9 Tammuz · Yahrzeit
Yahrzeit/Hillula of Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Dayan - The Hidden Tzadik
Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Dayan - The Hidden Tzadik
Yahrzeit – 9 Tammuz
Resting place – Jerusalem, Har HaMenuchot;
The kabbalists Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi and Rabbi Yitzchak Kaduri testified that Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Dayan was one of the "36 Hidden Tzadikim" of our generation.
He was born in Aleppo, Syria, into a family of dayanim whose lineage traces back to King David.
One day he packed his belongings and moved to Jerusalem. His goal was to hasten the coming of Mashiach and the time of redemption by rectifying the sins of the Jewish people, the mitzvot that had not been kept, and the prohibitions that had been transgressed.
He knew that in order to rectify the sparks caused by each sin, one must perform certain kavanot (rearrangements of the Divine Name that overcome the forces of separation in the Heavens) and Yichudim (specific meditations).
From the age of 18 he worked as a courier, but when he was imprisoned on false charges, he decided to withdraw from all worldly affairs and concentrate on Torah study. He changed his name from Shlomo to "Yosef," and began studying the four paths of the depths of Torah. He knew the entire Tanach by heart, tried to conceal his knowledge, and only a few people knew of his greatness.
He never married, lived modestly, and fiercely guarded the holiness of the covenant. He kept away from luxury and would not even allow himself a heater in winter. He wore a thin shirt all year round, sometimes immersing in the mikveh while dressed so that his clothing would also be purified, fasted, and ate only raw rice soaked in water or raw potatoes and stale bread, purifying the physicality of his body and always keeping the Names of Ha-Shem before him. Despite his lifestyle, his body did not suffer, and he was accustomed to little sleep and meager food.
After thoroughly studying the book "Etz Chaim" [Tree of Life] and its commentaries, as well as other kabbalistic works, he became an expert in many complex aspects of Torah, but devoted himself to the study of "Tikkunim," prayed, and gave himself over to repentance. For 15 years in a row he went alone to the graves of tzadikim in the Galilee, subjecting himself to tremendous self-affliction, and spent his time in fasting and prayer.
The Importance of Visiting the Graves of Tzadikim
Rabbi Yosef Dayan believed that in order for a person to rectify himself and cleanse his soul of sins, he must be close to righteous people, cling to them, and thereby elevate himself.
But since in our generation it is impossible to know who is truly a tzadik, a person is obligated to go to the graves of famous tzadikim and pray there, beseeching them to awaken Heavenly mercy in order to rectify the mind, spirit, and soul.
He would always say: "An hour of prayer and study at the graves of tzadikim is worth 100 hours of study," and this is especially beneficial when access to the grave of a tzadik is difficult and exhausting. Every step taken in such a place softens harsh judgments in the Heavens, because "the reward is according to the effort."
Rabbi Yosef Dayan believed that even if a person has suffered severely because of his sins, and feels desperate and hopeless, he need only come to the grave of a tzadik, pray, and prostrate himself upon the grave – this will help him to be cleansed of sin and to rise up from the deepest pit in which he finds himself.
Rabbi Yosef Dayan himself often went to the grave of Shmuel HaNavi and said that anyone who performs a Tikkun at the grave of Shmuel HaNavi can be certain that Heaven will help him.
If he is not helped the first time, he will surely receive heavenly assistance after some time.
Since he knew Arabic and other languages, he would disguise himself as an Arab cleaner and, entering schools and monasteries, would find Jews who had fallen into the hands of missionaries and try to rescue them. Every night he studied until sunset, immersed in the mikveh, prayed at sunrise, and after prayers would once again quietly recite the "Shema," pronouncing every word.
He preferred to pray at the Wall, and began every prayer and mitzvah with the words "Leshem Yichud Kudsha", gave charity even when his financial situation was difficult, and recited the blessing on the moon seven days after the "molad" instead of waiting for "Motzei Shabbat."
All year round he would light a candle in a special room in the Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem for the elevation of the soul of the tzadik whose yahrzeit fell on that day, mentioning many names and lighting numerous candles on a tray.
He helped fund, from his own money, the construction of a hall in the "Nezer Aharon" synagogue in Jerusalem.
He prayed, performed tikkunim, and fasted for its success and better construction, and did not want his name as a donor to be commemorated there.
In Adar 5740 he suffered a severe heart attack and was hospitalized for a long time.
He sent his students to the graves of tzadikim to pray for his recovery, and when he was discharged from the hospital, he refused medication and ate only honey to strengthen his heart.
In 5743 he told his students that "in two years he would complete his tikkun." Sensing that his passing was near, he revealed to his students the secret of interpreting dreams, and instructed them to continue performing Tikkunim at the grave of the prophet Shmuel and to pray at the graves of tzadikim.
On Thursday evening, the 8th of Tammuz, he studied Torah all night as usual in the cave of Shimon HaTzadik.
On the 9th of Tammuz, at about 3 in the afternoon, he returned his soul to the Creator from a heart attack.
Rabbi Dayan is buried at the Har HaMenuchot cemetery in Jerusalem, not far from the grave of Rabbi Kaduri.
Rabbi Meir Malka, founder of the Fund for the Preservation of the Memory of Rabbi Kaduri and author of the book "Yeshuot Yitzchak," had the great merit of establishing a monument for Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Dayan in 2011, 26 years after his passing.
May the merit of the tzadik protect our people!
(Tzadikim.com)
Pilgrimage site:
Grave: Yosef Shlomo Dayan (Lamed-Vav Tzadik)