He Prays On Behalf of His Pursuers

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak of Peshischah (“Yehudi Hakadosh“) zl (1766-1813) is commemorated on the 19th of Tishrei. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

Our holy teacher, (may his merits shield us!), had a practice in holiness on every night before the sleep time to make a soul redemption on behalf of his pursuers and his slanderers, and he made the redemption on their behalves that they should not be punished, God forbid.

One time the holy Yehudi, (may his merits shield us!), woke up in the middle of the night and said:

“I forgot to make the redemption on behalf of my pursuers!”

And on that particular  night, blood started flowing from the throat of one of the pursuers, and it so happened that he had been slandering the Rabbi of Lublin, (may his merits shield us!), in particular. He ran immediately to the Rabbi in order that he might help him – but  it was no use.

(Crown of the Yehudi, section 1).

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