Grave
Avraham Dov of Ovruch
"Bat Ayin"
Rabbi Avraham Dov of Ovruch - "Bat Ayin"
Yahrzeit - 12 Kislev
Resting Place - Tzfat, Israel
Rabbi Avraham Dov of Ovruch, author of the book "Bat Ayin," of blessed memory, was among those who merited to ascend to Eretz Yisrael. He served as Rabbi of Zhitomir, and later moved to Tzfat.
The Earthquake
The most famous story about him is connected to the terrible earthquake in that city, in which thousands of people perished. On a certain Shabbat in 1837, Rabbi Avraham Dov of Ovruch, who headed the local Chassidic community, ran through the streets of Tzfat, calling the congregation to an unscheduled prayer service.
Not all the Jews responded. At precisely the appointed time, the Galilee earthquake - the most destructive in the history of Israel - literally wiped the city off the face of the earth. According to tradition, only those who heeded Rabbi Avraham and came to the synagogue were saved. Rabbi Avraham Dov managed to save the Jews who were with him on that tragic day, for he did not leave the synagogue as usual after the morning prayer, but remained to study while still wearing his tallit and tefillin.
Around noon, Rabbi Avraham Dov cried out: "Everyone come to me."
The Rabbi began reciting Tehillim, and the people who were in the synagogue at that moment ran to him, and then the tremors began. The earthquake destroyed everything around, and thousands of the city's residents perished. Only the part of the synagogue where the Rabbi stood remained undamaged. If you visit Tzfat, you will see this synagogue - the part where the Rabbi of Ovruch stood, and the part that collapsed then along with the rest of the city, which has since been rebuilt.
It is known that a few months after moving to the Holy Land, the author of "Bat Ayin," for no apparent reason, arranged a large festive meal to which he invited many guests. During the meal, he explained that today was a special celebration for him. While still living abroad, the Rabbi had repeatedly heard from Jews arriving from Eretz Yisrael what a wonderful land it was, that even the plain stones there sparkled and glittered like diamonds.
"When I arrived, I saw nothing of the sort here," said the Rabbi of Ovruch, "and I understood that the reason lay in myself. I had become too coarse, and so I could not perceive the holiness. I prayed a great deal, and today, for the first time, I merited to see that it is indeed true - even the plain stones of Eretz Yisrael sparkle - and that is why today is a great celebration for me."
May G-d grant that all of us truly merit Eretz Yisrael in the fullest sense of the word, and may G-d grant that this long and most difficult Galut finally come to an end, and that we merit the coming of Mashiach soon, in our days!
Among his students was the well-known Rav - Hillel of Paritch.
Bat Ayin (literally, "eye's spring") is both a place and a book. The quality of the Land of Israel is shiflut (humility/lowliness). Let us say a few words in honor of the place where we now find ourselves, Bat Ayin. In addition to there being a spring here, there is also a book written by Rabbi Avraham Dov of Ovruch, and this entire book speaks about shiflut, the quality of Eretz Yisrael, the quality of shiflut.
If this place was given such a name, it is surely worth becoming well acquainted with this book, and also making the quality of this book - the quality of shiflut - part of one's own essence. We will speak more about this further on. Right now I would also like to note that originally this place was called Migdal Eder, but was later given the name Bat Ayin, and both are "the words of the living G-d." Migdal Eder is the place from which Mashiach will come. So it is stated in Targum Yonatan, that Mashiach will come from Migdal Eder. And this place is here, "on the road from Beit Lechem to Chevron."
May the merit of the Tzadik protect Am Yisrael!
(Yaakov Doctor, Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh, Rav Rafael Avitan)
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