Famous Rabies

200
As requested by many readers the following is a list of Famous Rebbes Yarzheits:- Please see Full Listings of Each Jewish Month yarzheits for details with Photos. 1 Nissan Reb Moshe Yosef Hoffman, 1 Nissan Nadav and Avihu 2 Nissan Reb Yaakov Yosef Twersky 2 Nissan Reb Shulem Dov Ber 3 Nissan Reb Aryeh Leib Grossnass 3 Nissan Reb Levi Yitzchak Slonim 3 Nissan Reb Eliyahu Meir Finkel 4 Nissan Reb Yaakov Tzvi Mecklenberg 5 Nissan Reb Avrohom Yehoshua Heshel of Apt 5 Nissan Reb Shneur Zalman Ashkenazi of Lublin, 5 Nissan Reb Reuven Yosef Gershonowitz 6 Nissan Reb Chaim Abulafya 6 Nissan Reb Aharon Roth, 6 Nissan Reb Meir Dan Plotsky 6 Nissan Maharam Shiff 7 Nissan Dr. Moshe Wallach 8 Nissan Reb Eliyahu Shapira MiPrague 8 Nissan Reb Eliyahu Hakadosh of York 8 Nissan Reb Yaakov Tzvi Yales of Premezyl 8 Nissan Reb Yechiel Michel Tikochinsky 9 Nissan Reb Chaim Meir Hager 9 Nissan Reb Aryeh Levine 10 Nissan Miriam Hanevia (1274 BCE?) 10 Nissan Reb Betzalel Hacohen of Vilna 11 Nissan Reb Moshe ben Nachman 11 Nissan Reb Yeshayah Horowitz 12 Nissan Reb Shlomo Zalman Lifshitz 13 Nissan Reb Yosef Karo 13 Nissan Reb Moshe ben Chaim Alshich (1521-1593) 13 Nissan Rabbi Menachem Mendel 14 Nissan Reb Avrohom Yaffen 15 Nissan Yehuda ben Yaakov Avinu 15 Nissan Reb Yona Teumim Frenkel 16 Nissan Levi ben Yaakov Avinu 16 Nissan Rabbi Nosson Ordman 16 Nissan Reb Mordechai

Transcript of Famous Rabies

Page 1: Famous Rabies

As requested by many readers the following is a list of Famous Rebbes Yarzheits:-

Please see Full Listings of Each Jewish Month yarzheits for details with Photos.

1 Nissan Reb Moshe Yosef Hoffman, 1 Nissan Nadav and Avihu 2 Nissan Reb Yaakov Yosef Twersky 2 Nissan Reb Shulem Dov Ber 3 Nissan Reb Aryeh Leib Grossnass 3 Nissan Reb Levi Yitzchak Slonim 3 Nissan Reb Eliyahu Meir Finkel 4 Nissan Reb Yaakov Tzvi Mecklenberg 5 Nissan Reb Avrohom Yehoshua Heshel of Apt 5 Nissan Reb Shneur Zalman Ashkenazi of Lublin, 5 Nissan Reb Reuven Yosef Gershonowitz 6 Nissan Reb Chaim Abulafya 6 Nissan Reb Aharon Roth, 6 Nissan Reb Meir Dan Plotsky 6 Nissan Maharam Shiff 7 Nissan Dr. Moshe Wallach 8 Nissan Reb Eliyahu Shapira MiPrague 8 Nissan Reb Eliyahu Hakadosh of York 8 Nissan Reb Yaakov Tzvi Yales of Premezyl 8 Nissan Reb Yechiel Michel Tikochinsky 9 Nissan Reb Chaim Meir Hager 9 Nissan Reb Aryeh Levine 10 Nissan Miriam Hanevia (1274 BCE?) 10 Nissan Reb Betzalel Hacohen of Vilna 11 Nissan Reb Moshe ben Nachman 11 Nissan Reb Yeshayah Horowitz 12 Nissan Reb Shlomo Zalman Lifshitz 13 Nissan Reb Yosef Karo 13 Nissan Reb Moshe ben Chaim Alshich (1521-1593) 13 Nissan Rabbi Menachem Mendel 14 Nissan Reb Avrohom Yaffen 15 Nissan Yehuda ben Yaakov Avinu 15 Nissan Reb Yona Teumim Frenkel 16 Nissan Levi ben Yaakov Avinu 16 Nissan Rabbi Nosson Ordman 16 Nissan Reb Mordechai Dov Ber Twerski of Tomashpol 17 Nissan Reb Yisroel Noach of Niezhin 17 Nissan Reb Reuven Hakohen of Prague 17 Nissan Reb Meir Abuchatzeira of Ashdod ( son of Baba Sali ) 17 Nissan Reb Moshele 18 Nissan Reb Yehoshua Falk 19 Nissan Reb Aharon of Karlin (1736-1772) 19 Nissan Reb Menachem Zemba author of Tozaos Chaim 19 Nissan Reb Yoshua Falk Katz 20 Nissan Rav Hai bar Sherira Hagaon 20 Nissan Reb Yitzchak Chori 20 Nissan Reb Yechezkel Panet of Karlsberg, 20 Nissan Rav Hai Gaon, 20 Nissan Reb Yitzchak Dov Ber of Liadi 22 Nissan Reb Yehudah Rosanes of Constantinople 24 Nissan Reb Avrohom Yehoshua Heshel Weinberg 24 Nissan Reb Chaim Yitzchak Chaikin 25 Nissan Reb Chaim Halberstam of Sanz 26 Nissan Reb Efraim Navon 26 Nissan Yehoshua bin Nun (1243 BCE) 27 Nissan Reb Osher

Page 2: Famous Rabies

Margulies, 28 Nissan Reb Aryeh Shapira,29 Nissan Rav Mordechai Shlomo Yosef Friedman 29 Nissan Reb Chaim Vital, 30 Nissan Reb Yaakov Emden (1698-1776), 30 Nissan Rabeinu Yosef Halevi Migash,30 Nissan Rav Moshe Hershler 1 Iyar Reb Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk (1720-1788) 1 Iyar Reb Tzvi Hirsch Ashkenazi 1 Iyar Reb Abba Shaul 1 Iyar Reb Avrohom of Slonim 2 Iyar Reb Chayim Vital 3 Iyar Choni Hama'agal 3 Iyar Reb Shmuel Shmelke Horowitz of Nikolsburg 4 Iyar Reb Yosef Teumim 4 Iyar Reb Yosef Dov Solevetchik of Brisk 4 Iyar Reb Yaakov Sasportes 4 Iyar Date of decree of Spanish expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492 4 Iyar The RaMBaM 6 Iyar Reb Levi ben Gershon (RaLBaG) 6 Iyar Reb Yosef Meir Weiss 7 Iyar Rabeinu Levi ben Gershon 8 Iyar Reb Shlomo Efraim of Luntchitz 8 Iyar Reb Yeshaya Pick 8 Iyar Jewish community of Speyer was massacred in the First Crusade 10 Iyar Eli Hakohen and his sons Chofni and Pinchas 10 Iyar Reb Yitzchak Isaac of Komarna (1806-1874) 10 Iyar Reb Yitzchak AlFasi (RiF) 11 Iyar Reb Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz 11 Iyar Reb Aharon Pfeffer 13 Iyar Rav Masoud bar Yaakov Abuchatzera 14 Iyar Rebbe Meir Baal Haness (121 CE) 14 Iyar Reb Eliyahu Chaim Meisel 15 Iyar Reb Nesanel Weill 16 Iyar Reb Meir of Lublin 17 Iyar Reb Yechezkel Landau 17 Iyar Reb Moshe Chaim Efraim of Sadlikov 18 Iyar Reb Moshe Isserles (the ReMA) 18 Iyar Lag Ba'Omer 18 Iyar Reb Dovid Hacksher 19 Iyar Reb Meir ben Boruch 19 Iyar Reb Menachem Mendel of Rymanov 19 Iyar Reb Yaakov Moshe Mordechai Soloveichik 19 Iyar Reb Ezra Atiyah of Syria 20 Iyar Reb Mordechai of Chernobyl (1838) 20 Iyar Reb Yitzchak Eizik Rabinowitz 22 Iyar Reb Shlomo Eliezer Alfandri 23 Iyar Jews of Worms France were massacred by Crusaders 24 Iyar Reb Benyamin Mendelson 25 Iyar Reb Yaakov Loeberbaum of Lisa 25 Iyar Reb Ozer of Klementov 26 Iyar Rav Saadyah Gaon 26 Iyar Reb Yitzchak of Volozhin 26 Iyar Reb Moshe Chaim Luzzatto26 Iyar Reb Shlomo Goldman 27 Iyar Reb Yerachmiel Yehuda Meir 28 Iyar Chana (Shmuel Hanavi's- Samuel the prophet's mother),28 Iyar Reb Yitzchak of Kurweil, 28 Iyar Reb Yosef Yehuda Reiner, 29 Iyar Shmuel HaNavi (930-878 BCE) Samuel the Prophet, 29 Iyar Reb Meir of Premishlan...the premishlaner rebbe, 29 Iyar Rebetzin Rabinowitz of lugano 1995, 1 Sivan Massacre of the Jews of Worms, 2 Sivan Reb Yisrael Hagar of Vizhnitz, 2 Sivan Reb Chaim Eliezer Shapira of Munkatch, 3 Sivan Massacre of the Jews of Mayence, 3 Sivan Reb Yosef Irgas, 4 Sivan Reb Avrohom Wolf of Wolf's Seminary in Bnei Brak, 5 Sivan Reb Chaim Yaakov Safran, 6 Sivan King David - Dovid Hamelech (2924 [837 BCE] - King David, 6 Sivan Reb Yisroel ben Eliezer, 6 Sivan Reb Avrohom Mordechai Alter, 7 Sivan The Prophet, 7 Sivan Avrohom ben Avrohom, 7 Sivan Reb Zelig Reuvain Bengis,7 Sivan Reb Shmuel Ehrenfeld of Mattersdorf, 8 Sivan Reb Moshe Blau, 8 Sivan Reb Yissachor Dov Goldstein, 9 Sivan Reb Yisroel Mishklov, 9 Sivan Reb Yaakov Chaim Sofer, 9 Sivan Reb Moshe Rivkes, 10 Sivan Reb Yitzchak Alfasi, 10 Sivan Reb Eliezer Rokach of Amsterdam, 10 Sivan Reb Ezra Harari Raful, 11 Sivan Reb Shmuel Rosenberg, 11 Sivan Reb Mordechai, 11 Sivan Reb Yidele Horowitz Zaddik who lived in Yerushalayim

Page 3: Famous Rabies

bureid in Enfield adass cemetery london, 11 Sivan Rav Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss (1902-1989) author of Minchas Yitzchak; av beis din in Grosswardein, 12 Sivan Reb Avraham Weinberg. Slonimer Rebbe, 12 Sivan Reb Dovid Pardo of Sarajevo, 13 Sivan Reb Efraim Katz of Vilna, 13 Sivan Reb Yaakov Mutzafi, 13 Sivan Massacre of the Jews of Frankfort, 14 Sivan Reb Chaim of Volozhin (1749-1821), 14 Sivan Reb Moshe Horowitz, 15 Sivan Birth, 17 Sivan Reb Tzvi Hirsh Broide,17 Sivan Reb Aharon of Karlin, 18 Sivan Reb Aharon Kohen, 18 Sivan Reb Yerucham Levovitz,18 Sivan Reb Yisochor Ber, 18 Sivan Reb Yisrael Zev Gustman (1908-1991), 19 Sivan Reb Shmuel Hominer of Yerushalayim, 20 Sivan Declared a fast day by Rabbeinu Tam, 20 Sivan Declared a fast day in the Polish communities to commemorate the 5408-09 [1648-49] Chmeilnitzki massacres, 22 Sivan Reb Itamar Rosenbaum, 23 Sivan Reb Yehuda Assad, 23 Sivan Reb Yaakov Pollak of Lublin, 25 Sivan Reb Shimon ben Gamliel, 25 Sivan Reb Reuven Fein, 25 Sivan Reb David Mireles, 26 Sivan Reb Yonoson ben Uziel, 26 Sivan Rav Yosi ben Kisma ,27 Sivan Rabbi Chanina ben Tradyon , 27 Sivan Reb Meir Eisenstadt, 28 Sivan Reb Yisroel Zev Gustman, 28 Sivan Reb Shimshon Aaron Polansky, 30 Sivan Reb Moshe Najára, 30 Sivan Reb Shlomo Kluger, Tammuz Yarzheits, 1 Tammuz Reb Yisroel Najara, 1 Tammuz Reb Shlomo Halberstam, 2 Tammuz Reb Nachman of Horidonka, 2 Tammuz Reb Avrohom Yitzchok Bloch ,3 Tammuz Reb Yaakov Sapir, 3 Tammuz Reb Shneur Kotler, 3 Tammuz Reb Menachem Mendel Schneerson , 4 Tammuz Rabeinu Tam , 4 Tammuz Reb Pinchos Halevi Horowitz, 4 Tammuz Reb Chaim Moshe Mandel, 4 Tammuz Reb Mordechai Shakovitzky-rosh yeshivas Pische Tshuva-5758 , 6 Tammuz Reb Chaim De la Rosa, 6 Tammuz Reb Boruch Frankel-Thumim , 7 Tammuz Reb Simcha Bunim Alter, 8 Tammuz Reb Meir of Dzikov, 9 Tammuz Reb Zalman Sorotzkin, 9 Tammuz Reb Moshe Chevroni , 9 Tammuz Reb Yekusiel Halberstam, 9 Tammuz Reb Dovid Lipschitz, 11 Tammuz Reb Aharon Moshe Toibish, 12 Tammuz Rabeinu Yaakov ben Asher, 13 Tammuz Reb Elchonon Bunim Wasserman, 13 Tammuz Reb Moshe Rivkush, 13 Tammuz Reb Aryeh Epstein, 14 Tammuz Reb Yosef Trani, 14 Tammuz Reb Yaakov Halevi Ruderman, 14 Tammuz Reb Mordechai Attiah, 15 Tammuz Reb Aryeh Leib of Metz, the famous shaages arye, 15 Tammuz Reb Chaim ben Atar, 15 Tammuz Reb Mordechai Weinberg, 15 Tammuz Reb Amram Blau toldos aron rebbe, 16 Tammuz Chur, 16 Tammuz Reb Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel, 16 Tammuz Reb Aharon Bakst, 17 Tammuz Reb Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg, 17 Tammuz Reb Yaakov Yitzchok Spiegel (1937-2001), 18 Tammuz Reb Yaakov Aryeh of Radzimin (1878), 19 Tammuz Reb Yitzchak Halevi Herzog, 19 Tammuz Reb Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, 19 Tammuz Reb Yona Stenzel, 19 Tammuz Reb Ben zion Abba Shaul, 20 Tammuz Reb Avrohom Chaim Na'eh, 20 Tammuz Reb Chaim Shaul Karelitz (1912-2001), 21 Tammuz Reb Avrohom Matisyahu of Stefanesti (1933), 22 Tammuz Reb Shlomo of Karlin, 22 Tammuz Reb Avrohom Grodzinksi, 22 Tammuz Reb Mano'ach Hendel, 22 Tammuz Reb Levi Yitzchak Bender, 23 Tammuz Reb Moshe Cordovero (Remak), 23

Page 4: Famous Rabies

Tammuz Reb Yechezkel Katzenellenbogen, 23 Tammuz Reb Gedalya Aharon Kenig, 23 Tammuz Bogodan Chmielnicki and Cossacks massacred Jews of Vilna (1655) , 24 Tammuz Reb Yitzchak Grodzinski of Vilna , 24 Tammuz Crusaders under Godfrey de Bouillon massacred and sold and slaves 20 ,25 Tammuz Reb Yosef Yitzchak Rottenberg, 26 Tammuz Reb Aharon Berachya of Modina, 27 Tammuz Yosef ben Yaakov Avinu BORN and died on same day 110 years old and Rachel his mother died today (some say 2 tammuz), 27 Tammuz Reb Shmuel Rozovsky, 28 Tammuz Reb Moshe Teitelbaum, 28 Tammuz Reb Shlomo Ganzfried (1804-1886), 28 Tammuz Reb Chaim Friedlander, 29 Tammuz Reb Shlomo Yitzchaki (Rashi), 29 Tammuz Reb Yochanan HaSandler, Av Yarzheits, 1 Av Aaron Hakohen (2365-2488, 1 Av Elazar ben Aaron Hakohen, 1 Av Reb Shmuel Ehrenfeld, 1 Av Reb Yaakov Moshe Shurkin, 2 Av Reb Moshe Stern debreceiner rov, 2 Av Reb Shimshon Ostropolier, 3 Av Reb Shmuel Salir, 4 Av Reb Menachem Azariah from Pano, 4 Av Reb Benzion Halberstam of Bobov, 5 Av Reb Yitzchak Luria Ashkenazi from Tzefas, 5 Av Reb Chaim Ozer Grodzensky of Vilna (1863-1940) , 5 Av Reb Binyomin Paler (1908-2000), 6 Av Reb Yehoshua Greenwald, 6 Av Reb Nosson of Frankfurt-on-Maine, 7 Av Reb Moshe Greenwald of Chust, 7 Av Reb Simcha Bunim Ehrenfeld of Mattersdorf, 8 Av Reb Simcha Zissel Ziv (1824-1898) "The Alter from Kelm"; disciple of Reb Yisroel Salanter; head of a famous Mussar Yeshiva , 9 Av Reb Yaakov Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitz , 10 Av Yissachor ben Yaakov Avinu , 10 Av Rabbi Yitzchak Abarbanel, 10 Av Eliyahu Hanavi went up to heaven on day after Shabbos Nachamu , 11 Av Reb Aharon, 11 Av Reb Yitzchak Blazer, 13 Av Reb Mordechai Banet of Nikolsburg, 13 Av Reb Noson Nota Shapira, 13 Av Reb Moshe Montefiore Philanthropist 1885 Ramsgate,14 Av Reb Yosef Naftali Stern, 14 Av Reb Tzvi Hirsch of Liska, 15 Av Nachum Ish Gamzu, 15 Av Reb Benzion Yadler, 15 Av Reb Osher, 16 Av Reb Yosef Greenwald of Pupa , 16 Av Reb Yitzchak Meir Levine , 18 Av 113 victims of the Chevron pogrom in 1929, 18 Av Reb Moshe Bernstein, 18 Av Reb Shlomo Chanoch Rabinowitz of Radomsk, 19 Av Reb Yaakov Culi, 19 Av Reb Shimon Sholom, 19 Av Reb Menachem Nachum of Boyan (1868-1936) , 21 Av Reb Chaim Soleveitchik, 21 Av Reb Aharon Rokeach, 22 Av Reb Mordechai ben Hillel, 22 Av Reb Meir Hagadol of Premislan, 22 Av Reb Eliyahu Dushnitzer, 22 Av Reb Shmuel Meyuchas of Yerushalayim (1771) , 23 Av Reb Yaakov Yisroel Kanievsky, 24 Av Reb Efraim Zalman Margulies, 26 Av Reb Yoel Teitelbaum, 27 Av Reb Yehoshua Charif of Cracow, 27 Av Reb Avrohom Mordechai Alter, 28 Av Reb Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin, 28 Av Reb Avrohom Yaakov Pam, 29 Av Reb Shmuel Salant, 29 Av Reb Menachem Mendel Alter of Pavinitz , 29 Av Reb Eliezer Zusia Portugal, 30 Av Reb Chanoch Henich of Alisk; son-in-law of Reb Shulem of Belz (1884 , 2 Elul Reb Eliezer Hagar, 3 Elul Reb Avrohom Yitzchak Kook, 3 Elul Reb Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz, 4 Elul Reb Meir Simcha Hakohen of Dvinsk, 4 Elul Reb Aryeh Leib Teumim, 5 Elul Reb Dovid Biderman , 6 Elul Reb Yom Tov Lipman Heller, 6 Elul Reb Yechezkel Sarna, 6 Elul Reb Yekusiel Teitelbaum of Siget, 7 Elul Reb Meir Simcha

Page 5: Famous Rabies

Hakohen of Dvinsk (1850-1926), 9 Elul Birthday (2015) and Yarzheit (2199) of Dan son of Yaakov Avinu (Midrash Tadshe) , 9 Elul Reb Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin, 9 Elul Reb Nachum Mordechai Perlow of Novominsk , 10 Elul Reb Yitzchak of Behush (1834-1896)( son of Ryzhiner Rebbe ) , 10 Elul Reb Pinchos Shapiro of Koritz, 11 Elul Reb Avrohom Yaakov Friedman, 12 Elul Reb Simchah Bunim of Pshischa, 13 Elul Rabeinu Yosef Chayim Ben Eliyahu of Baghdad, Ben ish Chai, 15 Elul Reb Chanoch Henach Eiges of Vilna, 17 Elul Germany invaded Poland 1939, 17 Elul Reb Yaakov Kopel Reich of Kolomay, 18 Elul Reb Yehuda Loew, 18 Elul Harav Abdullah Somech, 19 Elul Reb Chaim Benbenishti, 19 Elul Reb Yaakov of Orleans a Tosafist, 19 Elul Reb Yaakov HaLevi Segal Moellin, 20 Elul Reb Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, 20 Elul Reb Eliyahu Lopian (1872-1970), 20 Elul Reb Moshe Aryeh Freund, 20 Elul Reb Avraham Sternhertz , 21 Elul Reb Yehonosson Eibeshitz, 22 Elul Reb Yaakov Segal of Mainz, 22 Elul Reb Mordechai Dov Ber of Hornesteipel , 23 Elul Reb Uri , 23 Elul Reb Yitzchak Menachem Danziger , 24 Elul Reb Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin , the chofetz chaim, 24 Elul Reb Naftali Katz, 24 Elul Chabakuk Hanovi ,24 Elul Reb Yechezkel Abramsky, 25 Elul Reb Elazar son of Reb Shimon bar Yochai , 25 Elul Reb Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov , 25 Elul Reb Yosef Babad 27 Elul Reb Noson Adler, 27 Elul Reb Shulem Rokeach of Belz , 28 Elul King Saul - Shaul Hamelech and Yohonossan and his other two sons in battle .( book of samuel ) , 28 Elul Reb Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach , 29 Elul Reb Yaakov Halevi Lipschitz , 1 Tishrei Sarah Imeinu, 1 Tishrei Reb Amnon of Mainz, 1 Tishrei Reb Meir Yeudah Leibush ben Yechiel Michel (Malbim), 1 Tishrei Reb Yaakov Dovid Wilovsky of Slutzk , 2 Tishrei Reb Yisroel of Stolin , 2 Tishrei Reb Shemaryahu Greineman, 3 Tishrei Reb Yisroel Lipschitz, 3 Tishrei Reb Shimon Noson Nota Biderman, 3 Tishrei Reb Chizkiyahu Yosef Mishkofsky of Krinki, 3 Tishrei Gedaliah ben Achikam, 4 Tishrei Reb Yoel Baal Shem, 4 Tishrei Reb Avrohom Danzig, chaye adom, 4 Tishrei Reb Yitzchak Aryeh Wormer, 4 Tishrei Reb Boruch Refoel Soloveichik, 5 Tishrei Naftali ben Yaakov Avinu, 5 Tishrei Reb Boruch Sholom Ashlag, 6 Tishrei Reb Aryeh Leib of Shpolya, 7 Tishrei Zevulun , 7 Tishrei Reb Dovid Oppenheim, 9 Tishrei Reb Avrohom Saba, 9 Tishrei Reb Avrohom Abali Gumbeiner of Kalish, 9 Tishrei Reb Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik of Brisk, 9 Tishrei Reb Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel Twersky, 10 Tishrei Zecharia Cohen Godol , 10 Tishrei Rabbi Akiva ben Yosef died al kiddush Hashem in Caesaria, 10 Tishrei Reb Yehuda Leib Ashlag of Yerushalayim, 10 Tishrei Reb Moshe Yitzchak Gevirtzman of Pshevorsk and Belgium , 10 Tishrei Rav Achai Gaon, 11 Tishrei Rav Huna berei Mar Zutra , 11 Tishrei Mar bar Rav Ashi, 12 Tishrei Reb Avrohom Malach, 13 Tishrei Reb Akiva Eiger of Posen (1761-1837) , 13 Tishrei Reb Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky, 13 Tishrei Reb Yisroel, 13 Tishrei Reb Shmuel, 13 Tishrei Reb Chaim Berlin , 14 Tishrei Reb Benzion Bruk, 14 Tishrei Reb Yisrael ben Shabsi, 15 Tishrei Yaakov Avinu, 15 Tishrei Reb Mordechai Leifer, 16 Tishrei Reb Tzvi Hirsch Shapiro, 16 Tishrei Reb Moshe Zacuto, 18 Tishrei Reb Nachman of Breslav, 18 Tishrei Reb Betzalel

Page 6: Famous Rabies

Regensburg, 18 Tishrei Reb Yona Mertzbach, 19 Tishrei Reb Aaron, 19 Tishrei Reb Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman, 19 Tishrei Reb Yaakov Yitzchak bar Yehuda Leib, 20 Tishrei Reb Yaakov Yosef b. Yehudah Leib, 20 Tishrei Reb Avrohom Heshel of Krakow , 20 Tishrei Reb Eliezer Papo, 21 Tishrei Reb Yaakov Yosef of Polnayah, 21 Tishrei Reb Menachem Mendel of Premishlan, 21 Tishrei Reb Dovid Moshe bar Rav Yisroel of Ruzhin, 21 Tishrei Reb Avrohom Shmuel Binyamin Sofer, 21 Tishrei Reb Yaakov Yosef, 22 Tishrei Reb Aharon Halevi Hurvitz of Stroshel, 23 Tishrei Reb Dovid Jungreis, 24 Tishrei Reb Eliyahu Guttmacher, 24 Tishrei Reb Elchonon Sorotzkin, 24 Tishrei Reb Chaim Zanvil Abramowitz, 25 Tishrei Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, 25 Tishrei Reb Moshe Sofer, 25 Tishrei Reb Dovid Matisyahu Rabinowitz, 26 Tishrei Reb Osher (I) of Karlin, 27 Tishrei Rabeinu Yitzchak Hazaken bar Shmuel, 27 Tishrei Reb Nosson Tzvi Kenig, 28 Tishrei Reb Efraim Zalman Shorr, 29 Tishrei Shimon Hatzadik of the Anshei Knesset Hagedola , 29 Tishrei Rav Yitzchak Abravanel, 29 Tishrei Reb Menachem Mendel of Vizhnitz (1830-1885), 30 Tishrei Reb Tzvi Hirsh Chayos-Maharatz Chayos , 2 Cheshvan Reb Shmuel di Modena, 2 Cheshvan Reb Boruch Hager, 2 Cheshvan Reb Yosef Engel of Krakow, 2 Cheshvan Reb Elazar Simcha Wasserman, 3 Cheshvan Reb Yosef Zundel of Salant (Lithuania) (1786-1865), 3 Cheshvan Reb Yisrael of Ruzhin (1850), 3 Cheshvan Reb Yitzchok, 4 Cheshvan Reb Kalonimus Kalman Shapira, 4 Cheshvan Reb Aryeh Zev (Reb Leib) Gurwitz, 5 Cheshvan RebTzvi Hirsh Kalisher, 5 Cheshvan Reb Avrohom Halevi Zions, 6 Cheshvan Reb Yehuda Hachosid, 7 Cheshvan Reb Meir Shapiro of Lublin, 7 Cheshvan Reb Simcha Elberg, 8 Cheshvan Rav Yitzchak Abarbanel; also finance minister for king of Spain until 1492 (1437-1508) , 8 Cheshvan Reb Nachumke "Hachosid" of Horodna, 8 Cheshvan Reb Yaakov Rosenheim, 9 Cheshvan Rabeinu Asher, 9 Cheshvan Reb Yosef Leib Bloch, 9 Cheshvan Reb Shimon Shkop of Grodno , 10 Cheshvan Gad ben Yaakov Avinu, 10 Cheshvan Reb Yechiel Michel of Krakow, 10 Cheshvan Reb Avrohom Oppenheim, 10 Cheshvan Reb Dov Berish Weidenfeld, 11 Cheshvan Rachel Imeinu , 11 Cheshvan Binyamin ben Yaakov Avinu , 11 Cheshvan Reb Menachem Nachum Twersky, 11 Cheshvan Reb Yehuda Leib Chasman, 12 Cheshvan Reb Yehuda Tzadka, 12 Cheshvan Rabbi Nachum of Shadik, 14 Cheshvan Reb Leib Baal HaYisurim in Tzefas, 14 Cheshvan Reb Avrohom Elimelech Weinberg, 15 Cheshvan Mattisyahu Kohen Godol, 15 Cheshvan Reb Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz, 16 Cheshvan Reb Eliezar Menachem Mann Shach (1894-2001). Born on 29 Teves in Vaboilnick, 17 Cheshvan Reb Menachem Mendel, 17 Cheshvan Reb Reuven Katz, 18 Cheshvan Reb Rafoel Boruch Toledano, 18 Cheshvan Reb Nochum Partzovitz, 18 Cheshvan Reb Yisroel Odesser, 20 Cheshvan Reb Avrohom bar Yitzchak, 20 Cheshvan Reb Mordechai Sharabi, 21 Cheshvan Reb Dovid ben Zimra, 21 Cheshvan Reb Betzalel Stern, 21 Cheshvan Reb David Shlomo Eibeshitz (1909), 21 Cheshvan Reb Yichya Halevi Alshich, 22 Cheshvan Reb Yissachar Dov Rokeach, 22 Cheshvan Reb Moshe Lima, 23 Cheshvan Reb Aharon Katzenellenbogen of Brisk, 24 Cheshvan Binyamin ben Yaakov

Page 7: Famous Rabies

Avinu, 24 Cheshvan Reb Rafoel Kohen of Hamburg, 24 Cheshvan Reb Rafoel Dovid Auerbach, 25 Cheshvan Reb Avrohom, 25 Cheshvan Reb Gedalya Moshe Goldman, 26 Cheshvan Reb Simcha Soloveitchik, 27 Cheshvan Reb Yaakov Leizer, Reb Yankele of Antwerp, burried in putte next to Reb Itschikal, 28 Cheshvan Rabbeinu Yonah (ben Avrohom) of Gerondi, 28 Cheshvan Reb Sholom Eisen, 29 Cheshvan Reb Yitzchak Eizik Chover, 30 Cheshvan Reb Tzvi Hirsch of Riminov (1846), 30 Cheshvan Reb Yaakov Betzalel Zolty, Kislev Yarzheits,1 Kislev Reb Shulem Shachna of Lublin. teacher and father-in-law of Reb Moshe Isserles, 1 Kislev Reb Yosef Shmuel of Cracow, 2 Kislev Reb Akiva Sofer of Pressburg (1960), 2 Kislev Reb Aharon Kotler (1892-1962), 4 Kislev Reb Eliyahu Kubo, 5 Kislev Reb Baruch Ber Leibowitz, 5 Kislev Reb Shmuel Eliezer HaLevi Eidels, 5 Kislev Reb Nosson Meir Wachtfogel, 5 Kislev Reb Dovid Luria, 6 Kislev Reb Michoel Dov Weissmandel, 6 Kislev Reb Shlomo Abu Maaravi-founder of Otzer HaTorah network , 6 Kislev Reb Chaim Shmuel Lopian, 7 Kislev Reb Shlomo Binyamin Halevi Ashlag, 7 Kislev King Herod (4 BCE) , 8 Kislev Reb Moshe Shapira (1838), 8 Kislev Reb Pinchos Dovid Horowitz, 9 Kislev Reb Dov Ber of Lubavitch, 10 Kislev Reb Isser Zalman Meltzer (1870-1954), 10 Kislev Reb Moshe Mordechai Epstein, 11 Kislev Reb Yitzchak Friedman, 12 Kislev Reb Shlomo Luria, 13 Kislev Reb Yisroel of Tchortkov (1934) , 13 Kislev Ravina berei D'rav Huna. A passage in the Talmud (Bava Mesi'a) speaks of Rav Ashi and Ravina as "the end of instruction" (i.e. the close of the Talmud Bavli), 14 Kislev Reuven ben Yaakov Avinu (1567 BCE-1442 BCE) , 14 Kislev Rabbi Menashe ben Yisroel of Amsterdam, 15 Kislev Reb Yehuda HaNasi, 15 Kislev Reb Simcha Bunim Sofer of Pressburg author of Shaarei Simcha. (The "Shevet Sofer"). Reb Simcha Bunim Sofer was born in Pressburg, 16 Kislev Reb Yaakov of Lublin (1644), 16 Kislev Reb Shaul Yedidya Taub, 16 Kislev Reb Menachem Kalish of Amshenov (1917), 17 Kislev Reb Yosef Yozel Horowitz, 18 Kislev Rabeinu Avrohom ben HaRambam, 18 Kislev Reb Baruch of Mezhbizh (1812), 19 Kislev Reb Dov Ber, 19 Kislev Reb Moshe Tzvi Neriyeh, 20 Kislev Reb Boruch Hager of Viznitz, 20 Kislev Reb Yitzchak Hutner, 20 Kislev Reb Yochanan Twersky, 21 Kislev Shimon ben Yaakov Avinu , 21 Kislev Reb Tzvi Pesach Frank, 21 Kislev Reb Yochanan Perlow, 22 Kislev Reb Shulem Schwadron, 22 Kislev Reb Yechezkel Panet, 22 Kislev Reb Chaim Kesar, 22 Kislev Reb Eliezer Ashkenazi, 23 Kislev Reb Shabtai Yudelevitz, 23 Kislev Reb Dovid of Novhardok (1837), 23 Kislev Reb Dovid Teveli Shiff, 24 Kislev Reb Chaim Chizkiyahu Medini, 24 Kislev Shimon ben Yaakov Avinu , 25 Kislev Reb Yaakov Ettlinger, 26 Kislev Reb Yoshua Zelig Diskin, 26 Kislev Reb Avrohom bar Dovid of Posquieres, 27 Kislev Reb Avrohom Yitzchak Kohn, 27 Kislev Reb Chaim Tchernowitz (1807), 29 Kislev Reb Chizkiyah di Silva, 29 Kislev Reb Shlomo of Vilna, 29 Kislev Reb Yisroel of Husyatin and Ruzhin (1937), 1 Teves Reb Yair Chaim Bachrach (1702), 3 Teves Reb Chaim Shmuelevitz, 4 Teves Reb Gershon Henich Leiner of Radzin (1891), 4 Teves Reb Yaakov Shaul Katzin , 5 Teves Reb Mordechai Pinchos Teitz- rov

Page 8: Famous Rabies

of Elizabeth new jersey, 5 Teves Reb Avrohom Yaakov of Sadiger (1884-1961). Born the 8th of Av, 6 Teves Reb Yaakov Reischer, the shvus yaakov in metz, 7 Teves Reb Moshe Dovid Walli, 7 Teves Reb Dovid of Lelov, 8 Teves Reb Yechezkel Halshtuk, 9 Teves Ezra Hasofer (313 BCE?) and Nechemya, 10 Teves Zecharia ben Berachya ben Ido Hanavi, 10 Teves Reb Nosson Sternhartz of Breslov, 10 Teves Reb Refoel Wexelbaum, 11 Teves Reb Shlomo Eiger, 11 Teves Reb Yoshua Horowitz of Dzikov , 12 Teves Reb Moshe Margulies, 13 Teves Reb Moshe ben Dovid Biderman, 13 Teves Reb Yechiel Mordechai Gordon, 13 Teves Reb Yitzchak Hakohen Huberman, 14 Teves Reuven ben Yaakov Avinu, 15 Teves the Amoraim Rav Huna, 17 Teves Reb Yaakov Krantz, 17 Teves Reb Pinchos Epstein, 17 Teves Reb Suleiman (Salman) Mutzafi of Yerushalayim (5735); born in Baghdad on 27 Shevat, 18 Teves Rav Huna bar Mar Zutra Reish Galusa killed al kiddush Hashem , 18 Teves Reb Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Dinov ,18 Teves Reb Mendel Geffner, 19 Teves Reb Aryeh Leib HaCohen Heller ,19 Teves Reb Avrohom Shmuel Binyamin Sofer , 19 Teves Reb Menachem Mendel Zaks, 20 Teves Rabeinu Moshe ben Maimon, 20 Teves Reb Yaakov Abuchatzera , 21 Teves Shimon ben Yaakov Avinu, 21 Teves Reb Eliyahu Mishkovsky, 21 Teves Reb Nosson Adler, 22 Teves Rabbi Shulem Moshkovitz, the shotzer rebbe, 22 Teves Reb Shmuel Heller, 22 Teves Reb Yehuda Leib Eiger (1816-1888). A grandson of the renowned Reb Akiva Eiger, 24 Teves Reb Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1813), 24 Teves Reb Shmuel Borenstein, 24 Teves Reb Moshe Mordechai Biderman, 25 Teves Reb Moshe Tikochinsky, 25 Teves Reb Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, 26 Teves Rabeinu Avraham bar Dovid miPosquires (Ra'avad), 27 Teves Reb Shimshon Rafael Hirsch, 27 Teves Reb Avrohom Simcha Hakohen Kaplan of Tzefas - 1990, 29 Teves Reb Yoshua Leib Diskin , 29 Teves Reb Yerachmiel Yisroel Yitzchak of Alexander, 29 Teves Reb Meir Chodosh, 29 Teves Reb Marcus Adler, 1 Shevat Reb Yair Chaim Bachrach (1702), 1 Shevat Reb Moshe Schick, 1 Shevat Reb Moshe Yechiel Halevi from Oz'rov, 2 Shevat Asher ben Yaakov Avinu, 2 Shevat Reb Simcha Bunim Kalisch of Otvosk, 2 Shevat Reb Meshullam Zusha (Zisha) from Anapoli (Hanipol) (1718-1800), 3 Shevat Reb Yosef Kalisch, 4 Shevat Reb Moshe Leib of Sassov (1745-1807) 4 Shevat Reb Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg, 4 Shevat Reb Yisroel Abuchatzeira, 4 Shevat Reb Yisroel Charif from Stanov, 4 Shevat Reb Avrohom of Kalisk (1810), 5 Shevat Reb Aryeh Yehuda Leib Alter of Ger, 6 Shevat Reb Chaim of Sanz (1783), 7 Shevat Reb Dovid of Lelov, 9 Shevat Reb Nachum Aba Grossbard ,10 Shevat Maharam Padua ,10 Shevat Reb Sholom Mizrachi Dida Sharabi, 10 Shevat Reb Yitzchak Eizek Sher, 13 Shevat Reb Mordechai of Lechovitz,14 Shevat Reb Yaakov Yehoshua Falk Katz, 15 Shevat Reb Chaim Mordechai Margulies, 16 Shevat Reb Shulom Mordechai Hakohen Schwadron, 17 Shevat Reb Chaim Palagi of Izmir turkey, 17 Shevat Reb Yechezkel of Kazimir (1855), 18 Shevat Reb Beinush Finkel, 19 Shevat Reb Menachem Mendel Landau, 21 Shevat Reb Yechiel Meir of Gustinin (1816-1888), 21 Shevat Reb Yehuda Zev Segal, 21 Shevat Reb Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowitz, 22 Shevat Reb

Page 9: Famous Rabies

Menachem Mendel of Kotzk (1787-1859), 23 Shevat Reb Yehoshua of Belz (1825-1894), 25 Shevat Reb Yisroel Lipkin Salanter, 25 Shevat Reb Mordechai Pogramansky, 25 Shevat Reb Shabsai, 26 Shevat Reb Dovid Halevi Segal, 26 Shevat Reb Yaakov Landau, 27 Shevat Reb Mordechai Shulman, 27 Shevat Reb Alexander Sender, 28 Shevat Reb Mordechai Goldman, 28 Shevat Reb Menachem Nachum Twersky, 28 Shevat Reb Dovid Zindheim, 28 Shevat Reb Shalom Zelig Steinmetz, 29 Shevat Reb Yitzchak Yerucham Diskin, 29 Shevat Reb Nosson Tzvi Finkel, 29 Shevat Reb Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Teitelbaum, 30 Shevat Reb Menachem Mendel of Shklov, 30 Shevat Reb Meir, 1 Adar Rabbi Avroham evan Ezra (1089-1164), 1 Adar Reb Shabsai HaKohen Katz, 2 Adar Reb Yosef Dov Soloveichik, 2 Adar Reb Yisrael Alter, 2 Adar Rabbi Yom Tov Algazi, 3 Adar Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, 3 Adar Rabbi Eliyahu Dovid Rabinowitz-Teumim, 3 Adar Rabbi Yaakov Goldvicht, 4 Adar Rav Achai bar Rav Huna of Rabanan Soverai, 4 Adar Rabbi Eliezer Gordon, telzer rosh yeshiva, 4 Adar The body of R. Meir (MaHaRaM) of Rotenburg's was released for burial in 1307, 4 Adar Rabbi Mordechai Leib Mann, 4 Adar Reb Dovid of Ostroh, 4 Adar Reb Aryeh Leib Sarahs, 5 Adar Rabbi Morechai Shlomo of Boyan (1891-1971), 5 Adar Reb Avraham Landau of Tchechenov (1875). Born in Prantzav, 6 Adar Reb Naftali Amsterdam, 6 Adar Reb Dovid Povarsky, 6 Adar Birthday of R. Menachem Mendel, He was born in the year after the Tzemach Tzedek's passing, 7 Adar Birthday of Moshe Rabbeinu , 7 Adar Reb Shlomoh Efraim , 7 Adar Reb Yitzchak Eizik Taub of Kalev, 8 Adar Reb Gershon of Lotzk, 8 Adar Reb Getzel of Kaminka, 8 Adar Reb Shmuel Dovid Ungar of Neitra, 9 Adar Reb Yosef Yoel Halprin of Stepan, 9 Adar Reb Shlomo Zalman of Volozhin, 10 Adar Reb Avrohom of Sockachov, 11 Adar Reb Mordechai Posner, 11 Adar Rabbi Chayim Yosef David Azulai, 11 Adar Reb Avrohom Borenstein of Sochatchov, 11 Adar Reb Yosef Rozin of Dvinsk, 11 Adar Reb Avrohom Abu Chatzera ( tiberias ) 5683, 11 Adar Reb Gershon Ashkenazi, 12 Adar Rabbi Moshe Pardo, 13 Adar Reb Yehuda Hachasid, 13 Adar Reb Shmuel Strashon of Vilna, 13 Adar Reb Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986), 14 Adar Reb Zeev Volf of Zhitomer, 15 Adar Birth of Rav Chaim Soleveitchik, 16 Adar Reb Eliezer Menachem Mendel Biderman, 16 Adar Reb Pinchos Menachem Alter, 17 Adar Reb Shimon Sofer, 17 Adar Reb Yitzchak of Boyan, 17 Adar Reb Yisrael Ze'ev Mintzberg of Yerushalayim (1962), 18 Adar Reb Alexander Ziskind, 18 Adar Reb Yechezkel Levenstein, 18 Adar Reb Chanoch Henich of Alexandria (1870), 18 Adar Reb Nachum Mordechai of Tchortkov (1946), 19 Adar Reb Meir Yechiel of Ostrowiec (1928), 19 Adar Reb Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, 19 Adar Reb Shmuel Engel (1853-1935). Born in Tarno, 20 Adar Maharam Shiff (1633), 20 Adar Reb Yoel Sirkes of Cracow, 20 Adar Reb Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, 21 Adar Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk, 21 Adar Reb Yitzchak Elchonon Spector, 21 Adar Reb Yechiel Michel Epstein, 22 Adar Reb Eliyahu of Izmir, 22 Adar Reb Avraham Duber Kahana-Shapiro of Kovno, 22 Adar Reb Yeshaya Shimonowitz, 22 Adar Reb Yitzchak Meir Alter of Ger (Chidushei Harim) (1799-1866), 23 Adar Reb

Page 10: Famous Rabies

Rafael Shapiro, 23 Adar Reb Chaim Cheikel of Amdur (1787), 23 Adar Reb Yitzcak Yaakov of Biala (Divrei Bina) (1905), 23 Adar Reb Yehuda Moshe of Alexandria (Emunas Moshe) (1973), 24 Adar Reb Chaim Algazi of Kushta, 24 Adar Reb Eliyahu HaCohen, 25 Adar Reb Gershon Kitover, 26 Adar Rabbi Eli (Eliyahu) Chaim Carlebach (Rabbi Citron's father-in-law, 27 Adar Tzedkiah, 27 Adar Reb Yosef Shaul Netanson, 27 Adar Reb Shlomo Elyashiv, 27 Adar Reb Moshe Neuschloss, 27 Adar Reb Yisroel Bergstein, 28 Adar Reb Shmuel Halevi Klein of Boskowitz, 28 Adar Reb Moshe Chevroni, 28 Adar Reb Shlomo HaKohen of Radomsk, 28 Adar Reb Mordechai of Slonim (1837-1916), 28 Adar Reb Yekusiel Zalman, 29 Adar Reb Yaakov Kaminetsky, 29 Adar Reb Shlomo of Radomsk.

The Continuity of Spiritual life The Importance of Visiting the Graves, from the Introduction of the Sefer Ben Ish Chai, written by the Famous Mekubal Sefardi Rabbi in Bagdad - Rabbeinu Yosef Chaim :-

"For the whole year after my father Rabbeinu Eliyahu of Bagdad died, I spent the whole day and night in thoughts prayers and learning, connecting my soul with his in Spirit world. As his soul became enlightened with knowledge and understanding in the הנשמות עולם "Olam Haneshamos" - (the world of spirit souls) I also benefited from this knowledge ...... I was informed that I am a re-incarnated soul of the loyal servant of King David - Benyahu Ben Yoyoda .... I learnt much from my father in this year after his passing to האמת עולם "Olam Ha'Emes" (the Spirit world) that I call this Book - The Ben Ish Chai - Son of a living man. I promise everyone, that if they wish to attain spiritual heights of purity of their souls, then go the graves of their ancesters, and of Holy Rabbis, and of specially righteous people".

It is well known that the many Rebbes go every week to the graves of the previous Rebbes, to ask for Divine help for Klal Yisroel. Many Chassidish people go every friday to pray at the graves of their Rebbes, even to say "Thank you" for the gift of life and guidance, and at any time they need help.

It is accepted amongst Orthodox Jewry, the tradition of going to the gravesites regularly, at least before every Yomtov, and especially before Rosh Hashana and again before Yom Kippur. To ask for Divine blessing and spiritual guidance, good mazel, good health and happiness for everyone. We hope you will visit the graves of your family friends and Holy Rabbis and Rebbes, pray and grow spiritually on your journey in this world .

Please see article by Rabbi Pinchas Giller for full historical and spiritual importance of the tradition of visiting gravesites throughout the generations.

Page 11: Famous Rabies

The spiritual energy, enlightement and guidance ones soul receives, has been the fundamental reason why generations of Jewish people always connect spiritually by visiting the gravesites of Holy Rabbis, Rebbes and spiritual leaders.

Baba Sali - Reb Yisroel Abu Chatzeira always explained the reason why people are frightened of visiting graves is that they are frightened of death, knowing that they have lived selfish materialistic lives void of any spirituality, the thought of death and cemeteries frightens them. These people have "inner fears" in their soul that sense they have little to look forward to, as they have not prepared spiritually for the life-after-death Divine "Spirit world". Baba Sali - Reb Yisroel Abu Chatzeira explained that everyone can change by simply starting to think for just 5 mins every day for the rest of ones life on the "meaning of life", and the "existence of a DIVINE CREATOR of this magnificent Universe". Every person has the power to change by changing ones thoughts, just a "single thought has the power to change" the whole world.

In remembering the spiritual leaders of the previous generations and their influence of knowledge and guidance they gave, this knowledge connects us to them. This connection of our thoughts and memories of these spiritual idealistic leaders connects our generation to the previous generations and thereby will ensure a continuity of their true spiritual teachings that we may continue to pass onto the next generation.

Exceedingly special Famous Rabbis

Famous Chassidish Rebbes

Chassidish Rebbes are mainly Polish Rabbis whom focused on serving God through love, happiness and kindness.

Famous Rabbis

Page 12: Famous Rabies

Famous Sefardic Rabbis Rabbis who originally came from Mediterranean countries like Spain , North Africa, Italy and the Middle East like Israel, Syria, Yemen and Iraq . The Name "Sefard" is the hebrew word for Spain - hence Sefardic jews originated from Jews expelled from Spain in 1492, who fled to North Africa and even as far as South America with Columbus .

Famous Rabbis - Baalei MussarBaalei Mussar Rabbis who believed in strict self control and discipline in the

service to GOD

Famous Rabbis Yarzheit'sA complete list of famous Rabbis and Rebbes Yarzheit's - Anniversary of

passing from this world .

Please click on any of the jewish months below to see the "yarzheit's" of famous rabbis .

Nissan   Iyar   Sivan   Tammuz   Av   Elul   Tishrei   Cheshvan   Kislev   Teves   Shevat   Adar  

Famous Rebbes

Yarzheits  

   We have collected a list of famous Rebbes yarzheits from the hebrew book called "dvar be-eto" בעיתו דבר printed in Israel by Viznitz, and have listed them in date order according to the Jewish months, (month of Nissan usually starts end of March/beginning April, you can check exactly the english date from www.hebcal.com/converter). Please click on any of the jewish months below to see the "yarzheit's" of famous rabbis.

Nissan   Iyar   Sivan   Tammuz   Av   Elul   Tishrei   Cheshvan  

Page 13: Famous Rabies

Kislev   Teves   Shevat   Adar  

The Title of "Rebbe" or "Reb" and NOT "Rav".

Since the 1950's, it became more common for people, to call the Rebbe by the name "Rav", this was due to the influence of israel and the spoken language of modern hebrew. The true title is "Reb" or "Rebbe".

In Europe before Second World War, some leaders were called בנים רע "Rabonim" meaning "evil sons", because they were either

corrupt, reformed many traditions, discarded laws, fanatical or believed in destroying the Jewish religion by "modernisation", and refused to believe in spiritual afterlife, therefore calling someone "RAV" had derogatory implications. The true spiritual leaders were called and are still called "Rebbe" or "Reb", a term reflecting a true spiritual teacher, guide and leader with a compassionate nature with a deep love of GOD and Klal Yisroel.

The Ben Ish Chai - חי איש בן

Page 14: Famous Rabies

Rabbeinu Yosef Chayim of Baghdad

Yarzheit 13th Elul

This article originally appeared in Yated Neeman, Monsey NY. and is reprinted here with their permission

Rabeinu Yosef Chaim, the Ben Ish Chai of Baghdad, was one of Sephardic Jewry's greatest luminaries. During his time, wherever Jews of Sephardic descent settled, they would refer their halachic questions to him. Today,

nearly a century after his passing, his approach to halacha and his customs are still followed by Sephardic Jews from all sects, the world over. His writings

are also treasured by all Jews, Sephardic and Askhenazic alike.

Page 15: Famous Rabies

His main disciple, the kabbalist and tzaddik Reb Yehuda Moshe Petaya, once commented that a strong indicator of Rabeinu Yosef Chaim's greatness was

the regard in which he was held even as youngster. "When he was still young," said Reb Petaya, "even the elders accepted his authority."

When the great Reb Abdallah Somech, for example, was presented with difficult halachic issues, he would send a note to Rabeinu Yosef Chaim asking

for his opinion. The Ben Ish Chai also corresponded in halacha with the leading sages of Jewish communities throughout the world, including those of European origin. His halachic work Rav Pe'alim contains a wide range of customs

handed down by Ashkenazic sages, among them the Vilna Gaon, the Chasam Sofer, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and even the Baal Shem Tov.

A UNIQUE CHILD The Ben Ish Chai was born in 1832/5592, in Baghdad, Iraq, and descended

from an illustrious line of Torah sages. His grandfather, Rabeinu Moshe Chaim, was a great sage who served as rov of Baghdad. In this capacity, he

raised the spiritual level of Iraq's Jews.

The Ben Ish Chai's father, Rabeinu Eliyahu, was also a highly regarded talmid chacham. Upon Reb Moshe's petira, Reb Eliyahu succeeded him as rov and maggid of Baghdad. Rabeinu Eliyahu and his wife were childless for many years. Finally, 10 years after their marriage, his wife made the long journey

from Baghdad to Morocco to request a blessing from the renowned Reb Yaakov Abu Chatzeira, the Abir Yaakov.

The tzaddik blessed her that she would give birth to a child who would one day illuminate the eyes of Jews everywhere. Less than a year later, she gave

birth to a boy, who was named Yosef Chaim. Yosef Chaim's talents were evident from a young age. As a child, he spent most of his time studying in his

father's large library. At the age of 10, he left the Sephardic cheder in which he learned and began to study with his uncle, the tzaddik Reb David Chai Nissim. Reb David later founded the famed Shoshanim LeDavid Yeshiva

located in the Beis Yisroel section of Yerushalayim. One day, when Yosef Chaim returned home from his studies, he was playing

with his sister and he fell into the well. His frightened sister ran upstairs, screaming, "Yosef Chaim has drowned." All of the neighbors ran to the

courtyard to see what had happened, while Yosef Chaim's mother stood off to the side, weeping. One of the neighbors brought a thick rope and then a

volunteer descended into the well and pulled out Yosef Chaim's listless body. Another neighbor administered first aid, and a doctor was summoned. When

the doctor saw the unconscious Yosef Chaim, his expression turned grave. He told Yosef Chaim's parents that their son's chances for survival were slim. Yosef Chaim was brought upstairs, and his father recited Tehillim at his

Page 16: Famous Rabies

bedside. Suddenly, Yosef Chaim let out a cry. The doctor looked at him in disbelief and declared that a miracle had taken place and that Yosef Chaim

would live. "Yosef Chaim is alive. Yosef Chaim is alive," everyone called out with joy.

Yosef Chaim fell back asleep. When he awoke the following morning, he didn't remember the incident. After serving him a hot drink, his mother told

him about the miracle that had occurred.

Despite his great weakness, Yosef Chaim cried out, "I promise that from now on I will dedicate my entire life to Torah study and avodas Hashem." Everyone was astounded by the child's vow, and a vigorous "Amen"

resounded through the room.

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON As soon as he had fully recovered, Yosef Chaim began to fulfill his vow, forgoing all childish games, sleeping less and spending most of his time engrossed in his studies with his uncle. At first, his parents feared for his

health. But when they saw that this rigorous schedule and his conduct did not harm him, they permitted him to continue.

A few years later, Yosef Chaim's father received a halachic question about Esrogim from the chachamim of Yerushalayim, but he was occupied with

other matters and could not answer the question immediately. Yosef Chaim, who was 14 at the time, decided to answer the question on his own and sent

the chachamim a reply.

When Yerushalayim's sages received Yosef Chaim's answer, they were very impressed by its clarity. A number of days later, they received another letter, this time from Rabeinu Eliyahu himself, who hadn't known that his son had

already answered the letter. To the great surprise of Yerushalayim's sages, the two responses were exactly the same. They responded by sending a letter to

Rabeinu Eliyahu, in which they explained what had happened and praised his son's abilities."Blessed are you for having fathered such a son," they wrote. "Blessed are you for having raised him. 'A wise son gladdens his father.'"

When Rabeinu Eliyahu was niftar (died), Rabeinu Yosef Chaim - just 25 year old - succeeded him as rov of Baghdad. He soon acquired the respect of all

members of the community, who faithfully abided by his rulings.

STIRRING DRASHOS - TALKS Rabeinu Yosef Chaim was renowned for his unique drashos and shiurim. Every morning for nearly 50 years - except for a seven-year period during

which he went into seclusion - he delivered a drasha and shiur in halacha and aggada.

This shiur became the basis of his works Ben Yehoyada and Mekabtziel, which also include many of the Arizal's insights. Every Shabbos he delivered

a three-hour drasha in the Tsallat L'ziri Shul, or Small Synagogue, of

Page 17: Famous Rabies

Baghdad. This drasha was attended by a diverse audience of Torah scholars, laborers, women and children. The lectures were so fascinating that even the

children remained transfixed throughout their duration. Rav Yosef Chaim based these lectures on the parsha and interspersed aggada and halachos that

he felt the people should know. Four times a year, he would deliver a Shabbos lecture in the Tsallat Lechbri Shul, or Large Synagogue. According to tradition, this shul was built at the

beginning of the Babylonian exile by Yehoyachin, king of Yehuda, with earth that had been brought from Eretz Yisroel.

When Rabeinu Yosef Chaim delivered these lectures, the shul, which contained 10,000 seats, was filled to capacity. Rabeinu Yosef Chaim would don white attire and a tallis, creating a very ascetic and angelic appearance. During the drashos, Rabeinu Yosef Chaim's voice was so powerful that he could be heard outside the synagogue. His son, Reb Yaakov, described this ability as a "superhuman feat." - "Apparently, the Shechina issued from his throat at such times," he said. These special drashos were the basis of his

monumental Ben Ish Chai, which is considered the Sephardic Kitzur Shulchan Aruch.

Many youngsters, who later became outstanding Torah sages, attended these lectures and testified that they had a profound impact on their lives.

Among them was the great Reb Salman Mutzafi. Writing in Olamo Shel Tzaddik, Reb Benzion Mutzafi, Reb Salman's son, says: "Every Shabbos my father would accompany my grandfather to shul to hear Rav Yosef Chaim's drasha. When the drasha ended, masses of people would form long lines and

wait to kiss Rabeinu Yosef Chaim's hand and to receive his brachos. "My father, who was still very young at that time, would clutch my

grandfather's cloak and join that line. When his turn arrived, he would kiss Rabeinu Yosef Chaim's hand. With a pleasant simile, Rabeinu Yosef Chaim would place his hand on my father's head and say, 'May you merit to grow

great in Torah.' "This bracha- blessing would strengthen my father's resolve to study with great hasmada- diligence . Throughout the week he would eagerly wait for

Shabbos, when he would once again receive such a bracha. During my father's later years, he would excitedly and longingly recall those weekly visits." One of the highlights of the year for Bagdad's Jews was Rabeinu Yosef

Chaim's Purim drasha, in which he would explain the entire Megilla. During this drasha he would inspire the audience to fulfill all of the mitzvos of the

day. While personally maintaining a serious mood, he would inspire a merry one among the members of the audience. After the drasha, a large crowd of beggars would surround him, and he would give each one generous matanos

le'evyonim.

KEDUSHA AND TAHARA Rabeinu Yosef Chaim was known for his outstanding piety. During the day,

Page 18: Famous Rabies

he secluded himself in a special room, where he studied all aspects of the Torah: Shas, halacha, aggada and kabbala.

At midnight, he arose to recite Tikun Chatzos( prays in memory of the destruction of the temple), and then he davened Shacharis in the vasikin

minyan. He fasted the entire day for six consecutive years, breaking his fast only at night. He also built a mikveh in his home so that he could immerse

himself whenever necessary. Fearing overindulgence, he refused to eat fresh fruit during the summer. However, on Rosh Hashana, when the watermelon season was about to end, he tasted that fruit and recited the Shehechiyanu

blessing. Every motza'ei Shabbos, he secluded himself in his attic to learn. It is said that

Eliyahu Hanavi appeared to him at these times.

GREATNESS AND HUMILITY MEET Although Rabeinu Yosef Chaim was Iraqi Jewry's uncontested spiritual

leader, he did not hesitate to reach out to simple people. He warmly greeted everyone who approached him, and his home was a central address for the needy and unfortunate. His family was famed for their hospitality, and he

would personally attend to the needs of his many guests. Among those who sought his counsel were people in search of a tikun for their sins. Rabeinu Yosef Chaim would offer them guidance and reassure them that that their teshuva would be accepted. In addition, he wrote a special treatise

called Leshon Chachamim, which contains prayers and tikunim for those looking to rectify their souls. He never advised such people to fast, but only to pray, thus enabling them to do genuine teshuva without breaking their spirits.

MASTERY OF THE REVEALED TORAH Rabeinu Yosef Chaim was proficient not only in the entire revealed Torah, but

also in kabbala. His kabbalistic writings are assembled in his work Daat u'Tevuna; in his pamphlet series, Sod Yesharim; and in Benayahu, his

monumental work on the Zohar. Despite his vast understanding and knowledge of kabbala, he constantly warned that kabbalistic studies may only be pursued by those who are

thoroughly versed in the Talmud. Once, a group of young scholars in Baghdad founded a yeshiva where they

studied kabbala one hour a day. Rabeinu Yosef Chaim visited the yeshiva and discovered that they had misinterpreted some passages. After pointing out their errors, he ordered them to disband their study group. He then taught them privately and, one year later, allowed them to resume their study of

kabbala.

SEVEN YEARS OF SECLUSION In 1882, Rabeinu Yosef Chaim suffered a number of personal tragedies. On the 9th of Shevat of that year, three of his bothers were unjustly imprisoned.

Rabeinu Yosef Chaim's mother, unable to bear the shame and the pain, fell ill

Page 19: Famous Rabies

as a result and soon passed away. The brothers remained in prison for three years until their innocence was proven.

These events deeply affected Rabeinu Yosef Chaim, who did not leave his home for the next seven years, foregoing even his drashos. He also fasted

every day and spent most of his time studying kabbala. When the seven years ended, he once more resumed his drashos, to the great joy of the community.

LOVE FOR ERETZ YISROEL Rabeinu Yosef Chaim was deeply attached to Eretz Yisroel and placed a large stone from Eretz Yisroel at the entrance of the synagogue where he delivered his drashos. He had all of his seforim printed in Eretz Yisroel so that he could

support its yishuv. He also influenced one of Baghdad's wealthiest Jews to donate the land on which the Porat Yosef Yeshiva, which played a major role

in the revitalization of Sephardi Jewry, was built. In 1869 he visited Eretz Yisroel, where he prayed at the graves of the

tzaddikim and visited a number of kabbalists. He was offered the position of Rishon Le'Tziyon, but declined it. On Lag B'omer he went to Meron to daven at the Tziyon of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai. It was there that he composed the

famous song "Ve'amartem Koi L'choi Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai".

HIS WRITINGS Rabeinu Yosef Chaim was a prolific writer. "An aroma of purity and sanctity pervades these works," said the Ridbaz, of Rabeinu Yosef Chaim's writings.

"This is immediately evident to all who merely glance at them." Rabeinu Yosef Chaim's writings included scholarly works, as well as works

geared toward the general public, including stories, parables, and even riddles. One of his purposes in writing for the masses was to draw them away from secular literature, which was becoming increasingly popular at that time.

His main works are Aderet Eliyahu, Ben Ish Chai, Benayahu, Ben Yehoyada, Daat U'Tevuna, Even Shlomo, Imrei Bina, Leshon Chachamim, Mashal

Ve'nimshal, Nifla'im Maasecha, Od Yosef Chai, Orach Chaim, Rav Berachot, Rav Pe'alim, Shuvi Hashulamit, Tikun Tefila and Torah Lishma. Many of his

manuscripts, however, were never printed, and a number were left in Baghdad.

HIS PETIRA - PASSING On Sunday, 5 Elul, 5569/1909, Rabeinu Yosef Chaim visited Yechezkel

Hanavi's grave in the village of Kafil, where he spent a full week praying and preparing himself for the upcoming Rosh Hashana. He spent Shabbos in the

village of Getz, where he addressed its Jews and encouraged them to do complete teshuva.

On Motza'ei Shabbos, he suddenly fell ill and on Sunday evening, the 13th of Elul, he returned his pure soul to its Maker. When his students heard the news,

they were heartbroken. After transferring his body to the nearby city of Handya, they wired the chachamim of Baghdad, saying, "Yosef is gone."

Page 20: Famous Rabies

The bitter news spread throughout Iraq like wildfire, and a heavy pall of mourning descended on all of its Jewish communities. Baghdad's chachamim streamed to Handya to arrange for the transfer of the casket to Baghdad. The

casket was accompanied from Handya to Baghdad by a special entourage arranged by the local pasha. Thousands of Jews joined that procession.

On the way to the cemetery, the procession stopped in a valley near the Tigris River where a tearful hesped was delivered by the great Iraqi sage Reb Moshe

Shamesh. This hesped lasted for four hours. In Baghdad, the levaya was attended by 150,00 people. The actual burial took place on the 15th of Elul. When news of the petira reached Yerushalayim, the Rishon Le'Tziyon, Reb

Eliyahu Moshe Fanizel, ran to inform the city's sages of the occurrence. When Reb Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld and Reb Shmuel Salant heard the news, they

tore their clothing, as one does for one's rav muvhak. Every day during shiva another gaon delivered a hesped on Rabeinu Yosef Chaim.

The great Mekubal Reb Shimon Ahron Agassi said that it was revealed to him that Rabeinu Yosef Chaim's soul was rooted in the soul of Yosef Hatzadik. Therefore, he had to be transported from the city he was nifter into the place of his burial, just as Yosef Hatzadik. (Other similarities were found such as

being saved from a well.) Rabeinu Yosef Chaim's son, Rebi Yaakov, succeeded him as rov and maggid of Baghdad.Today, Rabeinu Yosef Chaim lives on in his illustrious works. Od

Yosef Chai!

Click HERE for a full view on the Book "BEN ISH CHAI" online

The Ben Ish Chai

Had One Special Talmid - Disciple

Page 21: Famous Rabies

חכם יצחק כדורי זצלChacham Yitzchak Kadouri

Yarzheit 29th Teves

Chacham Yitzchak Kadouri was born in Ottoman Turkish Iraq as early as 1899. In the true Sephardic tradition, the young Yishak Kaduri was a man of

the world and a man of Tora. He started out working with his hands as a young man in the trade of binding books. His education took him to Chacham Yosef Chaim , known as the Ben Ish Hai, by the book that he authored of the same name), sometime before he was 13. Chacham Yitzchak Kadouri became one of the final disciples of the Ben Ish Hai, the last leader of Ottoman Iraqi

Jewry.

The Ben Ish Hai had a great love for Eres Yisrael and generously gave his moral and financial support to several charity funds in Jerusalem. As a result of his influence, the Baghdadi born millionaire, Yosef Abraham Shalom of

Calcutta, India bequeathed a sizable amount of money to the renowned Porat Yosef Yeshiva in the old city of Jerusalem, a yeshiva that Hakham Yishak Kaduri would later attend. The Ben Ish Hai had traveled to Jerusalem from

Iraq, via Damascus, in 1869. There is no doubt that his experiences and passion would later influence the young Chacham Yitzchak Kadouri who

would eventually make aliyah before his 18th birthday.

Page 22: Famous Rabies

In 1909 when Chacham Yosef Haim died, the still young Yitzchak Kaduri was living in the end of what was still under the Sultan's control. When the

Turkish lands fell following World War I, the new international boundaries of the modern 20th-century state of Iraq were drawn. These borders bore little

resemblance to those of the provinces of Ottoman Iraq. On the west and south, Iraq connected to the sands of the Syrian and Arabian deserts. It was during

this period of turmoil and international political change that the hakham emigrated to Erets Israel.

Once there, he studied in a yeshiva in Jerusalem and became a student of the Jerusalem kabbalists who had worked in Jerusalem since the beginning of the

19th century, this included Hakham Salman Eliyahu, father of the former Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, HaRishon L'Sion, Mordehai Eliyahu.

In 1998 a most unusual meeting took place in Jordan involving Hakham Yishak Kaduri and King Hussein of Jordan. The interaction between the

Jordanian leader and the hakham started years previous when the hakham sent a message calling upon him to work towards peace in the world. The hakham

had flown to Jordan as a personal guest of King Hussein. But he didn't join the rest of the delegation on the specially prepared flight or later in a car to the

mountain, instead he was flown in a helicopter piloted by Hussein himself. He would be taken to the burial location of Aaron the High Priest, brother of

Moshe, buried on Mount Hor in modern Jordan.

This was an unusual visit, as King Hussein had been a virulent enemy of the Jews for decades. He is remembered as the man who called upon the

destruction of Israel, severely desecrated the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives and whose troops destroyed every single synagogue in the Old City of

Jerusalem before 1967. But before the meeting, Hakham Kaduri's son clarified that his father would not be visiting the king in Amman for an official visit. He stated the purpose of the trip was only to pray at the gravesite of Aaron.

Page 23: Famous Rabies

Today, on the 29th Teves 5766, Saturday evening 28th January 2006, Chacham Yitzchak Kadouri has passed over to the eternal Divine spirit world,

at the over 100 years old.

Hakham Kaduri lived in the Bukharim neighborhood of Jerusalem and is associated with the Nachalat Yishak Yeshiva. He was an expert on making

religious amulets, Kemayas, and many members of the public possess a gold or silver amulet of his. Every weekend many people, locals and visitors, visit

the Hakham to kiss his hand out of respect or to get a special blessing for marriage, health or financial stability. Hakham Kaduri is married to Rabbanit

Dorit Kaduri, who is many years younger than her husband.

Hakham Kaduri told that as a young man in Iraq, the Ben Ish Hai had blessed him, that he would live to see the generation of children which would

welcome of the Mashiach (Messiah).

Reb Chaim Vital - הרב ורבינּו מֹורינּו וויטאל יֹוסף בן חיים

1543 - 1620 ( yarzheit 30th Nissan 5380 ) Buried in Damascus - Syria , he lived in Israel sefad and in Syria . A pupil of the Ari, he was respected

worldwide both ashkanazic and sefardic jews alike . Reb Chaim Vital was the author of many Kabbalist, Talmudic and Biblical works including Etz Chaim (Tree of Life) on Kabbala, and Lekutai Torah (Gleanings of Torah) . He had sole possession of the Ari's writings, and most of our knowledge of the Ari's

life and teachings are from Reb Chaim Vital.

The Disciple

Rabbi Chaim Vital (sometimes referred to as Rabbi Chaim Vital Calabrese, since his family was from Calabria, Italy) was born 1st Cheshvan in the jewish

year 5303 ( that is 1543 CE ). Rabbi Chaim is renowned primarily as the recorder and editor of the teachings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, although he

himself was also an accomplished kabbalist and writer.

Rabbi Chaim's father, Rabbi Yosef was famed as an expert scribe whose tefillin were much sought after, having been written in holiness and purity,

and with special kabbalistic intentions. Rabbi Yosef Caro said in the name of his maggid (an angelic teacher) that half the world existed by virtue of Rabbi Yosef Vital's tefillin.Rabbi Yosef was born and lived in Calabria until he was

given a blessing by the Famous Rabbi Chaim Ashkanazi and advised to go and live in Zefas - Sefad in Northern Israel, a village famous for spiritual great

leaders whom have lived there ( such as Rabbi Yonosson - Yonatan - Ben

Page 24: Famous Rabies

Uziel ). He was blessed that by moving to Israel he would have a son who will become a very great spiritual Rabbi , and therefore two year later Reb Chaim

Vital was born , named after Reb Chaim Ashkanazi .

Rabbi Chaim studied the revealed aspects of Torah under Rabbi Moshe Alshich, one of the foremost rabbis in Safed. Rabbi Yosef Caro, at the behest of his maggid, advised Rabbi Alshich to invest as much effort in his young student as possible, for he would be Rabbi Caro's successor. Rabbi Chaim studied Kabbala under the leading kabbalistic luminary in the world at that

time, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (Ramak). One of the senior kabbalists living in Safed, Rabbi Shabtai Lapidot, recognizing that Rabbi Chaim was destined for

greatness, urged the young man to extract himself from all worldly matters and devote himself to the study of Kabbala, promising him that he would

reach unimaginably lofty levels.

Indeed, in the year 5329 (1569 CE), at the relatively young age of 26, Rabbi Chaim began writing a commentary on Zohar, the primary text of Kabbala, according to the teachings of Ramak. However, by the following year Rabbi

Chaim's life took a completely different direction.

In the year 5330 (1570 CE) Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (the Arizal) came to Safed from Egypt. Initially Rabbi Chaim was not attracted to the Arizal, but after the

passing of his teacher, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, he became attached to the Arizal, quickly becoming his chief disciple. He tells that Ramak appeared to

him in a dream a few months after his passing, and when Rabbi Chaim adjured him to tell him the truth - whether they studied Kabbala according to his system or according to the Arizal's in the Heavenly Academy - his former

teacher replied. "Both approaches are true. However, my approach is the simple one, suitable for beginners in the wisdom of Kabbala, whereas the

teachings of your teacher [the Arizal] are deeper and are the primary approach. I, too, in the Heavenly Academy, study only according to the

approach of your master."

Rabbi Chaim describes his initiation into the Arizal's new approach to Kabbala as follows: "When I [first] came to my teacher of saintly memory

[the Arizal] to study this wisdom under him, he was about to leave for Tiberius. He took me with him. We boarded a boat, and as we were sailing [across the Kinneret] at a point opposite the arches of the Old Synagogue of Tiberius, my teacher dipped a cup into the water and gave it to me to drink. He told me that now I would be able to grasp this wisdom [the teachings of

Kabbala] for I had just drunk water from the well of Miriam [which is buried in the Kinneret]. From that time on I began to enter the depth of this wisdom."

Rabbi Chaim remarked that the works of earlier kabbalists, from after the Ramban [Nachmanides, 4955-5030 (1195-1270 CE)] until the Arizal, were

Page 25: Famous Rabies

built on mortal intellect, whereas the teachings of his master, the Arizal, were revelations received by the Arizal through Divine inspiration (ruach

HaKodesh).

Within a year of his initiation into the Arizal's teachings, Rabbi Chaim had become famous throughout Israel and the Diaspora as one of the great

kabbalists. When the Arizal passed on in 5332 (1572 CE), a mere two years after Rabbi Chaim had begun studying with him, Rabbi Chaim was almost

universally regarded as his successor.

The Arizal was not accustomed to record his teachings in writing. Many of his disciples, however, recorded his oral teachings, despite the Arizal's explicit

prohibition to do so. He had given only Rabbi Chaim permission to record his teachings. After the Arizal's passing, Rabbi Chaim gathered all their

manuscripts and began editing and organizing them. Today these are known as Kisvei Arizal - the Writings of the Holy Ari.

He began teaching the kabbalistic insights he had received from his master to his many disciples and thus he became the revered leader of a significant

group of kabbalists. He also gained a reputation as a miracle worker, a healer and a master of practical kabbala. He was able to discern the nature and

history of the souls of men. As he was able to discern the "root" SHORESH HA NESHAMA - הנשמה שֹורש , and thereby able to fix the soul from above

which healed and corrected anything wrong physically .

In 5347 (1587 CE) Rabbi Chaim was appointed a leading judge in the rabbinical courts in Jerusalem by his teacher, Rabbi Moshe Alshich. He

remained there for several years and then returned to Safed. He moved to Damascus in 5354 (1594) where he passed away in 5380 (1620 CE) at the age

of seventy-seven.

His Gravestone from Damascus, SyriaReb Chaim Vital died and was buried in Damascus Syria, his entire grave was

moved from the old cemetary in Damascus to Kiriat Malachi in Israel .

Page 26: Famous Rabies

Reb Chaim Vital - His kever (tomb) was moved to Kiriat Malachki, photo below is of his grave with thanks to www.thirdtemple.com

Page 27: Famous Rabies

The blue strings are "Kedusha- Kever" strings wrapped around the site

These "Kedusha Connection Cords" segments of 100% pure wool ( on Reb Chaim's Grave the light blue color was designated ) were wrapped around 7

times each of the kevers of our special holy people, the tzadikim.

As the tradition is to walk around in a counter clock wise direction encircling the grave 7 times when visiting graves of Holy People . This is done to help to

remind oneself of the person and what they stood for, and to reflect on this physical world is indeed a journey to take us further spiritually forward to the 7 heavens above . The colour is usually the colour of their AURA - אֹורה, the spiritual light / colour that they saw in their lifetime , and which enveloped

them spiritually .

Asking GOD to guide us with all the inner and outer strength to be a true to GOD and reveal to us our true purpose in this life - in a real material sense

just like the spiritual colours of the rainbow which are constantly revealed to special people into eternity. - לצדיקים הגנּוז אֹור . Which according to RASHI

(Genesis 1), the righteous are able to see even in this physical world with their "3rd Eye" . ( see more on this with respect to Yosef - Joseph and his coat of

many colours . )

==========================================

 

Page 28: Famous Rabies

But without doubt the most famous and profound book he wrote was Sefer Gilgulim the Book of re-incarnation .... גילגּולים ספר .

According to Jewish tradition, it has been accepted that only, the most learned and knowledgable Rabbis can understand the writings of his books at the age

of 40 . However, with a special "Bracha"- blessing, we have undertaken to explain Sefer Gilgulim in simple terms, as the leading Rabbis of our generation feel that by making this knowledge available , people will

complete their role and fulfil their purpose in life . With the sincere objective of the ultimate perfection on earth, peace and love amongst all of humanity

with no more wars and hatred, and thereby bringing closer the time of MOSHIACH אמן בימינּו במהרה .

As Reb Chaim Vital explains , in the times close to MOSHIACH , all the souls on earth will indeed be reincarnated souls , with the ultimate task of

completion and wholeness of mankind through peace SHALOM - שלֹום, and love of our neighbours , הבריֹות אהבת .

 

Below is a photographs of his hand written script from Sha'ar Ruach Hokodesh

Page 29: Famous Rabies

Below is Photograph of one of the front cover, first printed Sefer Gilgulim in Frankfort Germany in the Jewish year 5444 , that is the Year 1684 ce.

Page 30: Famous Rabies

Below is photograph of the front pages of a few of Reb Chaim Vitals other books .

Page 31: Famous Rabies

=======================================================

Page 32: Famous Rabies

RabbiYonosson(Yonatan) Ben Uziel

 

  

. Yarzheit 26th Sivan יונתן בן עוזיאל

The Famous Rabbi Yonosson ( Yonatan ) Ben Uziel, a disciple of the famous Hillel ( almost 2000 years ago ) . Hillel's famous quote , was to say about the Bible - Torah that the principle "LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR LIKE ONESELF, is the whole message of the bible - Torah, the remainder is simply an explanation " .

His disciple Rabbi Yonossan Ben Uziel, followed his teacher Hillel, and helped as many people as he possibly could during his life , and promises to help people even after he has passed from this Physical world into Spirit world .

Tradition has it that Rabbi Yonosson Ben Uziel gave a blessing to all those who are unmarried that if they visited his resting place they would merit to meet their soulmates and marry within the period of one year. This blessing has worked for all these centuries and countless numbers of people have married their true soulmates by Divine Intervention of their prayers at the Tomb of Yonossan Ben Uziel .

There is also a tradition on his Yarzheit that anyone single and searching for their soulmate , to light a candle and pray . see www.zfat.co.il/tourism/tourism_grave_jo-e.htm. website to send a prayer request by email.

He is buried in Amuka , Northern Israel , in the hills near Zefat , this is the photo of

pathway to his tomb

Page 33: Famous Rabies

 

 

Page 34: Famous Rabies

The Plaque next to his Grave .

And the translation :-

Rabbi Yonossan ben Uziel The greatest (gadol) student of Rabbi Hillel HaZakein (the Elder) . Our Rabbis teach us: Hillel HaZakein had eighty students. Thirty of them deserved that Moshe Rabeinu Shachina (Moshe Rabeinu's Holy Spirit), and thirty of them deserved that the sun would stand still for them like for Yoshua ben Nun (the event that took place before the walls came down in Jericho), and twenty of the Beinunim students, the greatest of them - Yohanatan ben Uziel, the smallest of them - Rabbi Yohanan ben Zachai. They said about Yonatan ben Uziel that when learning Torah any bird that flew over him would be burnt by the fire in his aura of energy above

Page 35: Famous Rabies

him (Rashi: all the heavenly angels would gather around him to hear his Torah, TosFot comments: Happy things like those Given by GOD at Mount Sinai like the giving of Torah in fire) . ( this is because Yonatan BEn Uziel was bringing down and transcending pure true TORAH knowledge from GOD and spirit world .)Targum (translation) of prophets Yonatan ben Uzial they said from Hagi, Zecharia and Malachi and Eretz Yisroel ( the whole land of Israel ) was shocked by earth tremor 400 parsas (measurements) by 400 parsas, bat Kol (heavenly voice) came out and said "who is the one revealing my secrets to mankind? ". Yonaton ben Uzial stood up on his feet and said "I am the one who revealed Your secrets to mankind knowingly in front of You, not for my honor I did it and not for the honor of the house of my father but for Your honor I did it, for wouldn't be many machloket (disputes) in Israel". He also asked to reveal targum of Katuvim (writings of the Tanach / Bible) a voice - "Bat Kol" came out and said to him (Y ben U) "you have revealed enough for the moment " , and Why ? because if you reveal all the secrets now , you will reveal when the Moshiach will come and the dates of final Peace in the world " .And the velvet covered Grave inside in the Tomb

Page 36: Famous Rabies

==================================

For those single people looking for their soulmate "ZIVUG" , it is accepted tradition to go and pray in Amuka at the Tomb - Grave of Yonatan Ben Uziel . If you wish to send a prayer request to the grave , asking for your soulmate , click < HERE > this link will take to in a website in Zefas which receives prayer requests specifically of single men and women looking for the destined soulmate .

simply go to the website send them email with your name .There is ofcourse NO charge and the Rabbi of Atar handling email requests is really special, sincere and all is handled in strictest of confidence . We have heard of many people "magically" having their prayers answered, just by sending an email .....

====================================

Please also see the new website www.uziel.info A websites dedicated to the famous Rabbis Yonatan Ben Uziel - עוזיאל בן יונתן , prayer requests to his

grave - tomb in Amuka Israel and his spiritual teachings .

Page 37: Famous Rabies

The Famous Rabbi -

The Rebbe Reb Yehonossan Eibeshitz

Author of the book- Ya'aros Devash

He is known as the "Rebbe Reb Yehonossan", because after his death he came back to people in dreams, and gave them advice and guidance. And in the case

of one man he made him do Teshuva- repent for the error of his ways, and changed. The Rabbis therefore called him "the Rebbe Reb Yehonossan" as he

was a Rebbe in this world and a Rebbe in the spirit world.

This is a print of his most famous book Yaaros Devash, which in one part is a collection of the Sermons - Droshos he gave whilst he was Rabbi of Metz .

Together with many other highly evolved spiritual thoughts and ideas .

Page 38: Famous Rabies

This famous spiritual book , was written whilst The Rebbe Reb Yehonossan was Rabbi of Metz, France

Page 39: Famous Rabies

Here is a photo of his hand written letter

Page 40: Famous Rabies

( Rabbi Bamberger of Metz, and the Metz jewish comunity have many of his writings and "kemayas" , which i hope to upload to this website over the next

few months )

One of the "Kemayas" of The Rebbe Reb Yehonossan Eibeshitz .

For those who understand hebrew, numerology, and Kabbalah you will find the secret, (otherwise come back to this website soon and i shall have more

explained)

Page 41: Famous Rabies

The Rebbe Reb Yehonossan Eibeschitz was by all opinions one of the major Rabbinic figures of the first half of the 18th century. The son of Reb Nosson Nota Eibuschitz, he was born in 1660, apparently in Posen, and studied in his youth in Poland, Moravia and Prague. And he lived to 1764, the age of 104.

The family have told me a tradition that the Rebbe Reb Yehonosson was blessed with the life of a fish by the Baal Shem Tov, which perhaps explains his longevity.  The segula of of the fish - in addition to conferring immunity from the הרע עין Ayin Hara, such a blessing could confer long life, because a

fish can live virtually infinitely. ( with thanks to Lawrence Heller a descendant of the Rebbe Reb Yehonosson for this information ) .

The first half of his mature life was spent in Prague -- about 1715 to 1740 -- where he served as rosh yeshiva, was a highly respected and charismatic

preacher and, from 1736, upon the death of Rabbi Dovid Oppenheim, also dayan --head of the religious court. During the Prague period he also had

Page 42: Famous Rabies

conatct with both Christian clergy and lay intellectuals, and discussed religious matters with Cardinal Hassebauer and others.

He apparently aroused much controversy by his plan to print an edition of the Talmud with the "anti-Christian" passages censored -- a plan that was

thwarted by the other rabbis of the time.

From 1741 on he was in Germany, first in Metz (Mainz), and later in Altuna, as rabbi of the "three communities" of Altuna, Hamburg and Wandsbek (Ah"o). It was here that violent controversy broke out over his alleged

Shabbsai tzvi. Shabbas tzvi refers, of course, to the great messianic movement which swept Jewry during the mid-17th century, centered around the figure of

Shabsai Zevi, which persisted even after his forced conversion to Islam in 1666 and his death in 1676. The movement was rooted in a complex, tortuous Kabbalistic theology, based upon the teachings of the Lurianic Kabbalah of 16th century Safed, but took these in a new direction, crossing the line into heresy with mystical doctrines of descent into the realm of the forbidden in

order to redeem sparks of the Divine present therein. This same panchant for mystical dialectics provided the fuel for mystical rationalizations of Shabbasai

Zevi's apostasy, making possible the persistence of an underground, crypto-Shabbasia movement well into the 18th century, and possibly beyond. The

above is but a drop in the bucket of the serpentine doings of this bizarre chapter in Jewish history. The interested reader is referred to Gershom

Scholem's monumental study, "Shabbasai Tzvi, The Mystical Messiah (1626-1676)," available in both Hebrew and English.

With respect to Rebbe Reb Yehonossan Eibeschitz's principal nemesis, and leader of the accusations against him of Sabbatianism, was Rabbi Jacob

Emden (the "Yavetz"), of Altuna. This dispute split the Jewish and especially rabbinic world of the day, spilling over into halakhic issues as well, such as the famous divorce case in the city of Cleves. The Noda Beyehudah (Rabbi

Yehezkel Landau of Prague) tried to intercede to make peace, but to no avail. At one point even the King of Denmark was involved. One of the major

accusations against Eibeschitz concerned amulets KEMAYA which he made, containing holy names ( as such an accepted Orthodox Kabbalistic practice, current to this day) which allegedly contained allusions to Shabbasai Zvi.

Rebbe Reb Yehonossan Eibeschitz died in Metz in 1764. He was an acknowledged genius in at least three separate areas of Jewish religious creativity: Talmud and Jewish law (halakhah); homiletics (derush) and popular preaching; and Kabbalah. His halakhic works include Urim ve-

Tummim and Kresi u-Pleisi, on various sections of the Shulhan Arukh. These works, like his Talmudic novellae, are outstanding examples of the school of

pilpul -- ingenious, often hair-splitting novellea on the Talmud -- which reached its height in the 17th and 18th centuries, but unlike many pilpulists his

Page 43: Famous Rabies

work is written in a clear and incisive manner, based on clear logical principles. His homiletic works include Ya'aros Devash and Ahavas Yonasan.

In the area of Kabbalah, as is befitting an esoteric science, he wrote but little, but was considered one of the greatest Kabbalistic masters of his day. Given

the deep involvement of Sabbatianism in Kabbalah, it was not unexpected that he be prone to suspicion. Moreover, given the underground nature of

Sabbatianism in this period, it was next to impossible to conclusively disprove that oneself, or any other given person, was not a Sabbatian.

In any event, there remains much controversy among historians and scholars over Rebbe Reb Yehonosson's Sabbatianism. Some hold that he never was; others that he was in his youth, but later rejected it; while a third school and

correct school holds that he never was, but to be able to understand and argue for the defence of main stream Jews in Europe , he studied and analysed the

Shabbsai Tzvi ways .

The Rebbe Reb Yehonossan , as can be seen from his books, was undoubtedly one of the deepest thinkers, knowledgable and saintly of the Rabbis of that

generation .

This is photo of the Rebbe Reb Yehonossan Eibeshitz Gravestone and his wife .

Page 44: Famous Rabies

 

In a Letter to his son, revealed after he died, he explained that he was a re-incarnated soul from Binyomin son of Yaakov Aveinu (Jacob). And in the

same way that Benjamin was falsely accused by Joseph and the Egyptians for stealing a golden cup (Genesis chapter 44). The Rebbe Reb Yehonosson was

falsely accused by the Rabbis of the time in Europe.

In Breishis Genesis chapter 45 verse 22, the story relates that Joseph gave Benjamin 5 changes of clothing, this was symbolic that Benjamin would be

re-incarnated 5 times. 1st life was as Benjamin, 2nd life as Yehonossan son of King Saul, who was from the tribe of Benjamin, 3rd life as Mordechai from the Book of Ester who was also from the tribe of Benjamin, who saved the

Jews from Haman with Queen Esters help . 4th life as Reb Yehonosson Eibeshitz, and 5th life he would live at the time Moshiach, in the future .

אמן בימינּו במהרה

We shall be uploading more of the Holy Book "Yaaros Devash" to this website over the next few months .

Lessons from "Yaaros Devash" - The important question of "Astrology"

Can "astrology" the movement and energy of the planets and the astrological time of ones conception & birth influence the events of ones life ? and can we OVERIDE astrological destiny with the power of our soul ?

Page 45: Famous Rabies

The Famous Yaaros Devash We have reproduced the whole passage above for those who can read hebrew . For those who cannot - This important passage teaches us that the SOUL can overide ANY astrological influence . This passge teaches that even Ahaseurus

a bablonian king of 2000 years ago and his astrolgers knew that there are some influences of astrology, but there are precipitating and overiding SOUL

influences that can CHANGE destiny . Hence astrologers do not always predict the correct future as they fail to take into account the influence of the

soul .

Page 46: Famous Rabies

According to this Jewish text, it explains how simple it is to CHANGE, even something that is fated and destined can be changed . This is the principle of SEFER SHINUYIM - the book of change and Sefer Tikunim - the book of corrections , that through the power of ones SOUL , that is the power of the

creative life energy of GOD - LOVE, and conversely the lack of GOD - which is hate and death, one CAN CHANGE EVERY SITUATION !

The power of LOVE and HATE can change destiny !

======================================

We shall be uploading more lessons of Yaaros Devash

to this website soon from January 2008

=======================================

Reb Eliezer Gordon

לברכה צדיק זכרֹונֹוYarzheit 4th Adar I 5760 - in the year 1910

A brief history , by kind permission of "Yated Ne'eman".

For photos and history of Telz, the Town and Yeshiva buildings please see Shtetlinks website

The Telzer Yeshiva buzzed with activity, and the beis medrash where the rosh yeshiva, Reb Eliezer Gordon, also known as Reb Leizer Telzer, was giving shiur seemed more like a battlefield than a lecture hall. One student would ask a question, a second would offer an answer, while a third would passionately dispute it. Then Reb Eliezer Gordon would join the debate, sometimes

Page 47: Famous Rabies

stepping down from the bima into the middle of the shiur room and mingling with his students.

Once, the bochurim decided not to challenge Reb Eliezer in the middle of his shiur, but to maintain the silence that customarily prevails in yeshivos during the shiur klali. Reb Eliezer was stunned by the response - actually the lack thereof - and declared, "I'm not used to giving a shiur in a cemetery." Reb Eliezer's conduct during his shiurim was a by-product of his total absorption in Torah; Torah study was his greatest joy in life and when he was involved in learning, he was totally oblivious to his surroundings. When faced with a difficult kasha he felt saddened and wouldn't eat or sleep until he had resolved it. When he finally unraveled the difficulty, he would glow with joy.

Only a man with such enthusiasm and with so ardent a love of Torah could head a yeshiva like Telz, whose bochurim spoke in Torah everywhere they went - even in Telshe's fields and alleyways. As rosh yeshiva, he was perfectly suited for them, and they for him.

HEAVEN WATCHED OVER HIM שמים

Reb Eliezer Gordon was born in 5601/1841 in the Lithuanian village of Chernian. His father, Reb Avrohom Shmuel Gordon, had studied under Reb Chaim of Volozhin. Although Reb Avraham earned his living as a brandy maker, he spent every moment of his spare time studying Torah. Reb Chaim, who held him in high esteem, would often tell his students that although Reb Avrohom looked like a simple tradesman, he was actually an outstanding talmid chochom - knowledgably . Since there was no mohel in Chernian, Reb Avrohom Shmuel took his newborn son by sleigh to the nearby town of Svir for his bris. On the way, the sleigh suddenly slipped, and the infant fell out. The family, however, only realized what had happened once they had traveled quite a distance. Turning back, they began to search for the baby, finding him hours later at the outskirts of the forest between Chernian and Svir. They panicked when they saw a wolf standing beside him. But upon closer inspection, they realized the wolf hadn't harmed him; rather, it was guarding him. Obviously, the wolf had been sent by Heaven to protect the baby, who soon had his bris and was named Eliezer.

As a youngster, Eliezer studied in the Zaretza Yeshiva in Vilna. From there, he transferred to Reb Yisroel Salanter's yeshiva in Kovno. Among the yeshiva's outstanding students at that time were Reb Yitzchok Blazer, Reb Simcha Zissel Ziv, Reb Naftali Amsterdam, Reb Yerucham Perlman and Reb Yaakov Yosef.

Page 48: Famous Rabies

Reb Yisroel Salanter realized that Reb Eliezer had the makings of a rosh yeshiva, and he trained him to one day assume such a position, appointing him a maggid shiur in his yeshiva. Reb Eliezer married the daughter of the wealthy and pious Reb Avraham Yitzchok Noveizer, who served as Rov of Kovno. Rav Avraham supported the young couple for a number of years, refusing to let Reb Eliezer assume any rabbinical position. In time, Reb Eliezer was offered a position as rov of the prestigious towns of Aliksot and Eishishok. But his father- in- law refused to let him accept them, saying, "Who knows whether we are sustaining him with our financial support, or he is sustaining us with his Torah?"

After his father-in-law's petira, Reb Eliezer succeeded him as rov of Kovno. But he left after three months to accept the position of rov in Kelm, where he founded a yeshiva. From there, he headed to Slabodka, where he served as rov for about six months. After that, he proceeded to what would be his final destination: Telz.

Telz at that time had a small kibbutz, or study group, of outstanding talmidim, which had been founded in 5637/1877 by Reb Nosson Tzvi Finkel. and Reb Eliezer Chavas. Among its students were Reb Meir Atlas, Reb Yaakov Tzvi Oppenheim, Reb Shlomo Abel and Reb Shimon Shkop. Reb Eliezer devoted all of his efforts to the development of this kibbutz, until it eventually grew into one of the most famous yeshivos in the world.

He also instituted a new learning approach in the yeshiva, based primarily on logic and the understanding of the Gemara. Until that time, its students had mainly analyzed the commentaries of the Acharonim, such as Pnei Yehoshua, Maharsha and Maharam Shif. Reb Eliezer, though, directed them to probe the works of the Rishonim, such as Ramban, Rashba and Ritva, who delve deeply into the Gemara's pshat. However, he also included some Acharonim in their course of study, among them the Ketzos Hachoshen, Nesivos Hamisphat and Reb Akiva Eiger, who employ the method of analysis he advocated. Another of his innovations was dividing the yeshiva into various classes, enabling students to proceed at paces commensurate to their ages and intellectual levels. In other yeshivos at that time, all the students learned in one general shiur. The maggidei shiur during that period were Reb Shimon Shkop, Reb Chaim Rabinowitz and Reb Yosef Leib Bloch. Reb Eliezer himself delivered the highest-level shiur.

RAGING STORMS At first, things in the yeshiva proceeded smoothly. But in time, a fiery dispute shattered its esprit de corps. This dispute was sparked by the introduction of mussar study into the yeshiva's curriculum. During his early years as rosh yeshiva, Reb Eliezer appointed special mussar mashgichim to supervise the students' spiritual development and to shape their characters according to Reb

Page 49: Famous Rabies

Yisroel Salanter's approach. Its first mussar mashgiach was Reb Ben Zion Kranitz, a student of Reb Simcha Zissel of Kelm. Reb Ben Zion was very mild mannered, and he didn't force his students to accept the mussar approach. However, in 5657/1897, when Haskala's venom began to seep even into the yeshiva, Reb Eliezer engaged a new mussar mashgiach - the dynamic Reb Leib Chasman, who instituted a very strict mussar regime in the yeshiva. Many of the students, however, opposed this approach, and a major battle erupted. At times, the opponents of the mussar approach made various demands and went on strike until their terms were met. Reb Eliezer was very upset by this discord, and once fell ill as a result. Nonetheless, he insisted on maintaining this regime and approach, and he expelled the leaders of the rebellion. On another occasion, he disbanded the entire yeshiva, and founded it anew without foregoing the yeshiva's mussar character. One time, during the mussar controversy, the yeshiva's administration withheld the rebellious students' stipends. When their representative requested that the stipends be resumed, Reb Eliezer asked, "What are they doing now?" "They're learning well, but are starving," he replied. Reb Eliezer was shocked, and despite the conflict, he gave the representative a large sum to distribute among the recalcitrant students. Reb Eliezer's son-in-law Reb Yosef Leib Bloch supported him in his efforts to fortify the mussar approach in the yeshiva. At one point, he decided to leave the yeshiva, hoping that his departure would cause the controversy to subside. He left Telshe in 5662/1902 and assumed a position as rov of Verna and Shadova. Reb Shimon Shkop also left the yeshiva at that time, and he was replaced by Reb Chaim Rabinowitz, formerly a rebbi in Knesses Yisroel and Knesses Beis Yitzchok of Slabodka. Other outstanding talmidei chachamim who served as mussar mashgichim in the yeshiva were Reb Nesanel Yosef Graz, Reb Eliezer Luft and Reb Shmuel Fundiler. The latter two were sent by Reb Nosson Tzvi Finkel, along with scores of the finest mussar talmidim of Slabodka, to strengthen the yeshiva from a mussar aspect. These students succeeded in planting deep mussar roots in the yeshiva, and even though rebellions still surged, the proponents of the mussar approach exceeded the opponents and overcame them.

LEGENDARY DEDICATION Reb Eliezer's dedication to his students was legendary. While he was in Kelm, two of his students were drafted into the army, and a large sum of money was needed to secure their release. Reb Eliezer, who was unable to raise the necessary funds, gave the authorities the crowns of the local shul's Torah scrolls as collateral. When Kelm's communal leaders protested, he said, "The finest crown for the Torah scrolls is the Torah study of these students." While in Telz, he often had to go out on fund-raising missions himself. But nothing was too difficult for him when the welfare of his beloved students was at stake. Prior to his daughter's marriage, Reb Eliezer received a large sum of money from his father-in-law, the wealthy Reb Boruch Brody, to cover the

Page 50: Famous Rabies

wedding expenses. At that time, however, the yeshiva was in dire financial straits and lacked money for food. Reb Eliezer used the entire dowry to provide the students with their basic needs, without taking his own family's needs into consideration.

FIGHTING THE MASKILIM

While still a young man in Kovno, Reb Eliezer was drafted into the war against the maskilim by none other than Reb Yisroel Salanter. At Reb Yisroel's urging, Reb Eliezer and Reb Alexander Moshe Lapidus of Rasein successfully transformed the Halevanon newspaper into a sounding board for Torah-true Jewry in Russia. In 5633/1873 the Russian authorities insisted that all melamdim complete an advanced course of secular studies by a certain date. As the deadline neared, the maskilim demanded that the decree be officially passed, and that every cheder whose melamdim hadn't met the requirements be closed. Since not a single melamed had enrolled in such a course, it was feared that all of the chadarim in Russia would be shut down. Although Reb Eliezer was still a young man at that time, Lithuania's Torah sages, among them Reb Yitzchok Elchonon Spector, Reb Yehoshua Leib Diskin and Reb Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, chose him to represent them before the government, sending him to Petersburg to try and annul the decree. Due to his success in this endeavor, too, the maskilim began to harass him when he became Rav of Kovno after his father-in-law's passing. The maskilim knew that Reb Eliezer no longer had someone to support him and needed an income. They tried to make him resign by influencing the town council not to pay him for his first three years as rav since his father-in-law, who had been very wealthy, had never taken a salary. Reb Yitzchok Elchonon Spector, however, was very eager to have Reb Eliezer serve as Kovno's rav. He had his secretary, Reb Yaakov Lipshitz, collect enough money to cover Reb Eliezer's salary for three years. Three months later, however, Reb Eliezer accepted a position as Rov of Kelm, because it offered him a greater opportunity to strengthen Torah. Before leaving Kovno, Reb Eliezer returned all of the money he had received from Reb Spector.

COMMUNAL ACTIVITY IN TELZIn Telz, Reb Eliezer was also deeply involved in communal affairs, and the amendments he instituted there are indicative of his greatness of spirit and his mussar nature. At that time, matza bakeries employed men, women and even children during the day and throughout most of the night. Deploring this situation, Reb Eliezer issued strict orders to close all of Telz's matza bakeries by 11 p.m. His official reason for the order was that after that time the workers were too tired to maintain scrupulous kashrus standards. However, he told his family that his real purpose was to protect the workers from being exploited and overworked.

Page 51: Famous Rabies

To enforce this order, Reb Eliezer ruled that any bakery owner who disregarded it would be deprived of his kashrus certificate. He disguised his true reason for issuing the law because at that time social welfare was not in vogue. Seeing that storekeepers used worn and inaccurate weights and measures, he also issued an order requiring them to exchange their weights for new ones. To enforce this order, he personally inspected the weights of the market vendors, forbidding them to use the old ones even when non-Jewish customers made purchases. Reb Eliezer's son-in-law Reb Zalman Sorotzkin relates that when non-Jews came to Telshe's market, they would ask that their items be weighed on "the rov's scales." The gentiles respected Reb Eliezer so much that they would also ask him to bless them. One time a gentile entreated him, "I want my enemy to die. Please curse him!" To this Reb Eliezer replied, "Pray, instead, that he will befriend you." Once, Reb Eliezer met the governor of the Vilna district and blessed him with success. Years later that governor became Russia's prime minister and he told his close confidants about Reb Eliezer's blessing. On another occasion, Reb Eliezer protested the meat tax that Telz's Jewish residents were forced to pay. Reb Eliezer insisted that this money not be used for churches or gentile schools, and he convinced the district's authorities to allocate large sums from these revenues for the building of mikvaos and for shul maintenance.

OUTWITTING THE AUTHORITIES Reb Eliezer also knew how to outwit the authorities when necessary. His resourcefulness saved the yeshiva, which was officially illegal, many times. One time, the maskilim reported the existence of the yeshiva in Telz to the mayor, who in turn sent an inspector to investigate the matter. When the inspector entered the beis medrash, it was filled to capacity. Naturally, the first person the inspector approached was Reb Eliezer, who at that time was wrapped in tallis and tefillin and was poring over his Gemara. Looking up for a brief moment, Reb Eliezer said, "I can't interrupt my studies to talk to you now. But have a seat and begin filling out your report."

In the meantime, Reb Eliezer motioned to the students to leave the beis medrash quickly. By the time the inspector had finished writing, only 20 students remained. "Can I see your report?" Reb Eliezer asked him. "Sure," the proud inspector replied. After reading it, Reb Eliezer turned to the inspector in surprise and said, "The report states that the yeshiva has hundreds of students. Why not count how many are actually here? If you made a mistake your superiors will fire you." Since a beis medrash with only 20 students could not be legally defined as a yeshiva, the inspector was forced to report that there was no yeshiva in Telz .

Page 52: Famous Rabies

FINAL DAYS In 5668/1908, a fire broke out in Telz, destroying all of the wooden homes in the city, including the yeshiva. As a result, Reb Eliezer, who was nearly 70, traveled to Berlin and London to collect the money needed to rebuild these homes and the yeshiva. It was winter, and Reb Eliezer's doctors warned him that England's blustery weather was dangerous to his heath, especially since he had suffered a heart attack a few years earlier. However, Reb Eliezer could not be deterred. London's rabbanim called a large meeting on his behalf and many of the city's wealthy Jewish residents were in attendance. At the meeting Reb Eliezer tearfully described the plight of the yeshiva and the hardships it was enduring.

However, the audience's reaction was lukewarm to say the least, and Reb Eliezer took it as a sign that his efforts to save the yeshiva would not succeed. In his sorrow, he suffered a severe heart attack that very night, 4 Adar I, 5670/1910. And it has been said that in his last words he said that London would never have a true lasting Yeshiva of Torah learning . And until today , it has never been successful . In England , the Manchester and Gateshead yeshivos are successful but not London . The Jewish world was shocked by his petira, as well as by the circumstances that led to it. A large levaya was held in London, but only three days later on the Tuesday, where he was buried in the Edmonton Federation Cemetary . Until today, his grave is visited by Jews seeking yeshuos. After Reb Eliezer's passing, his legacy was perpetuated by the illustrious Telz Yeshiva and the many generations of outstanding students he produced.

===========================================

From my Rebbe , Reb Gedalia Schneider of London

Once gave a lesson from the Gemorra in Bruchos

ח דף ברכות מס .

מצאֹו לעת אילך מתפלל חסיד כל מה בשביל

קבּורה זּו מצא אמר יֹוחנן ר

The talmud in Brachos page 8a, asks "what should every righteous person pray for at the time of "finding" ....and what is the time of finding referrring to ? Reb Yochanan says this is referring to the time of burial . " we should pray to be buried with dignity .

Page 53: Famous Rabies

As you read above a little about the very great man Reb Eliezer Gordon, My teacher Reb Gedalia Schneider , ( son of the Famous Reb Moshe Schneider of Schneiders yeshiva , and brother in law of Reb Alter Halpern .) always said that indeed the fact that Reb Eliezer Gordon is buried in London was itself a very special blessing , for his grave and tomb are visited by many people , and certainly was not desecrated by the Nazis as so many were in Europe . The special blessing that we today can pray at the grave of Reb Eliezer Gordon, and jews in England have been able to since 1910 . And Reb Eliezer continuing his ways in spirit world as he did in this world .....of helping as many people as possible . Everything has a reason in life and happens by God's decree & wishes, and that nothing happens by chance or accident , so Reb Eliezer dying in London happend for a reason too .

Every orthodox and many non-religious people have been to the tomb of Reb Eliezer Gordon in Edmonton, London , and everyone agrees that there is a very special feeling as you stand by and then inside the tomb .

Below are photos of the grave - OHEL - TOMB of Reb Eliezer

click on the categories below to see the photos :-

PHOTOS OF MAPS & HELP TO GET TO CEMETARY

PHOTOS OF THE CEMETARY

PHOTOS OF THE OHEL - TOMB OF REB ELIEZER GORDON

===========================================

Prayer RequestsWe are more than happy to take your prayer requests to the Ohel of the Telzer

Rosh Yeshiva, Reb Eliezer Gordon, when either myself, Reb Akiva, Reb Boruch or Reb Simcha go once every week usually on Sundays and/or Fridays

. Simply send an email to us with your hebrew name where you come from and your request .

Friends of ours and sincere "ehrlich" members of the Satmar Kehilla in Stamford Hill London N16 , have taken it upon themselves voluntarily, with

pleasure and respectful honour to go to the gravesite of the Famous Reb Eliezer Gordon with your requests . They shall read out your prayers, and

place the paper with your name in the place for Kvetlich in the tomb .

Page 54: Famous Rabies

OHEL - TOMB of Reb Eliezer Gordon

See here for the life story of Reb Eliezer Gordon

The inscription on the stone outside :-

Page 55: Famous Rabies

I have asked the Rabbis at the Federation of synagogues with respect to the mispelling of Reb Eliezer' s name.....evidently no mistake as in London the english "ELEAZER" is pronounced eli-ay-zer the "a" sounding like "ayy" !

Page 56: Famous Rabies

I hope that i have shown you a little , but the feeling of going inside the OHEL and having a good cry in prayer is a very special feeling . That you can only

experience by being there . i assure you you will feel something special , everyone i have spoken to , has felt something .

When you contemplate that you are standing in the Ohel of one of the greatest and famous of European Rabbis who taught every single leading Rabbi of the

next generation including the Ponevezher Rov . It is remarkable that thousands of people from the USA and Israel come specially to visit the Ohel

in Edmonton and yet for some strange reason the English jews have sadly neglected visiting the Ohel of this great Tzaddik . Maybe, its the guilt of the generations and the fact that english jews unwillingness to donate charity to

the Telz yeshiva to support torah, and the fulfillment of Reb Eliezers klala on London jews, hence the english have felt ashamed to visit this Tzaddiks holy gravesite . ( see here full history of Reb Eliezer Gordon and why he died in London ) . So if you live in the UK, please forget what happend in the past

generations mistakes and go to Edmonton cemetary in London to this Tzaddik - Reb Eliezer Gordon .

The Manchester Rosh Yeshiva

Rabbi Yehuda Zev Segal זצל

Yarzheit 22nd Shevat

Photo with thanks to Artscroll Publications, where book is available

 

Page 57: Famous Rabies

It is said that Reb Yehuda Zev Segal ( Reb Yidel ) underwent a marked transformation in his outlook and behavior at the age of 8. This sounds rather

farfetched; how many 8-year-olds have real outlooks, and how many are capable of changing their behavior and attitudes at such a young age? Reb

Yidel, however, was no ordinary youngster. At the age of eight, an incident occurred that changed his life forever, as he told a close talmid more than 50

years later. "As I was crossing the street in London," he told his talmid, "a city bus suddenly veered toward me. The driver turned on the brakes, and the bus halted only inches away from me. I was only eight at the time. Nonetheless, after this incident I realized that if life in this world can end within a second,

then we certainly weren't created in order to enjoy the here and now. I also felt that so great a miracle obligated me to dedicate myself to service of Hashem."

ROOTS Reb Yidel Segal was born in London on 17 Sivan 5670/1910 to Reb Moshe Yitzchok and Roize Segal. Reb Moshe Yitzchok, a student of the Alter of

Navardok, was an outstanding talmid chacham, who received semicha from Reb Yechiel Michel Epstein, the Aruch Hashulchan. At the age of 19, Reb

Moshe Yitzchok was drafted into the Czar's army, where he insisted on observing mitzvos as best as he could, and on fulfilling the mitzva of netilas

yadayim when required by halacha, in particular. Each time Reb Moshe Yitzchok searched for water for netilas yadayim, a soldier would follow him. After a while, the soldier grew tired of running after him and permitted him to

search for water alone. One day, as Reb Moshe Yitzchok was searching for water, he fled to the border and crossed over to Germany. From there, he

headed to England, where he began to study in the Machzikei Hadas Shul. In time, he was appointed shochet of the community. This position paid well and enabled him to save up a sizable sum, which he used to found the Etz Chaim

Yeshiva of London, the only yeshiva at that time in England. A number of years later, Reb Yehoshua Dov Silverstone and Reb Tzvi Hirsh Ferber founded a yeshiva in Manchester, and invited Reb Moshe Yitzchok to head it. He accepted the position. Reb Yehuda Zev was only 3 years old when

his family moved to Manchester. At that time, there was no yeshiva elementary school in the city. Since British law obligated all children under

the age of 14 to attend school, Reb Moshe Yitzchok was forced to enroll Yehuda Zev in the local "Jewish school" whose curriculum was entirely secular. However, when Yehuda Zev returned home each afternoon, Reb Moshe Yitzchok studied Torah with him, providing him with a full Torah

chinuch. Yehuda Zev's unique home environment, together with his deep piety and his

resolve to dedicate himself to Hashem, were the factors that fashioned his personality at that time. Reb Mordechai Smith was 22 when he studied with

the 13- year-old Yehuda Zev. He recalls, "Already then, Reb Yehuda Zev was

Page 58: Famous Rabies

very sensitive to the needs of others. Our study session began very early in the morning. In order to avoid making noise as he walked downstairs, he would

climb out of a window on the second story of his house and slide down a drainpipe, reaching the backyard without having woken anyone."

IN THE MIR When Yehuda Zev graduated from secular school, he began to study full-time

in his father's yeshiva. At the age of 20, he transferred to the Mir Yeshiva, where he learned for three years. and outstanding character traits. One day, a young man asked if he could study with him on a steady basis. Although Reb Yehuda Zev's schedule was full, he arranged to study Brachos with him every morning before Shacharis. That young man was Reb Chaim Shmulevitz. Reb Mordechai Schwab, the late mashgiach of Mesivta Beis Shraga of Monsey,

who studied in Mir at that time, relates, "I began each day with a mussar study session. During the first minutes of this session, I would watch Yehuda as he

plumbed the depths of the Gemara. That sight could inspire anyone to increase his hasmada."

Yechezkel Levenstein. They were so devoted to each other that Reb Yehuda Zev would refer to Reb Yechezkel as "mori ve'rabi," while Reb Yechezkel would say, "Yehuda Zev is my son." In Mir, he soon gained acclaim for his outstanding hasmada Reb Nosson Wachtfogel, the late mashgiach of Beis Medrash Gevoha of Lakewood, another student of Mir during that period,

once said, "From watching Reb Yehuda Zev between learning sessions, it was obvious that he was striving to develop his inner self."

In Mir, Reb Yehuda Zev formed a close bond with Rov Another gadol b'Torah to whom Reb Yehuda Zev was deeply attached was Reb Shimon Shkop, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Shaar HaTorah in Grodno. Reb Shimon would sometimes come to England to raise funds for his yeshiva, and Reb

Yehuda Zev took advantage of those opportunities to be meshamesh him. He also spent one vacation at Reb Shimon's summer resort, studying with him

and accompanying him on his walks.

MARRIAGEIn the winter of 5693/1933, Yehuda Zev's parents asked him to return home

because they had found a suitable shidduch for him. Reb Yehuda Zev left Mir on an icy winter day. Reb Yechezkel Levenstein accompanied him to the

wagon that was to take him to the train. When they reached the wagon, Reb Yechezkel handed him his scarf, but Reb Yehuda Zev hesitated to take such a

gift from his mentor. At last the two decided that Reb Yehuda Zev would wear the scarf on the trip, and then mail it back to Reb Yechezkel.

On the 15th of Shevat, 5694/1934, Reb Yehuda Zev married Yocheved, the

Page 59: Famous Rabies

youngest daughter of Reb Shlomo Zalman Cohen, a Gerrer chassid from Gateshead. Although Reb Shlomo Zalman Cohen was involved in business, he

made Torah his prime pursuit and earning a living a secondary one. Reb Yehuda Zev planned to return to Mir after his wedding. However, when his

mother-in-law fell seriously ill, he canceled these plans and remained in Gateshead. After his marriage, he devoted himself to full-time Torah study.

( please see here for Rebetzins Matzeivo in Manchester ) .

WORLD WAR II During World War II, England, like all other countries in the free world,

refused to accept refugees who might become dependent on the state. Thus, any refugee who applied for admission to the country had to present a

statement signed by a British citizen who promised to assume responsibility for the refugee's material needs. In order to rescue as many refugees as

possible, Rabbi Solomon Schoenfeld of London launched a project to secure affidavits from British Jews. Reb Yehuda Zev greatly assisted him in these efforts, working primarily among Gateshead's Jews. In 5700/1940, German bombers attacked Gateshead, and many people left the city for safer areas.

Reb Yehuda Zev and his family moved to Manchester, where he remained for the rest of his life. In Manchester he assumed the position of maggid shiur in the Manchester Yeshiva, where his father served as rosh yeshiva. From there, he continued to secure visas for war refugees. During the war, the Manchester Yeshiva opened its doors to young refugees fleeing the Nazi inferno. As the war intensified, the yeshiva expanded its rescue and relief efforts, organizing

daily shiurim for young men who due to the war were unable to attend yeshiva full time.

Reb Yehuda Zev opened his own home to many of the young refugees.

LIKE A FATHER After the war, Dayan Aryeh Leib Grossnass brought a group of teenage

survivors to England. These orphaned and destitute youngsters, who ranged in age from 14 to 16, were welcomed into the Manchester Yeshiva, where Reb Yehuda Zev encouraged and assisted them. On their first Succos in England,

Reb Yehuda Zev decided that it would be best for the group to spend the Yom Tov together in the yeshiva, instead of at different homes. However, a

misunderstanding occurred, and no food was prepared for them. Reb Yehuda Zev learned of this only a short while before Yom Tov. Despite the late hour, Rebbetzin Segal went to the yeshiva and prepared a full meal for all 20 boys.

Then she and Rav Yehuda Zev spent the entire meal with them. As the youngsters acclimated to their new life, their bond with Rav Yehuda Zev

strengthened, and they truly felt that he was their father. On Erev Pesach the

Page 60: Famous Rabies

entire group helped him with the Yom Tov preparations, and then joined him for an inspiring and rousing Seder. During this period, Rebbetzin Segal assisted her husband in all of her his rescue efforts, and was one of the organizers of the community's efforts to prepare food packages for new

arrivals from the displaced persons camps. She also helped her husband raise funds for the yeshiva, and was like a mother to its students.

THE SEARCH FOR A NEW ROSH YESHIVA

Reb Yehuda Zev's father, Reb Moshe Yitzchok, was niftar on 12 Cheshvan 5707/1947 after a serious illness, leaving the yeshiva bereft. Soon after his

petira, the yeshiva's board of directors began to search for a new rosh yeshiva. Although Reb Yehuda Zev was already serving unofficially as rosh yeshiva, some of the modern members of the board felt that due to his high standards

of kedusha and meticulous mitzva observance, he might be unable to relate to the average laymen. As a result, they strongly opposed his appointment.

RebYehuda Zev, who was aware of this opposition, showed no interest in the position, in order not to foster ill will among the board members. As a result, the position remained vacant for a number of months. In February 5708/1948, Reb Yechezkel Abramsky arrived in Manchester to participate in a ceremony at which outstanding students received awards. At a meeting with the board,

Reb Yechezkel declared that Reb Yehuda Zev was best suited for the position of rosh yeshiva and that the yeshiva would greatly benefit from him.

Seeing the opposition to the appointment, he then suggested that Reb Yehuda Zev be appointed "acting rosh yeshiva," adding that he was certain that if

someone more qualified were found, Reb Yehuda Zev would not only step down, but would also warmly welcome the new rosh yeshiva. During the next year and a half, many talmidei chachamim came to Manchester to apply for the position of rosh yeshiva. Throughout this period, Reb Yehuda Zev never

displayed resentment or ill will.

In 5709/1949, the Ponovezher Rav, Reb Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, invited Reb Yehuda Zev to join the leadership of the Ponovezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak. Reb Yehuda Zev accepted the offer and prepared to leave England. But then the president of the yeshiva's board, the eminent and pious Saul Rosenberg,

fell seriously ill. As he lay in the hospital, he told a close acquaintance about a frightening dream he had just had. In the dream, he had been told that he had

fallen ill because Reb Moshe Yitzchok was upset by the board's failure to appoint Reb Yehuda Zev to the position he rightfully deserved. Although Mr. Rosenberg hadn't opposed Reb Yehuda Zev's appointment, he feared that he hadn't done enough to secure it for him. As a result, he sent a family member

to Reb Moshe Yitzchok's grave and begged his forgiveness, promising to

Page 61: Famous Rabies

rectify the matter immediately. Amazingly, Mr. Rosenberg, who had seemed on the brink of death, soon recovered in full. When he was released from the

hospital, he called an emergency meeting of the board and convinced its members that Reb Yehuda Zev was the best possible candidate for the

position.

The board unanimously appointed Reb Yehuda Zev rosh yeshiva. However, Reb Yehuda had already made plans to leave for Bnei Bark. At a farewell

gathering in his honor, Dayan Yitzchok Golditch publicly asked him not to leave Manchester. That evening, Reb Yehuda Zev wrote to Reb Eliyahu

Dessler, the mashgiach of Ponovezh, asking him to discuss the issue with the Chazon Ish. Rav Dessler took the matter to the Chazon Ish, who replied that Rav Yehuda Zev should remain in Manchester. On April 16, 5710/1950, Reb Yehuda Zev Segal was officially inducted as rosh yeshiva by Reb Yechezkel

Abramsky. This appointment was supported by Dayan Yitzchok Yaakov Weiss, the Minchas Yitzchok, head of the Manchester Beis Din at that time.

During subsequent years, Reb Yehuda Zev was greatly assisted by Saul Rosenberg, who assumed responsibility for all of the yeshiva's fundraising

activities. He would often say, "The rosh yeshiva and I have an understanding between ourselves. He doesn't get involved with the budget, and I don't mix in

with the chinuch." Mr. Rosenberg was also a model of kibbud talmidei chachamim and a generous baal chesed and supporter of Torah.

Photo with thanks to Artscroll Publications, where book is available

AS ROSH YESHIVA As rosh yeshiva, Reb Yehuda Zev's sole concern was developing his students' full potential. When a student enrolled in the yeshiva, Reb Yehuda Zev would

ask him for his complete Hebrew name as well as his mother's, so that he

Page 62: Famous Rabies

could daven that he grow spiritually. Every morning, before Shacharis, he would give tzedaka and then daven that he merit to see all of his students

following the path of Torah. As rosh yeshiva, he was very warm and loving toward his students. If a student was ill, he would summon a doctor for him,

visit him in the dormitory and even bring him tea. As a result, students would jokingly say, "If you want the rosh yeshiva's special attention, become sick!" When the rosh yeshiva felt that a student would develop best somewhere else, he would help him to transfer to a different yeshiva. But if he thought that a

student who was having difficulties should nonetheless remain in the yeshiva, he would make an all-out effort to achieve that goal.

Thus, when parents of a French student told their son to return home to pursue a career, Reb Yehuda Zev and his wife traveled all the way to Paris to

convince them to let him remain in yeshiva. Despite his warm and caring nature, Reb Yehuda Zev maintained strict discipline in the yeshiva, inspiring

his students to awe and revere him. He did this because he believed that holding one's Torah mentors in awe is crucial for a ben Torah's development,

as it is written, "The awe of your Torah teacher should be like the awe of Shamayim" (Pirkei Avos, 4:12).

Many former students called Reb Yehuda Zev every Friday to wish him a good Shabbos. Others would call to report on the progress of their children or about simchas in their families. One time, the yeshiva students hosted a sheva brachos for one of Reb Yehuda Zev's grandchildren. When he rose to speak,

he said, "It is written that one should not mix one festive occasion with another. This gathering is a double simcha for me, since it affords me the

opportunity to be with my students, too. However, a sheva brachos is a family affair and my students are my children, too." As rosh yeshiva, he would stress that students should use their yeshiva years for optimal growth, especially in

respect to amassing Torah knowledge. With an eye toward their future he told them that the more knowledge they acquired during those years, the greater would be their influence later on. With his unique hasmada, he was a role

model for such spiritual growth and love of Torah.

AN 'ORDINARY' MAN'S TEFILLOS AND BLESSINGS

Before beginning his morning prayers, Reb Yehuda Zev would pray that Hashem help him daven with kavana. To achieve this goal, he recited every

single tefilla from a text, even prayers such as Asher Yatzar, which one says a number of times a day. He would recite this prayer with the same intent and emotion that one recites Ne'ila on Yom Kippur. When eating, Reb Yehuda Zev would also recite brachos from a text. Since he couldn't always carry a siddur with him, he kept a card in his pocket that had the various brachos

printed on it. Before making a bracha, he would recite a preparatory prayer,

Page 63: Famous Rabies

such as, "I am about to utter the blessing of shehakol...." On Shabbos, when the Shemoneh Esrei is shorter than during the week, it is more difficult to

accrue the 100 blessings one is required to recite daily. To solve the problem, on Shabbos Reb Yehuda Zev calculated how many blessing he had already made, and during the day he ate small pieces of food in order to arrive at the

requisite number of brachos.

Quite soon, he became renowned for his manner of tefillos, and people from all over the world would seek his blessings. Great Torah sages such as Reb Yaakov Kaminetsky would advise people in distress to seek the Manchester

Rosh Yeshiva's brachos. When Reb Yaakov himself was ill, he asked someone who was going to Manchester to ask that Reb Yehuda Zev pray for

him. Similarly, the late Satmar Rav told someone who had approached him for a bracha, "Why seek a bracha from me when you can go to the Manchester Rosh Yeshiva?" During the last decades of his life, Reb Yehuda Zev was

flooded by requests for blessings, and he related to every single request with deep emotion. Yet in his humility, he often said of his brachos, "A blessing given by an ordinary person should never be insignificant in one's eyes."

One of his students was diagnosed with a malignant disease. When the boy's father, who had hoped that his son would study a profession, asked Reb

Yehuda Zev for a bracha for the boy's recovery, Reb Yehuda Zev replied, "If your son dedicates his life to Torah study, he will recover fully." That night, as Reb Yehuda Zev davened Shemoneh Esrei, he was heard saying, "Tatte, I

promised him." Not long afterward, the young man recovered. On another occasion, Reb Yehuda Zev joined a group that was traveling to Eastern Europe to pray at the graves of tzaddikim. At the Chasam Sofer's

grave, he took out a sheet with a long list of names of people who needed a yeshua, and began to pray for each one. A short while later, the group was

ready to leave, but Reb Yehuda Zev still hadn't finished praying for everyone on his list. Having no other choice, he clutched the sheet to his chest and cried

out with intense emotion, "Ribbono shel Olam, may the requests of all who those whose names are on this list be fulfilled for the good."

A EXAMPLE OF CHESSEDReb Yehuda Zev tried to perform at least one chessed each morning before

Shacharis in order to enhance the efficacy of his prayers. When he lived in his daughter's home, he would prepare a thermos of hot water before going to

shul, so that his son-in-law could have a hot drink before leaving the house. While at his summer resort, he would prepare negel vasser for those of his

companions who awoke after him. In his mussar talks, he would stress that no opportunity to perform chessed - big or small - should be overlooked. This was a lesson he taught by personal

example. Whenever he washed his hands, for instance, he filled the cup for the

Page 64: Famous Rabies

next person. And when he returned home from yeshiva at night, he deposited his students' letters in a mailbox on his way. Before dropping these letters into the box he would say, "Hareini mechaven lekayem mitzvas asei shel chesed," "I intend to full the positive command to do chessed." Visiting the sick was another chessed to which Reb Yehuda Zev dedicated his time. Every Friday,

he would visit the aged and the bedridden members of the community, comforting and encouraging them. Reb Yehuda Zev saw a siddur that

contained an inscription praising the ill man's son for excellence in tefilla. With a glowing smile, Reb Yehuda said, "You must be so proud of your son.'

Then he noticed a picture of the boy on the wall and exclaimed, "That boy looks like a tzaddik. May you have much nachas from him." Once, he was

asked to pray for a number of older bochurim who still hadn't found shidduchim. Looking over the long list of names, he said, "I feel terrible for

them. May Hashem help them." At simchas, he was equally caring and emotional, and as he danced before a chosson, his face would literally glow. Once, before he was about to undergo

minor surgery, he told Once while in the sickroom of a man with a fatal disease, A smile spread across the ill man's face and his pain seemed to ease.

IN SORROW AND IN JOY Reb Yehuda Zev shared both the pain and the joy of others. his doctor that he

was worried that the operation would interfere with his ability to dance at weddings. The doctor jokingly replied, "I didn't know that people your age

still dance." Of course, the doctor didn't realize that dancing at weddings was a form of chessed for the rosh yeshiva, not a form of recreation. During the

Gulf War, Reb Yehuda Zev constantly davened for Eretz Yisroel's Jews. When people asked if he was worried about a particular relative in Eretz

Yisroel, he would reply, "Klal Yisroel is in Eretz Yisroel. I am worried about them all." In 5752/1992, Reb Yehuda Zev asked Reb Yosef Eckstein, founder

and director of the Dor Yesharim organization in Yerushalayim, to include testing for Cystic Fibrosis in his program. Reb Yosef was agreeable to the

idea, but he explained that financial difficulties prevented him from realizing such a plan. Then and there, Reb Yehuda Zev launched a drive to solicit funds for the cause. A week before Reb Yehuda Zev's petira, Rabbir Eckstein told him that $250,000 was still needed to implement the program. Immediately,

Reb Yehuda Zev began to write letters to collect the remaining funds. In addition to the numerous calls Reb Yehuda Zev received from callers in need of brachos, there were many others from people who merely wished to share their troubles with him. Once, when he was in a summer resort, he spent the

day in Vienna. A student who had accompanied him there said, "Boruch Hashem, you had no phone calls today. At least you were able to get a bit of rest." To this Reb Yehuda Zev replied, "I may have rested a bit, but I doubt if

those who tried to reach me had any rest."

Page 65: Famous Rabies

SHEMIRAS HALASHON Reb Yehuda Zev is probably best known for his dissemination of the

awareness of the importance of not speaking lashon hara. It all began at the end of Reb Yehuda Zev's first zman in the Mir Yeshiva, when he went to Radin to visit the Chofetz Chaim. After that meeting, Reb Yehuda Zev

became deeply attached to the Chofetz Chaim and his works. When Reb Yehuda Zev began joining a shiur in the Manchester Yeshiva in 5700/1940,

he inspired his students to study Sefer Chofetz Chaim. In 5727/1967, he suggested that a group of students study Sefer Chofetz Chaim every day,

according to a fixed schedule. Later, these students prepared a written schedule of the halachos to be studied each day of the year, and hung it in the beis medrash. In this manner, the first yearly cycle of shemiras halashon study

was launched. Every year, from then on, Reb Yehuda Zev published a shemiras halashon calendar, which contained a schedule for the daily study of two halachos from Sefer Chofetz Chaim and one page from Sefer Shemiras

Halashon, which explains the concepts behind the halachos. In time, students of the Manchester Yeshiva spread the idea of studying two halachos a day

from the Chofetz Chaim's sefarim to other yeshivos and kollelim. Reb Yehuda Zev himself was very active in organizing shemiras halashon

study groups and classes not just in England, but also throughout the world. He often said that a home in which shemiras halashon is observed and studied

is saturated with kedusha. For the remainder of his life, Reb Yehuda Zev devoted great amounts of time to disseminating this calendar, which he called his "passport to Olam Haba." He was also the founding rabbinic advisor of the

Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, which has played a leading role in heightening awareness of the importance of shemiras halashon. Inspired by his counsel and direction, this organization promotes dozens of programs

throughout the world. Whenever people sought Reb Yehuda Zev's blessings, he would encourage them to undertake the study of these halachos on a daily basis. He would

explain that Chofetz Chaim felt that the majority of Klal Yisroel's tzaros are caused by their failure to guard their tongues, and that shemiras halashon invokes Divine compassion, which benefits both the individual and Klal

Yisroel. Two weeks before his petira, the Reb Yehuda Zev asked the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation to produce a sefer containing halachos of

shemiras halashon and the concepts behind them, arranged for daily study. The English version of this book, A Lesson a Day, is now studied by

thousands of Jews worldwide, it is said that every family that studies these halachos according to the daily schedule will surely merit yeshuos.

STRIVING FOR PERFECTION

Page 66: Famous Rabies

Reb Yehuda Zev strove for perfection in all off his deeds and thoughts. The kabbalos he made one Tishrei clearly illustrate his life's aspirations. They

included the following: To seek to do acts of kindness even for someone who has hurt me; to control my thoughts; to go to sleep while thinking in Torah; to always meditate on Torah or mussar; and contemplate the effect of my words before they are uttered. He also adopted the practice of the great mussar sages

known as "Asiri Kodesh," "The tenth day is holy." Starting from Rosh Hashana, he would devote every subsequent 10th day to introspection and

self-examination, conducting himself with added kedusha on those days. Still, on every day of the year, "Shivisi Hashem lenegdi tamid," "I have set Hashem

before me always," was Rav Yehuda Zev's guiding principle. Until the last days of his life, Reb Yehuda Zev was in full possession of all of his faculties,

maintaining his regular learning schedules and accepting visitors as usual. Shortly before Shabbos, Shevat 21, 5753/1993, he suffered a stroke and was

rushed to the hospital. On Friday night, 22 Shevat, he returned his pure soul to its Maker.

Thousands of people attended his levaya. In accordance with a request he had made while alive, he was buried in Manchester - and not in Eretz Yisroel - so that England's Jews would have a place to visit and pour out their hearts. He had also asked to be buried among children, and in a place that kohanim are

able to daven. All of Torah Jewry owes Reb Yehuda Zev a tremendous debt of gratitude, especially for his efforts to inculcate Klal Yisroel with the

importance of shemiras halashon. As a result of these efforts, thousands of Jews worldwide regularly study the halachos, and many have seen long-await

yeshuos. In his merit, may Klal Yisroel soon be delivered from all of its tzaros.

HOLIDAYS IN BOURNEMOUTH Every year just after Purim until Pesach , again from after Pesach for about 3 weeks and after Succos for about 3 weeks, the Manchester rosh yeshiva took his "holiday" in Bournemouth , a healthy place of fresh air by the sea . And yet in this time he saw more people, than normal . He stayed in The holiday apartment of the Stroh Family at Keythorpe in Manor Road. Anyone who remembers being there can never forget, the phone was constantly buzzing from people all over the world. And visitors from all over England came to

talk, asking from blessings and advice .

We will never forget in October 1992 just 6 months before the Rosh Yeshiva died, Reb Yidel spent over three hours talking to a divorced man from London

. The man was broken and hurt because of the intense gossip, slander and damage done during his divorce . The Rosh Yeshiva remained firm and told the man never to speak slander against his ex wife , even if it means he will never get married . The man broke down and cried, simultaneously the Rosh

Page 67: Famous Rabies

Yeshiva cried and prayed to Hashem " please Tatte help this man who has never spoken Loshon Hora " . We could not hear much of the conversation but

it lasted for over three hours . However , within a few weeks that man's life unbelievably changed .

NO TELEVISON There are also many stories of Reb Yidel , doing "deals" with people . In our society, television is as common as computers !! And yet the influence of TV is to corrupt and time-waste lives. Many times, when people came to ask for

blessing from Reb Yidel for success in business or healing from serious illness, Reb Yidel would "do a deal" .... There was a man who lived in

Bournemouth who was unsuccessful in business, Reb Yidel made the man promise to get rid of his television and to promise to give 10% to charity of

his income . Within a week, the man had a sudden change in fortune and had earned £15,000 in a property deal .

And the stories of "miracles" from Reb Yidel and numerous and many untold . We have been told of several true stories, where people have been to the

Grave - Ohel - Tomb of Rabbi Segal and accepted upon themselves never to have a TV , and they have had miracles and unbelievably good changes of

fortune .

The sincerity of Reb Yidel and his concern for every single person was even more than the love and concern of a normal father . And even today, many

people visit his gravesite and Ohel Tomb in Manchester , and have had amazing divine intervention in their lives .

======================

with thanks to MESORAH publications

Why "Shmiras Haloshon" Guarding your tongue - is Such a Powerful Z'chus for a Refuah Shleimah

For many years, thousands of Jews turned to Reb Yidel Segal, the Manchester Rosh Yeshiva, zt"l, as an invaluable source of guidance in times of crisis. He was world-renowned for his love for every member of K'lal Yisroel, and for

his awesome power of Tefillah. Few people were as effective a messenger for beseeching Hashem with the plight of troubled Jews.

The Rosh Yeshiva's Advice:Invariably, Rabbi Segal's advice to people looking for Hashem's compassion for their loved ones was to faithfully learn, every day, a small portion of the

halachos of Shmiras Haloshson from the Sefer Chofetz Chaim.

Page 68: Famous Rabies

He gave this advice because he knew that loshon hora is an enormous barrier to receiving Hashem's mercy. To effectively daven for a refuah shleima or

other help, loshon hora must be conquered. And the surest way to conquer it is to follow the Chofetz Chaim's own advice: learn the halachos every day. Even

a small amount of learning creates a constant awareness of loshon hora and delivers the Divine intervention - Siyata Dishmaya to successfully avoid it.

How Loshon Hora Affects Davening- Power of Prayers When illness strikes, our natural reaction is to daven. And that is exactly the

response Hashem desires. But the mouth is the "manufacturing equipment" for our davening and if the equipment is faulty, the product it produces will be faulty too. If one's mouth is contaminated by loshon hora, its' tefillos will

likewise be tainted, and their power to reach Heaven will be seriously weakened. But when we keep Shmiras Haloshon, our tefillos rise swiftly

unhindered by prefudice and gossip.

Middah K'Neged Midda:Measure for measure If One Rejects Loshon Hora, Hashem Rejects Accusations Against Him . In

the Heavenly Court, the system of justice is Middah K'Neged Middah (measure for measure): the way we judge our fellow man in this world is precisely the way we ourselves are judged in Heaven. If we judge with a

critical eye, magnifying faults and overlooking nothing, that is how our own actions will be judged.

But, if we exercise mercy and undestanding in judging others, the Heavenly Court will look with equal compassion upon our own shortcomings.

Invoking Infinite MercyAll Hashem wants is to shower us with His limitless store of mercy. When we

act compassionately by avoiding and rejecting loshon hora, we allow compassion to flow from Hashem into our lives. Shmirash Haloshon not only opens the gates of Heaven to our prayers, it keeps Hashem's proteciton with us

and draws to us a full measure of His abundant mercy.

Shmiras Haloshon YomiClearly, the advice of the Manchester Rosh Yeshiva, zt"l, is one of the most potent means we possess to strengthen the impact of our tefillos and bring z'chuyos to those who are ill or are facing other serious problems. Every

friend, family member or neighbour who you set upon his part of learning will multiply this merit. Rabbi Segal left us with the "roadmap" that he used successfully to guide thousands of troubled Jews through life's greatest

difficulties. That map is Shmiras Haloshon Yomi, the daily learning program for Shmiras Haloshon. Begin learning today, and create a well-spring of

Divine protection and mercy, an unparalleled source of merit for health and happiness.

Page 69: Famous Rabies

---------------------------------------

CLICK >>HERE<< TO SEE DIRECTIONS TO MANCHESTER CEMETARY

CLICK >>HERE<< TO SEE PHOTOS OF THE OHEL - TOMB

of Reb Yidel Segal in Manchester

=====================

Prayer RequestsWe are more than happy to take your prayer requests to the Ohel of the Rosh

Yeshiva . Simply send an email to us with your hebrew name where you come from and your request, someone very sincere from the Manchester kehilla

הדת מחזיקי will read out your prayer, and place the paper with your name in the place for Kvetlich in the tomb as seen on Photos .

The Kvitlech - prayers will be taken and said by members of the Adass Yeshurun ישורון עדת and הדת מחזיקי Shuls in Manchester .

As mentioned in the article above, the Rosh yeshiva always asked people to be careful with their speech , never gossiping , slandering or telling lies and

always asked people who came to him for help to learn the book SHEMIRAS HALOSHEN by the CHOFETZ CHAIM .

We have heard many wonderous stories of people, even today - 11 years after Rosh Yeshiva passed to Spirit world, whom have undertaken to refine their

speech and learn Shemiras Haloshen , and prayed at the Rosh Yeshiva's Ohel . We are glad to be of service to you , to take your name and pray for you at the

Rosh Yeshiva's Ohel .

==============================

We would also welcome any emails of photos of The Rosh Yeshiva with any "Gedolim", or any suitable photos we can upload to this page for the sake of

jewish education and not to profit from selfishly !

Metz - France

Page 70: Famous Rabies

The Spiritual & Physical home to the most Famous Rabbis in Europe

The Collective Gravestone of the 6 Famous Rabbis of Metz

Page 71: Famous Rabies

Rabbi Moshe HaCohen Narol זצל

Rabbi Yona Teumim Frenkel זצל

Rabbi Gershon Ashkanazi זצל

Rabbi Yaakov Reischer זצל

Rabbi Shmuel Hellman זצל

The "Shaages Arye" - Rabbi Arye Leib Ginsburg זצל

Page 72: Famous Rabies

This is a special page dedicated to the Famous Rabbis of METZ - FRANCE. With special thanks to the Marie, people of Metz & the French Resistance, for saving as many Jewish people as possible during the War, erecting memorials

in memory of the Jews who were deported to the nazi death camps and for renaming a road in Metz after Rabbi Elie Bloch ZTL Rabbi of Metz murdered

by Nazis in 1943.

The Amazingly Beautiful Synagogue in Metz

Page 73: Famous Rabies

Photo of the inside of the amazingly beautiful Synagogue in Metz

During the past 900 years, the town of Metz has been a special town, in terms of being the home of many Famous Jewish Rabbis . Since, 1100 AD famous rabbis like Rabbeinu Gershom and Rashi lived in Metz . More recently in the period between 17th and 19th centuries , all of the famous European rabbis

either lived or served as Rabbi in the community in METZ , these include Reb Yehonosson Eibeshitz , the "Sha'ages Arye" , the "Pnei Yehoshua" , Rabbi

Yaakov Reischer known as "the Shvus Yaakov " , Rabbi Yaakov Emden and others .....

The town of Metz is situated in the North eastern part of France on the border with Germany . In 1870 when the germans won the Franco-Prussian war the

whole area known as Alsace became part of Germany, only returning to France after German defeat of the First world war in 1918 . But again , the

town of Metz fell into German hands during the Nazi occupation of France in 1939 until 1945 . When it was unsafe for jews to be found anywhere in Nazi

occupied Europe, the Jewish leaders in Metz, in fear that the nazis would desecrate the ancient jewish cemetary in "Avenue de Blida, Metz ", they

mixed up the famous rabbis headstones .

Page 74: Famous Rabies

Thankfully the Nazis left the Jewish cemetary almost in tact, and after the second world war, the Gravestone below was erected , in the place where the

famous 6 Rabbis where known to be buried . This was done by Rabbi Bamberger of Metz who is currently the Rabbi of Metz, with advice taken

from Rabbi Padwa of London Beth Din . This new stone was erected as the original stones could not be found after the war, as the people who knew had

been deported to auschwitz death camps .

The Catholic Church in Metz and the Jewish community held a close and friendly relationship especially in the time of Reb Yehonosson Eibeshitz , it is well known that the closeness and understanding they had , helped develope a

mutual and harmonious beneficial lifestyle to the jewish communities in central Europe , during the 17th 18th and 19th centuries . Making

communities such as Metz and Altuna most popular in all of Europe to live in .

The Rabbis were also able to develope and grow in their mystical teachings, and it was in METZ where Reb Yehonosson Eibeshitz wrote the famous

Kemeya's ( specially written hebrew verses to help heal sick people and bring success and protection - Kemaya is the hebrew term for amulet ) .

The entrance to Metz Jewish Cemetery

Page 75: Famous Rabies

 

Other famous Rabbis lived in Metz where :-

Reb Yaakov Yehoshua Falk Katz, author of Pnei Yehoshua (1680-1755); Rov of Lemberg (Lvov) in 1718, succeeding the Chacham Tzvi; among his

talmidim was Reb Dov Ber of Lokatch, later to be the Magid of Mezritch; Rov of Berlin in 1730 and Metz in 1734, succeeding Reb Yaakov Reischer (the Shevus Yaakov) as Rabbi of Metz and then later Rabbi of Frankfurt .

The " Pnei Yehoshua " was buried in Frankfort-on-maine ..

here is a photo of his gravestone ....in Frankfort Germany

Page 76: Famous Rabies

 

The Famous 6 Rabbis Gravestone at the Jewish Cemetary in METZ

In the famous cemetary - Cimitiere - Avenue de Blida

( see map at the bottom of this page )

 

Page 77: Famous Rabies

 

Rabbi Moshe Narol , author of the book " el moley rachamim ", yarzheit 33rd day of Omer 18th Iyar , 5419 (1659).

Rabbi Yonah Teomim Frenkel author of book "Kikayon deYona" , yarzheit 1st day Pesach 15th Nissan 5429 (1669). Please see article on Reb Yona and the דיונה קיקיון ספר

Rabbi Gershon Ashkanazi , author of "avodaas haGershuni" , yarzheit 11th adar 2 , 5453 (1693).

Page 78: Famous Rabies

Rabbi Yaakov Reischer , author of "Shvus Yaakov" , yarzheit 9th Shevat 5493 (1733) .

Rabbi Shmuel Hellmann , yarzheit 8th Teves 5525 (1765).

Rabbi Arye Leib , known famously as the " Sha'ages Arye" , yarzheit 15th Tammuz 5545 (1785) . ( please see here for photos taken at the yarzheit of Shaages Arye in July 2005 - Tammuz 5765 )

The Shaages Arye - Reb Arye Leib Ginzburg

Rabbi Leyb, son of R' Asher Gintsburg, was born in Minsk in 1695. He was known as “Shaagass Arye”, (”The Lion Roar”), from the name of the book

written by him. He became head of the Minsk Yeshiva at the age of 38. Due to his hard character, he was obliged to leave Minsk.

R' Itskhak, the Volozhin congregation leader, invited the famous “Shaagass Arye” to serve as the Volozhin town Rabbi He came to Volozhin in 1750. He performed his services from 1750 until 1755 (5510 – 5515). The “Shaagass Arye” opened there a Great Yeshiva. He was called by the inhabitants “Reb

Leyb the Yeshiva Head”.

He introduced his method of simple Torah study, and developed and spread it through his students.

The Volozhin congregation did not have enough resources to provide Talmud learning books. Those books were extremely expensive. Only the very rich who also loved Torah study were able to acquire them. Rabbi Itskhak, the

Kehila head, at his wife Rivka's request, bought on one of his business journeys a complete edition of the Mishna. The demand to read them was

great. R' Itskhak asked his spouse to manage the guarding and lending of the holy books. The first Hebrew library in Lita-Yiddish-Land was created. Rivka welcomed everyone who would come in her house to learn the books. Among them was also Shaagass Arye, who was not rich enough to own them himself. Rivka could not bear to see the honorable Rabbi crush his feet making the way to her home. She offered to send him the desired books every time he needed for his study or for teaching his students. Hashaagass Arye was thankful for

it,and blessed Rivka to raise her sons to be great scholars. His benediction was fulfilled. Rivka's sons R' Hayim and R' Zakmele were his best students, and became prominent scholars. ( Sadly, how different it is today when we have the chance of learning so many jewish books, do we really appreciate how lucky we are ? Thank GOD , we live in this generation where knowledge is readily and easily available, most Seforim / books are even online see index

for references )

Page 79: Famous Rabies

Shaagass Arye gathered all his innovations in Torah and Talmud studies. He intended to print a book of it. But there were not any printing presses in Lita

in those days. He left Volozhin after five years of service and went to Frankfurt on Oder to fulfill his intentions. In Frankfurt he and his wife spent

their nights in a hostel for poor Jews. As accustomed, he studied loudly a chapter from Rambam by candlelight. The surrounding sleeping paupers woke

up and cursed the sleep interrupter. Shaagass Arye extinguished the candle, got out from the dormitory and continued his study by the moonlight. With daybreak, when the hostel manager woke up, he saw an elderly Jew dancing

joyfully outside and with him his wife. “What is the cause of your happiness?” he asked. The Shaagass Arye responded: “A great miracle happened this

night, and I'm thanking the Almighty for it. For many days I could not resolve a big problem in the Rambam book, and this night, God, bless his name,

opened my eyes and I found the right answer, and this is the reason of our happiness”.

After printing the book, he returned to Russia. He passed a year in Volozhin, left to Vilna, and then he went to Metz. Here he found rest and richness. At the age of 90 he passed away and was buried in Metz on July 3, 1785- 15th

Tammuz . Of all the places he lived, he wrote in his Seforim that he really felt most at home in METZ . Anyone whom has spent time in Metz can

understand and sense some feeling of what the Shaages Arye was referring to, it really is a spiritual orientated town, and of better class of people with kind,

helpful, generous and spiritual character .

METZ

Always a warm friendly & welcoming place

for Jewish people - Klal Yisroel From the times of Rabbeinu Gershom in the 11th Century , and especially after the second world war , the Marie ( Mayor ) of Metz and the people of Metz have always been exceedingly kind and hospitable towards the jewish

community . After the second world war , the Town council - Marie , renamed a street where the synagague is today , to "Rue du Rabbin E Bloch" , named after the Rabbi of Metz who was deported to the death camps and murdered

by the nazis in Germany .

Page 80: Famous Rabies

And in the cemetary there is a holocaust memorial , which contains ashes from the auschwitz death-camp (in a metal vault in the middle of the photo below ) in memory of the jewish community that was completely wiped out during the second world war from METZ . Please see here for the official

tourist website of Metz Town with photos .

This is the memorial tomb to the holocaust victims from METZ .

Page 81: Famous Rabies

In the very old world Famous Jewish Cemetery in METZ, there is a well of water and attached a large stone ( see picture below ) , where the Chevra

Kadisha ( jewish men who are chosen to clean and prepare the body according to customs in Shulchan aruch - code of jewish law - before burial ) use to

place the body and prepare the burial of the dead in shrouds .

Page 82: Famous Rabies

 

Picture of the Gravestones that were removed during nazi occupation of METZ, and after the war no one was alive of the people who knew were they

belonged . Also in this small building are the remains of the old jewish cemetary from Pontifory, France , which were brought to Metz .

I shall be updating this page with more photos of METZ cemetary עֹולם בית .

Rabbi Bamberger, the Rabbi of Metz , has told me many stories of Jews from all over France , Europe and the world who have come to the cemetery &

prayed, and have had their prayers answered . Whether it be a childless couple from Paris in 2002 whom the doctors gave up hope, they came to pray at the rabbis grave a year later they had a son and named him Arye. They know and

Page 83: Famous Rabies

feel it was thanks to Shaages Arye helping their prayers being answered. I have spoken to many people who have come to Metz, and everyone agrees that there is a very special feeling as you stand and pray at the gravesite .

Come to Metz and see for yourself !! if you need help or directions send me email CLICK HERE.

Photo of the road that leads to the main entrance, the Jewish Cemetery entrance is along this road and on the left, with the large green iron gates.

The old main entrance, normally open during daylight hours everyday . If you have any problems getting in or need a contact and help in Metz then email me, i shall help you as best as possible .

DIRECTIONS & MAPS OF METZ, FRANCE

Page 84: Famous Rabies

By courtesy of Marie du Metz, the map of METZ, the Jewish Cemetary is in the top right hand corner, and the best entrance is the one on Rue des Cimetieres, just off Avenue de blida .

The Chofetz Chaim - Reb Yisroel Meir Kagan

 

Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen Kagan 5599-5693/ 1839-1933

Yarzheit 24th Ellul

Photo is of the grave of the Chofetz Chaim

Page 85: Famous Rabies

I. A Scholar for All Times

A little more than one hundred years ago, an unknown author was arranging for the publication of an anonymous work on a much-ignored topic. Reb Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, Lithuania, had spent two winters, 5630 and 5631 (1870 and 1871), writing Chofetz Chaim, a compilation of the laws regarding slander and defamation. During 5632, he was engaged in getting pre-publication orders from the general public and securing testimonials from outstanding rabbinic authorities. In those days, when he was a young man in his thirties, Reb Yisrael Meir still thought he could retain his anonymity. He introduced himself as the publisher, rather than the author, of the novel Shulchan Aruch. In this guise he succeeded in evading recognition by the masses, but the spiritual giants of the age - men like Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin (Salanter) - saw that they were dealing with one of those rare figures who would leave his imprint on a nation. More than sixty tireless years, twenty-four additional volumes, and countless public letters and appeals lay ahead of the young "publisher," but the pattern of his long and busy life was already apparent when he was still unknown by circumstance as much as by choice .

A major reason for the enormous influence and acceptance won by the Chofetz Chaim was his utter and complete integrity. Statements and actions that would have seemed unctuously pretentious in ordinary humans were natural and unaffected coming from him. A case in point is the very topic of his "Chofetz Chaim" - gossip and witty character assassination are not twentieth century phenomena; human tongues have always been loose and

Page 86: Famous Rabies

hard to control. The Talmud says, "Most people are guilty of dishonesty, few of vice, but all of lashon hara"(Baba Basra 165). Anyone presenting a book codifying the sins of slander could expect to be greeted with much scorn - private if not public. Yet, when Reb Yisrael Meir mounted pulpits in town after town to discuss the forthcoming Chofetz Chaim, he was listened to with respect. The people sensed that he was no salesman hawking a product, but one of those rare finds - an honest man whose love for his fellow Jews was expressed by trying to bring them closer to Torah, and who truly believed in the ability and obligation of people to pursue perfection. They were convinced that he wrote Chofetz Chaim not for recognition and for library shelves, but - as advertised - because he expected working men as well as scholars to form study groups to learn and put into practice what he had gleaned and compiled, and what was forged into his personality .

Many of the rabbis whom he approached for endorsements were skeptical of the first person to so systematically attack a sin that the Talmud considers universal. To avoid bringing ridicule not only upon himself but upon his stated purpose - and thus, paradoxically, provide yet another topic for gossip mongering - the personal credentials of the author as one who "withholds his tongue from evil" had to be unimpeachable. Some went so far as to assign students or colleagues to engage Reb Yisrael Meir in conversation to try to trap him into lashon hara, thus revealing him as no less mortal than the next man. The ruses invariably revealed the greatness of the author, and the endorsements were forthcoming.

No one knows for sure what prompted Reb Yisrael Meir to write Chofetz Chaim, but it was certainly not his finding an unexplored, fertile field for research, for the Chofetz Chaim never took pen in hand, except in response to a concrete need. To reveal his reason for compiling his Shulchan Aruch on lashon hara would have involved dredging up sordid stories of the very type he was trying to still. His son, Reb Aryeh Leib, conjectured that his father's first masterpiece grew out of a bitter controversy in the town of Radin during his youth. Acrimony had swirled about the town and all efforts to bring peace had failed. The town became divided into factions and its rabbi was forced to leave. He died after a few years in a new position and many blamed his early death on the anguish he suffered during Radin's little war. Reb Yisrael Meir, then a young man, had seen his fellow townspeople turn their tongues into ugly lethal weapons. As long as he lived, he never discussed the dispute, saying simply, "I have a self-imposed restriction against speaking of it," but it may very well be that the Chofetz Chaim was his response in the form of an appeal that there be no more such incidents in Radin - or elsewhere.

A New Need / A New Book

Page 87: Famous Rabies

Whenever he wrote, it was to answer a need. Russia's conscription policies forced many Jewish boys into the army for periods of at least six years, cutting them off from religious teaching and influence. They needed encouragement and answers to basic questions of halachah in layman's language. The result was Machneh Yisrael, a book that became the link to Judaism for many a Jewish soldier.

o Heartbreaking tales of the breakdown of religion among Jewish immigrants to America led to his Nidchei Yisrael. In providing practical answers to the halachic problems peculiar to the immigrant, Reb Yisrael Meir often rendered lenient decisions that took into account the emergency conditions of the immigrants, but which were inappropriate to the thriving religious life of Eastern Europe. Because of this, he had hoped that Nidchei Yisrael would not be distributed in Eastern Europe, but inevitably some copies were seen. This led to criticism of the Chofetz Chaim - something he regretted, but considered unimportant in view of his primary goal of aiding the uprooted Jews in America.

o Reb Yisrael Meir felt that the practical laws of kindness and charity were too often ignored. His reaction was to do for gemilas chessed what he had done for shmiras halashon (guarding one's tongue) - codify its laws, and actively campaign for Jews to join study groups to learn and to act upon them. As a result of his slim classic Ahavas Chessed, literally hundreds of free loan societies, shelters for the homeless, and bikur cholim societies sprang into being. Many of them sent requests to the Chofetz Chaim for letters of greeting and blessing that would be bound as the first page of a new organization's ledger book.

o Weakening of adherence to the laws of family purity and of personal modesty led to pamphlets in both Hebrew and Yiddish addressed to Jewish women.

The personal attention Reb Yisrael Meir devoted to the publication of his ethical works did not end when the volumes were printed and distributed. He did not write his books to be purchased; he wrote them to be used. His frequent lecture tours in behalf of one or another of his sefarim were devoted primarily to encouraging people to set up groups for the study of the sefer. In later years, when he was too old or too busy to go on personal tours, he hired "field representatives" to carry on his work. But they were firmly instructed that they must sell the message of the books by personal example and persuasive lectures.

Fire-and-brimstone preaching was not his approach; he was a firm believer in the superior efficacy of a spoonful of honey to a gallon of vinegar. Once a traveling preacher complained to him that no matter how much he thundered

Page 88: Famous Rabies

and reprimanded his audiences, they seemed to ignore his calls to repent. The Chofetz Chaim replied, "Who told you that the way to perform the mitzvah of correcting sinners is by shouting and storming? Putting on tefillin is also a mitzvah - do you holler and shout when you perform that mitzvah?"

An Imminent Need / A New Syllabus

In addition to salvaging neglected mitzvos, the Chofetz Chaim assumed responsibility for reviving interest in a long neglected area of the Torah. For centuries, Kadoshim, the section of the Talmud dealing with the laws of the Sanctuary and sacrificial offerings, had been virtually excluded from the curricula of major Torah centers. Rare were the scholars who had more than a passing familiarity with its intricacies. Reb Yisrael Meir saw this as a far more serious matter than a lack of knowledge among Torah intelligentsia. With the deceptive simplicity that masked his penetrating insight, he would ask, "We believe that Mashiach can arrive today. If he does, are we ready to bring our offerings to the Bais Hamikdosh? Do the Kohanim know the laws of sacrifices? Do the scholars know enough to train the Kohanim?"

Obviously, the answer to all these questions was a shameful "No."

Then are we not somewhat lacking in our prayers, hopes, and beliefs in the imminent coming of Mashiach?" The solution was simple: organize groups to study Kadashim. Thus was born a trend that continues to this day. Far from being neglected, the study of Kadashim is now a mark of prestige; the endeavor of the most advanced group in nearly all yeshivos.

Typically, the Chofetz Chaim showed the way by practical example as well as by exhortation. He published Toras Kohanim, a compilation of the Tannaitic interpretations of Chumash Vayikra, with an amended, completely accurate text; and an original commentary that ranks as a model of conciseness and clarity. He also composed Likutei Halachos modeled after the Alfasi, which is a compilation of halachic sections of the Talmud dealing with Kadashim topics; and included an elucidating original commentary.

Magnum Opus: "Mishnah Berurah"

Of all his literary efforts, his acknowledged masterpiece and the one which continues to have the greatest influence is Mishnah Berurah, a work that was twenty-five years in the making.The Chofetz Chaim was concerned by a serious gap in halachic literature. There was no modern commentary on Orach Chaim (the section of the Shulchan Aruch dealing with daily and festival rituals) that summed up the centuries of comment and responsa, and rendered authoritative decisions in areas of dispute. Clearly such a work was much needed, but it could be undertaken only by a giant in Torah scholarship. The

Page 89: Famous Rabies

mantle was not sought by the Chofetz Chaim. He urged it upon others, but finding no one willing to assume the responsibility, he finally accepted it upon himself. The breadth, conciseness, clarity, and genius of Mishnah Berurah speak for themselves, as does the almost universal acceptance it has attained. This is the supreme testimonial to its author's stature as a sage.

He did not write the Mishnah Berurah simply because he wanted to, but because he saw it as a task that had to be done by someone, and his inability to find that someone left the responsibility at his doorstep. This is testimonial to his greatness as a person.

II. The Man of the Legends

The Chofetz Chaim was surely a scholar's scholar. More than this, however, he was also a genuine folk-hero. Scholars respected him, but the common people loved him with a rare passion. The reasons are many and no doubt complex. But the most compelling one is simply that he considered himself as one with them and their problems. Even his books, despite the great scholarship they represent, were written to be used by ordinary men - and in many instances, by ordinary women, too. Sensing that he identified with them, people did not hesitate to seek his advice and assistance.

Although he never accepted the position of rabbi in Radin, he was in fact its spiritual and temporal leader. When some townspeople unfairly criticized and embarrassed their rabbi for the deficiencies of the town's mikvah, it was the Chofetz Chaim who guaranteed the funding and supervised the building of a new one. When Radin was devastated by fires that, in successive years, destroyed first one half and then the other half of the Jewish section, it was he who organized emergency relief, fund-raising, and the rebuilding of the town.

A poor workingman was not ashamed to ask him, as author of Ahavas Chessed, how a laborer living hand-to-mouth could be expected to perform the mitzvah of lending money to others. And he did not feel patronized when he was told to save a few pennies a week, eventually building it up to a fund of several rubles, for loaning to fellow workers short of pocket money. That was down-to-earth advice that was followed by thousands, and it was typical of the pragmatic idealism of a man who never took a penny offered to him by people who had the notion that his greatness entitled him to gifts.

The Chofetz Chaim's awesome care in maintaining the strictest possible standards in his financial dealings has become legendary. No doubt many of the stories attributed to him are apocryphal - but, for most of them, there is more than ample first-hand testimony ... He insisted that his son reprint hundreds of sections of Mishnah Berurah to replace originals where pages had inadvertently been put in the wrong order. ... The Chofetz Chaim himself once

Page 90: Famous Rabies

went dashing through the Jewish quarter of Warsaw shortly before Shabbos seeking to pay printers who had left work early without getting their pay for the week ... When a non-Jewish railroad employee put parcels of his books on board a train for free delivery, the Chofetz Chaim tore up an amount of postage stamps sufficient to defray the loss of revenue to the government ... In his first speaking tour on behalf of the book Chofetz Chaim, he accepted orders, but not deposits, because of the possibility that he might not be able to make delivery to some pre-paying customers, thus becoming guilty of improperly taking their money ... The stories are legion.

Saint and Pragmatist

It is commonplace for people to believe that the Chofetz Chaim, as a saintly personality, could not have been terribly practical and certainly could not have coped with the rough and tumble of the world - especially today when so many accept as axiomatic that "you cannot make an omelette without breaking a few eggs," and that "nice guys finish last." Nothing could be further from the truth. It was this same saint who once remarked that one fool can do more damage than ten villains. Men like Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzensky of Vilna greatly valued his wise counsel when searching for practical solutions to the knottiest of problems. Indeed, in the crisis-laden years following World War I, when Reb Chaim Ozer was the undisputed leader of Lithuanian Jewry, he and the Chofetz Chaim were in constant consultation on all major issues. Their names appeared side-by-side on scores of proclamations and appeals in behalf of all the major causes in Jewish life.

The Chofetz Chaim was one of the first to realize that Torah Jewry must up-date its tactics to counter the onslaught of its enemies. Organized activities for the Torah community and its educational needs could succeed where efforts on the individual scale could scarcely cope with the juggernauts of Haskalah and secularism. Thus he took the lead in organizing and supporting Agudath Israel as the international organizational arm of traditional Jewry. As usual, he saw this as more than a matter of strategy, but as a religious obligation: "In a time when our values are under attack as never before, even small acts in defense of Torah are multiplied many times over in the Divine scales for ultimate reward."

Though he was the senior of the two by nearly thirty years, the Chofetz Chaim considered Reb Chaim Ozer to be the gadol hador and deferred to his authority as a matter of course, despite the fact that Reb Chaim Ozer held him in awe. During the 1920's, pressure was brought to bear on Reb Chaim Ozer to travel to America to raise money for the European yeshivos, which were on the brink of financial ruin. He was told that only his own presence in America could assure contributions in the millions. Reb Chaim Ozer answered that his health was too precarious to permit such a trip. Though the other Torah

Page 91: Famous Rabies

luminaries at the meeting continued to exert pressure upon him, the Chofetz Chaim ended the debate by saying very simply, "The well-being of Reb Chaim Ozer is synonymous with that of Klal Yisrael. We dare not jeopardize it."

Storm Over Vilna

The prestige of Reb Chaim Ozer was responsible for an unheard-of departure by the Chofetz Chaim - an open attack upon adversaries of Torah Judaism. His general policy had been always to avoid engaging Torah's enemies in debate. To reply to the virulent attacks made by maskillim, yevsekes (Jewish Communists) and others, he felt, would be self-defeating because it would grant them unearned recognition, and merely provide them with fuel for vituperation and ridicule. Better to isolate them from the mainstream of religious life, while devoting the available talent and resources to the more productive course of strengthening Judaism by upgrading education and observance within yeshivos and communities. Then came the storm over the Vilna rabbinate.

The government required that Vilna have a Chief Rabbi. Although Reb Chaim Ozer was a recognized leader of religious European Jewry, Vilna's official Chief Rabbi was to be elected by the entire Jewish population, which included a large secular contingent. Agudath Israel doubted that Reb Chaim Ozer would be able to command a majority of the total votes, so they joined a coalition of the Mizrachi, Socialists, and Reformers to "elect" a Rabbi Rubinstein as a pro-forma head of the Jewish Community, with the understanding that he would not assert any authority without Reb Chaim Ozer's approval. After his election, Rabbi Rubinstein's secularist supporters used this consensus as a pretext for treating him as the actual Chief Rabbi of Vilna, and Reb Chaim Ozer, the man who was revered the world over, found the ground cut out from under him in his own city. Strangely enough, the only important Torah figure whose serenity was not shattered was Reb Chaim Ozer himself. That did not prevent his adherents, led by the Chazon Ish and guided by the Chofetz Chaim, from doing battle to defend the honor of Torah. The Chofetz Chaim published a blistering letter attacking the perpetrators of the coup as enemies of Torah. Though disciples of Reb Chaim Ozer attempted to negotiate a face-saving compromise, the Chofetz Chaim torpedoed these efforts as going against the inviolable principle of Torah supremacy.

The secularists' reaction to his bold position was one of those human spectacles that must be greeted with laughter or rage. The non-religious Jewish press in Vilna vilified the Chofetz Chaim for stooping to lashon hara against the liberal Jews! His reply was simple and to the point: "When Torah values are being destroyed, Torah Law permits their defense."

Page 92: Famous Rabies

His deference to Reb Chaim Ozer, however, did not prevent the Chofetz Chaim from arguing his own causes in the humorous, self-deprecating manner that he used so effectively. In 1923, the Chofetz Chaim felt that the community must be organized to provide kosher meals for Jewish soldiers. He called his new project Kessel Kosher (Kosher Kettle) and, naturally, his first move was to travel to Vilna to secure the endorsement and support of Reb Chaim Ozer. The endorsement was not forthcoming. Reb Chaim Ozer replied that there were many overriding considerations making such a campaign inopportune at that time.

The Chofetz Chaim shrugged and replied, "What can I do? People consider me to be a God-fearing Jew. When I am called to the world-to-come, they will ask me why I did nothing to provide kosher food for Jewish conscripts. What will I say? Perhaps I'll tell them that I was not lazy or indifferent; I made the hard trip to Vilna even though I was weak and past eighty. But the Rabbi of Vilna was the gadol hador and he said I was wrong. Who knows better than the gadol hador what is right or wrong?"

Reb Chaim Ozer knew he had been bested. He called a public meeting in the central synagogue to be addressed by the Chofetz Chaim. At that meeting Kessel Kosher was born.

III. As the Chofetz Chaim Would Say . . .

Precisely because he had such a keen feel for the pulse of the people and the needs of the time, it is fascinating - and useful - to wonder what the Chofetz Chaim would have said to today's problems. Indeed, we should go a step further and wonder how he would have defined the real problems of today. After all, Chofetz Chaim and Ahavas Chessed were effective replies to problems not even recognized by most. It would be a mistake to take the sizeable collection of his major and minor writings, apply them to each era, and assume that the Chofetz Chaim would have had nothing more to say.

How would he have diagnosed today's ills? This question should be answered by the few survivors of his era who knew him well, but perhaps we can hazard some guesses.

-There is little doubt that he would be appalled at the sharp and shady business practices that are so much a part of modern life, Orthodoxy not excluded. We live in an age when ethics have not kept pace with sophistication, and Jews have not escaped contamination. How would he have prodded our con- science?

- Picture the Chofetz Chaim entering a typical middle-class home today with its emphasis on "creature comforts," and recreational pursuits rather than a

Page 93: Famous Rabies

Torah atmosphere . . . Would he have smiled tolerantly? Or would he have considered his surroundings more appropriate to the House of Romanoff ( wealthy royalty) than to the House of Israel, and told us so?

And what about the organizational weakness of Orthodoxy? He was one of the founders of Agudath Israel, long aware that modern times required modern tactics - and organizational unity was one of them. Surely he would work to end today's factionalism.

o In this time of turbulence when the values of centuries are being discarded, we may be certain that the Chofetz Chaim would have found our attitude wanting and far too complacent. We are content to condemn the drug culture, but are ill prepared for our own acid test. Indicative of this is a memoir of one his students, Rabbi Avrohom Hillel Goldberg, later rabbi of Kfar Pinnes in Israel:

It was near the end of his life and the Chofetz Chaim was in a summer cottage near Radin. He was heart-broken over the persecutions of Jews in Russia. He saw their situation as the severing of an entire limb of the Jewish body from its life-sources of Torah and mitzvos. "There is only one real hope," he said - "Mashiach must come soon. The Final Redemption must come sooner or later, but it is up to us to hasten its arrival. W e must demonstrate our overpowering desire for Mashiach. How many of us religious Jews who say 'Ani Maamin' every day truly long for his coming? Why don't we cry out to Hashem to help us? This is no time for silence!Even in the Egyptian exile the Torah says that only when B'nei Yisrael cried out for help - then did their outcry go up to Hashem. We must do the same now! 1 must go to Vilna to Reb Chaim Ozer - without him nothing can be done!"

His family and students were aghast. He was over ninety years old and he could scarcely leave his armchair for the length of a day. He might not survive the difficult trip to Vilna. They pleaded with him to abandon his plan, but he would not be dissuaded. The goal was worthy of even mesiras nefesh. They told him that Reb Chaim Ozer was a man of halachah and action; such ideas as the Chofetz Chaim's were out of his domain. He smiled as if to say, What do you know of Reb Chaim Ozer? To his deep regret, the journey to Reb Chaim Ozer never took place. Had they met, who knows?

The Chofetz Chaim Comes to Vienna for the story see here

for Memories of Chofetz Chaim see here

Photo Below is Chofetz Chaim with his son Reb Arye Leib

 

Page 94: Famous Rabies

This photo is outside his home, giving people advice ( with thanks and courtesy to Cantor Baruch Chafetz of Chicago )

Page 95: Famous Rabies

 

Some Excepts from his Book Shmiras Halashon - "Guard your Speech" with thanks and by courtesy of ARTSCROLL publications

Day 11: Arrogance and Disgrace

Generally, a person who speaks loshon hora does so from a somewhat smug and haughty perspective. Such a person, says the Chofetz Chaim, shows himself to be conceited, because by speaking as he does, he apparently sees himself as faultless. If he were truly aware of his faults, he would be reluctant to speak badly of others, for perhaps his own faults are greater.The Chofetz Chaim tells us that one who speaks loshon hora in a conceited way violates the commandment, Be careful lest you forget Hashem your G-d (Devarim 8:11), which prohibits us from acting arrogantly. Arrogance has particularly severe consequences because it is singled out as a trait which Hashem especially disdains. The Chofetz Chaim adds that if the speaker of loshon hora raises his own stature in people’s eyes by degrading his victim his offense is even more severe.The Chofetz Chaim identifies another sin that one commits when speaking loshon hora. Although transgressing any Torah prohibition is serious, this

Page 96: Famous Rabies

transgression goes to the heart of a Jew’s purpose in this world, which is to serve Hashem and bring the rest of the world to recognize Hashem’s greatness. The Torah warns us: You shall not desecrate My Holy Name (Vayikra 22:32). At all times a Jew must be on guard that his words or behavior not constitute a chillul Hashem (desecration of Hashem’s Name). How is loshon hora a chillul Hashem?The Chofetz Chaim explains that when a person speaks loshon hora, it is not because he is lured by some physical enjoyment. Rather than succumbing to earthly temptation, he is merely casting off the restraints of Hashem’s Torah. It is as if he is making a statement: “I understand that Hashem commanded me to refrain from loshon hora, but according to my own priorities, it is just not that important.” Here is a mortal human being asserting his own priorities over those of the Master of the Universe. He basks in his own glory when he should be humbling himself. He desecrates Hashem’s name when he should be sanctifying it. It is crystal clear then that when a person follows this path, he negates his mission as a Jew in this world.

Day 20: In the Palace of the King

After the Destruction of the Beis Hamikdash (Temple), Hashem gave us a vital gift which would enable us to survive this long and bitter exile. He allowed the Shechinah (Divine Presence) to manifest itself to some degree in the beis haknesses (shul or synagogue) and beis hamidrash (study hall). To this day, the beis haknesses and the beis hamidrash remain places where a Jew can connect with his Creator in a very profound way.Against this backdrop, says the Chofetz Chaim, one can recognize the full gravity of speaking loshon hora in shul. From the words and My Holy Place you should fear (Vayikra 19:30) we learn that a Jew must treat his shul with dignity and only tread in it for holy pursuits. This commandment prohibits all forms of mundane conversation in shul. How much more so does this prohibition apply to loshon hora or rechilus, which indicate a complete lack of fear of Hashem, Whose presence is especially manifest in such holy places.The Chofetz Chaim states that the hidden message which a person communicates when he, G-d forbid, speaks loshon hora in shul is that he does not really believe that Hashem resides there. Only with such an attitude could a person feel free to disobey Hashem’s rules in His own house. The Zohar says that the sin of ignoring Hashem in His house has grave spiritual repercussions in the upper worlds.The Chofetz Chaim writes, “Since we are discussing the sin of speaking loshon hora in shul, I must tell you of the great misfortune that this causes.”A person wants to tell his neighbor in shul a story about something that happened to him, and he finds a most convenient time for this: immediately before the reading of the Torah. But when the congregation is ready to begin reading the Torah portion, the storyteller is still not finished. Now the yetzer hora (evil inclination) whispers in this person’s ear, “This is a great story. You’ve got to finish it.” So the storyteller and his eager listener continue their conversation right through the reading of the Torah. In doing so, they not only transgress a long list of prohibitions, but they also commit the overriding sin of creating a public chillul Hashem (desecration of Hashem’s Name) as

Page 97: Famous Rabies

they flagrantly ignore Hashem’s Presence in His house and at the same time cause disgrace to the Torah.The Chofetz Chaim tallies what this “important story” is going to bring these two people on the Heavenly scales of judgment. They have spoken and listened to loshon hora, which almost always includes many prohibitions. They have violated And you shall not defame My Holy Name (Vayikra 22:32), a sin which is compounded by the fact that it was committed in the presence of ten or more Jews.They have disregarded the Torah reading, and it is written, And those who forsake Hashem will perish (Yeshaya 1:28).They have engaged in devarim beteilim (meaningless conversation) in shul. “Woe to the speaker and the listener!” writes the Chofetz Chaim. He quotes the Vilna Gaon who states that it is impossible to comprehend the Heavenly punishment which such conversation can bring upon the participants. The Chofetz Chaim adds another thought regarding those who speak during the reading of the Torah. The Torah reading concludes with Kaddish and it is highly unlikely that they will stop their conversation to answer to this all-important prayer. This is an incalculable loss. Our Sages, of blessed memory, have taught us the awesome power of answering Amein Yehei Shemei Rabba (“Amen, May the His Great Name be blessed”). By answering with proper concentration and intent, one can cause severe Heavenly decrees to be broken. Several times each day, when Kaddish is recited, Hashem gives us the priceless opportunity to earn tremendous merit with just a few seconds of effort.Imagine if someone offered you a check for one million dollars, with the only requirement being that you exert the miniscule effort of lifting the check off the table and putting it in your pocket. The reward for answering “Amein, Yehei Shemi Rabba” is much more than that, yet the storytellers are oblivious to this, essentially leave millions of dollars sitting on the table, untouched.

Rabbi Akiva Eiger

 

  

Yarzheit 13th Tishrei

Reb Akiva Eiger of Posen (1761-1837) , Born in Eisenstadt. Because of a fire in 1791, his father-in-law, who had supported him in his learning, lost all of his possessions, and Reb Akiva Eiger was forced into the rabbinate. In 1816, he took the position in Posen, a position he kept for the rest of his life. He was the father-in-law of the Chasam Sofer ( see our special page with photos of Reb Moshe Sofer - Chassam Sofer ) . He wrote close to 1000 responsa, half of which have been published.

The Chassa

 

Page 98: Famous Rabies

m Sofer חתם - סֹופר

Rabbi Moshe Sofer

  

Yarzheit 25th Tishrei

Reb Moshe Sofer, the Chasam Sofer, Pressburg (1762-1839), learned under Reb Nosson Adler of Franfort and Reb Pinchas Halevi Horowitz, the Baal Haflaah . See www.famousrabbis.com/ Chasam Sofer , He was born in Frankfurt Am Mein. His first position was as a Rav in rabbi in Boskovitz in Moravia. He married the daughter of the rov of Prosnitz and was supported by his brother-in-law, Reb Hirsch. Unfortunately, Reb Hirsch eventually lost all his money, and the Chasam Sofer took a position as rov in the Moravian city of Dresnitz. After five years in Dresnitz, Reb Moshe moved to Mattersdorf. The Chasam Sofer was appointed Rav of Pressburg in Tishrei of 1806, and he occupied that position for 33 years. After the petira of his first wife, Reb Moshe married the daughter of Reb Akiva Eiger. She bore the previously childless Chasam Sofer 7 daughters and 3 sons. ( many of the descendants today are called SOFER or SCHREIBER , as the word schreiber is german for writer , sofer the hebrew word for scribe / writer . )

His grave is in Bratislava , the cemetary was destroyed by the German Nazis ,

The grave is actually in an underground cave

Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum - First Satmar Rebbe

Reb Moshe Teitelbaum, Av beis din of Ujhely, Hungary (33 years), author of Yismach Moshe, founder of Satmar and Sighet dynasties, 1759-1841; direct descendent of the REMA; Rov and Av Beis Din of Shinova at 26 years old; made a shidduch with his only daughter to a chasid of the Choseh of Lublin, and shortly thereafter became of follower himself; taught Reb Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam of Shinova, the author of "Divrei Yechezkel." .

Page 99: Famous Rabies

 Yarzheit 28th Tammuz

This grave is in Ujhely - Satoraljauley Hungary

The Satmar Rebbe's wife Chaye Sora, is buried next to him ,

Her yarzheit is Erev Rosh Chodesh Nissan - 29th Adar 5600 ( 1840 )

Photo below is "The Ohel" - Tomb of the Satmar Rebbe in Ujhely, Hungary

Page 100: Famous Rabies

Please see the Famous Yismach Moshe Segula at www.kemaya.com

========================

Please also see our page on the Satmar Rebbe - Reb Yoel Teitelbaum

with special Dvar Torah with respect to "Jews forbidden to live in Israel"

Reb Yisroel, The Baal Shem Tov ZT"L

Yarzheit 6th Sivan This article originally appeared in Yated Neeman, Monsey NY. and is reprinted here with their permission

It was the beginning of the 18th century and Jews throughout the Ukraine could not stop talking about the new rabbi who had just moved to the town of Mezibuzh. "He understands the depths of the Torah," said some. "He can performs miracles and see the future," said others.

Page 101: Famous Rabies

Even Reb Dov Ber, a talmid chacham of note who would later become famous as the Maggid of Mezritch, could not help but be impressed by the stories he heard about the new rabbi, the Baal Shem Tov. He decided to travel to Mezibuzh to see the Baal Shem Tov for himself.

Reb Dov Ber spent an entire Shabbos waiting impatiently to hear pearls of wisdom from the Baal Shem Tov-something that would prove that he was more than a simple storyteller. But instead of dazzling Reb Dov Ber with deep words of Torah, the Baal Shem Tov told stories, sang zemiros and ate his Shabbos meals. On motzaei Shabbos, a disappointed Reb Dov Ber packed his bags and set out for the long journey home.

Just as Reb Dov Ber left the beis midrash, one of the chassidim came running after him. "The Baal Shem Tov wants to speak to you," he told Reb Dov Ber.

Reb Dov Ber returned to the beis midrash, set his bags on a bench and entered the Baal Shem Tov's study. The Baal Shem Tov asked him to explain a difficult pshat in the Eitz Chaim, a major kabala sefer.

Reb Dov Ber duly opened the sefer and proceeded to explain the simple meaning of the words.

"You understood the pshat," said the Baal Shem Tov, "but it was missing its neshama." The Baal Shem Tov then opened the same sefer and explained the pshat in exactly the same way as Reb Dov Ber. But as he was saying it, loud claps of thunder were heard and angels could be seen flying around the room.

"That," said the Baal Shem Tov, "is how you must understand the Eitz Chaim."

The Baal Shem Tov had the unique ability to understand the depths of the Torah and share this understanding with others. Through his stories and parables, he was able to give even the simplest of Jews a better understanding of the Torah's penetrating wisdom. However through his profound explanations of the deepest secrets of the Torah, he was able to influence and teach the greatest Talmidei Chachomim who became leaders of Klal Yisroel, spreading the teachings of Reb Yisroel and chasidus. These were his contribution to the world.

GREATNESS IS BORN

Reb Yisroel, more commonly known as the Baal Shem Tov, was born on 18 Elul, 1698, in Okop, a tiny village in Poldolia, Ukraine. His parents, Reb Eliezer and Sara, were known far and wide for their generous hospitality. They would send people to search the countryside for beggars who were in

Page 102: Famous Rabies

need of a place to stay. Then they would bring them to their home and serve them a delicious meal. Before the guests left, they made sure to provide them with provisions and money that would last for several days.

Eliyahu Hanavi was once sent to their home to test their sincerity. Late one Shabbos afternoon, Eliyahu banged on their door, demanding a meal and a place to spend the night. He had a staff in his hand and a knapsack on his back-clear indications that he had been desecrating the Shabbos.

Reb Eliezer himself opened the door. "Gut Shabbos," he warmly greeted his guest. "Welcome to my home." Although Reb Eliezer understood that the beggar had violated Shabbos, he pretended not to notice and quickly invited him inside.

"We're in the middle of eating shalosh seudos," Reb Eliezer told his guest. "Please, come and join us."

The moment Shabbos was over, Sara prepared an elaborate melava malka for the guest and then provided him with a comfortable bed. The next morning, Reb Eliezer and his wife prepared to send the beggar off with a generous donation, as well as provisions for the way. Not once did they mention a word about their guest's shameful conduct the previous day.

Just as he was walking out the door, Eliyahu Hanavi revealed to Reb Eliezer his true identity. "Since you did not shame me when I came to your house," Eliyahu told him, "you and your wife will soon be blessed with a son who will illuminate the world with the depths of his Torah."

The following year, Reb Eliezer's wife gave birth to a son. Eventually he grew up to become the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic Movement.

Reb Eliezer and his wife passed away when the Baal Shem Tov was still a young child. His father's last words to him were, "Fear nothing other than Hashem."

Although the Baal Shem Tov continued his formal education in cheder, he would also spend hours alone in the forest, pouring out his heart to Hashem and meditating on His greatness.

When the Baal Shem Tov entered his teens and the community's responsibility to support him came to an end, he was entrusted with escorting the small children back and forth to cheder. As he walked with his young charges, he taught them to say Tehillim and would even bring them to shul to answer "Amen" after Kaddish.

Page 103: Famous Rabies

Before bringing the children to their homes, he would plant a kiss on each of their foreheads. His love for children was so great that years later the Maggid of Mezritch commented, "If only I could kiss the sefer Torah with the same love that the Baal Shem Tov was able to show a small Jewish child."

A HIDDEN TZADDIK

Several years later, the Baal Shem Tov became the caretaker of the local shul. This job did not take up much of his time, and he was able to devote his nights to Torah study. The Baal Shem Tov was careful to hide his greatness, and the people of the village assumed he was an ignoramus.

It was during this period that Rabbi Adam Baal Shem, a hidden tzaddik, instructed his son to bring the Baal Shem Tov secret kabalistic writings. Through studying these manuscripts, the Baal Shem Tov was able to develop an extraordinary understanding of the Torah's depths. It was also during this period that the Baal Shem Tov married his first wife, who passed away shortly after their wedding.

The Baal Shem Tov eventually moved to a small village near the city of Brody. There he did not hide the fact that he was a talmid chacham, and although he taught in a cheder, the community held so highly of him that he was often asked to arbitrate dinei Torah.

Rav Efraim Kitover, the Av Beis din of Brody, was once involved in a din Torah arbitrated by the Baal Shem Tov. The moment the Baal Shem Tov saw Reb Efraim, he realized that Reb Efraim's daughter was destined to become his wife. Rather than hide his brilliance, he "talked in learning" with Reb Efraim and literally dazzled him with his depth of knowledge and sharp intelligence.

Reb Efraim returned to the Baal Shem Tov's house later that day to suggest a shidduch between his daughter, Chana, and the Baal Shem Tov. Of course, the Baal Shem Tov was interested in the shidduch, but there was one problem.

"Many of the wealthy members of the community would like me to become their son-in-law," he told Reb Efraim. "Therefore, this shidduch must be kept a secret. It would not be proper to hurt their feelings after they have treated me so kindly."

Reb Efraim and the Baal Shem Tov wrote out the tenaim right then and there. The Baal Shem Tov refused to allow Reb Efraim to put any titles next to his name-he insisted that it be written, "Yisroel, the son of Eliezer." After the engagement was finalized, Reb Efraim returned home, without telling anyone what had transpired.

Page 104: Famous Rabies

Shortly afterward Reb Efraim became ill and passed away. When his son, Reb Gershon Kitover, organized his father's papers, he discovered that his sister was engaged to some unheard of person named "Yisroel."

Meanwhile, as soon as the school year finished, the Baal Shem Tov set off to Brody to marry his kalla. Before he arrived at his future wife's home, he changed his clothes and disguised himself as a simple peasant.

Dressed in an old sheepskin coat and battered hat, the Baal Shem Tov began to loudly bang on the door of his brother-in-law's home. Reb Gershon assumed that the Baal Shem Tov was a beggar and handed him a small donation. He was completely dumbfounded when the Baal Shem Tov showed him his copy of the tenaim. But he was even more shocked when he heard the Baal Shem Tov gruffly say, "Bring me my wife." (B'reishis 29:21)

Reb Gershon was appalled that his father had made a shidduch for his sister with such a simple man. "Chana," he told her, "I can not understand why our father would have done such a thing. It must be a mistake and you do not have to marry him." But Chana had complete faith in her father's judgement and was sure that this man must be her destined mate.

A few weeks before the wedding, the Baal Shem Tov asked to speak privately with his future wife. At this meeting, he revealed to Chana his true identity and asked her not to divulge his secret.

After the wedding, Reb Gershon attempted to teach his new brother-in-law Chumash. The Baal Shem Tov, however, pretended not to understand a word of what was being taught. Embarrassed about how other people would react to his boorish brother-in-law, Reb Gershon asked him to leave town as soon as possible.

The Baal Shem Tov and his wife settled in a small village in the Carpathian Mountains between Kitov and Kussov. Chana dug clay to support her husband, who spent his days and nights immersed in Torah study. During this period, the Baal Shem Tov reached such a high level in his avodas Hashem that it was said that Eliyahu Hanavi and Achiyah Hashiloni revealed themselves to him and taught him the secrets of the Torah.

THE LIGHT IS REVEALED

Seven years later, at the age of 36, the Baal Shem Tov finally came out of seclusion and began to reveal his true self to the world. On Lag Ba'Omer, 1734, the Baal Shem Tov began to teach others what he had learned. His teachings, which eventually became know as Chassidus, connected every aspect of life to the Torah itself.

Page 105: Famous Rabies

Shortly afterward, the Baal Shem Tov moved to Tlust. There he gained a reputation as a miracle worker. Thousand of Jews in distress came to Tlust to receive words of encouragement and blessings.

From Tlust, the Baal Shem Tov moved to the city of Mezibuzh in the western Ukraine. He lived and taught for the rest of his life, and it was there, as well, that his fame spread throughout the Ukraine.

In Mezibuzh he built a core group of chassidim from the many scholars who, like Reb Dov Ber, came to see if he was truly as great as they had heard-and eventually became his disciples. The group included Reb Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezritch, who eventually succeeded him as the next leader of the Chassidus; Reb Yaakov Yosef of Polonoye, the "Toldos," who recorded the Baal Shem Tov's Torah; Reb Meir Margalis of Ostragh; Reb Nachum of Chernobyl; Reb Yitzchak of Drohovitch and his son Reb Yechiel Michel, the Maggid of Zlatchov; Reb Nachman of Kossov; Reb Yeshaya Miyanov; Reb Moshe of Kitov and others.

There are literally thousands of stories showing the miraculous and unusual solutions the Baal Shem Tov found to the many difficult problems Jews from throughout the Ukraine brought to him.

One such story is about Reb Moshe, a simple but G-d fearing Jew who ran a tavern in one of the small villages surrounding Mezibuzh. One year, most of the crops in the area died because of a drought, and the farmers were left with very little money to spend on liquor. Without his usual customers, Reb Moshe was not able to pay the rent on time.

Reb Moshe found the courage to go to the count's palace and ask for an extension on his rent. The count, however, not only refused, but also ordered his servants to physically throw Reb Moshe out of his home. While the servants were dragging Reb Moshe away, the count continued to shout after him, "If you do not bring me the entire sum by the beginning of next week, I will toss you and your family into the dungeon. The tavern will be leased to someone else."

Reb Moshe returned home a broken man. "Where will I find such an enormous sum?" he cried to his wife. "How will I ever get out of this terrible mess?"

Reb Moshe's wife suggested that he travel to Mezibuzh to ask the holy Baal Shem Tov for advice. "Certainly," she told him, "such a great tzaddik will find a way to help us."

Page 106: Famous Rabies

The moment Reb Moshe stepped into the Baal Shem Tov's beis midrash, he became overcome with a sense of awe and reverence. When he finally stood before the Rebbe, he was at first so overwhelmed that he was unable to say even a single word. But with the Rebbe's prodding, he finally shared his story.

"A Jew should never despair," the Baal Shem Tov told him. "Trust in Hashem and he will certainly not abandon you." When Reb Moshe heard these words, he felt as though a heavy load had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Tomorrow," the Baal Shem Tov continued, "I want you to go to the marketplace and buy the first item that is offered to you." With that, the Baal Shem Tov handed him a small coin. "After you buy it," continued the Baal Shem Tov, "bring it back to me and I will tell you what to do next."

Although Reb Moshe left Mezibuzh with a light heart, the closer he came to home, the more downcast he felt. All of his earlier fears and doubts resurfaced. How could such a small coin possibly help him?

Reb Moshe's wife, however, had pure emunas chachamim. She told him she was convinced that if the Baal Shem Tov had instructed her husband to buy something with the small coin, the coin would bring the yeshua.

The next morning Reb Moshe hurried to the local marketplace. While walking among the stalls and examining the different goods, he was approached by a young peasant who offered to sell him a sheepskin. Reb Moshe followed the Baal Shem Tov's instructions and bought the sheepskin.

Reb Moshe rushed back to Mezibuzh with the sheepskin. The Baal Shem Tov examined the sheepskin and began to comment on its beauty and fine quality. "In another few days," the Baal Shem Tov told him, "the count will make a huge banquet in honor of his birthday. All the nobility will be coming with beautiful presents. I want you, his tenant, to bring him this sheepskin as a birthday present."

Reb Moshe took the sheepskin and returned home with a heavy heart. The moment he entered his home, he poured out his tale of woe to his wife. "The richest men in Poland, will be attending this party and bringing extravagant presents in honor of the count's birthday," he said. "The count himself owns thousands of flocks of sheep. He will think that I have come to ridicule him when he see what type of a present I have brought him."

"Who are we to question the words of the Baal Shem Tov?" his wife responded. "You must do as he said, and Hashem will help."

Page 107: Famous Rabies

The count's birthday arrived. Hundred of noblemen went to his spacious palace bearing impressive presents, each one worth a small fortune. Reb Moshe, as well, arrived at the count's home, carrying the sheepskin over his shoulder.

The count's servant immediately ushered Reb Moshe into the main hall. Waving the sheepskin high in the air, the servant proclaimed, "Your Highness, here is a present from Mosh'keh, your tavern keeper."

The servant placed the sheepskin in front of his master, but the count pushed it away in disgust. "What type of present is this?" he asked. "Take the Jew and throw him into the dungeon. And for good measure, be sure to beat him soundly on the way."

One of count's guests, however, picked up the sheepskin and began to look at it closely. "What an amazing sheepskin," he remarked. The man took the sheepskin and spread it out on the table. In the very center of the sheepskin, the wool had been skillfully woven to into an exquisite design that included the count's name, his birth date and his family's coat of arms.

The other guests stood in wonder. This was truly a work of art to treasure. The count, as well, could not believe that his Mosh'keh had given him such a valuable and unusual gift. Right then and there, he commanded his servant to bring the Jew back to the main hall.

The moment Reb Moshe was brought back into the hall, he threw himself at the count's feet. "Please," he begged, "have mercy upon my wife and children. I did not mean to insult or embarrass you with my simple gift."

But the count merely wished to thank his tenant for his unusual present. "Tell me," he asked him, "who is the gifted artist who created such a masterpiece?"

Reb Moshe was confused. He had not the slightest notion what the count was referring to. Slowly he began to tell the count how the Baal Shem Tov had helped him. At the end of the tale, the count stood up in front of all of his guests and proclaimed, "Mosh'keh, I want to show my heartfelt appreciation for your unusual and exquisite gift. I hereby grant you your tavern as a present. From now on, you will never have to pay rent again."

On another occasion, the Baal Shem Tov instructed his chassid, Reb Wolf Kitzis, to look for a suitable match for his daughter. Reb Wolf, however, could barely manage to put food on the table, let alone provide his daughter with a dowry. "How can I possibly find the money to marry her off?" he asked the Baal Shem Tov.

Page 108: Famous Rabies

But this did not faze the Baal Shem Tov. "Tell the shadchanim in Jassy," he told his chassid, "that you are willing to provide a dowry of two thousand silver rubles. I am sure that with such a dowry you will find a suitable chasan for your daughter."

Within a few weeks a wonderful shidduch was suggested. Several days later the two sides made a lechaim and the tenaim were signed. Reb Wolf was ecstatic that he had found such a special young man for his daughter. But he still had no idea how he would pay the chasan the 2,000 rubles he had promised.

The moment Reb Wolf entered the Baal Shem Tov's study, the Baal Shem Tov rose from his chair and wished him a hearty "Mazel Tov." When Reb Wolf expressed his concern about how he would pay the dowry, the Baal Shem Tov quickly reassured him. "Hashem will surely help you," he told him. "You will be able to fulfill your promise."

A few weeks later, Reb Wolf received a letter from his mechutan, expressing his surprise that his son had not yet received the customary presents. When several weeks passed by without a reply from Reb Wolf, the mechutan threatened to break off the engagement. Reb Wolf was shaken to the core when he received this letter and, with a heavy heart, showed it to the Baal Shem Tov.

The Baal Shem Tov, however, was not at all concerned. "Send a letter to the mechutan," he said, "and tell him that his son will receive both the presents and the dowry when he comes for the wedding."

Several days before the wedding, Reb Wolf once again set out to visit the Baal Shem Tov. He was frantic with worry; the mechutanim were supposed to arrive in two days and he still did not have the money for the dowry.

On his way to the Baal Shem Tov's home, Reb Wolf met a stranger who asked him where the Baal Shem Tov lived. Together they walked into the Baal Shem Tov's home.

The Baal Shem Tov gave a warm "Shalom aleichem" to both Reb Wolf and the stranger. He then proceeded to tell them a story:

A wealthy merchant was once returning from a successful business trip with 40,000 rubles in his pocket. Exhausted from his travels, he soon fell into a deep sleep. This was the moment that the driver had been waiting for; he turned the wagon off the narrow road, drove into the depths of the forest, and robbed his passenger of his money.

Page 109: Famous Rabies

The merchant was terrified. It was obvious that the driver was planning to murder him as well. "Please," he begged, "at the very least, allow me to say Viduy before I die."

Amazingly enough, the robber agreed. He tied the merchant to a large tree and gave him a few moments to recite Viduy. As soon as the robber turned his back, the merchant began to cry to Hashem. He promised that if he would survive the ordeal, he would give one tenth of the money that had been stolen to tzedaka.

Just then, a group of soldiers walking in the forest heard his bitter cries. They ran to see what had happened and discovered the merchant tied to a tree. After they untied him, it only took a few more minutes before they apprehended the thief and returned the money to the merchant.

The merchant, still shaking from fear, could not believe the miracle that had happened. "The minute I get home," he said to himself, "I will fulfill my promise and give four thousand rubles to charity."

But as soon as he arrived him, he had to take care of a pressing business matter, and he didn't donate the money he had promised to tzedaka. Each day another important matter arouse and he put off fulfilling his vow, until eventually he forgot that he had ever made it.

Then, suddenly, his son became desperately ill. Although the merchant called in the best physicians, they were unable to help him. "Only a miracle," the doctors told him, "will save your son's life."

It was at this point in the story that the Baal Shem Tov paused. The merchant who had walked into his study with Reb Wolf had begun to sob quietly when the Baal Shem Tov told his story. But when he mentioned the sick child, the merchant began to cry hysterically. He was the merchant in the story, and the sick child was his own son.

"Rebbe," he cried, "now I realize why my son has become ill." Then and there, the merchant counted out 4,000 rubles and handed them to the Baal Shem Tov.

The Baal Shem Tov immediately gave the money to his Reb Wolf. With the 4,000 rubles Reb Wolf was to shower the chasan with presents, pay the dowry and make a beautiful wedding. And the merchant returned home the following day, he was relieved to find that a miracle had taken place-his son was on the road to recovery.

A DEEP UNDERSTANDING

Page 110: Famous Rabies

The Baal Shem Tov was also able to understand the inner meaning of events, as the following story illustrates.

Once, a childless woman came to the Baal Shem Tov and begged him to give her a blessing for a child. He agreed, and a year later she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

When her son was 2 years old, she brought him to Mezibuzh to receive a bracha from the Baal Shem Tov. The Rebbe took the baby in his arms and kissed him tenderly before returning him to his mother. As soon as the woman returned home, however, the baby became ill and, within a few days, passed away.

The woman was heartbroken. She returned to the Baal Shem Tov and cried bitterly, "Rebbe, why did you bless me with a son that would only live two years? What type of a blessing is that?"

The Baal Shem Tov answered her with a story:

There once was a king had no children. One of his advisors told him that his dream of having a child would only be fulfilled if the Jews were to beseech their God to grant the king a son.

The king threatened the Jews with expulsion from his kingdom if his wife would not give birth to a son by the end of the year. The Jews, of course, turned to Hashem and begged Him to save them.

A certain holy neshama in heaven heard the cries and offered to be sent down to this world to save the Jews in this kingdom. Within the year, this neshama was sent down in the body of the king's newborn son.

This little child was very special. As soon as he turned two, the queen stopped nursing him and the king began to teach him to read. He advanced so rapidly in his studies that, although his father hired the best tutors, he outgrew them all within a very short amount of time.

The king summoned the priest, who was known far and wide as an extremely wise man, and asked him to tutor his son. Although the priest was willing, he had one request. "Every day," he told the king, "I spend two hours alone in my room. That is when I ascend to heaven. I would like you to forbid your son from entering my room during those two hours."

The king agreed. A few days later, the priest moved into the king's palace. Every day he spent his entire day-except for those two hours-teaching the young prince the wisdom of the world. Within a short time, the prince, too, turned into a wise and knowledgeable young man.

Page 111: Famous Rabies

There was one thing, however, that the prince could not understand. What, exactly, did his tutor do during those two hours? Unable to contain his curiosity, he managed to obtain a key to the priest's study and open the door.

The moment the prince saw his teacher, he stood staring in a state of shock He could not believe that it was his teacher, the priest, who was sitting at the table and studying Torah dressed in a tallis and tefillin. The priest, as well, almost fainted from fear. It was only after the prince promised the priest that he would guard his secret that he was finally able to give a sigh of relief.

The prince begged the priest to teach him Torah. After they began to learn together, the prince realized that he had finally discovered the deep wisdom he had always been searching for. His life took on new meaning, and one day he came to the conclusion that he, too, would like to become a Jew.

As soon as the prince came to that decision, he begged his father to allow him to travel and see the world. When he left his father's house, he quietly crossed the border and found a yeshiva where he could continue to study uninterrupted. Within a few months he had converted and spent the rest of his life as a religious Jew, studying Torah and performing mitzvos.

After a long life, the prince passed away and was escorted by the angels directly to the Kisei Hakavod. From there, he was to be taken to the section of Gan Eden that is reserved for the greatest tzaddikim of each generation. Suddenly, a prosecuting angel stood up and said, "For the first two years of his life, this neshama was nursed by a non-Jewish woman."

It was decreed in heaven that before this neshama could ascend to its proper place in Gan Eden, it would have to return to this world and be nursed by a Jewish woman for two full years.

The Baal Shem Tov gently looked at the grieving woman. "And you," he told her, "were chosen to nurse this holy neshama."

The young woman was comforted from the Baal Shem Tov's words.

THE KEY TO HEAVEN

The Baal Shem Tov often spoke to his talmidim about the importance of sincere prayer from a broken heart. There is a classic story of an ignorant shepherd who came to shul at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. He saw all the Jews praying and wanted to join them-but he did not know how to read. Finally he took his flute and played a beautiful song to Hashem. And it was this song, played from the depths of a pure and broken heart, which carried all the prayers of the entire congregation straight to the Kisei Hakavod.

Page 112: Famous Rabies

In a similar story, the Baal Shem Tov taught his disciple, Reb Wolf, the different kavanos he should meditate on while blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashana. Reb Wolf not only studied the kavanos, but also wrote them down on a piece of paper so that he would be able to review them before blowing the shofar.

The Baal Shem Tov was displeased that his disciple wrote down kabalistic secrets and the paper became "lost." As the moment drew near for Reb Wolf to blow the shofar, Reb Wolf began to look for his paper, but he was unable to find it.

Reb Wolf wanted so much to blow the shofar properly that he began to sob bitterly. When the time came for him to perform the mitzva, he lifted the shofar to his lips and, with tears streaming down his cheeks, prayed that Hashem would accept his tekios even though they were made without the correct kabalistic kavanos.

That afternoon the Baal Shem Tov called Reb Wolf into his study and told him that it was his broken heart that had opened the gates of prayer. "In a king 's palace," said the Baal Shem Tov, "there are many doors, each with a different key. But there is one tool that is capable of opening all the closed doors. That is an ax. The kabalistic kavanos can be compared to keys; each one can open a different door. But a broken heart is like an ax; it literally breaks the doors down."

The Baal Shem Tov would shake violently during his prayers. One time, just before the Baal Shem Tov began to recite Tefillas Geshem on Shemini Atzeres, his disciple, the Maggid of Mezritch, straightened out a wrinkle on the Baal Shem Tov's white kittel. The moment his hand touched the Baal Shem Tov, however, he began to tremble so violently that he had to grab hold of a table to steady himself.

The Baal Shem Tov often accomplished miracles during his prayers. One Shabbos morning, the Baal Shem Tov repeated the verse, "Sham is the horse for salvation" (Tehillim 33:17) over and over again.

Later that day he explained to his chassidim that a certain Jewish peddler, who had not managed to arrive home before Shabbos, was spending Shabbos alone in the forest. A bandit had discovered him and was planning to rob and kill him. "However," continued the Baal Shem Tov, "when I repeated those words, the robber lost his way, and the Jew was saved."

One time, after his petira, Chasidim were relating some miracles that the Baal Shem Tov performed. The next day, Reb Tzvi, the Baal Shem Tov' s son, told them that his holy father came to him in a dream and said to him, "Rather than

Page 113: Famous Rabies

repeating miraculous stories, they should speak about my Yiras Shomayim-fear of heaven."

HIS TEACHINGS

Because the Baal Shem Tov did not write down his teachings, they are only known today through the writings of his disciples. Reb Yaakov Yosef of Polonoye published Toldos Yaakov Yosef, Poras Yosef, Tzafnas Panieach and Kesones Pasim. Together, these works contain literally hundreds of direct quotes from the Baal Shem Tov. Other major sources for the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov are Keser Shem Tov, Tzavaas Harivash, Maggid Devarav L'Yaakov, Degel Machane Ephraim and Ohr Hamei'ir.

The following is a collection of some of the Baal Shem Tov's teachings. Although today many of them are basic ideas in Jewish thought, during his time, they were considered revolutionary:

The Baal Shem Tov would say that it is important to remember to "commit your deeds to Hashem and your thoughts shall be established," (Mishlei 16:3). Whatever happens to a person, he must always remember that it is from Hashem. What a person thinks is for the good may ultimately not serve to benefit him. Therefore, said the Baal Shem Tov, a person should leave everything in the hands of Hashem.

If you are able to worship Hashem with a lot of feeling, said the Baal Shem Tov, do not think that you are better than your neighbor. Like all creations, you were created to serve your Maker.

When you pray you should be totally separated from the physical and not at all aware of your existence in the world.

The Baal Shem Tov also advocated doing all things in a hidden manner, so that people will not be aware of your piety. But before you reach a very high level, you must show your piety openly. If you hide your piety and act like everyone else, he said, there is a danger that you will actually become like everyone else.

It says in the Chumash, "Omer oyeiv, 'Erdof asig achalek shalal, '" "The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake I will divide'" (Shemos 15:9). The Baal Shem Tov explained that the first five words of this pasuk begin with the letter alef, indicating that Hashem, the Master (aluf) of the universe is there, even in the deeds of our enemies.

The Baal Shem Tov said, "If you want to belittle anyone, belittle yourself. It you want to praise anyone, praise Hashem."

Page 114: Famous Rabies

HIS PASSING

The Baal Shem Tov contracted his final illness on Pesach, 1760. He passed away six weeks later on Shavuos at the age of 62. His son, Reb Tzvi, was unanimously accepted as his father's successor.

On the Baal Shem Tov's first yahrtzeit, Reb Tzvi stood up in the presence of all his disciples and turned to the Maggid of Mezritch. "Last night," he told him, "my father appeared to me in a dream and told me that you are destined from heaven to be the new leader of the chassidim." Reb Tzvi then removed his special white rabbinical coat and placed it around the Maggid's shoulders.

The Baal Shem Tov's daughter, Adel, was married to the tzaddik Reb Yechiel Ashkenazi. They had two sons, both of whom were renowned tzaddikim: Reb Moshe Chaim Efraim of Sadlikov, the famous "Degel Macheneh Efraim"; and Reb Baruch of Mezibuzh. Their daughter, Faigie, married Reb Simcha, and they gave birth to Rav Nachman of Breslov.

The entire Chassidic Movement is based on the Baal Shem Tov's teachings and stories. They have remained an inspiration for the hundreds of Chassidic leaders and their disciples who continue to use the wisdom of the Baal Shem Tov to face the many challenges of the 21st century.

May his memory be a blessing.

========================================

See Also http://www.nehora.com/category.cfm?Category=129 for purchasing Seforim / Books of Baal Shem Tov

The Gerrer Rebbe

Yarzheit 2nd Adar

A tribute to a chassidic leader who rebuilt his decimated flock in the

Holy Land

by Rabbi Menachem Lubinsky

Page 115: Famous Rabies

This article originally appeared in the Jewish Observer and is also available in book form in the ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications

Judaiscope Series. It is reprinted here with permission

Rabbi Yisroel Alter 5655/1895-5737/1977

Where did all these people come from? What drove them to crowd the streets?

It is barely 4 p.m. The radio had broadcast the bleak tidings at noon. To all except the closest, the news was totally unexpected. The morning papers surely had no mention of the Gerer Rebbe's passing. Even the more popular afternoon dailies did not report it. Who, then, amassed this crowd of 100,000 mourners - or 200,000, as police estimated them?

What contact did these tens of thousands of Jews have with Gerer Chassidus, or with the late Rebbe? They never caught a glimpse of his features on the TV screen - he kept himself as removed from the instrument as he would from fire. Radio? His few chosen words were never squandered on radio frequencies. The papers seldom reported his activities - his entire demeanor was in total opposition to the games of publicity-seeking. So what triggered this flow of humanity to flood Jerusalem's streets in tribute to this man in just three to four hours?

The range of the representation is staggering. And so is the contrast they present... the faces: The obviously Chassidic bachurim and yungeleit, whose every expression and gesture bespeak devotion to Torah and Chassidus . . . middle-aged men, elegantly dressed in modern attire, tears flowing down their cheeks, unwiped ... Jerusalem natives, in full Me'ah Shearim garb, white crocheted skull-huggers peeking out from beneath their black velour hats, the gravity of generations weighing down their features ... The young Sabra generation, representing the Yeshivot Tichoniot, much in evidence - heads usually cocked audaciously, crowned by kipot s'rugot, now hung low ... And so many Jews, who bear no particular stamp of affiliation.

A glance upward, and the eye sweeps over balconies and rooftops, crowded with yet more Jews ... The rich bouquet of Sephardic Jews of all hues and shades, the mix that only Jerusalem can boast . . . mothers with their young, some cuddling infants in their arms.

One look around, and it is obvious that they are not spectators at all, but fellow mourners grieved over the terrible irreparable loss.

Page 116: Famous Rabies

It was the response of those who had known him as Rebbe ... of others who had found in him the deep concern of a father - their father ... of still others who saw in him a rebuilder of shattered people and communities ... of yet others who had appreciated the leadership role he had assumed in the affairs of religious Jewry in the Holy Land - in Agudath Israel, Chinuch Atzmai . . . But primarily it was the instinctive response of every Jew to the trauma of losing a great man. All knew the loss and felt its pangs with an immediacy that drove them into the streets to mourn - both the simple Jew who could not point to more than the simple fact, the "Ma zos," and those who knew: Those who savored the fine points of Kotzk, how they were perpetuated for four generations of Ger, only to be destroyed, and then rebuilt again in the Holy Land. How the specifics of Ger - the fierce devotion to Torah, the uncompromising pursuit of truth, the jealous watching of minutes, the careful training of the youth, the sparing of the words - how they were all recreated by this prince of Ger. They live on, but he is gone.

Ger - A Dynasty of Torah and Chassidus

The late Gerer Rebbe, Rabbi Yisroel Alter, was scion of a family of nobility, and heir to a demanding Chassidic tradition that had its spiritual source in the fountains of unadulterated truth that flowed from Parshys'che and Kotzk.

An impoverished Jew came to the Kotzker Rebbe and begged him, "Help me! I haven't a bit of food to feed my family! "

"That's not a problem. Just daven to Hashem with emes."

"But I don't know how to daven with emes."

"Then you do have a serious problem!"

Kotzk was not known for miracles. In its pursuit of truth - in Torah study, in life, in avodas Hashem - there was no time for miracles. But the truth that emerged from Kotzk was indeed miraculous.

Rabbi Yitzchok Meir, disciple of Kotzk, was the first Rebbe of Ger. His penetrating Chidushei HaRim on Talmud is widely studied. His thirteen children had died during his lifetime. His grandson, Reb Arye Leib, succeeded him. He was known by the title of his commentaries on Torah and Talmud, Sfas Emes (Truthful Speech), which are basic volumes in every Talmudic scholar's library. [The great Rabbi of Sochatchov, son-in-law of the sainted Kotzker, author of the Avnei Nezer, is said to have maintained two bookcases, one for Rishonim (earlier commentators) and another for the Acharonim (later ones). The volumes of the Sfus Emes, written at the turn of the century, were found to be amongst the Rishonim ... To study some portions of the

Page 117: Famous Rabies

Talmud without the Sfas Emes is unthinkable to the modern day scholar.] Indeed, Ger is renowned for its emphasis on Torah learning, for all of the Gerer Rebbes were also leading Torah scholars in their generation.

His son and successor, Rabbi Avrohom Mordechai Alter, continued in this tradition. He had amassed a huge library of sefarim. There were those that claimed that most of the books were superfluous, for he had committed their contents to memory in his first perusal.

During a visit to Berlin, he inspected the private library of a bibliophile. His host took out an old sefer, whose author was unknown to him - both the title page and first page of the work were missing. Reb Avrohom Mordechai asked permission to take the sefer to his room and his host readily agreed. The following day the sefer was returned with the title page and first page - written in by hand.

He is said to have left dozens of volumes of his own written commentary, which were never recovered from the destruction of World War II.

Reb Avrohom Mordechai was extremely reluctant to assume the leadership of Gerer Chassidus, deeming himself inadequate to the assignment. " 'He who commanded oil to burn can command vinegar to burn' - My sainted father was the 'oil' and his flame illuminated, I am the vinegar ..."

The growth Ger had experienced under the Sfas Emes was duplicated many times over under his son's leadership. 'While the town of Ger was over an hour's train-ride from Warsaw, and involved a long, difficult and expensive journey through the hills and valleys of Central Poland from other regions, 10,000 Jews would routinely undertake the trip to spend a Shavuos, a Yomim Norairn or a Succos in the company of their sainted leader. It was always considered a homecoming of sorts for Gerer Chassidim who, until the precious moments of greeting the Rebbe with "Shalom," considered themselves spiritually unfulfilled.

To be part of Ger for even a short while was to leave worldly concerns back home, to know the true meaning of serving Hashem with emes, to don the royal levush of Chassidic garb, and to muscle your way amongst the throngs for a glimpse - A word? That was a priceless commodity in Ger. For those few hours, the Chassid underwent a lapse of identity and it mattered little whether he was from the aristocracy or one of the numerous poor of Polish Jewry. Now he was a chassid . . . It is said that the world-renowned giant of Talmudic scholarship, Rabbi Menachem Ziemba, would sit anonymously at the foot of the Rebbe's tisch, imbibing the atmosphere, drinking in each cryptic word.

Page 118: Famous Rabies

The ranks of Ger swelled to include some 250,000 followers. Indeed, Gerer Chassidim were the dominant force in many phases of life in countless Polish cities, towns, and villages.

Rebuildhg the Ruins

That was yesteryear, in pre-war Poland of the 1920's and 1930's, under the leadership of the Gerer Rebbe, Rabbi Avrohom Mordechai Alter. Then, Hitler intervened with his plan to wipe out Jewry, and this majestic empire ended up in total ruins. The Rebbe and three of his sons escaped destruction, finding refuge in Eretz Yisrael.

One question hovered above the smoke: Could illustrious Polish Jewry, now in ruins, ever be revived? Would this spiritual edifice ever again reach the epitome of G-dliness, Torah, and Chassidus? The Rebbe died in 1948, leaving the mantle of leadership on the shoulders of his oldest son, Rabbi Yisroel Alter. He had also suffered personal losses, for amongst the millions of kedoshim were his wife, their son and daughter, and their families.

At the time of his father's passing, Jerusalem was under siege. Despite the threatening Arab armies and the terrible food shortages, chutz l'Aretz was only a memory, never to be considered as an option for escape - not for himself, nor for others ... To a Rav, a refugee from the concentration camp, inquiring whether to settle in America or to stay in Eretz Yisrael, he remarked - "This may be Medinat Yisrael, but chutz l'Aretz doesn't compare to it." Indeed, he rarely left Yerushalayim and never left the Holy Land once he arrived there.

It was time to rebuild, to strengthen his own soul and to work for Jewish continuity. For Polish Jewry, and particularly for the remnants of Gerer Chassidim, he was a link to a world that was no more.

The Emerging Rebbe

Rabbi Yisroel Alter was always recognized as a brilliant scholar. When only five, his grandfather, the Sfas Emes, prophesied greatness for him. Not given to little jokes, he referred to his favorite grandson as "Reb Yisroel." When Reb Yisroel was 16, that genius of scholars, the Rogatchover, is said to have remarked, "This young man knows Shas!" When still 15, he was engaged to be married to the daughter of a renowned Polish Torah Gaon, Reb Yaakov Meir Biderman, son-in-law of the Sfas Emes. In Torah correspondence that he exchanged with his father, the latter would address him in terms reserved for those destined for greatness - unusual in Ger, but not in his case. Before long, Polish Jewry recognized him as an outstanding Torah scholar.

Page 119: Famous Rabies

The Gerer Priority: The Youth

The Chassidic courts of Kotzk, the "Rim," and the other Rebbes of Ger had a preponderance of young men. Rabbi Avrohom Mordechai especially had gone out of his way to encourage younger Chassidim, much to the consternation of some of their seniors. But in time, the barriers between old and young all but vanished.

"Sharfe yungeleit - sharp young men" they were called - sharp-witted, sharp in intellectual acumen, and sharply outspoken in their fierce intolerance of indolence, hypocrisy, and complacency. The Rebbe assigned the supervision of the yungeleit to his son, Reb Yisroel, and he took to the task with a zeal that never waned.

Batei midrashim cropped up all over Poland - in Warsaw, Lodz, Cracow, and other communities - where Gerer youth crowded their days with Torah and Chassidus. Some were fulltime scholars, others were out in the world of commerce, but all had made the bais hamidrash the focal point of their days ... They were prominent among those who streamed to Ger to more fully experience the kedushah of a festival, the awe of the Ten Days of Repentance. And they were outstanding among those who had heroically demonstrated the tenacity of their convictions by learning and living Torah around the clock in Ghettos under the worst of the Nazi terror. (Some of their exploits are recorded in Moshe Prager's Eilu She'lo Nichne'u.)

No sooner had the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Avrohom Mordechai, arrived in the Holy Land, but that he again focused on the needs of the young, and began to build Torah. First he devoted attention to the Yeshiva Sfas Emes in Jerusalem, which he had founded on one of his five previous trips to the Holy Land. Sfas Emes was greatly expanded by his heirs, Reb Yisroel, and, yibadel lechaim, the present Rebbe, Reb Bunim Alter. Reb Yisroel continued to honor this priority of devoting special attention to the bachurim and yungeleit, for they were his pride of the present and hope for the future. This was of extreme importance, for at the time he took over the leadership of Ger, the outlook for the future was bleak, indeed - a Chassidus without Chassidim.

In the words of David Zaritzky, well-known Israeli writer:

His task was more difficult than that of his great father, for he was standing on ruins; from under his feet curled the smoke of crematoria, of charred Batei Midrash, and their members. Around him gathered half-dead, fully-despondent Chassidim, whose attachment to Ger was their sole spark of life, surviving lost parents, wives, children.

Page 120: Famous Rabies

Not only did he rebuild the Ger empire, he rebuilt tens of thousands of people, endowing them with new neshamos, forming new features on their faces - it was a brand-new start, from Bereishis ... It was not simply a matter of teaching them to think like Chassidim, but to think like human beings, then like Jews ... like Chassidim, and then ultimately in the singularly Gerer approach.

He created it all. Quietly, with a soft word, a sharp gesture, an understanding nod. He quickly perceived not only the kvittel (the paper with the name and request written on it), but the person as well. The person? - he himself did not know what he wanted, so first the Rebbe taught him to want, then what to want. Finally, he taught him to ask for what he wanted - then he allowed himself to smile.

In three decades, the Gerer Rebbe built a network of Torah institutions which were to educate thousands of children. Gerer Chassidim from Europe and the Americas sent their children to learn in the Torah institutions of Ger and from the Rebbe's greatness. They joined Israeli youngsters in the Yeshivos Sfas Emes, Chidushei HaRim, and numerous kollelim spread across the land. The kollel in Bnei Brak (Bais HaTalmud LeHora'ah), for example, is well-known for having produced some of the outstanding Torah scholars in the land.

His involvement in building Torah went beyond his own Chassidus; the Gerer Rebbe was one of the founders of Chinuch Atzmai (the Torah School network in Israel), actively serving on its Board of Governors. Besides guiding the growth of many other Torah institutions, he was also at the side of his cousin, Rabbi Pinchas Levin, who was leader of the Beth Jacob movement in Israel, and headed the Jerusalem B. J. Seminary.

His interest in Torah youth was also not limited to his own. Thousands of yeshiva students visited him regularly and this writer personally witnessed his closeness with the talmidim of Chevron, Kol Torah, Etz Chaim and other Jerusalem yeshivos. While levush - the traditional Chassidic attire - is of great importance in Ger, it mattered little to the Rebbe how a visitor was dressed; that was merely chitzonius, exterior. What was more significant on such occasions was p'nimius - the inner content of Torah and midos.

The Rebbe's building plans also reflected a concern beyond parochialism. He ordered the building for the Yeshivas Chidushei HaRim to be constructed in an extremely modern section of Tel Aviv, predominantly inhabited by secular Jews. The Rebbe felt that the Yeshiva could have an inspiring effect on the whole community. . . . During his last years Ger began constructing Chatzor, a new settlement town in Galilee. Ger always had a special attachment to the Holy Land, and encouraging building in Eretz Yisroel was one of the Rebbe's important goals. His own father, Reb Avrohom Mordechai, would stress that

Page 121: Famous Rabies

the mitzvah of settling and building Eretz Yisrael is applicable in our times, and was above political considerations.

Leader of Klal

The Rebbe enhanced his many innate qualities by a relentless pursuit of personal perfection, making him into a Torah giant. This, however, did not lead him to withdraw from public life, and he forcefully used his unusual perceptive abilities in public leadership.

Like his father before him, who had joined the Chofetz Chaim and other leading figures of his time in founding Agudath Israel, he too chose to be one of the prime movers of the Agudath Israel movement. It was there that he saw his hopes for unifying Torah Jews - Chassid and Misnagid - into one strong movement. The Gerer Rebbe was one of the pillars of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah (Council of Torah Sages), and there was hardly a problem affecting Jewry in which he was not involved. Indeed, he felt it a sacred trust, and was often heard to refer to "my father's Agudath Israel."

He shunned personal publicity and offered his signature only where he saw a long-range benefit to Klal Yisrael. Agudath Israel was his vehicle for public expression and on almost every occasion he sought to strengthen the movement in the Yishuv as well as anywhere around the world. He felt a special kinship with the Agudath Israel of America, and often wrote his followers in the United States to assume active roles in its affairs. Outside of Agudath Israel proclamations, he was not given to issuing public statements.

He was extremely close with other gedolei Yisrael- it mattered little what the background of the gadol was. Although he had occasional ideological differences with other Chassidic leaders, these never interfered with his relationship with them. The Rebbe never waited for a famed Torah scholar to visit him, but was quick to travel to see them - such as the Chazon Ish, Rabbi Issur Zalman Meltzer, Rabbi Eliezer Silver, and Rabbi Aharon Kotler. Torah, more than anything else, was his criterion for determining greatness, and he responded accordingly. People knew the extent of his involvement in Klal; they also sensed the depth of his devotion to being a loyal servant; their only questions were - When? - How?

Unity and peace amongst Torah Jews are known to have preoccupied his last days. One of his last actions was to take the initiative to heal a breach in political activity that had grown between him and the followers of the Ponovezher Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Eliezer Schach - a split that had resulted from the Rebbe's policy of extending Agudath Israel's areas of cooperation to include some debatable factions. As if to underscore this fierce determination,

Page 122: Famous Rabies

he was stricken as his lips uttered "Shalom," the final blessing of Bircas Kohanim.

The Value of Time

The Gerer Rebbe seemed to have an obsession with time. No material commodity was more precious as a tool in avodas Hashem. His clocks and watches were meticulously synchronized and never had he arrived even one minute late for tefillah. Z'man tefillah (the halachically prescribed time for prayer) was scrupulously observed in Ger.

One could see his face nervously perspire at the slightest hint of wasted time. His every minute was accounted for and he often appeared edgy at public gatherings, in grief over time slipping by. Nor could time be measured without precision, and even his driver learned never to be late . . . "Farbreng nisht der tzeit - don't while away the time" he was often heard to say.

Following the Yom Kippur War, the Rebbe was besieged by visiting delegations from all over the world. He detested discussions on the political and military situation. To all queries he had one answer, "We must pray."

Once a distinguished American Rabbi asked him, "What do you say to the current situation?"

Replied the Rebbe: "I say Tehillim."

Time also meant organization, and as if to preach by example, his day was a model of structured planning. There was time set aside to pray, to learn, to receive Chassidim, to take interest in his institutions, to lead in the affairs of Agudath Israel and Klal Yisrael . . . To be koveya ittim, setting aside time for Torah study, was the substance of many of his messages to his followers.

When he was not busy receiving Chassidim or occupied with his involvement with Klal, he was totally immersed in Torah. His Rebbetzin was known to complain that he never slept, even after a serious operation in 1972. A familiar sight in Jerusalem's Ge'ulah section was the Rebbe strolling through the deserted streets well before daybreak. His bachurim were expected to have begun their day in Torah learning and he would not hesitate to awaken those who were not so quick.

Dawn: It was a time to take a deep breath of the brisk Jerusalem air - and to sigh for the woes of the individuals and the Klal. Equally as important was the opportunity it offered to signal the start of another day of avodas Hashem to his followers ... Chassidim remember the Rebbe performing essentially the same role in Poland, where he had also watched over the youth.

Page 123: Famous Rabies

The before-dawn stroll was also a time when soldiers from the Schnellers Army Base (just opposite the courtyard of the Rebbe) would jog - and often would respond to a nod with "Boker tov, Rebbe."

The Private Encounter

The Rebbe had the unusual ability to sweep over a crowd of hundreds with one glance ... Somehow, each of the people in the crowd felt he had locked eyes with the Rebbe for one brief but powerful moment. In private consultations, he literally spent only minutes with each Jew who came to see him, yet he was able to swiftly profile the problems of the man before him. Scores of people would queue up outside his office and within a half-hour he would have seen everyone; each problem thoroughly aired and every response measured - but all in lightning time. He was privy to tens of thousands of problems - spiritual, economic, medical - and pronounced his advice within minutes. Surprisingly he would recall these brief encounters 10 and 20 years later, referring to names, dates, situations - asking after the welfare of those troubled. Sadness and joy passed quickly before him - through him - yet he was able to adjust his mood to a fresh start with each person.

Each man walked out with a substantial response. To a young yeshiva student who had been summoned home with dozens of telegrams on the eve of the Six-Day War, he said: "If you are afraid, stay here. If it is a matter of kibud av v'eim, go home." In little less than 30 seconds, a response, a halachah, and Torah philosophy.

An elderly Jew from Romania with a wholesale toy business in Tel Aviv, told his tale simply:

My wife became seriously ill with yener machalah (a veiled reference to cancer). The doctors could not decide: "Operate." "Don't operate." People in the street said to me, "Take a trip to the Gerer Rebbe. Everybody goes to him for advice and a brachah." So I traveled to Yerushalayim.

When I was younger I used to seek brachos at the courts of the Romanian Rebbes. And the procedure was simple. I'd put a sizeable pidyon (contribution) down on the Rebbe's table and he would devote a considerable amount of time to hear me out, question me on all the details, and rain down a host of brachos on me ...

At the Gerer Rebbe's, everything was different. That he doesn't accept pidyonim, I knew; but I had no idea everything went so fast. Before the people ahead of me even get inside they're out. What am I to do? 1 didn't even prepare a kvittel because I'd have to fill up a whole notebook with details.

Page 124: Famous Rabies

I was very upset, and suddenly I was inside. To this day I don't understand what happened. I said only, "My wife's life is in danger," and the Rebbe understood everything. He asked me all kinds of questions and I felt sure it was taking a lot of time. He said "Don't operate!" and gave me a strong brachah. I felt wonderful. I looked at the clock when I came out - the whole thing had taken maybe two minutes. I still don't understand it. I know that "A tzaddik decrees and God fulfills." But I had not come for a brachah alone, but for advice as well. How did this tzaddik read my mind?

(from "An Appreciation," by Moshe Prager)

When he spoke, his answers were a remarkable blend of caution and razor-sharp wit. He yearned for the sharpness of Kotzk and he was overheard to have said, "Oh, how I wish I could lead like Kotzk!" But he considered the generation too weak for such leadership.

To Chassidim, Misnagdim, b'nai yeshiva and unaffiliated Jews, he was the Gerer Rebbe. Regardless of who you were, you were untruthful if you denied that your knees knocked in fright when you stood before him. - I heard this from people with no connection to Chassidus! His penetrating eyes were enough to make anyone quiver. But soon you were reassured, and once you walked out you realized that the Gerer Rebbe had left you with a lifelong impression.

The late Rav of Ponovezh once remarked: "Before the war, when my heart ached, I traveled to Radin to see the Chofetz Chaim and I felt better. After the war, I travel to Jerusalem to see the Gerer Rebbe and I feel better."

Such was the power of the late Gerer Rebbe - to penetrate minds, to soothe and to inspire. To people, big and small, he was the "big brother," the surrogate father, on whom to pour out all the world's woes ... Grandfathers saw in him the vanished patriarch in whom one could trust.

Whence the diversity of the Rebbe's followers? He had opened his door to everyone, and there is something about the Jewish soul, the pintele Yid, which homes in on its source.

The Loss and the Legacy

What did the Rebbe leave behind for us? A rebuilt, revitalized Chassidus, consisting of thriving institutions and devoted followers . . . an enriched Klal Yisrael. Seforim? It is widely believed that, like his father and grandfather, he had recorded his Torah thoughts. No one is certain, but he did say, "Although there are differences of opinion amongst Torah leaders whether or not to write Torah, I say that in our impoverished generation everyone should write."

Page 125: Famous Rabies

And he left us with indelible memories of a penetrating glance, a sharp word, a tisch ... and a funeral - the silent procession of multitudes, where the only sound was the shuffling of feet and the wiping of tears ... A silence.

In Judaism there is a kind of inverse relationship between authority and words, and never was this more acutely demonstrated than in the "court" of Rabbi Yisroel Alter. A man of immense presence, a person who said a thousand words with a mere glance, the Rebbe needed to say almost nothing to work an internal revolution in his followers. A single sentence from him appeared to carry the authority of generations . . .

The Gerer Rebbe became a "Rebbe's rebbe," as Chassidic leaders from all over the world sought his counsel and submitted to his leadership. Following the death of the Amshinover Rebbe of Jerusalem, the Gerer Rebbe reputedly motored from his residence in the Ge'ula section of Jerusalem to the Bayit Vegan section. There he met with the grandson of the late Amshinover Rebbe and spoke with him for about half an hour, convincing him to carry on the Amshinover line and assume the position of Amshinover Rebbe.

A half hour. How frequently do we throw away a half-hour's words? If the Rebbe spoke half an hour, it had to be an unprecedented occasion. In measuring words, a person deepens his wisdom and impact. Thus it really wasn't ironic that when the Gerer Rebbe died, thousands were left speechless, and, in accord with Polish Chassidic custom, no eulogy was delivered. Nothing needed to be said. The loss spoke for itself.

Silence. How fitting a tribute to man who led with such an economy of words!

Rabbi Chaim Meir Hager

Yarzheit 9th Nissan

by Lewis Brenner

This article originally appeared in the Jewish Observer and is also available in book form in the ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications

Judaiscope Series. It is reprinted here with permission

Rabbi Chaim Meir Hager

5641/1881-5732/1972

Page 126: Famous Rabies

Rabbi Chaim Meir Hager, who had been revered as Vizhnitzer Rebbe for 35 years, passed away in Eretz Yisrael on the Thursday night before Pesach, 5732. On the following day, an estimated 50,000 mourners accompanied his aron to its final resting place.

He had a huge following, including the thousands of settlers of Shikun Vizhnitz, and the hundreds of students of the Vizhnitzer Yeshiva, both in Bnei Brak; he was a member of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah (Council of Torah Sages) of the Agudath Israel of Eretz Yisrael; he was the scion of a noble Chassidic dynasty; but, perhaps equal to all of these elements, his personal warmth, the majesty of his tisch, and the triumph of joy over adversity that he personified, won him vast admiration beyond the confines of any one group.

The shtiebel on Ross Street in Williamsburg was packed. People were literally hanging on to the walls. I was perched on the oversized cast-iron radiator in the corner, one hand mopping my brow with my handkerchief, the other hand holding on for dear life to the gartel of my partner on the radiator. We didn't know if the radiator was warming us or if the heat was generated from the assembled multitude. This was a multifaceted group of Chassidim from Galicia, Bukovina, Rumania, Hungary, Marmorosh, Transylvania - indeed from all over the globe, bent on one purpose: spending the Shabbos with the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, who had just arrived from Eretz Yisrael to seek support for his beloved project, the building of Shikun Vizhnitz in Bnai Brak. His avowed purpose was the rejuvenation of Chassidus after the Holocaust, which left many in despair; reciting Kaddish over Yiddishkeit, frumkeit and especially Chassidus. In our minds, we were mulling over the Rebbe's words regarding the Baal Shem Tov's promise to his great disciple and shliach tzibbur, Reb Yaakov Koppel Chassid, from whom the Rebbe was a seventh generation descendant - Your issue will lead Klal Yisrael to welcome Mashiach.

Suddenly all was quiet. The Rebbe silently made his way through a hastily formed lane, the throng held back by broad shouldered Chassidim. He took his place at the head of the table and, with outstretched arms welcoming the Shabbos, he began, "Gut Shabbos, Gut Shabbos, Gut Shabbos, heiliger Shabbos, taiyere Shabbos, shreit shet, Yiddalech, Gut Shabbos."

Thus, at about eight o'clock, began the tisch which was to last into the early hours of the morning. Shabbos knows no night, the Rebbe would say, quoting Rashi in Masechta Shabbos - Friday is considered the night of Shabbos. Shabbos is completely day, made up entirely of light, life and purity. He recited the Shalom Aleichem in the nusach made famous by three great Vizhnitzer Rebbes before him, intoning each phrase distinctly and in his own

Page 127: Famous Rabies

unique manner. Shabbos shulem u'mevoroch - Shulem aleichem, malachay hashoreis, malachay hashulem, malachay elyon!

He sang with a clear and resonant voice, broken from time to time by a sob - a tear shed out of the joy with which he greeted the Shabbos - and by a deep krechtz emanating from the soul which longed with such great anticipation for Shabbos HaMalkah the Sabbath Queen.

He went through the recitation of "Shalom Aleichem" and the entire "Ribbon Ha'olamim" without singing, merely chanting the words. Upon its completion he picked up the hadassim filled with spices and recited the "Boray minay besamim." Thus, with an addition to his great soul and the scent of m'danay asa, he began to say "Aishes Chayil" in a half singing, half chanting tone - a tradition brought down from the holy Zeides of Kosov, who labored and toiled in the cradle of Chassidus, in the mountain valleys where Russia, Poland, Rumania, and Hungary touched each other. The u-bu-bu-boy and the lingering sounds of the Vizhnitzer nusach, elongating many words and dragging the syllables of others, were the trademark of the dynasty founded by Reb Yaakov Koppel Chassid, established in the Galician village by his son Reb Mendel and fortified by his grandson Reb Chaim. The next generation had its own Reb Mendel, known as the Tsemach, from whom sprouted the present dynasty. As the son-in-law of the great Rizhiner, he set up his court in Vizhnitz, a hamlet in Bukovina, not far from the palace of the Rizhiner in Sadegura.

The Rebbe continued to recite the "Askinu Seudasa," with the unmistakable nusach, revealing in each phrase his thoughts and emotions. One could feel the expression of "simchah b'lev nishbar" - rejoicing with a broken heart - a melody peering out of the cracks of a heart, overflowing with the joy of the advent of Shabbos. His progenitors dwelled upon the mysteries of the Shabbos, the holiness of the Shabbos in all of their writings. He, the Rebbe, was attempting to convey the joy of the Shabbos. To all who entered his sphere of influence he opened a door to the enjoyment of the Shabbos; to sense its happiness and to open one's heart and soul to its flood of purity and sanctity, contentment and ecstasy.

The shtiebel was filled with all kinds of Jews, all types of Chassidim, attracted to the Rebbe's voice and look as to a magnet. He led, he directed, he guided with a wink, a gesture, a movement. The entire group swayed as he swayed; sang, as he sang; cried, as he cried; smiled, as he smiled; everyone, as if transposed from this world to another, elated, uplifted, and overjoyed. This was his magical power of "taking the olam," the entire group, molding them into one unit, ready to do the Will of the One Above.

Page 128: Famous Rabies

He proceeded to make Kiddush. As he uttered the words "Yom hashishi," we all strained to get a glimpse of his face. With the entrance of the Shabbos his entire appearance changed. It was as if he had grown a foot taller. His bearing, so regal all week long, was even more pronounced on Shabbos. He was immaculate in dress. Every hair of his beard was in a pre-ordained place. His payos were neatly curled and smoothly blended into his beard. His face was radiant with joy. Yet he was "poshet tsura v'lovesh tsura" - his facial expressions changed with the mood of the words he chanted. He intoned the words of the Kiddush, some hurriedly and others he lingered upon; stressing, explaining, emoting - all part of the same process of involving all around him in the happiness he felt in the Shabbos. Here before our eyes was the Rebbe who personified the humility of Kosov, the majesty of Rizhin, the wisdom of Ropshitz, the piety of Chernobyl and the kindness of Apt. In his veins flowed their blood and in his conduct he eternalized their message. His path was a synthesis of all of these great dynasties and he sought to recreate their former greatness in his renaissance of Chassidus after the great holocaust.

No sooner had he finished the Kiddush, partaken of the wine, when he immediately lifted his hands to conduct the entire olam in a new song - a melody he had composed on his way to America. He enjoyed a new niggun and lent his ear to every type of song. He once told us that his entire body is one niggun; from the tips of his toes to the top of his head he echoed with song.

The entire shtiebel trembled as the sound reverberated, as all were pervaded with his joyful presence. He was in full command at all times. He glanced around the room and scrutinized us all - nothing escaped him. He recognized faces he hadn't seen in forty years and he embraced relatives he hadn't seen since before the war. He drew everyone close with his sharp and friendly look.

Thus, the tisch continued and the first course was served. He nibbled at the fish and distributed the shirayim - being meticulously careful to hand out the fish on a special fork to those he knew as uninitiated in the habits of the Chassidim. He would avoid violating anyone's feelings and strove to make everyone feel at home.

After the distribution of shirayim to the dignitaries, the platter was pounced upon by the Chassidim who were even satisfied to have only touched the platter. Others, who were more lucky, diligently divided up their spoils with their neighbors and to all newcomers - especially to those who were not Chassidim. Remember, this was Vizhnitz where all were drawn close to the Rebbe by the Chassidim who were taught to attract all - even the most distant. Their motto was summed up in the words of the Rosh Hashana prayer of V'yishme'u rechokim v'yavo'u, "Those distant will hear of you and come close to you."

Page 129: Famous Rabies

All is silent. The Rebbe begins to chant the "Kol Mekadeish" with the tune of his forefathers, repeating some words and stretching out others. He repeats the word "maychalelo" three times. The last time he pronounces it as "mochal-lo," hinting at a Chazal that states - "If a man keeps the Shabbos, even if he was guilty of idolatry, his sins are forgiven."

The Chassidim press forward, eager to see the Rebbe, and to swallow each word he recites. At times, the Rebbe pauses to wipe a tear from his eyes, but he is not crying. He is enjoying the Shabbos and expressing his happiness. His voice rings loud and clear, and it tears into every heart. It is difficult to forget his imposing presence, his resonant voice and his loving smile.

The "Kol Mekadeish" is followed by a lively niggun, a dance melody, and the Rebbe is careful to make sure that all are responsive to his urging to participate. Soon the entire room is reverberating - everyone is awake, swaying back and forth to the rhythm.

Following the soup the Rebbe pauses and then begins the "Menuchah Vesimchah." This is no ordinary tune. It is a symphony. Its composer was the great Reb Nisson who had sung in the court of the Rebbe's father (known as the "Ahavas Yisroel" after his sefer), Reb Yisroel, of blessed memory. The Rebbe sang the first movement. It was repeated by the entire group. He then carefully taught the group the refrain and was gratified by the quick response and some able voices. His pleasure was obvious, for his face shone. But pity the one who went off key! No matter how many people were assembled, his sensitive ear would rebel at a false note and he would pound on the table with his fingers, interrupt the singing, and have the olam repeat the melody perfectly.

"Menuchah Vesimchah" sometimes took close to twenty minutes by the clock! But who was looking at the clock? We had lost all sense of time, as if transposed into a Gan Eden - some Olam Haba beyond space and beyond time. Our joy knew no bounds as we sang and opened our ears to the voice of his singing, for he pierced many ears that were tone-deaf and many hearts that were laden with grief and adversity. He taught us how to dawn, how to chant, how to sing, and we felt closer to him with every note. He blended everyone into one symphony of prayer and song. From hundreds of individuals, drawn from dissimilar backgrounds and temperaments, he welded together one solid group of Chassidim bent on one purpose - tasting the joys of the Shabbos.

While eating the main course the Rebbe was humming to himself and mulling over in his own mind the thoughts he was going to say in his d'var Torah. Even though he was so engrossed in his own thoughts, he was alert to the entrance of any visiting dignitary - Rebbe or Rav or Rosh Yeshiva. He had each seated according to his station and was reverent and respectful to all,

Page 130: Famous Rabies

sidestepping his own dignity to honor all. His frequent question asked of his guests was, "Where does one find simchah? Can joy be purchased in a special store?" I once gathered enough courage to answer him that happiness was to be found by the Rebbe. His face lit up, and smiling from ear to ear, he bestowed his usual blessing: "A zees leben oif dir, mein kind."

His d'var Torah was always preceded by a serious niggun sung in undertones, and erratically interrupted by the Torah itself. His Torah words were filled with mystical combinations and numerical equivalents, laboriously put together. He always stressed the theme of Shabbos: enjoying the Shabbos, hallowing the Shabbos. He would always inject some mussar, criticizing those who slept away most of the Shabbos. He implored all to taste the Shabbos and to sense its beauty, holiness, and joy. No heart was left untouched and no mind was left unchallenged. He had something to say to everybody - to the great scholar and the simple Chassid alike. He appealed to all, embraced all, and inspired all.

The bentchen was followed by a joyous dance, with the Rebbe stationed in the center, observing all who danced. Here he recognized a face he hadn't seen in ages and there he patted a Chassid on the back, thanking him for some long forgotten favor. People who had in some way been of service were astounded to hear him offer his thanks and blessings to them after decades of separation. He never forgot a face, a name, a good deed. As the dancing proceeded, he immersed himself into it, constantly urging the olam from his station to increase the intensity of the singing and dancing. The olam responded with more ecstasy and greater enthusiasm.

After a while the table was reset with fruit and kugel, and the Rebbe sat down for what was known as the Second Tisch. The older Chassidim went home, and the younger people, with greater resources of energy, remained. It was well past midnight. After distributing the fruit and kugel, the Rebbe would retell oft-told stories of his great ancestors and of other great Chassidic leaders. Special songs were sung upon various occasions. Most often he had one of the Hungarian Chassidim sing the song of the Kalever that dealt with the coming of Mashiach ("Shirnok Rinok"). After each stanza he would sing the Hebrew words as tears rolled down his cheeks. He always followed this niggun with a very joyful dance-song, which sounded like a triumphant welcome to the expected Mashiach.

At this second tisch the Rebbe began to call over the bachurim, requesting that each say a d'var Torah. After each bachur divested himself of his d'var Torah the Rebbe would add to it, correct it, and make sure that the source be given due credit. He would literally trade d'var Torah for d'var Torah, and embellished each one with stories from the lives of the authors. At this tisch he would usually sing "Kah Ribbon Olam." The niggun, the gestures, and the

Page 131: Famous Rabies

trembling voice alerted all to the holiness of Ma'amad Har Sinai and all rose to their feet to honor this momentous occasion.

Following the Second Tisch, the Chassidim danced to either a wordless niggun, or to the famous "Hashir V'hashevach," or to the Vizhnitzer "Shevach Ykar U'gdula." Once experienced, it was difficult to forget the sight of the Rebbe in the early hours of the morning as alert and enthusiastic as a youngster, urging all of us on to greater heights of joy and ecstasy.

The Rebbe sat down to a third Tisch where the bachurim were the center of attraction. There each had to say his d'var Torah and listen to the Rebbe's comments. At this tisch he distributed korsh (a cake made of yellow corn meal), served with herring and shnapps. By this time all sleep had been forgotten and the remaining olam was as alert and as eager to enjoy the Shabbos as the Rebbe. But it was getting late and at about 2 a.m. the Rebbe would begin to ascend the steps to his apartment above. He turned around to us, and seeing that we longed for more he began to sing the "Odeh Lakeil." The building echoed with our singing of the refrain, and as he mounted the steps, the Rebbe turned around and sang another stanza. The song spoke of rejuvenation and of constant devotion - themes the Rebbe had made popular. He stressed them and literally seared these thoughts into our minds. The song completed, we took our leave of him with the same Gut Shabbos with which he had begun the tisch.

He was now alone, in his own room, and most everyone had left. Only a few of us lingered, and we listened. Alone, the Rebbe was dancing a Shabbos song by himself; he was dancing around his own tisch laden with sefarim, singing aloud to himself. No weariness and no exhaustion marred his Shabbos. He sang and danced until the rays of the sun entered his room.

All is quiet but all is not over. His spirit continues to sing and dance in our lives and homes.

The Kopyczynitzer Rebbe: Reb Moshe Mordechai Heschel Zt"l

Yarzheit 17th Nissan

Page 132: Famous Rabies

By B. Moses

This article originally appeared in Yated Neeman, Monsey NY. and is reprinted here with their permission

Shortly after the Rebbe's passing, several of Kopyczynitzer chassidim were reminiscing and exchanging personal anecdotes about their beloved Rebbe Zt"l. Suddenly, one of the group declared, "I know you were all close to the Rebbe, but I was the closest of all. For whenever I was going through one of my more difficult periods, the Rebbe never waited for me to call him. The Rebbe would actually call me every day to find out how I was". Another chassid declared, "perhaps he called you as well, but it was me he called every day when I was down" A third and fourth follower echoed the remark, and soon every one of the group has blurted out what seemed to him the obvious "I was the one who was really closest to the Rebbe"

During a visit to Eretz Yisroel more than twenty years after the Rebbe's passing, one of his sons struck up a conversation with a lonely old man in a hotel lobby in Yerushalayim. When he discovered with whom he was speaking, the elderly men withdraw a worn leathered wallet from his pocket. He opened it and produced a tattered photo of the Rebbe. "Your father was my best friend," he declared with tears rolling down his cheeks. The Rebbe's son had never heard of this individual, but to him that was not surprising. For he had met hundreds of individuals of varied ages, backgrounds, and affiliations all claiming the Rebbe was "my best friend"

Indeed, they all were right. To holocaust survivors left alone in the world, he was their "family" and their close confidant. To countless teenagers he was a father and a mentor. To everyone who knew him he was their best friend. Like his father and grandfather before him, he combined the boundless ahavas yisroel of Apta, and the aristocratic royalty of Ruzhin. Many came to him for a brochas and advice; many more came for strength and encouragement, none left disappointed.

According to a family tradition, his father Reb Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Kopyczynitz made the long arduous journey from Vienna, Austria to visit Eretz Yisroel in the late 1920's. On the 15th of Sivan he traveled to Me'aras Eliyahu, a cave high on Mount Carmel, where it is believed Eliyahu Hanavi had hidden. The Rebbe had one son and several daughters, and he davened for

Page 133: Famous Rabies

another son. One year later to the day his wife gave birth to a baby boy. The child was named after his maternal grandfather, Reb Moshe Mordechai Heschel of Perlzovizna- Warsaw.

While still a small child, he showed signs of greatness. At the tender age of five, when his father requested that his grandfather, Reb Yitzchok Meir of Kopyczynitz, give a brocha to one of the other children. Reb Yitzchok Meir responded "ask Moishele to give a brocha". He was a frail and sickly child, twice having contracted scarlet fever that severely weakened his heart. To the amazement of his family he would never complain, and was always a "mesamaiach bchelko". In 1935 Rav Yitzchok Meir passed away, and his son Rav Avraham Yehoshu succeeded him as Rebbe.

In 1939 after suffering Nazi persecution for more than a year, the Heschel family fled to the United States. The court of Kopyczynitz was reestablished on Henry Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where it soon became a focus for many of their loyal Chassidim, as well as attracting numerous new followers. Reb Moshe Mordechai, was a devoted disciple of his father; he thrived in the atmosphere of kedushah and chessed and constantly emulated his father's ways. The Tolnoa Rebbe, Reb Yochanan Twersky Z"L once commented in awe "Reb Moshel'e level in Chessed was the same as his father's"

In his youth, Reb Moshe Mordechai studied in Mesifta Tifereth Yerusholayim, and learned under the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Moshe Feinstein, ZT"L, who had an exceptionally close relationship with his father Reb Avaraham Yehoshua. Shortly before his wedding, Reb Moshe Mordechai received Semicha from the Reb Moshe.

In 1952 he became the director of the Release Hour Program for the Furtherance of Jewish Education, which provided one hour of Jewish studies for public school students. Rabbi Wolf Karfiol, in a moving tribute published after the Rebbe's passing recalled the Rebbe's approach "It was his nature to boost the morale of the leaders by regularly offering them sincere words of encouragement and praise. Then he would speak to the children. He always seemed to have a perfect understanding of how to secure a child's fancy and trust, and in this way he was able to instill in them a desire to continue in the program. When a child exhibited a desire to learn more about his religion, he was encouraged to enter first a Talmud Torah, and eventually a Yeshiva. It was at these times that the special qualities of patience and understanding really came to the forefront. Instead of criticizing, he offered assistance. He knew that many of the children and their families were beset by financial and religious problems, but through his constant probing and encouragement, most

Page 134: Famous Rabies

of these problems were solved, and many of these boys and girls consequently found their way back to Yiddishkeit through this program."

Later, his occupation was that of a broker in the diamond district. To this very day, more than 40 years later, his acts of chessed remain an area legend. The late Skverer Rebbe HaRav Yakov Yosef Z"L, once remarked "Reb Moishele purifies 47th Street". One of the many famous anecdotes is of the young yeshiva teacher who had hoped to devote afternoons to earning a few extra dollars in the diamond market, and had approached friends and relatives for leads. They only responded with, "Best wishes, but you don't expect me to give away customers, do you?" When the young man confided in Reb Moshe, he immediately produced his entire list of clients and contacts.

The young man was shocked. A "list" was a brokers most precious and carefully guarded secret of the trade. "How can I possibly take this, you are practically giving me your entire Parnassah?" "Do not worry", was the astonishing response, "Our parnossa (sustenance) is in the hands of the Ribbono Shel Olam, and He has enough for both of us". . . . "Don't worry"

On the 16th day of Tammuz 5727 - Reb Avraham Yehoshu suddenly passed away while on a visit to Monsey. The oldest son, Reb Yisroel Z"L, steadfastly refused to accept the position, insisting that his brother Reb Moshe Mordechai, who was seventeen years his junior be the next Kopyczynitzer Rebbe. Reb Moshe too refused the position, but after a full year of intense pressure from the Gedolei Yisroel he was compelled to accept the position. On his fathers first Yahrtzeit, he succeeded him as Rebbe.

In his new position, he immediately began to devote all his energies to Klal Yisroel. Even though he was not physically strong, his strength lay in utilizing, all his capabilities to assist those who needed help and guidance. Not only did he befriend those who sought him out, but when he heard of a person in need, he did not hesitate to travel anywhere to offer his services.

When someone came to speak with the Rebbe, they immediately had the realization that they were in the presence of gadlus and kedushah. This however, did not preclude their feeling that they could be "themselves. There was no need to put on airs or to put on an act. The warmth and enthusiasm, with which the Rebbe welcomed everyone, great and small alike, lifted the burden from their shoulders before they had even spoken a word.

The Rebbe was never satisfied in simply doing chessed. He was always attuned to the sensitivities of the receiver. As one recipient put it, "when the Rebbe did a favor for someone, the person felt as if he was the one doing the favor, and the Rebbe was the one receiving it...

Page 135: Famous Rabies

In a moving letter to the Rebbe's family one widow told her story: "When my husband suddenly passed away of a heart attack, I did not know how I would manage. I had a close friend who too was a widow, for whom a special fund had been established. Every time she wanted to buy a new suit for her son, she had to request the money from a committee. I could not bear thinking of such humiliation. Then the Rebbe asked me to come to his office. Upon my arrival, he gave me words of encouragement and simply handed me an envelope. Inside there was enough money to marry off my children...

Then there is the memory of a time when a young man who was a member of a different chassidic dynasty, encountered some personal problems in connection with his upcoming marriage. Upon hearing of his difficulties, the man's Rebbe realized that there was only one man who could deal with them properly. He called the Kopyczynitzer Rebbe and asked him to speak to the young man. When he entered the room, Reb Moshe saw that the young man was depressed. So he stretched out his hand, offered him a hearty "Mazal Tov," and then, to relieve the depression, said, "I am sorry I wasn't present at your engagement. Let us have a short dance right here, so that I will be able to observe the mitzvah of being mesameiach a chosson." In a second, the two were humming a niggun and spinning around the room in joyous dance. It was not long before the young man realized that he had found a person who, in one second, could change a person's whole outlook. A short time later, the Rebbe was present at the young man's wedding.

For the Rebbe, there was no such thing as a generation gap between him and any other member of Klal Yisroel. Long before the term "teens at risk" rose to the top of our agenda, the Rebbe devoted inordinate amounts of his precious time to these youngsters. He did not limit himself to those on the fringe, his ahavas yisroel extended even to young gang members. Chassidim waiting to see him would stare in wonderment at the sight of a teenager accompanied by police officer entering the Rebbe's room. The cops too knew the "Rebbe", and had agreed to release the youngster to his care. In one instance, the Rebbe requested that he be appointed the youngsters legal guardian. The Rebbe made the young man a member of his household. Nevertheless, the youngster found it hard to break with the gang completely. The Rebbe refused to give up on the boy, instead continuing to give him considerable attention and help. Though others constantly discouraged him, and said he was wasting his time, but the Rebbe persisted in his efforts. Eventually, his approach was proven correct. Today, that youngster is a true Jew, a 'shomer Torah U'Mitzvos' and the head of a wonderful family.

One year prior to his untimely petirah, the Rebbe underwent what was then still considered experimental open-heart surgery. One of the his close

Page 136: Famous Rabies

chassidim related this anecdote. "Shortly before the Rebbe left New York to travel the Mayo Clinic, I told him of a young girl, a distant cousin of mine from Eretz Yisroel, who was likewise scheduled for difficult surgery at the clinic at the same time. I too traveled to the clinic to be with the Rebbe, and was there shortly after the Rebbe awakened from the anesthesia. The Rebbe was still very weak, and was barely able to speak. Nonetheless, the Rebbe asked me to take out his checkbook and write a check to the family of the little girl. I wrote out the check and the Rebbe weakly signed it. I wanted to wait until the Rebbe dozed off again before delivering the check. The Rebbe turned to me and requested that I bring to them immediately. I said "the bank is closed now in any case, so there is no reason to rush I would rather sit with the Rebbe a little longer." He responded, "Go now, and let them be a have a little "ruyigkeit" (relieved of worry) a minute earlier."

When the young girl was released from the hospital, her father went to negotiate for payment of his bill. The cashier smiled, "Your account is clear. The Rabbi took care of it last week."

While he was still convalescing from his surgery, he heard that the young son of a chassid intended to enroll in a co-ed high school. Despite his weak health, he traveled to the summer camp the youngster was attending. The Rebbe sat on a bench with his arm around the boy's shoulder and confided, "I've been inactive for two months now. I haven't sold a single policy in all this time."

"Policy?"

"Yes. Helping people do what they really know is right - that's my insurance premium. . . . We know the type of genuine Torah school you should be going to next year - won't you help me?"

The boy agreed to attend a frum Yeshivah, and today he is an ehrlich and respected askan.

By the following winter the Rebbe had fully recovered from his heart surgery. Once again, an ever-increasing stream of individuals made their way to his door, and the Rebbe's constant campaign of chessed was at its zenith. Then suddenly on Erev Pesach 5735 the unthinkable happened. The Rebbe suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, and three days later on Shabbos, the first day of Chol Hamoed he returned his pure soul to his Maker.

The Levaya which took place on Sunday, was one of the largest the streets of Borough Park had ever seen. Tens of thousands filled the streets, as the world mourned its terrible loss. Teenagers the Rebbe had taken out of prison in his

Page 137: Famous Rabies

cognizance, and families held together by his patient counseling wept together united in sorrow. A dynasty had lost its Rebbe, a community its dynamic leader, and hundreds of individuals their mentor, teacher, and best friend.

Several years ago, HaRav Hagaon Reb Shaul Brus Shlit"a, Rosh Yeshivas Beis HaTalmud spoke at a Yahrtzeit seudah in the Kopyczynitzer Shul. In concluding his remarks Rav Brus told the large audience that filled the Shul. "Everyone here has his personal story involving the Rebbe's Chessed, and I know more than all of you. Many people do Chessed, but the Rebbe was moser nefesh for chessed. He gave his entire self on behalf of a fellow Jew. We know that the final Geulah will be in the merit of chessed. It will be in the merit of the chessed shown to us by the Rebbe".

Twenty-Seven years after his passing, the legacy of Kopyczynitz is being perpetuated through the Rebbe's four children. The golden heritage of Chessed continues to flourish as they follow in the footsteps of their heilege father and grandfather.