Reb YoselehTranslated by Daphna Brafman Coordinated by Tilford Bartman
Thirty years he sat on the rabbinical bench and was famous as a student in depth and as a great Tzadik.
He was a desciple of the Gaon Reb Dudel Mirer and a close friend of the great Gaon Reb Yitzhak Elkhanan of blessed memory who had occupied the rabbinical bench in Kartoz-Berze. Before that he also served as a Rabbi in a town near Grodno. They treated him with much respect everywhere he was.
The city Christians were kind and respectful to him, and sometimes they used to come to him for advice on private matters and greatly respected his opinion.
Many legends evolved around his personality. Jews and Christians said that he performed great miracles and deeds for instance, he bestowed a blessing on the town that a fire should never break there; and if, god forbid, a fire did break, that only one house will burn. And surely- his words came true; if a fire happens- only one house is hurt. One city Christian told: Reb Yoseleh went for a walk once and he, the Christian, was lucky that the Rabbi rested on a bench by his home. The bench leaned on a fruit tree and since that day the tree gives plenty of fruit.
All the stories about Reb Yoseleh demonstrate that he was much loved by people and that they had a great faith in his blessings.
Economically his rabbinical days in Zabludow were hard and bad. He did not receive a salary to meet his needs and he lived in great poverty. In addition opposition rose against him and people accused him of wrong doings. They aggressively fought against him and caused him much sorrow. Without the help of a wealthy man Reb Hirschel Heffner he would probably have starved. Those who harassed him were punished. They saw no pleasure from their children, who brought much sorrow to them. They also died before time.
In his last years he was struck by poor health and he was so weak that he was unable to perform rabbinical duties. The town's leaders asked him if he agreed for a replacement to be brought. Without much desire he agreed. They then brought the Rabbi from Vistnitz, the Gaon Reb Elkhanan Tzvi Lef. The town made a big reception for him. The Gaon, Reb Yitzhak Elkhanan of Kovno was very angry at the people of the congregation and wrote them a strong letter of protest saying "Yoseph is still living".
Reb Elkhanan Tzvi Lep served a very short time when he suddenly became ill and the weak Reb Yoseleh gave the lamentation.
The grave of Reb Yoseleh The grave of Reb Elkhanan Tzvi Lep Back to table of Contents Web: 2003 Tilford Bartman
