The Shpoler Zeide

From the words of Rabbi Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days) this evening: The Shpoler Zeide was the greatest tzaddik (righteous person) of all generations. They wanted to excommunicate Rabbeinu (Rebbe Nachman) in Berditchev, and the wife of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev thwarted it.

Even the holiest person needs to immerse in a mikvah (ritual bath). Every day one must immerse in a mikvah without exception. Today is the greatest day of the year; today it is written, "And there was light" (Vayehi Or).

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, upon hearing that the Shpoler Zeide opposed Rabbeinu, expressed himself and said about the Shpoler: "Zeide? He decided they should call him Zeide (grandfather)! Maybe Bubbe (grandmother)?!" He opposed Rabbeinu HaKadosh (our holy Rebbe) and wanted to organize an excommunication against Rabbeinu in Berditchev, but the wife of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev thwarted it. And the Berditchever (Rabbi Levi Yitzchak) excommunicated him and anyone who would oppose Rabbeinu, and they have not left Gehinnom (purgatory) to this day.

Today is "Vayehi Or" (And there was light); today Hashem created the sun. A person's service is to create lamps—"Vayehi Or." "Vayehi Or" has the Gematria (numerical value) of Rachel.

The Rav's words before Maariv (evening prayer):

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, upon hearing that the Shpoler Zeide opposed Rabbeinu, expressed himself and said about the Shpoler: "Zeide? He decided they should call him Zeide (grandfather)! Maybe Bubbe (grandmother)?!" He opposed Rabbeinu HaKadosh and wanted to organize an excommunication against Rabbeinu in Berditchev, but the wife of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev thwarted it. And the Berditchever excommunicated him and anyone who would oppose Rabbeinu, and they have not left Gehinnom to this day.

Transcription by Shvivei Or, photography by Shuvu Banim International

1. The essence of the Rav's words before Maariv:

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, upon hearing that the Shpoler Zeide opposed Rabbeinu, expressed himself and said about the Shpoler: "Zeide? He decided they should call him Zeide (grandfather)! Maybe Bubbe (grandmother)?!" He opposed Rabbeinu HaKadosh and wanted to organize an excommunication against Rabbeinu in Berditchev, but the wife of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev thwarted it. And the Berditchever excommunicated him and anyone who would oppose Rabbeinu, and they have not left Gehinnom to this day.

Transcription by Shvivei Or, photography by Shuvu Banim International