The 18th of Adar, marks the yahrzeit of Rabbi Alexander Ziskind, author of the classic work Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah.

Rabbi Ziskind was a rabbi, kabbalist, and a renowned scholar of the 18th century. He became famous as one of the greatest rabbis of his generation and as an exceptionally righteous man. He is commonly known by the title of his book — “Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah”. He passed away on the 18th of Adar, 1794.

The Vilna Gaon said of him: “Rabbi Alexander Ziskind is as great as his book, and his book is as great as he.”

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev wrote in his approbation that the strength of the author is: “that his words will enter the heart of anyone who hears them, to strengthen them in the fear of God and His service.”

The Chozeh of Lublin said that it was revealed to him from Heaven: “that the conduct of this righteous man, the author of Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah, is extremely precious before the Holy One, blessed be He; his pure-hearted sincerity and constant faith and trust in Divine Providence in all matters are beloved Above.”

Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah

Rabbi Alexander Ziskind’s special work, Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah, is a guide for a person’s daily conduct, prayer, and mitzvot between man and God and between man and his fellow.
The book made a tremendous impact when it was published and remains popular to this day, considered a foundational work in the service of God. It was first printed in 1782.

In this book, the great author leads the reader, in his uniquely heartfelt style, step by step through the ways of serving God — from waking up at midnight, all the way through the festivals of the year.
The sefer provides emotional and spiritual guidance for proper Divine service. It presents the essential traits a person must develop:

• Awe of God

• Love of God

• Repentance

• Holiness and purity

• Humility

He repeatedly emphasizes the importance of preparing before every mitzvah, praying with passion, and feeling deeply during prayer.

He also explains the meaning behind the verses of prayer, the intentions one should have, the proper pronunciation, and the importance of not swallowing letters while praying.

For example, during the Amidah: “Hashiveinu Avinu — when you say ‘Our Father,’ let a tremendous joy enter your heart.”
“Ve’hachazireinu bitshuvah shleimah — first pray in your thoughts with great broken-heartedness, then offer a personal prayer for yourself with an exceedingly broken heart, that God place in your heart the desire to return. And how good it is if streams of tears flow from your eyes.”

There are several themes that the author mentions repeatedly:

1. Giving Pleasure to the Creator — The Essence of Human Existence

“A person must engrave upon his heart this service of giving pleasure to our Creator. It must never leave his eyes even for a moment, for upon this axis rests the entire purpose of man’s creation in this world.”

2. Thankfulness and Praise to the Creator

“I was extremely careful to offer thanks and praise to God for everything that came upon me — whether small or great hardship. I would justify the judgment upon myself with joy and thank God for it with tremendous happiness… And for any good, small or great, I offered praise and thanks. Every person is obligated in this. It is a clear teaching: ‘A person must bless for the bad just as he blesses for the good.’ God, who knows the heart, is my witness that beyond the obligation, I practiced this constantly due to the great love of God that was always embedded in my heart.”

3. Joy in Serving God

“My heart burned constantly with great joy, a joy beyond any measure — that I have such a God whose divinity is eternal, and after creating countless worlds, He chose me — flesh and blood, a plowman from the earth, to be part of His holy people Israel. My heart was always filled with great pride that I merited to be an eternal servant of such a God.”

4. Love for the Land of Israel

Rabbi Alexander Ziskind had tremendous love for the Land of Israel.
Although he never merited to settle there, he traveled tirelessly to collect money for its inhabitants.

In his will, he wrote: “My beloved sons, let your desire always be to travel to the Holy Land. Surely, the path a person wishes to take — Heaven leads him on.”

5. Mesirut Nefesh (Self-Sacrifice)

He often speaks in his book of the exalted level of self-sacrifice for the sake of God’s Name and His commandments, describing it as: “a unique and lofty form of service,”

which can be fulfilled in thought alone, not only in action: “in potential even without actual deeds.”

The Structure of the Book

The book is divided into twelve gates, corresponding to the gates of the Temple courtyard:

Introduction

The author explains why he wrote the book.

Gate 1 — The Great Gate

A major introduction to inspire hearts toward love and awe of God; includes service of the heart and mind.

Gate 2 — The Gate of the Night Watch

Covers all practices of the night watch, morning blessings, and the order of sacrifices up to Baruch She’amar.

Gate 3 — The Gate of Song

Explains the intentions and precise wording of Pesukei DeZimra.

Gate 4 — The Eastern Gate

Covers the intentions of Amen Yehei Shmei Rabbah, Shema and its blessings, and the unification of God’s Name.

Gate 5 — The Gate of Sacrifice

Explains the intentions behind the Amidah and the structure of prayer.

Gate 6 — The Gate of the Spark

Discusses the greatness of Torah study, the proper order of learning, and the correct intentions.

Gate 7 — The Gate of the Firstborn

Explains the spiritual intentions of eating, Birkat HaMazon, blessings of enjoyment, and the prayers of Mincha, Maariv, and bedtime Shema.

Gate 8 — The Upper Gate

Details the practices of Erev Shabbat and all of Shabbat until after Havdalah.

Gate 9 — The Gate of the Flock

Covers the practices of the month of Nisan and then, following the order of months, Sivan, Tammuz, and Av.

Gate 10 — The Gate of Water

On the month of Elul; awakening repentance.

Gate 11 — The Gate of the Furnace

On the month of Tishrei; all practices from Rosh Hashanah through after Sukkot.

Gate 12 — The Gate of the Commander

Covers all practices of the winter months until after Adar.