Weekly Chasidic Story #937 (s5776-09 / 27 Mar-Cheshvan 5776)

Sixty Thousand Descendants

At his grandson's circumcision celebration, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev recounted the following episode Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib Sassov:

Connection: Weekly Reading - "Toldot" = generations, offspring

 

Sixty Thousand Descendants

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, the great Chasidic master, recounted the following episode at his grandson's circumcision celebration:

"This morning I arose very early to prepare myself to perform the brit mila (circumcision) of my dear grandchild. At daybreak I opened the window and saw a penetrating darkness in the heavens. As I wondered about the blackness before my eyes, it was made known to me that this very day the holy tzadik (righteous person), Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib of Sassov, had passed away.

"As I mourned the loss of that prince of Israel, I heard a voice cry out: 'Make way for Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib!'

"When the Sassover entered the celestial realms, the tzadikim and chasidim formed a joyous circle around him. Suddenly, Rabbi Moshe heard a voice reaching from one end of the world to the other. Intrigued, he began following it until he found himself at the gates of Gehinnom (Purgatory).

"Without waiting for permission, Rabbi Moshe entered Gehinnom. The guards saw him walking back and forth as if looking for somebody. They were certain that he had come there by mistake and they politely asked him to ascend to his proper place in Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden).

"Rabbi Moshe said nothing. The guards repeated their request, but he remained silent and did not move. They didn't know whether to drive him out or permit him to remain. They decided to confer with the Heavenly Court, but even it was puzzled. Never had a tzadik descended into Gehinnom of his own desire. Rabbi Moshe was summoned before the Throne of Glory where he made his request known.

"Rabbi Moshe began, 'Master of the World, You know how great is the mitzvah of redeeming captives. I have occupied myself with this commandment my entire life, and I have never differentiated between wicked captives and righteous captives. All were equally beloved by me, and I had no peace until I had succeeded in freeing them. Now that I have entered the World of Truth, I find that there are many captives here, too. I wish to fulfill this mitzvah here, as well.

"'I will not leave Gehinnom until I have fulfilled this mitzvah. So dear are Your commandments to me that I have observed them no matter what the place or time or penalty might be. If I cannot bring these wretched souls to freedom, I would rather remain with them in the fires of Gehinnom than to sit with the righteous and bask in the light of the Divine Presence!'

"Rabbi Moshe's words flew before the Throne of Glory, and the Holy One, Blessed be He, uttered the decision: 'Great are the tzadikim who are ready to relinquish their share in Gan Eden for the sake of others. In that merit, let it be calculated how many people Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib redeemed during his lifetime, both they and their children, and their children's children until the end of time. That number he may redeem here, also.'

"The Book of Records was immediately brought, opened and read. The names of all those who had been redeemed by Rabbi Moshe were counted and their direct descendents. The final figure was 60,000 souls, the number that could now be released from Gehinnom to Gan Eden.

"Rabbi Moshe began to walk through Gehinnom, looking into countless pits and caves where he found souls who had suffered for a long time. One by one he gathered them and when he was finished, he found their number to be exactly 60,000. Column after column emerged from Gehinnom, marching with him at their head, until they arrived at Gan Eden.

"When all 60,000 souls had entered, the gates were closed."

After recounting this story, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak instructed to name his little grandson Moshe Yehuda Leib and blessed him to grow up to emulate the holy tzadik, Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib of Sassov.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Adapted and supplemented by Yerachmiel Tilles from the version that was first printed in The Crown of Creation by Chana Weisberg (Mosaic Press).

Biographic notes:
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak (Deberamdiger) of Berditchev (1740-25 Tishrei 1809) is one of the most popular rebbes in chasidic history. He was a close disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch. He is best known for his love for every Jew and his active efforts to intercede for them against (seemingly) adverse heavenly decrees. Many of his teachings are contained in the posthumously published, Kedushat Levi
.
Rabbi Moshe-Leib of Sassov (1745 - 4 Shvat 1807) was the leading disciple of Reb Shmelke of Nicholsburg. He also received from the Maggid of Mezritch and from Rabbi Elimelech of Lyzhinsk. Subsequently a Rebbe in his own right with many followers, he was famous primarily for his love of his fellow Jews and his creative musical talent. His teachings are contained in the books, Likutei RaMal, Toras ReMaL Hashalem, and Chidushei RaMal.

Connection: The weekly reading, Toldot, begins, "These are the offspring…."


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