Awe-inspiring and stirring documentation: A week before the passing, our teacher Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a promises the elder of the Kabbalists, the Tzaddik Rabbi Shalom Hamdi zt"l - "We will establish a yeshiva (Torah academy) in your name."

On the date of 5 Adar I, 5784, a special meeting was held between our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a and Rabbi Hamdi zt"l, one week before Rabbi Hamdi's passing. Despite his age and medical condition, Rabbi Hamdi zt"l exerted himself to travel from Rosh HaAyin to Jerusalem, to the holy home of our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a. The two Rabbis met for many minutes and spoke of words of Torah that stand at the heights of the world (matters of great spiritual importance).

Amazingly, Rabbi Berland shlit"a suddenly turned to Rabbi Hamdi zt"l while declaring things that were puzzling to those present in the room: "We will establish a yeshiva in your name."

Then our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a asked him: "What is your name?"

"Shalom."

"We will call the yeshiva 'Mishkan Shalom' (Tabernacle of Peace); we will establish a yeshiva with a thousand floors in your name."

Now, about a week after the sudden passing of Rabbi Hamdi zt"l, the words of Rabbi Berland shlit"a take on a stirring significance.

The Tzaddik Rabbi Shalom Hamdi HaLevi zt"l from Rosh HaAyin, who was known for the power of his blessings that never returned empty, and many stories of wonders (miracles) were tied to his persona.

Rabbi Hamdi zt"l was born in 'Haraz,' Yemen, on the 18th of Teves, 5697 (1937), to his father Mori Said zt"l and his mother Mrs. Sarah a"h (may she rest in peace). Later, he moved to the city of 'Hamda,' and from there to the Land of Israel. Upon reaching marriageable age, he married his wife Sarah, the daughter of Rabbi Avraham Mahzari.

He was proficient in the Holy Zohar by heart in an awe-inspiring manner. He brought many back from sin and would travel from place to place to bless his people Israel with love, to strengthen his admirers and acquaintances, and to bring them back in complete teshuvah (repentance) to the Torah and mitzvos (commandments). His home was a magnet for many who would seek his doorstep for blessing and counsel.

He maintained deep ties of friendship with the rabbis of the Yemenite community, both those of blessed memory and those who should be distinguished for a long life (yibadel lechaim tovim), as well as with other hidden tzaddikim (righteous men).