He Saw Him Correct Mishnayos and Zohar in His Sleep

When Reb Mordechai Liepler needed a miracle to evade arrest, the Alter Rebbe referred him to his mechutan, Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Reb Mordechai hid in the room and watched an incredible scene as Reb Levi Yitzchok corrected Mishnayos and Zohar in his sleep.

Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev was born in the year 5500 (1740). After his chassunah, he went to study from the Maggid of Mezritch. He served as the Rov of the city of Berditchev and was one of the most famous Rebbes.

Reb Levi Yitzchak was known as the “saneigor” (advocate) of Yidden, always finding merit in every situation. He was niftar on the 25th of Tishrei, 5570 (1809).

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While reciting the Haggada, Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev was filled with tremendous hislahavus. When he reached the words Matzah zu he would become so carried away in dveikus that he would fall from his chair to the floor, overturning the kaira, the matzos and the wine. By the time he came to, the table would be set afresh, and another long white kittel was handed to him to replace the one stained with wine. Putting it on, he would say with visible delight, “Ah! Matzah zu…”

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The Frierdiker Rebbe related:

Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev warned his chassidim never to wear hats with visors.  He explained that when a Yid looks toward Shamayim it reminds him of HaShem and is therefore a tremendous segula for yiras Shamayim. However, if one’s hat has a visor, his gaze toward Heaven is blocked, and he misses out on a hisorerus of yiras Shamayim.

A time came when Czar Nicholas decreed that only hats with visors could be worn. Yidden would therefore hide their shtreimelach and walk outside wearing hats with visors, and when they reached a secure place they would take out their shtreimelach and put them on.

When this decree reached Berditchev, people there too began to wear hats with visors.  One day Reb Levi Yitzchok saw a chassid wearing a hat with a visor, and it was apparent to him that this individual was quite comfortable with his new look.

The tzaddik approached him and asked: “Why in the middle of the Tochacha (the stern warnings to the Yidden) is it stated that they will be punished for leaving HaShem ‘with joy’?  These words come to teach us that even if one is chas veshalom forced to stray from the path of Avodas HaShem for reasons beyond his control, he should at least not be happy about it…”

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R. Shlomo of Chashnik, a devoted chossid of the Alter Rebbe, was a talented violin player, and his tunes would melt the hearts of his listeners. At the chassuna in Zhlobin between the grandchildren of the Alter Rebbe and R. Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, R. Shlomo played his violin as the two tzaddikim danced together.

On that occasion, R. Levi Yitzchok exposed his chest and told R. Shlomo, “Gaze at my heart and you won’t have machashavos zaros during davening.” R. Shlomo later testified that since that time, he indeed never had any foreign thoughts when he davened.

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The Rebbe Rashab once related:

Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev had concluded his study of shechita and was preparing to slaughter his first hen. He took the bird in his left hand, and diligently prepared it for the shechting. In his right he held the chalef.

With intense concentration and ecstasy, Reb Levi Yitzchok recited the bracha over the mitzva which he was privileged to observe for the very first time. In the meantime, the hen decided that, under the circumstances, it was high time she ran for her life…

The Berditchever concluded the bracha and exclaimed (the Rebbe quoted in Polish-accented Yiddish): “‘Vi is di hin? Where is the hen…?'”

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While sitting at a tish with his chassidim, Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev once asked, “Why did Moshiach tell Rebbi Yehoshua ben Levi that he was coming ‘today’? Isn’t it written that HaShem will send Eliyahu HaNavi before that awesome day arrives?”

No one offered a response, so Reb Levi Yitzchok answered himself: “Eliyahu HaNavi is due to come in order to raise everyone out of their mundane concerns and prepare them for Moshiach. However, ‘If you will listen to the voice of HaShem’ – that is, if we will wake up on our own – then Moshiach will be able to come today, immediately, without Eliyahu HaNavi having to come to forewarn us.”

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A Yid once entered the room of Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and saw him dancing happily whilst saying Birchos HaShachar.

“Why all the simcha?” he asked.

Reb Levi Yitzchak answered, “When I came to the bracha of shelo asani goy, I thought about the great zechus of being a Yid. After all, things could have been otherwise…”

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There lived a Jew in Berditchev who purposely and spitefully did not keep Torah and mitzvos. R. Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev once met him and said, “I’m jealous of you!” The Jew replied, “Rebbe! You are jealous of me? You know me, and you know who I am and what I am.”

R. Levi Yitzchok answered, “It is written that deliberate sins are turned into merits for one who does teshuva. Imagine to yourself what a lofty level you can achieve if you would only do teshuva…”

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Reb Mordechai Liepler was active in pidyon shvuyim and freeing young men from serving in the Czar’s army. Eventually, the government found out and planned to arrest him, so Reb Mordechai hurried to the Alter Rebbe for a bracha. At that time, the Alter Rebbe’s granddaughter had just married the grandson of Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev in Zhlobin, and Reb Mordechai arrived during the week of sheva brachos. When he presented his request, the Alter Rebbe advised him to approach his mechutan, the Rov of Berditchev.

The gabboim of Reb Levi Yitzchak did not want to allow him to disturb the tzaddik’s schedule, but when they heard his plight—especially the Alter Rebbe’s instruction—they advised him to hide in the room behind a curtain, and then present his request at an appropriate moment. From his hiding place, Reb Mordechai could watch Reb Levi Yitzchak’s assiduous avoda.

First, the tzaddik sat at a table in dveikus as both gabboim inserted spoonfuls of food into his mouth, with only small portions of it actually being eaten. The meal was soon over and the elderly tzaddik was laid down on a bed. His gabboim sat near him, one at his head and the other at his feet, and they simultaneously read from Mishnayos and from Zohar respectively. The tzaddik was deep asleep, yet every so often he would stop them and correct their reading. After a short while Reb Levi Yitzchak rose and washed neggel vasser.

At that moment, Reb Mordechai came out of his place and asked for a bracha. At first Reb Levi Yitzchak told him off for endangering his life by being involved in activities which opposed the government, but upon hearing that it was at the Alter Rebbe’s instruction he conceded, “If so, you are righteous in your case. Go in peace!” And that is what happened.

For sources, visit TheWeeklyFarbrengen.com