Defender of the People: Ten Stories of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev

Seeing the Good in Every Jew

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev (1740–1809), author of the Kedushat Levi, is remembered as one of the great Hasidic leaders and as the "Defender of Israel," the one who would always advocate on behalf of the Jewish people before Heaven. His yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) is marked tonight and tomorrow (Thursday, the 25th day of the Jewish month of Tishrei).

1. One day, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak passed by a synagogue and saw a wagon driver outside, wearing his tallit and tefillin, fixing his wagon mid-prayer. The Hasidim with him scoffed: “Look at this man, he's wrapped in a tallit and tefillin and working on his wagon!” But Rabbi Levi Yitzchak responded: “Look at this Jew, he’s praying even while fixing his wagon!”

2. His sukkah was always open to the downtrodden. When his Hasidim once suggested he invite more ‘distinguished guests,’ he replied: “One day, when I ask to enter the heavenly sukkah alongside the righteous, they may say: ‘Levi Yitzchak, do you belong here?’ And I’ll respond: ‘True, I may not be worthy. But in my own sukkah, I never turned anyone away. Every Jew was welcome.’”

3. He applied the same love for God to his love for others. Just as he served God with all his heart, soul, and might, he loved all Jews—rich or poor, great or simple—equally and wholeheartedly.

Kindness, Humility, and True Faith

4. On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, a barber’s assistant with an ostentatious hairstyle passed by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s window. The rabbi called him in and offered money to cut his hair, citing the Torah’s prohibition of imitating non-Jewish customs. The young man refused. The rabbi kept raising the offer, eventually reaching twenty coins, but still, the man declined. Finally, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak said, “If you cut your hair now, I promise you a portion in the World to Come.” Immediately, the young man pulled out a pair of scissors and cut it off.

The rabbi lifted his eyes and said: “Master of the Universe! Look at the faith of this simple Jew. He turned down twenty coins—an enormous sum—because they meant less to him than a promise of eternal reward, something he has never even seen!”

5. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was deeply humble. He would say, “The world is good, and here’s proof: it even tolerates someone like me.”

6. On arrogance, he once remarked, “If not for the fact that pride is mentioned in the Torah, I wouldn’t believe it existed. How can a person who is mere dust and ashes feel proud?”

7. In Kedushat Levi, he offered a moving commentary on Noach: The Torah says Noach “walked with God,” but Chazal say this is both a compliment and a critique. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak explained: Some righteous people serve God and also inspire others to do the same. Others serve God with passion but make no effort to bring others close. Noach was the latter. He walked with God, but not with people. That’s why the sages view him less favorably than Avraham, who reached out to elevate others.

8. On Yom Kippur we say, “We are full of sin, and You are full of mercy.” Rabbi Levi Yitzchak explained: Yes, we are full of sin, but what is that compared to God, who is infinitely full of compassion?

Torah with Joy, Not Self-Affliction

9. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak opposed excessive fasts and self-affliction, unless explicitly required by halacha (Jewish law). He believed these were often the evil inclination in disguise, trying to distract people from learning Torah by weakening them physically. Instead, he urged Jews to invest their energy in Torah study and joyful service of God.

10. In Kedushat Levi, he taught that even suffering is an act of Divine kindness. Just as a small vessel must be broken to become larger, sometimes God sends difficulties to break the “smallness” in a person so that they can receive greater blessing. Instead of fleeing from hardship, a person should ask: “What does Hashem want from me?"