Remembering Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk: Seven Key Aspects of His Legacy

1. Rabbi Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk was a Rebbe and spiritual leader of the third generation of Hasidism. Rabbi Elimelech was one of the great founders of the Hasidic movement in Poland, so much so that he is compared to the holy Baal Shem Tov in the book "Light and Sun".

2. Rabbi Elimelech was born in Tykocin. His elder brother was Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli. The two were known as "the holy brothers."

3. His book "Noam Elimelech" was one of the first Hasidic books, encapsulating his teachings and philosophy, compiled by his son Eleazar and arranged according to the weekly Torah readings. These teachings were spoken by Rabbi Elimelech on Shabbat and written down by his son. After showing them to his father, he received his blessing, but according to his instruction, the book was not published until after his father's passing.

This book is a foundation stone of the Hasidic movement, and many study it every Shabbat. In endorsements by leading community rabbis, he and his book received abundant praise.

4. When it was time for Rabbi Elimelech to leave this world, he placed his hands upon his closest disciples, transferring his spiritual powers to four of them: to the Seer of Lublin, asking him to mentor his nephew Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Dinov, he gave the spiritual vision of his eyes. To the Maggid of Kozhenitz, he passed the spiritual strength of his heart. To Rabbi Mendel of Rymanów (Prostik), he gave the soul power in his mind, and to the Rabbi of Apt, he gave the speech power in his mouth.

5. Rabbi Elimelech passed away on the 21st of Adar in 1787 in his rabbinic city of Lizhensk, and his grave became a pilgrimage site. Rabbi Elimelech promised that those who visit his grave after his passing will not leave the world without repentance.

 The "Tiferet Shlomo" of Radomsk said that on this day, Rabbi Elimelech stands with outstretched hands, blessing and advocating for those who pour out their hearts at his burial site and study from his holy books.

Tomb of the

6. Besides the book "Noam Elimelech," he authored a smaller work called in Yiddish "Tzetl Katan" (small note), containing several paragraphs of daily conduct instructions.

Here is a part from the Tzetl Katan, printed at the end of the "House of Prayer" siddur and other prayer books:

A. At every moment that you are free from Torah study, especially when sitting alone in a room or lying in bed unable to sleep, contemplate the positive commandment to be sanctified among the Children of Israel, imagining a great and powerful fire burning until the sky and that for the sake of Hashem's sanctity, you break your nature and throw yourself into the fire to sanctify Hashem, as a good thought is counted as a deed. Thus, you are not idle but fulfilling a Torah commandment..

B. At the first verse of "Shema" and the first blessing of the "Amidah," reflect as mentioned before and also keep in mind that if all the world's nations were to torture you and strip your flesh to deny Hashem's oneness, you would endure all pain and not agree with them. Visualize as if this is happening, and with this intent you fulfill the obligation of the "Shema" and prayer..

Also: A person was only created to overcome nature, so spur yourself to correct your traits during the eighteenth year, as I will explain. For example, one born with a stubborn nature should break this for forty consecutive days by acting in the opposite manner of their thoughts. Similarly, one naturally lazy should, for forty consecutive days, execute everything with speed, be it when ascending to bed, waking up, dressing, washing hands, going to synagogue immediately after rising from bed, etc. Someone naturally shy should pray loudly for forty days, ensuring all their limbs participate, and bless the Torah loudly until help from heaven removes the bad shyness from them. Those whose speech is disordered should listen to their words for forty days, whether mundane or holy. Thus, the habit becomes mastery. Similarly, if naturally inconsistent in study, persist for forty days to study more than usual and check my Tzetl Katan before each study, as help from heaven will make you increasingly better at breaking bad traits..

7. Additionally, Rabbi Elimelech composed a prayer intended as a preparation for the morning prayer, known as the "Prayer of Rabbi Elimelech." An excerpt from the prayer: "Please, instill within us that we may see each other's virtues and not flaws, and that we speak to each other in a manner that is straight and pleasing before You, and that no hatred arises from one to another, Heaven forbid, and bind us together in love toward You, as it is known before You that all will bring satisfaction to You."

This prayer is believed to open the gates of heaven and make our prayers favorable, and indeed many chant it daily before praying.

As mentioned, today, on his yahrzeit, thousands have flown overnight to Lizhensk, Poland, to visit the grave of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk. May his merit protect us.