by Rabbi Moshe P. Weisblum, Ph.D.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are that of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Union for Traditional Judaism, unless otherwise indicated.
This week, we started the month of Nissan. This means that Pesach will be here very soon. There is a well-known tradition that every firstborn son should fast the day before Passover. The reason is to commemorate God’s extreme punishment of the Egyptians with the tenth plague, His ultimate punishment, the slaying of the firstborn Egyptian sons. Every Hebrew family that followed God’s instruction to mark their doorpost with lamb’s blood was spared.
In commemoration of the tenth plague, we follow the custom of requiring every firstborn male to fast the day before Pesach. Because Erev Pesach requires a lot of special preparations, it may be very hard to fast at that time. Therefore, the Sages created a substitute custom, which is called a Siyum. This means that instead of fasting, one may substitute the completion (Siyum) of studying a portion of Talmud, or at the very least, one may participate with a study group that completes a Talmudic tractate on that day. Right after the Siyum, at the conclusion of the study period, we have a special meal in honor of the completion of the tractate, and firstborn males are permitted to participate, in celebration of the Siyum.
I would like to share with you a story, one that I witnessed twelve years ago. It occurred on the eve of Passover when I was called to be the tenth man for a Siyum in the home of one of the oldest rabbis in Israel. His name is Rabbi Dov Be’er Eliezerov, who, now in his upper 90’s, is known to be a tremendously pious man. He studies day and night. His appearance is still vivid to me. He had a long white beard, a Chassidic hat and long black coat, and a face that looked like the great Rembrandt portrait of the sage and righteous.
It was a tremendous honor and a special occasion for me to sit with such a great man to partake in his Siyum the night before Passover. It was 2 AM and we were studying, when suddenly from outside a knock and moan were heard at Rabbi Eliezerov’s front door. A friend of mine, Rabbi Glick, opened the door and to his surprise found a large dog sitting there. He closed the door and returned to the table. Moments later, moaning and banging were heard again. Again, Rabbi Glick opened the door and saw the dog. He chuckled, closed the door and returned to the table. Seconds later, we heard the same intense moaning and banging. This time, I went to the door and saw the dog. He had a very strange and woebegone expression. I decided to leave the door open and upon returning to the table, explained to the old Rabbi what had happened.
The old Rabbi ordered that the dog should be allowed to enter the room, and the dog eagerly walked in. The dog immediately focused on Rabbi Eliezerov and sat near him, licking his shoes and rubbing his head against his legs, crying at the same time. The Rabbi took careful note of the dog and finished the Siyum. He then summoned each member of the group to rise. We didn’t understand the reason for this, and thought the whole scene was somewhat weird. In a serious tone, Rabbi Eliezerov ordered the group to say, “I forgive you” (in Hebrew ‘salachti’) to the dog. In disbelief, but out of great respect for the Rabbi everyone complied. When the group finished, the Rabbi told the dog, “Go in Peace and Rest in Peace.” Having heard those words, the dog picked itself up, left the room and was not heard from again. After the Siyum, upon leaving the Rabbi’s house, we discovered the dog lying dead outside the building near the steps.
This happened on the Eve of Passover. I feel that this story illustrates what our sages have told us – that the soul given to each person comes directly from God. Sometimes a soul can migrate into an animal to fulfill its mission in this world. We never know where a soul may be found. Judaism teaches us that because our concept of the total world is sometimes limited and incomplete we should never pass final judgment on anyone. The sages emphasize that we should be circumspect and deliberate in all of our judgments. In the case of the dog, a soul was undoubtedly returned to receive final forgiveness from one of the greatest, most righteous men of our time. Spirituality is all around us. We must only look carefully to see it everywhere.
I wish you a kosher and a freilech Pesach.
Shabbat Shalom!
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Born in Sde Ya’akov, Israel, Rabbi Moshe Pinchas Weisblum, PhD is a 14th generation rabbi in his family's dynasty of rabbinical leaders. His great grandfather was the famous Tzadik Rabbi Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk, Poland, one of the great founding Rebbes of the Chasidic movement and author of the brilliant book of commentary on the Torah: Noam Elimelech. His grandfather (from his father's side) was the well known Zidichov Rebbe - Rabbi Ya’akov Yitzchak Weisblum. He is the son of renowned scholar, former Rosh Yeshiva of Sde Ya’akov and the Rabbi of Neve Sha'anan neighborhood in Haifa for over 50 years - Rabbi Chaim Naftali Weisblum, and the grandson (from his mother's side) of the famous Kabbalistic master and author, Rabbi Yehuda Zvi Brandwein.
Rabbi Moshe P. Weisblum studied at Yeshivat Torat Emet, Haifa, from 1968 to 1976, at Yeshivat Itri from 1976 to 1978, and was a student at Yeshivat Ohr Etzion from 1978 to 1980.
In early 1981, he volunteered for the elite paratrooper unit in the Israeli Defense Forces. He completed extensive courses and received a medal and commendation at the end of the Israeli-Lebanese War. He finished his military career as a commissioned officer in the army with the rank of Major.
Rabbi Weisblum earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey, and earned a PhD in Philosophy from Baltimore Hebrew University. He also had an aptitude for computer skills, in networking, earning an A+ certification. Further, he was awarded the Sidney Breitbart Prize in Jewish philosophy from Baltimore Hebrew University in 2005.
Rabbi Weisblum was also a consultant to the media, since 1991.He was on a TV interview, channel 12-talk show, cable TV channel 54 –commentator on social and political issues. He was interviewed on the radio many times, regarding political and religious analysis and consulted on Middle Eastern affairs to Washington D.C.
He is a member of the New York Board of Rabbis, New Jersey Board of Rabbis, Union of Traditional Judaism, and Morasha Rabbinic fellowship.
Rabbi Weisblum has published a number of books including "Table Talk Biblical Questions and Answers" and "Ruth Talk", which is loaded with questions and answers on the Book of Ruth. In 2007, his book "The Hermeneutics of Medieval Jewish Thoughts Understanding the Linguistic Codes of Rashi and Nachmanides" was published by the Edwin Mellen Press. A review of this book can be found on the Mellen Press Web site.
Rabbi Weisblum is an accomplished musician as well. His album Heartfelt Melodies is available on Amazon and his popular YouTube channel features close to 3000 videos including Daf Yomi, Torah and Haftarah cantillation, lectures, music videos, and more.
Rabbi Weisblum is blessed with five children and eleven grandchildren and serves as a spiritual leader, lecturer and University Professor.