“I Beg of You”: The Spiritual Will of the Kaliver Rebbe

A Leader’s Final Plea: Faith Without Questions

In the midst of the shivah (seven-day mourning period) for the Kaliver Rebbe, his 13-page spiritual will was released to the public. Addressed to both his chasidim and the Jewish people at large, the document offers heartfelt guidance for living a life of holiness. Below are twelve of the most powerful passages.

1. “I beg of you to train yourselves to believe in God with perfect faith, without asking any questions. For when one questions, Heaven forbid, there is punishment.” The Rebbe brings a striking example from the story of Creation: The verse first describes “two great luminaries” but later refers to “the lesser light to rule the night.” Why? Because the moon questioned God’s decision, saying, “Two kings cannot use the same crown,” and God told the moon, “Go and diminish yourself.” The Rebbe, who personally endured the horrors of the Holocaust and lost his entire family, pleads with us: Do not question God’s ways.

2. “I also beg of you to distance yourselves and your households from luxury, which has spread throughout our community and has, sadly, destroyed many Jewish homes both spiritually and physically.”

3. “I urge you to make daily spiritual accounting a habit, as I did every night before bed. I would go to the mezuzah and give an account of my day to God. Even if someone cannot do this daily, they should at least take time every Friday before Shabbat to reflect so they can enter the holy day free of sin and transgression.”

Charity, Humility, and the Power of Kindness

4. “I beg of you to fulfill the verse, ‘Redeem your sins with charity.’” The Rebbe recalls a childhood memory: When his mother lost a diamond ring, he asked for a few coins to donate to the charity fund of Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes, then went outside and found the ring in a garbage pile. “Throughout my life,” he writes, “I gave charity thousands of times. It is what gave me life. Please, accustom yourselves to giving.” The Rebbe adds, “Even if someone lacks money, they can give of their time. Bring distant Jews closer, or teach someone with less ability than you. This too is charity. And about this it is said, ‘Give a tenth so you may become wealthy,’ both spiritually and materially.”

5. “Never disgrace another person, no matter what,” the Rebbe insists. “We learn this from our matriarch Rachel, who gave her sister the secret signs and gave up both this world and the next, just so her sister would not be shamed. This is a lesson for all generations.”

6. “Even when leaving your home for vacation, do not relax your standards, especially regarding food. Every bit of food nourishes the brain. If someone eats something questionable, it can affect them for many days.”

Shabbat, Halacha (Jewish Law), and the Joy of Jewish Life

8. “Now that the Temple is no longer standing, our sages taught that a person’s table brings atonement. Rashi explains: This refers to the poor who sit at your table. So train yourselves to host guests, that Heaven may have mercy on you.”

9. “Train your sons from a young age to learn Mishnah Berurah (a foundational book of Jewish law). Sadly, I speak with many young men and see they do not know the basics of halacha (Jewish law).”

10. “I ask that all my students learn Mishnah every day during the first year after my passing—at least one Mishnah daily—and that they light a candle and give charity for the elevation of my soul.”

11. “When there is joy, the Divine Presence rests upon us. I thank God for allowing me to bring joy to hundreds of thousands of Jews. I ask my students and friends to instill in themselves the trait of joy.”

12. “I fully forgive anyone who ever caused me pain, sorrow, or suffering. I also ask that anyone whom I may have hurt please forgive me completely.”

A Legacy of Tears, Joy, and Unshakable Faith

The Kaliver Rebbe, who devoted his life to uplifting broken souls after the Holocaust, leaves us with a will that is both a personal cry and a national call. His final words are not simply instructions. They are the essence of a life of sanctity and purpose.