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The Yahrzeit of Reb DovBer of Lubavitch (“Mittler”) z‘l (1773-1827) is commemorated on the 9th of Kislev. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

He Saw It Coming From the Start

Rabbeinu Hagadol, Rabbi Schneur Zalman was yet alive and, it was the time when his son Rabbi Dov Ber was still great friends with Rabbi Aaron HaLevi, each one appreciating the other. They once came walking tightly bonded, hugging, pressed together on the other side of a window with Rabbeinu and one of the hasidim standing in a room where they could witness this affection, and the Hasid said to Rabbeinu: “Like Chochmah and Binah, they are two lovers who will not be separated.”  Rabbeinu said to him, “Halevay that they will not be separated, would it were so that they will not.”

(Beit Rabbi section 2.)

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The Yahrzeit of Rebbe Zvi Hirsh of Riminov z‘l (1778-1846) is commemorated on the 30th of Cheshvan. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

When He Was Insulted

As it happened, our teacher, Menachem Mendel of Riminov used to send inspectors each erev Rosh Chodesh to all the businesses in their town to examine the measures and scales to ensure whether they were fair as we are so commanded in the Torah.

It happened that one time when he sent his servant, the holy master Rabbi Zvi Hirsh Hakohen along with one other to inspect the measures and the scales,  in the store of one wealthy merchant, (a man who we might describe as a well-educated “scoundrel”), there was a defective measure and, they chastised him over this.

But he answered them that, as he understood the law, although the measures may have been off, he was still in compliance with the law because no measure was needed in this particular case.

Rabbi Zvi Hirsh said to him,

“As illustrated by the example which deals with a basket of grapes, doesn’t the law explain that accurate measurement is so critical that, even if there is just the possibility of being slightly off, one may not leave it in the store but rather, one must place the grapes under the heels of his feet and trample them?”

The rich man answered him in insolence:

“‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’

“Is Tzvi Hersh also known as an authority of Torah law?”

And they went away.

When they returned to our teacher the Rav Menachem Mendel, he asked the Rav, Rabbi Zvi Hirsh whether the scales had been found proper from a Torah perspective. Rabbi Zvi Hirsh replied, “Yes, everything proper,” for, in his sense of propriety he did not want to report on the particular rich person that he had not been treated with respect, because his master had a characteristic of severe harshness when it came to handing out punishments.

Of course, his plan didn’t work because shortly thereafter, our teacher, Reb Menachem Mendel, asked the one who had accompanied Rabbi Zvi Hirsh: “How did it go with the inspection of the weights,” and he told him of the whole business.

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Here’s the donation link: http://rzlp.org/Yesod-RZLP/Donate.html and thanks to Netanel Miles-Yepez for the following update. (Also, see at bottom for message of thanks from Reb Zalman and Eve):

“As many of you know, Reb Zalman’s basement library, prayer room and office were severely damaged in the recent floods in Boulder. For weeks, a steady stream of volunteers from all across the community (some even coming up from Denver) worked in his house, pumping water out of the basement, carrying up furniture, office equipment, as well as thousands of books, photographs, papers, and ritual items. While some volunteers organized these items in the garage and put books out on the lawn to dry, others set about the difficult and messy work of cutting-out and carrying up the ruined carpet and drywall. Most of these volunteers just showed up, without being asked, and started to help with whatever was needed. Unfortunately, we never learned most of their names, though each and every one of them has our gratitude. Especially helpful were a group of volunteers organized and led by Stephanie Yuhas of the University of Colorado Archives (where Reb Zalman’s own collection is held) in conjunction with the Program in Jewish Studies, which arranged for a storage POD to be placed in the driveway of the house. Other volunteers helped to make sure that Reb Zalman would still be able to observe the holiday of Sukkot (happening at the same time), setting up and decorating his sukkah and taking it down again when the holiday was over.

“At this point, Reb Zalman has a temporary office set-up in a spare room on the main floor of his home while professional workers have sealed off the the basement and work on reclaiming it from the flood damage. He is understandably drained from the stress of the situation, but is doing well and is in good spirits. He would like to thank all of you for your prayers and offerings of support. Shortly after the damage was known, the Yesod Foundation and ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal sent out requests for donations to help off-set the costs of repair, as Reb Zalman, like most flood victims in Boulder, does not have flood insurance. The response was overwhelming and the donations he received will go a long way in helping him repair his home and replace many of the items that were irreparably damaged. However, it is expected that the cost of repairs will be more than what has currently been collected. So if you would be interested in donating to Reb Zalman for this purpose, please feel free to follow the donations link above.”

And this from Reb Zalman & Eve:

“We thank you for your support and ask for your continued prayers for those who are still recovering from their loses,  and especially for those who have suffered losses from which there is no full recovery.“

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The Yahrzeit of Reb David Shlomo Ibshitz of Sirocco z‘l (d. 1779) is commemorated on the 22nd of Cheshvan. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

His Distance From The People of Sirocco

When Rabbi Dovid Shlomo was sitting on the “Throne” of the Rabbinate in Sirocco, he cut no slack for the people of his town. He was chastising them with things that are between a person and God, and when it was between a person and his fellow, he would speak reproaches to them. And he would say:

“As towns stack up, Sirocco has very little.”

When he made Aliyah to the Land of Israel, all the citizens of the town came out to be with him: Man, woman and child. Not a single infant was left in its cradle.

A story: He and others of Sirocco once went out to the outskirts of the town, Rabbi Dovid Shlomo turned his face toward the town of no redeeming qualities, Sirocco, and said:

“What a nice town this!”

The citizens of the town heard and were surprised:

“But indeed, our Rabbi said: ‘As towns stack up, Sirocco has very little?'”

“Things that I said, I said indeed,” Rabbi Dovid Shlomo answered. “How nice she is, this Sirocco, but only at those times when you are elsewhere.”

(From generation to generation.)

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager of Kosov z‘l (1768-1825) is commemorated on the 17th of Cheshvan. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

Setting The Charity Up

One Shabbos, the Seraph of Strelisk z’l, (who was the brother-in-law of the holy Rav of Kosov), was staying with him in Kosov and, as one would expect, streams of people assembled there.

Among those who came was a man who was a close associate of the people of the house of the Rav of Kosov. His name was Reb Moshe and he had been a rich philanthropist and benefactor, however, after having taken possession of a certain village which had been under the control of a certain nobleman, his fortune quickly changed, and now, unbeknownst to any person present,  he was feeling stressed and despondent because of his change of fortune. After the holy Shabbos had passed, this man revealed his change of status to his master in Kosov, for he felt himself in a bad way.

The Rav sent him to his brother-in-law from Strelisk, saying that he should pour out his soul also to him. He came to the Seraph and told him of everything in his heart. The Rav, the tzaddik of Strelisk answered him:

“I am with you in your sorrow. I will go to Mikveh on your behalf and, the merit of my going to Mikveh will afford you protection, perhaps even rescue your situation.”

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The Yahrzeit of Reb Baruch of Kosov z‘l (d. 1781) is commemorated on the 13th of Cheshvan. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

Admonition for the Way of The “Scoffer”

A story of Rabbi Baruch of Kosov, who entered a house of study and saw hot-tempered fighting of this one with that one over issues of religious law, and each one is lording himself over the other with his position and taunting his partner.

“Strange, strange!” mused Rabbi Baruch, “A house of study that is full of torah [that doesn’t ascend].”

A distracted mind of hot-tempered ones.

Rabbi Baruch raised them up.

“Words I said?” says Rabbi Baruch, “Thus did I say:”

“He who studies torah l-shmah / learning for the sake of learning itself, his torah ascends to high places, approaching the throne of glory; the house of study is found emptied.

“But if one studies torah not l-shmah i.e., with some other purpose in mind, then his torah does not ascend to high places, and the house of study is found to be full of torah [that doesn’t ascend].”

(From Every Generation)

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl z‘l (1730-1797) is commemorated on the 11th of Cheshvan. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

Rabbi Nachum and Rabbi Baruch of Medzhibozh

Once, Rabbi Nachum and Rabbi Baruch happened to meet in a town and, they lodged at the same inn.

When Rabbi Baruch came to dine for the Shabbos meal, Rabbi Nachum had not yet returned from shul, for he was taking a long time in prayer. Rabbi Baruch waited in vain for awhile but Rabbi Nachum did not come.

He didn’t want to wait any longer, so he began his meal.

As soon as Rabbi Nachum arrived, Rabbi Baruch said of him, in jest:

“In deference to his honored place, it’s an elder before whom one delays the eating.”

Rabbi Nachum answered with a bit of rage:

“Eat! And you shouldn’t wait.”

The warm feelings between them were cooled for the duration of the meal.

After the meal they went to retire to bed. (Rabbi Nachum’s room was opposite the room of Rabbi Baruch.)

The next morning, Rabbi Nachum was first to arise and, when he passed by Rabbi Baruch’s room, he found him there, in his bed, groaning and crying.

He asked him:

“Why are you crying?”

He answered:

“My grandfather the Baal Shem Tov came to me just now and said to me:

‘Go and appease Rabbi Nachum for, you are damaging his honor because, he is important and big in heaven and, they are very careful, there, to make sure he is honored.’

“I am crying over the fact that I was to have needed to go and appease a man who, as I, is only human. But now that he has come to my room, I am happy that I will not have to go to him…

“And, now, here am I, seeking his forgiveness.”

Rabbi Nachum fully pardoned him and the friendship between them was renewed with extra energy.

(Congregation of Hasidim)

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Avraham Weinberg of Slonim (“Yesod HaAvodah”) z‘l (1804-1883) is commemorated on the 11th of Cheshvan. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

In Blending His Day

For the entire year, he was alluding to his death.

On the first night of Pesach of the final year of his life, at the time when he was sitting at the table of purity, presiding over the Seder before God, he opened his remarks and said some Torah innovations as was his particular way in holiness and, amidst his words, he said:

“‘השתא’ / ‘Hashata’ / ‘Now’

“Here in this very world, the neshama is in the body and there is an inclination for evil.

“‘עבדי’ / ‘avdei’ / ‘we are slaves’

“It’s necessary to toil in servitude [against the evil inclination].

“‘לשנה הבאה’ / ‘L-shanah Ha-baah’ / ‘next year’,

“There will be a neshama without a body.

“‘בני חורין’/ ‘b’nei chorin’ / ‘free people’,

“We will be free from the inclination for evil.”

(Light of the Upright Eishel Avraham)

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Yehudah Tzvi Eichenstein of Rozlo z‘l (1790-1847) is commemorated on the 7th of Cheshvan. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

Dialog With His Learned Wife

His particular way in holiness was to grant his goodness to people with whom he was in conflict, i.e., he distributed, he gave charity to his enemies.

Once, his spouse, the righteous and learned Rebetzin, Mrs. Sarah, a‘h, daughter of our Rabbi Tzvi of Zidichov, took him to task about this, saying to him:

“Indeed, I have known you to be the model man and a holy one of Hashem but, surely, it would have been very good to punish, rather than rewarding, these wicked ones.”

And he answered her with his wisdom:

“In the customary ways of the world, it happens that some hundreds and some thousands of Jews journey to a particular Tzaddik and give him donations. What’s going on here?

“The reason is: As every edifice needs a foundation and if there is no strong foundation, the edifice collapses, so it is when we extend this analogy into its general case, that the entire world is also as an edifice and the Tzaddik is as the foundation, which implies that, ‘The Tzaddik is the support of the world’. So, with respect to this Tzaddik, it is fitting that all the world should give him donations to bolster him, for he is their support, he is one who, in effect, keeps them in existence.

“Indeed, it’s a bit of a mystery to me as to why those who journey to me and give me donations do so. Behold it is only I, and wouldn’t I be able to say that I know I am not of the level of ‘Tzaddik foundation of the world’?

“But I have come to terms with what’s going on here: For there is still one other thing that is needed for the edifice of the world, namely, what the sages z’l wrote in Masechet Chulin (89a):

‘God suspends the earth upon nothingness… The world exists only on account of one who holds himself back from speaking at a time of provocation and refrains from reacting.’

“This implies that whoever is silent to his enemies and doesn’t open his mouth to speak against them, such a one keeps the world and its fullness in existence. And as is customary for those who firm up the foundation of the world, donations come to him from the world, and rightly so.

“But if we punish our enemies, behold donations will not come to us, for it is really on account of this gemara that our livelihood happens.

“Therefore my learned sweetheart, hear my voice, it is especially better to be silent and to tolerate our enemies but to remain in our livelihood.”

(Ten Holies)

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The Yahrzeit of Rabbi Israel of Rizhyn z‘l (1796-1850) is commemorated on the 3rd of Cheshvan. The following meise / hasidic tale appeared in Sefer HaHasidut, Meah Tzadikim, Raphael, Yitzchak, 1961, Tel Aviv. (Freely translated by Gabbai Seth Fishman.)

His Meeting with the Gaon Reb Y. Orenstein

At the time when the Holy Rav of Rishin, (may we be protected by his merits), was in Lemberg seeking medical care, he went to greet the holy Rav, our teacher, the Gaon, the Reb Yaakov Orenstein, author of “Yeshuot Yaakov“, for Reb Orenstein was then the religious leader of the town. For this role of leader, the aforementioned Rav, the Gaon, was preparing stringently and, since he was a Mitnaged / one opposed to the Hasidic movement, he had the opinion in his mind that the Rav, the Tzaddik [of Rishin], likely would speak about some new idea of Torah innovations, saying something of the basic meaning of a text and deviating [from the Gaon‘s tradition].

However when the Tzaddik came before the aforementioned Rav, the Gaon, he asked:

“Of which thing is the covering for the top of walls of the town of Lemberg made?”

The Rav, the Gaon replied:

“Of iron sheets.”

He asked further:

“Why actually of iron sheets?”

The aforementioned Gaon replied, that they would provide protection in the event of a fire.

He asked further:

“If that’s the case, could they be made of:

לבנים / tiles?”

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