(Courtesy of the Biale Rebbe) More than a year has passed since the Biale Rebbe of Bnei Brak last visited New Jersey, yet hundreds are excitedly anticipating the return of their revered Rebbe. Although the Rebbe has been visiting annually for some years now, every year the sensation repeats itself. Every year when the Rebbe arrives at the house where he stays, the place becomes a public source of attraction as hundreds of people of various types and stripes gather. The street becomes a hive of activity as lawyers, doctors, lay leaders, rabbis, educators, ranging from hasidic to Modern Orthodox, mingle as they flock to the Rebbe’s house. From early morning until the wee hours of the night the streets resound with miraculous tales of unnatural miracles seen and experienced firsthand as a result of the Rebbe’s blessing.
The power of the Rebbe’s blessing is well known in central Manhattan. Many residents have their own unbelievable stories to share. Two years ago, the Rebbe received the public in the home of a well-known businessman who was close to reaching his 40th birthday, a bachelor. Prior to bidding him farewell, the host brought the Rebbe a bottle of whisky, wishing to drink l’chaim with the Rebbe. The Rebbe returned the bottle, saying, “Save this whisky for next year. Next year when I return, we will drink l’chaim together with your wife!” Needless to say, 11 months later their wedding was held, and when the Rebbe paid a visit to Manhattan, the young man came accompanied by his wife.
However, this story has a sequel to it. As he was pouring the Rebbe a glass to drink, the Rebbe said, “Save the bottle for next year, when we will drink l’chaim to the birth of your son.” Barely a year has passed and next week the couple will come to drink l’chaim with the Rebbe accompanied by their firstborn son.
Twenty-two years ago, the Rebbe was barely in his early 30s when the yoke of leadership of Biale chassidus Bnei Brak was thrust upon him. His greatness and guidance reached far beyond the borders of Bnei Brak as the Rebbe chose to draw his brethren from all over the world close to him by encouraging and helping them. The Rebbe is leader and mentor of a most respectable chassidus, which is centrally based in Bnei Brak and has branches in Jerusalem, Beitar Illit, Ashdod, Beit Shemesh and Modiin Ilit. This has added a new/old hue to the leadership of Biale chassidus. Every day hundreds of people from varying backgrounds, Sephardim and Ashkenazim alike, ultra-Orthodox and those who have only just donned a kippa, from Cholon to Bat Yam, Beer Sheva to Eilat, all stream to one address. The Rebbe opened his door and his heart to the whole of klal Yisrael, welcoming them with his compassionate heart and warm smile. People enter his room carrying a heavy load of troubles and worries; however, when they leave they are lighthearted and hopeful.
Biale chassidus’ holy lineage stems from a holy sage named Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok from Peshischa. This revered tzaddik lived some 200 years ago and was known to all as the “holy Jew,” the Yid Hakadosh from Peshischa. He was a disciple of the holy Chozeh of Lublin who was a direct fourth-generation descendent of the holy Baal Shem Tov. The Yid Hakadosh was the greatest of Polish rabbis, rabbi to the leaders of Gur, Kotzk, Alexander and other great luminaries. Generations of tzaddikim in succession continued the tradition of the Yid Hakadosh. This chain was continued from father to son until the flame was kindled in our generation by the holy tzaddik and Rebbe, Reb Yechiel Yehoshua from Biale, may his holy memory be blessed. He was the grandfather of our revered Rebbe, a direct descendent of five generations to the Yid Hakadosh.
The Rebbe’s institutions are famous throughout Israel. The center is based in Bnei Brak, and there are branches all over the country. However, his favorite project is the welfare of “his” orphans. The Rebbe is father to 15 biological children and countless grandchildren. However, hundreds of children throughout the world call him father. Among the many institutions that are under his auspices is the yeshiva govoha called Mishkan Shimon Biale, which is situated in Beitar Illit. Batei midrash and kollels for young men are spread out in Bnei Brak, Jerusalem, Beitar Illit, Modiin Ilit, Ashdod and Beit Shemesh. However, the institution for widows and orphans is under the Rebbe’s direct administration. This fund supports the widows and orphans studying in the Rebbe’s institutions. The desolate orphans receive everything they need of the best quality and quantity. This includes clothing, shoes, scholarship, dorm service and of course pocket money. All this is nothing compared to the personal attention the Rebbe bestows upon them. As far as the Rebbe is concerned they are his fully adopted children. His house is their house; their worries become his own. The Rebbe inquires about their studies and makes sure they have personal tutors. Case in point: The Rebbe, who had just returned from a trip to the USA one Erev Pesach, told his driver to take him to visit his orphans directly from the airport. His own family and children can wait; his orphans come first. Upon his arrival, the Rebbe gave each orphan gifts and pocket money enough for everything they needed for Yom Tov. Only then did he make his way home to his family and Yom Tov preparations.
For many years, the special institution in which the Rebbe’s “children” resided is an old building in the town of Beitar Illit, which is close to Jerusalem. The building lies in close proximity to the borderline and directly faces the Arab town Hussan. The Arab inhabitants have a daily view of a Jewish Torah town developing right in front of their hate-filled eyes. The town is part of the “occupied territories.” The building is old and dilapidated. In the winter the rain leaks in, and in the summer it is more of a furnace. This year the Rebbe reached a decision: NO MORE! “My wonderful children” deserve better! In recent months a new campus has begun to be built on Kedushas Levi St. in the heart of Beitar Illit. The campus will include spacious classrooms, computer and game rooms, a fully equipped dormitory and a modern kitchen for the welfare of the students for whom the building is home.
In addition to the above, a huge chesed center is being built on Daf Hayomi St. The Rebbe is renowned for his acts of chesed. He is the first address that needy widows and orphans turn to. Truckloads containing everything possible are sent on every erev chag to provide the needy with everything they need for Yom Tov. Clothing, shoes, fish, meat, chicken, goodies, and last but not least, a hefty check to lighten their sorrow-filled hearts. Very often the Rebbe takes part in weddings where he acts as the “father” on both sides.
Caring for widows and orphans before the Passover holidays is standard procedure for the Rebbe. However, this year, with the outbreak of COVID-19, the Rebbe added more families experiencing financial stress. Despite the economic crisis and the financial difficulties his institutions in Israel are currently experiencing, the Rebbe gave strict instructions to take special care of each of the many families in distress who the Rebbe takes care of every year. Despite the logistic hardships the situation has created, each of the families received a complete delivery containing all of their holiday needs, including meat, chicken, fish, goodies and of course gift certificates to buy clothing, shoes and even toys; after all, who will take care of these poor orphans if not for the Rebbe of Biale?! As the crisis in Israel increases, the Rebbe continues to distribute vouchers even though Passover is long gone. The Rebbe also continues to keep track of all their spiritual and material needs.
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As day turns to dusk in New York, the phones in Israel become alive! Now it is the Jews of Israel’s turn. They call non-stop, asking the Rebbe for blessings and advice. It is the Yidden in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and New Jersey who are calling. It makes no difference—they are all his children. Hundreds of emails are sent to the Rebbe’s office daily, and the Rebbe devotes precious hours to answer them personally. He carries these requests with him and remembers them in his daily prayers. The burden becomes his own. He is with them in their sorrow and delights in their happiness. Seven gabbaim are employed throughout the day to provide immediate response to the thousands calling the Rebbe. How happy are the gabbaim when they can inform the Rebbe of another baby born, a couple engaged, or yet another miraculous turn of events!
Among his other vast talents is the Rebbe’s deep understanding in matters of education. Parents worldwide call him for advice in education dilemmas. Very often the Rebbe’s advice leaves the parents in surprise. Yet it is this very unique approach that eventually brings about a positive change to the entire family. Homes that were full of strife and angst are now happy, warm nests. So too, many issues of marital distress were solved by applying the Rebbe’s insightful advice. Restoring peace at home is high on the Rebbe’s list of priorities. Many hopeless couples who were already applying for divorce had a miraculous turnaround, enabling the holy shechinah to dwell in yet another Jewish home.
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A couple enters the Rebbe’s chambers. The Rebbe looks at the kvittel and tells the husband, “You have to honor your wife! If you respect your wife your problems will be solved.” The woman bursts out crying. This is the first time they met the Rebbe, and he is aware of everything going on between the couple. The Rebbe is unconcerned about the tens of people waiting outside, and patiently expounds on the importance of domestic peace. The Rebbe gives them detailed instructions on how to bring their hearts closer. The Rebbe tells them that the key to happiness and success as well as nachas from their children lies in the respect shown between the parents. And so, another couple exits with happy smiles on their faces. After a while the Rebbe’s secretary receives a note from the wife that says: “The Rebbe saved our marriage!!!”
Now the residents of New Jersey can merit to see the Rebbe again. During his yearly visit, the community will be hosting the Rebbe in its midst, and the Rebbe will be seeing individuals from Thursday, December 31, till Monday, January 4, at the residence of Rabbi Mark and Mrs. Joy Berman, 95 Huguenot Ave, Englewood, and from Monday, January 4, at the residence of Mr. and Dr. Sahba and Faranak Azar, 286 Ogden Ave, Teaneck.
The Rebbe will conduct an amazing oneg Shabbos tish Friday night. The great Shabbos will take place on Parshas Vayechi on January 1 at the Berman residence at 8:30 p.m.
The most special part of the tish is during the famous Kiddush the Rebbe performs. It is well known that the Rebbe’s Kiddush is capable of bringing about great miracles. The emotive singing and dancing at the Rebbe’s tishin elevate its participants to a standard of me’ein olam habah. This will follow with an abundance of divrei Torah and hashkafah.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all gatherings and meetings will be held according to health department guidelines.
If you have not yet had the merit of meeting the Rebbe and would like to book an appointment for a personal consultation for a blessing or advice, call the Rebbe’s private secretary (English speaking), at 917-272-40-45, or email [email protected].
