10 Fascinating Facts About the 'Baal HaSulam'

1. The man known as "Baal HaSulam" was born in Poland on a branch of Tishrei and was recognized as an interpreter and teacher of Kabbalah. His real name was Rabbi Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag. He earned the nickname Baal HaSulam because of his commentary on the Zohar, which he named "The Ladder."

2. In his youth, he was educated at the Gerrer Yeshiva. Rumor has it that he studied Kabbalah even then, hiding pages from "The Tree of Life" by the holy Ari between pages of the Talmud. By age 14, he had mastered the entire Talmud, including its commentaries.

3. At age 17, Baal HaSulam was ordained as a rabbi by the great rabbis of Warsaw.

4. Baal HaSulam married Rivka Roiza Abramowitz when she was just 16. The couple had 11 children, three of whom passed away at a young age.

5. His principal works include "The Study of the Ten Sefirot" (16 volumes, based on the writings of the Ari) and his commentary "The Ladder" on the Zohar. However, he authored many other works on Kabbalistic themes, including "The Gate of Intentions," "Introduction to the Book of Zohar," "Introduction to the Book of Zohar," "Opening to the Wisdom of Kabbalah," "Opening to the Ladder Commentary," and "Comprehensive Opening to the Tree of Life," as well as "Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sefirot"—all serving as introductions to Kabbalistic study. Baal HaSulam also wrote pamphlets such as "Matan Torah," "The Guarantee," and "Peace." His last work, "Writings of the Last Generation," analyzed various social systems and even outlined a detailed plan for constructing a future, corrected society.

6. After becoming famous for his spiritual greatness in Poland and its surrounds, he decided to immigrate to Israel, despite his wife Rivka being heavily pregnant at that time. The birth eventuated on the ship journey to Israel, and the joyous occasion was marked with the birth of a daughter, named Bat Sheva. On the 16th of Tishrei, during the intermediate days of Sukkot in 1921, the couple, along with some of their children, arrived directly at the port of Jaffa and settled in the Old City of Jerusalem.

7. Arriving in Israel without any financial means, and unwilling for the locals to know about his spiritual greatness, he earned a living by tanning hides for Torah scrolls and mezuzahs, and also producing soap using a soap-making machine he brought from Poland. Despite Baal HaSulam’s modesty, it didn’t take long before the locals realized he was a uniquely righteous person and appointed him to suitable positions within the community.

8. In 1926, he traveled to London for two years, where he wrote the commentaries "Panim Meirot" and "Panim Masbirot" on the Ari’s "Tree of Life." Throughout the writing period, he did not leave his house at all. During this time, he also composed most of his melodies, with the assistance of a piano.

9. It was his custom to wake at one in the morning and study until dawn. When he felt tired, he would immerse his feet in icy water or place small, sharp stones in his shoes. Many times, his son, Baruch Shalom, stayed up until the designated hour to wake his father for his studies.

10. It is told that "Baal HaSulam" would occasionally travel with his students to Tiberias, Safed, Miron, and Peki'in on horseback, to visit the cave where Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the author of the Zohar, was in hiding.

The "Baal HaSulam" passed away on Yom Kippur, the 10th of Tishrei 1954, at the age of just 69, and was buried on Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem.