Terrifying documentation: A week before the passing of the Elder Kabbalist and Tzaddik Rabbi Shalom Hamdi ztzvk”l, Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a promises him: “We will establish a yeshiva in your name.”
On Thursday, the 5th of Adar I, 5784, a special meeting took place between Moreinu HaRav Berland shlit”a and Rav Hamdi ztz”l, a week before the passing of Rav Hamdi. Despite his age and medical condition, Rav Hamdi ztz”l made the effort to travel from Rosh Ha’ayin to Jerusalem, to the holy home of Moreinu HaRav Berland shlit”a. The two Rabbis met over a period of many minutes and spoke words of Torah which stand at the heights of the world.
Amazingly, Rav Berland shlit”a suddenly turned to Rav Hamdi ztz”l, declaring words which were puzzling to all those present in the room: “We will establish a yeshiva in your name.”
Then Moreinu HaRav shlit”a asked him, “What is your name?”
“Shalom.”
“We will call the yeshiva, ‘Mishkan Shalom’; we will establish a yeshiva with a thousand floors in your name.”
Now, about a week after the sudden passing of Rav Hamdi ztz”l, the words of Rav Berland shlit”a have taken on a chilling significance.
The Tzaddik Rav Shalom Hamdi HaLevi ztz”l from Rosh Ha’ayin was known for the power of his blessings, which wouldn’t return unanswered, and numerous miracles stories have been intertwined with his figure.
Rav Hamdi ztz”l was born in Yemen on 18 Tevet 5697 to his father Mari Sa’ed ztz”l, and his mother Sarah a”h. Later, he moved to the city of “Hamda,” and from there to the Land of Israel. When he reached marriageable age, he married Sarah bat Rav Avraham.
He was proficient in the holy Zohar from memory in a way that aroused awe. He returned many from iniquity, and he would travel tirelessly from place to place to bless the Jewish people with love, and to strengthen his admirers and those who knew him, and to return them in complete repentance to Torah and Mitzvot. His home was a magnet for many who came to his door for blessing and advice.
He had deep friendships with the rabbis of the Yemenite community, and likewise with other hidden Tzaddikim.
