22 Tishrei is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Moshe Yaakov Rabikov - "Sandler HaKadosh" (The Holy Shoemaker) - leader of the Circle of Kabbalist Craftsmen (1960s).
Yahrzeit - 22 Tishrei;
Burial place - Shomrei Shabbat Cemetery in Bnei Brak;
He was also called "The Holy One of Tel Aviv."
In the 1960s, a circle of kabbalist craftsmen was organized in Israel, who studied the hidden Torah together.
They were known by names based on their professions:
"The Shoemaker" - Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Rabikov,
"The Painter" - Rabbi Yehuda Leon Patilon,
"The Janitor" - Rabbi Yosef Voltuch,
"The Tiler" - Rabbi Avraham Fish,
"The Milkman" - Halban - Rabbi Chaim Avishalom Cohen Perachya
Rabbi Moshe Yaakov Rabikov was the leader of the circle.
He was born in Ezury, near Grodno, in the Russian Empire (today Belarus), to Yosef and Miriam Rabikov. He lived in the town of Skidel. In his youth he studied under the Mekubal Rav Shlomo Eliashiv, the "Leshem Shevo VeAchlama." In Elul 1913, Rabbi Moshe Yaakov moved to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Kfar Tzarya.
Rav Kook, who was then the rabbi of Jaffa, convinced him to move to Jaffa. He opened a shoemaking workshop on Shabazi Street, on the border between the Shabazi neighborhood and the Neve Tzedek neighborhood, and settled on Rana Ashi Street on the border between the Neve Tzedek and Kerem Yisrael neighborhoods.
The beginning of his fame was due to Rav Kook, who spoke of him as one of the "Lamed-Vav" - the 36 hidden righteous ones of the generation. Because of this, a constant stream of Jews seeking his blessing passed through his home. Most people came regarding medical issues, infertility, and matchmaking. During these years he was already part of the circle of kabbalist craftsmen.
According to stories from "Likutei Moshe Yaakov," the Chazon Ish and the Beit Yisrael used to visit his home. The book also describes that before the Sinai Campaign he knew of the approaching war, and told his relatives, adding that "the Jews will win." Before his death he left a sealed bottle of wine and instructed that it be opened only after the victory over Nasser.
Six months after his death, the Six-Day War began, and afterward the bottle of wine was opened, and a sip from it was considered to have healing powers.
Every Shabbat he would give public sermons and write down the beginnings of the chapters on paper. These notes were published in the book "Likutei Rabbi Moshe Yaakov."
Rabbi Moshe Yaakov passed away on Simchat Torah in 1966 and was buried in the Shomrei Shabbat Cemetery in Bnei Brak.
He was married to Rivka Leah.
Their son Yosef Rabikov became a writer and translator. Yosef and his three sisters - Rachel, Zehava, and Ruchama Rabikov - never married.
Segula for the Yahrzeit of the Tzadik Rabbi Yaakov Rabikov HaSandler:
Light 1 candle and say the names of all the Tzadikim you know, and recite Tehillim:
4, 5, 8, 20, 57, 93, 108
ד ,ה , ח , כ , נז ,צג ,קח and ask for your personal requests.
