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Pleader for Israel by DR H RABINOWICZ (A Srvrn Arts Feature) Outstanding amonf> the Hassidie amts who have flourished in Jewry during the past two centu ries was Knhbi Levi Isaac h. Meii of Herdychev (1740-180!)). the uthor of the famous Hassidie work "Kedushat Levi.” A disciple of K.ihhi Dov Baer, the Maggid of Messerit/. he settled in 1780 in Herdychev, “the Jerusalem of Volhynia," which became a strong hold of Hassidism. lie was affec tionately known as the "Great Do lt ndcr of the House of Israel.” Hassidie legend has it that when (lie He'rdychever was born, ltabbi Israel Baal Shem-Tov, the founder of Hassidism, prophetically j>ro- claimed; "A (treat and holy soul has descended into the world, and it shall be an eloquent pleader for Jewry." ltabbi Levi Isaac fulfilled his (treat destiny, lie was endowed with boundless optimism and with a passionate faith in the inherent goodness of humanity; he was utterly devoid of bitterness despite tin' many tribulations to which he was subjected. He could not "be hold iniquity in Jacob nor per verseness in Israel." Just as every letter in a Sepher Torah is sacred, so is every member of the House of Israel sacrosanct and above leproach. For a man is given two eyes; with one lie is to regard his own failings, and with the other lie is to observe the virtues of his fellow-men Innumerable are the anecdotes and aphorisms that reveal t.ie Berdychever's true nobility of i haracter. It is related, for ex- ..tuple, that he once chanced upon a Jew eating m public upon the Fast of Ab. "Surely", the Rabbi i.emonstratod. "you must have forgotten that today is the ninth iif Ah'. No. 1 have not forgotten." was the reply "Perhaps, my son. you are not enjoying good health and were advised by your doctor to eat’" "No. 1 am in excellent health.” Cried the Sage aloud: “See, O Lord, what a wonderful people are the Jews. Even when they transgress thy commandment, they do not stoop to utter untruths.” When he saw a driver, clad in Talith and Tephilin, greasing the wheels of his wagon, the Rabbi exclaimed: “What a holy people is Thine! Even when they oil the wheels of their wagons, they are mindful of Thee, and commune with Thee." And when he <heard a thief boasting to confederates of the night's haul, the Rabbi com mented: "It is still a long time to Selichot; yet the man has alread) begun to confess his sins.” His attitude to the sinner was truly saintly. He was constantly striving "to love a good Jew as much as God loves a wicked one." He is reputed to have told an in veterate evil-doer: "1 actually envy you. For if you would only repent and return wholeheartedly to our Father "in Heaven, a ray of light would go forth out of every i :ie of your transgressions, and you would be luminous alto gether.” If Ills anger was ever roused, it was always in the cause of Israel whom he defended fiercely against flic itinerant Maggidim who would castigate the assembled congrega- t.ons with “fire, flame and brim stone." When he heard a preacher accusing the people of a multi tude of sins, he protested vigor ously: "Lord of the Universe! This poor tnaggid complains bitterly against Thy people because that is how he earns his livelihood. Give him. I beg of You. his daily bread, and save him the necessity of defaming Your holy nation." The Berdyehever was equally distressed when he heard another Rabbi publicly admonish a congre gant for the hasty and indecorous r .inner in winch he was reciting his prayers. Said the Berdyehever: ' .: is wrong to criticise a Jew. and on such ground. God will surely uunderstand him just as a loving mother understands the mumblings, seemingly unintelli gible, of her .little child.” On the Days of Judgment, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Gredt Advocate excelled himself. The House of Israel was on trial; The Heavenly Tribunal was as sembled: all his legal faculties, his powers of eloquence and oratory, were called for and were fear lessly employed. In a famous colloquy, that has been set to music, he pleaded: “Tell. me. O Lord, what hast Thou against Israel? Thou hast’ written in Thy Holy Torah, 'speak'. Unto whom? Unto Israel. Thou hast written 'say'. Unto whom? Unto Israel. Thou hast written 'Com mand'. Unto whom? Unto Israel. Hast Thou no other nation to in struct in Thy Laws? Hence it must follow that Thou lovest Israel. Have mercy upon him, and fulfill his great needs." Emotion was not the only wea pon in his armoury. He would seize upon every technicality to procure an acquittal. When Rosh Hashanah occurred on a Sabbath, he seized the opportunity offered: "O God. Thou hast forbidden us to write on the holy Sabbath, ex cept in. order to save life. Write us down therefore for life, as otherwise Thou too mayest not write on the Sabbath." He was always on the look-out for facts which would place his "client" Israel in a favourable light. On one Kol Nidre night, he propounded this argument: "O Lord of the Universe, hadst Thou enjoined nations, other than Jews to eat and drink today (the eve ol the fast), they would surely have over-eaten and drunk themselves into a stupor. But Thy people Israel are sober and are all stand ing before Thee. Hast. Thou, in truth, a people comparable to Israel? Like all great advocates, he w'ould often use a good story in support of his brief. On one oc casion—it was the Day of Atone ment—he urged a poor and humble tailor to speak in front of the Congregation; said the man "I. Yankel, am a poor tailor, who the truth be told, have not been too honest in my work. I have at times kept left-over cloth, and I have missed an occasional after noon service. But Thou, O Lord, hast taken away infants from theii mothers, and mothers from theii infants. Let us, on this Day of Days, be quits. Mayest Thou for give me as I forgive Thee." On which the Berdyehever comment ed: "O, Yankel. Yankel, why did you let God off so lightly?. . .” And when the Rabbi had no case to present, he would question the validity of the Heavenly Tribunal: "Do not our sages tell us that a person who us childless is not eligible to be a member of the Sanhedrin as he may be de void of pity? How then are the Angels entitled to constitute a Heavenly Tribunal'." It was said of Rabbi Levi Isaac Berdyehever—and it is indeed a t-tting epitaph—that he loved God and he loved Judaism but that his love for the Jews surpassed his love for both. Give Your Closets Breathing Space ! 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