20 Iyar · Yahrzeit
Rabbi Mordechai Twersky - the Maggid of Chernobyl
Rabbi Mordechai ben Rabbi Menachem Nochum Twersky - the Maggid of Chernobyl (1770–1837)
Yahrzeit - 20 Iyar
Resting place - Chernobyl
Twersky married the daughter of Rabbi Aharon of Karlin; after her death he married the daughter of Rabbi Dovid Leikes, a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. From these two women he had eight sons and one daughter. His sons became renowned rabbis and took part in spreading Chassidism throughout Russia and Ukraine.
According to Chassidic thought, Twersky was responsible for supporting all the nistarim (hidden tzadikim) of his generation. Throughout his life, Twersky raised large sums for charity, and before his passing he regretted that he had not raised even more.
His teachings, discourses, and talks were published in his book "Likutei Torah," which was highly praised by other renowned Chassidic leaders.
Throughout his teachings, Twersky emphasized the importance of pure speech and pure thought as a condition for a proper connection in prayer. He also spoke of including all Jewish souls, even those of wicked people, in prayer. By doing so, wicked people would have a greater chance to repent (teshuva).
Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin named one of his sons Mordechai while Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl was still alive, which would seem to contradict the Ashkenazi Jewish tradition of not naming children after living relatives. When asked about this, Rabbi Yisrael replied: "Our uncle from Chernobyl has already, for several years, been above this world, as though he were not in this world at all." Twersky passed away several years later, in May 1837, on the very same day that Mordechai (Rabbi Mordechai Faivush of Husyatin) was born, on the 35th day of the Omer.
While still alive, Rabbi Mordechai prepared his own resting place on the outskirts of the village of Gnatovka (Yiddish: Gnatovka, Russian: Ignatovka), near Kiev. He chose this location "because there is no house of idolatry there, and the ringing of impure bells will not disturb my rest in the grave." Indeed, his grave overlooks hills and a river.
The Prayer for the Maid
The Chassidim of the Maggid of Chernobyl once saw him standing by the window, moving his lips. They came closer to hear what he was saying, imagining that he was reciting some profound Kabbalistic prayer.
They were astonished by what they heard; the Rebbe was saying: "Ribono Shel Olam, the maid who helps my wife wants to leave, but my wife truly needs her help, so please make the maid change her mind."
The Chassidim could not believe what they heard, and asked the Rebbe why he, a great Gaon, was praying like a simple person, asking the Al-mighty for such a simple thing. The Maggid answered: "Whom else should I ask?"
From this story we can draw a priceless lesson - no matter how insignificant something may seem, we must turn to the Al-mighty and ask Him for it. Nothing is too big or too small for the Al-mighty, as this great Gaon demonstrated that we need the Al-mighty's help in everything. This shows true, pure emunah - when for every single thing we need, we ask the Al-mighty for it in order to receive what we need.
MAY THE ZECHUS OF THE TZADIK PROTECT AM YISRAEL!
http://zchusavos.blogspot.com/2012/04/