Because We Have Been Struck Twofold • Baruch Dayan HaEmet (Blessed is the True

The entire Breslov Chassidus was once again wrapped in mourning last Monday upon the histalkus (passing away) to the heavenly heights of the Mashpia (spiritual mentor), the Chassid Rabbi Shimon Yisrael Shapiro zt"l. Here are some of the chronicles of his life:

Rabbi Shimon Yisrael was born to his holy father Rabbi Shmuel Shapiro zy"a (may his merit protect us) and the Rebbetzin Mrs. Frieda Shapiro a"h (may she rest in peace). He was born on Wednesday, the 30th of Nissan 5708 (1948) — five days before the start of the 1948 War of Independence. The Bris (circumcision) which took place on the 7th of Iyar was already under shelling, and the merit of the newborn to his holy father protected those present from a shell hitting the house where the Bris was held.

Already in his youth, he began serving in our great Beis Medrash (study hall) in Meah Shearim, while simultaneously going out to the fields for Hisbodedus (secluded prayer) — two things he engaged in extensively throughout his life.

At age eighteen, he married Mrs. Feiga Lebel a"h, daughter of the Tzaddik Rabbi Yona Lebel zy"a, one of the great elders of our community in the previous generation. In 5748 (1988), Rebbetzin Shapiro a"h passed away. About a year later, he married for a second time, according to the words of our Holy Rebbe (Rebbe Nachman), to Rebbetzin Shapiro, yibadel lechaim tovim (may she be distinguished for a long life).

In 5750 (1990), he was a partner in opening the gates of Uman by our teacher the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. After the gates opened in 5749 (1989), he was careful to travel every year to Uman for Rosh Hashanah. After Uman, he would take a taxi to the tomb of the Rashbi (Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai) where he would stay until after Yom Kippur.

His daily schedule was very clear: he would wake up at Chatzos (midnight) even before the three alarm clocks he had set for himself. He would go to the Mikvah (ritual bath) before dawn, and on his way to the Mikvah, he would put a coin for Tzedakah (charity) in every collection box he encountered. From there, he would continue to our Beis Medrash, the 'Shul' in Meah Shearim. He would pray at Netz (sunrise), return home, and diligently study his Torah throughout the day; he had set study sessions in Kedushas Levi and Ben Ish Chai. During the day, he would help, guide, and assist anyone who turned to him, and of course, he fulfilled his holy role as the attendant of the synagogue until after Mincha and Maariv (afternoon and evening prayers) in our Beis Medrash. Immediately after Maariv, he would return home and recite the Krias Shema (bedtime prayer) by the Mezuzah. He was meticulous about Negel Vasser (ritual hand washing). For many years, he would take Negel Vasser with him to Uman so that, G-d forbid, he would not miss this matter.

His extraordinary Shmiras Einayim (guarding of the eyes) was well known; he would 'seek' another path to avoid, G-d forbid, stumbling in the blemish of the eyes. Reb Shimon was humble and hidden, and only about fifteen years ago did the wellspring of his mouth open, and he began to influence from the 'Nachal Novea' (the flowing stream - a reference to Rebbe Nachman) to strengthen and heal the brokenhearted.

In the year 5778 (on Thursday, the 19th of Elul), a Bris of one of our community members took place in our Beis Medrash, the 'Shul.' Our teacher the Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, was honored with Sandakaus (holding the baby), while Rabbi Shimon Shapiro shlit"a was honored with the blessings of the Bris. This was the last meeting between the two.

Reb Shimon would perform acts of kindness with every single Jew, expressed in thousands of ways—whether through huge loans to anyone who asked, many of whom never paid him back, or the vast amounts of charity he distributed. Most of all, what pained his heart were the damages of technology; in every prayer, he would shed tears like water for the people of Israel regarding this matter. At Brises, when he served as the one standing for the blessings, he would cry over such matters.

In the final months of the year 5784 (2024), he fell ill, experiencing ups and downs. This past Rosh Hashanah, he traveled with true Mesirus Nefesh (self-sacrifice) in a wheelchair to Uman. In the month of Tishrei, his condition deteriorated, but after prayer rallies by all our community across the country, his condition stabilized. In recent days, his condition deteriorated again, and the 'Arelim' (angels) seized the Holy Ark until they overcame the 'Metzukim' (the righteous on earth) (a Talmudic reference to the passing of a Tzaddik). On Monday, the eve of the 25th of MarCheshvan 5785, he returned his pure soul to its Creator.

Reb Shimon left behind about nine sons and daughters from his first marriage, and twins—a son and a daughter—from the Rebbetzin, may she be distinguished for a long life. His sons continue in his path to spread the light of our Holy Rebbe in the world!

T.N.Z.B.H. (May his soul be bound in the bond of life)

This article was edited with the assistance of the Breslov Chassidim Information Line *9148