EXCITING NEWS TOUR OF A LIFETIME TO THE UKRAINE

Shalom uBracha I will imy"H be next week on a speaking trip in Hendon London from Thursday through Sunday, if anyone will be in London and would like to stop by to hear the shiur, meet me and or purchase any seforim or just to say Shalom Aleichem would be happy to meet any of you on my list that reside in the UK I will be giving a shiur Thursday night at 62 brent street in Hendon. The shul where I will be davening on Shabbos is Nishmas Yisroel at 4 Brent Green which is across the street. I will imyh be giving a shiur on Pirkei Avos before Mincha and during Shalosh Seudos

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Today 25th of Tishrei is the Yahrzeit of Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev the Kedushas Levi

Kedushas Levi by Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditshov

How the Serpent Tricked Chavah

And he said to the woman, "Even though G-d said, 'Do not eat from any of the trees in the garden.' The woman answered... "G-d has said, 'Do not eat from it...lest you might die.'" The serpent said to the woman, "You shall surely not die..."

(Bereishis 3:1–4)

The usage of the word af, "even though," does not make any sense [even though Hashem said not to eat of the tree — then what?] Also, we must analyze why Chavah changed the facts when she said that Hashem said to her, "Lest you might die." She made it sound as if there was some doubt, but Hashem Himself declared, "On the day you eat from it you shall surely die" (Bereishis 2:17). Death was certain. In truth, however, as our Sages point out, man did not die on that day — he lived a thousand years.

We must understand what trickery the serpent employed to fool the woman into transgressing Hashem's commandment. The serpent built his argument by saying, "Heaven and earth were formed by the word of G-d" (Tehillim 33:6), and it is known that all the worlds and all the creatures came into existence by G-d's spoken word, as we see from the ten utterances, "Let there be light..." and so on. Their primary life force and existence comes from that utterance of Hashem. Now, since He is the source and life of all life, and His words are living and everlasting, how can it be that the tree of knowledge, which was also created by the word of Hashem, could be something so harmful and deadly, when it was created by the source and root of all life itself?

Therefore the serpent said, "Even though [af] G-d said, 'Do not eat from any of the trees in the garden,' how can this be? It [the tree] was created by G-d's spoken word, which gives it life and existence since it was drawn from the Source of all life, and so surely it is something that gives life and not something that causes death! Therefore, although Hashem said not to eat it, who says you have to listen to that command? Rather, you should listen to the utterance that G-d spoke to give life when creating the world."

However, this was just a trick of the serpent. In truth, we know the root and source of the tree of knowledge are the 288 sparks before they fell and were shattered, which have such a high supernal source.

[The Noam Elimelech explains that "this alludes to the 288 sparks of holiness that fell to a lower spiritual state and were scattered during the shattering of the vessels. It is our divine duty in this world to rectify and elevate these sparks..." During Creation, the sefiros (divine attributes), which are compared to vessels, were unable to contain the great awesome light of the Infinite and therefore shattered. The sparks of holiness from that light were exiled and dispersed among all mundane physical matter. This created a state of imperfection that can only be rectified by tikun — effectively refining this material world and elevating the sparks back to their original source. This is accomplished by performing the will of the Almighty in this physical world through His holy Torah and its commandments, the mitzvos. The sparks of holiness that are scattered among the world from the breaking of the vessels were swallowed up by the klippos, literally, "shells" or "husks." Thus the good, holy spark is like a fruit or nut, which is surrounded by an outer shell or peel. In order to eat and benefit from the goodness of the fruits, one must first break the shell or remove the peel. So, too, everything in this world has an outer exterior, a false shell, that can be peeled away to reveal its true inner beauty.]

Adam's sin caused these 288 sparks to fall and shatter, and they descended very low until they were clothed in a mixture of good and evil — in the husks and shells known as "klippas nogah" and in physical matter. Now this is man's primary objective when serving Hashem in this world: to transform darkness into light and to elevate those sparks back up to their root source. Therefore Hashem commanded Adam not to eat from the tree of knowledge — because he did not have the ability to draw the light of those sparks down here below in the same form that they existed up above, since their source and root were very lofty. Thus, when Adam sinned, the sparks fell and descended down and down [and became clothed in the husks and shells of impurity].

Through the service of the Tzaddikim, as they engage in Torah study and mitzvos, the darkness in which the sparks are clothed is transformed into light, and they ascend higher and higher back to their root source. And when they ascend, their light increases so that the light dominates the darkness, as our Rabbis said, "In the place where ba'alei teshuvah, penitents, stand even completely righteous Tzaddikim cannot stand" (Berachos 34b). We can compare this to a son who grew distant from his father and strayed to the crooked path. When he later repented and returned to his father, his father derived great joy and delight from his return [more than if he had stayed on the straight path all along].

Therefore Hashem said, "On the day you eat from it you shall surely die," meaning that on that very day, when you eat from it, you will be drawn into an aspect of death, since you are causing the sparks to descend and clothe themselves in the physical world and in the husks and shells of the klippas nogah, which is an aspect of death. However, afterward, due to the service of the Tzaddikim through Torah study and mitzvos, they will be transformed from darkness into light and ascend higher and higher to their root source, and this will bring even greater joy and delight [than before].

Before Adam and Chavah sinned, they did not fully grasp this idea of elevating and refining the sparks, and therefore they did not understand Hashem's warning about temporary death. They thought "death" meant death forever, and they therefore had difficulty understanding how this [tree], which, as we explained above, had been created by the Source of all life [could cause death]. They misunderstood Hashem's intentions and thought that He meant that since the tree of knowledge had such a great light that they themselves could not draw down, they could not handle such a light, as our Rabbis said, "Four entered the orchard..." (Chagigah 14b). Therefore they said, "Lest you might die" — meaning that perhaps we shall not merit this great light, and it will be impossible for us to grasp it and endure it, and perhaps it may even cause death. This doubt was planted by the serpent's arguments.

This is why the snake told them, "You shall surely not die..." There is no reason to doubt — you will certainly not die, since you are on such a lofty level you can surely endure and bear this [great light]. Especially once you eat from it and "you shall be like G-d, knowing good and evil" — you will advance to such a high level that you will surely be worthy of such a great light. This is how the serpent tricked them. Understand this.

The Stolen Spoon: The Tale of a True Penitent

The Rebbe Reb Baruch of Mezibuzh was well known as an outspoken critic of Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. One Friday night, during the Rebbe's tisch, when his chassidim were

gathered around his table, Rav Baruch declared, "If anyone here will speak evil of the Berditchever Rav, I promise that he will be rewarded with a portion in the World to Come."

Immediately a young man stepped forward, prepared to offer Rav Baruch an evil report about the Berditchever. Here was the perfect opportunity to acquire his portion in just one moment! Eager to secure his claim, the chassid did not even stop to think for a second that perhaps Rav Baruch might have ulterior motives behind his request. The elder chassidim standing near him were horrified and dissuaded him from coming forward. "Heaven forbid that you should do such a thing!" they said.

The next day, during the Shabbos day meal, Rav Baruch repeated his offer. "My proposal stands. Whoever can bring me an evil word about the Berditchever is guaranteed a portion in the next world!" he announced. Just like the previous night, silence prevailed. None dared open their mouths to utter a word against Rav Levi Yitzchak — none that is except for the same young man, who without any compunctions seemed intent on speaking ill of the Berditchever and claim his reward. The opportunity had presented itself — how could he hold back what he knew about Rav Levi Yitzchak? Why, it was a veritable sin to hold out on his Rebbe, was it not?

Again his fellow chassidim appealed to his common sense and convinced him to stay silent. He agreed, certain that he would be given one more opportunity to finally do what he wanted, later during shalosh seudos, the third meal of Shabbos.

The time indeed came. Rav Baruch repeat his request, and this time the young chassid paid no attention to his friends imploring him to refrain from speaking out. He ran forward, eager to unburden himself. Seeing the young man pushing his way through the crowd, Rav Baruch beckoned to him. "Come close, son, and tell me all that you know about the Berditchever!"

The young man told his tale. "I once traveled to Berditchev on business during the trade fair, and I decided that this would be a good opportunity to visit the beis midrash where the Berditchever davens and observe him in prayer. I had been told that it is a spectacle to behold his devotions, which are so wonderful that they can only be described as supernatural. I felt that it would be of great benefit to me to observe such pure and holy worship. So I set aside some time during my working hours to visit the beis midrash.

"As I neared the entrance to the study hall, and I the sound of the Berditchever's ecstatic prayers. I did not dare venture inside. I could not enter. I just stood rooted to the spot in wonder and awe. Then the Berditchever reached the passage "Yotzer mesharsim va'asher mesharsav kulam omdim b'rum olam — He fashions the ministering angels, His servants who stand at the heights of the universe" (found in the morning blessings preceding the Shema). Suddenly he jumped up and ran toward me, and he yelled in a fit of hot anger, 'Vus vet der malach Michoel zogen?! Vus vet der malach Gavriel zogen?! What will the angel Michael say? What will the angel Gavriel say?' He raised his hand and slapped me soundly on the cheek! Then he ran back to his place and resumed his prayers.

"Now I ask you," said the indignant young man, "how was the Berditchever allowed to speak in the middle of the blessings? And to strike a fellow Jew in anger? What did those strange words about the angels mean? And why did he do all this in the midst of his prayers. The whole thing sounds crazy!"

Rav Baruch patiently listened to the young man's story till the very end. When the chassid finished, Rav Baruch addressed everyone present.

"You should know that Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev is an advocate on behalf of all of Klal Yisrael before the heavenly court. He speaks out in defense of all Jews and searches for merits to defend them and quell the forces of judgment against them. He even searches for merits to defend them when they have sinned, Heaven forbid! At the time when this young chassid came to the Berditchever's beis midrash, they were davening the Yotzer blessing that precedes Shema. At that time in the morning, when Jews all over the world reach the verse that speaks of the ministering angels, who as servants stand at the heights of the universe, that is the very moment when the archangels such as Michael and Gavriel and all their hosts gather together to defend Klal Yisrael and seek their merits, as it says, 'If there will be even one defending angel out of a thousand to declare a man's uprightness on his behalf' (Iyov 33:23). They try their best to seek out a defense for each Jewish soul to protect it from the rod of judgment hovering over him and to send down an abundance of blessings upon him to cleanse him of the stains of guilt and iniquity.

"When the Berditchever Rav reaches that point in his prayers, he enters the fray and joins the supernal ministering angels, seeking to find merits for Jewish souls. While you were standing there and observed that he reached this point in the davening, proclaiming that the ministering angels stand at the height of the universe, his soul ascended on High. He was spiritually elevated to the highest heights to seek out merits and advocate on behalf of Klal Yisrael. Then he saw you standing there before him, besmirched with the sin that you had committed that very day at the inn — when you stole that silver spoon during the meal — he was enraged, because he could find no merit on your behalf to bolster his argument in your defense before the heavenly court.

"You see, sometimes a thief steals in desperation, out of poverty and hunger. Then Rav Levi Yitzchak can argue that the thief did not steal in order to purposefully transgress the commandment prohibiting theft, nor did he steal because he yearns for luxuries or because he desires that which is not his own. He only stole to satiate the pangs of hunger that assail his wretched existence and to quiet the rumblings of his empty stomach. He steals knowing that he might get caught, but what can he do? What other choice does he have?"

Rav Baruch's temper rose, and his anger reached its boiling point as he turned to the trembling young man who stood dumbstruck, like a thief caught in the act. Rav Baruch pointed an accusing finger and thundered, "But you are a prosperous and wealthy merchant who lacks nothing! Why did you yield to the temptation of the evil inclination? Why did you steal that silver spoon? The Tzaddik of Berditchev could find no defense on your behalf, and that is why he shouted at you, 'What will the angel Michael say? What will the angel Gavriel say?' What will they say to defend you against the crime you committed?"

The young man began to cry and begged forgiveness for his repugnant conduct. But Rav Baruch could not comply. "Only by approaching the Tzaddik of Berditchev can you repent and receive atonement for your crime. Ask him to prescribe to you a path for repentance and that he should forgive you!"

The young man did so and became a true ba'al teshuvah.

The Story of his Passing

There is a tradition from the Maggid of Petriva and Rav Yisroel of Vizhnitz that Rav Levi Yitzhak passed away right after Succos. He related that the Berditshever grew weak after Yom Kippur and his condition was life threatening. However he prayed that his days might be lengthened so that he might still merit fulfilling the mitzvah of shaking the four species of the lulav and esrog which he yearned and waited for all year long. His prayers were answered and he lived till Isru Chag and passed away on the night of the 25th of Tishrei. (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 8:103) (See also Sichos HaRan 196)

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov said "Even the average individual should feel the loss of a Tzadik like Rav Levi Yitzhak. Everyone now feels that there is something lacking in the world. There is a depressed mood everywhere. One might feel it in his business, which no longer runs as smoothly as before. Another might feel it in his bones, which somehow seem displaced. If your eyes are truly open you will see that world has become dark, for a great light has been extinguished in the world. A great candle's light has been truly snuffed out and that the world has filled with a great darkness." Many had reported that flames had been seen rising from the bier of Rav Levi Yitzhak. (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 8:105) (See also Sichos HaRan 196)

 

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R' Tal Moshe Zwecker
Director Machon Be'er Mayim Chaim Publishing
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The Giving of the Torah During the Time of Moshiach קדושת לוי - שבת נחמו

בשבת נחמו קורין עשרת הדברות, ובשבועות קורין גם כן עשרת הדברות, כי בשבועות נתן הקדוש ברוך הוא תורה לישראל, וכן כשיבא משיח צדקינו כתיב (ישעיה נא,ד) תורה חדשה מאתי תצא לכן קורין עשרת הדברות בשבת נחמו: קדושת לוי - שבת נחמו

The Giving of the Torah During the Time of Moshiach

On Shabbos Nachamu we read the ten commandments. And on Shavous we also read the ten commandments. This is because on Shavous the Holy One gave the Torah to Bnei Yisroel. And similarly regarding when our righteous Moshiach arrives it is written that (Yeshaya 51:4; VaYikra Rabbah 13:3) "A new Torah will come forth from Me." Therefore we read the ten commandments on Shabbos Nachamu as well.

Tu BeAv

Remembering Our Father
"There were no other days as good for Bnei Yisroel as the the 15^th of Av and Yom Kippur." (Taanis 26b)

This can be explained based on the verse (Shemos 17:8) "Amalek came and battled Israel in Refidim." Before this it is written (ibid 17:7) "Is Hashem among us or not?"

This can be understood by the following parable:

A son was on his father's shoulders, he sicked the dog on him etc. (See Rashi ibid; Pesikta Rabbasi 13) "The parasha of Amalek follows the previous verse asking whether Hashem is among us or not? To teach us that Hashem says I am always among you and I am found ready to fulfill all of your needs and how can you ask if Hashem is among you or not? By your life! A dog shall come and bite you and you shall cry out to me and then you will know where I am! This can be compared to a parable a father went out on a journey with his son on his shoulders. If the son saw an object he desired he said father give me this thing and he would give it to him. This repeated itself a second and third time. They happened upon a man and the son asked him, have you seen my father? The father said to his son, don't you know where I am? He threw him off his shoulders, and a dog came and bit him."

We see that the father frighten his son in order to remind him that he has a father who can save him from that frightening thing. And as soon as he knows that he has a father then his father draws him close in many ways to demonstrate that closeness.

This is why this month is called Av – which means father, and why our temple was destroyed during this month, in order to remind us of our Father.l Once we recognize this fact and this knowledge will penetrate into us then the Holy One will rebuild the beis hamikdash.

The Gemara explains (ibid) regarding Tu BeAv that it is a time [of happiness since it is] when the tribes were allowed to intermarry. . . Study it at length.

. . . Each and every tribe has its own special way and path, (Pri Etz Chaim Shaar Tefillah). Down here below this is represented by a hue for each tribe as the colors of the precious stones found in the Choshen, the Kohen Gadol's breastplate. Each color of each stone represented the unique character of each tribe as is known. (Rabbeinu Bachaya Shemos 28:15)1 When all the ribes reach the level of self nullification and effacement known as Ayin then all the colors mix and intermingle together with eachother. Now when the Jewish people grasp the understanding that (though we are different and unique individuals) we all have one father, this is the meaning of [Tu BeAv being] a day when the tribes were allowed to intermarry. It alludes to what we explained.

Notes:

1. The Rabbeinu Bachaya in his commentary to Shemos 28:15 explains that it is a Kabbalistic wonder how each one of the tribes was given a colored stone for the Choshen which matches their attribute up above. He then matches the stones and their colors to the attributes and characteristics of each tribe according to Kabbalah.

 

Kol Tuv,
R' Tal Moshe Zwecker
Director Machon Be'er Mayim Chaim
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The Berditchever - Kedushas Levi on Avos

Hope your Shavous was good, Please enjoy two selections and have a great Shabbos!

 

Pirkei Avos

 

Humility – A Lesson from Sinai
Avos Mishna 1:1 Moshe received the Torah from Mt Sinai:

 

The Kedushas Levi teaches us that:

 

We should pay attention [to the wording of this Mishna] and see that it should have said [that Moshe received the Torah] "on" Mt Sinai and not from "from" Mt Sinai.
It seems to me to explain this as follows: It is written (Bamidbar 12:3) "And the man, Moshe was more humble than any other person." Regarding [Moshe's position when he was] in Egypt he said about himself, "Who am I that I should [go to Pharaoh] . . . should I be the one to take [Bnei Yisroel] out?" (Shemos 3:11)

Yet, when the Holy One told Moshe that He was going to give the Torah through him and that he will be the Rabbi and teacher, master of all of all of Israel, Moshe did not refuse at all, where then was his humility?
However the truth is that it is a given, that Moshe Rabeinu saw the fact that the Torah was to be given on Mt Sinai and the reason for this location was as said by our Rabbis of blessed memory (Sotah 5a; Bamidbar Rabbah 13:3) because it was the most lowly of all the mountains. Moshe saw that the Torah was to be given on the lowliest and most humble of all [mountains], so he was immediately willing to have the Torah given through him. Due to his great humility his logic was as follows: he believed tat among Bnei Yisroel there was no one as lowly as he himself was, and the Torah, [as demonstrated at Sinai], was given on the lowliest and should therefore be given by the lowliest person as well. This then is the meaning of "Moshe received the Torah from Mt Sinai," and we asked previously where was his humility?

 

This is why the wording of the Mishna is "from" Mt Sinai [as opposed to "on" Mt Sinai] since Moshe learned from Mt Sinia itself that the Torah was given there and not on the other mountains because it was the lowliest of them, therefore Moshe was immediately willing to be the one through who Hashem would give us the Torah [since he saw himself as the most lowly person].1 (See also Toldos Yaakov Yosef Parshas VaYakhel 4, Kedoshim 8 where this same idea is taught presumably in the name of the Baal Shem Tov; See also Noam Elimelech Parshas BeHar)

The Migration of the Holy Jewish Home
Avos Mishna 1:4 And your house should be a house of meeting for the sages:

 

The holy Berditchever taught:

The houses of the Jewish people are destined to migrate to the Land of Israel in the future time of the coming of the Moshiachg may it be speedily in our days, Amen. We can derive this using the logical argument known as a fiorte from the Jewish houses of worship. Just as the synagogues whose primary purpose serves as places of reciting the Shema and prayer, and prayer is a commandment of rabbinic origin, and the Shema is likewise considered by some Talmudic opinions to be a commandment of rabbinic origin (See Berachos 21a Tosfos sv Hachi Garsinan Eleh) and in the future the synagogues are destined to migrate to the Land of Israel as is known (Megillah 29a), the Jewish houses which have had practiced in them, many more commandments of a Divine Torah origin such as the Mezuzah, the Grace after meals, Torah study and charity and many similar other commandments such as these, how much more so should they merit to migrate to the Land of Israel as well!

However which Jewish houses will be the ones to migrate to the Land of Israel? Those in which there was active practice and observance of the aforementioned commandments, however empty people, whose lives are empty of G-dly deeds and lack knowledge of their Creator, those who do not wish to fulfill the mitzvos in their homes, where Torah is not studied in sanctity, and who do not check the validity and kashrus of the mezuzos, and do not wish, heaven forbid to give charity, surely these homes will not merit to be uplifted and migrate to the Land of Israel. This is because they did not give Hashem any satisfaction and nachas ruach while they where here during the exile. Only those homes which cause Hashem a nachas ruach will merit to go to Israel.

Why then, did our Sages only mention synagogues when they spoke regarding these matters, why did they fail to mention Jewish homes? The meaning of our sages words can be explained by the Talmudic dictum, 'say this and you need not even mention that.' Surely, then it is is agiven that is the synagogues will migrate surely the homes will go to Israel as well. Understand this.

This is the meaning of "your house" should be equal in all respects to "the house of meeting" which is just another name for the synagogue. A house of meeting for Hashem as is taught in Shas (Berachos 5a) and the Mishna continues to explain which houses will be equal to synagogues? Therefore it says "for the sages," meaning to say that those houses belonging to wise sagacious home owners who have fear of Heaven and fulfill the mitzvos of the Torah, and the ethical teaching is now understood.

 

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R' Tal Moshe Zwecker
Director Machon Be'er Mayim Chaim
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A Theft in Heaven a Berditchever Tale

From the upcoming MeOros Kedushas Levi on Moadim

 

Story: A Theft in Heaven

Two thieves were once brought to be judged before the Heavenly Court. The first one was a young man named Nachume'l the thief. All year long he hid deep in the forest robbing all passerby, young and old alike stealing from the rich and the travelling merchants. Only on the Erev Yom Kippur he would go to town and there he would begin to distribute all the money he had stolen to the poor and the indigent. Then he would enter the Beis Midrash and the entire day of Yom Kippur. For the entire day he stood immersed in prayer and supplication from the depths of his hearty and soul; with such fervor and sweetness that the very stones beneath his feet almost melted with joy. The day after Yom Kippur he would distribute what remained of his loot among the poor to cover their upcoming Yom Tov expenses and then once again he would vanish into the recesses of the dark woods where he would continue his disdainful practice of robbery and thievery.

The second thief brought to trial was named Yaakov Yoel, and he was an older Jew with a shining countenance sporting a fine long white beard. A merchant and businessman now retired in his old age he had turned over his business to his sons while he himself sat in the house of study learning Torah day and night. He sat in the Beis Midrash every day and almost never did he step foot outside it except once a year. When the day of the trade fair arrived in town and his sons hands were so busy that they could not do so they asked their father to please come into the store and man the register while they tended to the many details that took up their time. And it goes without question that no one harbored even a suspicion nor even a shadow of a doubt against such a pious Jew! Nonetheless when no one was looking and when all watchful eyes were turned away Yaakov Yoel would simply reach his hand into the register and pluck coin after coin out and drop them into his pocket! With this stolen cash he would purchase brandy and other spirits along with cakes and cookies that he would later set before the Chassidim in shul. After the daily davening, he mamash chalished – he simply famished for a shot of strong  liquor and a tasty morsel to savor in the company of his fellow Chassidim or any other group pf Jews.

First the Heavenly Court listened to Yaakov Yoel's plea, the old man began to argue on his own behalf explaining that "After all all I took was from own children, I took what I took from my very own store, from my own business that was once under my charge, I simply handed it over to them and further. . ."
However the Accuser Satan himself representing the case for the prosecution delayed no further and pounced upon the hapless Jew with a sneer dripping with venom and malice, "Nu So what then about the red handkerchief?!"

And now Yaakov Yoel hung his head in shame because Satan, the Accuser had indeed brought up a shameful memory! Almost every Rosh Chodesh, and every other occasion such as Mondays and Thursdays Yaakov Yoel would make his rounds after the morning prayers holding a red handkerchief. He would walk back and forth asking for a donation for a "very important matter and a pressing need!" Now it goes without saying that no one had even the merest suspicion against Yaakov Yoel with the long white beard!
And so he would collect copper coins, jingling gleefully in his red handerkerchief into which once in a while even a silver coin might be thrown to join the others while Yaakov Yoel smiled into the corner of his beard saying to himself, "Isn't a Le'Chaim toasted by Chassidim an important matter after all?!" And now he stood there before the Heavenly Court accused of his crimes and misdeeds, dumbfounded and unable to utter even a single word in his own defense.

Next the court turned its attention to Nachume"l the thief and he spoke simply saying: "Master of the World what can I say? All of my actions are revealed before You. All year long I rob and steal and not one word of holiness passes my lips. On Erev Yom Kippur I distribute my money to the poor and afterwards all Yom Kippur long I engage in prayer and supplication my mouth lips do not close for Your sake and the sake of Your holy name! I have nothing more to say. Master of the World, do with me as You wish?!"

On the spot, Satan the Accuser opened his wicked mouth to prosecute before the Heavenly Court and he began to indict: "These are no simple thieves! Yaakov Yoel has grown his beard and peyos, has used his learning and his prayers as a way to people's pockets! And Nachume"l keeps one Kosher Yom Kippur day the entire year in order to return afterwards to his thieving ways robbing others wholeheartedly and passionately! Simple thievery isn't even good enough for them! Their thievery rides on false piety and false faith. They use holiness like a key to open foreign door. There acts are nothing short of a desecration of Your hallowed Name! Not even the wicked would have the heart to do as they do…"

Nonetheless the advocate for the defense, the goodly angel Michael was not disheartened. Rather than give up hope, he began to advocate and defend the sinners for their crimes.

"I would like to know," he began, "just what did these two Jews do with the stolen money? Has anyone ever seen Yaakov Yoel sitting and eating a sumptuous meal? Has Yaakov Yoel ever lay himself down on soft comfortable cushions instead of the hard wood benches of the Beis Midrash? And with those few coins he gathered to buy le'chaim liquor, did he drink it alone or rather in the company of fellow Chassidim, where a tale of the righteous or words of Torah were shared and the hearts and souls of our brethren are warmed to serve You Hashem? His sons and fellow worshippers in the Beis Midrash, would they not have derived great pleasure and satisfaction from the good use their few coins were put to had they been told the truth?"

"And what did Nachum did with his money? Did he buy estates and property? Did he leave a fat inheritance behind him? He was but a young man, yet did Nachum spend his money on how own pleasures and delights? Rather every Erev Yom Kippur he gave out his money to the poor while he poured out his entire heart in prayer! Now if those poor souls who were robbed would know the good their money was being used for would they not have complained about the mistreatment of these souls?!"

"Nachum and Yaakov Yoel have somehow transformed robbery and thievery into an act of kindness. They found a way to draw out holiness from the depths of impurity and darkness itself! Not many tzadikim could have even succeeded in doing such a thing!"

Before passing judgment, having heard both sides of the argument, the Heavenly Court ordered Nachume"l and Yaakov Yoel to each in turn place their good deeds and weigh them against their demerits and misdeeds on the Heavenly Scales of Justice. And here is where the terrible incident occurred!

Nachum stood up and on the black side of the scale he placed all the years of his life, year after year. His eyes dimmed because there was not a year that was filled with misdeeds of robbery and theft and each act was as heavy as iron. The only counterweight he had to balance this out were the scant few days of Yom Kippur. These he placed on the other, white side of the scale and he began to breathe more easily as the scale began to tip towards the positive side. Each day of Yom Kippur was just one day but its weight was great for each day was soaked with tears and each teardrop heavier than iron. And as he placed the last day of Yom Kippur of his life on the scale he saw that – unbelievably his scale was still tipped towards guilty! For the difference of a hair's breadth his soul felt like it would expire!

Yaakov Yoel also approached and trembling and sweating with trepidation he placed all the days of his manning the register during the fair alongside with his infamous red handkerchiefs on the black side of the scale. Each day of each fair and each handkerchief bore down the weight of the scale tipping the balance against him more and more. They were heavy laden the copper and silver coins, each coin heavy as lead. However once he began to place his learning, his prayers and his good deeds and acts of piety on the white side of the scale, their counterweight balanced out and began to tip the scales in his favor. Especially heavy were his inspirational songs and dances which he did on holidays, festivals and joyous occasions. He almost breathed a sigh of relief – almost, except that just like what happened to Nachume'l, the same thing happened to Yaakov Yoel as well! The indicator pointed to guilty, and as his nervous eyes watched the pointer, it trembled ever so slightly almost moving to the side of merit, yet no, it remained a hairs breadth away. What a heart ache!

They stood there each man next to his fellow despondently until Nachum'l turned to Yaakov Yoel with a wink. Unable to contain themselves and hold back they simply stretched out their right hands with a sideways glance to make sure no one was watching while they simply lightened the load a bit and removed just a bit from the black side of the scale! Obviously they didn't realize that whoever steals from the scales of heavenly justice only increases his own guilt!

Just as their hands grazed the scale the entire scales and balance toppled over causing such a din, that the loud disturbance shook and rattled the entire heavens! A great commotion took place, this was the first robbery ever done in heaven! And now Satan leaped with glee to point his accusing finger at the two trembling forms and his accusations were dark as a raven:

"See for Yourself, Master of the World, Your own attributes of Mercy which You extend to these pathetic creatures are all for naught. They dare to rob the very Heaven itself and even in such close proximity to Your Heavenly throne of glory!?" The dark black sin rose up higher and higher ascending its way to the heights of Heaven, as all the souls left their heavenly chambers, and all the angles left their abodes and heavenly palaces in commotion. Even the goodly angel, Michael the defender and advocate had for once been silenced. He grew weak and he prostrated himself before the Heavenly Court begging for mercy and asked:

"All the seven heavens are crying out! Is there no angel or advocate who can plead on behalf of these two Jews? Please call forth Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, for surely he alone has the power and the strength to find some merit to defend these two Jews!"

Seeing this Nachum'l and Yaakov Yoel stood together in despair desperately clutching one another in fear weeping and crying copiously.

Now all of this took place on Yom Kippur and at that very moment the Berditchever Rav stood before the amud, leading the congregation in Mussaf in his Beis Midrash in Berditchev. Even before Mussaf began, he could feel that there was a great disturbance going on in Heaven, and that horrific judgments had been forecast, like black storm clouds spread out across the heavens. He was at the words of Mussaf, "Man's origin is dust . . ." and just then he was summoned as a defense attorney before the Heavenly Court itself. When the Berditchever Rav saw these two poor Jews huddled there crying in despair he outsretched his two arms heavenward and called out brokenheartedly: "Helige Derbarmdige Tatte! Holy Merciful Father!"

As soon as these words were uttered a great wave of pure refined love and compassion was awakened and silence spread itself across the Heavens. The only sound heard on High, was the weeping of the two thieves who felt they were lost. The Berditchever felt his heart contract in pain and he raised his face heavenwards and opened his lips with words of prayer. He sang the prayers as was his holy custom with heartache and sweetness:

"Man's origin is dust," . . .son of Adam, such a lowly creature who is created from the very dust of the earth itself; "And his end is dust," . . .he returns at the end back to the dust itself, "With his soul he obtains his bread," . . .sometimes he has no choice but to sin to feed himself, and if that is not enough "He is compared to fragile shard of clay pottery" if he sins he is cast like broken potsherds!

"Heilige Derbarmdige Tatte! – Holy Merciful Father! First You hide from our eyes both Gan Eden and Your Presence the Shechinah, and You placed it in the next world. Then You placed the evil inclination into man which inflames the passions and desires in our hearts in this world. Is it any wonder that we are burned by this raging fire which You Yorself placed within us?! Let the heavens tremble and quake! For what is heaven itself compared to the tears of these broken hearted souls?!"

Once again the Berditchever raised his hands heavenward and his voice rose in a plea for mercy. With great love and a broken heart he said:

"Heilige Derbarmdige Tatte! – Holy Merciful Father!"

"Heilige Derbarmdige Tatte! – Holy Merciful Father!"

All the gates of mercy swung open immediately and Yaakov Yoel and Nachum'l were uplifted by Divine mercy. Seeing that it was an Es Ratzon – an auspicious moment of grace Rav levi Yitzchak seized the opportunity to plead on behalf of the entire world!

"How long shall the world be battered by pain and suffering?! All the calculated dates and projected times have passed! May the Holy and Merciful One send us the righteous redeemer, the Moshiach who shall redeem us and end the sins and sufferings of our world!"

Seeking to interrupt the Berditchever's pleas, Satan called out red with rage:

"Is it not enough that the Berditchever is trying to bring thieves into Gan Eden?! He now has the audacity on the heels of their thievery and robbery of Heaven itself, to attempt to bring about the redemption and bring Moshiach to this world?!"

Even before the Berditchever Rav had a chance to open his mouth and attempt to answer the proceedings of the Heavenly Court were interrupted by a disturbance coming from the Beis Midrash down below. The source of the tumult was a weak older Jew who could no longer hold out. The Yom Kippur fast had taken its toll on his weak constitution and he began to faint. All those around him were trying to revive to no avail.

 

The Berditchever immediately interrupted his prayers before the amud, and he approached the aged Jew. He hugged and caressed him, caringly he whispered to him until the man regained his strength and opened his eyes.

Meanwhile . . .the Divine moment of grace, the Es Ratzon passed. . .And who knows, perhaps had there been no tumult down there in the Beis Midrash, perhaps, just maybe the Berditchever Rav would have succeeded? Who knows?

 

 

Kol Tuv,
R' Tal Moshe Zwecker
Director Machon Be'er Mayim Chaim
Chassidic Classics in the English Language
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