Grave

Alexander Ziskind of Grodno

«Yesod Ve-Shoresh Ha-Avodah»

Yahrzeit (Hillula)

18 Adar — Rabbi Alexander Zusskind of Grodno - the "Yesod Ve-Shoresh Ha-Avodah".

18 Adar II is the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Alexander ben Moshe Ziskind of Grodno (1794) - author of «Yesod Ve-Shoresh Ha-Avodah». Yahrzeit – 18 Adar Resting place – Grodno, Belarus Rabbi Alexander Ziskind of Grodno, known as the Mucharaz (died 18 Adar 1794), was an 18th-century Lithuanian rabbi and kabbalist. He became renowned as one of the greatest rabbis of his generation and as a unique tzadik in his own right. After writing his book, he became known as the «Baal Yesod ve-Shoresh Avodah». This book contains guidance on the proper use and understanding of rituals, the daily Jewish prayers, the prayers of Shabbat and the Jewish holidays; it also includes various articles on Rashi's commentary to Nevi'im and Ketuvim, as well as articles about the Holy Land and the Temple in Jerusalem. The Chofetz Chaim regularly set aside time to study this work. He also left his sons an ethical will containing instructions regarding the service of G-d. This work was published in Grodno in 1794. His Last Will He died in 1794. In his will, he asked to be buried in a tallit with a complete set of tzitzit, contrary to the prevailing custom of tearing out one of the tzitzit to indicate that the dead are no longer obligated in religious commandments. After his death, this question was brought to Rabbi Daniel of Grodno, author of «Chamudei Daniel», who replied that in other cases he would not have permitted such a departure, but in this instance he feared going against the wishes of the deceased. Legend has it that as Alexander Ziskind's body was being lowered into the grave, one of the tzitzit accidentally tore off (cf. «Alioth Elijahu» by Heshel Raines, note 119, which reports that a similar incident occurred at the funeral of the Vilna Gaon). He also asked that no eulogies be said for him. In accordance with his will, two gravestones were set for him, one at his head and one at his feet. To his community he bequeathed that he would be a «good advocate» for all who study his secrets, even if they do not take upon themselves anything he wrote. Rabbi Aharon of Karlin brought him to the Maggid of Mezritch, but the Maggid deliberately did not draw him close, because he knew that Reb Alexander was already a tzadik and stood firmly on his own path. His book «Yesod Ve-Shoresh Ha-Avodah» is studied by everyone: Litvaks, Chassidim, and Sephardim alike. Many tzadikim lavished extraordinary praise on him and on his sefer. In «Chayei Moharan» it is recorded that Rabbi Nachman of Breslov praised him highly, since the central theme of his service of G-d was «serving Ha-Shem with joy». Rabbi Nachman said of him: «He was a chasid even before chassidism came into being.» His Kavanot Ha-Pashtiyut are widely used in Sephardic siddurim, with the «intention» of the prayer texts as set forth in «Yesod Ve-Shoresh Ha-Avodah» accompanying most prayers. His descendants, who originally bore the surname Braz – reclaimed it and became known solely by it – (the initials of Bnei Rabbi Alexander Ziskind). May the merit of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael! (https://dailyzohar.com/tzadikim/1232-Rabbi-Alexander-Susskind-of-Grodno)