A Heavenly Encounter: Rabbi Elimelech's Astonishing Visit Beyond

Once, Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk fell gravely ill and was at the brink of passing. He lay unconscious for several days, with all his disciples gathered around, praying for his recovery, fearing he might not return. Yet, the wonders of Hashem are beyond prediction. Gradually, his strength returned, and the saintly rabbi recovered.

Upon regaining his health, Rabbi Elimelech recounted his experiences and observations in the higher world: Upon entering the celestial realms, he met the renowned sage, the 'Chesed L'Avraham.' The two walked for hours in the divine light, during which the 'Chesed L'Avraham' questioned the new path that Rabbi Elimelech and his brother, Rabbi Zusha, were charting. He remarked, "I was fortunate to author ten books, all of which are studied by the righteous in heaven, yet they made no dramatic impact above. But your brother, who authored none, has the heavens abuzz with his words. When he meditates for an hour before prayer, the celestial worlds tremble, and even more so during his prayer."

They ventured into a garden filled with beautiful fruit trees, the fragrance of which was like the blessed garden of Hashem. They strolled for a long time, listening to the holy conversation of the seraphim, until they reached a hill. Climbing to its peak, they saw from afar a grand edifice.

The 'Chesed L'Avraham' said: "Lift your eyes and see that magnificent building; it is the study hall where Rabbi Shmelke of Nikolsburg teaches Torah to souls. Just weeks ago, he arrived here and established a yeshiva, and ever since, souls come to learn from him."

Intrigued by Rabbi Shmelke's yeshiva, Rabbi Elimelech went there and found a man standing at the entrance. Approaching, he recognized the simple Jew from Lizhensk - Mordechai, the bookbinder. Rabbi Elimelech, astonished, asked: "What brings you here, Mordechai, in this yeshiva?"

The man looked at him and said: "Honored Rabbi, if the upper worlds heard you call me Mordechai instead of Rabbi Mordechai, they would chastise you."

Astonished, Rabbi Elimelech asked: "Rabbi Mordechai, by what merit are you here in this esteemed place? After all, I knew you as a simple Jew."

He replied: "Indeed, I was a simple Jew, but from the moment I arrived in the heavenly realms, everything changed. Here is what happened: After my passing, I was brought before the celestial court, and they began judging me according to my deeds. I stood trembling in fear as the angels laid my good and bad deeds upon the scales. The debts outweighed the merits, and I was sentenced to Gehenna. Accepting the judgment, I left in sorrow and shame, heading down a long path, feeling the increasing heat. Just as I neared the fiery boundary of Gehenna, two urgent and frantic emissaries from the court seized me and brought me back. There, I saw carts filled with sacks passing by, which seemed familiar. I wondered how they had arrived here and followed them back to the heavenly court.

Upon reentry, I found the judges again at their places and my deeds being weighed. The scales still tilted toward the negative. But then, the angels began unloading the sacks onto the scales of merit. Gradually, the scales balanced, and with one more sack, merits tipped the scale. Thus, I was spared from Gehenna and directed toward Paradise, all while a heavenly voice proclaimed: "From this day, he shall be known as Rabbi Mordechai!"

Throughout this, I was in deep wonder. Feeling bestowed with honor, I inquired about the reason but received no answer. I investigated until I learned that, after leaving the celestial court initially, an angel named 'Guardian of the Pages' advocated for me: "Esteemed judges, though this man was as simple as the common Jew, lacking in Torah knowledge, and perhaps erring due to his ignorance, he cherished the Torah greatly. He was unmatched in honoring the Torah, working his entire life as a sacred task to bind books, never allowing a single mistake to pass his hands. Even spare, blank pages held value for him, and he treated them with respect akin to sacred texts, storing them in sacks, which remained in his attic. When he desired, he could bring them here."

At that moment, a heavenly proclamation declared: "Those who honor the Torah are truly honored," and the sacks were brought from the attic. This tipped the scales in my favor, granting me a portion in the World to Come. Although relieved, I worried as I entered the hall of Torah in paradise to join great scholars. Their simple conversations were beyond my comprehension. The righteous souls noticed this, taught me Torah before allowing me into the grand hall, and continued teaching me its depths until they sent me to Rabbi Shmelke's yeshiva, where I now await the opening of the gates.

As he spoke, the gates opened, and a call announced: "Rabbi Mordechai the bookbinder, a place is prepared for you within." He immediately left Rabbi Elimelech, entered, and the door closed behind him.

Rabbi Elimelech approached the gate, eager to enter, but found it locked. Desperately, he began shouting, and at that moment, he awoke, lying in a pool of sweat, weak but alive.

(From "Stories of the Heavenly Court" by Rabbi Yisrael Kalphalz, based on accounts heard from Rabbi Elimelech)

More About Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk:

10 Remarkable Facts about Rabbi Elimelech and an Omen for Easy Birth.

A Special and Encouraging Parable by Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk on the Long Exile.

Rabbanit Hagit Shira in a Special Column on Rabbi Elimelech's Memorial Day.

The Heartfelt Prayer of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk: "O Lord, Open Our Hearts".

To read the extraordinary book "Noam Elimelech", click here.