Kedushas Levi
There is a story about Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi the founder of Chabad Hassidism that he once said "Rebbe Levi Yitzhak of Berditshev's prayers created a chamber in the heavens known as the heichal ha'zechus"......
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Introduction

His Birth

The Holy Tzadik and Rebbe Rav Levi Yitzhak of Berditshev was born in the year 500 (of the Hebrew calendar) 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 brethern Bnei Yisroel." (Eser Oros 2:1)

His position

The Holy Tzadik and Rebbe Rav Levi Yitzhak of Berditshev was one of the foremost students of the Maggid of Mezritch, the Holy Ba'al Shem Tov's successor. Thus he is in fact only five generations removed from recieving the Torah on Mount Sinai from Hashem himself. The Rav Levi Yitzhak of Berditshev was the student of the Maggid of Mezritch, who recieved the tradition from the holy of holies a lofty soul come to down to earth from heaven: our master Rebbe Yisroel the Ba'al Shem Tov who in turn recieved the tradition from the prophet Achiya HaShiloni who was counted among those who were in the exodus from Egypt (see Rambam's introduction to the Mishna Torah), and who learned and recieved the Torah from Moshe Rabbeinu, who in turn recieved it from G-d Himself. (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 2:8)

His birth & his lofty soul

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 decist 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)

The great Maggid of Mezritch echoed this when he taught that Satan was promised three things in regard to the Kedushas Levi's soul coming to this world:

1. That his soul would never meet and unite with the Holy Ba'al Shem Tov (who passed away when Rav Levi Yitzhak was twenty) since this meeting would bring such light to the world that it would end the power of free choice.
2. That he will be chased and persecuted by Misnagdim who oppose Chassidus and his manner of praying and serving Hashem and this will weaken him.
3. That he will bear the yoke of the Rabbinate and the affairs of the city would occupy him. (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 1:3)

His praises

Many great and holy Tzadikim held the Berditshever Rebbe in the highest respects. To begin to understand just how great rebbe Levi Yitzhak was we will quote some of the sayings that his colleagues and Rebbes said about him.

The Holy Chozeh of Lublin was known to say "I set aside a specific time, every day in order to give thanks to Hashem for sending down to this world the great and holy Neshama (soul) of the Rebbe Levi Yitzchak." (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 4:45)

His own Rebbe in the revealed Torah was the Rebbe Reb Shmelka of Nikolsberg who gave testimony that the Berditshever "does not hold any type of conversation that lacks holy kabbalistic intentions and Divine unifications. Even his seemingly mundane conversations are really secrets and unfications." (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 4:47)

The Holy Rav Chaim of Tzanz once said that the holy author the Noam Elimelech testified that "the holy Berditshever shook with G-d's awe and reverence even in his sleep! Even while slumbering the fear and awe of Hashem shook his form, just as it would any person who was seized with fear at finding himself surrounded on all sides by thieves in the city." (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 4:50)

Even with all his great and lofty levels his humility was unimaginable. Once in the middle of one of his sermons he said simply "Woe is to the generation that considers me its leader!" (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 3:37)

Others said about him that his great manner of praying and serving Hashem proved that he had within him from the soul of the great Tanna Rabbi Akiva. (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 3:24) (Eser Oros 2:3) (Avodas Levi)

The holy gaon author of the "Tzemach Tzedek" of Lubavitch used to say, that from all the advocacy and merits he said on behalf of the people of Israel, there was created in Heaven above a unique chamber or heichal known as the Heichal HaZechus the "Palace of Merit," that is called "Levi Yitzchak ben Sarah Sasha." And when a Jew prays and says Tehilim and asks for mercy from the Creator, May His Name be Blessed, in the merit of Our Master "Levi Yitzchak ben Sarah Sasha," that palace and chamber is opened and the Jew is saved from any impending tragedy.

Some of his great students include: The Holy Kozhnitzer Maggid author of Avodas Yisroel, Rav Moshe of Savran, Rav Avraham Dovid of Botshash author of Eshel Avraham on SHulchan Aruch and Da'as Kedoshim on the Siddur, Rav Aharon of Zhitomir author of Toldos Aharon, Rav Shmuel of Kaminka and others. (Avodas Levi)

His advocacy on behalf of the Jewish people

But perhaps the Berditshever is best well known for the countless stories of advocacy and prayer on behalf of individuals and the nation of klal yisroel. He was a master of the non-judgemental; always ready to give anyone the benefit of the doubt and to pray on their behalf, beseeching Hashem's mercy and finding creative ways to do so.

One of the stories told about such advocacy: There was once an ignorant wagon driver who was busy greasing his wagon's axles and wheels while praying wrapped in his Tallis and Tefillin. This ridiculous sight might have caused some to laugh and jeer or others to admonish him with indignation. However Rav Levi Yitzhak grew excited at the sight and declared heavenwards "Master of the World! Ribbono Shel Olam, gaze upon your nation Israel, see how they are so attached and connected to you! Even with they are fixing their wheels and greasing their axles they do not forget about you!" (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 6:87)

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)

One of the chassidim of Rav Baruch of Mezibiz upon hearing of the news of the Berditshever's passing rushed to tell his rebbe. Rav Baruch was known as a critic of Rav Levi Yitzhak's ways and the chassid thought the 'good' news would appease his rebbe. On the contrary upon heaing the terrible news Rav Baruch practically fainted on the floor crying and wailing in distress. He yelled at the habringer of such bad news "Dont think that when I spoke against Rav Levi Yitzhak criticizing him I did so in order to diminish his stature or blemish his honor! You should know that Rav Levi Yitzhak's holy stature rose to the highest spiritual realms above that of even the ministering angels and I was afraid they would harm him in their jealousy. Therefore I used trickery and guile to hide my intentions and pretended to belittle and mock his holy ways to silence their jealous prosecutions." That chassid however, did not live out the year. (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 8:108) (Eser Oros 2:22)

The segula of his name and city

It is a well known tradition passed down to us, that it is a great segula to recite his holy name "Levi Yitzhak ben Sarah Sasha" in times of need or distress to bring salvation. (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 1:1) Similarly the Holy Rizhiner taught "If there is no sefer Kedushas Levi in one's home to sweeten harsh decrees and judgements then it suffices to mention his holy name." His son the holy rebbe of Sadigora once taught that "even if one mentions just the name of the city of Berditshev this too awakens great advocacy in the higher realms above." (He also taught that this is similar to the Mishna in Yoma where the city of Chevron is mentioned to awaken the merit of the patriarchs who are buried there.) It is therefore the custom of many holy and righteous Tzadikim to mention a story, parable or teaching from the Kedushas Levi on Rosh HaShana before blowing the shofar or at other auspicous times. (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 7:99)

His sefer Kedushas Levi and its segula & merit

There is a well known segula to have a copy of the sefer Kedushas Levi in one's home. The sources are from the Tzadikim themselves who said wondrous things about the sefer.

The holy Rebbe of Apt and Mezibiz Rav Ahvraham Yehoshua Hesehl author of Ohev Yisroel wrote in his approbation, "Surely the merit of the holy gaon the author [of Kedushas Levi] and the sanctity of his seforim will shield and guard any place where they are found like the light of peace."

His student the holy Rav Aharon of Zhitomir author of Toldos Aharon similarly wrote in his approbation, "Surely the merit of my teacher and master the author [of Kedushas Levi] and his holy seforim will guard and shield any place that they are found."

His grandson the Rav of Neshchiz testified that "The holy sefer [Kedushas Levi] is a segula for a Jewish home to sweeten any harsh decrees or judgements." (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 7:99)

The sefer Kedushas Levi differs from the majority of the other holy works that are printed from the students of the Holy Ba'al Shem Tov, which were recorded and written down by the students after hearing them from their Rebbes. However the Kedushas Levi was written by the hand of none other than Rav Levi Yitzhak himself! He gave birth to it, using his own holy intentions which were bound to the ever-living G-d, he authored and penned it in his own flowery language and style, and he himself named it Kedushas Levi - the sanctity and holiness of Levi. (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 7:95)

The Munkaczer Rebbe the author of Minchas Elazar had a custom that on Motzaei Shabbos after the Havdalah service he would immediately study the sefer Kedushas Levi in great depth. He would examine and dwell at length on each and every word. Once one of his chassidim asked the Munkaczer Rebbe why it was that when he saw him studying the great philosophical work "Akeidas Yitzhak" of Rav Yitzchak Arama which is known to be exceedingly deep, difficult and profound he would learn it quickly turning pages in minutes. Whereas the Kedushas Levi which is written in a light and flowing language making it easier to comprehend he would spend such a geat deal of time pondering each word in depth? The rebbe answered him, "You are greatly mistaken! The sefer Akeidas Yitzhak's language and meaning were written by the author just as they are. Not so, the holy sefer Kedushas Levi! In which are hidden all the writings of the holy Arizal and whose every word hints at the foundations of the secrets of Torah. Therefore one must use intellect to reflect and understand his seceret and holy language, would that we could!" (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 7:100)

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SAMPLES:

Kedushas Levi Parshas Bo

The Tefillin of the Master of the World

"VeAmartem Zevach Peshach Hu laHashem" - Shemos 12:27 (You shall say it is a pesach offering to Hashem).

We must try and understand why it is, that when we call the yomtov or holiday called by the Torah "Chag HaMatzos - the feast of unleavend bread," (Shemos 23:15), we call it Pesach. Where do we find a hint in the Torah that we should call this yomtov by the name Pesach? In the entirety of the Torah this holiday is called Chag HaMatzos.

It is written in Shir HaShirim 6:3, "Ani leDodi veDodi li; I am my beloved and my beloved is mine." This indicates that we speak the praises of the Holy One Blessed be He, and He in returns praises us [Israel]. So too when we wrap the tefillin they contain the praise of the Holy One Blessed be He, and when the Holy One Blessed be He wraps His 'tefillin' it is written in them the praise of Israel [the Jewish people.] (see Brachos 6a)

This will help us understand that which is written in the midrash Tana D'Vai Eliyahu that "it is a mitzvah to speak the praises of Israel - the Jewish people and that Hashem Yisborach has great nachas and pleasure from this praise.1 It seems that the reason is because it is forbidden for you to stop thinking of Tefillin while wearing them (Menachos 36b). It is a mitzvah for each man to continuously be occupied with tefillin, [alluding to] meaning to say that he should be either praising yisroel, the Jewish people or praising the Holy One Blessed be He. The praise of Israel refers to the Tefillin of the Master of the World in which the praises of the Jewish people are written as is taught in the Gemarra (Brachos 6a), "What is written in the Tefillin of the Master of the World ? Who is like (comapred to) your nation Israel?" The praise of the Holy One Blessed be He hints at our tefillin which contain the praise of Hashem yisborach meaning the parshios of Shema, Kadesh, veHaya (Menachos 34b). Therefore it comes out that we are constantly praising Hashem yisborach and Hashem is constantly praising Yisroel, us.

We find that the name "Chag HaMatzos" is called the praise of Israel. As we see in Rashi's commentary on the verse 12:39 "They baked the dough into matzo cakes" Rashi there comments "The verse tells the praises of Israel, that they did not complain and say how will we go out into the wilderness without preparing provisions rather they had faith and they went. As is stated in the Prophets Yirmiya 2:2 "I rememberd for your favor the kindness of your youth, the love when you were a bride, your following Me in the desert in a land not sown." We find that the name "Chag HaMatzos" is called the praise of Israel since they baked their dough into matzo cakes. This is why this holiday is called by the Torah "Chag HaMatzos", as if Hashem is telling the praise of the Jewish people. And we call the yomtov by the name Pesach, this is the praise of Hashem, "You shall say it is a pesach offering to Hashem" because "he passed over" this is His praise just as in the verse above (Shir HaShirim 6:3), "Ani leDodi veDodi li; I am my beloved and my beloved is mine."2

Notes:

1. "This is the holy Divine Service that a Jew must serve Hashem with in this world all the days of his life; He is obligated to always give praise and thanksgiving to Hashem's holy attributes as is known, similarly he is obligated to advoacte on the behalf of and give the benefit of the doubt to Israel - the Jewish people His holy nation. To always gaze and see with clear open eyes in a good way their positive character traits and only to praise and give thanksgiving to Israel - the Jewish people His holy nation the sons of Avraham Yitzhak and Ya'akov. Surely the ways of our patriarchs are inherited by their progeny and your nation are all righteous Tzadikim and surely one who wishes to purify himself with this good and holy trait they help him from above that nothing evil should befall his holy people rather only goodness and merit. And he can teach merits and advocacy on the behalf of the Jewish people, because this is an important general principle and foundation in Avodas Hashem, and whosoever does not have this trait to see only the good in the Jewish people, and he lacks the trait of only praising Israel and that they should be pleasing and glorified in his eyes, and he cannot advocate pleading on their behalf giving them the benefit of the doubt; then he should know that surely he will never merit all the days of his life to even enter the gates of Avodas Hashem, because this is the gate for Hashem which Tzadikim shall enter."

(The hand written work Pisgamin Kadishin by the Kedushas Levi - #10)

2. See Kedushas Levi in the Likkutim Ita BaTana & Bnei Yisaschar Nisan 10:1 which quote this teaching, and also Kedushas Levi Parshas Bo on the verse Roshi Al Kra'av, at the end where a similar idea is said in regard to us calling Shavous by the name Shabbos in regard for Hashem's miracle where as Hashem refers to it as Mikra Kodesh in regard to us as the cause for His performance of those miracles.
See also Yismach Moshe Parshas Bo, Sefer HaYashar veHaTov on Rosh HaShana, Sefer Ohr Male on Shavous, Ravid HaZahav in Likuttim who all quote and discuss this teaching of the Kedushas Levi as well.

The Glory of Israel - The Kedushas Levi Klal Yisroel's Tefillin

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov warned his students and followers that when Rav Levi Yitzchak would pass through the borders of their towns they must afterwards have their tefillin examined. The Rebbe himself had his own tefillin checked when the Kedushas Levi passed through. "This is," explained Rebbe Nachman "because the holy Rav of Berditshev is the aspect of "Pe'er Yisroel" - the glory of Israel which represents the attribute of tefillin." (Toldos Kedushas Levi Munkacz 4:48) (See also Sichos HaRan 196, Yemey Moharanat 28b)

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Kedushas Levi Parshas Bo

The Anatomy of Redemption

"HaYom Atem Yotzim BeChodesh HaAviv" Shemos 13:4 - Today you are leaving in the month of spring.

It seems that the Creator blessed is He only chose Israel - the Jewish people. Therefore it is absolutely forbidden for anyone to say anything negative about Israel, rather [they are only permitted] to teach of their merits giving them the benefit of the doubt. As it says regarding Mordechai (Esther 10:3) "He sought the good for his people," and 'Mordechai' is numerically equivalent to the words 'Rav Chesed' (see Mishnas Chasidim Adar 2:2) which means abundant kindness.1 This means that the Holy One Blessed be He gives great and abundant kindness to the Jewish people.

We also know that one who washes his hands in the ritual manner known as Netilas Yadayim must make the blessing "Al Netlias Yadayim" which is explained by Rav Yosef Karo author of the Beis Yosef to mean that he must lift his hands because Netila indicates to uplift.2

The general principle is thus, that man is divided into three parts;

1. the head and its parts,
2. the body and the arms and
3. the feet.

The parts of the head including the eyes and ears were created solely for the purpose of gazing upon Hashem, and listening to his words of Musar rebuke and Torah. The mouth was only created to speak words of Torah, to advocate on behalf of Israel and these are the head's features or parts.

The hands hint and allude to the attribute of Love (Tikunnei Zohar Intro 17a), and when he lifts them up he is uplifing love.3 The feet allude to faith (Zohar III 53b), because falsehood has no feet. (Shabbos 104a, Midrash Osios DeRabbi Akiva).4

Therefore when you sit down to eat you must uplift the sparks [in the food] so that your eating will not be soley for your own bodily pleasure. This is why the Beis Yosef wrote that when you wash your hands you must lift up your hands, which hint at the love of eating being uplifted to Hashem yisborach.5

We find a dispute in the Gemara (Rosh HaShana 10b) "Rebbe Eliezer and Rebbe Yehoshua, one said that the Jewish people are destined to be redeemed in the month of Nisan and the other said that the Jewish people are destined to be redeemed in the month of Tishrei." Tishrei is the grammatical form of Tashrak - Tav Shin Reish Kuf where the letters of the alphabet are written in reverse. Tashrak alludes to judgement, whereas the Aleph-Beis in the correct order alludes to kindness and mercy.6 the dispute in the Gemara reflects this as well. Meaning that the opinion that the Jewish people are destined to be redeemed in the month of Tishrei means even in a time of strict judgement because Tishrei is the month of judgement (See Tikkunei Zohar 36).7 Nonetheless they will be worthy of redemption if they all serve their Creator but if they did not serve Him, then heaven forbid they would not be redeemed. The other opinon is that the Jewish people are destined to be redeemed in the month of Nisan which alludes to mercy. This means that even if they are on the lowest of levels and unworthy they will still be redeemed through G-d's abundant mercy and kindness.8

This is the meaning of the verse "And Moshe said to the nation Today you are leaving in the month of spring," even if you are not yet worth of redemption even so the Holy One Blessed be He in His abundant mercy and kindness redeemed you all, and if he so wishes he can redeem us speedily even if we are unworthy, Amen.
[Meaning that the month of spring called Aviv is Nisan, and as explained that is the month of redemption even when we lack merit, Aviv also hints at the Aleph Beis in order which spells Av, alluding to our mercy father.]

Notes:

1. Mordechai in gematria equals 274 ( Mem=40 Reish=200 Dalet=4 Kaf=20 Yud=10 ) and Rav Chesed also equals 274 ( Reish=200 Beis=2 Ches=8 Samech=60 Dalet=4.)

2. See Sotah 4b "Rav Chiya Bar Ashi said in the name of Rav, for the first washing one must lift his hands upwards. See also Tur Orach Chaim 162 who adds that this is hinted to in the language of the verse in Yishaiya 63:9 "vaYenatlem - He lifted them and bore them all the days of the world."

3. See Kedushas Levi Rosho Al Kra'av before where these are explained in depth, that the right hand is love and the left fear.

4. See also the sefer Rimzei Torah in the section on various verses regarding the verse "six wings to each one": "Feet are called faith because we stand using our feet. Therefore the feet hold up the entire body, just as faith upholds the entirety of Avodah and Divine service, because if one lacks faith in G-d, his Avodah is nothing, this is why faith is called feet, because it strengthens everything."

5. See also Kedushas Levi to Parshas VaYeshev on the verse VaYeshev Yaakov (the 2nd teaching) which discusses serving Hashem by uplifting the sparks in mundane things like through food and drink.

6. We find this idea hinted to in the letters themselves. Aleph and Bais in the correct order spell Av which means father, who is merciful and kind to his children as we say Av HaRachaman. Whereas the word Melech, a king who rules using strict judgement is spelled with letters that are in the reverse order, Mem, Lamed and Kaf.

7. The holiday of Rosh HaShana which is the holiday of judgement falls in the month of Tishrei.

8. See also Kedushas Levi to parshas Shemos where this Gemara is similarly explained. See also Avodas Yisroel of the Maggid of Kozhnitz on Rosh HaShana who explains this Gemara in a similar vein.

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The Prayer before Praying of the Noam Elimelech
    Protect and shield us from jealousy between fellows. Let not jealousy enter our hearts and may others not be jealous of us. On the contrary place in our hearts the ability to see only the good in our friends, and not their shortcomings! May we speak with each other only justly and pleasantly as is good and desirable in Your eyes. May there be no hate between friends Heaven Forbid.
    Strengthen our ties and our bond with love to You. As it is revealed and known before You that we strive to give you only satisfaction and pleasure. This is the basis of all our intentions. If we do not have the intellect to properly direction our hearts to You, please teach us how to know truthfully that which you desire for the good/best.
    Above all we beg of You, pleading before you, O’ G-d of mercy, accept our prayers with compassion and good will. Amen, may it be Your will. Read More Download Now for Free!
 

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