Two Years Since the Passing of Rabbi Meir Shlomo zt"l

On Wednesday evening, the night of the 21st of Menachem Av, an evening of yeshuos (salvations) will be held at the hilula (anniversary of passing celebration) of the righteous Breslov Mashpia (spiritual mentor), Rabbi Meir Shlomo zt"l (of blessed memory), the Rabbi of the Beis Breslov community who passed away two years ago. The event will also feature a Hachnasas Sefer Torah (dedication of a Torah scroll) which will be brought into the sanctuary of the "HaMeir LaAretz" Yeshiva.

The event will take place at the "Or HaChaim" halls, 51 Nadvorna Street, Bnei Brak, near the cemetery and the holy Tziyun (gravesite), at 7:00 PM. It will be attended by the great luminaries and leaders of the generation. An expanded orchestra, artists, and musical instruments will grace the event in honor of the hilula.

During the evening, a presentation will be screened about the life and work of the tzaddik (righteous person), Rabbi Meir Shlomo zt"l.

Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days) regarding Rabbi Meir Shlomo zt"l: "The whole world waited 5,700 years for such a soul to descend."

At the funeral of the tzaddik, Rabbi Meir Shlomo zt"l, he was eulogized by Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, who said:

"There never was and never will be anyone like him. The whole world waited 5,700 years for such a soul to descend. He was the embodiment of Rebbe Nachman himself, the embodiment of the soul of Moshe (Moses). Such a soul never existed and never will; such a soul will not be again. He was the embodiment of the Divine Will—every movement of his was the Divine Will. Just as they said about Yosef HaTzaddik that he was the embodiment of the Divine Will, he (Rabbi Meir Shlomo) wasn't just the Divine Will; he was the soul of Rebbe Nachman himself."

"Without any doubt, all the tzaddikim (righteous ones) went out to greet him—all the tzaddikim in Gan Eden (Paradise). Rebbe Nachman went out to greet him, Reb Noson went out to greet him, Reb Nachman of Tulchin, Reb Avraham ben Reb Noson—all the tzaddikim of all the generations went out to greet him. Moshe Rabbeinu, the Seven Shepherds, Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov, David HaMelech, Shlomo HaMelech—everyone went out to greet him. Such a soul never was and will never be again."

"The loss we have suffered is the greatest loss there has ever been, like the histalkus (passing away) of Moshe Rabbeinu. His passing is the most terrible thing for the generation, the most terrible thing that could happen. Such a disaster has not happened to the Jewish people since the Holocaust. This terrible disaster is like the entire Holocaust, like that of the six million. Someone this great has not been and will not be until the coming of Mashiach. Would that my death be in his place; I wish I had passed away instead of him. I thought I would pass away in his place; when I understood he was ill, I cried out that I should pass away instead of him, but I am not worthy. Only he, who is the soul of Rebbe Nachman in the generation, is worthy."

"In his death, he atones for the Jewish people; he sweetens all the decrees. Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov went out to greet him; all the tzaddikim of all the generations went out to greet him. Would that my death be in your place! 'The beauty of Israel is slain upon your high places: how are the mighty fallen!' (II Samuel 1). He was the 'Beauty of Israel.' How did we lose the Beauty of Israel? How did we lose this awesome and holy Torah?"