The Hidden Tzaddik: Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Dayan
Commemorating 26 years since Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Dayan's passing, a ceremony will be held at the grave of the hidden tzaddik known only to a few.
Not many have heard of Rabbi Shlomo Dayan, of blessed memory, whose yahrzeit falls this month, on the 9th of Tammuz. Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi, of blessed memory, once testified that he was "one of the 36 hidden tzaddikim of our generation." Most of his life, Rabbi Dayan cloaked himself in mystery and simplicity, wearing humble clothing that belied his elevated personality. Only a handful knew of his greatness, as he took great care to remain hidden from public view.
Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Dayan was born in Aleppo, Syria, into the esteemed Dayan family, which claims descent from King David, peace be upon him. One day, he packed his belongings and made his way to the Land of Israel, settling in Jerusalem. His mission was clear: to hasten the coming of the Messiah and the time of redemption by rectifying the sins of Israel, both positive commandments neglected and forbidden acts committed. He understood that each sin's sparks needed specific and profound intentions for rectification.
Rabbi Dayan believed that if one truly desires to purify the soul and cleanse it from sins, it is essential to be close to righteous and honest people, to cleave to them, and thereby elevate oneself. However, since one cannot always discern who the true tzaddikim are today, he felt it was necessary to visit the graves of known tzaddikim, pray there, and ask for heavenly mercy for soul elevation and purification.
He often said, "An hour of prayer and study at the graves of tzaddikim is worth a hundred hours of study," especially when visiting a grave that is difficult to access. Each step there sweetens divine judgment, for "according to the pain is the reward."
Rabbi Dayan taught that even if a soul is severely blemished due to sins, and one feels despair and beyond repair, simply coming to the tzaddik's grave with prayer, Torah study, and prostration at the tzaddik's site will help cleanse and elevate oneself from the lowly state one finds themselves in. He especially frequented the grave of the Prophet Samuel, promising that anyone who performs the rectification at Samuel's grave will receive answers from heaven, if not the first time, certainly after several visits.
Rabbi Meir Malka, founder of the Rabbi Kaduri Memorial Foundation and author of "Yeshuot Yitzhak," merited to establish a proper site for Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Dayan's grave about two years ago, after 24 years without an organized place for prayer and visitation. Today, there is a building above the site for the comfort of those who pray, broadcast directly over the internet.
Rabbi Malka invites the public to visit the sacred site and prostrate themselves at Rabbi Dayan's grave on his yahrzeit, marking 26 years since his passing, from Sunday afternoon, the 8th of Tammuz, throughout the night, and continuing the next day, the 9th of Tammuz, Monday, July 11, 2011. On Monday at 16:00, the rectification composed by Rabbi Dayan, capable of all salvations, will be performed, led by Rabbi Meir Malka. For details: 1-800-20-17-17.
