Chai Elul - Rav Levi Yitzchak Berditchev and the Baal Shem Tov

Chai Elul, the 18th of the month of the Elul.  It is the birthday of the Holy Ba'al Shem Tov the founder of  Chassidut, whose students we so admire and study through Be'er Mayim Chayim.

 

In the honor of this day, we are pleased to bring reflections of him through the eyes of the Kedushat Levi--whose book we hope im yirtzeh Hashem to publish soon-- and the Noam Elimelech--whose book were were zokeh to publish last year. 

 

 Kedushat Levi:

 

The Holy Tzadik and Rebbe Rav Levi Yitzhak of Berditshev was born in the year 500 of the Hebrew calendar which is around 1740 and the Holy Ba'al Shem Tov twice honored his students with cake and drinks to toast his birth saying: "A soul has come down to this world that will be an advocate for good on behalf of our brethren Bnei Yisroel." (Eser Oros 3:1)

 

To understand the power of the Kedushas Levi's soul we must read the words of the founder of Chassidus our master the Holy Ba'al Shem Tov, who once told his students "At the time the holy soul of Rav Levi Yitzhak of Berditshev came down to us, the accuser Satan prosecuted and said 'the actions of this holy and lofty soul will nullify the entire process of free choice since the entire world will repent and do good, and desist from evil. Then what good will my own position be?' Hashem answered Satan, 'this soul will serve as the Rabbi to several different cities and others will chase and persecute him [because of his beliefs], together with the burden and yoke of the Rabbinate it will weaken him enough that his influence will wane to the point where it will not nullify free choice.' " (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 1:3)

 

Kol Tuv,
R' Tal Moshe Zwecker
Director Machon Be'er Mayim Chaim
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