Day of Hilula
Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev
כ״ה בתשרי
Berditchev, Russian Empire (present-day Ukraine)
In Jewish tradition, the day of a tzadik's passing — the 'Hilula' — is not a day of mourning, but a day of spiritual elevation and awakening. According to the teachings of Kabbalah, on this day the soul of the tzadik ascends to a higher realm, and their light and merits shine upon the world. Many Jews mark the day through Torah study, reciting Tehillim, lighting a memorial candle, and good deeds for the elevation of the soul — to connect with the tzadik's path and qualities.
His Life and Legacy
Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev ranks among the greatest figures of Hasidism and is one of its most celebrated rebbes. His book Kedushat Levi became a foundational text of Hasidism and continues to be reprinted and studied to this day. His image as "the Advocate of Israel" became a universal symbol of love for the Jewish people, teaching generation after generation the importance of finding the good in every Jew. His community in Berditchev became a major Hasidic center, and his disciples carried forward his path and spread his legacy. His gravesite in Berditchev remains a place of pilgrimage to this day.
"Master of the Universe, how greatly You love Israel."