29 Adar – Tiferes Shlomo2 min read
29 Adar is the yahrzeit of the author of Tiferes Shlomo, Rav Shlomo (ben Dov Tzvi) HaKohen of Radomsk zy”a. Tiferes Shlomo, which consists of two volumes, one on Torah and one on Moadim, is considered one of the classics of Sifrei Chassidus. He was a disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin, Rav Meir of Apta, Rav Dovid of Lelov and other great tzaddikim.
Although Rav Shlomo was born after the passing of the Noam Elimelech, he considered himself a talmid. Despite his being a Kohen, he would go to Lizhensk yearly for the yahrzeit. Unable to enter, they built a special structure nearby where he was able to daven. The Radomsker is considered one of the primary voices encouraging people to go to Lizhensk on the yahrzeit.
The tzaddik passed away in a regular year with one Adar. I heard from Rav Shlomo Kupetz that in Poland, the yahrzeits of all the tzadikim who passed away in Adar of a regular year were observed in the first Adar of a leap year (as is the general minhag of European Jews). The one exception was the Tiferes Shlomo, whose yahrzeit was observed in the second Adar. The reason is that the tzaddik had a beautiful voice and was taken from this world on Erev Rosh Chodesh Nisan in order to serve as chazzan in Shomayim and sing Hallel on Rosh Chodesh Nisan. Therefore, his yahrzeit was always observed Erev Rosh Chodesh Nisan, which would be in the second Adar.
If I may add, Rosh Chodesh Nisan was the day the Mishkan was inaugurated, and the tzaddik was a Kohen. Tefillah and korbonos are connected, as tefillah is in place of korbonos.
Perhaps this is alluded to in the words, ויהי ביום כלות משה להקים את המשכן – “And it was on the day that Moshe finished erecting the Mishkan.” (Naso 7:1) This day was Rosh Chodesh Nissan.
The Radomsker passed away Erev Rosh Chodesh Nissan. The words, ביום כלות משה (with the kolel), are equal in gematriya to the day of his passing, כ״ט אדר תרכ״ו. At the time, משה was acting as Kohen Gadol. משה is the initials of שלמה הכהן מראדומסק.
כ״ט אדר תרכ״ו, the date of his passing, is equal in gematriya to רב שלמה בן דוב צבי הכהן ז״ל.
The Tiferes Shlomo often quotes the Arizal who says that when we perform mitzvos, the neshomos of tzaddikim assist us and reveal secrets of Torah (See Mishpatim, “Hinei Sholeach Malach Lifonecha”). I heard this explained, that when we do something for a tzaddik who passed away, such as learning Mishnayos, saying Tehilim, giving tzedaka, lighting a candle or any mitzvah, the tzaddikim assist us in performing mitzvos.
The Power of our Pesach Seder
Tiferes Shlomo is full of beautiful and encouraging Torah. As his yahrzeit falls two weeks before Pesach, it is fitting to mention one of his beautiful explanations which connects Purim and Pesach (which, unable to do justice to, encourage the reader to see inside).
The Tiferes Shlomo asks why, if they had almost a whole year until the following Adar when Haman intended to destroy the Jewish nation, did Mordechai and Esther declare the first three days of Pesach as fast days. Could they not have at least waited until Chol Hamoed? The tzaddik’s beautiful answer demonstrated the power of the Pesach seder.
The tzaddik writes that there are numerous yichudim that take place by the Pesach seder through all the mitzvos of the night; matza, the four cups of wine, marror, Haggada, etc. which help sustain the world. Mordechai and Esther knew that if there would be no seder that year, there would a tumult in heaven regarding why there were no tikkunim down below. Moreover, if the Yidden wouldn’t be saved, chas Vesholom, there would never be a Pesach Seder again and all the “Worlds” would be nullified! Therefore, fasting on Pesach would awaken a defense on behalf of the Jewish nation. (Tiferes Shlomo, Leil Sheini Pesach).
The Tiferes Shlomo is teaching us that even if we don’t understand what is going on, the Pesach Seder of every simple Jew is extremely powerful. In the weeks leading up to Pesach, let’s strive to understand more about the seder so we can maximize its potential!
Zechuso Yogen Aleinu!
