25th of Tishrei — Hilula of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev

Story Time

Monday night into Tuesday, the 25th of Tishrei, is the hilula of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, zt”l, known as the great Sanegor of Am Yisrael — the defender of the Jewish people.

His avodah was to see the good in every Jew. No matter how far a person seemed to have gone, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak searched for that person’s good point and spoke in his defense.

His message was powerful: Hashem chose Am Yisrael. How could we mock His choice?

The teaching of the Kedushat Levi is to say that Am Yisrael is holy, to look for the good points in every Jew, and to judge Am Yisrael favorably. Rather than speaking negatively about another Jew, we should train ourselves to look with an ayin tovah — a good eye. 

No one is allowed to speak anything bad about Am Israel. Hashem chose us — all of us!!

This is the heart of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s legacy: ahavat Yisrael. Speak positively. Look for the good. Judge favorably.

And perhaps the hilula is the perfect time to take one small step in that direction: don’t rush to judge someone. Find one good point in a person you find difficult. Pray for someone else instead of praying only for yourself.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak also taught a message about the way we look at life itself:

“This world is good, not bad.”

He expressed the idea beautifully:

“Above—it is You. Below—it is You. East—it is You. West—it is You. South—it is You. North—it is You. You, You, You. When things go well—it is You. And when, G-d forbid, they do not—it is also You. And when it is You, then it is good. You, You, You.”

Everything is from Hashem. When we remember that it is all from Him, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak teaches us to recognize the good even when we cannot immediately understand what we are seeing.

The Chatam Sofer

The 25th of Tishrei is also the hilula of the Chatam Sofer, zt”l, one of the great Torah sages of his generation.

He was known for his greatness in Torah, his wisdom, and the powerful influence of his teachings on the Jewish people.

If Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev reminds us to look at every Jew with love and an ayin tovah, the Chatam Sofer reminds us of the strength of Torah, faith, and remaining deeply connected to Hashem.

Must Do

1. Ahavat Yisrael
The main focus of the day is to look at another Jew with an ayin tovah. Speak positively about Am Yisrael, search for the good in others, and judge them favorably.
Maybe take upon yourself one small kabbalah: don’t rush to judge, find a good point in someone you struggle with, or pray for another person's wellbeing.

Good To Do

1. Light a Candle

Light a candle in the merit of:

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev ben Sarah Sesya.

Light a candle in the cheri of:

Moshe Sofer, the Chatam Sofer.

2. Say Tehillim

Recite 10 chapters of Tehillim. The guidance given is preferably from Tzadik through Kuf-Vav, or Kuf.

3. Say This Prayer

“Elaha d’Rabbi Levi Yitzchak ben Sarah Sesya, aneini.”

“אלהא דרבי לוי יצחק בן שרה סשה, ענני.”

And to ask that Hashem answer our prayers in the merit of the tzaddik.

4. Ask for Hashem’s Mercy

Ask Hashem for rachamim in the merit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and the Chatam Sofer. Pray sincerely for everything your heart desires.

And don’t forget to pray for all of Am Yisrael as well.

5. See the Good

For these 24 hours, make a special effort to judge others favorably. When you are tempted to criticize someone, stop and search for one good point instead.

That may be the most fitting way to honor the man whose life’s work was to defend Am Yisrael and teach zechut about us!

So on this special day, we can take inspiration from both tzaddikim: to think well of another Jew, to speak well of Am Yisrael, and to strengthen our connection to Torah and Hashem.

May the merit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and the Chatam Sofer stand for us and for all Am Yisrael—for protection, healing, salvation, and good news. And may Hashem hear our prayers and shower us with mercy.

Amen.