4th of Shevat — A Triple Blessing from Heaven

4th of Shevat — A Triple Blessing from Heaven

The 4th of Shevat is a day on which the Almighty sends a great gift to the People of Israel—a triple blessing from Heaven. He gives each of us the opportunity to receive supernatural blessings in every area of life (parnassah, health, shalom bayit, zivugim, yeshuot). During these 24 holy hours, we are given the opportunity to attain an abundance of blessings through our prayers, in the merit of three holy tzadikim: Baba Sali, Rabbi Avraham of Kalisk, and Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov (zechuto yagen aleinu). The 4th of Shevat is the Hilula of Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira (zt"l)—Baba Sali. It is known that on the holy day of a tzadik's Hilula, in the merit of the tzadik, the Almighty bestows yeshuot (salvations), miracles, and unprecedented wonders. We have heard about the many miracles of Baba Sali. His name, Baba Sali, means “the father who prays.” It is known that Baba Sali prays and intercedes in Heaven on behalf of those who connect themselves to him, especially on the day of his Hilula. Significantly, during his lifetime Baba Sali would always light two candles every year on the 4th of Shevat for two great tzadikim, Rabbi Avraham of Kalisk (zt"l) and Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov (zt"l). It is known that Baba Sali held many tzadikim in high esteem. He would connect himself with tzadikim, light candles on the day of their Hilula, and pray in the merit of the tzadikim for everyone in need. Many people witnessed miracles and yeshuot through Baba Sali's connection with the tzadikim. Rabbi Avraham of Kalisk was a Kohen who lived in Tiberias more than 250 years ago. The people living in Tiberias witnessed so many yeshuot (salvations) and miracles through the merit of this holy tzadik that even in times of calamity they would come to him and say: “Eloha de-Rabbi Avraham Mi-Kalisk Aneni.” Tradition tells us that once, during a prolonged drought, a group of townspeople came to him and asked him to pray on behalf of all the Jews of the city for rain. He instructed them all to bring clothing that would protect them from the rain and to climb with him to the mountain, to Rabbi Akiva's grave. He prayed, prostrating himself on the gravestone, while they stood around him and wept. After some time, he rose and said: “G-d has heard our voice.” As they reached the halfway point on their descent, the sky suddenly filled with clouds, and a downpour began, accompanied by flashes of lightning and peals of thunder (Gedolei hadorot). Rabbi Nachman of Breslov stated that of all the righteous people he had encountered in his life, “only the holy tzadik of Kalisk possessed perfection.” Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov was a pious angel. He devoted his life to fulfilling the mitzvah of Pidyon Shvuyim (redeeming captives), both in the material sense—gashmiyut—and in the spiritual sense—ruchniyut. He found time to work with anyone, regardless of their status. Since he devoted his entire life to Israel, the Mekubalim said that in Heaven, on the 4th of Shevat, the day of his passing, the tzadik would be rewarded with “middah keneged middah”—measure for measure: just as the Rebbe of Sassov “redeemed” (brought back) so many Jews from their captivity (suffering, troubles, and lack of spirituality), so too, on the day of his Hilula, anyone who connects with the tzadik in any way will merit emerging from any negative situation in which they find themselves. Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov – Studying Mishnayot as a Remedy for Madness We are destined to witness miracles that transcend “tovah”—nature—in conjunction with the three sacred “lights” (tzadikim) whose Hilulot are celebrated on the same day. To connect with the holiness of this day, we should light a candle for each of the tzadikim, give tzedakah, and pray: Rabbi Yisrael ben Masoud Abuhatzeira—Baba Sali, Rabbi Avraham ben Alexander ha-Kohen of Kalisk, Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib ben Yaakov of Sassov (Rabbi Raphael Avitan)