The Legacy of the 'Ohev Yisrael' of Apt

The Yahrzeit of the holy and esteemed 'Ohev Yisrael' of Apt, of blessed memory, is marked on the 5th of Nisan. He was the grandfather of the father-in-law of the revered Rabbi Yissachar Dov of Belz, of blessed memory.

The esteemed Rabbi Aharon of Belz, of blessed memory, would drink l'chaim in his room on the eve of this Yahrzeit, reflecting on the ways of the holy tzaddik of Apt, his profound holiness, elevated virtues, and esteemed character.

On this Yahrzeit eve or day, the revered Rabbi would study his teachings and read from the 'Ohev Yisrael', absorbing the wise words and holy practices from those who served him closely.

The revered Rabbi of Berzgass, may he live long, "Beyto Nava Kodesh", Nissan edition, Vol. 1, page 125

With Hashem's help, Day 4, Vav Tevet 5696.

I heard from the grandson of the holy tzaddik, Rabbi Shmuel of Belz, of blessed memory, and great-grandson of the holy 'Ohev Yisrael' of Apt, who heard from the righteous Rabbi Yissachar Dov of Belz, of blessed memory....

Once, the righteous Rabbi Shmuel of Belz, of blessed memory, spent Shabbat at the sanctuary of the holy 'Ohev Yisrael' of Apt. A noble man, seeking rabbinical ordination, approached 'Ohev Yisrael'. Initially, the holy 'Ohev Yisrael' hesitated to confer this honor. Later, he remarked that in the grand scheme of things, we may possess respect, wealth, and all else needed in serving Hashem. Yet, it would be an even greater honor and true wealth if we were bound and led like sheep, cast into a fire for the sanctification of His great name... [And there in the note, it seems the story was heard from the holy Rabbi Pinchas of Ostila, a descendant of Tchernobyl and Apt, and son-in-law of Rabbi Yehoshua of Belz, who was his neighbor in Przemysl and maintained close ties with him.]

From the holy writings of the revered Rabbi of Sadigura, of blessed memory "Masillot" Cheshvan 5760, page 23

The 'Ohev Yisrael' stated that a tzaddik should never fall ill, but before their passing, they lie down in their bed so that people do not say they died suddenly. Before his passing, he laid himself in bed, causing people to believe he was gravely ill, leading them to pray for his recovery. Yet, just before his soul ascended, he rose from the bed, appearing as healthy, and bade farewell to his followers. He then approached his holy library, took leave of the beloved books with tears, lay back in bed, and recited the phrase "Adir V'Emunah", ascending his soul to the heavens.

Rabbi Chaim Eliyahu Sternberg, of blessed memory "Kovetz Eliyahu" page 65, letter 203

The Rabbi of Apt loved the people of Israel dearly. Before his passing, he declared, "Master of the Universe, I know I have no right to the Garden of Eden among the righteous, so take me to Gehenna instead. However, you know my disdain for the wicked—how can I be among them? I appeal to you to remove the wicked from there so that you can bring me."

The holy and righteous Rabbi Yosef Pacanovsky, of blessed memory "Gan Yosef" (Bnei Brak, 1998) page 171, letter 1996