The angels have triumphed over the mighty - and the Holy Ark has been captured. Blessed is the True Judge.

With great sorrow, we announce the passing of this chassid, a disciple of the holy forefathers, who sat and engaged in Torah and established a project to perpetuate the name of Hashem in the world - "Center Shema Yisrael, Bar Bi Rav".

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Taub zt"l passed away at the age of 96 (1923 - April 28, 2019). He was the Rebbe of Kaliv, a Holocaust survivor who dedicated his days to the commemoration of the holy ones of the Holocaust.

He was born in Margita, Transylvania, a sixth-generation descendant of Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik of Kaliv. Menachem Mendel and all his siblings were sent to Auschwitz, where all his siblings perished. He survived but endured severe torture, including chemical treatment that prevented his beard from growing.

The Rebbe zt"l passed away in his home on Rechov Chana in Jerusalem. After recently falling at home and his condition worsening, today, the 23rd of Nissan 5779, he lost consciousness, fainted, and finally returned his holy neshamah (soul) to Heaven.

The Connection of the Rebbe of Kaliv zt"l with Rav Berland shlit"a

It is well known that the Rebbe of Kaliv zt"l greatly loved and appreciated the way of serving Hashem of our teacher, the honorable Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a. These two holy ones met several times in the past, and the Rebbe of Kaliv strongly opposed the malicious persecutions that Rav Berland endured. Here are words he said when the intensity of the dispute reached difficult and disgraceful levels.

Exclusive Recording of the Rebbe of Kaliv concerning the honorable Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a from the days when the dispute was escalating.

"Whoever touches even a single hair of this tzaddik will ultimately receive, may Hashem have mercy..."

"Rav Berland is a tzaddik, and I can testify that I knew him, I saw him as an upright person."

"We must do everything, and I ask for mercy from those people, even not just organizations that are obligated, as the Rambam rules to save lives, they don't need to..., but I ask even from those who are against religion, they need to know if they help bring to light Rabbi Eliezer ben Atia, they will have the merit of the World to Come!!" "And I ask that in all the Talmud Torahs, with Hashem's help, everyone in their place should say one chapter of Tehillim with the children to save this precious person whom many need, fortunate is his portion whoever helps will see satisfaction throughout his life.."

The Rebbe zt"l was famous for the songs he sang on holy occasions, with which he inspired the hearts of his listeners and brought them closer to our Father in Heaven.

According to chassidic tradition, in the month of Elul in the year 1823, the Rebbe Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik of Kaliv (the first Rebbe of Kaliv, great-great-grandfather [sixth generation] of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Taub zt"l) heard a Hungarian peasant humming a song of longing. The song captivated the Rebbe's heart, who asked to purchase it for a gold coin. The song's name in Hungarian is Solo Kokosh, and in Hebrew translation, The Bird's Longing.

The lyrics of the song:

"The rooster crowed, the sun has already risen, in the green forest on a distant field, a bird is waddling.

What kind of bird is this? Its wings are plucked, its legs are weary, it wants to return home already.

Wait, bird, wait, when Hashem has mercy on His people, then you will go there.

When will this happen? When the Temple is built, the city of Zion will be filled, this light will shine."

This is the song that the Rebbe's disciple carried in his heart on his long journey from Kaliv in Hungary to Jerusalem. The chassidim say that as soon as the Rebbe finished learning the lyrics of the song, it was erased from the peasant's memory.

The Rebbe of Kaliv zt"l singing Solo Kokosh with his holy voice, the voice that survived the Nazi inferno, may their name be erased, who conducted medical experiments on him

May his memory be blessed

There is no doubt that the merits of this great tzaddik, who survived the inferno of the oppressors, lost his family, and continued to sing to Hashem and bring His children, brands plucked from the fire, closer to our Father in Heaven, are countless. Yet, without a doubt, the merit of standing by the side of our teacher, the honorable Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, during difficult times will stand for him. He stood even when others saw and knew the truth but chose not to enter the mouths of the instigators of the dispute and those seeking harm.

A place of honor will remain for him forever in the hearts of the tens of thousands of students of the honorable Rav Berland shlit"a, who drew more than a bit of satisfaction and encouragement from his firm and true stance against those attempting to breach the status of the God-fearing leaders of Israel.