the first Slonimer Rebbe, students for hours on end, especially on known as the Yesod Ha'Avoda. Rav Friday night, teaching them the traditional Brazovsky's mother was a granddaughter of Slonimer melodies. Rav Hillel, a brother of the Yesod Rav Brazovsky's Yeshiva served as Ha'Avoda.) the kernel for the rebirth of Slonimer The future Rav Brazovsky studied in Chassidus after the group's near- Yeshivas Toras Chessed under its Rosh destruction in the Holocaust. The last pre- Yeshiva, Rav Avrohom Shmuel Hirshovitz war Slonimer Rebbe, Rav Shlomo Dovid (a grandson of Rav Eliezer Gordon of Telz) Yehoshua Weinberg, was killed in 1944, and its mashgiach , Rav Moshe Midner (a and for ten years, no successor was named. grandson of the Yesod Ha’Avoda and a In 1954, Rav Brazovsky's father-in-law student of Rav Chaim Brisker agreed to assume the mantle of Rebbe. (His Soloveitchik). With such leaders, the teachings are collected – again, by Rav Slonimer Yeshiva was virtually unique in Brazovsky – in the work Birkas Avrohom , combining Talmudic studies in the and he is known by that name.) Lithuanian style with traditional Chassidic With the exception of the Yesod teachings. Ha'Avoda, none of the Slonimer Rebbes or In approximately 1930, the Bais their predecessors, the Rebbes of Avrohom appointed Rav Brazovsky to Lechovitch (Lyakhovichi) and Kobrin, commit to writing (after Shabbos, of committed their teachings to writing. As

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Mattos - Massei / [email protected] part of his effort to rejuvenate Slonimer Rav Brazovsky served as the Chassidus , Rav Brazovsky was responsible Slonimer Rebbe after his father -in-law's for collecting the oral traditions ascribed to petira on the12th of Sivan 5741 (1981). He these leaders in works such as Divrei was succeeded by his son, Rav Shmuel. Shmuel and Toras Avos (in addition to the (Sources: Hamodia, August 18, 2000, page works already mentioned). Rav Brazovsky 24; Marbitzei Torah Me'olam also authored many volumes of his own Ha'Chassidus Volume I, page 177; ibid, teachings, including the seven -volume Volume III, page 167) Nesivos Sholom and many smaller works Sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Irving Katz in on educational topics, marital harmony memory of father Moshe Aharon ben and other issues. One disti nguishing Menashe Reiss a"h feature of those works is Rav Brazovsky's practice of deriving practical, moral and Copyright © 1998 by Shlomo Katz and ethical teachings from pesukim , using Project Genesis, Inc. www.torah.org/learning/hamaayan/5760/kiseitzei.html traditional Chassidic methods of interpretation.  לזכר נשמת אמנו החשובה , נפש יקרה ועדינה אשה יראת ה ' ובעלת מדות טובות מרת זיסל ל''ז בת הרה" ה מו " ה מאיר זאב הכה כ " ע" ה הי ד" מעיר נירעדהאז יע א" א" ונכדת הרה" ק רבי אהר צבי טערקלטויב זי" ע מבריד אשת הרה" ח מו " ה אברה חיי ה"ע גאלדענבערג She was a Holocaust survivor who never let that period of time define her life. Although she lost most of her family - she claimed that Hashem gave her an amazing life. She had a unique knack of making everyone who encountered her feel like they were the m ost important loved person. Her inimitable smile never left her face. She transmitted a strong value system stressing Emunas Hashem and Tzaddikim . Her love for stories of tzaddikim gave her chiyus and she conveyed that chizuk to anyone who met her. In her eighty-nine years of life, there wasn’t one person who had an untoward word or adverse feelings about her. She loved her family deeply and immensely. May Hashem console her family and may she be a . אמ , constant melitza yeshura ( מתו אמונה טהורה ) בדר המס ורה ( והתנהגה כאשה כשרה) לכל משפחתה , היא הודה היא הדרה  נקיה וטהורה היוצר וצר צורה ( וקיבלה הגזירה) נפטרה בש" ט בת תשעי שנה ביו ד"כ לחודש כסלו ( ערב חנוכה ) ) שנת תשע ח" ק"לפ תמלי" טוב בעד משפחתה היקרה ותקי לתחיה לק" הימי מהרה 'ה'ב'צ'נ'ת 



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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 Matos & Parshas Masei & The Three Weeks CHASSIDUS ON THE PARSHA

Saying Chazak Chazak V'nischazeik At The End Of Each Parsha

Ashkenaz and Sefarad customs (minhagim) are usually quite different, but when it comes to the saying of “Chazak” in the context of Keriat HaTorah (public Torah reading) it is striking and uncanny that both Ashkenazim and Sefardim have the blessing “chazak”, only that it is said under completely different circumstances and conditions, and have a completely different meaning and function.

According to the classic Ashkenaz practice: The phrase “chazak chazak v’niSchazek” is recited by the congregation and then repeated by the Ba’al Koreh (Torah reader) upon the end of the public reading of each Sefer, i.e, as in the end of this week’s parsha – Matos Maasei – the end of Sefer Bamidbar. This minhag is treated as a very special and holy minhag – as attested to by the fact that the Gabbai gets up and announces that the

- 1 of 48 - entire congregation should stand up for that last aliyah and chant in unison – chazak chazav v’nischazek.

In contrast, according to the dominant Sefarad custom, at the end of every single individual Torah reading, whether it be on Monday morning, Thursday morning, or Shabbos morning, the congregation individually greet the Ba’al Koreh (Torah reader) with the word “chazak” or more precisely, “Chazak U’Baruch.”

Despite that both customs involve the word “chazak” and are found in the context of public Torah reading, the two customs vary in every possible way: Let us chart out and summarize three significant differences for the purpose of clarification:

When to say Chazak What is said Who says it Ashkenazim End of each Sefer Chazak Chazak V’Nischazek Congregation in unison followed by Torah reader out loud Sefaradim End of each Torah reading Chazak (U’baruch) Congregation as they greet the Torah reader personally It would appear that not only are these two practices different in their practical implementation, but they are also differ on a fundamental level, namely, their basis, function, meaning and significance.

For Sefaradim, the word “Chazak,” is meant in the way that it was said to Yehoshua by God “chazak v’ametz,” (Joshua chap. 1), namely a blessing of support and “chizuk” for a job well done – in our case - of reading from the Torah and wishing the Ba’al Koreh to continue his performance of mitzvot. Hence “chazak” is akin to the English expression: “good job,” and “Keep up the good work.” For this reason, “Chazak” is said after the reading of any part of the Torah and is said personally to the Chazan by other individuals as they greet him.

On the other hand, Ashkenazim have a different greeting dedicated for such a purpose, namely a handshake accompanied with the greeting – “Yasher Koach.” This being the case, the expression “Chazak” means something entirely else for Ashkenazim.

- 2 of 48 - From the fact that “Chazak…” is said only at the very end of the reading of each Sefer, it is not a blessing aimed at the individual reader of the Torah – but at the entire congregation, upon reaching a certain milestone and accomplishment - the completing of an entire book of Torah. [Based on this reasoning it should not surprise us to find the custom from Medieval Italy was to only say “chazak” upon the completion of the entire Torah on Simchat Torah – for only that is a grand accomplishment.]

In other words, “Chazak Chazak V’Nischazek” is meant as a public “chizuk” for those that just finished reading the Torah – akin to having a Siyum at the end of the learning of a Masechet. It is a way to tell those present that they need to strengthen themselves through what they have learned, not to forget what they have learned, and to encourage them to continue learning.

Based on this analysis we can understand several details in the Ashkenazi minhag. First, the entire congregation says “chazak…” in unison, for it is a message that all present must understand and grasp. Second, the Torah Reader also repeats “Chazak …” after the congregation says it aloud, for it is not a personal greeting aimed at him (which would make praising yourself a bit bizarre), but rather a message for everyone. Third, the formulation is “chazak chazak V’NISCHAZEK,” the last word being in the plural – something entirely inappropriate were the blessing to be aimed at the Torah reader alone.

Rav Mordy Friedman

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

- 3 of 48 - 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?

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

- 4 of 48 - 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.

Stories on the Parsha & The Three Weeks

On Route To Eretz Yisroel

The Ba’al Shem Tov desired very much to go to Eretz Yisrael, saying that if he would meet the holy Rav Chaim Ben Attar, author of the famedsefer , the Ohr HaChaim, that together they could bring Moshiach. Unfortunately, in Shomayim they had other plans and the journey did not succeed. There are many stories regarding the journey that the Ba’al Shem Tov undertook together with his daughter Adel; here is one example:

On Chol HaMoed, the Ba’al Shem Tov hired a boat to take them to Eretz Yisrael from Istanbul, Turkey. The Toldos Yaakov Yosef relates how the Ba’al Shem Tov’s Rebbe and spiritual mentor, Achiya HaShiloni, appeared to him and demonstrated to the Ba’al Shem where his journey corresponded to the forty-two journeys and encampments ofBnei Yisrael in the Midbar.

While they were at sea, a great storm struck the ship, the tempest waves tossing it to and fro. According to some versions of the story, his daughter Adel was cast overboard and the ship itself was almost lost; according to other versions of the story, it was shipwrecked and smashed to smithereens, leaving only planks. Throughout all this chaos, the sailors turned to the Ba’al Shem Tov to save them.

Heaven decreed, however, that all of the Ba’al Shem’s powers would be taken away and his spiritual capabilities were reduced to naught! He could remember notefillos , no Torah– not even the Alef-Bais! The Ba’al Shem was sorely distressed, until his Rebbe,

- 5 of 48 - Achiya HaShiloni, reappeared to him and showed him through which supernal worlds he was now traveling and which Divine names corresponded to his current place and journey. The Ba’al Shem Tov was comforted and Heaven began to sweeten the harsh decree.

Just then his son Rav Tzvi (others say it was Adel) turned and cried in distress that he too could remember nothing but the Alef-Bais. “Quick!” responded the Ba’al Shem Tov, “say them with me now!” Attaching his soul to the power of the Hebrew letters of the holy Alef-Bais, the Ba’al Shem Tov repeated them after his son, “Alef, Bais, Gimmel, Daled,” until slowly his powers and knowledge returned and he was able to save the travelers. The Ba’al Shem Tov never did make it to Eretz Yisrael; rather, he returned safely to Europe.

The Chozeh's Bed

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

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

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

The carpenter worked with a contrite, broken heart, humbled at working on so lofty a task, and he himself so lowly and unworthy of such a charge! “Just think what a holy

- 6 of 48 - 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, “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)

- 7 of 48 - Gedolim Be'misasm Yoser

Yahrzeits For Parshas Matos & Parshas Masei & The Three Weeks

Though all of his intentions had been pure, trying only to hold off the Erev Rav (Mixed Multitude) long enough to give Moshe a chance Aharon Hakohen (Av 1) to return to the camp and restore order, still, it had been his hand that had worked the gold. Born: Egypt, 1406 BCE. / Niftar: Hor HaHar, Aharon HaKohen was punished for his mistake, 1283 BCE. to lose all his four sons. Moshe prayed for him and succeeded in saving two of them. Prophet, brother of Moshe Rabbeinu and Miriam the Prophetess, the first Kohen Gadol Aharon was later reincarnated as Yaabetz (High Priest). The chariot for the Sephirah of HaShofet (another name for Othniel ben Hod. Kenaz), he returned again as Tula ben Puah HaShofet, he reincarnated again in Shmuel The Arizal says that Aharon HaKohen, was HaNavi (Samuel the Prophet), reincarnated Haran (brother of Avraham Avinu) in his again in Aviyah son of King Yerovam, previous life. Haran (same letters as Aharon, reincarnated again in Uriah HaKohen (who was without the Alef) had to correct an element of killed by King Yehoyakim, and by that was idol worship committed by Adam, but he failed. atoned for having to be killed in the Golden As Aharon he should have also sacrificed his Calf incident) and reincarnated again in life, like Chur ben Miriam did, in order to stop Zechariah HaNavi. (Shaar HaGilgulim, the sin of the Golden Calf from taking place, in Hakdama 33). order to do a correction concerning idol worship. Mistakenly, he thought that Chur's Aharon's wife Elisheva was later reincarnated death accomplished that. (Sha'ar HaGilgulim as Batsheva, the soul mate of Dovid HaMelech. page 95, 114) (Kisvei HaAri - Shaar HaPsukim, Shmuel II)

- 8 of 48 - 5636/1876), Rav Aharon was the only son who was not appointed Rebbe. He refused to accept the Chassidim who came to his house. Rav Shmuel Ehrenfeld Chasan Sofer, Rav in Mattersdorf (Av 1) During his tenure as Rav, Rav Aharon applied a cherem against one of the residents of the city, Author of Chasan Sofer who refused to accept the ruling of his Beis Din. This incident led to Rav Aharon being Son of Rav Dovid Tzvi Ehrenfeld imprisoned for six weeks.

Son-in-law of Rav Moshe Sofer, AvBeisDin Rav Aharon wrote down many chiddushei Pressburg, author Chasan Sofer Torah, but shortly before his passing, he burned all his manuscripts. He passed away Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av .תרמ''ג After taking ill, Rav Aharon traveled to Vienna to meet with doctors. He was niftar as he made his way home, on Rosh Chodesh Av 5663/1903, at age seventy-seven. He was buried in the ohel Rav Aharon Halberstam Av Beis Din of with his father, in Sanz. Sanz (Av 1)

Rav Aharon’s sons were Rav Shmuel Shmelke; Rav Aharon Halberstam was born inRav Shalom, who served as Rav in Pikli and 5586/1826, in Rudnick. His father was Rav Sanz; and Rav Aryeh Leibish of Sanz-Gribov. Chaim, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. His son-in-law was Rav Moshe Halberstam of Bardiov. He was a talmid of his father, and would also travel to the courts of other leading Rebbes, Some of his Divrei Torah were published in among them Rav Tzvi Hirsh of Rimanov, Rav Megged Eretz, by Rav Aharon Halberstam of Dovid of Tolna, the Sar Sholom of Belz and Rav Biale-Bilitz (a great-nephew) and in other Avrohom of Trisk. seforim as well.

Rav Aharon married the daughter of the nogid Zecher tzaddik livrachah. Rav Yaakov Weinberger of Dukla. www.hamodia.com/features/this-day-in-history- In 5617/1857, Rav Aharon was appointed Rav 1-avjuly-8/ in the city of Sanz.

Following his father’s petira (25th of Nissan

- 9 of 48 - Jews, hiding them in the false bottom of a coal truck. Halberstam is widely credited with rebuilding the Bobover community in the Rav Shlomo Halberstam Third Bobover Rebbe (Av 1) United States.

Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin the Netziv (Av 1)

1 Av (others say: 28 Av) Rav Naphtali Tzvi Yehudah Berlin, the “Netziv of Volozhin”

Son of Rav Yaakov

תקע''ז Born in Mir

A descendant of Rabbeinu Elchanan Baal HaTosfos

At age 14, he married the daughter of Rav Rav Shlomo Halberstam (1908-2000), son of Yitzchok of Volozhin. Rav Ben Zion, grandson of Rav Shlomo, founder of the Bobov dynasty. At the outbreak of World He studied Torah in his father-in-law’s home for War II, he and his father escaped to Lemberg. twenty years. During this time, he was known On the fourth of Av 1942 his father was killed, to stand all day long with his feet in a pail of and Rav Shlomo escaped to the Bochnia Ghetto. cold water by night. In Bochnia, the Rav lost his Rebbetzin and two children. He managed to escape with his only After his father- in- law’s passing, his brother- surviving child, Naftali, to Budapest, and then in- law, Rav Eliezer Yitzchok, became Rosh to Bucharest. Rav Shlomo is believed to have yeshiva and three years later, with his passing, been the last remaining Chassidic rabbi to have the Netziv became Rosh yeshivah. survived the Holocaust. Born in the Galicia region of central Europe, Rav Halberstam He published the following seforim: Emek arrived in the United States in 1946, alone and She’elah on the Sheiltos; , Halachic Responsa indigent after his group was largely obliterated as, Shut Mayshiv Davar, and HaEmek Davar, by the Nazis. During the war, Halberstam and Harchev Davar on the Torah; Maytav Shir dressed up as a nun in order to rescue other on Shir HaShirim.

- 10 of 48 - a fire broke out and destroyed the Etz grandson of Rav Zalman Chaikin; he and Rav , תרמ''ו In Chaim Yeshivah, but the Netziv rebuilt and Yaakov Moshe’s mother were first cousins. His the secularson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and Rav Yaakov , תרל''טreopened it. Then, in authorities closed the yeshivah over the issue of Moshe, were second cousins. secular studies but he ardently fought against the the wicked maskilim and Volozhin reopened When Yaakov Moshe became bar mitzva, Rav Michel Zalman was suddenly niftar. Now a .תרמ''א again in young orphan, Rav Yaakov Moshe decided to go

The Netziv He passed away at age 78 in to Radin, where he learned with extraordinary hasmada under the Chofetz Chaim for the next .תרנ''ג Warsaw on Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av fifteen years. During his years in Yeshiva, his mother also passed away. (Others say 28 Av)

Rav Yaakov Moshe was zocheh to be one of His son was Rav Chaim Berlin AvBeisDin those who took part in the tahara of the Chofetz Kobrin. Chaim. Many years later Rav Mendel Zaks, son- in-law of the Chofetz Chaim and Rosh Yeshiva His sons- in- law were; Rav Raphael Shapira in Radin, wrote the nusach for the matzeiva of AvBeisDin Babroisk and Rav Chaim Rav Shurkin. Soloveitchik AvBeisDin Brisk.

In 5693/1933, Rav Yaakov Moshe tried to leave Europe and go to America, but he couldn’t get the right papers, so he went first to Eretz Rav Yaakov Moshe Shurkin Rosh Mesivta Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin (Av 1) Yisrael. In Yerushalayim, he became close with Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer.

Rav Yaakov Moshe Shurkin was the younger Two years later, he went on to America. There, son of Rav Michel Zalman, born in 5662/1902. he married the daughter of Rav Yaakov He was born in Podobranka, a small village Kantorovich. Rav Yaakov, an uncle of Rav deep in White Russia. His original surname was Moshe Feinstein, had been Rav of Timkavitch in Shur, which was later changed, most likely to Russia. When the communists took over, all evade the Russian military draft. Rabbonim were in danger. Rav Yaakov and Rav Moshe escaped to America, and Rav He was descended from a prominent Chabad Kantorovich became a Rav in Trenton, New family in Podobranka. His maternal grandfather Jersey. He authored Tzilusa DeShmaatsa on the was Rav Zalman Freidin, son-in-law of Rav Shev Shmaatsa, Chiddushei HaGra and other Zalman Chaikin of Podobranka. seforim. At his petira he was buried in Trenton; later, with a psak from his nephew Rav Moshe, Rav Levi Yitzchok Schneerson was also a

- 11 of 48 - the aron was moved to Chelkas HaRabbonim in Elozor ben Aharon Hakohen (Av 1) Beit Shemesh.

Rav Yaakov Moshe was a Rosh Mesivta in Yeshiva U’Mesivta Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin from Chacham Yahya Chaim Assouline Ihya or its founding in 5698/1938 until he was niftar on Yahia Haim (Av 2) Rosh Chodesh Av 5723/1963, at sixty-two. He was buried in Beth David cemetery in Elmont, Long Island.

Several volumes of his shiurim on masechtos have been published as Shiurei Rav Yaakov Moshe.

His son, Rav Michel, shlit’a, is a Rosh Yeshiva in Toras Moshe in Yerushalayim.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah. www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-1-avjul y-28/

Rav Yosef Av Beis Din in Lvov (Av 1) Famed Moroccan tzadik and miracle worker

Son of Rav Yechiel laid to rest in Rabat Cimetière Juif de El Jadida A Gaon and Rosh Yeshiva in Lwow during the days of Rav Yoel Sirkis, the Bach. He passed away Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av Rav Moshe Stern Rav of Debrecin, Be'er .שפייט Moshe (Av 2) Rav Nosson Nota of Averitch (Neta Shashuim) (Av 1) Rav Moshe Stern, the Debrecziner Rav, author Rav Aryeh Leib (Maggid of Drohbitch) of Be’er Moshe (1914-1997). Born in Neuhaizal, (Av 1) Slovakia, on Hoshana Rabah, his father, Rav Rav Dovid Hanaggid (Medrash Dovid) Avraham, was the Rav of Neuhaizal, a historian (Av 1) and author of the sefarim, Gapei Eish on the

- 12 of 48 - Shas, Shulchan Eish and Melitzei Eish. After Rav Aharon Tumim of Cracow was born in learning with his father and grandfather, Rav 5390/1630. His father, Rav Moshe Tumim, was Moshe left Neuhaizal to study in Yeshivas Rav in Mehrin. His paternal grandfather was Pressburg, headed by the Chasam Sofer's Rav Shimon Tumim Lemil, one of the Gedolim great-grandson, Rav Akiva Sofer, the Daas of Vienna. Sofer. Rav Moshe married a daughter of Rav Mordechai Nissan HaKohen Strasser, aRav Aharon married the sister of Rav Eliezer grandson of the Chasam Sofer. After his HaLevi Ettinger, of Holleschau, Austria. marriage, he moved to Debrecen, Hungary's second largest city, where Jews had been From 5419/1659 to 5432/1672, Rav Aharon was barred from living until 1840. Debrecen had Darshan and Maggid Shiur in Prague. Later, he served as the capital of Hungary twice, once in became Rav and Rosh Yeshiva in Worms, 1849, and a second time, in 1944. In Debrecen, Germany. He was an acknowledged Talmid he was appointed a poseik and dayan. By 1941, Chochom with a phenomenal memory. 9,142 Jews lived in Debrecen and comprised about 7% of its population. After the war, about After the petira of Rav Mordechai Deitches, Rav 4,640 Jews returned to Debrecen making it the of Cracow, Rav Aharon was chosen to take his largest Jewish community in the area. Rav place. He was to move there in 5447/1687, but Moshe restructured the kehillah. Together with because of political circumstances, he delayed the Admor of Erlau, he even founded a yeshivah his departure from Worms by a few years, in Budapest. In about 1950, Rav Moshe was leaving in 5450/1690. Shortly thereafter, the invited to be the rav of Buenos Aires,city was destroyed by the troops of King Louis Argentina, where he stayed for a year. Soon XIV of France. afterwards, Rav Moshe moved to New York and established his 'Kahal Yesodei HaTorah' whose Rav Aharon was Rav in Cracow for barely four congregants were mostly immigrants from months when a Polish nobleman had him Hungary. In 1969, Rav Moshe began publishing arrested. He was killed on Shabbos Parashas his sefer of responsa, Be'er Moshe. Another of MattosOMasei , second of Av, 5450/1690, in Rav Moshe's sefarim is his "KunterusChmielnik, and buried in Pintchov, where the Ha'Electric" where he discusses the dozens of local Rav was his brother-in-law (his sister’s shaylos involved with electricity, such as husband), Rav Yehudah Leib Tzintz of accepting testimony over the phone and setting Holleschau. up alarms to work on Shabbos. Rav Aharon wrote two seforim: Matteh Aharon on Haggada shel Pesach, and Bigdei Aharon on Torah. Rav Aharon Teomim Mateh Aharon (Av 2) Hashem yinkom damo.

- 13 of 48 - www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-2-avjul invaders. According to the testimony of Rav y-29/ Nosson Nota Hanover, Rav Shimshon was in the city of Polnoa at the time, since many Jews Rav Gedalya Silverstone (Av 2) had fled there seeking protection within its Rebbetzin Rischel Kotler (Av 2) fortified walls. The murderous hordes headed Rav Yehuda Leib (Rosh Yeshiva Lwow) straight for the shul. Rav Shimshon was in the (Av 2) shul with three hundred followers, all of whom are said to have been Chachomim Gedolim. They were all dressed in burial shrouds and wrapped in talleisim; they were butchered Al Rav Shimshon of Ostropoli Don Yadin (Av Kiddush Hashem in the midst of davening. 3)

There is a Matzeiva for Rav Shimshon in the center of Ostropoli and it seems that his coffin was transferred to Ostropoli once calm returned to the area.

About the murder of Rav Shimshon, the Chozeh of Lublin writes that Rav Shimshon was Moshiach ben Yosef and was therefore killed, as we know will happen to Moshiach ben Yosef. (The neshoma of Moshiach is found in every generation.) The Chozeh even writes that since Moshiach ben Yosef (Rav Shimshon) was killed, this misfortune will not repeat itself when Moshiach finally comes. His words are quoted by Rav Tzodok HaKohen of Lublin and the Damesek Eliezer of Komarna. The truth is, that By: R’ Dovid Bitton even while Rav Shimshon was alive, it was known that he possessed the neshoma of Based on Rav Bumbach’s biography on Rav Moshiach ben Yosef. Had his generation only Shimshon in Sefer Nitzotzay Shimshon merited…

On the bitter day of the 3rd of Av in the year Many of Rav Shimshon’s desendants were great 5408/1648, the Cossacks and Tartar forces Rabbonim in their own rights. Some of the conquered the fortified city of Polnoa with the more well-known ones include: Rav Yoel Ba’al help of the Ukrainian guards who wereShem of Zamotch; Rav Leiber HaGodol of supposed to be guarding the cities from the Berditchev; Rav Yaakov Yosef of Polnoa, one of

- 14 of 48 - the greatest talmidim of the Ba’al Shem Tov; that are printed today are thanks to the notes Rav Yaakov Shimshon of Shpotivka; and Rav of his Talmidim. Shlomo Eliyashiv known as the Leshem (Rav Eliyashiv’s grandfather), to name just a few. Rav Shimshon’s greatness in both the revealed and hidden parts of Torah, coupled with his Rav Shimshon of Ostropoli, born inexalted levels of Kedusha and his brilliant mind, approximately the year 1599, was one of the caused his fame to spread across Europe. We greatest Torah giants and Mekubolim of his can catch a glimpse of his greatness by seeing time. He was named after his grandfather, Rav some of the unparalleled praises the Gedolim of Shimshon of Kremnitz, one of the four brothers his time wrote about him. They testified that he who were all Gedolei HaDor, the most well learned with, and merited many revelations in known of whom was the Maharal of Prague. the secrets of Torah from, Eliyohu HaNovi. He also learned with Malochim and Maggidim, who During the forty-eight short years that Rav taught him many secrets. Some Gedolim even Shimshon lived, he reached levels in Torah and wrote: “All of his words are prophecy”. He also Kedusha that were nothing short of legendary. merited many revelations of the secrets of the As a youngster, he began studying Torah under Torah in dreams. In one place, Rav Shimshon his father’s tutelage. He is also assumed to writes how the Megaleh Amukos, Rav Nosson have learned under Rav Nosson Nota of Austra, Nota of Krakow, appeared to him in a dream the author of the Tzon Kodoshim on Seder and explained to him a difficult piece of liturgy. Kodshim.

Rav Shimshon’s entry into the study of the hidden parts of Torah began when he was Rav Ephraim Taub (Av 3) relatively young, as he himself writes (Don Yodin): “I began learning Kabbola at a young Rav Ephraim Taub was the son of Rav age and toiled immensely to master the Yechezkel of Kuzmir and the son-in-law of Rav ‘Chochma’. Eventually, he became one of the Nosson Dovid Rabinowitz of Shidlovtza. foremost Mekubolim of his time.

After the petira of his father on the fifteenth of Ostropoli, a town situated in the plains of Shevat 5616/1856, Rav Ephraim was appointed Eastern Ukraine, became Rav Shimshon’s home Rav. when he was appointed as the town’s Maggid. He was fondly known by all as “Rav Shimshon Rav Ephraim lived in Shenenah, then later in Maggid” (the preacher). Rav Shimshon also Kuzmir. Later, he moved on to other cities. He headed a Yeshiva in Ostropoli in which he lived in Bloina, Nadrazin, Yablona and Prague. taught his Talmidim both the revealed and hidden parts of Torah. A few of his Divrei Torah Some of the Divrei Torah of Rav Ephraim were

- 15 of 48 - published in the seforim of his father.

Rav Ephraim was niftar on the fourth of Av Chacham Raphael Ankawa also spelled 5664/1904. Ankavah or Encouau, Chief Rabbi of Morocco, Pamonei Zahav (Av 4) His sons were Rav Menachem Dovid,Rav in Prague; Rav Eliezer Shlomo, Rav in Walmin; and Rav Yerachmiel Tzvi, Rav in Shenenah.

Zechuso yagen aleinu. www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-4-avjul y-31/

Rav Shmuel Shindlinger (Rosh Beis Din of Lvov, Shmuel Selir, Shem M'Shmuel) (Av 3)

Rav Eliyohu Moshe Schisgal (Av 3)

Rav Shimshon Bachrach of Nikolsburg (Av 3)

Born in Salé in 1848, Raphael Ben Mordechai Ankawa, also spelled Ankavah or Encouau, was the Chief Rabbi of Morocco and a noted commentator, talmudist, posek, and author of the seforim Karnei Re'em, Pa'amonei Zahav, on the Shulchan Arukh and the Choshen Mishpat; Sifrei Hadad veiTeima, writings on the Talmud.

- 16 of 48 - In 1918 he became president of the Supreme lineage extends back to the famed leaders and Rabbinical Court in Rabat, the supreme court princes of Bnei Fano. of Moroccan Jewry, after the reorganization of Moroccan Jewish communities by French The Rama inherited his father's wealth and his Protectorate authorities. Ankawa held this post cousin Rav Azaria, author of Meor Eynaim, until his death. testified that he was a very generous baal tzedaka with this inheritance.

The Rama's chief rebbe was Rabbi Yishmael Rav Menachem Azaria of Fano Rama Chanina ben Mordechai of Valmontone (located Mipano (Av 4) about 45 kilometers (28 miles) southeast of Rome. He was renowned as a holy tzaddik and Author of Asara Maamaros one of the greatest rabbis of Ferrara. During the inquisition he debated against the apostate Son of Rav Yitzchok Berachia Alessandro of Bologna and later fled to Ferrara. The Rama quotes him in his teshuvos (32, 123) Rav Menachem Azaria was born to Ravcalling him mori v’rabbi – my rebbe, mentor Yitzchok Berachia--a wealthy wise man and and master. in Fano, Italy ש''ח chassid-- in 1548 He studied Kabbalah under his uncle Rav Ezra Fano. Rav Yitzchok had four sons:

At age twenty-six he was asked by Rav Yosef Rav Avraham, Rav Yehudah, Rav Elchanan and Karo to supervise the printing of his sefer, Rav Menachem Azaria. Kesef Mishnah on the Rambam in Venice. at age 44 Rav Yitzchok Berachia שכ''ו In The Ramak, Rav Moshe Cordevero, sent him his tragically died in an avalanche when his house sefer, Pardes Rimmonim and he composed a caved in (his son, Menachem, was seventeen at shortened version called Pelach haRimmon. the time). Rav Yitzchok Shabsi Roko of Orevno composed a kinnah of lamentation which The Rama began his career in Venice where he detailed the piety and character of Rav Yitzchok did many public works, redacted and Berachia and which expressed the great established the Italian nusach of prayer (See sadness and mourning of his sons over their his Shu"t Siman 25) and established the loss. recitation of Selichos to be said before daybreak. He also began daily public lectures Rav Yitzchok ben Mordechai of Polnoy who was in Venice, teaching Kabbalah based on the a disciple of the Rama M’Fano testified that his Pardes Rimmonim as he explains in the rebbe's family was one of great yichus whose

- 17 of 48 - introduction to Pelach haRimmon. When Rav Toras Kabbalas HaArizal as the representative he studied source for those teachings of the Arizal through שנ''ז Yisrael Saruk (Sarug) arrived in Kabbalah of the Arizal under him and from then Rav Yisroel Srug not found elsewhere.] on, he adopted a tradition that he received from Rav Yisroel who was in turn a disciple of the The Rama became known as one of the major Arizal (See Maamar Eim Kol Chai 1:17 -“This is disseminators of the tradition of Kabbalah in the Kabbalas HaArizal as taught by my master, Italy and in all of the west. (As described by the Rav Yisroel, one of his greatest disciples who Yashar of Kandia) merited transmitting great understandings of many bodies of Torah knowledge.”) He married the daughter of Rav Yitzchok Foa of Mantuba. [As an aside: It is interesting to note that Rav Yitzchok Hutner, author of Pachad Yitzchok, Among his most famous talmidim were Rav wrote an introduction to MachonAharon Berachia of Modena, author of Maavar Yerushalayim’s edition of the Rama’s Alfasi Yabok; Rav Eliezer Nachman Foa of Reggio, Zuta in which he defends the study of Kabbalas author of Medrash B'Chodesh on the Pesach HaArizal based on Rav Yisrael Srug through the Haggadah and head of the Reggio society, Rama MeFano. This, despite the Arizal’s Chevras haAluvim; Rav Yitzchok ben Mordechai warning not to study from other students and of Polnoy; Rav Moshe Kazis; Rav Yitzchok Levi; disciples besides Rav Chaim Vital. In short, he Rav Yechiel of Milli, and others. bases this defense not only on the fact that ,ש''פ such gedolim as the Vilna Gaon; Rav Chaim He passed away 4 Menachem Av1620 Volozhiner; Rav Elyashiv, author of the Leshem, Mantuba, Italy. cite the Kabbalah of the Arizal through Rav Srug based on the Rama MeFano. Its legitimacy is also based on the words of Rav Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin who, in his Sefer Rav Eliyohu Glucksman (Av 4) HaZichronos , argues that these gedolim were not ignoring the Arizal’s warning, chas Rav Eliyahu Glucksman, dayan of the veshalom, since it did not apply to Rav Yisroel Washington Heights (New York) community, Srug who had already left for Italy even before teacher at Bais Yaakov and Rika Breuers the arrival of Rav Chaim Vital. When Rav Chaim Teachers Seminary. Born in Berlin, he escaped collected the material from other disciples, to England in 1938, where he studied under edited it, and became the primary source, he Rav Eliyahu Dessler. He later emigrated to had no access to the writings of Rav Yisroel Eretz Yisrael, where he learned at Bais Yosef, Srug due to his absence from Eretz Yisroel. Petach Tikvah, and then 10 years in Bnei Brak Thus, the Rama MeFano is uniquely placed at Kollel Chazon Ish (1921-2004). among the links to the chain of tradition of

- 18 of 48 - Rav Tzvi Meir Hakohen Rabinowitz of of volumes to memory. Radomsk (Av 4)

Rav Benzion Halberstam of Bobov The Ari's father passed away while he was still (Second Bobover Rebbe, Kedushas Tzion) a child. Under the pressure of poverty, his (Av 4) mother went to Egypt, where they lived with her brother, Mordecai Frances, a wealthy tax agent. The Ari's brilliance continued to shine. The young prodigy was placed under the Rav Yitzchak Luria Ashkenazi Arizal, tutelage of Rav Betzalel Ashkenazi (1520-1592), Ha'ari Hakodosh (Av 5) best known for his important Talmudic commentary, the Shita Mekubetzes (Embracing System). There is also evidence that the young lad also studied under the great Radbaz, Rav Dovid ben Zimri (1480-1573), who was then the chief Rav of Cairo. By the time he was fifteen, his expertise in Talmud had overwhelmed all the sages in Egypt. According to a reliable account, the Ari himself also wrote a large Talmudic commentary around this time. Had he remained nothing more than a Talmudic scholar, he would have joined the ranks of the greatest of all times.

The Chida said on him that the way he reached such a high level was that Eliyahu HaNavi purified him with ashes of a Parah Adumah. The Arizal is respected and accepted by all the great Rabbonim of the Ashkenazim (chassidim and non-chassidim), Sefardim and Teimanim. Besides Kabbalistic Seforim, the Arizal is very often quoted in halachic works, such as the Magen Avrohom, Be'er Heitiv and Mishna

The Ari was born in Yerushalayim in 1534. By Berura. He is the foremost Kabbalist of the last the time he was eight, he was recognized as a five-hundred years and was a Gilgul wonder-child, a prodigy who already outshone (reincarnated spark) of Rebbe Shimon Bar the greatest minds of Yerushalayim. At this Yochai. tender age, he had already mastered the intricacies of the Talmud and committed dozens At this time he married his uncle's daughter. At

- 19 of 48 - age seventeen, he disc overed the Zohar, The Ari passed away on July 15, 1572 (5th of obtaining his own manuscript copy. Later, he Av, 5332), barely two years after he had arrived spent fifteen years meditating, at first with his in Tzefas. During his brief stay there, he had master, Rav Betzalel Ashkenazi, and then alone, assembled a group of approximately a dozen reaching the highest levels of kedusha.disciples, with Rav Chaim Vital at their head, Eventually, he spent two years meditating in a and they continued to review his teachings. For hut near the Nile, utterly isolated, not speaking the most part, it was Rav Chaim who put them to any human being. The only time he would into writing. The main works are: Etz Chaim return home would be on Erev Shabbos, just (Tree of Life) and Pri Etz Chaim (Fruit of the before dark. But even at home, he would not Tree of Life), as well as the Eight Gates, which speak. When it was absolutely necessary for deal with everything from Bible commentary to him to say something, he would say it in the divine inspiration and reincarnation. fewest possible words, and only in Loshon HaKodesh. The Ari also authored the liturgical poems "Azamer Bishvachin", "Assader Lis’udossa" and It is accepted that the Ari became worthy of "Benei Heichola", sung at the three Shabbos Ruach HaKodesh. At times, Eliyohu HaNovi meals respectively and included in nearly every revealed himself to him and taught him the Chassidic and Sephardi Siddur. mysteries of the Torah. Every night his soul ascended to heaven. Angels would escort him, The teachings of the Ari have been afforded asking which academy he chose to visit. status as a primary authority, on the same level Sometimes it would be that of Rav Shimon bar as the Zohar itself. Every custom of the Ari was Yochai. He also visited the academies of Rav scrutinized, and many were accepted, even Akiva and Rav Eliezer HaGodol, and onagainst previous practice. The great Polish occasion the academies of the Nevi’im. codifier, Rav Avrohom Gombiner (1635-1683), author of the Mogen Avrohom (Shield of At the end of this period, he received a Avrohom), takes the Ari's personal customs as command from Eliyohu HaNovi to go to Eretz legally binding precedents. In deciding disputes Yisrael. He arrived in Tzefas during thethat had remained unresolved for centuries, he summer of 1570, and began by concealing his often cites the Ari's custom as the final gifts completely. He was only there a short time authority. The fact that the Ari had acted in a when the Ramak (Rav Moshe Cordovero, certain manner was enough to convince this 1522-1570), head of the Tzefas Mekubolim, tough-minded legalist that this was the correct died on June 26, 1570 (23rd of Tammuz, 5330). opinion. By identifying the heavenly pillar of fire that followed the great Mekubol’s funeralThere are a select number of individuals who procession, the Ari established himself as the live on a plane so high above the rest of new leader. humanity that it seems that they are a

- 20 of 48 - completely different, higher species of being. 1. To rectify the three parts of the soul They teach, yet we grasp but little, and from nefesh, ruach and neshamah the few crumbs that we catch, we can build mountains. Such a person was Rav Yitzchok 2. The Angel of Death the Sam Mem and his Luria, the holy ARI, the Lion of Tzefas. group are thereby distanced and flee from him (Compiled from Meditation and Kabbalah by Rav Aryeh Kaplan and from other sources) 3. It saves a person from easily seeing Keri

His Segulos: 4. He will not see the death of his own children Tikkun Mem Ches Bereishis Taman Segulah From The Arizal 5. Hashem merits him to have fear of Heaven ** See Appendix Below 6. He is successful in all his endeavors TIKKUN MEM CHES BEREISHIS TAMAN SEGULAH FROM THE ARIZAL 7. He is saved from falling sickness (epilepsy) A wondrous segulah for a person to repair and rectify himself, his nefesh, ruach and neshama 8. His mazal is uplifted and does not falter of his soul and is hewn from the supernal light of our master and teacher the holy Arizal to 9. He shall not be poor and impoverished recite every day after the tefilah the 48th Tikkun, Tikkun Mem Ches from the Tikkunei 10. All his enemies fall beneath his feet Zohar. 11. He merits long life This segulah removes the precious sparks that were swallowed by the shells and husks of 12. He merits the coming world of Olam impurity known as the klippos to rectify the haBah Amen pergam habris and keri and may Hashem merit us to rectify and repair all the portions of our souls and may we come before him with no shame to the world of truth. Tikkun Chatzos

The benefits of reciting this tikkun daily after Tikkun Chatzos During The Three Weeks: davening are:

It is the minhag of many great tzaddikim to rise

- 21 of 48 - each night at midnight for Tikkun Chatzos and Teshuos Chein by Rav Gedalia of Linitz, Bas mourn bitterly the churban Bais HaMikdash Ayin by Rav Avrohom Dov of Avritsh and Sifsei and the galus of the Shechina. Many people Tzadikim by Rav Pinchos Dinowitz. who do not say Tikkun Chatzos during the year are noheg to say it during the three weeks. The greatest collection of his sayings and teachings appears in Imrei Tzaddikim by Rav The Mishna Berura (551:103) cites the writings Tzvi Chassid of Yampola. of the Arizal that one should cry for the Bais in Mogilev תקנ''ג HaMikdash for half an hour after midday each He passed away on 5 Av1793 day during the three weeks. In the famed on his way to Eretz Yisroel. Yeshiva of Pressburg they used to say Tikkun Chatzos at midday during the three weeks. His sons: Rav Yosef Moshe of Krasna; and Rav Others argue with this minhag and say that Yisroel Yehudah Leib, who was son-in-law of Tikkun Chatzos should only be said privately as Rav Yaakov Shimshon of Shpetivka (with whom this is an emotional time an individual should he made aliyah to Eretz Yisroel). spend alone with Hashem. (Pischei Tshuvos)

Rav Aharon Shakovitzky (Av 5)

Rav Chaim of Krasna (Av 5) Rav Aharon Shakovitzky (1911-2005). Born to Rav Binyamin Shakovitzky, the Maggid of One of the greatest disciples from the chevraya Minsk, Reb Aharon traveled alone to Eretz of the holy Baal Shem Tov. Yisrael at the age of 12 to study under Rav Leib Chasman at Yeshivas Chevron. He survived the The Baal Shem called him a chaver and his Chevron Massacre of 1929 and later he lived in wife, an eshes chaver – chaver being the the home of Rav Yechezkel Sarna. After acronym of his name: Chaim ben Rachel and his marrying, he and his wife lived in Tel Aviv and wife’s Chaya bas Rivkah. Further, the gematria later in Bnei Brak. He studied with hasmodoh of both Chaim and Chaya equals Hashem’s two and yegi’oh his entire life, never wanting to Divine Names: 91 (YH”VH 26 plus ADN”Y 65). take on the burden of the rabbinate.

It was said of Rav Chaim that he never lifted up matzav.com his eyes to gaze upon anything that was not to aid him in serving Hashem.

He was a close friend and colleague to Rav Rav Gedalya Chiyun (Av 5) Pinchos of Koretz. His divrei Torah are cited in

- 22 of 48 - Founder of Yeshivas Bais E”l for mekubalim in Rav Shaul and Rebbetzin Yentlichi. Jerusalem At a young age, his father sent him to learn under Rav Tzvi Hirsh Charif, Rav of .תק''י He passed away 5 Menachem Av Halberstadt, who put immense efforts into this Succeeded by Rav Shalom Sharabi, thetalmid. Rashash as next rosh yeshivah. From there, Rav Meir continued on to the Yeshiva of Rav Yaakov Paprish,Rav of Frankfurt-am-Main. He stayed in thisYeshiva Rav Binyomin Paler (Av 5) for two years, advancing in Torah. After a two- year stay in Frankfurt, he returned to Halberstadt. Rav Binyomin Paler (1908-2000), a talmid muvhak of the Brisker Rav, Rav Yitzchak Zev At the age of thirteen, in 5498/1738, Rav Meir HaLevi Soloveitchik. His mother was a direct married Rebbetzin Elkeli, the daughter of Rav descendent of the Rema. Born in Brisk, Rav Michel of Halberstadt. He dedicated himself Binyomin studied in Toras Chessed of Rav solely to learning Torah, thanks to the support Moshe Sokolovski, author of the Imrei Moshe. of his brother-in-law, Rav Nosson. In 1931, he transferred to the yeshiva of Rav Velvel Soloveitchik, the rav of Brisk. He Even at this young age, Rav Meir was already traveled with the Mir yeshiva to Shanghai, known as an outstandingTalmid Chochom. where he drew close to the mashgiach, Rav Eventually, he was appointed Dayan in the city, Yechezkel Levenstein. After the war, he arrived and in 5517/1757, when Rav Moshe Brisk, the in the United Sates and founded the Beis local Rav, was niftar, Rav Meir was asked to fill HaTalmud yeshiva in Brooklyn. Soon afterward his place, which he did for the next six years, he married the daughter of Rav Shmuel until 5523/1763. Ehrenfeld of Mattersdorf. In 1967, he founded the Mekor Chaim yeshiva, where he taught for In 5523/1763, Rav Meir was accepted as Rav in over thirty years. Hali, Germany, but this was for one year. Afterward, Rav Meir became Rav of Pressburg, Hungary, a position he held for the next twenty- five years, until his passing in 5549/1789. Rav Meir Berabi Rav of Pressburg, Chiddushei Maharam Berabi (Av 5) Rav Meir was zocheh to teach many talmidim in all the communities where he was Rav. Many of Rav Meir was born in 5485/1725 in Berabi, them went on to become leading Rabbonim and near Halberstadt in Germany. His parents were Gedolim.

- 23 of 48 - Rav Meir was close with many of theof Radoshitz generation’s Gedolim and frequently discussed She passed away on Shabbos Kodesh 6 .תר'ה with them she’eilos, most notably with the Menachem Av Noda B’Yehuda. Rav Nosson Maiz Openbach (Binyan Shlomo) (Av 6) Rav Meir was known as aRav who always sought peace and harmony in all the Rav Yosef Kitzingen of Kuzel (Av 6) communities where he officiated. It is related Rav Elozor Moshe Halevi Ish Horowitz that one year, onYom Kippur night, the (Ohel Moshe) (Av 6) inhabitants of the city were waiting for Rav Rav Yehuda Briel of Montova (Av 6) Meir to arrive in shul fordavening . In the Rav Yehoshua Greenwald (Av Beis Din meantime, he was standing outside, trying to of Chust, Chasdei Yehoshua) (Av 6) make peace between two long-time enemies, telling them that davening wouldn’t begin until they made peace; they heeded his words and Kol Nidrei commenced. Rav Yissocher Dov Ber of Zlotchov Mevaser Tzedek (Av 7)

In 5549/1789, Rav Meir took ill. He was niftar on the fifth of Av 5549/1789, at the age of sixty- Author of Mevaser Tzedek four. Son of Reb Aryeh Yehuda Leibush Zechuso yagen aleinu. His family name was MiGeza Tzvi because he www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-5-avau was a known descendant of Rav Tzvi Hellman, gust-1/ the third son of Rav Chaim of Worms (the uncle of the Maharal of Prague). (See Kelilas Yofi Rav Aryeh Leibush of Mogrov (Av 5) Dembitzer Vol 2 p. 85) Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski of of Vilna (Achiezer) (Av 5) He was also a descendant of the Maharshal and Rav Yechiel Michel Landman of Lutsk Rav Naphtali Katz, author Semichas (Ezer Hashem) (Av 5) Chachamim.

ת''פ Born around

Rebbetzin Baila (Av 6) Rav Yissocher Dov Ber was son-in-law of Rav Yonah Peretz of Levertov. He lived and studied Daughter of Rav Mordechai there with such luminaries as Rav Levi Yitzchok Wife of Rav Yissacher Dov, the Sabba Kadisha of Berditchev (who was living with his own

- 24 of 48 - father-in-law, Rav Yisroel Peretz in Levertov); and then the sea will cease its tempest. This Rav Yosef Teomim, author of Pri Megadim; and was only possible because, all of the days of his Rav Yisroel Yona Landau of Kempena, author life, he never even slightly damaged his Divine Maon Berachos ( cousin [de1] of NodaImage – Tzelem Elokim. They did so, and B’Yehuda). instantly calm and tranquility reigned, and the sea was quiet.” According to tradition, while studying with his cousin, the mekubal Rav Peretz ben Moshe, The reason for this move was according to his author of Bais Peretz, drew Rav Yissocher Ber son Rav Yehudah Leib in his introduction to Bas to Chassidus and sent Rav Levi Yitzchok to Eini that from Heaven on High they awakened study under Rav Shmuel Shmelka inhis father to move to Eretz Yisroel. Others too as an auspicious time for תקנ''הNikolsberg. (Mateh Levi 22) saw the year the coming redemption such as Rav Pesach of Eventually, Rav Yissocher Ber came under the Zhvill who in his approbation to the Siddur Rav בק''ץ :influence and tutelage of Rav Yechiel Michel of Shabsi signed the gematria of that year as Zlatshuv and became his star pupil, his talmid Furthermore in Mevaser .המשי''ח = תקנ''ה לפ''ק muvhak. Among his other rebbes, mentors, and Tzedek parshas Behar we find that Rav teachers cited, there is mention of other as an תקנ''הYissocher Dov himself say the year talmidim of the Mezritcher Maggid as well as auspicious time for the coming redemption the Maggid himself. because of the ta’amei negina – the cantillation of menuch esnachta that Bnei Yisroel will have In he moved to Eretz Yisroel together peace and settlement whereas the evil rulers תקנ''ה with Rav Yaakov Shimshon of Shpitevka, Rav will be overturned hinted at by the mehapech Yissacher Ber of Zaslov, the gabbai of Kollel pashta and after the yovel zakef katan hinting Reisen [de2] in Volyhn, and Rav Shraga Feivel at Yaakov the Katan’s zekifa, being elevated of Lwow. Although they came at first to and uplifted. Teveria,[de3] he moved onwards to Tzefas.

Among his own disciples was Rav Chaim of Rav Yitzchok Isaac of Komarna relates (Nesiv Tshernovits author Be’er Mayim Chaim and Mitzvosecha Shvil Torah 1:13) that theSidduro Shel Shabbos. following miracle occurred to him on his way to

Eretz Yisroel: He authored Bas Eini on 14 Mesechtos of Shas and Shulchan Aruch, Halachic Responsa as well “As they travelled by sea, a great storm as Mevaser Tzedek on the Torah. (Some say threatened to kill them. He told the captain and that besides the gematria that Bas Eini equals the sailors to tie him to the mast of the ship so Yisacher Dov that it hints at his blindness as that the archangelic minister of the sea should well.) gaze upon his Divine Image – Tzelem Elokim

- 25 of 48 - He passed away half a year after he moved to the Jewish community). Baranovichi is best- and was laid to known to many as the home of Rav Elchonon תקנ''ה Tzefas on 7 Menachem Av rest in the ancient bais hachaim in Tzefas. Wasserman and his Yeshiva, but it was also the Others says he passed away 27 Menachem Av. home of the Slonimer Rebbe, Rav Avrohom (Ohr Yakrus Vol 2) Weinberg, and his famedYeshiva , Toras Chessed. (Rav Weinberg, known as theBais His son: Rav Yehudah Leibush of Dubna, his Avrohom, was a great-grandson and namesake daughters: Sarah Miriam wife of Rav Chaim of the first Slonimer Rebbe, known as the Yesod Leib of Alik and widowed with a second Ha’avoda. Rav Brazovsky's mother was a marriage as wife of Rav Avraham Chaim of granddaughter of Rav Hillel, a brother of the Zlatshuv author Orach laChaim and Pri Chaim Yesod Ha’avoda.) on Avos who succeeded his father in law after he moved to Eretz Yisroel. The future Rav Brazovsky studied inYeshiva Toras Chessed under its Rosh Yeshiva, Rav His other sons in law Rav Gershon Margolios Avrohom Shmuel Hirshovitz (a grandson of Rav Nasi Kollel Chassidim Tzefas and Rav Pesach of Eliezer Gordon of Telz) and its mashgiach, Rav Zaslov. Moshe Midner (a grandson of theYesod Ha’avoda and a student of Rav Chaim "Brisker" Soloveitchik). With such leaders, the Slonimer Yeshiva was virtually unique in combining Rav Sholom Noach Berezovsky Slonimer Talmudic studies in the Lithuanian style with Rebbe, Nesivos Sholom (Av 7) traditional Chassidic teachings.

In approximately 1930, theBais Avrohom Through his voluminous writings, Rav appointed Rav Brazovsky to commit to writing Brazovsky was among the most influential of (after Shabbos, of course) the Torah lessons contemporary Chassidic Rebbes, and his impact that he (the Rebbe) delivered every Shabbos. was felt among Chassidim and non-Chassidim These notes later became thesefer Bais alike. A leading Lithuanian (i.e. non-Chassidic) Avrohom. Shortly before his own passing in Rosh Yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael reportedly 1933, the Bais Avrohom recommended to his referred to Rav Brazovsky's workNesivos cousin, Rav Avrohom Weinberg of Teveryah Shalom as the "Mesillas Yeshorim of our times". that he take Rav Brazovsky as a son-in-law. (Mesillas Yeshorim is a classic mussar work (Teveryah was home to many Slonimer written in the eighteenth century.) Chassidim, including Rav Avrohom's brother, the father of Rav Yaakov Weinberg, the late Rav Brazovsky was born on the fourteenth of Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisrael, and Rav Noach Av, 5671 (August 8, 1911) in Baranovichi (today Weinberg, the late founder of Aish HaTorah.) in Belarus), where his father, Rav Moshe Avrohom, was the Rosh HaKohol (president of

- 26 of 48 - In 1940, Rav Brazovsky was appointedRosh smaller works on educational topics, marital Yeshiva of the LubavitcherYeshiva Achai harmony and other issues. One distinguishing Temimim in Tel Aviv. OnRosh Chodesh feature of those works is Rav Brazovsky's Cheshvan 5702 (October 21, 1941), he opened practice of deriving practical, moral and ethical the Slonimer Yeshiva in Yerushalayim with five teachings from pesukim, using traditional students. As had been the case in Baranovichi, Chassidic methods of interpretation. the Yeshiva offered traditionalChassidic teachings alongside Talmudic lectures, using Rav Brazovsky served as the SlonimerRebbe the Lithuanian style of analysis. Rav Brazovsky after his father-in-law's petira on the twelfth of also could be found sitting with the students for Sivan 5741 (1981). He was succeeded by his hours on end, especially on Friday night, son, Rav Shmuel. teaching them the traditional Slonimer melodies. (Sources: Hamodia, August 18, 2000, p. 24; Marbitzei Torah Me'olam Ha'Chassidus Volume Rav Brazovsky's Yeshiva served as the kernel I, page 177; ibid, Volume III, page 167) for the rebirth of Slonimer Chassidus after the group's near-destruction in the Holocaust. The last pre-war SlonimerRebbe , Rav Shlomo Dovid Yehoshua Weinberg, was killed in 1944, Simcha Bunim Ehrenfeld Rosh Yeshivas and for ten years, no successor was named. In Chasan Sofer, Maaneh Simcha (Av 7) 1954, Rav Brazovsky's father-in-law agreed to assume the mantle of Rebbe. (His teachings are collected – again, by Rav Brazovsky – in the work Birchas Avrohom, and he is known by that name.)

With the exception of the Yesod Ha’avoda, none of the Slonimer Rebbes or their predecessors, the Rebbes of Lechovitch (Lyakhovichi) and The Mattersdorfer Rav, Harav Simcha Bunim Kobrin, committed their teachings to writing. Ehrenfeld, zt”l, who was marbitz Torah to As part of his effort to rejuvenate Slonimer generations of talmidim as Rosh Yeshivas Chassidus, Rav Brazovsky was responsible for Chasan Sofer, which he led for decades, collecting the oral traditions ascribed to these continuing the mesorah of the Chasam Sofer of leaders in works such as Divrei Shmuel and whom he was a direct descendant, was niftar Toras Avos (in addition to the works already early Tuesday morning, Rosh Chodesh Sivan. mentioned). Rav Brazovsky also authored many He was 88 years old and had been hospitalized volumes of his own teachings, including the for several weeks. seven-volume Nesivos Sholom and many

- 27 of 48 - Though arriving in the United States at a young “He continued the malchus and kehunah of the age, growing up in the home of his father, Chasam Sofer…[and] taught generations of Harav Shmuel Ehrenfeld, zt”l, the previous talmidim, connecting them to his holy Mattersdorfer Rav, he absorbed the spirit of the mesorah.” Gedolei Rabbanim of Hungarian Jewry and the malchus of the dynasty of the Chasam Sofer A son-in-law, Harav Naphtoli Ganzvi, spoke of and his descendants. Those who knew him the Rav’s loyalty to mesorah. testify that all aspects of the Rav’s royal bearing and deportment bespoke a sense of The Rav was born in 1930 and spent his early aristocracy from previous generations. years in the Austrian town of Matersdorf, where his father, Rav Shmuel, a direct The Rav’s ahavas haTorah, tremendousdescendant of the Chasam Sofer and Rav Akiva hasmadah and mastery of Shas and Poskim Eiger, zecher tzaddikim levrachah, served as provided a model of a true Gadol b’Torah for Rav and led a prestigious yeshivah. His mother, hundreds of talmidim who attended his shiurim Rebbetzin Rochel, a”h, was also a member of and learned in the beis medrash of Chasan the Ehrenfeld family. Sofer. Following the Nazi takeover of Austria in 1938, On Tuesday afternoon, talmidim and hundreds the Mattersdorfer Rav’s position put him and of Yidden who were privileged to have a his family in immediate danger. The Rav had connection to the Rav came from Boro Park and written to family in both America and Eretz communities around the New York area to pay Yisrael and was resolved to go to whichever kvod acharon to the Mattersdorfer Rav. Despite country would provide visas first. Feeling that it being Rosh Chodesh when hespeidim are the situation in Austria was becoming usually not delivered, several of those who increasingly dangerous, the Ehrenfelds decided spoke made note of the Shulchan Aruch’s to flee to what was then Czechoslovakia even exception for situations of “chacham ulefanav,” before any travel papers arrived. Nazi border a talmid chacham whose aron is at the location guards warned the family that once they of the hespeidim. crossed the border, their lives would not be spared if they attempted to re-enter. They were The Novominsker Rebbe, Harav Yaakov Perlow, struck with deep fear when the Czechs would shlita, said that all the Rav’s conversations not admit them. The family stood for a long were centered on Torah. time, trapped between the two borders and not knowing where to go. With no other option they “No matter what the topic, whatever [the Rav] turned to go back to Austria and were spoke was divrei Torah; whether you were miraculously re-admitted without a word from talking in learning or about other matters, his the border patrol. The next day, visas arrived response was always from the Torah,” he said. for entry to America, sparing the Ehrenfelds

- 28 of 48 - from the inferno that would ensue. Their meetings with other Gedolim, but would be salvation saved not only them but generations steadfast in any issue that threatened loyalty to of Rabbanim and marbitzei Torah. mesorah. Rabbi Zwiebel also said that the Rav’s opinions were held in high regard by the Shortly after the family arrived in America and group’s members. settled on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the Mattersdorfer Rav was approached by a parent, Some of his shiurim were published in Sefer asking him to re-establish his famous yeshivah Binyan Simchah, though they represent a drop on their new shores. Within a short time, what in the ocean of notes that the Rav leaves would become the famous Yeshivas Chasan behind. Sofer, named for his grandfather who was in turn a grandson of the Chasam Sofer, was Following the levayah in Yeshivas Chasan established with a small core of talmidim. Sofer, the aron was scheduled to be flown to Eretz Yisrael, where additional hespedim would Within a short time, the Mattersdorfer Rav’s be delivered in Yerushalayim’s Kiryat young son Simchah Bunim joined the yeshivah, Mattersdorf followed by kevurah on Har becoming one of its prize talmidim, spending Hamenuchos beside the kever of his father. countless hours poring over his sefarim. While primarily a talmid of his own father who The Rav is survived by, ybl”ch: his wife, instilled in him the derech halimud ofRebbetzin Sheindel Eherenfeld; sons Harav Pressburg, the famous yeshivah of the Chasam Dovid Aryeh and Harav Anshel; daughters Sofer and his children, he also learned for Rebbetzin Miriam Ganzvi and Rebbetzin Sarah several years in the shiur of his older brother- Horowitz; as well as many grandchildren and in-law, Harav Binyomin Paler, zt”l, from whom great-grandchildren. he absorbed the lomdishe approach of Beis Brisk. Yehi zichro baruch.

In 1955, the Rav married Shaina Zeltenrich, hamodia.com daughter of Harav Shmuel Avrohom Zeltenrich, zt”l, the Tchakaver Rav of Williamsburg, a leading posek and dayan. Rav Simcha Hakohen Rapaport Av Beis About 30 years ago, the Rav was selected to Din in Lublin (Av 7) join the Moetzes Gedolei haTorah of the Agudath Israel of America. Rabbi Chaim Dovid Son of Rav Nachman HaKohen Lipschitz of Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of theDubna Agudah, told Hamodia that true to the Rav’s refined character, he was typically reserved at His maternal grandfather, Rav Yosef ben

- 29 of 48 - Elyakim Getz, was rav of Lwow outside the city walls.

He served as AvBeisDin Dubna, succeeding his father, and afterwards in Hordona and Lublin.

After the Chacham Tzvi passed away on 2nd of in Lwow, Rav Simcha תע''ח Rosh Chodesh Iyar HaKohen was appointed as AvBeisDin of Lwow but on the way to Lwow he passed away on 7 .in Shebreshin תע''ח Menachem Av

His sons: Rav Chaim HaKohen Rappaport served as AvBeisDin Zital, Slutsk, and Lwow; Rav Binyamin HaKohen Rappaport, author Gevulos Binyamin.

תס''ב-גHis public derashos in Hordona from were published in his son Rav Chaim’s sefer, Zecher HaChaim, simanim 15-17.

Rav Moshe Greenwald of Chust (Arugas Habosem) (Av 7)

Rav Elozor of Oshpitzin (Av 7)

Rav Shmuel Shmelke Toibish (Av 7)

Rav Alter Shlomo Zalman Lipshitz (Av 7)

Rav Don Yosef Hanasi (Av 7)

Rav Shmuel Yankowitz (Rishon L'Tzion Rebbe) (Av 7)

- 30 of 48 - Gedolim Be'Masayhem

Stories & Anecdotes

saved numerous nefashos the tisch with his friends, one Rav Shlomo Halberstam during the Holocaust. (See of whom was a baal teshuva Third Bobover Rebbe (Av story on Nathan Berney in the that had gone back to college 1) June 18th Monsey Mevaser to get his masters in English issue.) Rav Eliyahu Chaim was literature. He had removed his

AN INTRODUCTION a Chassidishe Rav with a levush and beard and was Shtreimel and headed the clean-shaven. The ‘Rav’, as the Growing up in Irvington, New Machon Zecher NaftoliRebbe was known in Bobov, Jersey, and being a student at organization, which hasgave out cups of wine ‘and Mesivta Torah Vodaath, we produced hundreds of sefarim. when he gave one to this teenagers from the Newark friend he said: ”A kos for the area were fortunate to have a Every Chol Hamoed Pesach bochur from Newark. This number of rabbanim that had and Sukkos he would take a bochur from Newark will yet a special influence on us. One group of us teens on a trip to have a beard. And then the such person, was Rav Eliyahu Crown Heights to the Bobover ‘Rav’ added emphatically: Chaim Carlebach, zt’l, the twin Rebbe’s tisch. It was a trip we “This bochur from Newark has brother of the famous singer looked forward to, gaining an ‘bekavana’ yet to wear a and composer, Reb Shloma uplifting experience each time. beard.” Carlebach, z’l. Rav Eliyahu The warmth exuded by this Chaim served as mara d’asra vibrant, totally accessible My friend today lives in Meah of the nearby Hillside Kehilla ‘oveid Hashem’ included his Shearim and is attired in what and was a shochet in Newark. outstanding ahavas Yisroel I call ‘shmona begadim’- the which touched all who came in typical Meah Shearim levush. He was married to the former contact with him. We get together very often Hadassah Schneerson, when I have the zechus to be shetichyeh, daughter of Rav The author recalls sitting at in Israel to visit my children Zalman Schneerson, zt’l, who

- 31 of 48 - and grandchildren. Many Yisroel Safrin author. As need to be addressed in some years ago, my friend related featured in Monsey Mevaser, sequential fashion. But they that the ‘Rav’ came to'Klal Personalities' series. were not separate parts of his Yerushalayim and held a being. Those who were THE LEGACY OF SANZ ‘tisch’ at the ‘Chayeh Olam fortunate to experience him Hall’ on Kikar Shabbas.Any tribute to the Bobover sensed the total integration of Thousands of persons came to Rav, zy’a will fall short of the all of his attributes into this see the Bobover ‘Rav’, as, this mark. For those who knew him quintessential oveid Hashem. was one of the few times the and basked in his light, there For he was at one and the Rav came to Israel. is no need to eulogize. And for same time royal and humble, those who did not know or see profound and simple, totally As the ‘Ruv’ comes into the him, any written hesped will accessible and yet light years hall, my friend, in hisnot begin to describe the removed in a spiritual plane all shtreimel, sticks his head magnificence of this gadol and alone.” through the crowd andtzaddik. identifies himself as the Yisroel Safrin author. As bochur from Newark. The Rav After the Bobover chassidus featured in the Monsey stops and grabs his hand and was shattered in the horrors of Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' arm in arm he escorts him to the Holocaust, it was rebuilt in series. the dais and seats him next to the United States by Rav THE EARLY YEARS him for the entire tisch. The Shlomo Halberstam. The Ruv himself was in awe that Bobover Rebbe himselfThe Bobover Rav, zt’l was born his brocha was mekuyam with endured plenty of tribulations on Rosh Chodesh Kislev, 5768 this bochur. Subsequently, my during the war and found (1907) to his father Rav friend was zoche to marry off himself staring into the jaws of Benzion, hy’d and his mother his nine children to the finest death on several occasions. Chaya Fradel, a’h. His families in Yerushalayim. I grandfather, Reb Shlomo, zt’l, relate this story as an example To quote his nephew, Rabbi whose name he bore, was of the power of a brocha from Aaron Twerski, esq, “The orphaned as a young child and the holy Bobover Rebbe. intensity and brilliance of his was raised by the Divrei Torah; the awe inspiring Chaim, the holy Sanzer Rav, When we were teens, we did avoda, which was central to zt’l as his own child. His home not realize the Gadlus of this his life; the unbounded ahavas reflected the aristocracy of lovable Manhig Yisroel, who Yisroel that touched the lives Torah and Chassidus, an sacrificed so much for the klal. of tens of thousands; the regal integral part of his life blood. Let’s get a glimpse of his presence that he projected; background: the unending humility that The first Bobover Rav, Rav permeated his every act- all Shlomo founded and organized

- 32 of 48 - the first yeshiva in Galicia. Up exile. When World War 11 began, to that time, bochurim studied Rav Shloma fled from city to in shtieblech, as small groups The war had wreaked havoc city, while he worked in many under the tutelage of a maggid on the entire structure of ways to save Jewish lives. His shiur. Reb Shlomo, anTorah life in Galicia. Into this wife and children were outstanding gaon, decided that world the Bobover Rav, zt’l murdered by the Nazis, with with the advent of the haskala, was born. If the world was in the exception of his young son, the formal structure of a turmoil, his father was not. Naftali Tzvi (later his yeshiva Gedola was necessary There was no room in his life successor as Bobover Rebbe), if Torah was to remain vibrant. for one moment of self who survived miraculously. Indeed, he believed that the indulgence. The Rav witnessed After the war, he went to Italy traditional role of rebbe had to his father’s uncompromising and from there to London. He change, for he saw his charge commitment to Klal Yisroel. worked tirelessly to bring the to be a marbitz Torah, first The lesson was not lost on many Jewish war orphans back and foremost. He drewhim. He was his father’s to their traditions, and to thousands of bochurim to him. greatest Chossid, and as time breathe new life into their Merging with himself the roles would reveal, he was his weary bones. Here are some of of Rebbe and Rosh Yeshiva. greatest disciple. the details of the escapes.

When he passed away in 1905 In his youth he studied in his Yisroel Safrin author. As at the age of 58, the mantle of father’s yeshivah and went on featured in Monsey Mevaser leadership fell to his son, Rav to receive semichah from 'Klal Personalities' series. Benzion, who was then a HaRav Shmuel Firer, zt’l, Rav TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS young man of 31.Though of Krass, who remarked that reluctant at first to assume the the young man possessed the At the begin of the war, the role of Rebbe, the Chassidim wisdom of Shlomo HaMelech. Rebbe and his family escaped insisted, and he finallyHe received semichah again from Poland to the border of acquiesced to their entreaties. from HaRav Alter Yechiel Romania and Russia. When the After several tranquil years as Nebenzahl, zt’l. The rebbe Russians invaded the area, the Rebbe and Rosh Yeshiva, his married Rebbitzen Bluma Halberstams returned to life was shattered by the Rochel, hy’d, daughter of Rav Lemberg. With the help of a outbreak of World War 1. Chaim Yaakov Teitelbaum of hefty bribe, Rav Shlomo Galicia was invaded by the Limnov, zt’l. In 1931 he was obtained a government job Russians, virulent anti-appointed the official Rav of that enabled him to continue semites. The Bobover Yeshiva Bobov and its Rosh Yeshivah. his Torah learning ceased to exist, and Rav Alongdside his father, he undisturbed. He eventually Benzion and his family fled to established 40 branches of the returned to Bobov, but was Austria, where they lived in yeshivah throughout Galicia. informed that he was wanted

- 33 of 48 - by the authorities andwas surrounded by dozens of what seemed to be the final hurriedly escaped to Bochnia, bochurim and yungeleit who Shacharis of his life. He where a large ghettohad been separated from their davened quickly to have time containing thousands of Jews families. He made sure to have for Mussaf as well. As soon as had been established. He a qualified shochet from Rome he finished davening, there found many of his Chassidim provide them with meat, and was a knock on the door, just in the ghetto, and they he obtained clothing and shoes as he expected. Two soldiers attempted to procure a work for the young men drawn into entered the room and ordered permit for him. He remained his orbit, The Rebbe served as the rebbe and his young son to there until late 1942,a compassionate and caring follow them. showering the other Jews with father figure for the refugees, encouragement and bolstering breathing new life into them They were taken to the head of their emunah. He evenand forging close bonds with the Gestapo. On the way, the established a yeshiva for all of them. rebbe was given a hint of what bochurim in the ghetto. was to come. “I have never In part two, we examine some seen the commander in a Finally, armed with forged of the facets of his greatness mood like this,” the deputy papers showing that he was a and including some of the commented. Was that a good Hungarian citizen, Rav Shlomo tense moments when the sign? They would soon find escaped from Bochnia and Rebbe prepared, along with out. They entered the room made his way to Kashau and his young son, to surrender his and the Nazi official then to Budapest. After the life ‘Al Kiddush Hashem.’ announced, “Your documents Nazi conquest, he travelled to show that you are a Hungarian Grosswardein. He hadYisroel Safrin author. As citizen. You will have to pay a suffered terribly in Bochnia, featued in the Monseyfine for violating the law, and losing his wife and two of his Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' you must return to Bochnia.” children. After his arrival in series. The rebbe struggled to Romania, he worked tirelessly maintain his composure. He RELEASED BY THE GESTAPO to assist and rescue other realized immediately that an COMMANDER Jews. incredible miracle had been When the first light of morning performed for him. In Romania, the Rebbebegan to shine, the rebbe and obtained papers attesting that his son realized that the time “You have been saved this he was an Italian citizen. of their deaths was near. time,” the commander added, Using those documents, he There was a bit of water in “but if you do this again, the escaped to the city of Bari in their cell, and the rebbe punishment will be extremely Southern Italy. In the camps washed his hands and davened severe.” “I didn’t know it was established in Italy, the Rebbe with enormous kavana, for forbidden to go to Neumark,

- 34 of 48 - and I will not do it again,” the THE GERMAN OFFICERS The officer guffawed:”I CHALLENGE rebbe said. The Nazi ordered recognize these papers from him to pay s fine of 1,000 The rebbe and his son boarded Bochnia” he shouted. “They zlotys, but the rebbe’sthe train and sat facing each are forged!” In a haughty tone, possessions were worth only other. When the train reached the officer described an about 600. The officer agreed Kalvaria, a German police incident that had taken place to accept that sum, and he officer boarded the train and on the previous night, handed the rebbe a document spotted Naftoli. “Jude” he unaware that his words would that read “The Hungarian Jew exclaimed. Naftoli avoided shatter the rebbe’s noble named Shlomo Halberstam looking at his father, to avoid heart. “Last night”, he related, was captured by the SS in arousing the officer’sI captured a group of three Neumark and is being sent to suspicion. The policeman women from Bochnia who the SS in Bochnia.” The officer began interrogating him: were headed toward the signed his name and then took “Where did you come from? border along with their the rebbe and his son in his Where are you going? Who are children. I imprisoned them car to the train station, where your parents?” When the and brought them back to he purchased train tickets rebbe saw his son was in Gestapo headquarters in with the money the rebbe had danger, he quickly stood up Crakow.” given them. He accompanied and stood between the police them to the train and made officer and his son. “I am the The rebbe had no doubt about sure they boarded it. father of this boy,” hethe identity of those women. announced. The policeman They were his mother, his The emotions the rebbe must stared at him. “Are you also a wife, and his mother-in-law. In have felt as he boarded the Jew?” he asked. “You don’t horror, he envisioned the train defy imagination. He was look like a Jew at all.” The torments they were certainly with his son, but his wife and rebbe was dressed in casual suffering at the hands of the other children were not with attire and was wearing a Gestapo in Cracow. him. He had just been spared green cap with a feather. from what seemed to be “Yes” the rebbe replied “I am “That is exactly what I am certain death, and he was on a Hungarian Jew and these are going to do with you,” the his way to freedom. my documents.” He showed officer added. The rebbe the forged papers to the struggled to remain calm Yisroel Safrin author. As German officer. The tension in despite his turbulent emotions. featured in the Monseythe train car at that moment He produced the document he Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' was thick enough to be cut received from the Gestapo series. with a knife. Once again, the commander and said “I was rebbe and his son were facing already held by the Gestapo in the threat of imminent death. Neumark. They decided to

- 35 of 48 - send me back to Bochnia.: connection with the deputy Bochnia.” Here is the letter that the commander of the Gestapo in commander wrote to the SS in Bochnia. In an incredible Reb Shloma Strauch thanked Bochnia.” stroke of Hashgacha Pratis, the official profusely, Reb Shloma had been in the apologizing for his audacity! The German officer took the room when the deputy ARRIVAL IN AMERICA document, examined it, and commander received a call then suddenly snapped to from Neumark with a request In Adar of 1946, the Rebbe attention. He recognized the for information about the arrived in New York, where signature; the man was his ‘Rabbiner Shlomomany of his father’s chassidim own commander’s superior. Halberstam.’ Reb Shloma awaited him. His life was “Herr Kondissar is the chief immediately became alarmed shattered. He had lost his commander” he announced. Of and said to the deputy, “That wife, Blima Ruchel and two course, he did not utter a word is our rebbe! Tell them that he children in the Holocaust. His of apology; a German never is a citizen in Bochnia and that father, his brother and three apologized to a Jew. Then he he should be sent here.” brothers-in-law were brutally turned on his heel and left the murdered in Lemberg and rebbe and his son alone. It sounds simple enough in another brother Chaim Shea, retrospect, but it tookdied in a Siberian prison. Yisroel Safrin author. As unimaginable courage for Reb Hashem Yinakem Damam. featured in the MonseyShloma to deliver this Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' ultimatum. The GermanHere, he began to restore the series. official could easily have found crown of the Bobover a simple solution to the threat. chassidus to its glory. He THE STORY BEHIND THE He could have killed Reb MIRACLE founded Yeshivas Bnei Tzion of Shloma and no one would have Bobov, named for his father, Upon arriving in Bochnia, the ever questioned him. After all, and Mesifta Eitz Chaim, Bobover Rebbe met Rav how much was a Jew’s life named for the Divrei Chaim. Shloma Strauch, a Bobover worth to any German officer? chossid who shared the story But a miracle took place: Reb Shortly after his arrival, the behind this miracle. Reb Shloma pushed the officer Rav travelled to Milwaukee for Shloma Strauch hadtowards the phone and he a reunion with his sister, maintained friendships with a picked up the receiver and Rebbitzen Devora Leah number of Polish policesaid: “Halberstam and his son Twerski, and her husband, the officers, friendships that are Hungarian citizens who Milwaukee Rebbe, Rabbi evolved into key connections received permits to travel to Yaakov Yisroel Twerski. The that enabled him to save many Neumark. Please release them tears that flowed in that Jews. He had even forged a and have them return to encounter would have sufficed

- 36 of 48 - to create a large river. He the time arrived, he was Such a law must be broken!” spent the entire Pesach in ushered into Bloom’s office. Milwaukee and conducted Bloom took several minutes Sol Bloom got up, walked ‘tischen’ throughout. before he even looked up to around the desk, and grasped see who was there. “Who are the rebbe’s hand “I’m with His first order of business in you?” he asked. Theyou!” he said. Using his America was to obtain visas Kolbosaver Rav, Ravcongressional influence, for the many survivors in Alexander Teitelbaum, zt’l, Bloom issued entry visas and Eastern Europe who were acted as his translator. raised money to bring many destitute and longed to Jewish refugees to the United immigrate to the United States Thoughts raced through the States. where a better material life rebbe’s mind, and he blurted was available. The American out, “I am a man who breaks In 1948, Rav Shlomo married immigration authorities would the law!” Now that he had Rebbitzen Freida, a’h, not allow them, for fear they Bloom’s full attention, he daughter of Rav Aryeh Leib would become a welfare continued, “Where I come Rubin of Tomashov, zt’l, and burden. The chairman of the from the law stated that every he raised a new family. In House Foreign AffairsJew must be sent to Auschwitz 1959 he visited Eretz Yisrael Committee in those days was a and be subjected to slave to lay the cornerstone of Jew named Sol Bloom. Despite labor. Once a Jew was too Kiryat Bobov, a neighborhood many entreaties, Bloomweary and weak to work of Bat Yam. He founded the refused to bend the law to anymore, he was incinerated. Kedushas Tzion institutions, permit more Jews toAccording to the law, it was also in memory of his father. immigrate. forbidden to hide or to escape. He saw to it that a Yeshivas According to the law, it was Bnei Tzion was founded in The rebbe decided that he too forbidden to give food or any London, and later others in would try his luck andassistance to a Jew. But I Yerushalayim, Bnai Brak, scheduled an appointment broke all these laws. Antwerp and Toronto. with Bloom in his office. He Alongside these yeshivas, he arrived in Washington the “Now, I have come to ask you established Bnos Tzion schools night before and since he had to join me in my criminal for girls, numerous kollelim, nowhere to stay, he spent the activities. The law states that summer camps, and chessed night in a shul. Early the next it is forbidden to alloworganizations. morning he stood outside of refugees to enter this country. Bloom’s office in his crumpled But this law will bring about Yisroel Safrin author. As clothes. He was told that he people’s deaths. It will deny featured in the Monsey would be given five minutes them a chance for a future, a Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' with the congressman. When chance to raise their children. series.

- 37 of 48 - THE REBIRTH HAD BEGUN my fathers and transmit their would be better chassidim, path.’ able to devote themselves to Thousands of Chassidim Avodas Hashem with greater became the Rebbe’s followers. “The way he built that yeshiva, concentration, if they had They were inspired by his my zeide remembered, wasn’t good jobs, a way to make ends sparkling eyes with warmth just by teaching Gemara at a meet and pleasant homes.” and vitality, eyes that table. ‘Families lived with him- understood, that promised YOMIM TOVIM IN BOBOV they arrived in America and safety and devotion. He moved into his apartment- Pesi Teitelbaum shares her earned the love of the Babies were born to these memories of Yamim Tovim as a talmidim and respect of the families and those babies child in Bobov in the recent chassidim, showing a unique became part of his new Bobov, Rosh Hashana 5781 issue of ability to reach the youth, even the Rav himself cradling and Mishpacha Magazine: “We those who appeared to have singing to them. They all were anticipated the Yamim Tovim been swayed from the ways of part of this yeshiva and eagerly. The Bais Medresh chassidus. kehilla.” was large enough to accommodate quite As the noted author, Rav ''In time the chassidus would comfortably both men and Yisroel Besser wrote in a move from the West Side of women who lived in the recent article in the Manhattan to Crown Heights community. As we listened to Mishpacha magazine: “My and ultimately to Boro Park, the baal Tefilah, the nusach grandfather, Rav Chaskel but the familial connections and songs that were so Besser, zt’l, was not a Bobover would remain. The Rebbe familiar to our parents became chossid, but he would often knew them all, remembered part of us as well” speak with admiration and their beginnings and awe about what the Bobover celebrated their roots. He “We girls were proud Beis Rebbe had accomplished. embodied the past, but he Yaakov girls and we knew how There is a letter that Rav anticipated the future. He to keep up with the Baal Shlomo, scion of Bobov, wrote worried about parnasa and Tefillah. We even knew when just two weeks after his arrival identified industries with to sit, when to stand, and of in America, a strange country, potential for growth – jobs that course, the laws involved in where he did not speak the did not require collegedavening the Shemoneh Esrei. language, where he had no degrees. Hundreds of young We listened intently to the chassidim. He was still living men went into the diamond ‘V’Chol Maaminim choir, in a hotel and had not yet line, while many otherssinging quietly along. Our remarried, but in the letter- became computerbrothers had practiced for publicized after his passing- he programmers. The Rebbe days beforehand, and we knew wrote of his hope of ‘building a understood early on that they every nuance of the rhythm yeshiva to restore the glory of

- 38 of 48 - and melody.” could hear tearful sobs, and a the war.” cacophony of moans, wailing “After Yom Kippur, ourand weeping, as memories “We have come a long way excitement peaked as we came flooding back. The war since those early days. prepared for Sukkos. The was the shadow we all grew Hashem in His kindness kept men’s section of the Bais up under, and we were used to our parents alive, brought Medresh had a sliding roof, this. But it was at Yizkor that them to a new country, and which then became a large we actually felt the heaviness helped them to reestablish the airy sukkah with beautiful of our parents’ grief. Some glory of what once was. We decorations.” The author, as a moments later, the door lived through an incubation teenager, recalls vividly sitting opened, signaling that the period that brought forth the at the Chol Hamoed ‘Tisch’ tefilah was over and we could blossoming of our community marvelling at the huge center return. The wailing andand the flourishing of a part of candelabra, hand designed sobbing persisted unabated Klal Yisrael that emerged as with 91 bulbs- BeGematria well into the middle ofsmoldering embers from the Sukkah! mussaf.” fires of the war.” (as appearing in the ‘Impressions’ Pesi Teitelbaum continues: “A Chol Hamoed outing for column of the Mishpacha Rosh “Simchas Torah was always some of us has been to take Hashana edition- Sept. 16, thrilling for us. We good the grandkids to Crown 2020- by Pesi Teitelbaum.) naturedly pushed our way to Heights to see where it was all the front to see the hakafos, reestablished. We show our Yisroel Safrin author. As calling out to our friends to grandchildren where we grew featured in the Monsey come join us. The laughter and up, telling them stories about Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' elation was infectious. Our the ‘good old days.’ And good series. parents, who had lost so much old times they were, when life A POEL YESHUOS in the war, reveled in the joy was simpler, expectations of the Torah, though we were less, and most people Over the years the chassidim sensed that their happiness seemed to be content. With knew that he operated on a was tempered with great tremendous gratitude and different level. An example: On sadness. appreciation for Hashem’s Shushan Purim it was his Nissim, we remember how our minhag to visit the homes of “That anguish came to peak parents lived with constant his children and close relatives during Yizkor. My friends and awareness that idf they had and make a bracha in each I, young children of Holocaust survived, they had a mission to home. The cusrtom was known survivors, would leave the beis rebuild and continue the as ‘rimplin.’ One Shushan medresh quickly. From where Chassidic life and traditions Purim he said to his we stood waiting outside we they had grown up with before accompanying chassidim: “Let

- 39 of 48 - us make a stop at the home of “Where else could someone “Bechatzotzros V’Kol Shofar… a non-family member, a find joy like at a Bobover with trumpets and the sound devoted chassid. The young simcha? At times like this, the of the shofar.” man had been married for full extent of the Rav’s several years and had yet to experience- the impossible The Rebbe emulated Aharon be blessed with children. escapes and unlikelyHaKohen, always seeking When he came in, the chossid deliverance and glorious peace, expressing his sincere offered him a cup of wine. The resurgence- were celebrated. love for his fellow Jews, and Rav declined, and asked for Not with words, for no words drawing them closer to the some water. He said that he could tell the story, but when Torah. He greeted everyone, wanted to make a ‘boreh the Bobover Rav danced- arms regardless of his status or nefashos.’ Standing next to the extended, white stockinged position, with a sincere and Rav was another chossid that feet rising and falling, face engaging smile. As it says sought a similar bracha. luminous and grateful and about Aharon HaKohen: Catching the significance of filled with faith- everyone “Shelo Shina- He did not thew moment, he turned to the danced along.” change,” He transplanted on Rav and and said “Rebbe, the American shores the mich oichet (Rebbe, me too).” Yisroel Safrin author. As authentic Sanzer Chassidus. It The Rav respnded: “Nu, nu- featured in the Monseysays: ‘Vayidom Aharon’- “The Boreh Nefashos Rabbos.” Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' Ruv heard his people. He series. heard them when they spoke The Rav made the bracha. and also when they didn’t!” CHASSIDIM SHARE That year a son was born to RETURNS HIS NESHAMA the first chossid and aA chossid shared: “The rebbe’s daughter to the other. Some voice plays in my mind During Pesach of 1999, the twenty years later, these two constantly. I hear himRebbe fell ill. Thanks to the chassidim becamehumming on Erev Shabbos tefillos of thousands of Jews, mechatonim, when thebefore Minchah. I hear him he recovered and his followers children born from the Rav’s when I say the bracha on had the privilege of enjoying bracha married each other. Hallel or Chanukah lecht.” his presence and his blessings Another chossid started to say until the evening of Rosh Yisroel Safrin author. As something, but no words came Chodesh Av, 2000, when he featured in the Monseyout. He shook his head and returned his Neshama Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' walked off, his footsteps HaTehora on the yahrzeit of series. echoing behind him as he Aharon HaKohen. He was headed downstairs. But he was buried in the Bobover Chelka BOBOVER SIMCHAS humming, where a moment in Deans, New Jersey. It is As Reb Yisroel Besser reports: ago it seemed he would cry. twenty years since the Rebbe’s

- 40 of 48 - passing and the chassidus has did not get up or move when and arrived too late only to moved on, but that special he was called up. Everyone find that the Rama’s soul had glow is irreplaceable! Zechuso assumed that he had simply bound itself to everlasting life Yagen Aleinu V’all Kol Yisroel! not heard the Gabbai’s call, so of the coming world. May his they told him that he had been merit stand by us. (Toldos Yisroel Safrin author. As called up to the Torah. Asara Maamaros) featured in the Monsey Mevaser 'Klal Personalities' He explained softly, that Rav Yitzchak Luria series. although he had heard what Ashkenazi Arizal, Ha'ari the Gabbai had said, but that Hakodosh (Av 5) such a description did not Chacham Raphael Ankawa also spelled Ankavah or refer to him. "The Gabbai was EACH SIGH OF REGRET Encouau, Chief Rabbi of calling up someone else," and CREATES ANOTHER Morocco, Pamonei Zahav Rav Raphael refused to move BRILLIANT DIAMOND FOR (Av 4) until the Gabbai called him up HASHEM’S CROWN again simply as Rabbi Raphael The beis midrash was packed. Encaoua, without any further GREAT HUMILITY Every seat was occupied by titles or accolades, to come up The following story highlights someone deeply engrossed in to the Torah. Rabbi Raphael’s great Torah study, earnestly reciting modesty: Tehillim, or absorbed in Rav Menachem Azaria of fervent prayer. Elulzeman Fano Rama Mipano (Av 4) One day Chacham Raphael was in full swing and the came to daven in a different atmosphere reverberated with a tangible sense ofteshuva shul pay honor an important HIS HOLY PASSING family that davened there. His that came with upcoming presence and arrival were Tradition has it that the Rama yomim noraim. greeted with honor andused to engage in secluded respect. When the Torah meditation (hisbodedus) and It was this intense reading began the Gabbai awake his love for the Creator. environment into which the called him up as: “May our The Rama warned his shamash Uhjler Rav, Rav Moshe Yosef teacher and Rav arise," adding to always come at Teitelbauma entered. To his many praises and titles such designated time to safeguard great consternation, however, as "Ateres Rosheinu - the him lest he be so aflame with he felt cold and impassive to crown of our head, HaGaon ecstasy that his soul might the electric energy of Elul! He and haDayan, haAnav - humble depart his body. Then one day was bitterly disappointed in and tsadik righteous…” a great fire broke out and in himself when the feeling didn’t all the commotion thedissipate. Rather, but the However Chacham Raphael shamash neglected his duty matter grew worse through all

- 41 of 48 - the days of selichos the aseres bright and some are duller; and wept, “Master, what sin yamei teshuva. and some jewels…” Here, the have I committed? Of what Divrei Chaim paused for crime am I guilty that you do “What is wrong with me?” the emphasis “…some jewels not draw me close as a talmid Uhjler rav sighed. Ellul passed dazzle the most from those like Rav Chaim Vital and Rav without so much as a flutter of who agonize over theirYitzchok Falcon?” passion in his heart. “Why do I apparent lack of feeling and feel unmoved by thesewho are unable to muster The Arizal answered him that auspicious days of mercy and enthusiasm though they yearn his soul had not come down good will –rachamim to be close to Hashem. This is into this world to study ve’ratzon?!” he cried. why we say “Na’avid lehon Kabbola and the secrets of kisrin bemilin yakirin – We Torah; rather, he was to His answer arrived from none shall create crowns with master and disseminate the other than his zeide, the holy precious words,” as these simpler, revealed form of Sanzer Rav, the Divrei Chaim. words for Hashem’s crown are Torah called peshat, because Immediately following the “yakirin”: substantial,in a previousgilgul yomim noraim (the days of consequential, precious,(incarnation) his soul had awe), the Uhjler Rav made his because they were said with a already mastered Kabbola, for way to Sanz. heavy heart that longs for he was a spark of the soul of Hashem!” Chutzpis theMeturgemon That Shabbos as the Divrei Rav Moshe Yosef had received (translator). Chaim was in the midst of his answer; the Uhjler Rav conducting his Friday Night rejoiced. (Zichron Ish Chayil “If you think I am just making tisch, he recited the words to Naipest p. 152) excuses to put you off,” said the Arizal’s poem in honor of the Arizal, “I shall give you a A SOUL FOR PESHAT AND Shabbos “Na’avid lehon kisrin sign that will prove my words NOT SOD bemilin yakirin – We shall true: tomorrow, as I pass by create crowns with precious Rav Moshe Alshich greatly on the road with my talmidim words.” He then paused and wished to study the secrets of to go and greet Shabbos and said: Kabbola, especially since word accept the Shabbos day – if of the Arizal’s teachings began you see us passing by, it is a “When Klal Yisroel serve to spread. He was distressed sign that I have been putting Hashem with prayer and that others had been chosen you off with excuses. If, devotion, their avoda creates while he was neglected and however, you fail to see us the crown jewels for Hashem. tearfully he came begging pass you by on the road, it is a The luster of each jewel is before the Arizal, kissed the sign that I am telling you the based on the quality of each hem of his clothing. He fell truth.” person’s avoda. Some shine before his feet, kissing them,

- 42 of 48 - And so it was that Rav Moshe Alshich did not seek to study aseres monim (Bereishis 31:8 Alshich prepared himself, Kabbola with the Arizal any & 31:41) and this, explained purchased provisions for more. (Shivchei HoArizal) the Alshich, meant ten times Shabbos, dressed in Shabbos ten, or a hundred times over! clothes and sat all ready and Similarly, the Chida writes in He then proceeded to explain prepared by midday at the Shem HaGedolim #101 that and detail each of the hundred roadside, waiting eagerly for when the Arizal refused to ways in which Lovon cheated the Arizal and his talmidim to teach the Alshich Kabbola the Yaakov this way and that. The pass by. Finally, after waiting Alshich complained and the audience sat mesmerized and some time, a great,Arizal responded that Rav transfixed, enjoying the overwhelming tirednessMoshe Alshich’s soul in its derosha and how the Alshich passed over Rav Moshe and he present gilgul came to perfect enumerated again and again fell asleep. He slumbered on the aspect of derush and not the tricks that Lovon had as the Arizal passed by with sod – sermons and not secrets. employed against Yaakov one his talmidim and did not wake hundred different ways. A TRUE CHEAT AND and did not see them. After During this derosha, the Arizal SWINDLER AGREES TO THE they had passed him, the ALSHICH’S DEROSHA laughed and left. Arizal sent back some The Minchas Elozor of talmidim to wake him so that Afterward, they asked the Munkacsz told the following he would not be left at the Arizal why he had laughed. story: roadside alone and in danger. The Arizal explained that he When he awoke, he was actually saw Lovon HoArami The Arizal testified that he startled, confused and upset at standing beside the Alshich as witnessed the entire heavenly having somehow missed the he spoke and gave his host – the pamalya shel maala Arizal when he had passed derosha. – all go together to hear the right by! deroshos of Rav Moshe “With each explanation of the Alshich and therefore he also “Didn’t I tell you,” admonished hundred deceptions, Lovon went to hear his holy words the Arizal, “that your soul has nodded his head, agreeing when he sat and sermonized in not come to the world this with the Alshich saying, ‘Yes, public. time to study Kabbola? Do not that’s it…that’s true…that’s burden yourself with this exactly how I did it and tricked One time, theArizal was matter any longer! Instead Yaakov and cheated him that present when Rav Moshe work on your seforim to teach time. Yes, and that’s the other Alshich was giving a derosha peshat and they will become way I cheated him again…uh about Lovon HaArami and how famous worldwide and huh…’ That’s what made me he swindled, tricked and generations afterward will laugh,” explained the Arizal. hoodwinked Yaakov. The study them.” From then on the (Maso’os Yerushalayim Day 9 pasuk says he cheated Yaakov

- 43 of 48 - Footnote 17 p. 190) to pass because of one poor Yaakov was a water carrier by Tzaddik, a Talmid Chochom trade and that morning his "GIVE HIM WHAT IS HIS, named Yaakov Altretz, who is clay pails with which he would FOR YOU AND WHATEVER IS YOURS ARE HIS" (AVOS 3:8) fasting and wallowing on the draw water from the well had ground with complaintsfallen and broken. He was left “Rav Elozor of Bartosa used to against Hashem that he is left with no means to purchase say: Give Him what is His, for bereft of all livelihood and new ones and no means of you and whatever is yours are means of support and no one support. He had no money and His” (Avos 3:8). has any mercy on him. no food, and had not eaten Hashem cannot bear to remain that day. When Rav Ovadia Yosef used silent because of this pauper’s to teach Pirkei Avos he would prayers and sufferings, and Rav Yitzchok grasped Rav illustrate the above Mishna His anger has been kindled Yaakov by the hand, helped with the following story: against the residents ofhim get up and sat him at the Tzefas, his neighbors, since no table. He revived him with Once, when the Arizal was one is doing anything to help food and drink and presented studying the secrets of Torah the pauper and no one pays him with provisions to sate his together with his talmidim, all attention to him or his plight. hunger and slake his thirst. He of a sudden he paused and This is the decree, and now, also gave him the rest of the recited the blessing over bad my brothers and friends, I ask money so that he could now news, “Boruch Dayan HaEmes you to make a collection for purchase new pails to draw – Blessed is the True Judge.” tzedoka and send one of us to water from the well and purchase food and provisions; continue to earn a living. “I hear a heavenly voice that a the rest of the money, give to Finally, he asked him to daven decree has been proclaimed in this poor man immediately to to Hashem for forgiveness for the Heavens above,” he said, ease his pain and suffering Tzefas that the decree should quoting Doniel 4:14. “‘By the and end his hunger.” be canceled. “Because of you a decree of the wakeful ones is terrible decree has been cast the matter and by the word of Rav Yitzchok Kohen quickly against Tzefas that a plague of the holy ones is the edict.’ It got up, gathered money from swarming locusts devour our has been decreed that a the chevraya and headed to food. Now ask Hashem to have swarm of innumerable locusts the local grocery, where he mercy. Please, from now on, will overrun the city of Tzefas purchased food andbe careful how you complain and devour all vegetation and provisions. He took these and and what you say against all fruits and trees, as well as the rest of the money and Hashem’s ways,” Rav Yitzchok all the plants growing in the went off to find Rav Yaakov said to Rav Yaakov. He fields. The residents will Altretz lying on the floor in accepted the rebuke and starve and be left without misery and hunger. Rav promised to never do it again. sustenance! This will all come

- 44 of 48 - He got up and tearfully Tzefas in the merit of the davened, asking Hashem to tzedoka and chessed that they annul the decree and remove did for Yaakov Altretz. Rav His anger from the people of Shlomo Shlumiel was an Tzefas. eyewitness who testified as to the veracity of these events Afterward, Rav Yitzchokand was personally acquainted Kohen returned to the Arizal with the pauper, who was a and related what he had done Tzaddik and Chassid and well and what had happened and versed in the Torah by heart. the Arizal said, “Know now Afterward, he was appointed that your tzedoka for the poor Av Bais Din in Tripoli. Thus man has canceled the decree was fulfilled the dictum of of the locust plague. Thank Chazal in Avos: “Whoever goodness for Hashem’s mercy fulfills the Torah in poverty and kindness!” They resumed shall in the end fulfill it in their study once more, when wealth”. (Anaf Etz Avos p. all of a sudden the sky 181–182) darkened. All the talmidim became worried and terrified at the sight of clouds of innumerable locust swarms flying over the city, darkening the skies of Tzefas.

“Do not be alarmed, and don’t worry,” the Arizal reassured them. “As I said, the decree has been annulled. The locusts just haven’t yet received the message.” As soon as he had said this, a great gust of wind came from the sea and cast the entire swarm of locusts into the depths of the ocean, where they all drowned; not one of them set foot in Tzefas. Hashem saved the residents of

- 45 of 48 - תיקון מ"ח מתיקוני הזהר הקדוש, לתיקון הנפש .ולהצלה מיצר הרע, ושלא ימותו בניו בחייו והוא תיקון מ"ח מתיקוני הזוהר הקדוש, והוא סגולה נפלאה - שתיקן רבינו המאור הגדול, האר"י ז"ל – לומר בכל יום ויום אחר התפילה, ואמירתו מסוגלת לתיקון עוון פגם הברית, והוא מתקן נפשו, רוחו ונשמתו של האומר, והיצר הרע, המקטרג, אינו יכול לו, ולא יראה במיתת בניו חלילה, ויזכה ליראת השם, ויצליח בכל דרכיו, וניצול ממחלת הנפילה, ויגבה וירום מזלו ולא יבוא לידי עניות חלילה, ואויביו יפלו תחתיו ויזכה לאריכות ימים ולעולם הבא. אין צורך .להבין את המילים, אלא לקרוא את הטקסט בס' כתם פז על זוהר בראשית מבאר בארוכה שהוא תיקון לברית, וכן הובא בסידור החיד"א עמ' קעז, וכ"כ בשער היחודים פרק יח, ובטהרת הקודש מאמר תיקון .היסוד, וכן הובא בסידור תכלאל לתימנים ברר" אשי ית תממן ן תרר" "י תממן ן שמ בן "ת, כר גמור ונןא דן א בר ' ר" אשי י"ת בן "רןא שיי"ת, וראי ינון תרר" י שמ בן תותת, עללמיריהו איתר ממ ר שמות לא: טז 'ורשןמר רו בר נ"י יישררן א" ל את ת המשמ בן ת למעלשותת את ת המשמ בן ת' ורגותמ"ר, תרר" ין זימר ניין אדר כי יר הן כןא שמ בן ת, לןקב ב" ל שרכיינרתןא עילןאה ורתמתןאה; 'לרדתרתתן ם', ממ אי לרדתרתתן ם, אתלןא זמכןאה אי יהו מןאן דר עןבי יד לותן דיירן ה ברשמ בן ת ביתרר" י בןת" י ליבן א, וראיתר פר נ"י מיתממן ן י"צת ר הןרןע דראי יהו חי לול שמ בן ת, בררי ית עותלןם

- 46 of 48 - דןא צמדייק, דרשמרר יןין תמרר ומיריהו עלל"יה, חמ ד לראמר לןאה ל"יה ורחמ ד לראיתר ממ לריןא מי ינ"יה. 'בר נ"י יישררן א" ל' אי ינון תרר" ין כללריןין נתצמ ח וןהותד, בר נותי דר יישררן א" ל סןבן א עמ מודן א דר אתמר צןעי יתן א, תר למת 'שרבייעיי' 'שרבייעיי' 'שרבייעיי' אי ל"ין תר למת אלבןהן ן, עתנתג שמ בן ת בראשית ב: י 'ורנן"הן ר יותצ" א מ"ע"דת "ן לרהמשר קותת את ת המ גן"ן', 'ורנןהןר', אי ית נןהן ר וראי ית נןהן ר, אי ית נןהן ר דראיתרקרר" י נןהן ר פר לןגןיו, וראי ית נןהן ר דראיתרקרר" י נמחמ ל קר דומי ים, ע"דת ן עי לןאה עלל"יה איתר ממ ר ישעיה סד: ג 'עמיין לא רן אלתן ה אלהי"ם זולןתת ך', המ אי נןהן ר אי יהו ו', דר נןפי יק מ"ע"דת ן עי לןאה דראי יהו א', ור אעלבמ ר ב" ין אמבן א וראיימן א, ור אזייל חלמ" ש מ"אותת שןנןה, ומןט" י עמ ד צמדי יק שר בי יעי י, ומיתממן ן אמשר ק" י לרגינרתן א דראי יהי י שר כי ינרתן א תמתן אה. זמכןאה אי יהו מןאן דר נןטייר דיירן ה לרשמ בןת דראי יהו ליבן א, דר לןא איתרקררי יב תממן ן עלצי יבו דיטר חותל, ורכמעמ ס דרמןרןה דראי יהו נורן א דר ג"יהי נןם, דמ עללןה איתר ממ ר שמות לה: ג 'לא תר במעלרו א" ש בר כתל מותשר בותת" יכתם בר יותם המשמ בן ת', ורהןכיי הוא ומדמאי דרכןל מןאן דר כןעי יס כראי לו אותקי יד נורןא דר ג"יהי נןם, ארר בןעי ים מר לןאכותת חןס"ר חמד אי ינון לןקב ב" ל ארר בןעי ים ממ לרקי יותת חןס" ר חמ ד ברשמ בן ת, וראי ינון עלשןרןה דר לןקן ה אדן ם ומעלשןרן ה לרחמ וןה ומעלשןרן ה לרנןחן ש ורתישר ען ה לרארר ען א, ובר גיין דןא אמר רו מןאר"י ממתר נייתי ין 'א"ין לותקי ין ברשמ בן ת', דראי ל"ין מר לןאכותת אי ינון חלשי יבי ין לריישררן א" ל לןקב ב" ל ממ לרקי יותת. 'ירצי יאותת המשמ בן ת שרתמ יים', אי ינון עלקיירן ה ורהמ נןחן ה, דרעןבייד לותן ברבמ ת אחמ ת, מןאן דר אעלקמר ח"פת ץ מ" אתרר" יה וראמ נמח ל"יה לרבמ ר

- 47 of 48 - מ" אתרר" יה ומ"רר שות" יה, כראי לו אעלקמר אי ילןנןא דרחמ י"י דראי יהו אותת ברריית, וראמ נמח ל"יה בירר שו נוכררן אה, מןאן דר עןבי יד דן א גןרי ים דראי עלקמ ר נישר מןת" יה מ"רר שות די ילןה, וראמ נמח לןה בירר שו אחברןא דראי יהי י מןרן ה וטר חותל, ורדן א גןרמ ם לריישררן א"ל דראיתר עמקר רו מ"ארר עןא דר יישררן א" ל, וראיתר גמלייאו ברארר ען א נוכררן אה דראי יהי י רר שות הןרמבי ים, ורהןכיי אי יהו מןאן דר אעי יל אותת בררי ית קתדת ש די יל"יה בירר שו נוכררן אה, שמברתמא"י אי יהו טר חותל חממן "ה, איתרתן א בי ישן א מןרן ה, שמברתמא"י עלל"יה איתרממר בראשית לז: כד 'ורהמ בותר ר"ק א" ין בות מן יים' – 'ממ יים א" ין בות אלבן ל נרחןשי ים ורעמקררמבי ים יתש בות', וראי יהו רן ען ב ורצימן אותן ורקי ינןה ורהתסר פ" ד ומחל שותכןא ורקי בר לןא, וראי יהי י גןלותן א לריישררן א" ל. וצררי יכיין יישררן א" ל לרמת עבבמ ד לןה שי נוי בר כתלןא ורהן א אוקר מוהן , וראי יהו די בור דר חותל דראי יהו אסור ברשמ בן ת, ורכמד לןא אמשר כמחמת אלתמ ר לרשמרר יןא תממן ן, אי יהי י בןרר חמ ת, כר גמור ונןא דרשי פרחןה דר אבררן הן ם דראיתר ממ ר בן ה בראשית טז: ח 'מיפר נ"י שןרמ י גרביררתי י אנתכי י בתרמחמ ת'. טרחותל עללןה איתרממר שמות ג: ה 'שמ ל נרען לתיך מ"עמל רמ גרלתיך', נמעמל מר טונןף דרטי פןה סר רוחן ה; 'כי י הממן קותם אלשת ר אמתן ה עותמ" ד ען לןיו אדרממ ת קתדת ש הוא', דןא שמבןת, ומעלל"יה אמררמ ת שר כי ינרתן א שיר השירים ה: ג 'פןשמטרתי י את ת כלתן נרתי י א" יכןכןה אתלרבןשת נןה, רןחמצרתי י אתת רמ גרלמי א" יכןכןה אלטמ נרפ"ם', ובר גיין דן א צןרי יך במ ר נמש ברשמ בן ת לרשמ נוי"י בי לרבושי ין בישררמ גןא ברממאלכןליין, ורצןרי יך לרמת הבו"י מותסי יף מ" חותל עמ ל המ קתדת ש, ורכןל הממותסייף מותסי יפי ין ל"יה נתפת ש ירת"ירן ה ברשמ בן ת, ורכןל המ גותר"עמ גותרר עי ין ל"יה המהי יא נתפת ש ירת"ירןה חמ ס ורשן לותם.

- 48 of 48 -

וה וא לא אויב לו ( לה )'כג' Zera Shimshon0 And he was not his enemy (35:23)

 (The passuk speaks about the inadvertent killer who must run to exile. Mattos Only if he killed entirely by accident is he considered an inadvertent killer and gets the atonement of being exiled to the city of refuge.) Massei The Mishna (Avos 5:10), lists four different ways that people deal with The Zera Shimshon, Rav Shimshon anger. 1) Quick to anger and quick to be appeased. 2) Slow to anger and slow to Chaim ben Rav Nachmon Michoel be appeased. 3) Slow to anger and quick to be appeased. 4) Quick to anger and Nachmani, was born in 5467 (1706/1707) into an illustrious slow to be appeased. Regarding being quick to get angry and slow to become family with great Rabbinical appeased, the Mishna calls such a person a Rasha, a wicked individual. lineage. He studied the revealed and concealed parts of the Torah by the The Zera Shimshon has a unique interpretation to one being referred to as a Torah greats of his day. He served as Rav of Modena, Pisa, Rasha for being quick to become angry and slow to become pacified. Sienna and Reggio, Italy, and was The halacha is that if someone kills another person by mistake he must run recognized as a holy and pious individual, as well as a tremendous to a city of refuge and live there until the Kohen Gadol passes away. The Torah scholar in all areas of Torah. Rambam rules (Hilchos Rotzai’ach 6:10), based on the Gemara, that someone who He passed away on the 6 th of Elul 5539 (1779). kills inadvertently but also happens to hate the individual he killed, is not His Seforim were named, Toldos considered as one who killed inadvertently. He is deemed as being close to an Shimshon (The ‘Offspring’ of Shimshon) on Pirkei Avos and Zera intentional killer and does not get the atonement of being exiled to the city of Shimshon (The ‘Seed’ of refuge. Shimshon) on the Parshi’os of the Torah. In his introduction, he The way it is decided that one hates someone else is if he has not spoken to explains that since his only son had the person he hates for a duration of three days. Such a person, should he died during his lifetime, he wrote his Seforim to perpetuate his own accidentally kill the person he hates - it would be considered as though he killed memory after his passing. him almost intentionally and he would not go to the city of refuge. The following is his passionate request to learn his works. “I implore of you with ten terms of A person who gets angry quickly and takes a lot of time to become pacified supplication to choose from my will almost always have some people that he is not on talking terms with for at Chiddushim (novella) the piece that least three days. Based on the abovementioned halacha, should such a person finds favor in your eyes, for your learning will sooth my soul etc… accidentally kill one of the people he is not on talking terms with due to his trait “This righteousness will stand by of anger, he would be considered a Rasha. Halachically, it would be considered you forever – to ‘eat’ in this world, and be satiated in the next. In this as though the murder was not totally accidental. This would earn him the title merit, Hashem will repay you with Rasha. children, health and sustenance. “…and now my brothers and Meaning even if the facts are that the killing was entirely an accident, friends etc. do a true kindness, and with your eyes you will see children nevertheless, because of his trait of anger he would be considered as someone and grandchildren surrounding who killed almost intentionally. your table, houses filled with all that is good, wealth and honor will not cease from your children…” From here we learn how bad it is to always be angry. The Mishna doesn't necessarily mean that one who is quick to anger and slow to be appeased is לזכר נשמת automatically a Rasha (if he at least tries to work on himself). The Mishna is רבינו שמשו חיי ב רב נחמ מיכאל ל"צז trying to show how bad the trait of anger is. That through always being angry, in בעל הזרע שמשו א"יעז

ויה" ר שיתקיימו בנו ברכותיו של אותו צדיק a case of a total accident, the halcha would be different between him and someone who does not get angry as quickly. The latter would be deemed לזכות רחמי ב יוכבד שיזכה ,innocent and would be able to run to the city of refuge and he, the angry person לשוב בתשובה שלימה בקרוב would be given the status of a Rasha and would not be able to go to the city of לזכות רפואה שלימה משה refuge since he would be considered an almost intentional murderer. All due to שניאור זלמ ב רחל .his anger ולזכות רפואה שלימה משה ב לאה זכות רבינו ימלי טוב בעד רבקה רחל בת שיינדיל בלומא לזרע של קיימא במהרה ז כות רבינו יעמוד לר ' חיי דוד ב טויבא חוה וכל משפחתו להצלחה ברכה שפע רב וסייעתא דשמיא מרובה לזכות כל ע  ישראל בכל מעשה ידיו ובכל העניני בכל מקו שה

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Parshas Ma’asai

These are the travels of Bnei Yisroel when they left the land of Egypt.

In the holy seforim, we are told that the Torah and its messages are eternal and therefore each and every one of us will also have to travel through 42 stations during our lives - each of us goes through many journeys, trips and travails in life and our primary avodah is to be strong in avodas Hashem in every situation.

Perhaps, we can hint at what Chazal teach us that when a pasuk says Eleh - these - it means to disqualify anything that was previous, so that when our pasuk states "these are the trips and travels" - that means to disqualify any other previous ones. This teaches us that a person needs to always know that in every situation when he has not yet reached his full potential and he needs to rise higher and higher to still succeed, he should ask himself - when will my deeds reach those of my forefathers? He therefore needs to work on himself on a daily basis, to desire to rise up and succeed, and not to make do with and accept that small baby steps of progress he has made so far, instead to constantly desire and wish for higher levels of advancement and success.

This is what our pasuk means when it says, "these are the travels of Bnei Yisroel", that we need to always use the eleh - to disqualify the previous effort, what we did before was not enough, we need to strive for higher and higher degrees of success. And the emphasis is on the concluding words of this pasuk - "when they left the land Egypt," which means that we need to ascend higher and higher and leave behind us the symbolic land of Egypt, those lands where we find ourselves in. As the seforim teach us that every one of us contain within ourselves a microcosm of the entire universe and all of Jewish History, so that in every man there is an aspect of Eretz Mitzraim (and a Pharoah = yetzer hara and a Moshe = yetzer tov) and our evil inclination is always trying to distance us far away from Hashem and in every situation, we need to see ourselves on an Exodus leaving that land of Egypt behind, and drawing nearer and closer to Hashem. This is achieved by Torah study, mitzvah observance and good deeds.

Now that we are coming to the month of Menachem Av, and this Rosh Chodesh is an opportunity for a redemption of the soul, since man's soul is also likewise exiled in galus, and by asking Hashem to draw us near, we merit a redemption of the soul. Regarding this, we ask in Lecha Dodi - karva el nafshi geala - draw redemption near to my soul. May we merit to be redeemed from the evil clutches of the yetzer hara within us and be able to defeat him and do the Divine will, and may Hashem help us to merit the final full redemption, a redemption of both body and soul, with the revelation of the honor and glory of Heaven, speedily in our days, Amen.

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Weekly Bulletin on the Parshah s"xc Mattot Masei July 10th 2021 1st 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 911 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

Gentle Words of the Wise

"Moshe was angry with the commanders of the According to this, a question arises regarding army, the officers of the thousands and the officers Moshe's seemingly 'permissible' anger with the army of the hundreds, who came from the legion of the officers. Why indeed did Moshe Rabbeinu forget those battle" (Bamidbar 31:14) laws if his intention was for Heaven's sake? He was When Bnei Yisrael returned from the war against angry because he saw them returning with the Midi- Midian, they brought the Midianite women back with anite women, the same women who caused a great them. Moshe Rabbeinu was angry, for these women plague among Bnei Yisrael and the death of 24,000 were the ones who had seduced Bnei Yisrael to sin as a result of their sin with Ba'al Peor. Paris • Orh ‘Haïm Ve Moché with Ba'al Peor, therefore they should have rather We can explain it in the following way: Moshe Rab- been killed. beinu personally heard from the officers that they 32, rue du Plateau • 75019 Paris • France Tel: 01 42 08 25 40 • Fax: 01 42 06 00 33 Chazal say (Pesachim 66b), "One who becomes returned from the battle in peace, as they explicitly [email protected] angry, if he is wise his wisdom departs from him. From said (Bamidbar 31:49), "Your servants took a census whom do we learn this? From Moshe Rabbeinu, as it of the men of war under our command and not a says, 'Moshe was angry with the commanders of the man of us is missing." Meaning, they told Moshe their Jérusalem • Pninei David army'." Regarding this Chazal say, "Since Moshe Rab- spiritual level of holiness also remained intact, despite beinu became angry, he erred and forgot the laws of it being a very difficult battle. Rehov Bayit Va Gan 8 • Jérusalem • Israël Tel: +972 2643 3605 • Fax: +972 2643 3570 purging utensils acquired from non-Jews, and Elazar So if, despite all the disturbances and impediments [email protected] HaKohen had to tell Bnei Yisrael these laws." during the battle, all the officers returned alive and In reference to this, Maran HaGaon the Rishon well from this dangerous battle, it is a sign they are Letzion, Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef zt"l, writes: Chazal tell all righteous. They did not stumble, G-d forbid, with Ashdod • Orh ‘Haim Ve Moshe us (Ta'anit 4a), Rava said, if a Torah scholar is angry immoral conduct with the Midianite women, despite stumbling with these women in the past. Rehov Ha-Admour Mi-Belz 43 • Ashod • Israël with someone, it is not he who is angry but the Torah Tel: +972 88 566 233 • Fax: +972 88 521 527 inside him, as it says (Yirmiyahu 23:29), "Behold, My If this was the situation, why did Moshe Rabbeinu [email protected] word is like fire". The Gemara continues: Ravina said, grow angry with them? Why did he have to make as despite this the Torah scholar must accustom himself if he was angry with them, if they had not sinned with to speak gently, as it says (Kohelet 11:10), "banish non-Jewish women? Ra’anana • Kol ‘Haïm anger from your heart." Because of the honor of Bnei Yisrael and the army Rehov Ha’ahouza 98 • Ra’anana • Israël In addition, the words of the Rambam (Hilchot De'ot officers who despite the battle retained their holiness, Tel: +972 98 828 078 • +972 58 792 9003 2:3), are well-known: "Anger is a very despicable trait Moshe Rabbeinu was punished by forgetting the laws [email protected] and it is fitting for man to distance himself from it to of purging vessels acquired from non-Jews. It was the other extreme and teach himself not to become a demonstration to the entire world that Hashem angry even for a seemingly legitimate reason." does not excuse anyone, not even Moshe Rabbeinu, The Rishon Letzion explains, when the Gemara Hashem's faithful servant, if He sees he is not behav- Hilula defines the anger of a Talmid Chacham as the Torah ing appropriately. Despite Moshe Rabbeinu acting for inside him causing him to become irate, the meaning the sake of Heaven, with completely holy intentions, is that the Talmid Chacham is angry for Heaven's sake. nevertheless he should have realized that this anger 1 – Rabbi Avraham Yisrael Ze'evi, Rav He is disturbed by those who anger Hashem with their was not in place. of Chevron evil ways so he expresses anger to return them to the It is possible to say that Moshe was angry with 2 – Rabbi Aharon Te'umim of Cracow correct path. This kind of anger is permissible. the officers for perhaps entertaining contemplations 3 – Rabbi Shimshon of Ostropoli, hy"d Nevertheless, the Talmid Chacham must accustom of sin. True not one of them died, and all remained 4 – Rabbi Shimon Biderman himself to behave in a gentle manner as the Rambam righteous and did not sin with the women, neverthe- 5 – Rabbeinu Yitzchak Luria concludes: "If he is a communal leader and wishes to less Moshe Rabbeinu saw with Divine Inspiration that Ashkenazi, the Ari HaKadosh get angry with the congregation so they will return these women caused Bnei Yisrael to entertain sinful 6 – Rabbi Moshe Ezra Mizrachi to the correct path, he should make as if he is angry thoughts on their return from Midian. 7 – Rabbi Shalom Noach Barzovski, with them, but in his heart he should not feel anger." But since Moshe Rabbeinu was angry only due to Admor of Slonim It follows that a communal leader may outwardly ruminations of sin, he was punished since Hashem show anger with the congregation to bring them back does not excuse anyone, not even tzadikim. A Talmid to the correct path. And if he is a Talmid Chacham, it Chacham must always conduct himself in a pleasant is the Torah that rages inside him and he is angry for manner and take care not to feel anger, even in his Heaven's sake. heart. Walking in their Ways Tidbits of faith and trust penned by Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pinto, shlita

Eating His Cake A man once came to me who had been diagnosed with a fatal illness. Since his life was hanging in the balance, he asked for my blessing in the In Our Father's Path merit of my holy ancestors, before going under the surgeon’s scalpel. To add validation to my blessing, I handed the man a slice of cake and A Ben Torah is not Always Obligated to Reply instructed him to eat it before the operation. I also said, “If you have The power inherent in the mouths of Am Yisrael is considered faith in Hashem and in the merit of tzadikim, strengthen your level of their craftsmanship, as Rashi expounds (Bamidbar 31:8). What is Torah and yirat Shamayim and promise that from today on you will the idea behind this? The Chafetz Chaim writes that just as the improve your ways.” most proficient craftsman requires tools to create the product he wishes to sell, so too every Jew, who is endowed with great power Before operating, the surgeon told the sick man this was to be a to effect the Upper Worlds, requires professional tools with which fateful and decisive operation. If he has faith in a Creator, he should to act. It is his mouth that serves as his tool. pray with all his heart that he survive the operation and be granted a complete recovery. If the artist in the parable uses defective tools, all his skills and capabilities will not be of use to him; the product he creates will be The man did as his doctor advised him. He prayed from the depths of unsuitable for use. Similarly, if a Jew does not guard the holiness his heart that Hashem heal him. He then went through all the pre-op and purity of his mouth and ensure it remains fit for the service of procedures. Suddenly, he remembered the slice of cake I had told him Hashem, his prayers and Torah study will hardly have any value, G-d to eat before he went under, so he asked the surgeon for permission forbid! Not only this, but the Chafetz Chaim quotes the Holy Alshich to eat the cake. zy"a: prayers and Torah study uttered by an unclean mouth awaken It is universally known that before an operation a person must fast, not terrible accusations against the person who is praising and glorifying eating or drinking even the smallest thing. But this case was different. his Creator using a filthy, foul tool. This is a horrifying declaration! The surgeon thought to himself, “This man is on the brink of death in Rabbi Eliezer Turk shlit"a, in his sefer Otzroteihem Amaleh, tells any event. Why not let him enjoy one last piece of cake?” To the sick about a group of bachurim who accompanied Maran the Chazon man, he said, “If you have a promise from a Rabbi, eat your cake in Ish zt"l on his daily walk, using the opportunity to discuss Torah good health and save some for after the operation!” He instructed the ideas. A simple Jew passed by, a complete ignoramus, and began patient to place a few crumbs in his mouth, since eating was forbidden. taunting them. One of the bachurim was blessed with a sharp During the course of the operation, the surgeon realized the patient's tongue and he replied with a fitting, witty retort. He was sure the situation was hopeless. There was simply nothing to save. So he sewed Chazon Ish would enjoy his answer but the Chazon Ish said to him: up the site of the incision without doing a thing. When the man awoke, "You didn’t answer well!" The bachur was surprised and asked, "So his doctor told him, “Eat up the rest of the cake.” To his family, the doctor what should I have said?" related that there was nothing left to do for their relative. "Nothing!" replied the Chazon Ish with due seriousness. "A ben The man faithfully ate the cake. After a short while, he said he was Torah is not always required to answer!" feeling noticeably better. The perplexed doctors observed that instead A similar story happened with Maran HaGaon Rav Elyashiv zt"l. of deteriorating, his condition improved from day to day. Every Shavuot, as was his custom, he would leave his Beit Midrash A battery of tests indicated the man was in the stage of recovery. He in the Me'ah She'arim district early in the morning, to walk to the eventually recovered completely! This caused a tremendous kiddush Western Wall for the Mussaf prayer. He would walk at the forefront Hashem among the doctors. of a large group of worshippers who followed behind him. This large group of men walking together through the city streets The Haftarah was a prominent sight and every so often, when they passed close to Arabs or irreligious Jews, they would yell derogatory, abusive "Hear the word of Hashem" (Yirmiyahu 2) words and curses. HaRav Elyashiv instructed them not to pay any The connection to the Parshah: This Haftarah is the second of the three special attention to these people or answer them, explaining that the Haftarot established by Chazal to be read during the three weeks leading up to mouth of a ben Torah is a precious vessel destined for spirituality, Tisha B'Av. They talk about Yirmiyahu HaNavi's prophecy of calamity concerning Torah study and prayer, and is not something to be used for just the destruction of Yerushalayim and our glorious Beit Hamikdash. any need that arises! The custom is to read two additional verses from the Haftarah of Rosh Chodesh, The words of Gedolim and tzadikim carry enormous weight and "Thus said Hashem: The Heaven is My throne." (Yeshaye 66) this can be clearly seen. The Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein shlit"a relates a story about the famous tzadik from Netivot, Rabbi Yisrael Guard Your Tongue Abuchatzera zt"l, the Baba Sali. He was once sitting and learning on Shabbat when suddenly the oil light fell on the floor and the Gently and with Sensitivity flame caused the carpet to catch fire. The Baba Sali looked at the If one must relate derogatory words for the sake of helping someone rectify his mid- fire and, as if talking to it, said: "Here in this house we observe dot, that is considered a constructive purpose. Shabbat; you have no permission to burn here!" And the fire If someone's middot require refinement, the mitzvah of rebuking one's fellow ob- stopped in its tracks! ligates us to bring this matter to his attention in a gentle and sensitive manner. But, if The Baba Sali was a holy tzadik and exceptional talmid chacham. a person feels he is not capable of rebuking another and knows others who are also This story is not something miraculous, it is a demonstration of the aware of his faults, he is permitted to speak to them about this and ask their advice, basic strength of the power of speech. It is a power that every Jew or ask for their intervention if necessary. could possess, if he would only guard his mouth appropriately! Treasures Based on the teachings of Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Hagaon Hatzaddik Rabbi David Chananya Pearls of the Parsha Pinto, shlita

Speech is Part of the Soul "He shall not desecrate his word; according to whatever comes from his mouth shall he do" (Bamidbar 30:3) The Be'er Moshe quotes the Chacham Rabbi Shorak z"l who says a person should not desecrate his words, rather all that he utters he must fulfil, whether The Mitzvot Within Speech good or bad. In this way he creates either defenders or accusers. As the Holy "If a man takes a vow to Hashem or swears an oath to Zohar says, "Come and see, the word that comes out of a person's mouth goes establish a prohibition upon himself, he shall not desecrate up to Heaven and makes an impression Above for good or for bad." his word; according to whatever comes from his mouth shall This is just like what happens when a person speaks; his mouth produces he do" (Bamidbar 30:3) vapor and that vapor is part of him. The proof is that when the soul leaves The sefer Yeshuot Ya'akov quotes the Ben Ish Chai zy"a who the body, he is left with neither vapor nor speech, so it follows that the vapor writes on this verse: "Every single utterance is a complete that comes out his mouth when speaking is part of his soul. This is why we mitzvah in itself, for example the mitzvah of counting the Omer have been commanded not to speak idle gossip, for one thereby releases where the actual uttering is the completion of the mitzvah. part of one's soul. Sometimes the aspect of speaking does not complete the Names Auspicious for Protection mitzvah until one performs a certain act, for example one who says he wishes to donate money to tzedakah, has not "A thousand men from a tribe, a thousand from a tribe, for all the tribes fulfilled the mitzvah until he contributes the money. And if he of Israel shall you send to the legion" (Bamidbar 31:4) does not fulfil his word it becomes a sin. An angel is created The Ben Ish Chai writes the following: Those accompanying one who sets from every mitzvah, so the angel created from these words is If there is a created from potential and not execution, since he has not yet – יחדי ורבים הלכה כרבים" ,out on a journey should quote the ruling difference of opinion between an individual and the majority, we rule according fulfilled the vow. Therefore, this angel created from speech represented by the waits with longing for the actual fulfillment of the mitzvah ,יהו"ך to the majority" and should have in mind the Name initial letters of this ruling. For this Name, also alluded to by the final letters so he too will achieve completion and be transformed from ,(He will charge His angels for you (to protect potential to deed. This is the meaning of (Tosefta Chulin 2:5 – כי מלאכיו יצוה לך of the words you in all your ways), affords protection while travelling. 'It is better not to vow than to vow and not fulfil.' Therefore, ".also has this power of protection. The first letter of the if a person does vow he must fulfil it without delay כל"ך The Name while the two final letters of the Name are These words can be taken as a lesson to understand the ,כ represents the letter כי word These two names have a numerical value of severity of speaking in the middle of praying. Uttering the .מלאכיו represented by the word a thousand. words of the prayers is a mitzvah through which an angel is ,אלף the same value as the word ,111 This is the meaning of the verse, "A thousand [men] from a tribe, a thousand created. This angel sings praises to the Creator and creates from a tribe." It was a hint for Moshe to draw upon an influence of protec- a crown of praises from every letter. When man prays with In this the appropriate concentration, his angel is complete and the . אלףtion for each tribe, from these two Names that have the value of way, "for all the tribes of Israel", whether fitting or not, "shall you send to the praises he offers to Hashem are fitting. But when a person legion", for there will be no Satan or evil mishap. speaks in the middle of his prayers, the angel created is a fragmented angel – just like his prayers, which are fragmented A Safe Haven for Every Jew and interrupted with futile words. This is not fitting or respect- "The six cities of refuge that you shall provide for a murderer to flee there, able for Hashem. and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities" (Bamidbar 35:6) Imagine someone who arrives at the king's palace, wish- The six cities of refuge, the Ohev Yisrael of Apter used to say, are the six ing to praise and thank him. But while praising the king, he words of the verse "Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad." In these presents him with a defective gift. The king will certainly grow words, every Jewish person must find a safe haven to maintain tranquility, at angry and tell him it would have been better had he stayed every hour and every moment. home and not brought anything to the king. "In addition to them you shall give forty-two cities:" This is a reference This is what Hashem says to that person whose prayer is to the forty-two words in the section of "Ve'ahavta – And you shall love" in fragmented. In place of thanking and praising My name, you Kriyat Shema, through which a person strengthens and fortifies himself in curse and degrade Me. It is preferable for you to stay home the service of Hashem. In these words, he finds refuge from the malicious and not come to the Beit Knesset to create defective angels waters of the lowly world. with your prayers, which present a great indictment. The Troubles of the Public Chazal say (Moed Katan 16b), "A tzadik decrees and Hashem "He shall dwell in it until the death of the Kohen Gadol, whom one had fulfills." Seemingly, however great the tzadik is, how can he anointed with the sacred oil" (Bamidbar 35:25) decree something Hashem Himself did not declare? If Hashem did not lay down this decree, is it not a sign it is not His plan? The question arises, why does the Torah make the stay of the unintentional So how can a tzadik force, so to speak, Hashem to fulfill his murderer in the city of refuge dependent on the death of the Kohen Gadol? words? However, in light of the above, one can say that the The Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:40) explains that the death of the Kohen tzadik has sanctified his speech to such an extent that he Gadol may quell the relative's anger over the murder of his next of kin. For it does not utter any futile words at all. His mouth becomes so is human nature that a new and important event makes one forget the previ- holy to the extent that the Shechina speaks from his throat. ous. When the beloved Kohen Gadol passes away, the relative's anger will be Therefore, if a tzadik decrees it is not against Hashem's wish mitigated because great pain makes one forget a lesser pain, and a hardship but on the contrary, his words are actually Hashem's desire, shared by the public is half the comfort… for it is the voice of the Shechina emerging from his mouth. A NOVEL LOOK AT THE PARSHA

evaded the request, with the bizarre claim that is why I came here! But what connection do he does not wish to get involved in dispute... the Christian priests have to this occasion?' He explained that since in the majority of cases "'It is very simple,' explained the lawyer, there are parallel charity organizations for the 'these eight priests own eight different same need, as is the way of the holy Jewish monasteries here around town, and they are people, he found an 'excuse' and claimed that included in the 'charity institutions' explicitly he stays away from giving charity so as not to detailed in the will lying before us!' support dispute! "'Impossible!' I cried out in anguish. 'The The Mitzvah of Tzedakah Requires "He was now growing older and reaching deceased was a loyal Jew! He explicitly Siyata d'Shmaya the end of his life, with no children to inherit specified that I distribute his wealth to Torah his fortune. His heart began to pound in fear in institutions, holy Yeshivot, and tzedakah and When Bnei Yisrael returned from the war wake of the awesome Day of Judgement, not chesed organizations! What connection do against Midian, they brought with them abun- even having anyone to recite kaddish after his these gentiles have with Jewish Torah and dant spoil which they divided out between passing. He therefore wished to speak to me, tzedakah institutions?' the tribes. Each one of us possesses a 'spoil' for he had heard I was honest, and convey his "To my great consternation and pain, I dis- of financial resources which the Creator has wish to donate a-l-l his capital to tzedakah! deposited in our hands. And what do we do covered that the shrewd 'lawyer', who was a "'Okay!' I rejoiced, 'Divide out your property with it? Do we know how to direct our eco- wicked gentile, cunningly inserted one word (!) appropriately to Torah institutions. With these nomic capacity to the correct places? If only in the will, enabling him to direct the massive fantastic sums, you will certainly be able to this were so… fortune for the benefit of the Christian priests: establish and support several Yeshivot for 'Bible Institutions'. This can be understood as So that our money should go to the right many years! But I still don’t understand, why Torah institutions, but with legal craftiness places, we require siyata d'Shmaya, which am I needed here?' the lawyer diverted the intent to Christian intensifies to the extent with which we act "'There is no way I am distributing my money monasteries. honestly and use the money deposited with us to charity at this point!' the miserly man "I tried with all my might to change the in the correct way - for tzedakah, chesed and emphatically declared. 'As long as I am alive, difficult sentence. I claimed it was absolutely supporting Torah scholars. Not every person I want all my wealth to remain with me. Only clear the rich Jew's intention was Jewish and merits this Divine Assistance. after one hundred and twenty years when I not gentile institutions, but the shrewd lawyer HaRav Ya'akov Moshe Spitzer shlit"a, who leave This World and no longer require the produced a ready court order, for he had clari- merited attending the Gaon and tzadik Rabbi money, will my assets go to charity!' fied the matter in advance. The court decreed Chaim Zeitchik zt"l, relates the following story: "'And so,' he concluded, 'I invited you here that the entire fortune must be distributed Once when the Gaon returned from an urgent to appoint you as my loyal trustee and apos- among the different monasteries in town, so trip to America, Rabbi Ya'akov noticed he was trophe to distribute my fortune. You will dis- that not even one coin was left for the mitzvah extremely pale and seemed weak and fright- tribute it to Torah institutions as you see fit! I of tzedakah! ened. He was about to call the emergency have here the most intelligent lawyers who will "I suffered great pain and heartache over medical services, but the tzadik calmed him write up a detailed will, appointing you as the the enormous loss for the holy Yeshivot, com- down and said there is no need. "I will tell you exclusive trustee to transfer all my property to bined with the vast spiritual loss, since that what happened and why I am so distraught," charity.' Well aware of the significance of the unfortunate Jew did not merit performing the he said. moment, the opportunity to distribute many mitzvah. I simply fled from there straight back "Several years ago, I received an urgent millions to tzedakah and chesed, I attached my to my home in Yerushalayim. phone call from one of America's wealthiest signature to the deed, together with that of "I am extremely distressed," concluded Jews. He had come to Eretz Yisrael for several the affluent benefactor and his lawyer. Rabbi Chaim to his faithful talmid. "My heart days and wanted to meet me urgently. "Several years passed and the news arrived is filled with pain that the Jew did not merit "At first I politely pushed off the invitation, that this wealthy man had passed away. I was the mitzvah of tzedakah in the slightest! I for what do connection do I have with the rich urgently asked to take the next direct flight had begged him to distribute his fortune to of America? Even after begging me many times to America, to handle the distribution of the tzedakah in his lifetime, but he insisted on to kindly meet with him, I refused, explaining enormous fortune, as detailed in the will. keeping the money at his side until he dies! that other than the four amot of halacha, As soon as I arrived, I went straight to the And so he lost the enormous merit of support- nothing else exists for me! But after clarifying rich man's palatial home to settle the matter ing Torah institutions that could have afforded that he was talking about an enormous contri- as per the wish of the deceased. But how him exceptional reward and eternal life, as the bution he wishes to donate to tzedakah and astounded I was to find a gathering of eight verse testifies (Mishlei 3:18), 'It is a tree of life Torah institutions, I agreed to the invitation priests from various churches and monaster- for those who grasp it, and its supporters are and set off for the luxurious hotel. ies! Sitting together with them was the chief praiseworthy'!" "When I arrived at the magnificent guest attorney, responsible for executing the will Rabbi Chaim added, why did this wealthy lounge, I realized to my surprise that this was and overseeing the distribution of the capital man not merit fulfilling this wonderful mitz- a serious business meeting. Seated around the according to the law. vah? Because he stayed away from tzedakah affluent American, who sat comfortably in an "I was terrified to see these priests sitting all his life and excused this with the pretext upholstered armchair, were about five shrewd and waiting for me. 'Why are they here?' I of distancing himself from dispute. Only just lawyers who presented the deal. asked with heavy apprehension. The lawyer before his death did he want to gain from "It turned out that this affluent business- answered that as the sole trustee and exclu- a charitable act. But Heaven prevented this man, who lived in one of America's largest cit- sively responsible for distributing the capital, and all his money went to gentile priests and ies, was as stingy as he was wealthy. Every time I was now required to carry out the distribu- monks. And so he lost the precious mitzvah he was asked to donate to a certain charity, he tion. 'I already know that!' I answered, 'That of tzedakah!

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. תפילה לאמרה בכל ערב ר" –ח מאת הרב הצדיק הק ' אלקי מרן מרדכי מנדבורנא זי" ע ועכי" .א ואני תפילתי לך ד ' עת רצון ,בכוון לבי ואברי פנימי והחיצון ואשתחווה לפניך באימה וביראה ברתת וזיעה וחלחלה בשברון לב ובמתנים בפרישת כפים, ואפיל תחנתי לפניך שתקבל ברחמים וברצון את תפילתי ותעשה שאלתי , וחנני במתנת חנם ולפנים משורת הדין אף על פי שאיני כדאי לזה , ויגולו רחמיך על מידותיך , ופתח לבי בתורתך ויטהר ושמרה בפי , ותן בלבי בינה להבין ולהשכיל לשמוע ללמוד וללמד לשמור ולעשות ולקיים את כל דברי תלמוד תורתך באהבה , ותשמרנו מכל חטא ועון ופ שע שלא אחטא עוד נגדך , וכפר ותמחל ותסלח לי על כל פשעי ועונותיי וחטאי , על הקלות והחמורות על הנגלות והנודעות , ועל כל מה שעשיתי בין בשוגג בין במזיד באונס וברצון במרד ובמכווין בין במחשבה ובין במעשה בין בראי ' ובין בשמיעה , וכל מה שמעלתי נגדיך הכול תעבור ותמחל ותמ חק ברחמיך הרבים ולא על ידי ייסורים וחולאים רעים חלילה , ותן בלבי לעשות רצונך בלבב שלם , וזקוף מזלי ותגביה קרני וכוכבי לעושר וכבוד ולבנים – ובני בנים טובים , ושלח ברכה והצלחה בכל מעשי ידי ועסקי ועניני, ויפרנסנו ויכלכלנו ברווח ולא בצמצום , בהיתר ולא באיסור , בנחת ו לא בצער , בהשקט ולא ברעש , ואל תצריכנו לידי מתנת בשר ודם , וזכני לישב בשולחני עם כל בני ביתי בכבוד , ולא אצפה לשלחן אחרים , , ולא אשתעבד לשום אדם , והצילנו מעניות ודלות ושפלות , ואזכה להכניס אורחים , ולעשות חסד וצדקה עם בני אדם מהוגנים , ולא אכשל בבני אדם שאינם מהוג נים , ואגדל בני– בנותיי , לחופה ולמעשים טובים , ושיהיו הם וכל יוצאי חלציהם עוסקים בתורה , במצוות ובמעשים טובים , ושיהיו בעלי עושר וכבוד ושם טוב , ו ימלאו ימיהם בשיבה טובה ומזל טוב , ונגדלם באהבה ובחיבה , בשלום ובשלו, והשקט ובבטח לאורך ימים ושנים טובות – והצילנו מכל מי ני פורעניות ומכל גזירות קשות ורעות , ומכל צרות המתרגשות לבוא לעולם , מאדם רע ומפגע רע ומשטן המשחית , מדין קשה ומבעל דין קשה , מלסטין ורוצחין , מכל אויב ושונא , בין בעיר – בין בדרך בכל מקום שאני הולך – ביום ובלילה , והצילנו מרוחות רעות , ומשדין ולילין , וממאורעות רעות , מדבר וממגיפה משבי ומגלות , ומכל היזק והפסד שבעולם , בין בגופי ובין בממוני ובכל אשר לי , ותיתן לי לב" ב ויוצ" ח חיים ארוכים וברוכים בטוב ובנעימים , חיים שאין בהם בושה וכלימה , ותרפאינו ותשמרינו מחולאים רעים, ומכל מיני מדווה ומחלה , והסר ממני כל דאגה והרהורים רעים ומחשבות רעות , והרחיקנו מכל מה שאתה שונא , וקרבינו לכל מה שאתה אוהב , וחנני לכל מה שצריך רחמים וחנינה – ולא נכלם לא בעולם הזה ולא בעולם הבא , ותזכנו לראות בביאת משיחך , ותביאנו אל ארץ הקדושה ולא אפטר מן העולם עד שאקיים כל אשר עלי לעשות , באופן שלא אצטרך להתגלגל עוד ואזכה לישב בכבוד בעולם הבא עם הצדיקים היושבים שם , להסתכל באספקלריא המאירה , ושם תמצא מנוחה בלי פחד והצילנו מדינים , זכנו ליום הדין וצדקנו ליום המשפט , ותמלא משאלות לבי לטובה – שאלתי ובקשתי ברחמים תמלא לטובה , אמן, וכן יהי רצון .

סוד גדול ונורא, וכתוב שם שכל מי שמעיין הסוד הנפלא והנורא הזה על מכונו, אפילו פעם אחת בשנה, ובפרט בערב פסח, מובטח לו שינצל באותה שנה מכל מכשול וממיתה משונה, ושום אדם לא ימשול בו, וכל אויביו יפלו תחתיו, והוא על במותימו ידרוך, ובכל אשר יפנה יצליח ובכל עסקיו ירויח, עד ביאת הגואל אמן סלה:

שלום לרבני ארץ, גודרי גדר ועומדים בפרץ, יצילם ה' מכליון וחרץ, כולם קדושים אשר המה בארץ, כל חד לפום חורפיה מקשה ומתרץ, אמן סלה, בתכלית הענין מה שכתב האר"י ז"ל בקונטרס שלו הנקרא פלאות רבות בשער הנקרא יציאת מצרים, פרק ג' דף מ"ב ע"א וזה לשונו:

הִנֵּהכְּבָר הֹודַעְּתִ יָך שֶׁ פַרְּ עֹה נִלְּקָה בְּמִצְּרַ יִם בְּ עֶׁשֶׁ ר מַ כֹות אֵּ ּלּו עַל יְּדֵּ ישְֹּלשָ ה אֲלָפִ ים ּומָאתַיִם ּושְּ מֹונִים מַלְּאֲכֵּיחַבָלָה, הַמְּ מֻנִיםבִשְּ ֹלשָ הרְּ קִיעִ ים שֶׁ ל טֻמְּאָ ה, הָאֶׁחָד נִקְּרָ א שרע וְּהַשֵּ נִי נִקְּרָ א תמוך, וְּהַשְּ לִישִ י נִקְּרָ א בישהא, וַעֲלֵּיהֶׁם ר הַשַֹ הַנִקְּרָ א דלפקט, וַעֲלֵּיהֶׁם וְּעַלכֻּלָם הַשַֹ ר הַנִקְּרָ אתקא, בְּרֵּאשִ ית רחָסֵּ מִ ן הַשְּ לִישִ יעֲשָרָ ה, וְּחָסֵּ ר מִ ן הָרְּ בִ ייעִ שִ שָ ה, וְּחָסֵּ רמִ ןהַתְּשִ ייעִ שִ השָ כַכָתּוב:

ְּו ִה ֵּנה ַמה ֶׁש ָּלקּו ַה ִמ ְּצ ִר ִיים ְּב ִמ ְּצ ַר ִים ֶׁע ֶׁשר ַמכֹות, ְּו ַעל ַה ָים ָלקּו ֲח ִמ ִשים ַמכֹות, ַה ֵּשם שפ"ו ֶׁשבֹו ָא ַחז ָד ִוד ֶׁבן ִי ַשי, ְּו ַה ֵּשם ָא ַמר ְּו ִה ָכה. ּו ִמ ַצד ַה ֵּשם תק"ל ָלקּו ַה ִמ ְּצ ִר ִיים בְּמִצְּרַ יִם אַרְּ בָעִ ים מַ כֹות, וְּעַל הַיָם לָקּו מָאַתַיִםמַ כֹות, םוְּהַשֵּ ראָמַ וְּהִ כָה. ּומִ צַד הַשֵּ ם אשצ"ה ָלקּו ַה ִמ ְּצ ִר ִיים ְּב ִמ ְּצ ַר ִים ֲח ִמ ִשים ַמכֹות, ְּו ַעל ַה ָים ָלקּו ָמא ַת ִים ַו ֲח ִמ ִשים ַמכֹות, ּובְּמַה שֶׁהַקָדֹוש בָרּוְך הּוא מַכֶׁה,בֹו מְּרַ פֵּא הַ גָלּות. המַ פָשְּ עּו ּומֶׁ ה חָטְּ אּו, ּומָ ה הַמַעַל אֲשֶׁרמָעֲלּו אֲבֹותֵּ ינּו, לִהְּ יֹות בְּ כּורהַבַרְּ זֶׁל הַזֶׁה, עַדשֶׁגְּאָ לָם בְּשֵּ מֹותאֵּ ּלּו דע"ב צד"א כשח"ב. עד כאן לשון האר"י ז"ל:

וְּהִנֵּה מֹורַ יוְּרַ בֹותַ יקְּ דֹושֵּ י יִשְּרָ אֵּ ל, הַדְּ בָרִ ים הָ אֵּּלֶׁה פְּ לָאִ יםהֵּם, סְּ תּומִ ים וַחֲתּומִ ים סָ גּור וְּאֵּיןפֹורֵּש אֹותָ ם. ּוכְּבָר שְּ אָ לּונִי גְּ דֹולֵּי יִשְּרָ אֵּ ל לְּבָאֵּ ר לָהֶׁם י דִבְּרֵּ הָאֲרִ "י זַ"ל וְּ לֹא הִגַדְּתִי. ּומִ גֹדֶׁ לאַ הֲבַת מֹורַ יוְּרַ יבֹותַ אֲגַּלֶׁה זרָ זֶׁה שֶׁ נִתְּ גַּלָה לִי בַחֲלֹום חֶׁזְּיֹון לַיְּלָה, וְּעַכְּשָ ו אֲגַּלֶׁההַדָבָר בְּרֶׁ זמֶׁ לִפְּ נֵּי כְּ בֹוד תֹורָ תֹו, וְּ הּוארַ חּום יְּכַפֵּר:

וְּ זֹאת הָעִ נְּיָן:

מַהשֶׁכָתַב הָאֲרִ "יזַ"ל שֶׁ פַרְּ עֹה נִלְּקָהבְּמִצְּרַ יִם רעֶׁשֶׁ מַכֹות וְּ כּו', כַּוָנָתֹו כְָך:

כִ י אָמְּ רּו בַעֲלֵּי קַבָ לָהמַעֲשִ ית,שֶׁ יֵּששְּ הֹלשָ אֲלָפִ ים ּומָ אתַ יִם ּושְּ מֹונִים מַלְּאֲכֵּי חַבָלָה הַמְּמֻנִים לְּהַכֹות אֶׁ תהָרְּ שָעִ ים ּולְּהַעֲנִישָ ם בְּ גֵּיהִ נָם ּולְּטַהֲרָ םמֵּ עֲֹונֹותֵּיהֶׁם. וְּעַלזֶׁה נֶׁאֱמַ ר: "ּולְּהַכֹות בְּאֶׁגְּרֹף רֶׁ שַ ע",כִ י אֶׁגְּרֹף, רֶׁ זמֶׁ שְּ ֹלשָה אֲלָפִ יםמָ אתַיִם ּושְּ מֹונִים, וְּעַל םיָדָ נִלְּקָ ה

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גַםפַרְּעֹההָרָשָ ע.וְּ אֹומֵּ ר אֲנִי הַכֹותֵּ ב שֶׁ זֶׁהּו סֹוד נִפְּ לָא כַאֲשֶׁ ר הּוא בנִכְּתָ בְּמִ נְּיָן ּובְּמִסְּ פָר: דָם.צְּ פַרְּ דֵּעַ. כִנִם. עָרֹוב. דֶׁבֶׁר. שְּחִ ין. בָרָ ד.אַרְּ בֶׁה. חֹשֶׁ ְך. מַכַתבְּ כֹרֹות:

אֵּּלּועֶׁשֶׁרמַ כֹות כַאֲשֶׁ ר כָתַבְּתִ יאֹות בְּ אֹות, עֹולִים שְּ ֹלשָ האֲלָפִ יםּומָ אתַיִם ּושְּ מֹונִים מַלְּאֲכֵּי חַבָלָה,הַמְּ מֻנִים לְּטַהֵּר אֶׁת הָרְּ שָעִ ים, וְּ הּוא טפְּשַ נִפְּ לָא, עַיִן לֹא רָ אֲתָ ה:

וְּהִ נֵּההַחֶׁשְּ בֹון מְּ כֻּוָן כַאֲשֶׁ ר בנִכְּתָ כִנִם חָסֵּ ריו"ד, גַם עָרֹב רחָסֵּ וא"ו. גַם חֹשֶׁ ְך חָסֵּ ר וא"ו.וְּאָז הַחֶׁשְּ בֹון מַמָ ש,לֹא פָחֹות וְּ לֹא ריֹותֵּ מִשְֹּלשָ האֲלָפִ ים ּומָ אתַיִם ּושְּ מֹונִים מַלְּאֲכֵּי חַבָלָה, שֶׁמַ עֲנִישִ ין אֶׁ ת הָרְּ שָעִ ים. מַה וְּהַיְּנּושֶׁ כָתַ בהָאֲרִ "י זַ"ל:"כַכָתּוב", פֵּרּוש כַכָתּוב בְּסֵּפֶׁר תֹורָ ה,וְּ לֹא כַאֲשֶׁ ר כָתּובבַסִ דּורִ יםּובַעַל הַהַגָדָ ה, יכִ שָ םנִכְּתְּ בּו כֻּלָםמְּ לֵּאִ ים. אֶּׁלָאצָרִ יְךלִהְּ יֹות חָסֵּ ר כְּ מֹו שֶׁ כָתּוב בַסֵּפֶׁרתֹורָ ה. וְּ גַם רַ בִ י היְּהּודָ לֹא בכָתַ סִ ימָנִים כֻּלָם רַקרָאשֵּי תֵּ יבֹות, דצ"ך עד"ש באח"ב, כְּ מֹו שֶׁ כָתַ ב הָרַ ב יִצְּ חָק אַבַרְּ בָנֵּאל ּוכְּ מֹו שֶׁ כָתַבְּתִ ילְּעֵּיל:

וְּהַיְּנּו המַ שֶׁ כָתַ ב הָאֲרִ "י זַ"ל: "בְּרֵּאשִ ית חָסֵּ ר מִ ן הַשְּ לִישִ י עֲשָרָ ה", פֵּרּוש: מַכָה שְּ לִישִ יתשֶׁהִ יאכִנִם חָסֵּ ריו"ד. "מִ ן הָרְּ בִ יעִ י שִ שָ ה"שֶׁהִ יא מַכַתעָרֹוב גַם חָסֵּ ר וָא"ו. "וְּחָסֵּר ןמִ הַתְּשִ ייעִ שִ שָ ה", שֶׁהִ יא מַכַת חֹשֶׁ ְך גַם כֵּן רחָסֵּ וָא"ו. ּומַ ה רשֶׁאָמַ "כַכָתּוב", רֹוצֶׁה לֹומַ ר שֶׁ כֵּן כָתּוב בְּסֵּפֶׁר תֹורָ ה חָסֵּ ר, כַנִזְּכַרלְּעֵּיל:

וְּזֶׁהּוסֹודאֵּּלּו "עֶׁשֶׁ ר מַ כֹות שֶׁהֵּבִ יא" הַקָדֹוש בָרּוְך הּוא בְּמִצְּרַ יִם, מְּ כֻּוָןמַמָ ששְּ ֹלשָ ה ֲא ָל ִפים ּו ָמא ַת ִים ּו ְּשמֹו ִנים ַמ ְּל ֲא ֵּכי ַח ָב ָלה ֶׁש ִהכּו ֶׁאת ַפ ְּר ֹעה ְּו ֶׁאת ַה ִמ ְּצ ִר ִיים ְּב מִצְּרַ יִם, הַמְּמֻנִים בְּאֵּ ּלּו שְּ ֹלשָ הרְּ קִיעִ ים: אֶׁחָד נִקְּרָ א שרע, וְּאֶׁחָד א נִקְּרָ תמוך, וְּאֶׁחָד נִקְּרָ א בישהא,גַם בָזֶׁה יֵּש סֹוד גָדֹול וְּנִפְּ לָא, אֵּ ּלּושְּ ֹלשֶׁ תאֲלָפִ יםּומָ אתַ יִםּושְּ מֹונִים מַחֲנֹות שֶׁהִ כּו אֶׁ ת פַרְּ עֹה תוְּאֶׁ הַמִצְּרִ ִיים ְּב ִמ ְּצ ַר ִים ָכ ָאמּור, ֶׁש ְּמ ֻמ ִנים ְּב ֵּאּלּו ְּשֹל ָשה ְּר ִקי ִעים ֶׁשל טֻמְּאָה,אָמַר לָנּו הַכָתּוב סֹודנִפְּ לָא וְּ נֹורָ א,וְּתִ קֵּן הַמַגִ יד כְּ מֹו שֶׁשָ נָהאֵּ ּלּו "עשר מכות שהביא" שֶׁבְּאֵּ ּלּושָ ֹלש תֵּ יבֹות נִרְּ מָ זִיםהַשְּ הֹלשָ רְּ קִיעִ יםשֶׁ ל טֻמְּאָ ה, ּושְֹּלשֶׁ ת אֲלָפִ ים ּומָאתַיִםּושְּ מֹונִים מַלְּאֲכֵּיחַבָלָה שֶׁהִ כּואֶׁ ת פַרְּ עֹה תוְּאֶׁ הַמִצְּרִ ים בְּמִצְּרַ יִם, כְּמִ נְּיַןעֶׁשֶׁ ר מַכֹות:דְּ הַיְּנּו עשר אֹותִ יֹות שרע, מכות אֹותִ יֹות תמוך, שהביא אֹותִ יֹות בישהא, רֶׁ מֶׁ ז לְּאֵּ ּלּו שְֹּלשָהרְּקִיעִ ים שֶׁ לטֻמְּאָ השֶׁבָהֶׁם יֵּש מְּ מֻנִים כְּמִ נְּיַן שְּ ה ֹלשָ אֲלָפִ ים ּומָ אתַ יִם ּושְּמֹונִים מַלְּאֲכֵּי חַבָלָהמַמָ ש, כְּמִ נְּיַן עֶׁשֶׁ רמַ כֹות םדָ צְּ פַרְּ דֵּעַ וְּ כּו', וְּהֵּםשֶׁהִ כּו תאֶׁ פַרְּ עֹה ְּו ֶׁאת ַה ִמ ְּצ ִר ִיים ְּב ִמ ְּצ ַר ִים, ִכי מַלְּאֲכֵּי חַבָלָה מְּ מֻנִים לְּהַכֹות אֶׁ ת הָרְּ שָעִ ים לְּטַהֲרָ ם ֵּמ ֲעֹונֹו ֵּתי ֶׁהם ָכ ָאמּור. ְּו ַעל ָי ָדן ִה ָכה ֶׁאת ַפ ְּר ֹעה ְּו ֶׁאת ַה ִמ ְּצ ִר ִיים ְּב ִמ ְּצ ַר ִים ִמ ְּנ ַין ֶׁע ֶׁשר ַמכֹות אֵּּלּו, וְּ הּוא פֶׁלֶׁא גָדֹול:

ּומַ השֶׁ בכָתַ הָאֲרִ "י זַ"ל: "וַעֲלֵּיהֶׁםהַשַֹ ר דלפקט",כַּוָנָתֹו הּואשֶׁשֵּ ם זֶׁה שָרְּ שֹו יֹוצֵּא מִמִּלַת הַמִצְּרִ ים,וְּהַיְּנּו: שֶׁשְּ ֹלשָה רְּ קִ יעִ יםהֵּם: עש"ר מכו"ת שהבי"א ּוכְּפֵּרּוש הַגָאֹון,

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וְּנִמְּשְַך עַל הַמִצְּרִ ים שֶׁ הּוא שֵּ ם דלפקטבָאֹותִ יֹות הַקֹודְּ מֹות לְּאֹותִ יֹות הַמִצְּרִ ים, והמ"ם אַחֲרֹונָההִיא מ"ם הָרִ בּויוְּאֵּ ינָּה מִ ןהַשֹרֶׁ ש, וְּרָ מַ ז לָזֶׁה הַמַגִ ידבַמַאֲמָ ר:"אֵּ ּלּו רעֶׁשֶׁ מַ כֹות שֶׁהֵּבִיא הַקָדֹושבָרּוְך הּוא עַלהַמִצְּרִ ים בְּמִצְּרַ יִם", כְּ לֹומַ ר הָאֹותִ יֹות שֶׁהֵּם קֹודְּ מֹות עַל אֹותִ יֹות הַמִצְּרִ ים:

ּומַהשֶׁכָתַ ב הָאֲרִ "י זַ"ל: "וַעֲלֵּיהֶׁם וְּעַלכֻּלָם הַשַֹ ר הַנִקְּרָ אתקא, כַּוָנָתֹו,כִ י רָ אשֵּ יתֵּ יבֹות שֶׁלאֵּּלּו רעֶׁשֶׁ מַ כֹות, דצ"ך עד"ש באח"ב, בְּגִ ימַטְּרִ יָא תקא, כְּמִ נְּיַן הַשַֹ רמַמָ ש,ּוכְּמִ נְּיַן אשר, וְּ זֶׁהּו סֹוד כַּוָנַתהַכָתּוב בְּסֵּדֶׁ רבֹא: "ּולְּמַעַן תְּ סַפֵּרבְּאָ זְּנֵּי בִ נְָּך ּובֶׁן בִ נְָּך אֵּ ת אשר הִתְּעַּלַלְּתִי בְּמִצְּרַ יִם",אשר דַיְּקָא,שֶׁ הּוא כְּמִסְּ פַר תקא, וְּכַיֹוצֵּא בֹו הַרְּ בֵּה פְּסּוקִ ים אֶׁ לֶׁף, שֶׁ מֹורִ ים עַל זֶׁה לְּסֹוד אשר, כְּמִ נְּיַן רָ אשֵּיתֵּיבֹותשֶׁ ל עֶׁשֶׁ ר מַ כֹותכְּ מֹו שֶׁבֵּאַרְּ נּו,וְּ יֵּש לָנּו בָזֶׁה סֹודֹות נִפְּ לָאִ ים. ּוכְּבֹודאֱֹלהִ ים הַסְּתֵּר דָבָר:

ּומַהשֶׁכָתַ ב רַ בֵּנּוהָאֲרִ "י זַ"ל:"הַשֵּ ם שפושֶׁ בֹו אָחַז דָוִ דבֶׁן יִשַ י, םוְּהַשֵּ ראָמַ וְּהִ כָה םאֹותָ בְּמִ צְּרַיִם עֶׁשֶׁ רמַ כֹות, וְּעַל הַיָם לָקּו חֲמִשִ יםמַ כֹות. וְּהַשֵּ םתקל אָמַ רוְּהִ כָה אֹותָ ם בְּמִצְּרַ יִםאַרְּ בָעִ ים מַ כֹות, וְּעַל הַיָם לָקּו מָ אתַיִם מַ כֹות. וְּהַשֵּ םאשצה אָמַ רוְּהִ כָה אֹותָ ם בְּמִצְּרַ יִם חֲמִשִ ים מַ כֹות, וְּעַל הַיָם לָקּומָ אתַיִם וַחֲמִשִ ים מַ כֹות". כַּוָנָתֹו לְּסֹוד נִפְּ לָא וְּנֹורָא:פְּ אלֻגְּתָ דְּרִ יבִ ייֹוסֵּ הַגָלִילִיוְּרִ בִ י אֱלִיעֶׁזֶׁר וְּרִ יבִ עֲקִ יבָא הַמֻזְּכָר בַהַגָדָ ה.רִ בִ ייֹוסֵּ י הַגָלִילִיאֹומֵּ ר מִ נַיִן,וְּרִ בִ י אֱלִיעֶׁזֶׁראֹומֵּ ר מִ נַיִן, וְּרִבִ י עֲקִ יבָאאֹומֵּ ר מִ נַיִן, וְּ זֶׁהּו שֶׁ כָתַ ב הָאֲרִ"י זַ"ל: וְּהַשֵּ ם שפ"ו אָמַ ר וְּהִ כָה םאֹותָ בְּמִצְּרַ יִם רעֶׁשֶׁ מַ כֹות, וְּעַל הַיָם לָקּו חֲמִשִ ים מַכֹות,רֶׁ מֶׁ ז לְּרִ בִ י יֹוסֵּ י הַגָלִילִי. כִ י רִ בִ "י יֹוסֵּ "י הַגָלִילִ"י בְּגִ ימַטְּרִ יָא שפו, הּומַ שֶׁ כָתַ ב שֶׁבֹו אָחַז דָוִ דבֶׁן יִשַ י,רָ מַ זגַם כֵּן, דָוִ "ד בֶׁ"ן יִשַ "י גִ ימַטְּרִ יָא םשֵּ שפו, שֶׁבְּ אֹותֹו הַשֵּ ם דַוְּקָאבָא דָוִ דבֶׁן יִשַ י. וְּרָ זמַ גַםכֵּן המַ שֶׁ כָתַ ב בְּסֵּפֶׁר סֹודִ י רָ זָא,שֶׁרִ בִ ייֹוסֵּ י הַגָ לִילִי נִצֹוץ דָוִדבֶׁן יִשַ י. וְּ זֶׁה םהַשֵּ הִ כָהאֹותָ ם. ּומִ צַד הַשֵּ ם תקל לָקּו הַמִצְּרִ יםבְּמִצְּרַ יִם אַרְּ בָעִ ים מַכֹות, וְּעַל הַיָם לָקּו מָ אתַיִם מַ כֹות, רָ זמַ לְּסֹודרִ בִ "י אֱלִיעֶׁזֶׁ"רבְּגִ ימַטְּרִ יָא תקל, וְּהַיְּנּו רִ בִ יאֱלִיעֶׁזֶׁר אֹו ֵּמר, ַד ְּו ָקא, ֶׁשהּוא ֵּשם תקל, ָלקּו ַה ִמ ְּצ ִר ִיים ְּב ִמ ְּצ ַר ִים ַא ְּר ָב ִעים ַמכֹות, וְּעַלהַיָם לָקּו מָ אתַיִם מַ כֹות. הּומַ שֶׁ כָתַ בהַשֵּ ם אשצה לָקּו בְּמִצְּרַ יִםחֲמִשִ ים מַ כֹות, וְּעַל הַיָם לָקּו מָ אתַיִםוַחֲמִשִ ים מַ כֹות, רָ זמַ לְּ סֹוד רִ בִ "יעֲקִ יבָ"א,שֶׁ הּוא בְּגִ ימַטְּרִ יָא אשצ"ה ִעם ַהכֹו ֵּלל, ֶׁש ַה ֵּשם ַה ֶׁזה ָא ַמר ֶׁשיֻכּו ַה ִמ ְּצ ִר ִיים ְּב ִמ ְּצ ַר ִים ֲח ִמ ִשים ַמכֹות, ְּו ַעל ַה ָים ָלקּו מָאתַיִם וַחֲמִשִ ים מַ כֹות. יהֲרֵּ מְּ רֻמָ זִים אֵּ ּלּו שְּ ֹלשָ השֵּ מֹות שפ"ו תק"ל אשצ"ה בְּאֵּ ּלּו הַשְֹּלשָ ה תַ נָאִ ים:

שלום לרבני ארץ, גודרי גדר ועומדים בפרץ, יצילם ה' מכליון וחרץ, כולם קדושים אשר המה בארץ, כל חד לפום חורפיה מקשה ומתרץ,

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רִבִי יֹוסֵּ יהַגָלִילִי בְּגִ ימַטְּרִ יָא שפ"ו, רִ בִ יאֱלִיעֶׁזֶׁר בְּגִ ימַטְּרִ יָא תק"ל, רִ בִ "י עֲקִ יבָ"א בְּגִימַטְּרִיָא אשצ"ה,וְּ הּוא סֹוד נִפְּ לָא וְּ נֹורָ א. רָ זָא דְּרָ זִין. אסִתְּרָ דְּסִתְּרִ ין. הַיְּנּו כַאֲשֶׁ ר כָתַבְּתִי לְּמַ עֲלַת כְּ בֹוד תֹורָ תֹו, וְּ הּוארַ חּום יְּכַפֵּר עָֹון:

ּומַה שֶׁ בכָתַ רַ בֵּנּוהָאֲרִ "יזַ"ל: "בְּמַ השֶׁהַקָדֹוש בָ רּוְך הּוא מַכֶׁה, בֹו מְּרַ פֵּא הַגָלּות, מַ ה פָשְּעּומֶׁהחָטְּאּו אֲבֹותֵּ ינּו" וְּ כּו',כַּוָנָתֹו: בְּאֵּ ּלּו רעֶׁשֶׁ מַ כֹות שֶׁהֵּם דצ"ך עד"ש באח"ב, נִרְּמָזִיםבְּאֵּ ּלּואֹותִ יֹות סֹוד וְּטַעַם יְּרִ ידַ ת אֲבֹותֵּ ינּו לְּמִצְּרַ יִם, כְּ מֹו שֶׁ כָתַבְּתִ י לְּמַ עֲלַתכְּ בֹוד תֹורָתֹו.וְּהִנֵּה בְּאֵּ ּלּו הַמַ כֹותהִ כָהאֹותָ ם, וַיְּרַ פֵּאאֹותָ נּו הַקָדֹוש בָרּוְך הּוא וְּהִ כָה בָהֶׁם מַכָהרַבָה אֶׁצְּ בַע אֱֹלהִ יםהִ יא,ּומִ ן הַמַכָה עַצְּמָ ּה הבָאָ רְּ פּואָ הלְּיִשְּרָ אֵּ ל,שֶׁגְּאָ לָם הַקָדֹוש בָרּוְך הּוא, ּוכְּ מֹו שֶׁ כָתַבְּתִ י.

ּומַשֶׁכָתַב:"מַה פָשְּ עּו" וְּ כּו',רֹוצֶׁ ה לֹומַ ר: בְּאֵּ ּלּו הַמַ כֹות נִרְּ מַ זהַחֵּטְּ אשֶׁ ל אֲבֹותֵּ ינּו שֶׁגָרַםיְּרִידַ ת מִצְּרַ יִם. וְּ יֵּשלָנּו סֹודנִפְּ לָא וְּ נֹורָ א לְּתָרֵּ ץקֻשְּ יָאזֹו מַ ה שֶׁהִקְּ שּו מַ עֲלַת כְּבֹודתֹורָ תָ ם עָלַי, אֲבָל גַם זֶׁה נִיחָאכַאֲשֶׁ ר יכָתַבְּתִ לְּמַ עֲלָתָ ם, נִפְּ לָאֹותמִ תֹורָ תֹו הַקְּדֹושָ ה וְּהַטְּ הֹורָ ה.

ּומַהשֶׁכָתַב הָאֲרִ "י זַ"ל: "שֶׁהַקָדֹוש בָרּוְךהּוא גָאַ ל אֹותָ נּו בְּשֵּ מֹותאֵּ ּלּו דע"ב צד"א כשח"ב", כַּוָנָתֹוכִי הָאֹותִ יֹות רִ אשֹונֹות שֶׁ ל דצ"ך עד"ש באח"ב הֵּם דע"ב, וְּהָאֹותִ יֹות שְּנִיֹותהֵּם צד"א, וְּהָאֹותִ יֹות הָאַ חֲרֹונֹות הֵּם כשח"ב, וְּנִרְּ מָ זִיםבְּאֵּ ּלּוהַשְֹּלשָ השְּ מֹות הָרְּפּואָה שֶׁרִ פָא הַקָדֹוש בָרּוְך הּוא לְּיִשְּרָ אֵּ ל, שֶׁ לגָאַ אֹותָנּו בָהֶׁם, יהֲרֵּ בְּ ןאֹותָ הַמַ כֹות ֶׁש ֻהכּו ָב ֶׁהם ַה ִמ ְּצ ִר ִיים, ִנ ְּר ָמ ִזים ַה ְּג ֻא ָּלה ְּו ָה ְּרפּו ָאה ְּל ִי ְּש ָר ֵּאל. ִוי ֵּהא ַר ֲע ָוא ִל ְּפ ֵּני ַה ָקדֹוש בָרּוְךהּואשֶׁ יַרְּ אֵּ נּו בִיאַ תמְּשִ יחֵּנּובִמְּ הֵּרָ הבְּ יָמֵּ ינּו, םעִ הַמַלְּאָכִ ים הַשַ יָכִ ים לַגְּאֻּלָה, וִיקֻ יַם בָנּומִקְּרָאשֶׁ כָתּוב: כִ יימֵּ צֵּאתְּ ָך מֵּאֶׁרֶׁ ץמִצְּרָ יִם אַרְּ אֶׁ נּונִפְּ לָאֹות, אָמֵּ ןנֶׁצַח סֶׁלָה:

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הרב שמשון בן פסח מאוסטרופולי , רב ומקובל, נולד בקוריץ )Korets( בווהלין, אז בפולין כיום באוקראינה, בשנת ה'ש"ס )1600( בערך, ונרצח ב- ג' באב בעת פרעות גזרות ת"ח 1648 בעיר פולנאה )Polonnoye(. אביו, פסח, היה חתנו של רבי שמשון בן בצלאל ליווא - אחי המהר"ל מפראג. לכן אף ייחוסו המשפחתי, בדומה למהר"ל, מגיע על פי המקובל עד דוד המלך.

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The following letter is taken from a pamphlet written by the Tzaddik, Rebbe Shamshon from Ostropoli. He writes at the end of the pamphlet that anyone who studies the wondrous and awesome secrets written here, even one time in a year, and especially Erev Pesach, is guaranteed that he will be saved from any kind of accident or disaster or strange death for the whole of that year, and that everything that he turns his hand to will be successful! As mentioned in the Shai L'Mora Haggadah, the names of the angels mentioned in the letter should be scanned only, but not read out loud!)

Shalom Rabbi…as briefly as possible I will answer Your Honor’s question דצ"ך regarding that which I wrote about the symbols DaTSaCH ADaSH BeaChaB .etc. and how the Redemption is hinted at by these symbols (עד"ש באח"ב(

Part 15 entitled ,(פלאות רבות) ”The holy Ari z”l wrote in his pamphlet “Many Wonders The Departure from Egypt, Chapter 3, Page 42, as follows:-I have already made known to you that Pharaoh was afflicted by these ten plagues at the hands of 3,280 Angels of Punishment that are appointed to and dwell in the three (ג' אלפים ור"פ) the second ,(שר"ע) Heavens of Impurity. The first [Heaven] is named ShaRA The Minister appointed over .(בישה"א) and the third BISHeHA ,(תמו"ך) TaMOCH And .(דלפקט"א ,an alternative version: DaLPaKTA) דלפק"ט them is named DaLPaKT all, the Minister known as ועליהם ,an alternative version: and over them (ועל) over .(תק"א, בראשית) TaKA, BeRAISHIS

(And behold,) the third is lacking ten, the fourth is lacking six, and the ninth is lacking six, as they are written in the Torah. And furthermore, that which we find, that the Egyptians were afflicted by ten plagues in Egypt and fifty at the Sea, is all which is the aspect of David ben Yishai, “And ,(שפ"ו) according to the name SHaPO G-d said ‘Strike,’ and they struck them,” (an alternative version: “And G-d spoke the Egyptians were ,(תק"ל) and they struck”). According to the name TaKaL afflicted by forty plagues in Egypt and two hundred at the Sea, “And G-d said ‘Strike,’ and they struck them,” (an alternative version: “And G-d spoke and they :an alternative version) ( שצ"ה) struck”). According to the name SHaTZAH the Egyptians were afflicted by fifty plagues in Egypt and two ,( אשצ"ה ,ASHaTZAH hundred and fifty at the Sea, “And G-d spoke and they struck.”

And G-d rectified the Exile in exactly the same way that He had afflicted [the Egyptians]. And what was their transgression and their sin, what trespass did our forefathers commit [against Hashem], that made it necessary for them to suffer in the Iron Furnace of Exile [i.e. Egypt], until they were finally redeemed (an alternative version: until He redeemed them), using the following names, DeAV .This is all as written by the Ari z”l ?(כשח"ב) KaSHCHaV ,(צד"א) TZeDAH ,(דע"ב)

And Your Honor wrote to me that all these words of the Ari z”l are obviously the most wondrous and awesome secrets, sealed , closed and locked away from the slightest understanding, for who is there that could explain them? And, in fact, I have been asked many times by some of the greatest Rabbis to explain these words to them, and I refused. However, because of my great love for Your Honor, I will

Page 5 of 9 explain them to you as they were revealed and explained to me in a dream. And He who is merciful, forgiving of sin, etc.

That which the Ari z”l started off by writing : I have already made known to you (ג' אלפים ור"פ) that Pharaoh was afflicted by the ten plagues at the hands of 3,280 Angels of Punishment etc. he was saying, as the Kabbalistic Masters teach, that there are 3,280 Angels of Punishment appointed to punish the wicked in Gehinnom, and to purify them from their sins. The proof for this coming from the ”of wickedness,” (Isaiah 58:4,) the word “fist (באגרף) quote, “to smite with the fist ג' א'לפים = א'ג'ר'ף' being the initial letters of the number 3,280 written out, thus Angels of Punishment who punish the wicked, and it is them who also ר"פ punished the wicked Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

דם 44 And this is a wondrous secret, for if you work צפרדע 444 out the numerical value of the Ten Plagues כנם 110 exactly according to the way they are written as ערב 272 ד"ם צפרד"ע כנ"ם ער"ב דב"ר שחי"ן בר"ד ארב"ה ,follows דבר 206 they add up to exactly the same חש"ך מכ"ת בכור"ת שחין 368 ג' אלפים ור"פ hinting at the ,ג' א'לפים ר"פ amount as ברד 206 camps of Angels of Punishment mentioned ארבה 208 previously, appointed to punish and purify the חשך 328 sinners. This is an incredible explanation, מכת בכורות 1094 according to the simple meaning of the words, Total: 3280 which has never before been revealed!

And that which he wrote: the third is lacking ten, this is referring to the third which is written without the letter Yud [gematria: 10]. “The fourth is ,כנים ,plague is missing the letter Vav [gematria: 6]. “The ,ערוב ,lacking six,” i.e. the fourth plague also lacking a Vav. (An ,חושך ,ninth is lacking six,” refers to the ninth plague which needs to ,כנם ,alternative version: A Yud is missing from the third plague is missing six, because it needs to , ערב ,have the Yud missing. The fourth plague is lacking six, because it also needs to ,חשך ,have the Vav missing. The ninth plague be written without the Vav.)

And that which he wrote: as they are written in the Torah, his intention was to say that this is actually how they are written in the Torah, with these missing letters. ,without the Vav ערב ,without the Yud כנם ,For they are written in Parshas Vaera without the Vav, and not as they are written in the Haggadah, all written חשך and out in full. He is referring to the way they are written in the Torah, which adds up Angels of Punishment that punish the wicked, which ג' אלפים ור"פ exactly to the punished the Egyptians and afflicted Pharaoh and the Egyptians in Egypt, from the three Heavens of Impurity.

Angels of Punishment dwell in the ג' אלפים ור"פ And that which he wrote: that these the second ,(שר"ע) three Heavens of Impurity. The first [Heaven] is named ShaRA

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there is in this also a wondrous ,(בישה"א) and the third BISHeHA ,(תמו"ך) TaMOCH and awesome secret in what he wrote (an alternative version: hinted at in what he is ”(עשר) ten“ ”,(אלו עשר מכות שהביא) said), “these ten plagues that (Hashem) brought is the same letters as TaMOCH ”(מכות) plagues“ ,(שר"ע) the same letters as ShaRA these ,(בישה"א) is the same letters as BISHeHA ”(שהביא) and “that brought ,(תמו"ך) ג' אלפים words are hinting at the three Heavens of Impurity containing the Angels of Punishment which inflicted the ten plagues upon Pharaoh and ור"פ Egypt, and this is truly a great wonder.

And that which he wrote: the Minister appointed over them is named DaLPaKT he is revealing that this name comes from the name “the Egyptians ,( דלפק"ט) where each letter of the angel’s name is the one previous to it’s equivalent ”(המצרים) ,ה' precedes the ד' letter in the words “the Egyptians,” in the aleph beis, thus, the המצרים of the word ם' and the final ,י' the ט' the ,ר' the ק' the ,צ' the פ' the ,מ' the ל' the is just the plural and not part of the root of the word. This is what he was hinting at when he said: ten plagues did Hashem bring upon the Egyptians (i.e. the letters ,try to understand all this ,(המצרים that preceded the letters of the word Egyptians and the good G-d will atone etc.

an] (ועל) And that which he wrote: and over ,all [ועליהם ,alternative version: and over them the Minister known as TaKA, BeRAISHIS דצ"ך he was referring to the initial 114 ,(תק"א, בראשית) עד"ש 374 דצ"ך עד"ש באח"ב letters of each of the ten plagues באח"ב which add up to the same number as the name 13 gematria: 501] (and the Total: 501] ,תק"א ,of the Angel ,[first] בראשית reason that he added the word was to point out that he was referring to ‘the first,’ i.e. the initial letters of each of the plagues).

gematria: 501], which is the secret] אש"ר This is also the gematria of the word these things which I have wrought in“ ,את אש"ר התעללתי במצרים hidden in the verse Egypt,” (Shemos 9:2), where in fact there are many many verses that hint to this being the gematria of the initial letters of the ten plagues, and אש"ר secret of concerning this matter there are wondrous secrets and many hints, and the greater glory of Hashem is in what is hidden…

And that which he wrote: and furthermore, that which we find, and Hashem spoke and רבי 212 afflicted the Egyptians with ten plagues in יוסי 86 Egypt and fifty at the Sea, is all according to the הגלילי 88 he is referring to the ,(שפ"ו) name SHaPO Total: 386 wondrous and awesome secret which is the

ריה"ג ור"א ור"ע source of the argument between as brought in the Haggadah, “Rabbi Yosi

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HaGalili said: from where do we know…etc Rabbi Eliezer said: from where do we know…etc. Rabbi Akiva said: from where do we רב"י know…etc, this is the secret of the name which has the same gematria as the יוס"י הגליל"י gematria : 386), which is that which) שפ"ו word is written: Rabbi Yosi HaGalili said…i.e. that .spoke and afflicted them etc שפ"ו the name

And that which he wrote: which is the aspect of דו"ד David ben Yishai, the explanation is that and it was, in ,שפ"ו is also gematria ב"ן יש"י דוד particular, with this name that He afflicted 14 בן them, but said it in a very hidden way. For 52 ישי Rabbi Yosi HaGalili was a reincarnation of 320 David ben Yishai, and ben Yishai [the Messiah] Total: 386 will use precisely this name when he comes. There are also many other hidden secrets in this matter, but the main intention is as recorded above.

And that which he wrote: according to the the Egyptians were ,(תק"ל) name TaKaL afflicted by forty plagues in Egypt and two hundred at the Sea, this is a clue that Rabbi רבי 212 Eliezer is gematria TaKaL (gematria: 530). אליעזר 318 That is to say, Rabbi Eliezer in particular, who Total: 530 is the gematria of the name TaKaL spoke and afflicted them etc. (An alternative version: “Rabbi Eliezer said…meaning that he holds the opinion that it was the name TaKaL that afflicted the Egyptians).

And that which he wrote: according to the an alternative) ( שצ"ה) name SHaTZAH the Egyptians ,(אשצ"ה ,version: ASHaTZAH were afflicted by fifty plagues in Egypt and two רבי hundred and fifty at the Sea, Rabbi Akiva is the 212 עקיבא gematria of the word SHaTZAH (gematria : 183 395), (an alternative version: ASHaTZAH Total: 395 including the kollel [i.e. adding an extra one for the word itself]). That is to say, that Rabbi Akiva, who is the gematria of the word SHaTZAH (or ASHaTZAH), was the one who said that it was the name SHaTZAH (or ASHaTZAH) that spoke and afflicted etc. And

Page 8 of 9 each of the three Rabbis explained it according to his understanding, which is why the three names ShaPO, TaKaL and ASHaTZAH equal the gematrias of the three Tannaim, Rabbi Yosi HaGalili (ShaPO), Rabbi Eliezer (TaKaL) and Rabbi Akiva (ASHaTZAH). And this is all an awesome and wondrous secret, as I said previously. And may the Merciful One atone [for our sins] etc.

And that which he wrote: and G-d rectified the Exile in exactly the same way that He had afflicted [the Egyptians], this is as I explained above, that the initial letters of the plagues hint to the original cause of the descent to Egypt, and in exactly the same way as Hashem struck the Egyptians, that in itself was the method by which He redeemed Israel, that the actual letters of the plagues are a hint to our redemption.

(An alternative version: and that which he wrote: and how many sins etc. he intended to teach that our forefathers ' sins, which were the cause of them having to go down to Egypt, are hinted at in the actual letters of the plagues. And similarly, the letters of the plagues are also a hint to our redemption by Hashem.)

And that which he wrote: until they were finally redeemed (an alternative version: ,(צד"א) TZeDAH ,(דע"ב) until He redeemed them), using the following names, DeAV are the (דע"ב) he was hinting that the letters of the word DeAV ,(כשח"ב) KaSHCHaV ד'צ"ך ע'ד"ש initial letters of each of the three symbols DaTSaCH ADaSH BeaChaB is the second letter in each group, and ,(צד"א) The second name, TZeDAH .(ב'אח"ב( is the third letter, through which Hashem ,(כשח"ב) the third name KaSHCHaV redeemed us. The actual plagues that Hashem inflicted on Egypt hint to Israel’s redemption. (An alternative version: the actual letters of DaTSaCH ADaSH are a hint to the Minister appointed over all the Angels (ד'צ"ך ע'ד"ש ב'אח"ב( BeaChaB of Punishment which afflicted the plagues upon the Egyptians, and those same letters hint to the reason for the exile to Egypt, and also to Israel’s redemption from there. The selfsame letters are both the secret of the affliction and of the redemption.)

And may we be found worthy in Hashem’s eyes to quickly see the coming of the Messiah, with all the Angels appointed to accompany the Final Redemption, may it come speedily and in our time. And may we be worthy of seeing the fulfillment of the verse, “As in the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt I will show him marvelous things (Micah 7:15), for ever and ever amen.

And finally, I hereby declare that anyone who studies these wondrous and awesome secrets, even one time in a year, and especially on Erev Pesach, I promise him that he will be saved from any kind of accident or strange death for that whole year. His enemies will have no power over him and will fall before him, and that he will be successful in everything that he turns his hand to, Amen. Page 9 of 9

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השירה הזו, מטרתה היא לשפוך את הלב לפני בורא עולם בבקשה ובתחנונים, שנזכה לעורר את הנפש הישינה בעומק הגלות, ושתחזור השכינה להשרות כבודה עלינו. וראשי הבתים הם שילוב ראשי תיבות שני השמות הקדושים הוי''ה ואדנ''י.

יחידתי אנא אבקשך, הגלה נא אלי ברוב חמלתך והאר מנועם זיו תפארתך, כי הומה ליבי אל דודך.

אבי הרחמן, נפשי חמדה וגם הומה לקרבת שמך, בכן אשוטט ברעיוני להתבונן בגודל נפלאותך ומי יתן ותתעורר נפשי מתרדמתה להתאמץ בעבודתך ויראתך.

השמחה והחשק בעבודתי, אם כי נתמעטו מאוד באורך גלותי, אבל, הבט נא יוצרי אל מקור ושורש נשמתי.

דודי, הביטה וראה במצפון ליבי, וחתור נא במחתרתי, ותמצא את שאהבה נפשי.

ואם מתלאות אשר מצאוני ורוב דחקותי, מעטים מאוד זכויותי ומאוד קצרה פעולתי.

נא דודי, רחם על נפשי, וירצה לפניך חשקי, ואל תמעט בעיניך יגיעתי, וראה כי אליך נכסוף נכספתי.

הביניני לדעת דרכיך, והטעימיני מנועם זיו עבודתך למען יתרפקו לבבי ונפשי תתמיד ברשפי לב אהבתך, וגם כל כוחי ונפשי אמסור על כבוד קדושת שמך, ועזרני לזה למען אמצא חן בעיניך.

יתגוללו עלי רחמיך, והחייני במתיקות זכרך, וטהר רעיוני ולבבי למען אדע שפלות ערכי ואתבונן תמיד בגדולתך ולעולם לא אפרד מאהבתך.

)שומרי אמונים חלק ב, תי''ג(

ַ על ֵּ כן אֵבָרִ ים שֶׁ ִּ פ ּלַגְ ּתָ ָ ּ ב ּנו וְ ּרוחַ ּונְשָׁמָ ה שֶׁ ּנָפַחְ ּתָ בְ אַ ֵּ פ ּינו וְ לָשׁ וֹ ן אֲשֶׁ ר שַׂמְ ּתָ ּ בְפִ ּינו הֵ ן הֵ ם יוֹ ּדו וִ יבָרְ ּכו וִ ישַׁ ְ ּב ּחו וִ יפָ ּאֲרו וִ ישׁ וֹרְ ּרו וִ ירוֹמְ ּמו וְ ֲרִ יַע ּיצו וְ יַקְ ִ ּדישׁ ּו נשמת כל חי | נוסח ספרד ָ ָ ָ וְ יַמְ לִ יכו אֶ ת שִׁמְ ך מַ לְ ֵ ּכנו תָמִ יד ִ ּ כי כָ ל ֶ פה לְ ךיוֹדֶ ה וְכָ ל לָשוֹ ן לְ ך ִ ת ָ שׁבַ ע ּ ּ ּ ּ ּ ּ

ָ ְ ָ ָ וְכָ ל ַ עיִ ן לְ ך ְ ּ תצַ ֶּ פה וְכָ ל ּ בֶרֶ ך לְ ך תִ כְרַ ע וְכָ ל קוֹמָ ה לְפָ נֶיך תִ שְׁ ַ ּתחֲוֶה וְכָ ל ְ ָ נִשְ מַ ת ָ ּ כל חַ י ְ ּ תבָרֵ ך אֶ ת שִׁמְ ך יְ הֹוָה אֱלֹהֵ ּינו וְ ּרוחַ ָ ּ כל ּ בָשָׂ רְ ּ תפָאֵ ר ּותְ רוֹמֵ ם ָ ָ הַ ּלְבָ בוֹ ת יִ ירָ ּאוך וְכָ ל קֶרֶ ב ּוכְ לָיוֹ ת יְ ְ ּזַמ ּרו לִשְׁ מֶ ך ַ ּ כָ ּדבָ ר שֶׁ ָ ּכ ּתוב ָ ּ כל ַ עצְ מוֹתַ י ָ ָ זִכְרְ ך מַ לְ ֵ ּכ ּנו ּ תָמִ יד מִ ן הָ עוֹ לָם וְ ַעד הָ עוֹ לָם אַ ָ ּתה אֵ ל ּומִ ַ ּבלְ ָעדֶ יך אֵ ין ּלָנו מֶ לֶך ָ ּ תֹאמַרְ נָה יְ הוָֹה מִ י כָ מוֹ ך מַ ִ ּציל ָ ענִ י מֵ חָ זָק מִ ֶ ּמ ּנו וְ ָענִ יוְאֶבְ יוֹ ן מִ גּוֹ זְלוֹ שַׁ וְ ַעת גוֹאֵ ל ּומוֹשִ ַיע ּ פוֹדֶ ה ּומַ ִ ּציל ּומְ פַרְ נֵס וְ עוֹ נֶה ּומְרַ חֵ ם ְ ּ בכָ ל ֵ עת צָרָ ה וְ ּצוקָ ה אֵ ין ְ ְ ֲ ענִ ִ ּיים אַ ָ ּתה תִ שְ מַ ע צַ ֲעקַ ת הַ ַ ּדל ּ תַקְשִׁ יב וְ תוֹשִׁ ַיע מִ י יִדְ מֶ ה ּלָך ּומִ ייִשְׁ וֶה ּ לָך ְ ְ ּלָנו מֶ לֶך עוֹ זֵר וְ סוֹמֵ ך אֶ ּלָא אָ ָ ּתה ְ ְ ּומִ י ֲיַערָ ך לָך הָאֵ ל הַ גָּ דוֹ ל הַ גִּ ּבוֹ ר וְהַ נוֹרָ א אֵ ל ֶ עלְ יוֹ ן קוֹ נֶה שָׁמַ יִ ם וָאָרֶ ץ ָ ָ ָ ְ ָ אֱלוֹהֵ י הָרִ אשוֹנִ יםוְהָאַ חֲרוֹנִ ים אֱלוֹ ּהַ ָ ּ כל ְּרִ ביוֹ ת אֲ דוֹ ן ָ ּ כל ּוֹ תלָדוֹ ת הַמְ הֻ ּלָל נְהַ ּלֶלְ ך ּונְשַׁ ֵ ּבחֲך ּונְפָאֶרְ ך ּונְבָרֵ ך אֶ ת שֵׁ ם קָדְ שֶׁ ך ּ כָאָ ּמור לְדָ וִ ד ָּרְ בכִ י נַפְשִ י ְ ּ בכָ ל יש גורסים ְ ּ ברֹב הַ ִ ּתשְ ָ ּבחוֹ ת הַמְ נַהֵ ג עוֹ לָמוֹ ְ ּ בחֶסֶ ד ּובְרִ ּיוֹתָ יו ְּרַ בחֲמִ ים אֶ ת יְ הוָֹה וְכָ ל קְרָ בַ י אֶ ת שֵׁ ם קָדְ שוֹ וַיהוָֹה ֵ ער הִ ּנֵה לֹא ּיָנום וְ לֹא יִ ישָׁ ן הַ ְ ּמעוֹרֵ ר יְשֵׁ נִ ים וְהַ ּמֵקִ יץ נִרְ ּדָמִ ים יש ָ ָ ָ הָאֵ ל ּ בְתַ ֲעצֻ מוֹ ת ֻ עזֶּך הַ גָּדוֹ ל ּ בִכְ בוֹ ד שְׁ מֶ ך הַ גִּ ּבוֹ ר לָנֶצַ ח וְהַ ּנוֹרָ א ְ ּ בנוֹרְ אוֹתֶ יך גורסים מְ חַ ּיֵה מֵתִ ים וְ רוֹפֵ א חוֹ לִ ים ּ פוֹקֵ חַ ִ עוְרִ ים וְ זוֹקֵ ף ְ ּ כ ּפופִ ים הַ ּמֵ שִׂ יח אִ ּלְמִ ים ְ הַ ֶ ּמלֶך הַ ּיוֹשֵ ב ַ על ִ ּ כ ֵ ּסא רָ ם וְנִ ָּ שא ָ ּומַ ִ ּתיר ּרִ אֲסוים וְהַ ּסוֹמֵ ך נוֹפְ לִ ים וְהַ זּוֹקֵ ף ְ ּ כ ּפופִ ים וְהַמְ פַ ֲענֵחַ ֱנֶעלָמִ ים ּולְ ך ָ שוֹכֵ ן ַ עד מָ רוֹ ם וְקָ דוֹ ש שְ מוֹ וְכָ ּתוב רַ ְ ּנ ּנו צַ ִ ּדיקִ ים ַּיְ בהוָֹה לַיְשָרִ ים נָאוָ ה לְבַ ְ ּדך אֲנַחְ ּנו מוֹדִ ים וְאִ ּלו פִ ּינו מָ לֵא שִ ירָ ה כַ ּיָם ּולְ שוֹ ּנֵנו רִ ּנָה ּ כַהֲ מוֹ ן ּגַּלָיו ְ תְ הִ ּלָה ּ בְפִ י יְשָׁרִ ים ּ תִתְ רוֹמַ ם ּובְ שִׂפְתֵ י צַ ִ ּדיקִ ים ּ תִתְ ּבָרַ ך ּובִ לְ שוֹ ן חֲסִ ידִ ים וְשִׂ פְ תוֹתֵ ּינו שֶׁבַ ח ּ כְמֶרְ חֲבֵ י רָ קִ ַיע וְ ֵע ּינֵינו מְאִ ירוֹ ת ּ כ ַּשֶׁמֶשׁ וְכַ ּיָרֵ חַ וְ יָדֵ ּינו ָ ּ תִתְ קַ ּדַשׁ ּובְקֶרֶ ב קְ דוֹשִׁ ים ּ תִתְ הַ ּלָל ּובְמַקְ הֲלוֹ ת רִ בְ בוֹ ת ַ ע ְ ּמך ֵ ּ בית יִשְׂרָ אֵ ל פְ ּרושׂוֹ ת ּ כְנִשְׁרֵ י שָׁמַ יִ ם וְרַ גְ ּלֵינו קַ ּלוֹ ת ּ כָאַ ּיָלוֹ ת אֵ ין אֲנַחְ ּנו מַסְ ִ ּפיקִ ים לְ הוֹ דוֹ ת ָ ָ ָ ְ ָ ּ בְרִ ּנָה יִתְ ּפָאַ ר שִמְ ך מַ לְ ֵ ּכ ּנו ְ ּ בכָ ל ּדוֹ רוָדוֹ ר שֶׁ ֵּ כן חוֹבַ ת ָ ּ כל הַ יְ ּרִ צוים לְפָ נֶיך לְ ך יְ הֹוָה אֱלֹהֵ ּינווֵאלֹהֵ י אֲ בוֹתֵ ּינו ּולְבָרֵ ך אֶ ת שִמְ ך מַ לְ ֵ ּכ ּנו ַ על אַחַ ת מֵאָ לֶף יְ הוָֹה אֱלֹהֵ ּינווֵאלהֵ י אֲ בוֹתֵ ּינו לְ הוֹ דוֹ ת לְהַ ּלֵל לְשַׁ ּבֵחַ לְפָאֵ ר לְ רוֹמֵ ם לְהָ ֵ ּדר אֶ לֶף אַ לְפֵ י אֲלָפִ ים וְרִ ֵ ּבי רְ בָ בוֹ ת ְ ּ פ ָעמִ ים הַ ּ וֹ טבוֹ ת נִ ִ ּסיםוְנִפְ לָאוֹ ת שֶׁ ָעשִׂ יתָ ִ עם ְ ּולְנַ ּצֵחַ לְבָרֵ ך לְ ָעלֶה ּולְקָ לֵס ַ על ָ ּ כל דִ בְרֵ י שִׁ ירוֹ ת וְתִ שְׁ ְ ּבחוֹ ת דָ וִ ד ֵ ּ בן יִשַׁ י אֲבוֹתֵ ּינו וְ ִע ָ ּמ ּנו ָ ָ ַ עבְ ּדְ ך מְשִׁ יחֶ ך מִ ּלְפָנִ ים מִ ּמִצְרַ יִ ם גְּאַ לְ ָ ּת ּנו יְ הֹוָה אֱלֹהֵ ּינו ּומִ ֵ ּבית ֲ עבָדִ ים ְּדִ פיתָ ּנו ּ בְרָ ָעב ָ ְ ּובְ כֵ ןיִשְׁ ַ ּת ַ ּבח שִׁמְ ך ַלָעד מַ לְ ֵ ּכ ּנו הָאֵ ל הַ ֶ ּמלֶך הַ גָּ דוֹ ל וְהַ ָ ּקדוֹשׁ ּ ב ַּשָׁמַ יִ ם ּובָאָרֶ ץ זַ נְ ָ ּת ּנו ּובְ שָׂ בָ ע ִ ּ כלְ ּכַלְ ָ ּת ּנו מֵ חֶרֶ ב הִ ַ ּצלְ ָ ּת ּנו ּומִ ֶ ּדבֶ ר מִ ּלַטְ ָ ּת ּנו ּומֵ חֳלָאִ ים רָ ִעים ָ ָ ָ ִ ּ כי לְ ך נָאֶ ה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵ ּינווֵאלֹהֵ י אֲ בוֹתֵ ּינו שִ יר ּושְׁ בָחָ ה הַ ּלֵלוְזִמְרָ ה עֹז ּומֶמְשָׁ לָה וְרַ ִ ּבים וְ נֶאֱמָ נִ יםִ ּדִ ּליתָ ּנו ַ עד הֵ ּנָה ֲ ע ּזָרו ּנו רַ חֲמֶ יך וְ לֹא ֲ ע ּזָבו ּנו חֲסָדֶ יך יְ הוָֹ ה ָ נֶצַ ח גְּדֻ ּלָה ּוגְ ּבורָ ה ְ ּ תהִ ּלָהוְתִ פְ אֶרֶ ת קְ ָּ דֻשׁה ּומַ לְ ּכות ְּרָ בכוֹ ת וְ הוֹדָ אוֹ ת לְשִמְ ך אֱלֹהֵ ּינו וְאַ ל ִ ּ ת ּטְשֵׁ ּנו יְ הוָֹה אֱלֹהֵ ּינו לָנֶצַ ח הַ גָּדוֹ ל וְהַ ָ ּקדוֹ ש ּומֵ עוֹ לָם וְ ַעד עוֹ לָם אַ ָ ּתה אֵ ל

תפילה לגאולה

יְהִירָ צֹון מִ לְפָנֶיָךיְיָ אֱֹלהֵ ינּו וֵאֹלהֵ י אֲבֹותֵ ינּו, שֶתְ קַ בֵל בְרָ צֹון אֶ ת תְפִּלֹות עַמְ ָך בֵיתיִשְרָאֵ לשֶהִתְ פַלְלּו אֵ לֶיָךבְ כָלהַ ּדֹורֹות, בְכָל מָ קֹום שֶ הּוא בָעֹולָם, טּובִפְרָ ץבְאֶרֶ ליִשְרָאֵ הַקְ דֹושָ ה. ּובִזְכּות תְ פִ ּלֹותאֵ ּלּו תַטֶה תאֶ הַ כַף, לִגְ אֹל תאֶ עַמְ ָך יִשְרָאֵ ל גְאֻלָה שְ לֵמָ ה בְחֶסֶד וְרַ חֲמִ ים וְנִסִ ים וְנִפְ לָאֹות. ּותְ שַעְבֵד תַחְתֶ יָך אֶת םהַדָ שֶהּוא מַ לְכּותאֶ דֹם וְאֶת הֶחָ לָב שֶ הּוא מַ לְכּות יִשְמָ עֵאל,בִזְ כּותכָל הַצַדִיקִים הָאֲמִתִ יִים שֶהָ יּועַד הַ ּיֹום הַ זֶה ּובִזְ כּות כָל הַצַדִיקִים הָאֲמִתִ יִיםשֶ נִמְ צָאִ יםעִמָ נּוהַ ּיֹום, ּובִזְ כּות הַתִקְ וָה שֶאָ נּו מְקַ וִ ים לִרְ אֹות תאֶ גְאֻלָתֶ ָך הַשְ לֵמָ ה, ּובִזְ כּותרַ חֲמֶ יָךוַחֲסָדֶ יָך,אָ נָא ה' שְ לַחלָנּו מִ יָד תאֶ אֵ לִיָהּו הַנָבִ יא עֲבְדֶ ָך, ּותְ גַלֶהאֶת מֶ לְֶך הַמָשִיחַ וְתַמְ לִיְך אֹותֹו עַל עַם יִשְרָאֵ ל וְעַלכָל הָ עֹולָםכֻּלֹו. אָ נָא יְיָ, אַל תְשִ יבֵינּו רֵיקָ ם מִלְפָנֶיָך כִיבְ ָך אָנּו ּבֹוטְחִ ים, עַנֵנּווְאַ לתְ אַחֵ ר,לִיׁשּועָתְ ָך קִ וִיתִ י יְיָ. יִהְ יּו לְרָ צֹוןאִמְרֵ יפִי וְהֶגְ יֹון ילִבִ לְפָנֶיָך יְיָ יצּורִ וְגֹואָ לִי:

סגולה לישוב הדעת תפילה לחבקוק

בספר "תפילה למשה", כותב רבי מרדכי שרעבי זצ"ל "מי שמוחו מבולבל, יהא רגיל בתפילת חבקוק הנביא", ומקורו בספר המידות )ערך דעת( לרבי נחמן מברסלב זיע"א.

ְּ ת ִפ ָּלה ַל ֲח ַב ק וק ַה ָּ נ ִביא עַ ל ש ִ גְּ יֹנוֹ ת. יְּ הוָּ ה, ָּ ש ַמ ְּע ִ תי ִ ש ְּמ ֲע ָּך יָּרֵ אתִ י; יְּ הוָּ ה ָּפ ָּע ְּל ָּך ב ְּקֶרֶ ב ש ָּנִ ים ַח ֵ ייה ו , ב ְּקֶרֶ ב ש ָּנִ ים תֹו ִדי ַע ; ב ְּ רֹגֶ ז, רַ חֵ ם ִ ת ְּז כֹור. ֱאלֹו ַה ִמ ֵתי ָּמן יָּבוֹ א, וְּקָּדוֹש מֵהַ ר- ָּפא ָּרן סֶלָּ ה; ִ כ ָּסה ש ָּמַיִ ם הוֹדוֹ , ו ְּת ִה ָּלתֹו מָּלְּאָּ ה הָּאָּרֶ ץ. ְּו ֹנ ַג ה כ ָּאוֹ ר ִ ת ְּה ֶיה, קַרְּ נַיִ ם ִמ ָּ ידֹו לוֹ ; וְּש ָּ ם, חֶבְּ יוֹ ן ֻע זֹה. לְּפָּנָּ יו, ֵי ֶל ְּך ָּ ד ֶבר; וְּ יֵצֵ א רֶ ֶ שף, לְּרַ גְּלָּ יו. עָּמַ ד וַיְּ מֹדֶ ד אֶרֶ ץ, רָּ אָּ ה ַו ַ י ֵתר גוֹ יִ ם, ַו ִ י ְּת ֹפ ְּצצ ו הַרְּ רֵ י עַ ד, ַשח ו ג ִבְּעוֹ ת עוֹ לָּ ם; הֲלִ יכוֹ ת עוֹלָּ ם, לוֹ . ַת ַחת אָּ וֶן, רָּאִ יתִ י אָּ הֳלֵ י כ ו ָּ שן; ִיְּר ְּ גז ון, יְּרִ יעוֹ ת אֶרֶ ץ מִדְּ יָּן. הֲבִנְּהָּרִ ים, חָּרָּ ה יְּהוָּ ה, אִ ם ַב ְּ נ ָּהִרים ַא ֶפ ָּך , אִ ם- ַב ָּ ים ֶע ְּב ָּר ֶת ָּך : ִ כי תִרְּ ַ כב עַ ל ס ו ֶסי ָּך , ַמְּר ְּ כ ֹב ֶתי ָּך ְּי ש ו ָּעה. עֶרְּ יָּה תֵ עוֹ ר ַק ְּ ש ֶת ָּך , ש ְּ בֻעוֹ ת ַמ טֹות אֹמֶ ר סֶלָּ ה; נְּהָּ רוֹ ת, ְּ ת ַב ַ קע אָּרֶ ץ. ָּרא ו ָּך ָּי ִחיל ו הָּרִ ים, זֶרֶ ם מַיִ ם עָּ בָּ ר; נָּתַ ן ְּ תהֹום קוֹלוֹ , רוֹ ם ָּי ֵדיה ו נָּש ָּ א. ש ֶמֶש יָּרֵ חַ , עָּמַ ד זְּבֻלָּ ה; לְּאוֹ ר ִח ֶ צי ָּך ְּי ַה ֵלכ ו , ְּל ֹנ ַג ה ב ְּרַ ק ֲח ִני ֶת ָּך . ב ְּ זַעַ ם, ִ ת ְּצ ַעד אָּרֶ ץ; ב ְּאַ ף, ָּתד ו ש גוֹ יִ ם. יָּצָּ אתָּ לְּ ַ יֵשע ַע ֶמ ָּך , לְּ ַ יֵשע אֶ ת ְּמ ִ שי ֶח ָּך ; ָּמ ַח ְּצ ָּ ת ֹרא ש מִ ֵ בית שרָּ ָּ ע, עָּ רוֹ ת יְּ סוֹ ד עַ ד ַצ ָּ ואר סֶלָּ ה. ָּנ ַק ְּב ָּת ְּב ַמ ָּטיו רֹאש ְּפ ָּר ָּזו, ִי ְּס ֲער ו לַהֲפִיצֵנִ י; עֲלִ יצֻתָּ ם, כ ְּמוֹ לֶאֱכֹל עָּנִ י ַב ִמ ְּס ָּתר. ָּ ד ַר ְּכ ָּת ַב ָּ ים, ס ו ֶסי ָּך ; חֹמֶ ר, מַיִ ם רַ ִ בים. ָּ ש ַמ ְּע ִ תי ַו ִ תְּר ַ גז ב ִטְּ נִ י, לְּקוֹ ל ָּצ ְּלל ו ש ְּ פָּתַ י יָּבוֹ א רָּקָּ ב ב ַעֲצָּמַ י, ְּו ַת ְּח ַתי גאֶרְּ ָּ ז: ֶ אֲשר ָּאנ ו ַח לְּיוֹ ם צָּרָּ ה, לַעֲ לוֹ ת לְּעַ ם ְּיג ו ֶד נ ו . ִ כי תְּ אֵנָּ ה לֹא תִ פְּרָּ ח, וְּאֵ ין ְּיב ול ב ַג ְּפָּנִ ים ִ כ חֵש ֵ מַעֲשה זַיִ ת, ו ְּ ש ֵדמֹות לֹא שעָּ ָּ ה אֹכֶ ל; ג ָּ זַר ִמ ִמ ְּכ ָּלה צֹאן, וְּאֵ ין ב ָּקָּ ר ב ָּרְּ פָּתִ ים. וַאֲנִ י, ב ַ יהוָּ ה אֶעְּ לוֹ זָּה: אָּגִילָּ ה, ֵ באלֹהֵ י יִש ְּעִ י. יְּ הוִ ה אֲ דֹנָּ י, חֵילִ י, ַו ָּ י ֶ שם רַ גְּ לַ י ָּכ ַא ָּ ילֹות, וְּעַ ל ב ָּ מוֹתַ י יַדְּרִ כֵנִ י; ַל ְּמ ַנ ֵ צ ַח , ב ִנְּגִ ינוֹתָּ י.

באדיבות אתר תפילה, אתר התפילות, הברכות והסגולות | www.tfilah.org

תפילה להצלחה ולפרנסה סגולה נפלאה לומר תפילה זו בכל עת, ובפרט בערב ראש חודש שבט, יום ההילולא של בעל התפילה – הרה"ק ה"ישמח ישראל" מאלכסנדר זיע"א, שתפילה זו חוברה לבקשתו )ע"י אחיו(

יְהִירָצֹון מִלְפָנֶ יָך ה'אֱֹלהֵ נּו וֶאֱֹלהֵ יאֲ בֹותֵ ינּו, ׁשֹומֵעַ קֹול ׁשַוְעַ ת עֲ תִירָ ה, ׁשֶתִׁשְמַ ע לְקֹול תְפִלַ ת עַמְ ָך בֵ ית יִשְרָ אֵ לּובְתֹוכָ ם תִׁשְמַ עגַ םתְפִלָתִ י ראֲׁשֶ יהִנְנִ מִתְ לנַפֵ ּומִתְ חַנֵ ן לְפָנֶ יָך. וְאִם אָמְ םנָ יָדַ עְתִימִעּוט עֶרְ יכִ וְדַלּות מַעֲשַ יּובֹׁשְתִ י, וְגַ ם נִכְלַמְתִ י לְהָרִ ים פָ נַי אֵלֶ יָך ּולְהִתְפַלֵ ללְפָנֶ יָךעַ לעַצְמִ יוְכָ ל ׁשֶכֵ ןעַ ל אֲחֵרִ ים,אּולָ םבְרַ חֲמֶ יָך הָרַ בִ ים וַחֲסָדֶ יָך הַגְדֹולִ יםבָטַחְתִ י, אֲׁשֶ ר לבַ תְ בִיׁשֵ נִ י ימִשִבְרִ וְתִסְעָדֵ ינִ וְאִ ּוָוׁשֵעָ ה, תוְׁשִירַ רָ ׁש יִהְיֶ ה יָקָ ר בְעֵינֶ יָך, וְ תִׁשְמַע ללְקַבֵ תְפִ לֹותַ י בְתֹוְך תְפִלַת עַמְ ָך יִשְרָ אֵל בְרַ חֲמִ ים. בּובְלֵ נִׁשְבָ רוְנִדְ כֶ ההִנְנִ ימִתְ חַנֵ ןלְפָנֶ יָך: אָ אנָ אמָלֵ רַ חֲמִ ים, רַ םחֵ אנָ לעַ תפְלֵיטַ עַמְ ָך יִשְרָ לאֵ וְתֹוׁשִיעֵ ם םוְתֹוצִיאֵ למִכָ צָ רֹותֵ יהֶ ם וְלַחֲ םצֵיהֶ וְ דֹחֲקֵיהֶ ם, םוְתַצִילֵ מִדַ לּות וְׁשִפְלּותוַעֲנִ ּיּות וְאֶבְ יֹונּות ּומִדִקְדּוקֵ י עֲנִ ּיּותּומִכָ ל מִ יינֵ פֻּרְ עָנֻּ ּיֹותהַמִתְרַ גְ ׁשֹות ּובָ אֹות לָעֹולָם, וְהַבְרִ יאִ ים ראֲׁשֶ בְ תֹוְךעַמְ ָך יִשְרָ לאֵ תִׁשְמְרֵ םׁשֶ ֹּלאיִׁשְ ֹּלט בָ הֶם ׁשּום חֹלִ י וְ ׁשּום מַדְוֶה חָלִילָ ה, ּולְכָ ל חֹלֵ י עַמְ ָךבֵ ית יִשְרָ אֵ ל חתִׁשְלַ רְ הפּואָ ׁשְלֵמָ ה בִמְהֵרָ ה, וְתִקְרָ א לִׁשְ בּויִיםדְ רֹור וְלַאֲסִירִ ים חפְקַ קֹוחַ וְתַצִילֵ ם. וְתַצִילאֶ ת עַמְָך בֵ ית יִשְרָ אֵל מִכָלצַעַ רוְנֶזֶ קוְׁשֹד וְׁשֶבֶ ר רַ חֲמָ נָא לִצְלָן, וְתִפְ קֹד לְכָ ל חֲ שּוכֵ י בָנִ ים בְ זֶרַ עׁשֶלקַ ּיָמָ א,זֶרַ ע טֹוב רוְכָׁשֵ וְהָ גּון וְרָ צּוי לְפָנֶ יָך, לוְכָ ייַלְדֵ עַמְ ָך בֵיתיִשְרָ לאֵ יִזְ כּו םאֲבִיהֶ וְאִמָ ם לְגַדְ םלָ לְ תֹורָ הוַעֲבֹודַ תה', וְׁשֶ ּיֵלְ כּו בַדֶרֶ ְך רהַּיָׁשָ וְיִהְ יּו מְדֻּ בָקִ ים בְ יִרְ תאַ ה', לוְאַ יִמְ ׁשֹול בָהֶם אַסְכְרָ הוְׁשֵדִ יןוְ רּוחֹות רָ עֹות הַמְׁשֹוטְטִ ים בְעֹולָ ם וְכָל פְגָעִ יןּומַרְ עִ ין בִיׁשִ ין, יכִ אִ םיִהְ יּובְרִ יאִ ים ּוׁשְלֵמִ יםלַעֲבֹודָתְ ךּולְיִרְ אָתְ ָך כָ ל הַּיָמִ ים. ּומְעֻּבָ רֹות ׁשֶ ל עַמְ ָך בֵ ית יִשְרָ לאֵ תִׁשְמְרֵ םׁשֶ ֹּלא תַפֵלְנָ הוְלָדֹותֵ ןיהֶ חָלִילָ ה, וְיִגְמְ רּו יְמֵ י הֶרְיֹונָם בְׁשָ לֹום ּובְלִ י צַעַ רחָלִילָ ה, ּוכְׁשֶ ּיַגִיעַ ןזְמַ ןלֵדָתָ תִׁשְמְרֵ ם בְעֵ ת לֵדָתָ ן מִכָ ל צַעַ ר וְנֶזֶק, וְהַתֵ ר חֶבְלֵיהֶןבְנָקֵ ל, ּובְלִ יׁשּום מִכְ ׁשֹול חָלִילָ ה. לוְעַ כֻּלָ םיֶהֱמּו נָ ארַ חֲמֶ יָך לעַ ׁשְאֵרִ ית תֹורָ תְ ָך ההַקְדֹוׁשָ לוְעַ נִדְ יחֵ עַמְ ָך יִשְרָ אֵ ל. וְתִנְ קֹם נִקְמָתְ ָך תוְנִקְמַ םדָ עֲבָדֶ יָךהַשָ פּוְך. לוְכָ יפֹוׁשְעֵ עַמְ ָך יִשְרָ אֵ ל תַ חְ תֹר חֲתִירָ ה מִתַ תחַ כִסֵ אכְבֹודְ ָך לְקַבְלָם בִתְ ׁשּובָה ׁשְלֵמָ הלְפָנֶ יָךכִי יְמִ ינְ ָך פְׁשּוטָה ללְקַבֵ ׁשָבִ ים. ּוׁשְלַחלָנּו אֹורְ ָךוַאֲמִתְ ָך, וְיַנִחֵ ינּו בִמְהֵרָ ה לאֶ דְ בִ יר קָדְ ׁשְ ָך וְתָׁשִ יב ׁשְ בּותֵ ינּו בִמְהֵרָ ה בְרַ חֲמִ יםרַ בִ ים,ּוגְאָלֵ ינּו תגְאֻּלַ עֹולָ ם, אָמֵן סֶלָ ה.

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אֵ ל טוֹ ב ּו ֵמ ִטיב, ה רְ אֵ נ ּו אֶ ת גְ ב ּו רוֹ תֶ י ך וְעזְ רֵ נ ּו , כְּמוֹ שֶהִ בְט חְ ּ תנ ּו ְל נ ֲה ֵלנ ּו אֶ ל אְר ְצ ך ה ְּקדֹו שה, ְו א ּ תה אֱמֶ ת ּו ְד בְר ך אֱמֶ ת ְו ק ּים, לכֵ ן מְ ח ִּל ים אנ ּו ּ פ ֶני ך ּו ְמ ב ְּק ִ שים ִמ ְּמ ך , אֵ ל רח ּום, ֶש ּ ת ִחי ש ְּג ֻא ּ ל ֵתנ ּו בִּמְ הֵרה בְּ י מֵ ינ ּו .

א ִבינ ּו מ לְ כֵּ נ ּו , ְּכ ֶש ח טאנ ּו ְל פ ֶני ך בּ מִדְ בּ ר, ִה ְת ּ פ ֵּלל ּ ב ֲע ֵדנ ּו ֶ מֹשה רבֵּ נ ּו , ע ליו ה ּ שלֹום, ְו כ ְך ֶה ְע ִּתיר ִּב ְת ִפ ּ לתֹו : "כּ ּ ֵפ ר ְל ע ְּמ ך יִש ְראֵ ל ח ּ ט את ם ֶ אֲשר ח ְטא ּו , כִּ י א ּ תה ִה ְת ּ פ אְר ּ ת בּ הֶ ם ּו ְק רא ת ם 'בְּנִ י בְּכוֹרִ י יִש ְראֵ ל'". יוֹד עת ]לאיש: יוֹ דֵ ע [ אֲנִ י, ֶש ִּמ ּד ְת ך ' מלֵ א רחֲמִ ים', לכֵ ן ְ ש מע ְּת ִפ ּ ל ִתי, ֵ כְּשם ֶש ּ ש מ ְע ּ ת ִל ְת ִפ ּלֹות ֲאבֹו ֵתינ ּו ה ּצ ִ ּדי ִקים בְּעֵ ת הִ תְ ח נְ נ ם ְל פ ֶני ך . ה ֵּט ה א ְז ְנ ך ה ּיֹום לְהאֲזִ ין ִל ְת ִפ ּ ל ִתי, כִּ י א ּ תה בּוֹ חֵ ן כְּ ליוֹ ת. לכֵ ן ֲא ב ֵּק ש ִמ ְּמ ך : אל ּ ת ְ ש ִלי ֵכנ ּו לְעֵ ת זִ קְ נה ִמ ְּל ע ְב ֶד ך בְּ לֵבב שלֵ ם, ּו מ ה ש ֶח טאתִ י ְל פ ֶני ך , מְ חוֹ ל לִ י, וְש מְרֵ נִ י ִמ ּ ל ֲח ֹטא עוֹ ד. וְאל ִי ְ ש ְמח ּו ש ֹוֹנְא י וְאוֹ יְב י לְאֵדִ י, כְּ מוֹ שֶבִּ ֵּק ש ִמ ְּל פ ֶנ י ך ע ְב ְ ּד ך דוִ ד, ע ליו ה ּ שלֹום: סְ תוֹ ם ִּפי ש ֹוֹנְא י לְבל י רֵ ע ּו לִ י, ּו מ ְל ֲא כֵ י רחֲמִ ים י ִביא ּו ְּת ִפ ּ ל ִתי ְל פ ֶני ך .

א ּ תה אֵ ל רח ּום, רחֵ ם ע לי וְצ דְ קֵ נִ י ְל פ ֶני ך , וְתִתְ נהֵ ג עִ ִּמי בְּ חֶסֶ ד ּו ְב ר ֲח ִמים, בְּלִ י כּ ל רֹגֶ ז, ח ס וְשלוֹ ם. אֵ ל רח ּום, ְל פ ֶני ך הכּ ֹל ּגל ּוי, כִּ י א ּ תה יוֹדֵע מ חְשבוֹ ת, לכֵ ן אֲ ח לֶ ה ּ פ ֶני ך : רְ אֵ ה נא בְּענְיִ י, כִּ י כֵ ן נִקְרֵאת צ ִ ּדיק וְ י שר, כִּ י יוֹד עת אֲנִ י בְּ נ ִ פְשי, ש ֶהגּוֹרְ מִ ים לְח טאֹתי הֵ ן מ ְ חְש בוֹתי אוֹדוֹ ת ּ פ רְ נ ס תִ י וְכלְכּ לתִ י, לכֵ ן ר חֵ ם נא ע ל י וְח ֵּנ נִ י.

)חובר ע"י מרת שרה בת מוהר"ר מרדכי זצ"ל מק"ק סאטנוב(

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