Chilling: Why Did Rabbi Elyashiv zt"l Request the Rabbi from Hidabroot Right Before Yom Kippur?

More than a decade has passed since those moments, yet Rabbi Isaac Fried, Chairman of the Hidabroot Organization, seems still to be there. In the small room at the end of the narrow corridor filled with books, at the top of the stairs on the tiny Hananya Street in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem.

"I get chills again just talking about this story," he says today, moments before another Yom Kippur, as we ask him to describe one special moment among the many he experienced in the Rabbi's room, who supported Hidabroot since its inception.

It was during the month of mercy and forgiveness.

A delegation of Hidabroot rabbis had the privilege of entering the Rabbi's room to receive a few precious minutes from a person who spent most of his day giving lectures and learning Torah sweetly into the wee hours of the night, for decades on end.

The Rabbi, with angelic features, gazed at the various reports of Hidabroot's activities from that year with pure eyes and was filled with admiration. "What a sanctification of Hashem's name," he repeated, "We are close to the Days of Judgment. Rectifying the desecration of Hashem's name is challenging, and the remedy is the sanctification of Hashem's name. It is a great mitzvah to be part of Hidabroot, such a big sanctification of Hashem's name."

The rabbis were in awe.

"How can I help Hidabroot?", the Rabbi surprised them with a question.

"We are in a difficult financial situation," described one of the rabbis. "Perhaps if we could publicize what the Rabbi said about the partnership with Hidabroot being part of a great sanctification of Hashem's name and atonement for its desecration, it could open the hearts of the Jewish people."

The Rabbi smiled. Not only did he agree, but he also promised to bless all who sanctify Hashem's name and assist Hidabroot, mentioning that by the eve of Rosh Hashanah, during such holy moments, the book would be on his table.

With these words, the people of Israel awoke en masse. Who wouldn't want to be a partner in such an endeavor that the sage of the generation speaks about in such terms? Who doesn't want their name to be blessed by the Rabbi's sacred lips during days when everyone needs merits?

The Day of Judgment was fast approaching.

On Erev Rosh Hashanah, after the morning prayer, Hidabroot rabbis entered Rabbi Elyashiv's room and placed the bulky "Books of Those Who Sanctify Hashem's Name" on his table. These books contained the names of thousands of Jewish partners of Hidabroot and their blessings requests. Happiness spread across the Rabbi's face, who was rarely visibly moved, always exuding complete tranquility outwardly. He leafed through the books, seemingly rejoicing over each Jew who took part.

"How much should I give to Hidabroot?", he asked one of his household members.

"The intent is to be a partner," came the reply, "One can even give a donation of just a few dozen shekels."

"To Hidabroot, you give 40 shekels?", the Rabbi asked incredulously, "To Hidabroot, you give 1000!", he declared, asking his grandson to bring his personal checkbook, requesting him to fill in that amount as his personal donation. Everyone stood amazed as the Rabbi signed the check and handed it to the rabbis, demonstrating just how much this partnership mattered to him.

But here, the story was just beginning.

"On the day before Yom Kippur," Rabbi Fried recounts, "The Belzer Rebbe appointed me as his emissary after Selichot, along with two other judges, to bless Rabbi Elyashiv with a decree for a good year and longevity."

Rabbi Fried hurried to fulfill the Rebbe's command. Accompanying him were two distinguished judges, one from Antwerp, Belgium and the other from Boro Park, USA.

They stood in awe in the sage's room, conveyed the Rebbe's blessing, and heard from Rabbi Elyashiv that he asked them to be his emissaries to return a warm blessing to the Rebbe and requested to be mentioned in the prayers of the High Holidays.

"On the eve of Yom Kippur, I received a call 30 minutes before the holy day commenced. Rabbi Elyashiv's grandson was on the line. 'Grandfather asks if you can come,' he said. I didn't hesitate even for a second. I got into my car, and the roads of Jerusalem were already completely empty, reaching Mea Shearim from Beit Belz in just a few minutes."

He parked the car at the closest possible spot to the Rabbi's house, continuing on foot between the narrow alleys. He arrived, breathless, at the entrance of the house from where there were stairs leading to the Rabbi's small room.

"Where are you running to?", asked the Rabbi's daughter as she stood at the entrance, "No one can enter the Rabbi at such times."

"The Rabbi called me," Rabbi Fried replied.

He ascended and saw the Rabbi already donning his white garments, the angelic garb for the holiest day of the year.

"They will see the holiness of Hashem's people," the Rabbi slowly intoned the Grace After Meals, word by word, patiently, with calm and holiness, "For there is no lack for those who fear Him."

He finished the Grace After Meals and immediately turned to his grandson with a question: "Is he here?"

"Yes," the grandson replied.

"Then bring him in," the Rabbi instructed.

"Where is the Book of Those Who Sanctify Hashem's Name?", asked the Rabbi, a question that still sends shivers down Rabbi Fried's spine when he recalls the moment. "Just looking at his pure face filled me with awe," he describes.

"Do you still have the book?", the Rabbi inquired.

"Yes," Rabbi Fried answered, "The book is still here, left here for the Rabbi's blessing."

The sage, from whom Jews worldwide awaited guidance, yearned for his blessings, whose verdict could change the world, took the book in his hands at the age of a hundred, just as Yom Kippur was about to enter. That's all that mattered to him at that moment. To turn the pages of this book of partner lists, those who declared they wanted to be part of the sanctification of Hashem's name.

"A good final sealing," he wished Rabbi Fried, "And please, ask the Rebbe to mention my name in prayers."

"I was stunned. I didn't even comprehend what was happening," recalls Rabbi Fried, "I ran outside, still hearing the Rabbi ask what time it was and being told '20 more minutes' until the fast commenced. I remember vividly how close it was to the commencement of the holy day. I reached home, donned the white clothing, and entered to pray. Only when I sat did I try to think. After all, the book was on his table during these days. Just the day before, I had been there as the Rebbe's emissary. Why did he want to call me to bring the book again?"

There were no answers for Rabbi Fried. He still has none today. But that moment, likely unbeknownst to Hidabroot partners, hasn't left him.

"One thing I saw," he concludes with emotion, "This great Jew, who embodied a hundred years of pure Heaven-fearing behavior, who was one of the greatest sages, what was important to him on the eve of Yom Kippur? What did he see as essential merits? Precisely this book of Hidabroot's activities and the partners who had the merit."

Sign today on a partnership agreement with Rabbi Zamir Cohen and gain millions of merits that will accompany you and advocate for you on Yom Kippur. For the partnership contract, click here.