Details in the pages to follow
Maran Hagaon A. L. Steinman shlit”a reviewing and approving his personal story in all the detail
The Yeshu Home o Harav S
e s o p x E The households of the Gedolei Hador see yeshuos, too! The amazing stories about Kupat Ha’ir, the yeshuos that people have come to accept as part of life, crop up from time to time in the households of the Gedolei Hador as well. They, too, are only mortal. They, too, sometimes require yeshuos large and small – and they, too, know that the right address when looking for yeshuah is Kupat Ha’ir. Read the story, delight in it, enjoy it – and reach the obvious conclusion… Erev Yom Kippur. In the home of Maran Hagaon Harav Steinman, shlit”a, final preparations were underway in anticipation of the holy day. A member of the family
went to the closet to prepare the Rav’s kittel. But The kittel wasn’t in its place. A search of the closets did not turn up the kittel. There weren’t that many closets to search; the number of places the kittel might be were rather limited. Had a hanger fallen to the bottom of the closet? No. Maybe the kittel was hanging under something else? No. Had it been folded and placed on an upper shelf? No. The preparations continued, accompanied by the now-frantic search for the kittel. Should Maran be told that the kittel had disappeared? Should efforts be made to come up with an alternate kittel? Would Maran want to wear a garment that wasn’t his own on the holiest day of the year? And who had an extra kittel? Whoever had one needed
huah in the of Hagaon Steinman, Shlit”a
! e
his Written bygabbai dedicatedgaon R’ Y. Harav Ha n, shlit”a Levinstei
it. Most people don’t have spare kitlach. It was already very late… Maran noticed that something was up. He asked what everyone was looking for and was told that his kittel was missing. Not a shadow passed over his saintly face. He was preoccupied with far loftier matters. But the family was under a lot pressure. “Let’s contribute to Kupat Ha’ir.” said one of the grandchildren. Maran heard the comment and his grandchild began to fear he had spoken out of turn. Perhaps it had been wrong to tell his saintly grandfather what to do? “You’re right; you’re right!” Maran said with a smile. He gave his grandson twenty shekels and pointed to the Kupat Ha’ir pushka on his table. The bill was not yet all the way through the slot when a cry came from the other room. “I found it!” But the true story took place some time later, when permission was requested from Maran, shlit”a, to publicize this story. Maran, shlit”a reacted with puzzlement: “What is there to publicize? You give tzedakah to a worthy place and you see yeshuos, as described in the Gemara and in poskim.
Maran Hagaon Harav Aharon Leib Steinman, shlit”a On Purim day
“A yeshuah [effected] through tzedakah is something explained in the Gemara. Kupat Ha’ir is the best tzedakah in the generation and Hakadosh Baruch Hu sends yeshuos through it.”
Maran Hagaon M. Y. Lefkowitz shlit”a reviewing and approving his personal story in all the detail
The Yeshu Home Haga Lefkowit
e s o p x E A fellow from France came to see Harav Lefkowitz. He was a shadow of his former self, broken and dejected. Can we describe the pain of a father whose son has left the path of Torah and begun associating with gentile street youths? Can we depict the anguish of a father who sees his son deteriorating before his very eyes? He hadn’t been in yeshiva for three months now – and refused to even consider the possibility of returning. The father wept copiously as he described the situation to Harav Lefkowitz. Maran, shlit”a, listened attentively, his own eyes streaming hot tears. Those present in the room choked back sobs. It was so hard to see an elderly Jew weeping like a baby. It was a thousand times harder
to hear his broken, anguished voice. Surely there is no pain in the world that can compare. No one in the room had ever heard anyone cry like that, not even at the sickbed of a loved one, not even when the disease was incurable. No, only the distress of losing a neshamah to Yiddishkeit can evoke distress of such a degree. Maran Harav Lefkowitz, shlit”a, blessed the broken father, but that wasn’t enough to console him. Then, in a rare and surprising move, Maran, shlit”a removed a $100 bill from his pocket and placed it in the Kupat Ha’ir pushka in the boy’s merit, that Hashem help him find his way back to Him. The father was amazed, as were those accompanying him. The family looked on wide-eyed. It seemed the gates of heaven were opening right there in front of
huah in the e of Maran gaon Harav tz, shlit”a:
e!
son, d n a r g s i h Written byarav Reuven Hagaon H , shlit”a Korlansky
them. There was a tangible sense in the air that a miracle was about to occur. Some things cannot be explained, but their presence is undeniable nevertheless. And that feeling proved to be true! A month later, the delighted father returned to Eretz Yisrael. “Since I returned home,” he said to Harav Lefkowitz, “there’s been a marked improvement. Slow but steady. Now he’s expressing his willingness to return to yeshivah. I took him there with a heart filled with emotion. I came here to tell Maran, shlit”a, that his tefilos accomplish great things in Shamayim,” the father concluded, tears of joy streaming down his face. “It isn’t just the tefillos,” Maran said earnestly, his entire face radiating light. “It was the tzedakah to Kupat Ha’ir that pushed your son back to Torah.”
Maran Hagaon Harav Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz, shlit”a On Purim 5768
“Hakadosh Baruch Hu has blessed us with Kupat Ha’ir through which we can distribute tzedakah to worthy poor people. Therefore, whoever wants a yeshuah should contribute to Kupat Ha’ir and merit in this world and the World to Come.”
Maran Hagaon C. Kanievsky shlit”a reviewing and approving his personal story in all the detail
The Yeshu Home o Har Kani
! e s o p x E Written by his dedicated gabbai, Hagaon Harav Moshe Smutney, shlit”a
The atmosphere in the house was one of tension and worry. It was as if a hidden cloud had descended, making for poor visibility. Harav Chaim Kanievsky’s personal key ring had disappeared. Among the keys on the ring was the key to Reb Chaim’s private study, which was now locked. Also lost were keys to drawers where Reb Chaim kept money entrusted to him by others, important family documents and other people’s classified information. Where were the keys? The family searched the apartment over and over again, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Every place Maran had been since the last time he’d seen his keys was searched meticulously.
The key ring was not found. Could it be that someone had stolen it? It was apparent to all that the Rav was very perturbed. Harav Kanievsky is not one to talk a lot, but those close to him can tell what he’s feeling. The pressure mounted steadily. In the evening, one of Rav Chaim’s grandchildren came to visit. He heard the story and the descriptions of the frantic searches and sensed the tension in the air. He looked around, trying to catch the eye of someone else from the family. The question in his own eyes was obvious: did his saintly grandfather have to be reminded about the existence of Kupat Ha’ir? All of Am Yisrael knew what one did in a situation like this! You contribute to Kupat Ha’ir and you find what you’re looking for!
huah in the of Hagaon arav Chaim nievsky,shlit”a Rav Chaim’s grandson worked up the courage to suggest to his grandfather that perhaps a contribution should be made to Kupat Ha’ir. “Yes, yes, that is certainly the right thing to do,” Rav Chaim exclaimed. And on the spot, he withdrew a bill from his wallet and gave it to his grandson to put in the pushka. Now the family members exchanged glances once again. Ten seconds passed, twenty, half a minute, forty seconds… would something happen? An entire minute ticked by. Everyone held his breath. Nu? The entire household stood ready, certain that something was about to happen. A minute and twenty seconds, a minute and forty… Before two full minutes had ticked by, there was a knock at the door. An avreich walked in with the familiar key ring. He had been walking along the short path between Harav Kanievsky’s house and the Lederman beis knesses, an area that had been thoroughly searched twenty times, and he had stumbled on the key ring. People had told him that it belonged to Harav Kanievsky. Was it true? He didn’t understand the reason for the excitement sparkling in everyone’s eyes. But they certainly did! Amazing as this story is, there was a slight continuation. It may seem trivial, on the surface, but if you analyze it carefully, you see that it is really the story of all stories… The following day, the keys disappeared again, Even before the frantic searching began, Harav Kanievsky said in that simple manner of his, “Nu (his tone of voice indicating why make a fuss?) So let’s contribute to Kupat Ha’ir again…”
Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a On Purim 5768
“Hakadosh Baruch Hu sends yeshuos through Kupat Ha’ir, which is conducted with integrity.”
The Dar
time making ends meet, families who wish they had the peace of mind that It’s so easy and pleasant to float upon the waves of comes with financial security. Not at all. A drop in miraculous yeshuos and to bury the difficult, bitter truth We’re talking about families that may sea of ho deep, deep down… seem that way on the outside but are in stories tr The Kupat Ha’ir brochures present a glowing picture: fact living in dire poverty. Families who lack the most basic, burning necessities. contribute and merit a yeshuah. The river of yeshuos is by Kupat overflowing, with various tributaries streaming in from Families where lack has turned life into all over Eretz Yisrael and abroad. Tzedakah has become an a horrific tragedy and daily existence inseparable part of the daily life of Jewish families. Kupat into a dangerous route of helplessness, Ha’ir slipped naturally into its proper role as a steady depression and self-destruction. companion and supportive friend in just about every Yes. The time has come to part the curtain. area of life. Small tensions, problems and difficulties all We have no choice but to present the naked truth, the become easier and simpler with Kupat Ha’ir. desperate situation, the bitter despair in thousands
The Bright Side
But all those yeshuos you merit when you contribute are only one side of the coin – the shiny, appealing, festive side. But the coin has another side too – one that is bitter and depressing.
upon thousands of beautiful, respectable families who were once fairly well off but are today buried under a deadly avalanche.
We’re not talking about families that are having a hard
families’ lives, you see the pain and anguish behind the masks of normalcy their members wear. Out in the street, they smile and stop to chat with acquaintances. On the outside, everything seems fine. But what a bitter mistake that is.
It isn’t easy. It’s not easy to hear, not easy to read. These The huge amounts of money Kupat Ha’ir dispenses – the stories are neither heartwarming nor pleasant. They’re same huge amounts everyone feels proud to hear – get tough, painful, torturous and depressing. swallowed up with incredible speed by thousands of The gabba’im at Kupat Ha’ir have long ago stopped hungry mouths. Hungry mouths! smiling. The moment you take one step into these
Sounds exaggerated? Read on and decide.
This is what the kitchen looks like.
D always thought that the neighbors’ children were simply impolite. They often came to play with D’s children at mealtime and never refused an invitation to join the family. Once, D gently probed one of the children. The child’s response left him shocked to the core of his soul. The children ate bread for their “main meal” in the afternoon and nothing at all in the evening before going to bed! There was no such thing as cooked food. To think that so poor a family was living in his own building and he had no idea, had never tried to help out!
ark Side
p in the f horror s treated pat Ha’ir
D is not the only avreich who was shaken to the core upon being suddenly exposed to such desperate poverty.
Dirty Work One evening, the phone rang at Kupat Ha’ir. “Come…come quick!”
The voice of the avreich on the other end of the line was filled with panic and horror. He had heard the neighbor’s children crying – first one and then another and another. At first, he thought that the parents were not home. He asked his wife to knock at their door to see if she could help. When the mother answered the door, the avreich’s wife tried, as gently as possible, to inquire what the matter was. After a few moments, the woman broke down and admitted that her children had gone to bed without any supper… they were hungry. One of them had woken up and begun to cry, and she had nothing to give him. The house was empty of food. The others woke up from their sibling’s cries and joined in.
This is the children’s room the huge pots, the piles of dishes and cutlery, while the father cleans the gas range and washes the floor. But even that is not enough to feed the family.
Mrs. M is raising her children on her own. She’s a doting, devoted mother, but she leaves her children alone at night… The children are terrified of night, of the loneliness and fear, of the thunderstorms during the What did they have for lunch? One slice of bread each. winter and the noises outside their windows during the Baby formula did not enter their home; the baby received summer… but she has no choice. milk diluted with water. Mrs. M. spends the night sleeping in the homes of elderly To pay the rent, the parents go to Pardes Katz (a women in order to bring a few shekels home. Another neighboring area) in the evenings to clean the hallways night and another… when a woman no longer requires in apartment buildings there, but the meager salary her services, she immediately looks for another. The they receive is not enough to support the family. children don’t know whether to pray that she find The A family is known as a respectable family. Both someone – and then there will be bread and milk at parents are well known personalities, and their twelve home (there’s never enough for more than that in any children are sources of great nachas to them. The case) - or to say Tehillim that she not find someone, so National Insurance reductions hit them hard on two that she’ll be home with them… fronts: on the one hand, their monthly income shrank by NIS 5,000, and on the other, students stopped coming to the father of the family for private tutoring lessons. The cuts had affected their families, too…
When Disease and Poverty Meet
Now the parents go out in the evenings to clean the kitchens of institutions in the city. The mother scrubs
And even that is not the worst. As long as there is some form of income – even if it comes
Here’s where they sleep other channels to release the love of chessed flowing inside him. He doesn’t shy away from treating neglected people or those with mental or emotional disturbances. Once, he personally (!!!) transferred the contents of a childless Jew’s apartment to a different apartment. As he was making his way down the stairs with the elderly man’s refrigerator on his back, he slipped and fell. The refrigerator fell on top of him. He was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. He left in a wheelchair and will remain that way for life. He’s the family’s sole breadwinner. The family’s future is now hanging in the balance. as the result of exceedingly difficult work – there is still hope for a better future. The situation of families where a loved one is ill is ten times worse:
And another sad case:
Moshe’s brother tricked him (out of despair): He obtained his signature on checks and documents. Moshe trusted The father suffers from epilepsy and is unable to hold him and didn’t suspect a thing. One day, the brother down a job. His wife suffers from a serious asthma lost everything and fled abroad, leaving Moshe with condition and spends half the night at a window, trying creditors he never knew existed. The bank foreclosed to draw breaths of air. The children suffer from eczema on his home and all his property and assets were (often referred to as “asthma of the skin”) and scratch confiscated. His children were suddenly thrown into a incessantly. The unfortunate parents cannot afford stormy whirlpool of tension, humiliation and fear. His to purchase medication to ease their symptoms. They wife lost her emotional stability. scratch and scratch, drawing blood and crying with The terrible connection between distress and illness is all too common. Poverty causes illness, exacerbates pain and frustration. existing conditions and turns homes into rubble. There They’re not the only ones scratching: are so many examples: T suffers from an ugly and distressing skin condition. He scratches constantly. He’s ashamed for others to see And another sad case: him, so he stays indoors as much as possible. And he G is a young divorcee raising her children on her own. keeps scratching… They’re all she has in the world. She’s holding down a job His condition is considered chronic, but there are while simultaneously taking classes that will hopefully medications that alleviate the symptoms – only T lead to a better livelihood and a father and mother for cannot afford to purchase them. His suffering makes her children. Things might have worked out okay if G him edgy. He loses patience with the children and had not begun experiencing consistent pain. A trip to flies off the handle at the slightest provocation, then the doctor led to blood work, x-rays… and the diagnosis eats himself up with regret. He doesn’t have a drop of of a chronic condition. She couldn’t afford to rest or go peace of mind. His children’s situation is deteriorating for treatment to preserve her current situation. Instead, steadily. The danger of the street is clearly hovering in she continued working. Who would do it instead of her? Her situation grew steadily worse. Today she is incapable this house. of working and there is no – no!– food for her children.
Another sad case:
Another heartrending story
Harav Z is a ba’al chessed who strives to perform physical acts of kindness. He’s not a wealthy man, so he looks for These things don’t happen only to “nebachs.” The world
foreclosed on) and without the slightest idea how a person copes with difficulty. The next few months were more bitter than death: there was no money to pay rent, no food, no way to pay tuition. His children plummeted from their high social positions. They took the blow very Finally, after years of dreaming hard. He received a letter from the local about it, the M’s bought Rav attesting to his difficult position. He a new apartment suited to drew a thick line over his name with a black their growing family’s needs. Both husband and wife marker and since then, he’s been knocking on doors and held down well-paying jobs. They lived well and put aside a little bit every month toward the longed-for collecting money for his family. apartment. What can we tell them? What can can come crashing down with no advance warning even in nice, successful, respectable families. After a brief while, you can’t believe that this is all that’s left…
The heart refuses to believe; the eyes read and fill with tears
The chanukas habayis was a happy affair. True, the M’s had a mortgage to pay off. They knew that for the next few years, all of the husband’s salary would go to pay for it, but the wife’s salary was enough to live on comfortably.
they do?
A premature baby was born to the B family. The baby seemed to be doing well at first. No one could understand why he wasn’t developing as the doctors had predicted. But a wave of layoffs left her unemployed, humiliated His bodily systems were fine, he was able to digest food and hysterical. All of a sudden, there was no money – but he wasn’t growing. for anything. Her severance pay was used up in a few During an in-depth discussion with the parents, the months’ time and the tension in the house became truth came to light. The mother burst into tears and unbearable. admitted that she couldn’t afford to buy formula for The emotional blow was followed by a physical one. Mrs. the baby. She turned one portion of formula into three M fell ill. Today, her husband works from morning to meals. Was it any wonder the baby wasn’t thriving? night. The children have neither a father nor a mother at home for them. They are terribly neglected and there is no one to care for them. The lovely new house took on a grungy appearance. A thick layer of dust covers all the furniture that was once so lovingly polished. The A neglected spot in the house family’s tzaros have suffocated its former good cheer and the charm of the new house is long gone.
From “Kest” to Collecting M did a great shidduch: he married the daughter of a wealthy, successful diamond dealer and received a spacious, lovely apartment. He received a respectable “kest” (monthly support) as well, enabling him to live well and with no financial concerns. His children were always well dressed and successful; their friends envied them. But one day, the wheel of fortune turned, leaving his father-in-law destitute. All at once, M was left without his monthly checks, without his apartment (which was in his father-in-law’s name and immediately
And how shortsighted are the people around them! Who might guess what people are going through?
people sometimes call “not a hundred percent.” He functions almost normally – but only almost. You might not notice anything at first; there are lots of interesting types out there, after all. But his “almost” drives his family crazy. He doesn’t earn a livelihood. He takes no interest in supporting his family. He comes and goes and spends as he likes without concerning himself about where the money will come from. His wife pays the mortgage every month – she works all morning and afternoon to support the family. She lives with horrific
The atmosphere at the Z family home has been dark and gloomy for a long time now. The youngest child in the family has the dreaded disease. The Z’s have already known much pain: one of the children in the family passed away after five years of unbearable suffering. The parents have abandoned everything in order to take turns being with their child day and night. There are ten other children in the family and no one to look at them, to provide food, to see to their basic needs. A pharmacy could (practically) support itself on the R family’s purchases. NIS 3,500 per month is spent on This is the washroom medication! The prescriptions are written by doctors who charge a handsome fee per visit. The R’s have three sick children. Their lives are one long chapter of suffering, a merry-go-round of doctors and medication, frugality, planning the expenditure of every shekel, treatments and hospitalization. Both parents’ entire paychecks are sucked up by these urgent needs. But but she has no control over her husband. She’s being what about the rest of a family’s needs? There are other torn apart physically and emotionally: no matter how hard she tries, the debts keep piling up. The burden on children at home, too, and no way to support them. her shoulders is growing steadily heavier. The children need her, too, and her strength is giving out.
Mothers in Distress
The A family has four children. The father is what When a woman struggles to cope on her own, the battle
is often lost before it begins.
order, every pledge – helps.
K was an agunah for fifteen years, a living widow whose We don’t dismiss any options. We’re willing to work hard pain cannot be encapsulated. After superhuman efforts, for the slightest chance something will come of it. We there was a faint chance of obtaining the longed-for get. try! Of course, there was no mention of financial obligations, not child support or anything of the sort – just a get that Where are you? would release her forever from the man who had made her life miserable. The get was obtained after a series of Have you made a monthly tremendous difficulties. Now she’s living “happily” with donation for Kupat Ha’ir yet? her children in a one-room basement apartment that’s How can you not have? dark and dank and filled with four-legged, uninvited guests. Make a monthly donation for Which only makes the question that much more pressing: What do we do?! Kupat Ha’ir stepped in to handle the crisis. Today, after a long period of lack, Kupat Ha’ir is increasing the stipends. Instead of NIS 2,000 per month, we give NIS 3,000 or more. The circle of recipients is growing at an alarming rate and Kupat Ha’ir gives more and more, more than it can really handle. Kupat Ha’ir constantly approaches new sources: France, England, Canada and the United States were the first, and we’re still trying new areas as well. In Eretz Yisrael, too, we’re trying to begin appealing to the non-chareidi population and to interest them in what’s taking place a hop, skip and a jump away from them. At the same time, we try to come up with stipends, contributions of food and clothing, coupons… anything. We try everything possible, but as much as we do, it’s not enough. There are too many cases of distress and our resources are limited. Still, Kupat Ha’ir does not rest. The gabba’im of Kupat Ha’ir break their heads to come up with new ideas, to find temporary solutions and more permanent ones. In other words, they try to do everything possible and then some. At Kupat Ha’ir, we know that every cent that comes in makes the millstone crushing someone that much lighter. Even if others are still suffering, at least there are some for whom the burden has been alleviated. Every contribution that comes in, every new standing
Kupat Ha’ir so that you should be able to sleep at night. Otherwise, how can you?
It’s hard to read these lines. One’s heart breaks to think that all these stories, written here in short – are the life stories of people among us, ordinary in every way, who conceal their situation with masterful deception. True, this article is not for children. It’s an article for adults who have a realistic view of life: if I’m experiencing crushing poverty, that means I’m on bottom and the wheel will turn. The day will come, G-d willing, that we will emerge from darkness into light. If I find it hard to believe that such poverty exists nowadays, at least let me help those who are currently on the very bottom. I’ll share in their burden, extend a helping hand. May we never know of tzaros!
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AREIVIM
The Segulah
Brought T h a t T h ousands Children of Into The World
The segulah: “On erev Shavuos, one should set aside 91 perutos and then [add more] to complete the [numerical equivalent] of twice the word ben, and one should give them to a needy and humble Torah scholar.
“And this is a segulah for the barren and it hastens the Redemption… “Remembered fondly is the wealthy man…who would distribute a large sum to all the modest Torah scholars on erev Shavuos with happiness and joy, including my own relatives… “I have mentioned their names so that others should see their actions and do the same, each man in his place. Hagaon Harav Chaim Falagi in his sefer Mo’ed Lechol Chai, siman 27
►In our times, Gedolei Hador have instructed to give $ 104. Kupat Ha’ir commits itself to distribute all the money on erev Shavuos to needy Torah scholars. ►You can also contribute via credit card and other methods of payment. ► In addition all names will be transferred to the Gedolei Hador, shlit”a, for blessing and prayer.
104 The circle widens with each passing year. Every year, more and more men and women seek salvation through this precious and ancient segulah. Because this segulah, it is already well known, opens the gates of heaven wide. Tried and true! Kupat Ha’ir’s yeshuah collection – a collection that increases steadily from year to year and serves as a source of great strength to everyone involved in its operation – contains an entire section entitled Zera shel Kayama. Within that section is a subsection entitled In The Merit of the Segulah of Harav Chaim Falagi. And so, the holy words that Rav Chaim Falagi penned two hundred years ago in his little volume have the merit of serving as the catalyst for so many yeshuos. Yeshuos for the many contributors, who joyfully report to us the miracles they have merited, and yeshuos for the talmidei chachamim, who can sit and learn without distraction all night on Shavuos night now that a heavy stone of financial concern has been removed from their hearts. “We contributed and saw a yeshuah in merit of the mitzvah, in merit of Harav Chaim Falagi,” reads one small note. “We contributed $104 in accordance with the well-known segulah,” reads another letter, “and we were immediately blessed.”
Good Neighbors Rav G accepts contributions on behalf of Kupat Ha’ir. On
erev Shavuos last year, Rav G had a very strange experience. There was a knock at the door. A neighbor from the building across the street gave him $104 with a folded piece of paper containing the names to be prayed for. Rav G thanked the child who had delivered the contribution, placed the note carefully in an envelope and the money into a cardboard box. Then he resumed his preparations for Yom Tov. A few moments later, there was another knock at the door. It was a different neighbor from the same building across the street. He, too, handed the Rav an envelope with a contribution and a folded note. Rav G thanked him with a smile, placed the note inside the envelope and the envelope inside the box. When the third neighbor knocked at his door, Rav G began to wonder just what was going on. Had a spirit of generosity suddenly settled upon the building across the street? When the fourth neighbor showed up, Rav G could restrain himself no longer. “You have a relative who’s childless?” he asked sympathetically. He wanted to initiate a conversation but didn’t dare be completely direct. “No, not a relative,” the neighbor replied. “A wonderful neighbor.” Understanding suddenly dawned on Rav G. On the third floor of the building across the street from his own lived a childless avreich. He was a pleasant fellow who was obviously in a great deal of pain. The children
4
perutos of yeshua
in the neighborhood loved to visit him and receive a warm smile and special treat. But he had no children of his own. The idea of trying the segulah of Rav Chaim Falagi on the childless couple’s behalf had occurred independently to a number of his neighbors. There was something they could do! Many people have discovered that the segulah helps for people who already have children but long for more. One family was blessed with twins; another had a boy after a long string of girls. The segulah is effective: it augments blessing and lends power to tefilos.
Tzedakah Umarpeh The R family has been blessed with children who fill their home with noise and laughter. The oldest was barely five years old when the fourth child was born. Another two children followed in quick succession. At this point, the R’s took it for granted that it was only a matter of time before the seventh child made its appearance. But the seventh child didn’t materialize. A year passed, then another and another. At first, Mrs. R saw that there was life even when only one child was in diapers. In the past, she’d had two or three at that stage simultaneously. It felt a little strange having only one baby at home. When the sixth baby outgrew his crib, Mrs. R felt completely out of her element. What should she
do? Pack away the crib? A house without a crib, when the oldest wasn’t even ten years old? Some women find childrearing a difficult burden. But Mrs. R felt that she drew boundless satisfaction and joy from each child. She dreamed of a full and crowded house. Another year passed. The “baby” was now four years old, a ben zekunim to young parents. Her friends told her that such situations were all too common. She knew of other families like her own. But she couldn’t make peace with reality. She longed for another baby. A while later, she lost a baby under tragic circumstances. She had waited so long, been so ecstatic and now… Recuperation was incredibly difficult. Two more years passed. The children reveled in the attention their mother showered on them. The house was filled with light and joy. But there was a sad heaviness in her heart. She davened without letup and saw various doctors. There was no yeshuah in sight. On erev Shavuos, she contributed 104 dollars. Every dollar was accompanied by a prayer and a tear. True, she had been blessed with a lovely family. But she yearned, she ached for another child. Less than ten months later, the R’s were blessed with a baby. A real-live new baby whose arrival was heralded with unbridled joy.
Maran Hagaon Harav Aharon Leib Steinman, shlit”a “Although we have the tradition that the main thing is tefilah, certainly, certainly this segulah from Hagaon Harav Chaim Falagi adds much. It is proper to publicize it because a number of people have been helped in its merit. It is obvious that Kupat Ha’ir is the suitable place and may Hashem Yisbarach help all those who need a yeshuah and bless them with all their needs.”
The Lelover Rebbe, shlit”a “Tzedakah for the poor is always a segulah that helps and works, and if you give to Kupat Ha’ir, which is the tzedakah of the Gedolei Hador, certainly that has even more merit. And with the manner of contribution that Hagaon Harav Chaim Falagi, zy”a, wrote about two hundred years ago, this is a rare combination that will, with Hashem’s help, be effective and bring down abundance and salvation to those who need it.”
Maran Hagaon Harav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, shlit”a “It is not our job to delve into hidden secrets and segulos, but Hagaon Harav Chaim Falagi does not need my approval. Certinly the proper place to carry out this segulah is Kupat Ha’ir, which is the hand of the Gedolei Hador to provide sustenance for the poor, including hundreds of talmidei chachamim.”
Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a Maran, shlit”a was asked how to calculate 104 perutos nowadays. He replied that apparently, those who give 104 dollars are correct in doing so for that is the currency we use nowadays. Maran, shlit”a, has also ruled that it is permissible to contribute via credit card. In summary, Maran, shlit”a declared: “Certainly this should be publicized. Hagaon Harav Chaim Falagi was a very great tzaddik and mekubal and his words will not go unfulfilled. May Hashem help those who perform this segulah to be helped with zera shel kayama and in all areas.”
inion of O p O The abbanim on ur R The Nadvorner Rebbe, shlit”a “Hagaon Harav Chaim Falagi, z”l, wrote clearly that this is a segulah for the barren, so it is certainly proper to publicize this on behalf of those who need a yeshuah. When one contributes to Kupat Ha’ir, it is certain that the money reaches a Torah scholar. In this way may Hashem help all those who need a yeshuah and bestow upon them compassion from Heaven to be speedily blessed with zera shel kayama.”
The Rebbe of Chernobyl, shlit”a “It is a great mitzvah to publicize a segulah from a renowned tzaddik and mekubal from two centuries ago, which will be of great help, with Hashem’s assistance, to the childless.” And the Rebbe added, “Certainly those who receive from Kupat Ha’ir are Torah scholars. I personally know a number of talmidei chachamim who are assisted by Kupat Ha’ir and they are certainly poor and humble Torah scholars. Kupat Ha’ir can be trusted to carry out this mission in the best possible way.”
The Unique Segulah for Barren Couples It is proper and necessary to publicize this segulah. And Kupat Ha’ir is the suitable place to perform this segulah, and many have already been helped through it and with Hashem’s help many will be helped.
the f o rave, zy ”a G he stadt t t A ael r e y a r ch A Special P i M of Ba’al Shem
This holy site, frequented by Yidden who have not merited being blessed with children as well as by those who want to pray on behalf of their children, is also visited by a messenger of Kupat Ha’ir on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan a day when special tefillos for children are recited. One of the rabbanim of Kupat Ha’ir will travel there and pray on behalf of the contributors, mentioning each one by name and specifying his request. Each contributor is like a ben yachid, an only son, to our Father in heaven. We at Kupat Ha’ir believe that each individual contributor deserves a special prayer, that his name be recited slowly and accurately along with the name of his mother and his specific request.
Erev R Chod Siv Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan is a precious day, auspicious for the opening of the gates of heaven. Shavuos is approaching, the days of Sefirah are almost all past us. Klal Yisrael is exiting the sha’arei tumah and entering the sha’arei tahara one after the next. In just a short while, we will stand ready to accept the Torah from Shamayim. In Jewish homes everywhere, hearts beat faster on this great and auspicious day with the hope that the fervent prayers recited be accepted On High. Every year, Kupat Ha’ir sends a special messenger to pray on behalf of contributors at locations known to be particularly auspicious for this holy prayer. The fervent prayers of this messenger, a ba’al tefillah and talmid chacham, one of the rabbanim of Kupat Ha’ir who feels a personal connection with the contributors, ascends directly to Shamayim. The respective merits of the place, the day, the special tefillah and the person praying join forces with the powerful merit of the mitzvah of tzedakah and reach all the way to the Heavenly Throne.
Rosh odesh desh van Yidden wait all year for this great day, Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan, and the strong emotion felt here increases tremendously due to the prayers rising to Shamayim.
A Speci al P Moth r er o ayer A t f th e C the Grave of the ha s am So fer, a”h
הקויטל לציון הבעל שם ממיכלשטט זי״עא ואמו של מרן החת״ם סופר זיע״א
Name and Mothers Name
Request
It is well known that the Chasam Sofer declared that his Torah was in the merit of his mother, who stormed the heavens with tearful prayers on his behalf. The Chasam Sofer gave his word that the same merit would stand by anyone who poured his heart out in prayer at her grave and beseeched Hashem regarding his children’s Torah and spiritual growth. The names of those who contribute to Kupat Ha’ir will be mentioned there, at the tziyun of the Chasam Sofer’s saintly mother, and ascend directly to Shamayim. The tefillos recited by the mothers on behalf of their own children, the techinos uttered by the fathers for themselves and their offspring – will join the prayers of the Kupat Ha’ir messenger and together, they will surely bear fruit. This double tefillah, in both places, combined with the great power of tzedakah to Kupat Ha’ir, the organization endorsed by the Gedolei Hador, will be answered for good!
FOR DONATIONS BY DIRECT BANK
WITHDRAWAL
........................................................................... Name ................................................. ........................................................................... Address: .......................................... ........................................................................ City, State & Zip............................ .......................................................................... Phone #:............................................. ... ny Months:......................................... Amount:...................... How ma ....................................................................... Bank Routing #: ............................ ....................................... #:......................................................................... Account ............................................................................ Signature: ...................................
FOR DONATIONS BY CREDIT
40
days by the Kosel Hama’aravi.
CARD
....... ............................................................................. The sum of ................................... s ............................................................ month On a monthly basis, For ..... ............................................................................. One time donation ....... ...... ............................................................................. Credit card # ................................... .... ............................................................................. Expiration date ............................ ......... ............................................................................. Name ................................................. .......... ............................................................................. Address .......................................... .... ............................................................................. Tel ............................................................... ..... ............................................................................. Signature: ..........................................
t the Kosel a s y a D 0 4 r fo l e it The Kv Name and Mothers Name Request
Donations can be sent to: Rabbi Matisyahu Salomon Shlita 637 6th Street Lakewood, New Jersey 08701 Shmuel Berenbaum Ztl 1795 East 7th Street Brooklyn, New York 11223 Rabbi Malkiel Kotler Shlita 521 5th Street Lakewood, New Jersey 08701 Rabbi Moshe Wolfson Shlita 1574 43rd Street Brooklyn, New York 11219 Rabbi Don Blumberg Shlita 4 Yale Drive Monsey, NewYork 10952
Home of Rabbi
Chaim Leib Epstein Shlita 1608 46th Street Brooklyn, New York 11204 Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser Shlita 1336 East 21st Street Brooklyn, New York York 11210 Rabbi Aron Schechter Shlita 1248 East 12th street Brooklyn, New York 11230 Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Feuer Shlita 8 Ash Street Monsey, New York 10952 Rabbi
Name and Mothers Name Request Name and Mothers Name Request By a minyan of outstanding talmidei chachamim (Minimum $120 per name) By an outstanding talmid chacham (Minimum $120 for 3 names)
Please print legibly You can transmit names via the telephone hotline after making a contribution via credit card
1-866-221-9352
y a r p l il w , a " t li h s The Gedolei Hador, . in e m o c t a h t s e for all the nam
Please daven on my behalf for: נחת מהילדים
Nachas from children זרע של קיימא
For children רפואה שלמה
For a refuah sheleima (speedy recovery) זיווג הגון
For zivug hagun (worthy mate) פרנסה
Parnassah (livelihood) with ease
Please fill in your Hebrew name and mother’s Hebrew name
Urgent requests are immediately forwarded to the home of the Gedolei Hador
How do I donate to Kupat Hair? your donation in the enclosed your donation to the Rabbonim in envelope. 3 Send your area (see list on Envelope). 1 Send Call the 24 Hour Tzeddakah Hotline Send your donation to: at Matisyahu Salomon Shlita 4 Rabbi 2Fax: 637 6th Street (donation by credit card)
1-866-221-9352
1888-633-2188
Email: info@kupathairusa.org Lakewood, New Jersey 08701 Please make checks payable to: American Friends of Kupat Ha'ir
Montreal: Rabbi Y. C. Wenger Shlita, 2227 Goyer Avenue, Montreal Quebec H3S 1H1 In Send your donation to: Toronto: Rabbi M. M. Lowy Shlita, 240 Carmichael, Toronto Ontario M5M 2x4 Canada Please make checks payable to: Canadian Friends of Kupat Ha'ir
1-866-221-9352
24 Hour Tzeddakah hotline For all information or to receive a pushka call 1-800-233-2188 Our office number in Israel: 3-671-6994
The Rebbe of Peshevorsk shlit"a praying for Kupat Ha'ir contributors on erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan at the Holy grave of the Ba'al Shem of Michaelstadt