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Levushei Serad: Rushing Before the Messiah



The 22nd of Cheshvan is the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi David Solomon Eibeshutz, author of Levushei Serad. (1809) The Foundation Stone™ honors his Yahrtzeit and that of Rabbi Avraham Azulai (See Or HaChama: The Garment of the Soul) with the following story:

Word spread through the Russian Jewish villages that the Messiah would arrive in 5600 – 1839.  When Rabbi Eibeshutz heard the rumor, he gathered his community in the synagogue to announce that he was moving to Israel.  “Why are you rushing to move now, when the Messiah is coming so soon?” they asked their beloved rabbi.

The rabbi opened the Chesed L’Avraham of Rabbi Azulai and read the following: On the day that the Messiah arrives in Israel with all the exiles, they will find many souls resurrected and refreshed. This will include all the great leaders of our history and all those who were willing to settle in Israel even before the Messiah arrived. (Chesed L’Avraham, 3rd Well, River 22)

The rabbi continued; “I want to be one of the fortunate souls that merit early resurrection. If the Messiah is coming so soon, I have to rush!” And, he moved!

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