KUPAT HAIR
THE TZEDAKAH OF THE GEDOLEI HADOR IN ERETZ YISROEL
Maran H daveni agaon Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a, l ng for he Kose t t the cont a r i ’ a ributors to Kupat H
Maran Hagaon Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a,
"נﬨינת צﬢקה במגביﬨ שבוﬠוﬨ "חﬣ בתורההצ הקופת הﬠיר סגו “Contributing to Kupat Hai’r’s Shavuos fundraiser is a segulah for success in Torah study.”
Kupat Ha’ir continues to receive countless responses to the four letters publicized in the previous brochure. It’s incredible how varied the responses are… “Amazing,” people say. “It’s amazing how the various gedolim all gave the same response… that they all decided – each for his own reasons – that Kupat Ha’ir was the most appropriate organization to distribute the huge donation to the poor.” “But what really went on there?” many people probe. “Were the letters really sent spontaneously? Weren’t the responses crafted in advance?” “Chas veshalom,” others reply. “If it were possible to dictate to a gadol hador what he ought to write, he wouldn’t be a gadol hador – he’d be a spineless puppet. If that’s the way you think of the gedolei hador, I have nothing to discuss with you!” People keep rehashing the issue, talking about it, wondering aloud, marveling. Four letters and one identical response – it was too astounding to be forgotten about within a short while. If we thought the matter would cease to be of interest within a week or two, we were mistaken. “It’s hard to understand,” people say, shrugging their shoulders. “We don’t question the gedolim’s opinions, chas veshalom, but why didn’t they instruct the letter writer to divide the sum among the various tzedaka organizations, or at least the largest and most prominent ones? What justification is there in giving all the money to the needy people of one organization?” “What did you expect?” others say, genuinely surprised by the question. “Anyone who follows the gedolim’s activities ought to have been able to predict such an outcome. The handwriting appeared on the wall a long time ago already. The gedolei hador have long been telling anyone who asks them to where to contribute tzedaka money to give it to Kupat Ha’ir. The letters simply made public what has been going on “underground” for ages. There’s really nothing new and surprising about the four letters!”
Personal Testimony Hagaon Harav Meir Waltner, shlit”a, Rosh Kollel Ohr Yechiel in Yerushalayim, relates that he once came to Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a. While waiting behind a half-closed door, he clearly heard the voices from within the room. Someone asked Harav Kanievsky what to do with a sum of money he had obtained for tzedaka purposes. Harav Kanievsky immediately replied that he should forward the money to Kupat Ha’ir. “I don’t know who the man was,” Harav Waltner says, “but Harav Chaim’s response came so quickly, so easily… as if the man had asked a question to which the answer was perfectly obvious. As if there was no alternative to even consider. Perhaps there really isn’t! For details: Hagaon Harav Meir Waltner
02-6415436 Shortly before Purim last year, a group of some fifty Jews from America visited Eretz Yisrael. Of course, one of the highlights on their list of activities was a visit to Maran Harav Kanievsky, shlit”a. Each of them requested a bracha and wanted to give a pidyon. Harav Kanievsky refused to accept the money. “But I’ve already promised the money to tzedaka,” said the first man in line, sounding distressed. What would he do with the money? “Ah, you promised it to tzedaka? So give it to Kupat Ha’ir!” Harav Kanievsky said with great simplicity. One after the other, all fifty men stepped forward to receive a bracha. Each of them took out a sum of money for tzedaka and each received the same reply: Give it to Kupat Ha’ir. For details: Harav Efraim Glassman
1917-865-3035 (one of the group)
For their Eternal Benefit Hagaon Harav Eliyahu Mann, shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Ohr Yisrael and one who is very close to Hrav Kanievsky, forwarded a question he had received by fax. Someone had received a considerable sum of money from which he had to give ma’aser. He wanted to know whom to give the money to. On the sheet bearing the question,
I am familiar with the large institution where everyone works l’shem Shamayim to help families and extricate them from the poverty from which they suffer and that is the institution named Kupat Ha’ir of Bnei Brak.
Michel Yehuda Lefkovitz , to ask Maran I would like a gabbai shlit”a: I am s abroad. live tzedaka who of a sum I have received ard to an money to forw distributes t institution tha r. I would poo the to funds the money like to forwardorganization to a tzedaka endorsed supported and t”a. I ask shli by Maran, ond to my that Maran resp t I may know question so tha do. what to Respectfully,
Among the institutions that can be trusted is Kupat Ha’ir of Bnei Brak, which is run honestly and on a volunteer basis
Aharon Leib Steinman
A. F.
Harav Kanievsky wrote: “to Kupat Ha’ir of Bnei Brak.” For details: Hagaon Harav Eliyahu Mann
03-6771717
Greetings with love. I received your esteemed letter about the large-scale mitzvah of tzedaka of which you are in charge. Since I am close to Kupat Ha’ir, the famous tzedaka [organization] of Bnei Brak, I can confirm that it is entirely a mitzva leshma with no faults at all, and fortunate is he who contributes to it. Signed, awaiting Hashem’s salvation Shmuel Halevi Wosner
Here we accept contributions on behalf of Kupat Ha’ir.
Hagaon Harav Moshe Smutney, who serves as Harav Kanievsky’s meshamesh relates: “Last Friday, a yid entered Harav Kanievsky’s home Kupat Ha’ir Bnei Brak. with a bulky envelope in hand. He placed the (Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kaniesky, shlit”a) envelope on the table, noted how much money it contained, and asked Harav Kanievsky to forward it to tzedaka. Harav Kanievsky smiled and said emphatically, “Here we accept contributions on behalf of Kupat Ha’ir.” So simple! Here we accept contributions on behalf of Kupat Ha’ir. Who are we to add to that? Who are we to explain why? Now the questions have dissipated of their own accord. The gedolei hador know that if people ask their opinion; if yidden want the name of an organization they can recommend - we have the answer!
A distinguished avreich from Kollel Ponevizh received $5000 from a relative in the United States with the request that he give the money to tzedaka in her merit, as she was to undergo surgery. Unsure where to give the money, he asked Harav Kanievsky what would be best for his relative. He, too, received the same response, and the money was given to Kupat Ha’ir.
True, there are many good yidden who practice tzedakah and chessed – but the gedolei hador cannot award a hechsher to everyone… In order to grant an official seal of kashrus, you’ve got to know everything about the way an enterprise works. You need to be absolutely certain that every single action carried out – no exceptions - is in accordance with the rules created at the outset. You have to know that there are no deviations, no holes.
For details: Hagaon Harav S. Levy
The gedolei hador have already testified – on more than one occasion – that Kupat Ha’ir does not deviate ever so slightly from their instructions and that everything is carried out with absolute integrity al pi da’as Torah.
054-5319318
Kupat Ha’ir continues to be deserving of this trust.
These stories are just a sampling of the dozens of stories that flowed into Kupat Ha’ir’s offices as a result of the publication of the gedolim’s letters.
Maran Hagaon Harav Kanievsky, shlit”a, considers Kupat Ha’ir the special organization. He is willing, for it’s sake, to invest far more than one would expect.
What came as a surprise, however, was that Kupat Ha’ir was not merely Harav Chaim Kanievsky’s “default setting,” but much more.
Though Harav Chaim’s willingness to daven for contributors even during intensely personal, private, spiritual times is well known to all, it never ceases to amaze us.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS TO THE OFFICES OF KUPAT HA’IR (as featured in our Chanukah 5766 issue)
Maran Hagaon Aharon Leib Steinman, shlit”a
Maran Hagaon Michel Yehuda Le Along with the other three Gedolei Hador, Maran Hagaon Harav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, shlit”a, honored Kupat Ha’ir with a visit to the offices. Although he felt very unwell that day, he didn’t want to postpone his visit. He entered the Kupat Ha’ir offices through the main room and stopped short - thunderstruck – opposite the “Fund Wall.” Plastered on the wall opposite the telephone operators are the flyers of all the funds spearheaded by Kupat Ha’ir. (This helps eliminate mistakes.) Every flyer and its story; every flyer and its bitter cry. Harav Lefkowitz stood rooted to the spot next to the wall, his eyes streaming with tears.“I didn’t know there were so many tragedies,” he said with heartrending pathos. Harav Lefkowitz then sat down at the computer and made inquiries about each branch of Kupat Ha’ir. He spent quite some time analyzing the “Income/Expense Sheet” and lingered over the huge binder containing these monthly reports, filled out by every family that requests assistance. He scanned every page and checked to see whether the balance seemed logical, that there were no unnecessary expenditures. He expressed his satisfaction upon hearing that Kupat Ha’ir has someone inspect every report extensively, marking a note of his questions, if such arise, for the rabbanim to review. “If only every household was run according to this sheet,” Harav Lefkowitz said, looking at the form admiringly.
Thirteen Souls Maran Hagaon Shmuel Wosner, Shlit”a
Maran Hagaon Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a
Harav Lefkowitz then reviewed the House Visit reports. The reports, written by a social worker who volunteers her services on behalf of Kupat Ha’ir, contains every imaginable detail regarding the household as she sees it. The report details the questions she asked the parents and the answers she received. (Not always can she directly ask questions such as: Do you allow your children to fritter money away? Do they take money without your express permission? The answers to these questions, which are crucial with regard to the type of aid the family should receive, are obtained by inquiring other questions, such as where the children attend school, for example.) The social worker also describes the appearance of the house, how neat and clean it is (neglect is often the result of illness, depression, or low mental level) ad her impression of the children and the suffering they are experiencing. Harav Lefkowitz read the reports and the pain he felt was practically tangible. The rabbanim of Kupat Ha’ir asked Harav Lefkowitz some questions that were on the agenda that day. A family of thirteen living in a tiny two-room apartment had asked for assistance in purchasing a slightly more spacious apartment. What should their response be? Harav Lefkowitz sighed. “People don’t know what they’re missing out on… It used to be that when a father studied Torah at home
a Lefkowitz, Shlit”a, on his historic visit to the Kupat Ha’ir offices containing the details of the families and could not contain his tears as he looked through it, wetting the pages with his tears. “How do you estimate how much money you need for each fund? Until what age do you provide for the children? How much is a family awarded for steady living expenses, and how much is set aside to marry off the children? What happens when there are emergency expenses?” The rabbanim and gabba’im answered the questions, their eyes damp as well. Harav Lefkowitz spoke at length about the difference between a family struggling to cope, in addition to its sorrow and loss, with the fruitless chase after a livelihood – and one that has had the financial burden removed from its shoulders so that the remaining parent’s energy can be invested in helping the children recover from the trauma they have suffered.
Yeshuos in Kupat Ha’ir in the evening, he did so near the children’s beds, because the apartments were small and every available inch was taken up with beds. The children fell asleep with the sound of their father’s Torah study in their ears… and they grew up to be talmidei chachamim in their own right…” The rabbanim nodded, but to their surprise, they had misread Harav Lefkowitz’s meaning. “Nowadays, a crowded apartment has a negative effect upon children, and the family should be assisted in moving. A suitable apartment is important for the family because it will preserve their emotional stability.” At the same time, Harav Lefkowitz spoke painfully about those who spend beyond their means on vacations. “Money should not be thrown away,” he said. “It should be given to those who need it, as much as they need…” Kupat Ha’ir adheres fervently to that principle, and Harav Lefkowitz mentioned that numerous times. “I hear many stories…” Harav Lefkowitz said. The admiration was evident in his voice as he noted the deep trust he feels for Kupat Ha’ir as a result of the many incidents he’s heard about directly from those involved. One such story involved a family in which a widow had no food for Shabbos by Friday afternoon. It was then that Kupat Ha’ir learned about her difficult situation. They immediately sent a check that arrived, miraculously, during those desperate erev Shabbos hours. Harav Lefkowitz heard this story from the “other side” – the receiving end… But he paid closest attention to the funds. He took the folder
“So many people have seen yeshuos in the merit of Kupat Ha’ir,” Harav Lefkowitz said, “that it’s clear Hashem approves of the way things are run here. I have personally heard from people who have contributed and merited yeshuos…” Over and over again, Harav Lefkowitz repeated that the fact that Kupat Ha’ir “seeks out the needy” and that they conduct such extensive verification before providing aid is what makes it such a “good messenger.” “People can make Kupat Ha’ir their messengers for the mitzva of tzedaka. Kupat ha’ir does not “throw money around” – that was very important to Harav Lefkowitz. They don’t make any decisions on their own – they consult da’as Torah regarding virtually every detail. Harav Lefkowitz spoke of his personal acquaintance with people who receive assistance in a respectable fashion. Some people don’t even know that they are receiving assistance… It was hard to hear him. He spoke in a low voice, almost a whisper – but the content was powerful and unequivocal: he was familiar with Kupat H’ir inside and out, from the side of the rabbanim who ask his advice, from the side of the contributing public and from the side of the needy recipients. He knows Kupat Ha’ir extremely well – and not from the stories… “We have merited a tzedaka organization that is a cornerstone,” Harav Lefkowitz said as he prepared to leave. His eyes were still filled with pain, but they now contained a certain glow as well. “It’s a place everyone turns to: the contributors seeking a trustworthy organization to make sure their tzedaka reaches the right people, and the recipients seeking assistance without humiliation.”
e s u o H s t i s i V
of the family; their ability to function properly; etc. She looks at the refrigerator (full or empty?), the pots (clean and shiny, or sticky and filthy?), and the beds (meticulously made with frayed and worn linens, or concealing expensive treasures?) – but there’s much more she must absorb as well. Among the furniture and the appliances there lives a family - a family suffering distress so acute it had no choice but to appeal for help. “We deal only with families whose situation can be described as ‘shocking’ or ‘catastrophic,’” says Mrs. N., unaware of how shocking her words are to the uninitiated. “Unfortunately, though, there are many families who fit those criteria.”
People are not angels. Everyone struggles with difficulties, and sometimes the difficulties loom so large that they threaten to bury the family beneath them. In many cases, a “side problem,” one that is engendered by a larger, more specific hardship, proves more difficult to deal with than the main tzara.
woman, to serve as a substitute mother. She cleaned heads(!!!) and changed linens, organized the cabinets and cooked meals. She saw to it that there were cleaning supplies in the closet and created a rotation system among the children so that the basic household chores would be done. She was warm and devoted and the children confided their problems in her. The mother, too, found a listening ear in her… the family’s situation improved immeasurably.
And then there was a lady who called, wailing hysterically. “There’s no food at home,” she sobbed over the phone. “My husband doesn’t give me any money. We have nothing to eat; we’re starving!” Kupat Ha’ir sent Mrs. N down. She found two huge refrigerators
brimming with appetizing gourmet dishes and delicious salads.
“She wasn’t lying,” Mrs.N. reported, not a trace of resentment in her voice. “The woman is suffering severe emotional distress.”
A child is hospitalized with a serious It is rare for people to try and extort
When a family requests assistance from
Kupat Ha’ir, a member of the staff – let’s call her Mrs. N. - is dispatched to visit the family at home in order to gain an impression of the situation. These visits, of course, are uncomfortable for both the family and Mrs. N. No one appreciates a breach of privacy, after all, and Mrs. N. certainly does not enjoy being the source of other people’s discomfort.
Hundreds
of small details are transmitted during the brief visit: some consciously, some subconsciously. Mrs. N. takes note of the atmosphere at home (calm or aggressive); the degree of cleanliness, or, alternately, neglect; the overall health of the various members
illness. His parents are with him the entire time, 24 hours a day. Sometimes one of them leaves to catch a few hours of rest in order to gather strength for the following day. Tragically, these parents have already lost a child to the same illness a few years back. The anguish of parents who have lost a child and are going through the same tragic experience a second time is unfathomable.
In
the meantime, the home is being destroyed. No laundry, no cooking, no PTA meetings. Nothing exists besides for the hospital and doctors and treatment.
The family submitted a request for help with taxi fare. The exhausted parents could not handle traveling back and forth to the hospital by bus (the trip involved three busses each way). A visit to their home revealed a picture that the parents, in their terrible distress, hadn’t even seen: they needed a lot more than taxis… Kupat Ha’ir sent a volunteer, a special
money. The public appreciates that Kupat Ha’ir money is ma’aser money contributed by families who themselves live frugally. The unfortunate woman was truly in distress. Mrs. N.’s visit revealed the true problem, and Kupat Ha’ir was able to help the proper way.
“People call up and beg to get another home visit,” says the secretary at Kupat Ha’ir, amazement evident in her voice. “You would think they would resent these home visits– it is a breach of privacy, after all – but they call and ask us to send Mrs. N. again! They sense that she helps them channel their ship (read: home) back on course. Her visit forces them to prepare, to pay attention to their bank accounts, to consider every expenditure – they sense an immediate improvement! Suddenly the money isn’t going to waste and they have enough to buy what they need. “In the overwhelming majority of cases, the family gains a lot from the visits. The situation is usually more serious that can
be conveyed by phone. Families that used to receive only monthly support, based on the income/expense report they filled out, will often receive more extensive aid after we see the situation with our own eyes. It’s not always pleasant to think of a stranger coming into your house and sticking her nose in your pots – but the aid received as a result makes it worthwhile.”
Siyata dishmaya There’s no alternative for the visit Kupat Ha’ir makes to people’s houses. It may be hard to believe that a woman can enter a house and absorb everything in one hour - and leave the family feeling respectable to boot. The reality is, however, that many families have been motivated to change their situation as a result of Kupat Ha’ir’s visit. Mrs. N. knows to ask the right questions in the most pleasant way possible, to avoid pressing on painful points and yet simultaneously to learn all the pertinent details. There is no tried and true formula for discovering that the family owns a car when they are resolved to withhold that information from us, or to notice that the calm and secure front the parents show is merely a façade concealing terrible family violence. The most important factor necessary for
the success of these visits is a hefty dose of sensitivity. When accompanied by a strong sense of mission and the years of experience accrued by Kupat Ha’ir, the odds for success are strong. Kupat Ha’ir, however, constantly bears in mind that the home visits are merely a form of hishtadlus. Siyata dishmaya is the true secret of the success behind these visits.
Mrs. N. is not a resident of Bnei Brak, so there’s no chance the people whose homes she visits will meet her on line at
PTA or in the grocery. As an “outsider,” it’s easier for families to open up to her. In any case – the families’ requests for repeat visits prove what these visits do for them, and what they don’t!
Every case is examined in depth. “We’re
really needy,” a woman said tearfully over he phone. “But you won’t believe us…our monthly income
family lives very frugally and takes great care with where and how they spend their money, but you can’t expect a family with two sick children and one hyperactive one to divide their shopping list among three supermarkets in order to save money. They simply can’t handle it!”
Of course, we keep tabs on the situation to see if the families are coping with the new arrangements we make and how they affect the household. As a general rule, people that are determined to help themselves manage to extricate themselves from poverty surprisingly quickly. The most important factor is siyata dishmaya, and after that, a sense of determination, a willingness to adopt new rules, and strong faith in the rightness of doing so.
ביקור בית דו"ח
In most cases, the house visits confirm the reports Kupat Ha’ir has received regarding a family’s situation. Sometimes, though, question marks remain, question marks that must be solved through diligent work and intensive efforts.
exceeds ten thousand shekels.” A glance at the page of their expenses solved the enigma: the family has medical expenses in excess of NIS 8,000 per month. No wonder they don’t have what to live on.. “There are no rules. Each family is an entire world, and not everything depends on a family’s income. Kupat Ha’ir does not employ concepts such as ‘per capita income’ or ‘per capita allotment’.” Sometimes a family’s income is impressive, but the expenses are even more so. In some cases, the budget can be balanced if the
“Kudos to Kupat Ha’ir for verifying like this,” people tell Mrs. N. at the end of a visit. “You refuse to throw money around… that’s good; it’s one hundred percent right.” The information gleaned from the various forms of verification, including the house visit, is transmitted to the rabbanim. It is they who decide upon the best way to help the family. The decision takes into account not only the immediate situation but the implications of the hardship the family is likely to suffer in the future. In other words, a solution is sought that will enable the family to extricate itself from the thorny net in which it finds itself as quickly as possible.
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...everything is carried out with integrity no one earns a profit
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אביו
של רבי
חיים
פאל
אג'י זיע"א
a ”r, zy e h t a sf ’laji a F aim Harav Ch
ערב שבועות
Erev Shavuos
יפריש צ"א פרוטות וישלים עד שיעור ב' פעמים ב"ן,
One should set aside 91 perutos and then add more perutos until he reaches the numerical equivalent of twice ”the word “ben
ויתנם לתלמיד חכם עני ועניו, והוא תיקון אדם הראשון ועוון העגל ולפגם הברית
והוא סגולה לחשוכי בנים ומקרב הגאולה
זכור לטוב הגביר וכו' שהיה מחלק סך רב לכל הת"ח וצנועים בערב חג שבועות בשמחה ובטוב לבב ,גם לשאר בשרי וכו'.
ÔΠ‡¯È Ì‰Ó˘ È„Î Ì˙ÂÓ˘ È˙¯Îʉ ÂÓ˜ӷ ˘È‡ ˘È‡ ¢ÚÈ וכבר כתבתי בזה בספרי הקטן "תוכחת חיים" מענין חיוב להחזיק לומדי תורה בעצרת טפי משאר מועדים הגר"ח פאלאג"י בספרו מועד לכל חי
52+52=104 And give them to a needy, humble talmid chacham...
It is a segulah for childless couples and draws the Redemption closer.
Maranan Verabanan, shlit”a, Support Kupat Ha’ir’s
For zera shel kayama Over the past few years, Kupat Ha’ir has been publicizing the segulah for zera shel kayama of
Hagaon Harav Chaim Falaji, zy”a a great mekubal who lived more than 200 years ago. Throughout this period, Kupat Ha’ir has received hundreds of letters recounting open miracles that came about as the result of this segulah. With Hashem’s help, hundreds of couples have merited a yeshua and been blessed with a child.
Ah Mara arav t”a: aro n Leni Hagaon Hn, shli b Steinma
“While it is true that the tefila is the main thing, this segulah, received from Hagaon Harav Chaim Falaji, shlit”a, certainly adds a lot and it is suitable to publicize this.” Harav Steinman was then asked if contributing to Kupat Ha’ir, which distributes money to talmidei chachamim on erev Shavuos, is considered “giving a talmid chacham.” The Rosh Yeshiva replied: “Of course Kupat Ha’ir is the suitable address.” He mentioned a number of talmidei chachamim who receive aid from Kupat Ha’ir, whom he felt should be given the tzedakah on erev Shavuos. “Harav Falaji’s intention, when he said ‘needy and humble talmidei chachamim,’ was undoubtedly people like these. May Hashem Yisbarach help all those who need a yeshua and bless them with all their needs.”
Some people felt that the segulah should not be publicized. They argued that the segulah may have been intended only for the time and place in which Harav Falaji publicized it, and also that people should be encouraged to rely on tefila, rather than segulos. At a Kupat Ha’ir meeting, it was decided to present these questions to the gedolei hador, shlit”a, who guide Kupat Ha’ir every step of the way. Their response was unequivocal: the segulah should be publicized, and Kupat Ha’ir is the most suitable conduit through which to perform this segulah. Many people have already been helped this way, and with Hashem’s help, many more will be helped.
Following are the responses of the gedolim, shlit”a:
Mic Ma : hel ran Hagaon Haravhlit”a s Yehu da Lekowitz,
“We have no business with hidden matters and segulos, but Hagaon Harav Chaim Falaji does not need my support. Certainly, the body most capable of performing this segulah is Kupat Ha’ir, which is the “hand” of the gedolei hador to sustain the needy, including hundreds of talmidei chachamim.
From the wor d Maran Haravs of Chaim Kanie vsky, shlit”a:
ChMaran Hagaon Harav”a: aim K anievsky, shlit
Certainly, contri bu cause such as K ting tzedaka to a worthy upat Ha’ir is a proper form of hishtadlus, w hi both individuals ch effects many yeshuos to an many such exampl d the general public. We see es course, the intent in Tanach and Chazal. Of ion is not that w hoever gives tzedaka will certai nl are certain other fa y be helped; sometimes, there ct T he intention of ors that hold back a yeshua. the Tanasch and that the merit of C giving tzedakah to hazal is very powerful inde the poor is ed suitable and prop , and that this is a er form of hishta dlus. Hagaon Harav
“Of course it should be publicized. Hagaon Harav Chaim Falaji was a great tzaddik and a very great mekubal. May Hashem Yisbarach help that everyone who performs this segulah be blessed with zera shel kayama and in all matters.
In the name of Chaim Kanievs ky, Eliyahu Mann
Hagaon
Harav C haim Ka saw and nievsky, approve shlit”a, d this m assage.
“Kupat Ha’ir has a great zechus to be the one to publicize this,” Harav Kanievsky said. Many people who had read about the segulah in previous Kupat Ha’ir newsletters had called the Kupat Ha’ir offices to inquire as to the right way to perform the segulah. Harav Kasnievsky was told that many people contributed the sum of NIS 104, because the segulah was to give 104 perutos, and a shekel is the smallest unit of currency in Eretz Yisrael today. Harav Kanievsky was asked if this was the right way to do the segulah, or if the exact value of a perutah had to be calculated. “There’s no need to figure out shiur perutah,” Harav Kanievsky replied. Those who give NIS 104 are probably right. It surely is not a drawback to give more, and the most important part is the zechus of tzedakah.” When Harav Kanievsky was asked if one had to count 104 coins or if it was okay to write a check or contribute with a credit card for the aforementioned amount, he replied “It would seem that it can be done that way, too.”
The
C he
: lit”a h s rnobyl er Rebbe,
“It is a great mitzva to publicize a segulah from a famous tzaddik and mekubal from 200 years ago that will, be’ezras Hashem, help childless couples.” The Rebbe then added: “The recipients of Kupat Ha’ir are definitely talmidei chachamim. I personally know a number of talmidei chachamim who receive aid from Kupat Ha’ir, and they are definitely needy and humble Torah scholars. Kupat Ha’ir can be trusted to fulfill this mission in the best possible manner.” With regard to the details and way the segulah should be performed, the Rebbe said, “The matter should be verified with the great mekubalim and tzaddikim, shlit”a. Every wise man should act wisely. The main thing is that tzedaka should be plentiful, and we should merit great yeshuos.”
This story appeared in the Shavuos newsletter of 5763 Yeshuas Hashem K’heref Ayin On erev Shavuos, 5762, Reb Moshe, a Chassisdic young man from Bnei Brak, found himself looking at a poster from Kupat Ha’ir. The poster spoke directly to his heart: it bore an excerpt from the sefer of Harav Chaim Falaji, zy”a. This is what it said: “...he should set aside 91 perutos and then add perutos until he has reached the equivalent of twice the numerical equivalent of the word ben. This money should then be given to a poor and humble Torah scholar. This is a segulah for childless couples.” This poster spoke to Reb Moshe’s heart because he was still childless after a number of years of marriage. He was deeply pained by the situation, and desperately worried. He and his wife couldn’t bear the feeling of emptiness in their home. They longed to care for a baby, to shower a child with love. They wanted with all their hearts to fulfill the mitzva of “go forth and multiply,” and to raise a child al pi derech Torah. They also wanted dearly to gladden their concerned parents, whose eyes were filled with sadness and concern at their plight. At first, they did what every Jew in such a situation does: they turned to the Healer of all Flesh, praying and pleading that He grant them a child. They poured their hearts out at the Kosel and visited kivrei tzadikim all over the country – but still they were alone. They knew that no tefila was in vain, but they longed to see tangible proof that Hashem was listening to their prayers. Upon his Rebbe’s advice, Reb Moshe and his wife were beginning to consider turning to doctors for help, although they really didn’t want to. Reb Moshe did not lose his emuna in Hashem for a moment. He was certain that Hashem would send them a yeshua. In the meantime, though, the days stretched out long and empty before them, without the sound of a child’s whimper to break the silence. On erev Shavuos, as Reb Moshe stood looking at the poster, a small but powerful voice deep inside his heart whispered to him that their yeshua would stem from here. He had already tried numerous segulos, to no avail...but this was a segulah from Harav Chaim Falaji, the great rav of Izmir, and the poster said the segulah dated back 200 years and that many people had been helped. Reb Moshe contacted
Kupat Ha’ir with a question: how much is a peruta in modern currency? Kupat Ha’ir told him what the equivalent of a perutah would be today, and after doing the arithmetic, Reb Moshe saw that 91 perutos came to all of six and a half shekels. He consulted with a friend of his, a talmid chacham, who told him that when the word perutah is used, the intention is not a specific value; rather, it means the smallest unit of currency in a particular area and time period. In our times, the friend advised, the equivalent of a perutah would be a shekel. Reb Moshe went to a gabbai tzedakah in the neighborhood to change a NIS 100 bill for one hundred one-shekel coins. His wife found him sitting and counting coin after coin, counting to 104 coins, a smile illuminating his face. Reb Moshe hurried to explain what he was doing, adding “When we are helped, when the promise of the tzaddik Reb Caim Falaji is fulfilled, be’ezras Hashem, I promise to publicize the miracle.” “Perhaps the koach of the mitzva of tzedaka will join all the other segulos we’ve done, and tip the scales in Shamayim in our favor,” his wife said. She believed that tzedaka tatzil mimaves, charity rescues one from death, and for her, the long years of barrenness were comparable to death. Some time after Shavuos, Reb Moshe met one of the avreichim who volunteers for Kupat Ha’ir, and he inquired as to the precise source of the segulah. “What difference does it make now?” the avreich wondered. “Shavuos is already behind us.” Reb Moshe, however, was very eager to know the source, so the avreich showed him exactly where in the sefer it was written. Reb Moshe went home filled with hopes, expectations, and a prayer on his lips. A few weeks ago, less than a year after he read Kupat Ha’ir’as poster, Reb Moshe embraced his infant daughter! But promises may not be forgotten. Reb Moshe wants with all his heart to fulfill his promise and publicize the story of his miracle. Anyone interested in hearing the story firsthand is welcome to call 972-507-616217
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On erev Shavu segulah of H perutos (twic needy talmid children. On publicized th shiur peruta it came to a practice was gave 104 sh on erev Pesa after many On erev S newsletter t above segul shekels on of 5764, They, too,
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This item appeared in the Shavuos newsletter of 5764 ....ותפקוד לכל חשוכי בנים before Shavuos 5763, the M. family received a brochure
Two weeks from Kupat Ha’ir in its mailbox. was helped When Mrs. M read the story about Reb Moshe, who that appears through a segulah of Rabbi Chaim Falaji, zy”a (the story g. She, too, on the previous page), she felt her heart contract with longin ess. had been married quite a number of years and was still childl d together to When she told her husband what she had read, they decide transferred donate 104 shekels to Kupat Ha’ir on erev Shavuos, to be help, their to a poor talmid chacham. They hoped that with Hashem’s story would be the miracle publicized in the Kupat Ha’ir brochure of Shavuos 5764. Months passed, an on erev Pesach, Kupat Ha’ir received the following letter:
Nisan 5764 Sichu b’chol nifla’osav In the fundraising brochure of 5763, you printed a segulah for zera shel kayama: to give 91 perutos to tzedaka. At the time, I agreed to send the money and promised to publicize the matter when we merited a yeshua. With Hashem’s help, we celebrated our son’s bris approximately one week ago. Be strong, and may Hashem be with you in all you do. Family M The M family asked that its cell phone number appear in the Shavuos newsletter, so that they could share with everyone this wonderful segulah and the yeshua they merited.
The phone number is
972-506-942405
This is the first of dozens of letters that arrived before Shavuos of 5765 Thrice – A Chazaka
Hashem been Although my wife and I have baruch been graced not blessed with children, our home had a general rule, with a new addition for five years. As ws that the kno I don’t do segulos, but since everyone are absolutely stories in Kupat Ha’ir’s newsletters ssed with a n ble true, and since two people had bee I decided to go child within a year of the segulah, shem that I Ha ahead and try as well. I davened to publicizing the merit to make a kiddush Hashem by story of my miracle. avuos of 5764, I perfor med the segulah on erev Sh boy was bor n to and before Pesach of 5765, a baby to write this to us. I am overjoyed to have the merit
licized the v Shavuos, 5762, Kupat Ha’ir pub give 104 h of Harav Chaim Falaji, zt”l, to ben) to a s (twice the numerical equivalent of n’t have talmid chacham, for people who did pat Ha’ir en. On erev Shavuos, 5763, Ku d what s a cized the story of a man who verifie s told that peruta was in moder n times. He wa the accepted me to a ver y small sum, but that The man ice was to use a shekel as a perutah. coins) and 104 shekels (with 104 one-shekel n to him, rev Pesach of 5763, a son was bor many years of bar renness. rit pat Ha’ir ny members of Klal Yisrael me ma erev Shavuos of 5764, the Ku y Ma u. yo o saw the os sletter told the story of a woman wh d 104 to write letters like this one for the Shavu ate don 5766. ve segulah in your newsletter and Pesach newsletter of e for Be . 63 57 of os avu Sh v ere els on The P family Bnei Brak h a daughter. 5764, the couple was blessed wit 03-5799394 bar renness. ey, too, had suffered many years of
5766
The Chiddush of 5766 Koh Lechai! Levi is a longtime friend of Baruch. The two grew up together, attended yeshiva together, and married within a few months of each other. Levi’s home was soon filled with the sound of childish laughter, but Baruch was not so fortunate. He and his wife were not blessed with children. The years passed, and soon Levi was celebrating his children’s bar mitzvahs and then their marriages, while Baruch’s home remained as silent and orderly as it had been immediately after his marriage. Baruch found it difficult to discuss his painful situation, even with his close friend, and Levi was careful not to ask too many questions. During the rare moments when Baruch confided in him, he listened, but he never probed. Last year, after reading the article in Kupat Ha’ir’s newsletter regarding Harav Chaim Falaji’s powerful segulah for children, Levi’s heart contracted in pain as he thought of his friend. It seemed the segulos worked for everyone but him… Baruch had been married for 25 years now, and he was still childless. Had Baruch done the segulah? Levi didn’t want to ask, for fear of causing his dear friend pain, but in his heart he felt sure that after 25 years of childlessness, Baruch had already tried everything. Still, he couldn’t put the article out of his mind. On erev Shavuos, Levi suddenly decided to take action. He couldn’t ask Baruch whether he had tried the segulah, but he could contribute without telling anyone a word. He went to his local grocery store and changed a 100shekel bill to one hundred 1-shekel coins. He then added four more one-shekel coins, put the money in an envelope, and personally delivered it to a rav who accepted contributions on behalf of Kupat Ha’ir. Before Pesach of the following year, Baruch became the proud father of twins. Now that Baruch’s
anguish was a thing of the past, Levi dared ask him whether he had ever tried Harav Chaim Falaji’s segulah. Baruch stared at him in astonishment: he had never heard of the segulah! (Apparently, there are still some people who don’t read Kupat Ha’ir’s newsletters… interesting.) There follows an excerpt from Levi’s letter: There are three lessons to be learned from my story: First, Harav Chaim Falaji’s segulah helps even in “tough cases”… even for couples married 25 years. Second, the segulah helps even when one party contributes on behalf of someone else. If you don’t feel comfortable asking a childless acquaintance whether he’s heard of the segulah, you can contribute for him. Third – and this lesson applies not only with regard to childless couples or contributions – never take for granted that someone knows what everyone else does, that he’s tried the obvious, that he understands what seems perfectly clear to you. Don’t just assume – take action! Tel: 02-5862471 A distinguished Jew from Bnei Brak who also did the segulah for his daughter without telling a soul, has this to say: Do the segulah without fanfare. Chazal say that blessing rests upon the inconspicuous, and segulos, too, need Hashem’s blessing to be effective. The yid promised to publicize the segulah when his daughter merited a yeshua, and he is hereby fulfilling his obligation. Tel: 0506-698870
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a ch ra B al on rs pe a g in iv ce re it er m n ca You too The Gedolei Hador immersed in prayer on erev Yom Kippur of 5766 Please daven on my behalf for: לזרע של קיימא Hagaon Harav M. Y. Lefkovitz
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