Title: Quick Fix

Connection: Yahrzeit date (see bio at end)

Quote: Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, "The Defending Advocate of Israel," is fondly remembered for his love and compassion for all Jews.

Quick Fix

Yerachmiel Tilles

The holy rebbe of Berdichev, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, is fondly remembered and praised for his fiery prayers and service of G-d and for his love and compassion for all Jews. Known as "The Defending Advocate of Israel," his pithy and creative arguments on behalf of Jews individually and collectively still inspire and, hopefully, carry influence through the heavenly realms up to the Throne of Glory.

One quick example:** The Jewish wagon drivers of Berdichev felt they had to be ready for work as soon as it became light, so in order to save time, they would wrap tefilin and pray speedily next to their wagons, and at the same time do all the little tasks necessary to prepare the wagons for the road that day. When the Berditchever first saw them doing this, he raised his eyes towards Heaven, and exclaimed, "O Merciful Father, how wonderful are your children, the Jewish people. Even while they work, they pray!"

Of course, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was not one to fail to try to improve the situation. One day he approached the wagoners as they were completing their prayers and removing their tefilin and tallises. Walking right up to them, he mumbled, "Whydoyoupraysofastnoonecanmakeoutthewordsyadayadablablahetcetc"

"WHAT?" they exclaimed in amazement. He repeated:
"Whydoyoupraysofastnoonecanmakeoutthewordsyadayadablablahetcetc"

"Rabbi, please slow down. And a bit louder. We can't understand a word you are saying."

"Aha!" Rabbi Levi Yitzchak pounced. "So how to you expect The Holy One to understand and accept your prayers, the way you race through them?"

"No, Rabbi," responded immediately the most quick-witted one. "It is just like a baby that is first learning to talk. It sounds like nonsense and no one can understand. EXCEPT the baby's mother; she can always understand her child."

The Berditchever was delighted with their answer. He repeated it at every opportunity. It became yet another quiver in his arsenal to remind his Jewish flock as well as G-d of the ongoing love affair between them.

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Copyrighted © by Ascent-of-Safed, 2008

** Editor's note:
For a longer, famous classic example, see Story#101, the first story in this series ten years ago.

Biographic Note:
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Deberamdiger of Berdichev (1740-25 Tishrei 1810) is one of the most popular rebbes in chassidic history. He was a close disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch. He is best known for his love for every Jew and his active efforts to intercede for them against (seemingly) adverse heavenly decrees. Many of his teachings are contained in the posthumously published, Kedushat Levi.

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Yerachmiel Tilles is co-founder and associate director of Ascent-of-Safed, and chief editor of this website (and of KabbalaOnline.org). He has hundreds of published stories to his credit, and many have been translated into other languages. He tells them live at Ascent nearly every Saturday night.

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