For the Yahrzeit Day — The holy Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Bazshlansky

On the occasion of the 103rd Hillula of the author of Hishtapchut HaNefesh and Meshivat Nefesh, the holy Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Bazshlanski, known as Rabbi Alter Tepliker, may his blood be avenged, of blessed memory. Outlines of his character ■ The story of his life ■ The books he authored ■ Among the ranks of the holy - murdered for the sanctification of Hashem 103 years ago and ascended in a storm to the heavens.

Rabbi Alter was born between the years 5615-5616 to his father, the brilliant Rabbi Asher Zelig Bazshlanski of Teplik, a student of the Admor Moharnat—'Der Rebbe Reb Zelig' [meaning: the Rebbe, Rabbi Zelig], as the people of Teplik called him due to his great stature.

In his first marriage, Rabbi Alter married Mrs. Dishel, and they had a son, Rabbi Shmuel Shmelka, and several daughters. In his second marriage, he married Mrs. Malka, daughter of Rabbi Nachman HaLevi Chazan of Tulchin (Rabbi Nachman Tulchiner); from this marriage, they had no children.

For his parnassah (livelihood), Rabbi Alter taught young boys.

At the Rosh Hashanah gathering in Uman, in the old Kloiz of the Breslov Chassidim, Rabbi Alter would pray before the Amud from 'Adon Olam' (the beginning of the prayer) until 'HaMelech' (in the prayer of Nishmat Kol Chai).

Rabbi Alter prayed with such enthusiasm that even his silent prayers could be heard.

The Chazzan would not begin the repetition of the Amidah until Rabbi Alter had finished his prayer and taken his steps backward.

The Rabbi of Teplik, Rabbi Shimshon Aharon Polonski, recognized the greatness of Rabbi Alter, and whenever he needed to leave the city, he would ask Rabbi Alter to fill his place until his return and to rule on the questions of the townspeople.

Rabbi Avraham Sternhartz instructed his students to observe the service of Rabbi Alter and learn a lesson from him.

In the year 5642, Rabbi Alter visited the Land of Israel.

Rabbi Alter authored many books on the teachings of our holy Rebbe, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, such as: Hishtapchut HaNefesh, Meshivat Nefesh, Machnia Zedim, the Passover Haggadah Ohr Zoreach, and many more. Additionally, Rabbi Alter copied manuscripts for the great Anash (members of our community) of his generation.

His books gained great resonance, and thousands(!) of souls were brought closer to the light of our holy and awesome Rebbe, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, in the merit of his books. Among those brought close was Rabbi Yisrael Ber Odesser, who found a page from the book 'Hishtapchut HaNefesh' lying in the trash.

Around the year 5680, there was great turmoil in Ukraine due to the Bolshevik Revolution, and in this vacuum, hundreds(!) of gangs of murderous Ukrainians arose, who, as in all years, found satisfaction for their urges by abusing the Jews of their land under the pretext that they supported Communism. These murderers, thirsty for Jewish blood, went from village to village, slaughtering, torturing, and burning every Jew they encountered on their path.

One of the gangs was controlled by the arch-murderer Petliura, may his name be blotted out [who, of course, the Ukrainian people are proud of, like all the master murderers who emerged from their nation, such as Khmelnytsky, may his name be blotted out, who was recently declared by them to be a national hero]. His gang did not skip over Teplik either. On the 12th of Adar II, 5679, they raided the town of Teplik, and one of their victims was none other than the holy Rabbi Alter Tepliker, may his blood be avenged, of blessed memory. A murderous Ukrainian broke into his home and fired at Rabbi Alter... The bullet pierced his throat, and his soul returned to Hashem with a smile on his face.