Wednesday nights - Rav Benzion's Tanya shiur..........Please continue to daven for the good health of the Rebbe (Yechiel Michel ben Devorah Leah) and Rebbetzin (Feiga bas Sarah).

Friday, June 3, 2011

2nd of Sivan - Four Yahrtzeits (Part 2)

(3) Rebbe Yisroel Hager of Vizhnitz, known as the "Ahavas Yisroel":
A connection to between the Ahavas Yisroel and Milwaukee exists by way of Rav Avrohom Stein, the Rebbe shlit"a's father-in-law. As a young man he was very close with the Ahavas Yisroel. The Rebbe, shlit"a, related the following story as he heard from his father-in-law:
The Ahavas Yisroel of Vizhnitz (Center)
When Rav Stein was a young man, the Ahavas Yisroel was accustomed to taking him on long walks. On one of these excursions, the Rebbe stopped and gave out a krechtz, “Oy! What must one have for Shabbos?”
The other Chassidim who were there immediately began discussing amongst themselves what the Rebbe could possibly need for Shabbos. What have we not prepared for him?
They continued and the Ahavas Yisroel said it again. “Oy! What must one take for Shabbos?” But then he turned to Rav Stein and added, “If I have a kepeleh (a head) and hartzeleh (a heart), it is already enough!”


(4) Rav Yosef Irgas (1685-1730):
An major Italian kabbalist, he authored Divrei Yosef and the better known Shomer Emunim. Shomer Emunim Hakadmon, as it is also known, was first published in Amsterdam in 5496 (1736). It is written in two sections and explains the basic principles and concepts of kabbalah in the form of a dialogue. Written as an introductory book for beginners in kabbalah, it also provides a history of the development of kabbalah as well as the importance of its study.
Rav Shloime Twerski, ztz"l, Hornosteipeler Rebbe of Denver, had an order of seforim for one new to kabbalah to learn. The significance of Shomer Emunim is clearly seen by the fact that it was selected to be the first sefer in this program.
While most sources record his yahrtzeit as Sivan 2, some maintain he passed away a day later.

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