Healer of Souls • The Mashpia Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev Knapelmacher zt"l Has Passed

Breslov Chassidus is wrapped in mourning with the arrival of the bitter news of the histalkus (passing away) of the Mashpia (spiritual mentor), who drew hearts close and revived souls, the venerable Chassid Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev Knapelmacher zt"l, to the Yeshivah Shel Ma'ala (Heavenly Academy).

Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev was born in the year 5711 (1951) in Denmark to his father, Rabbi Yitzchak Knapelmacher zt"l. In his childhood and youth, he grew up in Vizhnitz institutions. After his marriage, he began to draw close to the "Light of Lights," our master Rebbe Nachman zy"a. Once the spark was ignited, it became a flame that illuminated the entire world.

For many years, he would pray regularly every morning at Netz HaChama (sunrise) and was diligent in his Torah studies. In the year 5759 (1999), he was called to the task by our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, to establish the 'Shaarei Torah' Yeshiva within the Shuvu Banim community. This matter changed his life: from being a simple and unknown Breslov Chassid, he became a Mashpia (spiritual mentor), spiritual supervisor, teacher, and source of strength for the young men of Anash (our community). Hundreds of young men passed through his hands, and they all remember him with deep longing.

Rabbi Binyamin used to take his students to the fields for Hisbodedus (secluded prayer) and would teach them new songs and melodies that bring the heart closer to their Father in Heaven.

In addition to being a craftsman of the souls of young men, Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev specialized in the art of woodwork and merited to build the wooden ark over the holy Tziyun (gravesite) in the city of longings, Uman. He also built the prayer podium for our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, in the Old City. Rabbi Binyamin merited to bring tens of thousands to the Tziyun of our holy Rebbe, and as a Breslov Chassid, he practiced mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) to fulfill his Rebbe's command to gather every single year at his holy Tziyun on Rosh Hashanah. In his final years, when he had already become ill and weakened, this became a matter of true mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) for him, yet despite everything, he refused to give up on the holy Kibbutz (gathering).

Over fifteen years ago, during the Friday night Kiddush, Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev collapsed and nearly reached the gates of death. When the doctors had already given up hope, our teacher Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a arrived at the hospital and for a full hour recited the Tikkun HaKlali. Finally, the Rav said in his voice, "On my shoulder—within twenty-four hours he will get up!" Against all medical predictions and like a literal miracle of the resurrection of the dead, his words were fulfilled, and exactly twenty-four hours later, Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev rose from his sickbed.

"He will get up within twenty-four hours." Our teacher Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a reciting the Tikkun HaKlali by the sickbed of Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev.

Yesterday, Wednesday, the 20th of Kislev, at twilight, the soul of Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev, son of Rabbi Yitzchak zt"l, ascended in a whirlwind to Heaven at the age of 75.

Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev merited to leave behind holy offspring—sons, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and many descendants.

In his will, he left a wondrous instruction that illustrates the greatness of Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev and how deeply connected he was specifically to the "noshrim" (at-risk youth who have left the path), and this is part of the text of his will:

"I wanted to write something to you, and it is possible you will not understand at all why this is my will, and on another occasion, I will explain it to you very, very well."

"A. My bier at the funeral should be carried specifically by the 'noshrim' (youth who have left the path), and they are preferable to all the 'feine menschen' (fine/prestigious people)."

"B. Also my grave—while it should be among Sabbath observers, it is most preferable to be near the 'noshrim' or the simple folk, the truly simple people."

"And the reason is that in Heaven they are very, very important, more so than just regular Chassidim and those who wear 'machlatzaot' (fine rabbinic garments)."

"And on another occasion, I will explain to you why."

May his soul be bound in the bond of life.