Page 1 of 14

Issue (# 25)

A Tzaddik, or righteous person makes everyone else appear righteous before Hashem by advocating for them

and finding their merits. (Kedushas Levi, Parshas Noach; Sefer Bereishis 7:1)

Parshas Shemini

Kedushas Ha'Levi'im

INVEST IN THE FUTURE: KEEP KOSHER! Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon, saying to them, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, “This is the animal...” (Vayikra 11:1–2)

he holy Berditchever tells us that we should pay careful attention to what the words in our verse “saying to them” are telling us. The Kedushas Levi explains these words based on what Rashi wrote in his commentary on the verse “Should I go and call you a nursemaid

from among the Hebrew women?” (Shemos 2:7): “She took him to many Egyptian women to nurse, but he would not nurse from them because he was destined to speak to the Shechinah and he did not wish to nurse from an impure source, since he was destined to prophesy to the nation of Israel directly from the Shechinah.”

Similarly the holy Ramban wrote (on Vayikra 11:13) that the reason the Torah forbade us to eat impure animals is because they generate a cruel nature in man, and the holy nation of Israel needs the attribute of chesed and loving-kindness, for in the future Hashem will speak directly to each individual in the nation, as it says, “And your sons and daughters...shall prophesy” (Yoel 3:1).

Since Hashem is destined to speak to each Jew, how can the mouth that consumed impure food speak to the Shechinah? This is what our verse hints to us: “He [Hashem] spoke...saying to them.” This alludes to the fact that in the future I will “say to them,” to each individual, and therefore they should not consume anything impure.

The Last Act

Rav Mordechai of Slonim once told the following story:

There was a wicked man who lived not far from Berditchev. He was so wicked that there was not a sin or a transgression that he had not committed. Once, he heard that in nearby Berditchev there was a

T

Page 2 of 14

Yiddish theater where a comedy was playing called The Rebbe, a shameful skit in which the maskilim (so-called enlightened Jews whose rationalistic and often atheistic worldview caused them to disparage and often persecute the Orthodox) mocked the holy chassidic Rebbes of the day. He said to himself, Why should I go to the theater when I can have a real laugh firsthand? I’ll just go to the Berditchever Rebbe’s shul and see his silly antics for myself!

He traveled to Berditchev to have a good laugh at the Rebbe’s expense. He arrived on Shabbos and set himself up in a local non-kosher hotel. Then he went to Rav Levi Yitzchak’s shul for Kabbalas Shabbos.

When he entered the shul, he heard the Berditchever declare: “On every blade of grass sits an

angel, and on that angel another angel! And they all sing shirah (praise) to the Ribbono shel olam — the Master of the world! And I, Levi Yitzchak ben Sarah Sasha, sing as well: ‘Lechu neranenah laHashem — Come! Let us sing to Hashem!’ ”

These holy words, uttered with such passionate devotion, pierced the man’s soul and melted his heart. They led him to repent and do complete teshuvah.

After the prayer service, he went over to the shamash, the Rebbe’s gabbai (sexton), and said to him, “Please help me. I am a guest here and I’ve made a mistake. I am staying at such-and-such hotel and I realized that it probably does not serve kosher food. Perhaps I can stay here and eat here with you?”

The gabbai knew of this hotel, and he knew that there was no way to make such a mistake. He realized that this man wished to repent and make amends, and he happily set him up to eat with the Berditchever at the Rebbe’s table.

The next morning the visitor could not remove his eyes from the Rebbe; he watched him during the entire prayer service. On motza’ei Shabbos he entered the Rebbe’s room and threw himself on the ground, crying bitterly. “If I were to write a kvittel (note) and list all of my sins and transgressions, there would not be room to list them all. I have committed every crime there is. Please help me find a way to repent and do teshuvah!”

The Rebbe told him to go home and sell all his belongings. He should give the proceeds to charity and then return to Berditchev. The man could not stop crying. He was afraid to go home. What if his evil inclination should overcome him and his awakening to teshuvah would not withstand the temptation? What if he returned to his former ways?

The Rebbe said he should go back nonetheless, but instead he should divide the proceeds, giving half to charity, and bring the rest back with him.

This is what he did. When he returned, he sat and learned in the beis midrash. In the beginning, he would perform the most menial tasks, taking out the trash and emptying the chamber pots. Eventually, he rose in rank, until he sat among the most important and distinguished of the chassidim.

Refuah Sheleima

Zisel Bas Aidel Sima | זיסל בת אידל סומא Rivka Bas Malka

Gittel Bas Devora

Besoch She'ar Cholei Yisrael

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Page 3 of 14

In Loving Memory of Our Dear Father and Teacher HaRav HaChassid Avraham Chaim ben Sholom and Frumit Goldenberg, ז״ל of Micula,

Satmar A beloved talmid of HaRav Yechezkel Shraga Schonfeld, זצ״ל

and of the Holy Satmar Rav, Ba’al “Divrei Yoel”, זי״ע

.ה. ב. צ. נ. ת ▪ ו''תשס שבט א''כ ק''מוצש נפטר ▪ ל''ז שלום ר''ב חיים אברהם' ר ח''הרה נשמת לעילוי

To subscribe and/or add to the Refuah Sheleima list

Please email: MeOros.HaTzaddikim@gmail.com

21 Adar ~ Starts the evening of March 22nd Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk, author of Noam Elimelech, (1717-1787). Learned under the Maggid of Mezritch. Among his students were Rav Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apta, The Chozeh of Lublin, the Maggid of Kozhnitz, and Rav Menachem Mendel of Rimanov.

Rav Yitzchak Elchonon Spector, rav of Kovno (1817-1896), lived in Kovno 1866-1896. The 3rd son of Rav Yisrael Isser ben Elchonon, the rav of the Lithuanian town of Roush, located in the Grodno district. After he married (to Sara Raizel), he moved to Volkovisk where his father-in-law comfortably supported him. The rav in Volkovisk at that time was Rav Binyamin Diskin. A great luminary in and of himself, he was also famous for his illustrious son, Rav Yoshua Leib Diskin, the rav of Brisk, who later moved to Eretz Yisrael. Rav Binyamin Diskin was so impressed with Yitzchak Elchonon that he set up a special chavrusa to study with him Choshen Mishpot two hours a day. In 1837, when he was 20 years old, he accepted the offer to become rav of the small village of Zebelen, and then became rav in Baraze in 1839. He became rav of Novardok in 1851 and rav of Kovno in 1864. He held the position in Kovno for 32 years. He authored Be’er Yitzchak and Eyn Yitzchak (both teshuvos) and Nachal Yitzchak on Choshen Mishpat.

Rav Itzele Ponevezher, Rosh Yeshiva in Slabodka and Ponevezh (1919).

Rav Moshe Shmuel Glasner, a great-grandson of the Chasam Sofer, was born in Pressburg and later moved with his family to Klausenberg, where his father served as Rav. Rav Moshe succeeded his father in that post in 1878. His best known work is Dor Revi'i on Tractate Chullin, in which he explains those places where Rambam's understanding differs from that of other Rishonim. (1924).

Rav Shlomo Yosef Zevin, editor of the Talmudical Encyclopedia (1976).

Rav Yitzchak Horowitz of Stetchin (1862-1940). His father was a direct descendent of Rav Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz, and his uncle was the Imrei Noam of Dzikov. Rav Yitzchak was succeeded by his son Rav Yehuda, who moved to New York before passing away in 1982.

Page 4 of 14

Tchaber Rav of London (1989).

Reb Avraham Dov Kohn, Principal of Gateshead Seminary.

Rav Doniel Schur (2006). A strong presence in Cleveland’s Jewish community as a Rav, mohel, and educator. He was appointed Rav of Beth Midrash Hagadol-Heights Jewish Center.

22 Adar ~ Starts the evening of March 23rd Rav Yaakov of Novominsk (1902). Father of Rav Yehuda Aryeh Perlow of Vlodova (1878-1961) and Rav Alter Yisrael Shimon Perlow of Novominsk.

Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein (1829-1908). Born in Bobroysk, author of the Aruch Hashulchan, Rav of Novardok for 34 years, father of Rav Baruch HaLevy Epstein (author of Torah Temima) and grandfather of Rav Meir Bar-Ilan, with whom he learned in Novardok.

Rav Eliezer Dovid of Radoshitz (1927).

Rav Avraham Dov Ber Kahana-Shapiro, Chief Rav of Kovno before and during World War II (1870-1943). Born in Kobrin on Yom Kippur, his father, Rav Shlomo Zalman was a descendant of Rav Chaim Volozhiner. Rav Avraham attended the Volozhin Yeshiva. He was president of the Agudas Ha’Rabbanim of Lithuania and came to the United States in March 1924 with Rav Kook and Rav Moshe Mordechai Epstein, to collect funds for Torah institutions in Eretz Yisrael and Europe. He was niftar in the Slobodka ghetto on. His piskei halacha can be found in the sefer Dvar Avraham.

Rav Reuven Grozovsky, Rosh Yeshiva of Kamenitz and Torah Vodaas (1896-1958). Successor of Rav Baruch Ber Lebowitz at Kaminetz. When Rav Reuven was a young man studying in the Slobodka Yeshiva, his father, the Dayan of Minsk, passed away. His colleagues at Slobodka included Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Halevi Ruderman, Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky, Rav Aharon Kotler and Rav Yitzchak Hutner.

Rav Yisrael Moshe Dushinsky (1921-2003). Born in Chust, Hungary, to Rav Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky, Rav of Chust (later to become Rav and Av Beis Din of the Eidah Charedis of Yerushalayim), he was his father’s first son, when his father was 50 years old. After many years and many brachos, Rav Yosef Tzvi received a bracha from Rav Yechezkel Shraga of Shinava, who also gave him his sefer, Ayalah Sheluchah, printed in the memory of the Shinava Rav’s son, Naftali, who was nifter on the 21st of Kislev, 1864. The following year, on the exact date of Rav Naftali’s yahrtzeit, Rav Yisrael Moshe was born. His middle name was in honor of his great uncle, the Maharam Shick. The family moved to Eretz Yisrael in Adar of 1930, one month before the petirah of Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld. He was married to the daughter of Rav Dovid Yehoshua Gross, Rosh Hakohol of the Satmar Kehillah, in 1945. On Erev Sukkos of 1949, his father was niftar, and the 27-year-old Rav Yisrael Moshe was appointed Rosh Yeshiva of Dushinsky. In 1969, he was inducted as a member of the Eidah Chareidis. He became S’gan Beis Din after the Satmar Rebbe’s petira and the Av Beis Din in 1996.

Rav Yeshaya Shimonowitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Rav Yaakov Yosef, United States.

23 Adar ~ Starts the evening of March 24th Rav Chaim Cheikel (Chaikel) of Amdur (Indura) (1787). Born to Rav Shmuel in Karlin, he was a disciple of the Vilna Gaon, and later became a student of Rav Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezritch. Rav Chaim became one of the first Chassidic Admorim in 1772-73. He authored Chaim Vochesed. Amdur is about 25 miles south of Grodno (Hrodno). Amdur and Grodno are located in the northwest corner of what is now the independent country of Belarus, close to the Lithuanian and Polish borders. During the Cossack revolt of 1648 against Polish landowners

Page 5 of 14

and gentry, over 100,000 Jews, mostly in Ukraine and southern Belarus, were murdered. However, the marauders did not advance north to the Grodno region. Jews comprised 80% of the population in Grodno at that time. Rav Chaim’s daughter married Rav Moshe, the brother of Rav Aharon, founder of Karlin Chassidism. Rav Chaim was succeeded by his son, Rav Shmuel of Amdur.

Rav Yitzchak Yaakov Rabinowitz of Biala (Divrei Bina) (1905), youngest son of Rav Nathan Dovid, son-in-law of Rav Yehoshua of Ostrovoh (the Toldos Adam), and great-grandson of Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowitz, the Yid Hakadosh of Peshischa.

Rav Raphael Shapiro, the Toras Raphael, Rosh yeshiva of Volozhin (1837-1921). After the Volozhin Yeshiva was closed down in 1892 by order of the Russian government, he reopened it, on a smaller scale in 1899. He was also a son-in-law of the Netziv and the father-In-Law of Rav Chaim Soloveichik of Brisk.

Rav Michel Dovid Rozovsky (1869-1935). Born in Svarjen, near Stoibetz, he learned in Mir and Volozhin. After his marriage, he was appointed Rav in Grodna, in which capacity he remained for 40 years. He was the father of three sons: Rav Yehoshua Heschel, who served as Rav in Grodna, until he was murdered by the Nazis; Rav Yosef, who served as Rosh Yeshiva of Ohr Yisrael in Petach Tikva; and Rav Shmuel, who would become Rosh Yeshiva in Ponevezh in Bnai Brak.

Rav Yitzchak Meir Alter of Ger (Chidushei HaRim) (1799-1866). The founder of Gerer dynasty, grandfather of Sfas Emes, Rav Yitzchak Meir was able to trace his lineage back to Rav Meir ben Baruch (the Maharam) of Rottenberg (1215-1293). His mother, Rebbetzin Chaya Sarah, was orphaned early in life and was raised by her relative, the Kozhnitzer Maggid. The Maggid had a great influence on Rav Yitzchak Meir during the latter’s early years. As he grew, he became a disciples of Rav Simcha Bunim of Pryschicha and then Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk. At the insistence of the Chassidim, the Rim became leader after the petira of the Kotzker. At the first Chassidic gathering over which he presided he declared, "Rav Simchah Bunem led with love, and Rav Menachem Mendel with fear. I will lead with Torah!" He had 13 children and outlived them all, a tremendous personal tragedy. Yet, he accepted it all with love.

Rav Shlomo Zafrani (1970), born in Aram Soba (Aleppo). He became a close disciple of Rav Ezra Sha'in. Together with Rav Moshe Tawil, he founded the Degel HaTorah yeshiva. His community supported him as well as the yeshiva. At the age of 68, he moved to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Tel-Aviv. He lived there for nine years, until his petira.

Rav Yehuda Moshe Danziger (Danzcyger), Alexandria Rebbe of Bnai Brak (Emunas Moshe) (1973).

Rav Yisrael Grossman (1922-2007). Born in the old city of Yerushalayim, Rav Yisrael studied at the yeshiva of Rav Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky, where he learned meseches Kiddushin 30 times. He later learned at Yeshiva of Kaminetz. After Rav Baruch Shimon Schneerson became Rosh Yeshiva in Tchebin, Rav Yisrael replaced him as Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshiva of Chabad, where he remained for 30 years. He also served as a dayan for the Beis Din of Agudas Yisrael for over 40 years and later opened a Beis Din for monetary laws with Rav Betzalel Zolti and helped found Mifal Hashas. He was also very involved with Chinuch Atzmai.

24 Adar ~ Starts the evening of March 25th Rav Yitzchak Eizik Margulies of Prague (1525).

Rav Chaim Algazi of Kushta, author of Nesivos Hamishpot. Student of Rav Shlomo Algazi Rav of Rhodes. [Dr. Fred Rosner cites Rav Chaim Yitzchak Algazi in Responsa Derech Eitz Chaim].

Rav Eliyahu HaKohen Ha'Itamari of Izmir, author of Shevet Mussar (according to some - 22 Adar) (circa

Page 6 of 14

1650-1729). He was the son of Rav Shlomo HaKohen the Itamari, whose lineage apparently dates back to Itamar, the son of Aharon HaKohen. In his book, Ve'lo Od Ela, Rav Eliyahu describes the earthquake that shook Izmir, on a Shabbos in 1688, and the many miracles that occurred to the Jews of the city. All of the synagogues and batei medrash in the city remained intact, while all of the Moslem mosques collapsed. An hour after the earthquake, a huge fire burst forth and spread throughout the city, destroying what remained of it. However, the fire ceased at the Jewish Quarter, and did not penetrate it. His other works included Me'il Tzeddaka on the importance of giving tzeddaka, Medrash Talpiyot, Yado BaKol, Medrash Eliyahu, Aggadas Eliyahu, a two-volume commentary on the aggados of the Talmud Yerushalmi, Chut shel Chessed on the Chumash, Dana Peshara, on Shir HaShirim, Rus and Esther, almost 40 sefarim in all.

Rav Betzalel Yair Danziger of Lodz (1761).

Rav Binyamin Diskin of Horodna and Vilna (1844).

Rav Yitzchak Meyer of Alesk (1829-1904). Born in Belz to Rav Chanoch Henach of Alesk, author of Lev Sameyach, and Rebbetzin Freide, daughter of the Sar Shalom of Belz. After learning with his maternal grandfather, he became a chassid of Rav Yisrael of Ruzhin, and later of his son, Rav Dovid Moshe of Chortkov. With his father’s petira in 1884, Rav Yitzchak became Rav in Alesk. He had one daughter, and his son-in-law succeeded him.

Rav Shlom Elyashiv, author of Leshem Shevo Ve’achlama (1927).

Rav Yitzchak of Stutchin (1940).

Rav Chaim Osher of Radoshitz (1941).

Rav Yehoshua Menachem Ehrenberg (1904-1976). Born in Kemesce, Hungary. In 1921, he moved to Tarnow to learn in the yeshiva of Rav Meir Arik. Living in Cracow, Rav Ehrenberg published his first sefer, Rashei Besamim on the Rokeach, in 1937. During World War II, he was interned in the Cracow ghetto. He was included in the “Kastner train,” escaping to Switzerland. In 1945, he moved to Yerushalayim. In November of 1947, he heeded to request of Rav Herzog to be the Chief Rav of the internment camp on Cyprus; he stayed until the camp was entirely dismantled and came back to Eretz Yisrael on the last ship. He was appointed Av Beis Din in Yaffo. When Yaffo was joined to Tel Aviv, he served as a specialist on Gittin, and was widely regarded as the foremost posek in this area. He wrote the sefer Teshuvos Dvar Yehoshua.

Rav Gad (Godel) Eisner (1985), taught at the Talmud Torah of Rav Gershon Eliyahu Liz in Lodz before World War II, and for many years as Maggid Shiur and Mashgiach Ruchani at Yeshiva Chidushei HaRim in Tel Aviv.

25 Adar ~ Starts the evening of March 26th Rav Gershon Kitover, brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov (1696-1761). His father, Rav Efraim, was a Rav and Av Beis Din in one of the four batei din in Brody, Poland. In 1747, he moved to Eretz Yisrael (becoming the first of the talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov to do so), living first in Chevron and then in Yerushalayaim.

Rav Menachem Mendel Hager (1885-1941). Rebbe of Vizhnitz for fourteen years. He published a monthly journal "Degel HaTorah."

Rav Yaakov Yisrael Fischer (1925-2003), head of the Eidah Chareidis Rabbinical Court in Yerushalayim. Rav Fischer was born in Yerushalayim on the 21st of Tamuz, the day that Reb Yisrael Yaakov Dehaan was killed in what many said was the first political assassination in modern Israeli history. Reb Dehaan changed his lifestyle and became a chareidi Jew, and Rav Aharon Fischer named his newborn son Yaakov Yisrael after him. Rav Aharon’s father was Rav Shlomo, Av Beis Din of Karlsburg, Hungary, and author of Neiros Shlomo and Korbanei Lachmi. Rav

Page 7 of 14

Yaakov Yisrael learned at Eitz Chaim under Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, who became his chavrusa. In 1961, he was appointed moreh hora’ah in the Eidah Chareidis, and in 1975 he joined its Beis Din. In 1963, he was appointed Rav of the Zichron Moshe shul, a position he kept for 40 years.

Rebbetzin Zahava Braunstein (2005).

26 Adar ~ Starts the evening of March 27th Rav Eli (Eliyahu) Chaim Carlebach. Rav Citron's father-in-law, twin brother of singer Rav Shlomo Carlebach (1989).

Rebbetzin Sarah Schenirer, mother of the Beis Yaakov movement (1935).

Rav Eliezer Lippa, the son of Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk and Rav Zisha of Anipoli (1813).

Rav Avraham Chaim Brim of Yerushalayim (2002).

27 Adar ~ Starts the evening of March 28th Tzedkiah, last king of Yehuda, was niftar in captivity, in Bavel (561 BCE). [Hamodia 2005 says 396 BCE; Hamodia 2006 says 380 BCE]

Rav Yosef Shaul ben Aryeh Leibush HaLevi Nathanson (1810-1875). Born in Brezhan, he was married at the age of 16 to Rebbetzin Sara Eidel, daughter of Rav Yitzchak Aharon Intinge of Lvov and grand-daughter of Rav Mordechai Zev Orenstein, the Rav of Lvov. Her uncle was Rav Yaakov Orenstein, the Yeshuos Yaakov. Rav Yosef Shaul became very close to his brother-in-law, Rav Mordechai Zev Intinge, and together they authored several sefarim including Meforshei Hayam and Magen Giborim on Tur and Shulchan Aruch, Me’iras Eynayim on hilchos bedikas hareiah, and Ner Maaravi on the Yerushalmi. Many years before he became Rav, he founded a yeshiva in Lvov whose purpose was to train dayanim and rabbanim. In 1856, he was appointed Rav in Lvov, a position he held for almost 20 years. Sadly, his Rebbetzin was niftar in 1857. He married one year later but was never zocha to have children with either wife. He founded a communal kitchen, and he himself would walk around town collecting tzeddaka from the city gevirim. For this tzeddaka, he wanted to take an active role. He is most famous for his sefer Sheilos Uteshuvos Hashoel Umaishiv, but he authored many other sefarim, including Divrei Shaul on the Hagaddah, Divrei Shaul Yosef Daas, Yodos Nedarim, Divrei Shaul al Hatorah, and Divrei Shaul al Aggados HaShas. He also authored a kuntres entitled Bitul Modaa, in which he argued that machine-made matzos are more mehudar than hand matzos. [Hamodia 2007 states his yahrtzeit is 26 Adar].

Rav Yeshayah Schorr (1879). His primary teacher was Rav Mordechai of Kremnitz, the son of the Maggid of Zlotchov. Rav Schorr's last rabbinical post, and the one for which he is best remembered, was in Iasi (on the present-day border between Romania and Moldova). His best know sefer is Klil Tiferes on chumash.

Rav Moshe Meir Rosenstein of Berditchev (1821-1902). A chassid of the Ruzhiner Rebbe in his youth, Rav Moshe Meir moved to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Tzefas in 1853, living there for several decades. At the end of his life, he settled in Teveria. His insights have been published recently in a sefer called Avodas HaLevi’im.

Rav Shlomo Elyashiv (1841-1925). He was a great Kabbalist whose vast knowledge of all aspects of Torah and exceptional ability to clarify complicated concepts resulted in a few several Kabbalistic works, including Drushei Olam HaTohu (“Dayah”) and Hakdamos V’Sha’arim (“HaKadosh”). More recently, the more philosophical and less Kabbalistically technical sections of his works were assembled into a single book called Leshem Shevo V'Achlama.

Page 8 of 14

Rav Moshe Neuschloss, Av Beis Din of New Square. New Square is the anglicized form of Skvira, a village in Ukraine, where the Skver Chassidim dynasty had its roots. The community began in 1954, when twenty Skver families moved from Williamsburg to a 130 acre farm north of Spring Valley, under the leadership of their Rebbe Rav Yakov Yosef Twersky. In 1961, New Square became the first village in New York State to be governed by a religious group.

Rav Chaim Sinuani (1898-1979). Born in Sinuan, Yemen, to Chacham Yichya, of the eminent Bida family. As a youth, he left home for Jabal, to study in the yeshiva of Rav Shlomo ben Yosef Tabib and Rav Dovid Ya’ish Chadad. Both of the Roshei Yeshiva passed away in 1919. In 1921, at the age of only 23, Rav Chaim became Rav and Av Beis Din of Sinuan. He and his family participated in Operation Magic Carpet in 1949. He is buried in Yehud.

Rav Yisrael Bergstein, born in the Lithuanian city of Suvalk, studied in Grodno under Rav Shimon Shkop and Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz from age 11, then at age 14, under Rav Avraham Grodzinsky and the Alter of Slabodka at Chevron. Taught at Chofetz Chaim in Baltimore and founded a yeshiva in White Plains (1912-1998).

|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|^^|

Hillula De'Tzaddika

WHAT’S BEHIND YAHRZEIT MEANINGS & CUSTOMS

The most important thing for those who visit the gravesites of the righteous and kivrei tzaddikim is to fully repent and do teshuva (repentance), then their prayers will be accepted on High whether they pray for themselves or on behalf of Klal Yisroel (Hillula deRashbi # 26).

The Maharam Shick in his responsa (Orach Chaim teshuva # 263) writes that when we ask Hashem to answer us in the merits of those righteous ones who have passed away, our prayers awaken their merits and all the heavenly angels known as advocates and defense counsel which were created through the mitzvos and good deeds that these righteous tzaddikim once performed are reawakened through our prayers and they act and intercede on our behalf.

Weekly Stories

Yahrzeit 21 Adar

Rebbe Reb Elimelech Weissblum of Lizensk Zt”l

Author of Noam Elimelech

Page 9 of 14

Polish Thieves

Rav Moshe Aryeh Freund, the Av Beis Din of Yerushalayim once told a story that was

passed down from Rav Shimon Sofer of Cracow, in the name of his father the illustrious author

of Chasam Sofer in the name of his Rebbe, Rav Nosson Adler:

They say that “All the Polish Jews are thieves!” and it’s true, he declared. Whenever my

soul ascends on high to the heavenly realms and spheres then I enter into Gan Eden and sure

enough who do I find there each and every time preceding me?! None other than the two holy

brothers, the Rebbe Reb Melech and the Rebbe Reb Zisha. Now, finally one time I ascended

before the gates were even open, I was sure to be the first, but no, still I found those two there

before me, now I ask you, if the heavenly gates were already locked how did those two sneak

in?” (Ner Yehoshua).

Confession Every day of Our Lives

Some tell the story, that as the Rebbe Reb Melech's end approached the simpleton

members of the chevra kaddisha, who greatly underestimated his stature and greatness

approached the Rebbe and said to him to recite the viduy confession before his passing.

The tzaddik got all worked up and thundered at them, “Now you tell me! Now when I

am so weak and ready to die! Now?! Where were you till now, huh?! Where were you all when I

sat eating my bowl of soup, did you tell me to do teshuva then when I was younger and fitter

and had my strength! Teshuva must be done correctly with power and might,” as he raged at

them, they were all struck by the truth of the tzaddik's words and pangs of remorse and

repentance filled their hearts to the point were from then on each one felt that each and every

day of their lives might be their last and they did teshuva every day and said viduy. (Ner

Yehoshua).

The Kozhnitzer's Smile and the Sweetest Gehinom

The Psherworsker once told how: the Kozhnitzer Maggid smiled after Rebbe Reb

Elimelech's petira. When asked, he replied that he saw him approach the Heavenly Court - the

Beis Din Shel Maalah, and when the angels asked Rebbe Reb Eliemelech if he studied and learnt

Torah in this world. In his humility he replied: No! Did he daven? Again, No!! So they ruled a

p’sak that he has to go to gehennim.

Of course, since he was truly a tzaddik they took him to Gan Eden instead - however

Rebbe Reb Elimelech thought he was in gehennim - so when he saw how good it was, he

jumped up for joy and said: Look how good Hashem is - even gehennim is beautiful. (Yud

Gimel Oros volume II page 59) and as retold by Rav Mordechai Shteiner Shlita.

Page 10 of 14

Yahrzeit 23 Adar

Rav Yitzchak Meir Alter Zt”l First Gerrer Rebbe – Author of Chiddushei HaRim

A Hungry Apostate

Once the Chiddushei HaRim together with Rav Dov Meislish of Warsaw visited a

wealthy man to ask for his help in public matters. This wealthy Jew was unfortunately not very

observant and he was not at all particular about keeping kosher or watching what he ate. As the

two tzaddikim came in, the wealthy man sat eating his lunch. As he ate the Chiddushei HaRim

wished him a hearty appetite, “Bon appetit,” to which the gvir chuckled and replied, “If the

Rebbe only knew what treifos I am eating he wouldn’t have said that!”

Non-plussed, the tzaddik quickly recovered himself and answered with Siyata Dishmaya

and heavenly aid: “No, no on the contrary, in that case I certainly wish you a hearty appetite.

You see there are two kinds of mumarim, or apostates. A mumar leteyoven and a mumar

lehachis. Someone who eats treifos as you do solely because he enjoys them and derives

pleasure from the sin is only a mumar leteyoven, his appetite for sin gets the best of him, he

doesn’t sin to rebel against Hashem, Heaven forbid, no, he just cannot overcome his passions

and desires, like you.

However if you were eating without an appetite then you would be, heaven forbid, in

the category of someone engaged in a sin to rebel against Hashem, and that is a mumar lehachis,

one who seeks to anger Hashem through his sinful actions.” The wealthy Jew was pleased with

the answer and promised to help them. (Ner Yehoshua).

Yahrzeit 27 Adar

Rav Yosef Shaul Nathanson of Lwów/Lemberg Zt”l

Author of Shoel Umayshiv

BIO

Born in 1808, to the chief Rav of Berzon, author of Beis El, Rav Yosef Shaul married the

daughter of Rav Yitzchak Aharon Etinga chief rav of Lwów in 1825. Initially he sat and studied

together with his brother-in-law Rav Mordechai Zeev Segal Etinga and they authored several

Page 11 of 14

works together. (Footnote: including Mefarshei HaYam on the Talmud, Meiras Eynaim on the

laws of kashrus, Magen Giborim in two volumes on the Shulachan Aruch, Maasay Alfas on the

commentary of Rav Yitzchak Alfasi, Ner Maaravi on the Talmud Yerushalmi. Rav Natason was

himself a prolific author and he produced works such as Yad Yosef, Yosef Daas and Yad Shaul on

the Shulchan Aruch, a biblical commentary Divrei Shaul on the Torah, Divrei Shaul on the Ayn

Yaakov, Chelek LeShiva on the work Nachlas Shiva, Eidus BeYehosef on the Rambam, Zion

Yerushalayim on the Talmud Yerushalmi.) Eventually they parted ways and Rav Natanson had

many students and disciples. In 1857 he was appointed and served as head of the rabbinical

court and chief rav of Lwów.

Perhaps his most famous work is the Shoel Umayshiv, a five volume collections of

responsa and correspondence with great rabbis on a variety of laws and contemporary topics.

An interesting example of which includes his lenient position to continue the custom of

decorating the Jewish home on Shavous with trees. Rav Elijah of Vilna (Gaon) forbade it due to

the Christian custom of Christmas trees. Yet Rav Yosef Shaul says that when he asked the non-

Jews they told him the reason for the custom was not religious but festive. He therefore ruled

that it was not against Jewish law for Jews to continue their age old custom on Shavous as well.

When machine matzos were first introduced, Rav Yosef Shaul was one of the staunch supporters

that ruled leniently allowing the use of a machine over hand baking the matzos. He even

authored an entire leaflet against Rav Shlomo Kluger and his supporters whose leaflet

outlawing and banning machine matzos had appeared earlier the same year.

In responsa Tirosh VeYitzhar #188, the following is told of their dispute:

Once both Rav Yosef Shaul Natanson and Rav Shlomo Kluger travelled together to Wien

to intercede on behalf of their brethren before the Kaiser. On the way they argued back and

forth regarding their opposing views on the matter of machine matzos, Rav Natason in favor

and Rav Kluger opposed. Both rabbis held their position fast and would not budge. When they

reached the Kaiser’s palace they entreated before the Kaiser’s personal secretary to grant them

an audience. The minister entered the Kaiser’s private chamber and returned with the answer

that the Kaiser would grant them an audience tomorrow. When Rav Kluger heard this he asked

the secretary why they could not see him today? The secretary answered sarcastically ‘This isn’t

something you bake by machine, [An expression that meant that an audience with the Kaiser is

not something you can get so quickly].’ Hearing this, Rav Kluger turned to his colleague and

said, “Lemberger Rav, see for yourself, even the Kaiser’s personal secretary agrees with me that

matzos should not be baked by machine!”

Eventually though at the end of his life he changed his mind after seeing for himself

many of the negative consequences and compromised levels of kashrus of the machine matzos.

Before his passing he told his disciple the chief rav of Seret that he should refrain from baking

with a machine and that he regretted his former lenient ruling. He passed away in 1875.

Once on the yahrzeit of the Selisher Rav, Rav Shmelka, his widow produced a letter

written by Rav Yosef Shaul to her late husband. She then told the stunned audience gathered to

mark the occasion a story explaining its significance.

Saving the Shoel Umayshiv

Page 12 of 14

It seems that in Selish there was a constant stream of wine merchants who came to buy

and sell their wares. One of these was a Lemberger Jew (from Lwów). The Selisher Rav called

him over one day and asked him if indeed he knew Rav Yosef Shaul. “Indeed,’ replied the

Lemberger Jew with pride, “of course, who does not know our esteemed rav, the author of the

Shoel Umeshiv! Such a righteous and learned Torah scholar!” “Well then,” continued Rav

Shmelka, “perhaps you can describe for me your rav’s daily schedule and regimen?” Although

surprised by such a request, the Lemberger wine merchant nonetheless was happy to comply.

“Well,” he explained, “our esteemed rav rises early before daybreak and off course recites

Modeh Ani and washes his hands in preparation for the day ahead,” here he was interrupted by

the Selisher Rav who exclaimed nodding his head, “Surely, surely that is how he wakes! Why, he

must praise the holy Creator for returning his soul to him, surely he does so with great emotion

and excitement, surely he gives thanks for a new day in which he can serve his Master, the

Master of the World, anew?! Of course, of course, please continue.” Astonished by the strange

interruption, the Lemberger wine merchant continued, “then Rav Yosef Shaul has a warm cup

of coffee brought to him, and after he drinks it he sits down to the first of his many daily

learning sessions, when he studies Torah before immersing himself in the purifying waters of

the mikvah. After his ritual immersion, he goes and prays the morning prayers,” again the

Selisher, Rav Shmelka interrupted nodding his head, saying “Yes, yes, surely the great scholar,

the Shoel Umeshiv, surely sits and learns with pure diligence and great studiousness, surely he

must study a strict daily regimen and come up with new insight and novel interpretations of the

law, surely he purifies himself and no doubt he prays with all his heart and soul, forgive me

please continue,” beckoned the Selisher.

The astonished Lemberger wine merchant went on saying, “then he eats a small

breakfast and . . .” but here again he was interrupted once more, “surely he must have a bite to

eat, but of course, this too is solely for a pure motivation, he needs to have the strength to serve

his Maker, he eats so that he should have a clear mind and focus and concentrate on the many

difficult questions they surely pose to him daily in the rabbinical court as he answers questions

on Jewish law and judges cases brought before him to judge, please go on,” and so it went till

the Lemberger merchant had described the Lemberger Rav, Rav Yosef Shaul’s daily activities.

No sooner would the merchant describe an activity, then he would be summarily interrupted by

the Selisher Rav’s strange remarks and exclamations that while praising the Lemberger Rav,

were nonetheless, quite strange and unnecessary.

Later when the merchant returned to Lemberg, he heard the news that Rav Yosef Shaul

had just recovered from a serious life threatening illness and that he had been bedridden. The

merchant hurried off to see the Rav, and when he found out on what day the Lemberger Rav

had recovered, he realized that based on his calculations it had been at the same time he had

ended his strange discussion with the Selisher. He explained all this to Rav Yosef Shaul, who

understood its meaning and explained, “When I was sick my soul was brought before the

heavenly tribunal and they discussed whether I had finished my task here on this earth and

perhaps there was nothing left here for me to do. Just then, a righteous advocate appeared who

interceded on my behalf with the very same arguments you just described.

He kept claiming that each act I performed in my daily routine was purely motivated by

selfless dedication to Hashem and His Torah and that seeing as I played such an important role,

Page 13 of 14

surely my work on this earth had not yet come to an end. One of the arguments was: How

could someone who led a congregation and wrote responsa to halachic queries worldwide have

finished his role? His advocacy worked and his arguments were accepted by the heavenly court

on High and I was sent back down and recovered.”

Afterwards the Lemberger rav wrote a letter to Rav Shmelka in Selish thanking him for his help,

it was this wondrous letter that the Selisher’s widow held while telling the story.

Yahrzeit 27 Adar

Rav Shlomo Elyashiv Zt”l Author of Leshem Shevo V’Achlama

Rav Shlomo Elyashiv: Navigating The Heavens

“In this world we can stand in his presence, but who knows if in the Olam HaEmes we

will even be able to get near him.” “While we build in this world and have in mind to build the

heavens, he with his clear vision of the pathways of heaven builds the heavens themselves.” So

said the Chofetz Chaim about the great Gaon, Tzaddik and Mekubal Rav Shlomo Elyashiv the

author of the renowned Sefer on Kabbala, Leshem Shvo V’Achlama and the grandfather of the

previous posek hador Rav Sholom Yosef Elyashiv.

The Baal HaLeshem as he is known, was born in 5601/1841. He was a talmid of Rav

Gershon Tanchum in Minsk where he was appointed to be a Rav and Posek. After a short time

he resigned his position based on a Pesikta Rabta (perek 22) that says “Rebbi Avahu says,

(Hashem says) I am Kadosh and you are called Kadosh. If you do not have all the attributes that

I have then do not accept authority upon yourself.

The Baal HaLeshem did not utter any word without reason and he enclosed himself in

his room wearing tallis and tefilin, learning both Toras HaNigla and Toras HaNistar day and

night. There he composed he seforim on Kabbala. Rav Aryeh Levine, whose daughter married

Rav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv, said about the Baal HaLeshem that although his right hand was

weak and feeble and writing was a difficult chore for him, nevertheless when he wrote his

seforim he was able to write with incredible speed. Before writing his seforim he would

personally make the ink and prepare the quills “B'Kedusha Uv’Tahara”.

Although publishing Kabbalistic works is not a simple matter because it reveals matters

that are often best to remain secret, two incidents show that it was clear that the Baal HaLeshem

had great Siyata Dishmaya in preserving and publishing his seforim. The first was in World

War I when the enemy soldiers came to Shavil, the town of the Baal HaLeshem, and told the

Page 14 of 14

people they had 15 hours to leave. The Baal HaLeshem was already 73 years old. With bitter

tears he realized that he would not be able to take his not yet published writings with him. He

then buried them in the ground, as is Kavod for seforim. Years later, when the Baal HaLeshem

took up residence in the city of Hommel and it was impossible to return to Shavil, he told of his

sorrow to another former resident of Shavil, Mr. Ben Tzion Nourik, who then resided in

Riga. Mr. Nourik with great vigor took up the cause of rescuing the seforim, even sending

experts from Riga to Shavil to recover the buried treasures. This operation was successful and

the seforim were returned to their holy owner.

Later on, in the year 1924 when the Baal HaLeshem was already 83 years old and on his

way to Eretz Yisroel, he spent a number of days in Istanbul. Upon boarding the ship to Eretz

Yisroel, he realized that a set of manuscripts were missing. With a torrent of tears, the Baal

HaLeshem davened for the manuscript to be returned and moments before the ship set sail,

another guest of the hotel he stayed at came running to the boat with the manuscript.

Rav Aryeh Levine said that one time, the Baal HaLeshem’s wife, in her innocence told

him, that every night for many years she would hear from behind closed doors her husband

learning with someone who had a very sweet voice but she never had the nerve to ask her

husband about it. One time she was forced to come in and interrupt her husband but she was

too scared to reveal to Rav Aryeh Levine what she had seen.

About his young grandson, Rav Yosef Sholom he said “Ashrei Yoladito”, praised is he

one who bore him. He also quotes him in Chelek 3 of the Leshem.

During his levaya in 5688/1928 at the age of 87, all those who participated witnessed a

pillar of fire in the form of a rainbow, covering the entire sky from east to west and were

amazed. Yehi Zichro Boruch (Gedolei HaDoros Rav Y.M. Stern).

והבוטח בה' חסד יסובבנהו!!!

With blessings for a peaceful and meaningful Shabbos.

Me'Oros Ha'Tzaddikim is a weekly publication with the same format – A vort or two from the Kedushas Levi on the weekly parsha, an

interconnected story of the Berditchever Rav, upcoming yahrzeits of Tzaddikim for the following week and a related story on one of those Tzaddikim.

We hope you enjoy and feel free to distribute it to others. Dedications (and free subscriptions) are available. Please

email: GutFinAvrohom@gmail.com

Me’Oros Ha’Tzaddikim was written by Rav Tal Moshe Zwecker who has published a translation of the Noam Elimelech into English, a collection

of essays on Teshuva titled Returnity, The Way Back to Eternity and a collection of essays on Jewish Meditation.

He hopes to publish the Kedushas Levi in English, as well as collection of essays on Pirkei Avos with a chassidic commentary and many more

projects soon. A Noam Elimelech sequel is in the works as well as several collections on Simcha, Emuna & Bitachon, Torah & Tefillah are all on the way so

stay tuned. He currently resides in Ramat Bet Shemesh, Israel with his wife and children. He can be reached at chassidusonline@gmail.com