Hai Av - The 5th of Av
Yartzeit of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria Ashkenazi
Ari Hakadosh
5294-5332 - 1534-1572
The liveliest day in the cemetery of Tzfat is without a doubt, Hai
Av the 5th day of the month of Menachem Av, the Yahrtzeit of Rabeinu Ari
Hakodesh who is buried in Tzfat. (may his zhcut protect us). And if ten years
ago, hundreds of people would travel up to Tzfat, today thousands of people
bombard the gravesite on this day.
The Yahrtzeit of a Tzadik is a special occasion to pray on his burial
site. Tzadikim after their death are greater than when they were alive. Kabbalah
defines a Tzadik’s Yahrtzeit as a time of celebration, as his soul soars higher
and his lifetime’s achievements resonate more strongly through the world. The
Saintly Ari said that every day, on the Yahrtzeit of the tzadik, his soul
reaches a higher level. Therefore, it is very good to visit the grave on the
Yahrtzeit day. Talmudic lore calls wicked people dead while they are still
alive, and deems the righteous alive, even after their deaths. Jewish mysticism
adds that a Tzadik’s impact on the world increases after his passing.
For generations visitors come to the Ari Hakadosh to pray for their
Neshamot and for their material needs. May it be for health, shidduch, children,
Shalom Beyet or for any need. People stream from all over. They come to pray,
they come to cry and they come to be joyous. Death is only relevant to the body
since the soul is eternal, especially the soul of a. Death is not a cessation,
but rather the ascent to a higher level. Therefore he is not dead, as it is
written in the Zohar.
Our prayer is that the merit of the tzadikim will protect us so that we
will merit the coming of the redeemer and the building of our Holy Temple with
mercy and compassion.
Prayers
Tzidkat Rashbi can have you’re prayers recited on at the
grave on the yahrtzeit Hai Av by a group of Rabbis and your Prayer – Kvitel
placed on the tomb of the Ari Hakadosh. "Tzidkat Rashbi" offers this special
service for free to people who are not in Tsfat but wish to pray and place a
Kvitel by the holy Ari on his yahrtzeit.
Tikun
Neshamot
The Ari Ha'Kadosh was famuus for Tikun Neshamot. Rabbi
Chaim Vital, in Sha’ar HaGilgulim quotes his teacher the Ari z”l who said
that many of the people around them were the same people they had contact
with in previous lifetimes. Their neshamot came from similar roots and were trying to assist each other in attaining tikkun. Tzidkat Rashbi will conduct a special feast and tikun neshamot prayer on Hai Av, the day of the Yahrtzeit.
Special “Tinokot Shel Beit Raban” Prayer
A prayer from the mouths of
children who have never tasted sin. Children of Tzidkat Rashbi Girls School and
boys from the Tzidkat Rashbi Cheder will recite a special prayer at the tomb of
the Ari Hakadosh on the day of the Yahrtzeit for donors who contribute $100 or
more towards the school. Both schools are only a stone throw from the Kever of
the Ari.
Hospitality
Tzidkat Rashbi distributes drinks and refreshments
to the thousands that stream to the Ari Hakadosh in Tzfat on his yahrtzeit on
Hai Av at no charge.
There is great merit in making a contribution and helping to support the prayer service, making it available for others and to support Tzidkat Rashbi Hachnasat Orchim on Hai - Av.
