The Passing of the Righteous Kabbalist from the 36 Hidden Tzaddikim

Blessed is the True Judge: On the 13th of Iyar, 5780, the Tzaddik and Kabbalist Rabbi Elazar Mordechai Menzer zt"l passed away in Jerusalem. He was one of the prominent Chassidim of Belz, formerly a resident of Antwerp, Belgium, and the son of the pious Rabbi Yitzchak Menzer z"l, one of the prominent Chassidim of Belz.

Rabbi Elazar Mordechai, who was known as a Tzaddik and Kabbalist, was a unique figure—a man of integrity, upright and G-d-fearing, who rejoiced and delighted in doing the will of his Creator with simplicity and loyalty. He was a faithful soldier at his post, standing on the three pillars of the world: Torah, Avodah (service of Hashem), and acts of loving-kindness. His ways and conduct were intended to increase the honor of Heaven, and all his days he was afflicted with suffering, which he accepted with love and faith.

In particular, the deceased excelled in the trait of Ahavat Yisrael (love for fellow Jews) in a lofty and sublime manner, and he worked extensively to establish peace, tranquility, brotherhood, and friendship. He greeted every person with a warm face and received everyone with a pleasant countenance. Many benefited from his advice and wisdom, and his ear was attentive to broken hearts—into which he breathed a spirit of life. His heart and soul were dedicated to gladdening the hearts of the downtrodden and reviving the souls of those in need among the Jewish people.

Many knew and sought the threshold of Rabbi Menzer zt"l, but few knew that he was one of the greatest of the 36 hidden Tzaddikim of the generation, a Tzaddik whose entire life was lived in concealment. Rabbi Menzer served Hashem without publicity, and thus his passing was also quiet and without publicity, as is fitting for the Tzaddikim who are entrusted with the protection and defense of the generation.

Nevertheless, regarding everything concerning the holiness of the camp and the trait of truth, Rabbi Mordechai Menzer zt"l did not overlook matters nor watch from the sidelines. When the controversy and the persecution against the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rav Eliezer Berland and his community, began to intensify, Rabbi Menzer spoke harshly against the persecutors, saying: "Anyone who encounters them (the persecutors of Rav Berland) sees that they are not looking to build anything, but only to destroy with a burning rage filled with desires for revenge and blood." To read his words, click the link: Rabbi Mordechai Menzer protests the persecution of Rav Berland.

Afterward, when the controversy strengthened and reached even more severe dimensions, Rabbi Menzer zt"l conveyed a frightening message to the people. These are the words we wrote then: "A startling message from Rabbi Elazar Mordechai Menzer shlit"a, a master of holy salvations and one learned in miracles, whom Rabbi Avraham Chai zt"l (the Kabbalist from Pardes Katz) and many other Tzaddikim testified was one of the greatest of the 36 Tzaddikim of our generation."

The words of the holy Tzaddik, one of the leaders of the 36 Tzaddikim of our generation, Rabbi Mordechai Menzer shlit"a, regarding the terrible persecution of the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a:

"Know that all this persecution stems from jealousy. I have no doubt that if these disputers had lived in the generation of our holy Rebbe, Rebbe Nachman, they would have disputed him as well. The 'Yismach Moshe' (Admor Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, father of the Sighet-Satmar dynasty) says that a tree alludes to a Tzaddik and water alludes to controversy, as it is written in Proverbs (17:14), 'The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water.' Just as a tree cannot exist without water, so a Tzaddik cannot grow without controversy."

I asked him about personal matters, but he replied that at the moment he could not answer me, as is known to those who visit his home, that he only answers what Hashem places in his mouth.

Toward 2:00 AM, he told me that he had just received a message from Heaven and that I must convey it in his name:

"There is no punishment unless there is a warning, and therefore I warn" –

"The Tosafot in Tractate Sotah (concluding with Rabbi Yochanan, who brings the words of Rashbi: 'It is better for a person to throw himself into a fiery furnace than to shame his fellow in public') and also Rabbeinu Yonah (in Shaarei Teshuvah, Gate 3, Section 139, explained that this is a form of 'dust' of murder, because shaming causes the redness of the face to vanish from the one being shamed) wrote that one who shames his fellow in public is like committing three severe sins that are subject to the law of 'be killed and do not transgress' (murder, forbidden sexual relations, and idolatry). Henceforth, anyone who opens his mouth against Rav Berland shlit"a is acting willfully and should know that he is playing with fire, and the words of the Mishnah in Avot (2:10) will be fulfilled in him: 'And be careful with the coals (of the Sages), lest you be burned, for their bite is the bite of a fox, their sting is the sting of a scorpion, their hiss is the hiss of a serpent, and all their words are like coals of fire.'"

"Even one who only thinks evil thoughts against Rav Berland shlit"a should know that this thought is like the thought of idolatry, and one must exert all his strength to banish these thoughts. And one who has already spoken against Rav Berland shlit"a has no rectification, except that he should go to two faithful Jews and reveal to them that he accepts upon himself that when the Rav shlit"a is released, with the help of Hashem, he will go to him to appease him until he hears from him that he has forgiven him."

Thus far are the terrible words of the holy Tzaddik, Rabbi Mordechai Menzer shlit"a. To read the message and the letter from Rabbi Menzer, click the link: Message from Rabbi Menzer.

And behold, on the night of the fourth day of Shabbat Matot-Masei 5778, during the holy journey of the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rav Eliezer Berland shlit"a, for the return of the people of Israel and the drawing near of the Geulah, Rav Berland met with the Kabbalist Rabbi Mordechai Menzer.

May his memory be a blessing. May his soul be bound in the bond of life.

May it be the will that he learns merit for us before our Father in Heaven and that mercy be filled upon the people of Israel.

With the building of our Holy Temple and the coming of our righteous Mashiach speedily in our days.

Amen.