Four Years Since the Passing of “The Milkman” — Lines to His Portrait

Today, the 12th of Av, is the fourth yahrtzeit of “the Milkman” — Rabbi Chaim Avshalom HaKohen ben Ezira. On this day, many ascend to his grave, a place where salvations are brought about, located in the Sanhedria cemetery.

Rabbi Chaim HaKohen, known by the name “the Milkman,” was born in the year 5695 (תרצ''ה) to Ezira Eliyahu and Blanka Peraḥya in Jaffa. From his twenties he began working in the dairy that his father, Rabbi Eliyahu HaKohen, had built. At the same time, because of his great genius and abundant righteousness, he merited to begin learning the hidden secrets of Kabbalah together with a group of mekubalim and hidden tzaddikim—most of whom were known by names connected to their occupations.

The Milkman was a hidden tzaddik who was bound with the very fibers of his soul to The Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. During the years of controversy, he expressed his opinion openly a number of times, using sharp words against those who disgraced and pursued The Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

About a year before his passing, for the first time he met with The Rav, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a at the bris of our great-grandson. The Rav showered him with blessings, and in response, the Milkman kissed The Rav’s holy hands. In the month of Tammuz his condition deteriorated, and prayer gatherings were held throughout the country; but on the 12th of Av, 5779 (התשע"ט), “the heavenly ones overcame the mighty,” and the pure soul of Rabbi Chaim HaKohen, the Milkman, ascended to the supernal treasuries. He was laid to rest in the Sanhedria cemetery.

Before you is a prayer written by Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a to say at his grave in the Sanhedria cemetery:

To merit to persevere in Torah, and to receive an abundance of good livelihood together with a large home, and sons and daughters; and that the light of teshuvah should shine in the world, and healing for everyone.

To receive an abundance of blessings through the power of the Tzaddik

Master of the world, Almighty, in the merit of Rabbi Chaim Avshalom ben Ezira who rests here: save me with every salvation. And may we merit to learn Torah by day and by night = 177. Through this, may we merit an abundance of livelihood; a home with 6 rooms; and ten sons and ten daughters; and to enter Gan Eden together with the body = 177. And may we merit to illuminate the light of Hashem for this entire generation, and to bring this entire generation back in teshuvah. And in the merit of the Tzaddik who rests here, may this entire generation merit to return in complete, true teshuvah with all the heart. And may they all be Shabbos-observers, and may there be complete healing for everyone—without any ailments and without any pains, Heaven forbid. And may they all know the Shas, straight and reversed, from the youngest to the oldest.