142 Years Since Rabbi Yisrael Salanter's Passing: Stories and Teachings

1. Commemorating His Legacy Today: Today, the 25th of Shevat, 5785, marks 142 years since the passing of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, a pivotal figure in the establishment of the Mussar movement in 19th century Lithuania.

2. A Prodigy from Youth: Recognized early for his brilliant intellect, Rabbi Salanter could recite the entire Talmud by heart before the age of 13. After marriage, he met Rabbi Yosef Zundel of Salant, whose influence was profound. From then on, Yisrael Salanter regarded him as a primary teacher, following his path closely. Rabbi Zundel once advised him, "Yisrael, learn Mussar and be God-fearing!"

3. Sparking a Movement: Rabbi Salanter realized his responsibility to influence others and could not remain passive. He sought to spark a Mussar movement, aiming to awaken thoughts and pave new ways for communal heart and spirit as described in Rabbi Isser Frankel's "Yechidei Segulah." To achieve this, he had to establish his Torah greatness, which led him to tour towns and deliver scholarly talks while simultaneously preaching values of fear and ethics.

4. Establishment of Mussar Houses: Utilizing his recognition as a Torah scholar, Rabbi Yisrael actively promoted the learning of Mussar and established 'Mussar Houses.' From 1840-1848, he served as Rosh Yeshiva in Vilna, where his passionate sermons on ethical responsibilities greatly impacted his listeners and elevated his reputation.

5. Emotional Teachings on Poverty: In his sermons, Rabbi Salanter's emotionally charged delivery, particularly concerning the suffering of the poor, often left him and his audience in tears. His heartfelt speeches underscored the commandments between man and fellow man, a testament to their foundational role in Jewish law.

6. Compassion for Orphans and Widows: Asked about ceremonial meticulousness, he advised focusing instead on not distressing orphaned and widowed women responsible for preparing dough, pointing out the greater prohibition against causing them sorrow compared to ritual concerns.

7. Sensitivity Between People: Accepting a wealthy man's invitation for Shabbat, Rabbi Salanter insisted the meal end within an hour, countering the usual three-hour duration to avoid overburdening the cook, a widow with tired children. He highlighted the importance of considering others' burdens even in religious observance.

8. Don’t Observe at Others' Expense: During a visit to Kovno, he minimized water use for hand-washing when realizing the housemaid struggled to carry water over distances, emphasizing that religious embellishment should not come at the cost of another’s hardship.

9. His Lasting Influence: Rabbi Salanter left a lasting impact through numerous students and various Mussar teachings. His legacy includes schools like the Telz Yeshiva, Navardok Yeshiva, and Slabodka Yeshiva, each focusing on different aspects of human character and spirit. His primary students included Rabbi Yitzchak Blazer, Rabbi Naftali Amsterdam, and Rabbi Simcha Zissel Ziv. His teachings are compiled in the book "Ohr Yisrael."

10. Memorable Moral Quotes:

• "The material needs of others are my spiritual needs."
• "We say: If you cannot pass, you must pass."
• "Those who wish to rise above others should not dig pits for them but raise themselves higher."
• "Seeing arrogance makes me feel nauseous."
• "It's easier to learn the entire Talmud than to correct one character trait."
• "As long as the candle is burning, it is possible to make amends."

Rabbi Yisrael Salanter passed away on the 25th of Shevat, 5643, and was laid to rest in Königsberg. May his memory be a blessing.

Rabbi Ephraim Friedman on the Spiritual Revolution of Rabbi Salanter: